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Save the Hundred Acre Wood

By Edward Kemp. A threat to Ashdown Forest brings Christopher Robin Milne back to his childhood home. With Robert Bathurst.

Ashdown Forest, where AA Milne told his son Christopher Robin the stories of Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and friends, was nearly lost in 1987. Earl De La Warr, whose family had owned the forest for 300 years, wished to sell up.

As the clock ticks down to the deadline, disaster follows disaster. In October, the Great Storm decimates the Forest. Then in February, the Earl dies, locking the estate into probate. 

One man has the profile to draw attention to the campaign and save the forest - Christopher Milne, running a bookshop in Dorset where he lives with his wife and their daughter Clare, who has cerebral palsy.

He had been bullied at school for being Christopher Robin and for most of his life avoided having anything to do with the famous bear. But with the threats to destroy the landscape of his childhood, he is challenged to lead the fight for its survival. 

Written by Edward Kemp

Christopher Milne… Robert Bathurst
Lesley Milne… Lia Williams
AA Milne…Anton Lesser
Clare Milne…Rosie Jones
Mrs Trautlin/ Becky…Natasha Cowley
Peter… Fraser Wall

Music by Sarah Homer
Sound by Alastair MacGregor
Directed by Jeremy Mortimer
Executive Producer Joby Waldman

A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 4

Release date:

57 minutes

On radio

Sat 17 Oct 202615:00

Broadcast

  • Sat 17 Oct 202615:00

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