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30/09/2025: Who let the pigs out? Heat pump 'fixation'? Mart socialising

The ancient tradition with a vital role in a bumper year for acorns. And a report claims government policy is 'heat pumps or nothing', despite being costly for old rural homes.

Every autumn pigs are released into the New Forest - the tradition of Pannage. The pigs gobble up the acorns from the thousands of oak trees in the Forest. Anna Hill hears why it's particularly important this year, to protect ponies and cattle from a bumper crop of potentially toxic acorns. The pigs suffer no ill effects from indulging. The New Forest's Head Agister explains the logistics of releasing the pigs and getting them home again.

A new report commissioned by the research body Rural England claims the Government policy on rolling out environmentally friendly home heating is 'heat pumps or nothing'. The report says heat pumps can be expensive and impractical to install in old rural housing, in part due to the insulation needed to make the pumps warm rooms efficiently. It suggests that more should be done to promote alternative renewable fuels, which could be used in existing heating systems.

And we're ringside at the Cockermouth Mule Gimmer Lamb Sale to reflect on livestock markets' role as a social hub.

Presenter: Anna Hill
Producer: Sarah Swadling

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14 minutes