Early 1990's Ray Mears documentary

[Bob]

Reading through RM's new book this weekend and I've come across a reference to his first TV appearance - apparently TVS filmed him for a documentary prior to his becoming involved in 'Tracks'.

Has anyone here ever seen this programme? It's news to me and I'd be interested to hear from any who have seen it. Even more interested if anyone has a copy of it!

Cheers

Bob

 

[Mesquite]

There's quite a few episodes on youtube if you search for them

 

[adestu]

tracks or before then?

 

[Shewie]

There's mention of Ray appearing in something called Wild Tracks in 1994, maybe a pilot for Tracks?

 

[joejoe]

always thought it was a 2 or 3 minute slot on calenender news for some reason

 

[Mesquite]

There's mention of Ray appearing in something called Wild Tracks in 1994, maybe a pilot for Tracks?

Here's the clips I was referring to.

It has both lots, Wild tracks and Country tracks

 

[ozzy1977]

Wild tracks was before tracks as far as I know it's the first time Ray was on national TV

 

[ozzy1977]

His bits on wild tracks were only a few minutes long

 

[adestu]

thanks for the link.i appreciate rays early work and productions.

 

[Mr Wolf]

There's mention of Ray appearing in something called Wild Tracks in 1994, maybe a pilot for Tracks?

First time I saw him was on tracks butterflying a salmon

 

[swotty]

Brill, thanks for the link

 

[Bob]

Hi all

Thanks for your replies.

RM did Tracks between 1994 and 1997, and Wild Tracks and Country Tracks are shortened repeats done thereafter. His original segments were approx 10 minutes long, with the repeats coming in at around half that time. Some of the 10 minute Country Tracks vids on Youtube are in fact two segments; RM first and then 'AN Other' tagged on behind.

What I'm interested in came before Tracks - RM reckons it was his first ever TV appearance. According to his book it was a Television South (TVS) documentary.

Now, TVS did run a calendar news programme called 'Coast to Coast'. Joejoe - was this by any chance the programme you saw him on? I assumed by documentary that it was a long (30 / 60 minute) programme with RM as the subject but perhaps it was only a segment in this daily programme. I'd love to know - and to see it!

While I'm here I'll put in my biannual request to new Forum members! If anyone has any copies of the first two ever Tracks episodes ('Food, Funghi (sic) and Fire', and 'Food, Funghi (sic) and Fire - on the beach'), or the Tracks episode where RM is canoeing in an estuary and makes a canoe shelter, and pothanger (I can't remember the title but it isn't Wye-5-O where he is canoeing the River Wye) I would be nothing less than estatic to see them! I may even have others that you may not have seen!

Cheers all

Bob

 

[joejoe]

that could be the one bob. ir i remember right he was showing how to get through a forrest by using a long branch as a straight line ,

 

[ozzy1977]

That was on track's and it is on YouTube

 

[Steve27752]

I've just watched a couple of episodes of Tracks/Wild Tracks. Even at a much younger age, he has a wonderfully relaxed way of presenting. Plus he is a natural at doing a piece to camera.