The focus of this film is seven-year-old Andrew Bayliss who lives on a farm near Brilley in Herefordshire with his parents, grandparents and younger sister.
It is expected that Andew with eventually inherit the farm from his father Roger but what changes will have occurred in that time?
We see Andrew being driven along country lanes, in class and scenes of rural Herefordshire including the Bayliss sheep farm.
Interview with Roger Bayliss about what Andrew might inherit.
We are then introduced to Roger Phillips who farms near Limeswold. He is seen tending to his cattle and is interviewed about the changing rural lifestyle.
Lambs are shown being born on the Bayliss farm and Andrew is introduced to the practicalities of farming.
On the Arrow View estate another aspect of rural life is shown - the rural poor who because they are not born and bred locals are shunned by the traditional inhabitants of the area. Women are interviewed at a mother and toddler group.
Council style houses on the Arrow View estate are shown.
Next we find out what part the church is playing in rural life. Kenneth Newbold, vicar of five local parishes, and Richard Lewis, agricultural chaplain for the diocese, are seen and heard in conversation.
One of the main changes to the area is the influx of retired people from towns and cities. Interview with Dr and Mrs Spencer who have recently moved to Eardisley village. Traditional houses in Eardisley village are shown. Eardisley is popular with outsiders because its houses follow the idealised image that city dwellers have of the area.
The nearest town to the Bayliss farm is Kington. We see farmers and sheep on market day in Kington and shots of the town.
In Kington 96-year-old May Jones runs The Olde Tavern. She is interviewed and reminisces about the old town she remembers. We also see 1920's archive film of Kington, a football match and a band.
Roger Phillips returns for another interview clip about the role of the countryside.
Pupils at the Lady Hawkins School in Kington are interviewed about their ambitions for the future.
A local firm that is providing jobs and sustaining the rural economy is Sun Valley Poultry.
We see eggs and chicks being sorted on a production line conveyor belt
Finally Andrew is seen with other children in his class at Brilley School, his grandparents are interviewed about the future and Andrew is seen walking along a path with his grandfather.
Camera: Mike Wilkie
Sound: Andy Cross
Sound Mixer: Colin Martin
Production Assistant: Margaret Mitchell
Graphics: Brian Becker
Research: Brian Walsh
Editors: Graham Puntis; David Howells
Producer: David Naden
Written and Directed by John Pett
Production number 8154/87.