A Tyne Tees Television programme presented by Bob Tyrell on some of the good and bad aspects of the North East. The film begins in a butchers shop in Ponteland village before moving on to look at the new housing estate at Darras Hall. The film then looks at pollution in the river Tyne and the problems of slum housing in Newcastle. The film ends with an interview, as a local Headmaster describes the issue of low educational aspirations on Tyneside. The programme was transmitted on the 15th...

A Tyne Tees Television programme presented by Bob Tyrell on some of the good and bad aspects of the North East. The film begins in a butchers shop in Ponteland village before moving on to look at the new housing estate at Darras Hall. The film then looks at pollution in the river Tyne and the problems of slum housing in Newcastle. The film ends with an interview, as a local Headmaster describes the issue of low educational aspirations on Tyneside. The programme was transmitted on the 15th January 1968. The film begins in a butchers shop in Ponteland village with a butcher cutting a piece of meat. Reporter Bob Tyrell interviews the butcher as to where he gets his meat and how best to choose a piece of meat. Bob Tyrell leaves the butchers with his selected joint of beef and gets into his car. General views of the car driving through Ponteland village. A sign reads "Danger Estate Village". There are views of houses in the Darras Hall Estate as seen from the car. A woman leans out of an upstairs window to clean the glass. During the sequence Bob Tyrell talks about the problem of air pollution and its effects on the population, such as incidences of bronchitis, particularly among poorer people. A doctor is interviewed in a hospital ward about the problem and the associated mortality rate from bronchial diseases. Bob Tyrell stands behind a a table full of cleaning materials on a piece of waste ground near to a number of houses. He burns a £1 note. General view of the Tyne Bridge. Raw sewage pours from an outlet into the river Tyne. On board a small boat on the river Tyne a man collects and tests water samples. Interview with Dr James of Newcastle University. He says the Tyne is typical of' an industrial estuary in terms of pollution, but it will be cleaned up eventually as a new sewage plant is planned. On the steps of a terraced house Bob Tyrell reads from a report by Newcastle Corporation that says there are now no slum areas in the city. General views inside a tenement building, up a shabby staircase with views of a dirty bathroom and toilet. An old couple live in one room. There are views outside in the street of terraced houses and views of rooftops and back lanes. There are also views of a new tower block built in the near distance to the terraced street. An interview follows with Councillor Helliwell from Newcastle Corporation about the housing situation, the revitalisation plans and the availability of' grants.  General view of a modern 1960's style school building. Interview with headmaster, Mr Hackett, who has previously taught in the South. He says that fewer people stay on at school in the North. they have always accepted it as natural to leave school at 15 and go out to work. Economic and social conditions have determined this - parents often cannot afford to keep children on at school but need them to earn their keep. He believes we need more children to get academic qualifications in order to succeed in the new industrial and technological world. The film ends with a man and woman walking up a terraced street carrying suitcases. Bob Tyrell closes the film by saying that it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the North East is is dirty, unhealthy, ugly and backward, and half-hearted about changing for the better. He says that Tynesider should stop congratulating themselves on their canny Geordie virtues and of making excuses for what is squalor.