The first of two programmes produced by Tyne Tees Television Outside Broadcast Productions and presented by Canadian actor Robert Beatty on the development of Christianity in the Northeast. In this programme Robert takes his first visit to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne of the Northumberland coast where he speaks with both locals about life on the island and theological academics on the importance of the island in Christian faith. Joining Robert in co-hosting the programme is South Shields...

The first of two programmes produced by Tyne Tees Television Outside Broadcast Productions and presented by Canadian actor Robert Beatty on the development of Christianity in the Northeast. In this programme Robert takes his first visit to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne of the Northumberland coast where he speaks with both locals about life on the island and theological academics on the importance of the island in Christian faith. Joining Robert in co-hosting the programme is South Shields born actress Dame Flora Robson who features speaking with Gladys de Stein the then owner of Lindisfarne Castle and reading passages from the Sir Walter Scott’s poem ‘Marmion’ which is partly based on the island. Title: Tyne Tees Television presents Over the opening titles gulls flying beside a boat travelling through the sea near to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Title: The Magic of Lindisfarne The Holy Island Credit: Introduced by Robert Beatty In the Tyne Tees Television studio on City Road in Newcastle a historic map of Holy Island sits on an easel. Presenter Robert Beatty steps into frame, introduces himself and with the help of the map gives a description of the island which is describes as being the ‘cradle of Christianity in the north of England.’ He then admits that his recent trip to Holy Island was his first and he was accompanied by cameras from Tyne Tees Television. Robert’s car speeds along a country road appearing at the edge of the causeway leading from the mainland to Holy Island. Coming to a stop beside a warning sign he gets out of the car and consults the daily tidal times posted on a board next to the warning sign. Back in his car Robert drives carefully onto the causeway with the tide slowly coming in and passes a stone marker that reads ‘Lindisfarne Causeway 1954.’ Having crossed the causeway Robert drives across the sandy beach arriving at Chare End where the road begins again and makes his way into the village. Coming along a track Robert pulls up outside the parish church of St Mary the Virgin. Stepping from the car and carrying a microphone Robert makes his way to the church where he is greeted by the local vicar the Reverend Henry Ball. Walking into the churchyard they chat about the history of the island and its association with both St Cuthbert and St Aidan. As they talk about St Cuthbert views of nearby St Cuthbert’s Island. The two men begin to walk around the church with the Reverend Ball providing details on its development and history. As they come around one side they admire the remains of Lindisfarne Priory next to the church with the Reverend Ball providing details on its history. With the interview over Robert shakes hands and says goodbye to Reverend Ball before following the path to Lindisfarne Priory itself. Opening the iron gate and passing through the Norman doorway into the priory he talks about how he feels walking through these ruins and imagines what it would have been like when the priory was still active. As he talks an image of what the priory is believed to have looked like in the 15th century is shown. Robert introduces Father David Milburn an Historian from Ushaw College near Durham who shows Robert three photographic reproductions of images taken from an illuminated manuscript on the life of St Cuthbert. They talk further about the life of St Cuthbert and how and why Durham became his final resting place. As Father Milburn walks away Robert talks about some of the famous people who have visited including Sir Walter Scott who includes lines about the priory in his poem ‘Marmion.’ Over views of the priory the relevant passages are read out by Dame Flora Robson. Robert then introduces Flora who steps into frame and the two of them talk about working together as actors and about what they see as the ‘magic of Lindisfarne’. As they walk together around the ruin, they come to a stop to admire both Lindisfarne Castle and harbour in the distance. Deciding to go explore the island separately Robert puts the microphone down on the wall and the two leave the grounds of the priory. Flora Robson begins to climb the steep steps to reach Lindisfarne Castle. Walking though the main door she climbs more steps to arrive on the battlement or Upper Battery where she is greeted by the current owner of the castle Miss Gladys de Stein. Heading inside Miss de Stein provides some history on the castle and the two women admire the Wind Indicator Map above a fireplace. Miss de Stein invites Dame Flora to explore the castle by herself and as she walks along the corridor comments how the ‘magic of Lindisfarne’ is helping her imagine what life would have been like living in the 16th century when the castle was built. To dramatic music Dame Flora steps through a doorway and in a puff of smoke she suddenly appears dressed in a costume of the period. She performs a scene as if she is the wife of the owner of the castle awaiting his arrival home. She wonders through some of the rooms making sure they are ready for him before coming out onto the battlements again and looking with concern out to sea. Miss de Stein appears and asks Dame Flora, now back in her 20th century clothing, if she is enjoying the views. She appears flustered and confused with the two women walking away. Title: End of Part One The Magic of Lindisfarne Part Two Returning to the Tyne Tees studio in Newcastle, presenter Robert Beatty begins the second part of this programme by talking about his visit to the harbour on Holy Island to speak with some of the local fishermen. Back on the island Robert stands on the beach beside the harbour at low-tide speaking with local fisherman Ray Wilson about being a shell-fisherman. Robert holds up and asks Mr Wilson about how his lobster pots work, about when he fishes and where he gets his bait. On being asked about to whom he sells his catch Robert is introduced to Mr Douglas who explains how he transports the live shellfish to Eyemouth in Berwickshire where it is sold at market. On asking Mr Douglas about the now gone herring industry Robert is introduced to another Mr Wilson the Harbour Master who can just remember when the industry was still going on the island. He points out two derelict building nearby which were where the herring was cured in salt. Returning again to the Tyne Tees studio Robert introduces another item in which he goes out with Mr Wilson in his fishing boat to see how he catches crab and lobster. In the darkness of 4am Robert climbs about the fishing boat ‘Victory’ and heads out to sea with Mr Wilson and his two-man crew. After smoking cigarettes Robert watches as the fishermen catch fish using baited line which is then prepared for use as bait for his lobster pots. At the dawn breaks over the horizon the boat arrives at their fishing grounds and the first marker buoy where pots are brough onboard and their content checked and either boxed or returned to the sea. The now empty ports are re-baited and put back into the water. With the daily catch complete the Victory makes its way back to Holy Island with its crew tying the lobster’s claws to prevent them from hurting each other. With a final washing down of their boat the crew scull in a small boat to the pier back in Holy Island Harbour along with their catch. Returning briefly to Robert in the Tyne Tees studio the film returns to him walking up to the local public house the Crown and Anchor Inn to speak with one of Holy Islands only two farmers Charlie Pattinson who sits on a bench outside. The two men chat about the farmers fifty-acre mixed farm as well as his other businesses running a boarding house along with his wife and being a taxi driver. Robert tells Mr Pattinson that he is thirsty, so the two men get up and head inside the Crown and Anchor Inn. Entering the bar, they pass one group of locals sitting around a table playing dominos while in the corner around another table a group of local women sit chatting over their drinks. Coming up the bar Robert shake hands with the landlord Mr Elton and orders two pints of beer for himself and Mr Pattinson. As the beers are being poured Robert ask Mr Elton about business and the busy summer season. Mr Elton is appreciative of the business tourists bring but is a little concerned about the huge numbers who are now flocking to the island. As Mr Elton introduces Robert to Mr Kilburn who is sitting at the bar and who works at Lindisfarne Castle, Robert checks his watch as he is expecting Flora back from there. Robert then asks Mr Elton about the future of the island. He points Robert towards the islands Schoolmaster Mr Foster who is sitting at the table seen previous playing dominos. He comes over and after shaking Robert’s hands the two men talk about the children on the island who are its future and that the school currently only has eleven pupils. Needing to meet Flora outside Robert thanks Mr Foster and shake hand again with Mr Elton who reminds Robert that he hasn’t yet paid for his drinks. As Robert heads out the door, he takes down a photograph of a visit to the island by Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II in 1958 and shows it to Mr Foster. They chat about the visit and a box of lobsters that was presented to the Queen. Standing on Market Square beside one of the two trees planted to mark the visit of Queen Elizabeth in 1958, Robert is watched by three women standing in the doorway of a nearby house. As he reads the plaque next to the tree Dame Flora appears and the two talk about her visit to Lindisfarne Castle. Deciding that as a visitor to the island she needs to buy a souvenir she asks Robert what the best shop is to visit. As she leaves Robert points out the various amenities around the village green including the only public telephone box, the local Post Office, the pub visited earlier and the village cross. Parked nearby is a rusty old car which Robert goes to stand beside explaining that it was used to transport mail on and off the island. Standing in the doorway of his gift shop Dame Flora interviews the proprietor Mr Kyle and begins by asking him about his unusual nickname ‘Dodo.’ She then asks him how well his business is doing during the summer season and the kind of souvenirs people buy. Wanting to purchase a silver spoon with the island crest on it, Dame Flora asks if they are available. Mr Kyle takes her over to a window where there is a display of said items. Returning to Robert now standing beside village cross, he interviews a couple who are visitors to the island. Captain Ti is from Malaysia and is visiting with a friend, Sally Davidson, who explains to Robert that she is originally from Singapore but now lives at Berwick-upon-Tweed. They both think Holy Island is very beautiful. As they walk away Dame Flora returns to show Robert her purchase and is accompanied by the Reverend Ball. Robert asks the Reverend about the tide times wanting to know if they have enough time to drive back to the mainland. He believes so and invites Robert and Dame Flora to tea with his wife with them walking away back to the vicarage. Following a view of the market cross the programme returns to the Tyne Tees studio where Robert points out how it is a symbol of nearly 2000 years of Christian history. He is joined again by Dame Flora and together they interview the Dean of Durham Cathedral the Very Reverend John Herbert Severn Wild on why the island is called the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and why it is considered the cradle of Christianity in the north. He is also asked about some of the relics of St Cuthbert that are held by the cathedral as well as about the Lindisfarne Gospel. The Reverend Wild produces photographs of some of the relics they hold including St Cuthbert’s Pectoral Cross and the remains of his coffin. A copy of the Lindisfarne Gospel also features standing in an easel with the Reverend Wild pointing out certain illustrations. The programme in brought to an end by Robert and by Dame Flora who reads another passage from Walter Scott’s ‘Marmion’ relating to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Title: Appearing with Dame Flora Robson and Robert Beatty were The Very Reverend J.A.S. Wild D.D. Dean of Durham Father David Milburn of Ushaw College Rev. Henry Ball Vicar of Holy Island and the people of Holy Island Credit: Script by Lisle Willis Produced by Raymond Joss End title: A Tyne Tees Television Outside Broadcast Network Production