This film is the first in a new series of programmes which take an aerial view of the North East. Many well-known places are filmed from the air including: Berwick, Tweedmouth, Holy Island, Lindisfarne Castle, Bamburgh Castle, Longstone lighthouse, Seahouses, Dunstanburgh Castle, Howick Hall, Warkworth, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Seaton Delaval Hall, Souter Lighthouse, Sunderland, HMS Trincomalee at Hartlepool, Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Staithes in North Yorkshire. The opening views fly over...

This film is the first in a new series of programmes which take an aerial view of the North East. Many well-known places are filmed from the air including: Berwick, Tweedmouth, Holy Island, Lindisfarne Castle, Bamburgh Castle, Longstone lighthouse, Seahouses, Dunstanburgh Castle, Howick Hall, Warkworth, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Seaton Delaval Hall, Souter Lighthouse, Sunderland, HMS Trincomalee at Hartlepool, Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Staithes in North Yorkshire. The opening views fly over various locations along with a commentary outlining the range of familiar places the film will document from a new angle. Views follow of Castle Howard, a suburban estate, open countryside, grazing cattle, a steam engine at full speed, ancient ruins, York minster, Berwick upon Tweed and various coastal views. Title: Northern Skies – The Coast The opening images are of views over the bay at Berwick upon Tweed, showing the bridges that cross the river including the famous railway viaduct. A field near to the viaduct has a message for visitors travelling across; ‘Welcome To Berwick’ a sign apparently made of plants with different coloured foliage to the surrounding grass. The flight quickly passes over a lighthouse at the end of one of the harbour’s piers. The continuous commentary gives a brief history of the Berwick’s past and present, with views of traffic travelling over a road bridge and a train in motion immediately below the point of view. Following a view of the three main bridges that cross the Tweed, more views follow of road traffic and a mainline train crossing the viaduct. The film moves down the coast, as the commentary speaks about the treacherous coastline where over the years many shipwrecks have taken place. Sea birds take advantage of ship remains using them as perching posts when the tide is out. The film approaches the sand dunes of Holy Island revealing a view of the castle in the distance. The commentary outlines the reliance the island has on tide times for visitors and residents. A view follows looking down on the village and the ruins of the monastery, with commentary stating that only 200 people live on the island. Closer views follow showing the ruins of the monastery followed by a closer view of the castle, originally built in order to repel threatened invasion. Views follow visitors taking the path which runs up the side of the castle to the entrance. The castle is now a National Trust property. The film moves across sand and pools of sea water and then shows a seal colony on one the Farne Islands. Two main species of seal make the area their home the common and the Atlantic grey seal. Startled by the aircraft the seals hurriedly escape the dunes and head to the sea. Views follow of fishing boats at anchor and visitors enjoying kayaking. Following the coastline a little further south the film shows the majestic form of Bamburgh Castle. A closer view follows of the castle keep. Other views show more of the building’s structure. The castle was rescued by local industrialist William Armstrong in the 1890’s, where the Armstrong family still live. A change of view follows as a motor vessel makes its way across the sea, followed by views of the Inner Farne Islands and then the Longstone lighthouse on the Outer Farne islands. The commentary outlines the story and heroism of Grace Darling and her father William when, in 1838 they rescued the crew of a ship that ran aground in a severe storm. A view follows of Bamburgh churchyard which has a monument to Grace. Views follow of a small boat carrying tourists followed by a graceful boat in full sail. Others speed through the waves on jetbikes, as the film moves on with a brief visit to the town of Seahouses, a seaside resort and fishing port. Views follow of the harbour and a caravan park. The film then travels south of Seahouses to the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, the largest of the Northumberland castles. It was built by Earl Thomas of Lancaster between 1313 and 1322, exploiting the site's natural defences and the existing earthworks of an Iron Age fort. The film moves round showing walkers gathered at the entrance. The remains of a tower occupy a position perilously close the edge of the coastal cliff. The film flies around the remains showing the castle from various angles. The castle is more than 600 years old and attracts many visitors. A view from higher in the sky shows the castle’s location with the coast line stretching southwards into the distance. The film then shows attractive rock pools typical of this area of the Northumberland coast. A higher viewpoint follows showing the harbour at Craster, famous for its kippers. Moving south, the aerial view changes and looks down on Howick Hall home of the Grey family, once the home of Prime Minister Charles, 2nd Earl Grey (1764–1845), after whom Earl Grey tea is named. Tea is served outside the in the good weather from trestle tables set up near some of the hall’s buildings. Other visitors look around the ornamental gardens. Another change of scene as the view approaches Alnmouth, with visitors enjoying sunshine on the beach. A travelling view show houses and other buildings not far from the beach. A sky full of spectacular clouds precedes a view of an offshore wind turbine with ‘Port of Blyth WindMaster’ displayed on its side. Title: Northern Skies – End of Part One Title: Northern Skies – Part Two A view of the River Coquet as it approaches the sea is followed by a view of coastal town Warkworth and its famous castle. An English Heritage flag flies from one of the towers. The commentary outlines the chequered history of the castle which eventually came into the ownership of the powerful Percy family. Various views show details of the castle’s construction. The film looks down on the main street running through Warkworth dominated by the presence of the castle. The castle was also the home of Shakespeare’s Harry Hotspur in Henry IV. The film then moves towards Coquet Island a short distance away from the harbour. A view of the lantern of the island’s lighthouse follows, its light has been shining from the island since 1841. The island is uninhabited except during the nesting season when wardens take up residence to keep watch over nesting birds. A more industrial scene follows as aerial views of Lynemouth and the power station, followed by a view of Newbiggin by the Sea and its church, St Bartholomew’s. An old graveyard nearby has been the subject of coastal erosion. A view of the lifeboat station follows, the oldest operational lifeboat boathouse in the United Kingdom, dating back to 1851. A brief view of new coastal erosion defences is followed by a view of the wind turbine seen earlier. A view follows of nine turbines operational at Blyth producing enough power for 1500 homes. A view of the majestic Seaton Delaval Hall is next. Designed by Sir John Vanburgh who also designed Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. Various views follow of the house and grounds, owned at the time of filming, by the Astley Family. Another island with a lighthouse follows this time at St Mary’s Island just off the coast near Whitley Bay. The causeway is submerged when the tide is in, and the light from the island hasn’t functioned for many years. The island now owned by the local council. The film shows more of the island, the lighthouse and the cottages nearby. Followed by the sea front at Whitley Bay a holiday resort for the region and beyond. The famous Spanish City ball room and fairground space looks forlorn and neglected having been closed for some time. The film then moves across the mouth of the Tyne, a cruise liner passes the site of Admiral Lord Collingwood’s memorial statue at Tynemouth. As the liner progresses it goes past the priory and castle. A pilot’s boat races across the water. A view of the liner Braemar shows passengers gathering on deck as they approach the quayside. The next view is of a funfair at South Shields which is followed by a view of the Souter lighthouse at Marsden. In 1871 it was built specifically to use alternating electric current, and was the most advanced lighthouse technology of its day. Close views of the lantern housing followed by more general views. The lighthouse is now owned by the National Trust. Next a view of the River Wear and the city of Sunderland, showing areas of regeneration along its banks, such as the marina at North Dock. New buildings show off part of its waterfront development. A view of the National Glass Centre follows on the river bank, celebrating the long history the city has with glass making. A view of shows St Peter’s church built in the 7th century with glass windows. The next area the film surveys is Hartlepool and in particular the restoration of the royal navy ship HMS Trincomalee, launched in 1817 and the oldest Royal Navy warship still afloat. The film views the intricate rigging on the restored ship, which docked in an area where quayside buildings are built in an 18th century style. The view changes abruptly to the heavy industry of Teesside, with views of emissions of water vapour and the burning off of gases from a flarestack. A view shows one of the extensive chemical plants that dominate the skyline. Closer views show the complex plant with pipes of all sizes criss-crossing the areas between various plant structures. The film moves on to show ship containers on a dockside waiting to be transported to ships. A close view of a flare stack at a bio-diesel plant follows. A view of the rooftops of Saltburn slowly reveals a view of the pier stretching out into the north sea. As the film moves around the famous cliff railway opened in 1884 can be seen behind it. Next a view of Boulby cliffs near Staithes, some of the highest cliffs in England. Hundreds of years ago these cliffs were mined for alum used in dyeing wool and tanning leather. A view of Boulby mine follows this mine produces potash for fertiliser. It is exceptionally deep and space scientists are using special equipment at this depth to try and detect dark matter. The film ends at the fishing village of Staithes, once thriving now only a few fishing boats operate out of the village which is now a major tourism spot. The film shows the village buildings huddled below the cliffs. It is also the village where Captain James Cook began his career. Credits: Aerial Photography – John Anderson Helicopter Pilot – Simon Edwards Aerial Facilities – Heli-Jet Aviation Narrated by – Pam Royle Written by – Ken Cooper Production Manager – Sally Cieslik Production Coordinator – Anna Payne Online Editor – Andrew Dobson Research – Brenda May Executive Producer – Clare Morrow Production – Patrick Hargreaves, Roger Keech, Mike Murray itv.com BNT Productions for ITV