This fourth programme in the Northern Skies series follows the River Tyne from source to mouth by helicopter looking at some famous landmarks along the way including: Deadwater Fell; Kielder Village & Castle; Dally Castle; Tarset Castle; Bellingham; Chipchase Castle & Gardens; Chesters Roman Fort; Hexham; Corbridge; Aydon Castle; Prudhoe Castle; George Stephenson' s Cottage at Wylam; the Metro Centre; The Sage; The Millenium Bridge; Tyne Bridge; St. James's Park Football...

This fourth programme in the Northern Skies series follows the River Tyne from source to mouth by helicopter looking at some famous landmarks along the way including: Deadwater Fell; Kielder Village & Castle; Dally Castle; Tarset Castle; Bellingham; Chipchase Castle & Gardens; Chesters Roman Fort; Hexham; Corbridge; Aydon Castle; Prudhoe Castle; George Stephenson' s Cottage at Wylam; the Metro Centre; The Sage; The Millenium Bridge; Tyne Bridge; St. James's Park Football Stadium; Newcastle Cathedral; Gateshead Stadium. General views follow of well-known North-East locations and landmarks are accompanied by a commentary which welcomes you to the programme and this unusual view of the region taken from the air. Title: Northern Skies – The River Tyne Aerial views show open moorland and the bleak location of a radar station at Deadwater Fell which straddles the border between Scotland and England. It is here not far from the Scottish border that the source of the River Tyne flows. The film shows a small stream making its way through a bracken covered valley. The commentary states there are two rivers named as the Tyne. The South Tyne flows down from Alston moor in Cumbria and it meets the North Tyne flowing from Deadwater Fell just north west of Hexham. The first village the North Tyne reaches is the small hamlet of Deadwater. The film shows a farmhouse next to the river. Following on the stream widens and meanders through the vast countryside towards Kielder Forest. Amongst the trees the film shows holiday cabins and homes for residents. Kielder Castle originally a hunting lodge for the Duke of Northumberland, is now a visitors centre. Close views follow of the castle and the ornately patterned tiles on the roof of the nearby church. More views of the forest show the remains of the Kielder railway viaduct which once carried one of the Borders area railway lines. The film travels over the expanse of Kielder water and the largest man-made forest in Europe. The film shows leisure boats on the water. The dam is disguised with a coverage of grass, beyond it the North Tyne continues on its way. The film outlines some of the violent history of the region where the Border Rievers raided others on both side of the border, from the late 13th century to the beginning of the 17th century. A mound shows the remnants of the 13th century Dally Castle. The film shows the river now much wider where an angler casts a line. The film flies over the village of Bellingham, showing comparatively quiet streets and stone houses. The film follows the river out of Bellingham flying over the area where the River Rede flows into the River North Tyne. The North Tyne meanders through beautiful countryside showing Chipchase Castle a 17th-century Jacobean mansion standing north of Hadrian's Wall, near Wark on Tyne. At one time it was just a fortified tower built to fend of raiders. The film shows a spectacular walled garden near the house. Looking down on the river as the film follows its route, another fortified house is filmed in North Tynedale. Haughton Castle is a privately owned country mansion and a grade 1 listed building, situated to the north of the village of Humshaugh on the west bank of the North Tyne. Closer views show the extensive grounds and ornamental garden on a picturesque curve of the North Tyne. Next the Tyne passes under Chollerford Bridge and cascades down a weir. This part of the region is famous for the remains of Emperor Hadrian’s wall. A view follows of Chesters, a fort on the wall accommodating 500 horsemen. The aerial view shows a clear outline of the remains. In the distance The Chesters stately home built in 1771 and once home to Victorian archaeologist John Clayton. Close views show it’s ‘butterfly’ like construction. It was John Clayton who explored and opened up the nearby Roman remains. The film follows the remainder of the North Tyne to the confluence of the North Tyne and the South Tyne near Hexham. On the River Tyne at Hexham, a couple enjoy a leisure trip in a canoe. A road bridge crosses the Tyne just outside the town. The first signs of heavy industry on the Tyne are at Hexham as the film picks out a large factory which produces chipboard. The film shows clips of items appearing in the second half of the programme. Title: Northern Skies – End of Part One Title: Northern Skies – Part Two The film picks up where it left off with the bridge at Hexham, followed by views of heavy industry installations and a closer view of the chipboard plant which uses timber from Kielder Forest. A view of the town shows the imposing presence of Hexham Abbey and the old Moot Hall council chamber and court room. A view follows next of Hexham’s neighbouring town Corbridge, the most northerly town in the Roman Empire. A view follows of the remains of a supply depot of mainly grain that fed the legions. Corbridge Church was built using some of the stone salvaged from Roman buildings. Views follow of Aydon Castle one mile from Corbridge and one of the finest and most unaltered examples of a 13th century English manor house, once a target for Scottish raiders The film follows a section of the river Tyne where a railway line runs alongside. The commentary states how the Tyne valley gave the country some of its finest engineers, the pioneers of the railway. An EWS engine pulls a heavy load of wagons. The next location is Prudhoe which has an ancient castle, one of a number of Norman Castles built along the Tyne after the 1066 Norman conquest and was continuously occupied for over nine centuries. The film shows the castle flying the English Heritage flag. The film follows the Tyne under the old Wylam railway bridge, built in 1876 and thought to be a model for the Tyne bridge. George Stephenson was born at Wylam in 1781. The film gives an aerial view of the restored house where he was born. The commentary states that fourteen miles down the river from Wylam, Tyneside has come of age with the construction of the Metro Centre shopping centre. An aerial view shows the extent of the centre and its parking facilities. Nearby is a huge scrap metal yard where cranes sort out of many domestic appliances and other scrap metal which is collected there. The commentary describes it as a grave of consumerism. The film goes on to show the development of the quayside areas on both sides of the river marketed as Newcastle Gateshead: World Class Culture. The film shows views of the Sage concert hall at Gateshead, the Millennium bridge, the Tyne Bridge, St James’s Park, St Nicholas Cathedral and the Baltic Centre. Next a GNER passenger train, goes past the 800-year-old castle keep. The famous Tyne bridge is shown again, busy with traffic. A number of different views follow of this iconic bridge then moving on to show the Sage on the Gateshead side of the river. The Millennium Bridge and the Baltic Centre for contemporary art are also shown from a number of angles. General views follow of residential areas and tower blocks then an aerial view of the Gateshead International Stadium. A view of the Swan Hunter shipyard is accompanied by commentary which signals the closure of this famous firm that built 1600 ships over 130 years of production. Views follow of the marina on the south bank where private boats are moored. At Hebburn specialist ship repairs and conversions are undertaken. An aerial view of the Port of Tyne shows row upon row of cars for waiting for export. Holidaymakers take the DFDS Seaways cruise ferry, the film shows the ‘Queen of Scandinavia’ heading down river, carrying up to 1700 passengers, destination Norway. A view of Tynemouth Priory follows as yachtsman sail their craft in the shelter of the harbour. The film follows the cruise ferry as it begins its journey into open sea and then to Bergen. General views follow of moorland and other areas around the source of the Tyne which ends the film Credits: Aerial Photography – John Anderson itv.com Helicopter Pilot – Simon Edwards Aerial Facilities – Hei-Jet Aviation Narrated By – Pam Royle Written By – Ken Cooper Production Manager – Sally Cieslik Production Co-ordinator – Anna Payne Online Editor – Andrew Dobson Research – Brenda May Executive Producer – Clare Morrow Production – Patrick Hargreaves – Roger Keech – Mike Murray © BNT Productions 2007 BNT BNT Productions for ITV