Produced by Stephinson Television a travelogue that follows the River Wear from its source in the North Pennine hills of Weardale to its mouth at Sunderland. Along the journey the filmmakers meet many people who live along the river talking to them about why the Wear is important them. The film also looks back at some of the history and important industries which sprang up along the river such as lead mining and shipbuilding. The waters of the River Wear flowing downstream through both deep...

Produced by Stephinson Television a travelogue that follows the River Wear from its source in the North Pennine hills of Weardale to its mouth at Sunderland. Along the journey the filmmakers meet many people who live along the river talking to them about why the Wear is important them. The film also looks back at some of the history and important industries which sprang up along the river such as lead mining and shipbuilding. The waters of the River Wear flowing downstream through both deep and shallow sections. Title: River Wear Source to Sea At the head of Weardale high in the North Pennines the River Wear flows as a stream through a green valley of fields and farms. Water flowers over the waterwheel at Killhope Lead Mining Museum with it’s Curator Ian Forbes explains the importance of water to the lead mining industry during the 19th century. He draws parallels between the lead miners of the past and the coal miners of today. As he talks views around the site and a selection of archival images from that period. The sequence ends with a group of visitors take a tour down the dark and wet drift mine looking at an exhibition on display there. A road meanders through Weardale changing to a flock of geese waddling through a field. In another field cattle grazing changes to the farmhouse of Jan Ellis who talks about the work she has done in restoring the building to the home she lives in today. Images of what the property looked like before morph into the same building today. In a field Jan talks about the farm which she works with help of English Nature. Rare flowers growing in the meadow which are of special scientific interest. Riders on horseback gallop past, part of a riding school run by her son. Views of Lanehead valley which, like the fields, has been rewilded and is also of special scientific interest. A five arch road bridge crosses the valley, Jan points out the original crossing point used by packhorses. Standing beside a drystone wall Sunderland born cyclist and rambler Arthur Appleton talks about this ‘wild’ country' that is Weardale and about walking across Burnhope Seat which he describes as ‘ghostly’ or ‘alien’ place when the mists or fog rolls in. As he talks views of the area which is quite barren. The Wear continues to meander downstream changes to an interview with local man Ken Fairless who couldn’t live anywhere other than the countryside, he describes himself as a ‘man of the moors’. He goes onto talk about being a Grouse-Man, shooting and catching the bird the same as his grand-father. Behind several moorland butts a hunting party shooting at Grouse flying overhead. Interview with Sunderland businessman Sir Tom Cowie about the challenges of shooting the bird and the value of the sport to the rural economy. English setter dogs bring in the kills of the day watched over by a kennel huntsman. Near the village of Ireshopeburn a family watch their dog splashing about in the Wear. Local resident Nelly Dawson talks about her hobby of photography which began when she was younger recording her father working a smallholding and how her photographs have recorded the changes in the dale. Archival black and white images of life in Weardale intercut with a phantom car ride through the dale today passing by signs for the towns of St Johns Chapel and Westgate. A father carries his daughter across steppingstones crossing the Wear at Stanhope, he is followed by a car driving across the ford. The closed and boarded up Stanhope railway station intercut with archival photographs of it in the past. A steam train pulls passengers carriages along a railway line changes to railway enthusiast John Wood standing on the platform at Stanhope talking about plans to re-open the line as both an important rural transport link as well as tourist attractions. Another steam locomotive pulls carries through a rural landscape. At Wolsingham a stone arch bridge crossing the Wear, sitting nearby Sunderland born broadcaster Harry Rowell who talks about growing up near the river, how he feels about it today and its continued important to local people. As Harry talks about meeting old friends at the annual Wolvinghsam Show the film changes to the show itself with crowds wondering around, some eating burgers purchased from a catering van. In pens cattle on show including a Highland cow wearing a rosette. A man uses his binoculars to watch an acrobatics display taking place above the showground. A woman steps into the caravan of a gypsy fortune teller, nearby bookies take bets on the upcoming sulky or harness races. A crowd behind a rope barrier watches with excitement as riders speed past during a race. The waters of the Wear continue to flow downstream past the towns of Bishop Auckland and Crook and the village of Escomb with its Anglo-Saxon parish church. Through it’s gates Auckland Castle, the official residence of the Bishop of Durham. As the warden of the castle Alistair Yule talks about its history of the palace pointing out some of its features both inside and out. A group of children play along the riverbank of the Wear near to the Victoria Viaduct at Bishop Auckland, nearby photographer and local councillor George Hewitt talks about the changes that have taken place to attract families and children. As he talks more children playing in the water while a family goes for walk along a riverside path. Over photographs of the town taken by George, he talks about the loss of many of the town’s old streets as well as various landmarks. Image of nearby Whitworth Hall with George providing details on the changes that have taken place there. In the distance the towers of Durham Cathedral changes to a parade of miner’s banner marching past the County Hotel during the annual Durham Miner Gala. Leading one banner past large crowds lining the route a miner wearing a sleeveless vest and safety helmet with lamp. Pedestrians walk through Durham with some congregating on street furniture in the Market Place near the statue of the Marquess of Londonderry. On a small motor launch travelling along the Wear Graham Morrell explains why the river has always been so important to him. As he talks the boat passes several rowing boats before going under Elvet Bridge. The Prince Bishop pleasure cruiser travelling in the opposite direction. Along the riverbanks, with the towers of the cathedral in the distance, children play in a play area while grownup sit relaxing on benches or the grass. From the Riverside grounds of Durham County Cricket Club at Chester-le-Street, Lumley Castle in the distance. Don Robson, President of Durham County Cricket Club talks proudly of these new grounds and the local players who have been discovered by the club. The sign for ‘The Lambton Worm’ public house at Chester-le-Street with images of the folk legend painted on the walls. Over general views of Hylton Castle near Sunderland, George Bage tells the tale of the Cauld Lad of Hylton who is believed to haunt the castle. The Wear at low-tide with old wooden staithes pokies out of the sand. With the Hylton Viaduct in the background local artist Joan Dervin talks about why the river is important to her and why she likes painting it. Examples of her work are shown including those painted near her home at South Hylton. From a boat on the river a concrete hull sitting in the water. On the far riverbank a modern enterprise park built on what was once North Hylton Colliery. On the far banks overlooking the park Walter Donkin talking about how modern industries are replacing ones such as shipbuilding and coal mining. Further downstream on the site of the former Pallion shipyard near the Queen Alexandra Bridge the land has been cleared in readiness for a new light-industrial park. The journey along the Wear continues as the boat approaches the Monkwearmouth Railway and Wearmouth bridges in the city of Sunderland. Standing on the banks across from the bridge’s is local historian Bobby Robinson who talks about the history and identity of the shipyard workers who lived and worked in the area. Archival images of the people and area are used to help illustrate some of his points. A new housing development built as part of the Northsands area of the city where, according to Bobby, people returning to Sunderland are now living. In the distance on the far side of the estuary an industrial quayside where Sir Tom Cowie talking about how the city is importing nonferrous metals from Russia, in a large warehouse some of the 40,000 tons of metal that has been imported and stored at Sunderland. Sir Cowie talks about his hopes for the future of the port. Various sculptures on display inside a riverside sculpture park including ‘The Always Open Gates’ by Colin Wilbourn and Karl Fisher, ‘The Red House’, an ‘exploded’ house carved from stone, and ‘Stone Stair Carpet’ which consists of carved steps leading down into the Wear. A lighthouse at the end Roker Pier changes to a small fishing boat come into the harbour. Local journalist Frank Entwistle explains why this part of the river is an important place to him. More archive images showing how busy the river was compared to today with Frank providing details of the area’s history and his hopes for the future. From a boat passing under the Monkwearmouth Railway and Wearmouth bridges the closing credits. Credit: Narrated by Marjorie Lofthouse Original Music by Ian Lynn and Alison Taylor Research Harry Rowell Associate Producer Maurice Boyle Camera Malcolm Saul Editor Steve Hine Producer Ken Stephinson End title: Stephinson Television © 1996