The second episode of this ten-part series produced by Tyne Tees Television and written and presented by architectural historian and broadcaster John Grundy about the building that people have constructed over the centuries to help themselves work, live and enjoy themselves. In this second programme a return to the seaside this time to look at it as a place of work focusing on the importance and dangers of the fishing and how the Northeast became pioneers in maritime safety. Over a montage...

The second episode of this ten-part series produced by Tyne Tees Television and written and presented by architectural historian and broadcaster John Grundy about the building that people have constructed over the centuries to help themselves work, live and enjoy themselves. In this second programme a return to the seaside this time to look at it as a place of work focusing on the importance and dangers of the fishing and how the Northeast became pioneers in maritime safety. Over a montage of John Grundy wearing various costumes and maps of the region the opening credits. Title: Grundy Goes… To the Seaside again A montage of various fishing boats and trawlers either entering port or moored up along various regional quaysides. Wearing a Naval outfit and pipe, presenter John Grundy is dressed as ‘Jolly Jack Grundy’. Walking along Holy Island Beach in Northumberland with Lindisfarne Castle in background Jolly Jack explains there is no sight more beautiful, no idea more romantic than the tall ship and the call of the running tide. Following a brief re-cap of last week’s programme, John stands on a beach with a large fishing boat marooned on the sand at low tide behind him talking about the seaside being a place of work and the importance of fishing. As he walks past several Lindisfarne Boat Sheds, John provides details on the design and history of these shacks coming to stand beside one with the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory in the background. Over a montage of the many sheds on the beach John explains why he loves them. Sitting beside one of the boat sheds Jolly Jack talks about the romance of living in sheds like these which were used up and down the Northumberland coastline in the 19th century. However, returning to John, he asks are we being absurdly sentimental and in danger of romanticising the past? A montage around the village of Craster in Northumberland featuring The Jolly Fisherman Inn, visitors walking along the coastal path to the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle and a toilet block and car park built as part of the villages main industry today tourism. A second montage of the village featuring the harbour, smoking kipper sheds as well as the fishermen’s cottages with John reminding the viewer that this was once an industrial settlement chosen not because of its picturesqueness but because of efficiency. Walking around the village John talks about its clever compact design built around one little cove and how the cottages fit within the contours of the landscape. Returning to Holy Island John walks through the village pointing out some of the architectural features of the fishermen’s cottages that are unique to the region and its landscape. Along the beach south of Berwick-upon-Tweed is according to John a regional oddity, Cheswick Shiel is a one room cottage built amongst the dunes. Walking over to a gate John explains that he likes it as it is still being put to its original use by fishermen during the Salmon season. A montage of gravestones in the churchyard at St Mary’s Church Whitby reminding John of the reality, harshness and dangers of a seaman’s life. Waves crash against Whitby pier during a storm changes to a montage of historical photographs of ships wrecked along the Northeast coastline. Jolly Jack Grundy sitting on a rock remarks that a life as a sailor isn’t for him and begins to strip off his uniform. However, as John begins to explain how the Northeast played an extraordinary big part in the history of safety at sea Jolly Jack puts his clothes back on with a proud smile. Title: End of Part One Part Two Waves crashing onto rocks again during a storm changes to the Lifeboat Memorial at South Shields where the first purpose built lifeboat in the world is on display under a Victorian canopy. As John talks about the design of the memorial the film changes to another, that of the Grace Darling Memorial in the churchyard of St Aidan’s at Bamburgh in Northumberland. John gives a history of Grace that features the home where she was born as well as the cottage nearby where she died with visitors walking past and Bamburgh Castle dominating the skyline. Standing along the cliffs with the Farne Islands in the distance John recounts the events of the 7th September 1838 that made Grace so famous. With a folk song being sung a montage of images featuring Grace and her father attempting to rescue survivors from the shipwreck of The ForFarshire. Over a montage of Bamburgh Castle John tells a story of another early maritime safety pioneer; Dr John Sharp who ran a charitable trust in the castle. Standing beside a set of massive chains John explains these were used to haul vessels shipwrecked on nearby rocks to safety. John also explains that Dr Sharp had a lifeboat which predates the one at South Shields, however as it was built by a southerner it couldn’t have been very good. From a boat on the water the Longstone Lighthouse on Longstone Rock in the outer group of the Farne Islands. A montage of other lighthouses around the region which John describes as being functional buildings with architectural variety including the lighthouse at Whitby built like a Greek Doric column, Souter Lighthouse north of Whitburn, Scarborough Lighthouse and finally St Mary’s Lighthouse at Whitley Bay where Jolly Jack Grundy appears heading off along the causeway to St Mary’s Island. Inside St Mary’s Lighthouse John climbs the 137 steps to the top providing some details on the building’s history and construction on the way up. Following behind is Jolly Jack Grundy who looks up with fear. As he reaches the top John explains this is the ‘ultimate Grundy fantasy’ seeing for the first time a lighthouse light. He calls down to Jolly Jack who decides to stay downstairs. Walking along a passageway of Broad Chare on the Newcastle Quayside John talks about Trinity House which have been looking after lighthouses around the British coast since the early 16th century. Arriving at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Trinity House which John describes it as the ‘ultimate sneaky abyss’ he wonders around the warren of architectural delights providing a history of the various building there which has been in continuous occupation and remodelling for more than 500 years. Moving onto the mouth of the Tyne the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Watch House with John provides details on both the history of the organisation, the first of its type in the world, as well as the architectural style of the building itself. Standing in one of the bay windows Jolly Jack Grundy looks out to sea while below waves crash over the Midden rocks below. Walking onto Tynemouth Pier John talks of piers as being ‘heroically architectural’ in creating safe havens. Cutting between John and John dressed as both Jock McGrundy Pier Engineer and Jolly Jack Grundy questions area asked about the challenges of building the pier which took 54 years to complete between 1853 and 1907. To help illustrate some of the points being made archival photographs taken during the pier’s construction. Over a montage of the pier and its surrounds John talks about this and other piers being one the great achievement of the Victorian age. He goes onto explains that Tynemouth Pier also allowed the River Tyne to prosper. Walking to the end John explains his fascination with piers as being where both the land and the sea meet, fascinating but endlessly perilous he explains. The programme ends over a montage of images featuring Grace Darling. Credit: Written and Presented by John Grundy Title: Pier photos Port of Tyne Authority Credit: Camera Mike Parker Sound Paul Graham Dubbing Mixer John Cook Electrician George Bush Costume Tom Robson Graphics Alan Davidson Title Music John Cook Production Assistant Eileen Brown On-line Editor Robin Sinton Director / Producer Roger Burgess End title: Tyne Tees Television © 1996