The eighth and final episode of the fourth series of ‘Grundy’s Wonders’ produced by Tyne Tees Television and written and presented by architectural historian and broadcaster John Grundy. In this programme John goes in search of forbidden places and finds an 18th century love-nest in Northumberland, a fantasy garden in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and an Egyptian temple at Jarrow. An animation of a book with its pages turning revealing different buildings and architectural styles ending...

The eighth and final episode of the fourth series of ‘Grundy’s Wonders’ produced by Tyne Tees Television and written and presented by architectural historian and broadcaster John Grundy. In this programme John goes in search of forbidden places and finds an 18th century love-nest in Northumberland, a fantasy garden in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and an Egyptian temple at Jarrow. An animation of a book with its pages turning revealing different buildings and architectural styles ending on presenter John Grundy holding the programmes title card. Title: Grundy’s Wonders Walking along Berwick Town Wall at Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, presenter John Grundy explains that this programme will be about ‘things that are forbidden’. He then provides details on the Anglo-Scottish Wars which lasted hundreds of years and made Berwick part of the frontline changing hands fourteen times until finally becoming part of England in 1482. Over views of the town wall build under the reign of Elizabeth I John explains how this war left an impact on the landscape and how it took centuries for the county to catch up with the rest of the country. Using farmhouses as an example a montage of various properties around Berwick which John explains were mainly build in the 19th century. Travelling by car John arrives at West Ord a mysterious property near Berwick which according to John doesn’t fit with the farmhouses surrounding it. Over views of its exterior John explains the property was built in around 1700 and has some very different architectural features such as being of symmetrical design and with angled pilasters which are common in property in Southern England rather than the wilds of Northumberland. Heading inside John points out other unique features here which are of the highest quality such as its enriched medallion frieze in the upstairs that would normally be found in noble houses rather than farmhouses. Sitting beside the fire downstairs with a large book in his lap John explains the properties mystery being that it is in fact an 18th century love-nest built for a woman called Elizabeth Ord who had the illegitimate daughter of Sir William Blackett of Wallington Hall. John goes into further detail of their relation and daughter, also called Elizabeth, whom they shared and would on his death inherited his estate, a very unusual situation for this period in time. Walking through the gates leading to ‘The Forbidden Corner’ at Coverham in Coverdale inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park, John follows a sign he believes will allow him to indulge in a few ‘forbidden pleasures.’ As he arrives at the entrance he tells a story about a failed attempt to visit the attraction previously and the ‘strange experience’ of purchasing a ticket in nearby Leyburn. John arrives in the towns Tourist Information Office and hands over his money to a woman behind a hole-in-the wall. Back at The Forbidden Corner John heads inside passing through the two doorway entrance tower before realising he can’t go back. He wonders through this folly garden past several of its various attractions, statues and sculptures some of which spray him with water. John describes the experience comically as ‘a touch un-nerving’ and ‘rather unexpected.’ Taking the programme into the commercial break John heads inside what appears to be a Roman temple guarded by two Roman Centurions. Title: Grundy’s Wonders End of Part One Part Two Inside the temple John is confronted by a statue of a devil and numerous doors appearing to lead from the chamber. He attempts two of the doors and finds them as fake, a third leads to a dead-end with the sequence ending on him eventually finding his way out appears as if from the mouth of a dragon. Telling the audience the experience didn’t frighten him; he goes onto explain that perhaps her isn’t young enough to be allowed into ‘The Forbidden Corner’ on his own. Walking along the Newcastle Quayside John states he is going to look for the forbidden side of the city, its red-light district. Standing with the Gateshead Millennium Bridge behind him he explains that he has been told by friends to try Pink Lane in Grainger Tower to find the cities forbidden fruits. Over views of people walking up and down this narrow street and a series of ‘suggestive’ signages John confesses that while this charming city centre alley may have once been the red-light district it hasn’t been so for some time. Standing in Pink Lane itself John is pleased that a city of Newcastle's size doesn’t have a red-light district unlike other cities. Now walking down the steps of the nearby Cardinal Basil Hume Statue John explains that he isn’t a puritan or want to stop people having fun, for him his objection is to the seediness and ugliness that the organised sex industry creates wherever it appears. Walking past an arcade of shops John looks for forbidden things that are far more to his tastes. Disappearing for a few seconds he returns holding a meat pie which he takes a bite of and explains that he has always had a yearning to visit places his background and experience have never allowed him to go to such as a Masonic Hall. Arriving at Jarrow Masonic Hall John heads inside and as he climbs the stairs to the first floor talks about his grandfather who was a Freemason and growing up with a confused impression of Masonic Halls where weird ceremonies took place. Entering what is now the dining room but was when opened in 1881 the main room or hall John talks about some of its features such as its temple or Aedicula surrounded by two pillars representing the pillars of wisdom. Describing the room as nicely old-fashioned and similar to other Victorian club room, what makes this room different are the many Masonic symbols that feature around the room. Heading upstairs John passes an extraordinary cabinet of Masonic curiosities arriving at the door leading into the Lodge Room itself where he confesses to feeling nervous as he has no idea what is beyond this door. The exterior Queen Street East Masonic Temple in Sunderland, the oldest purpose-built Masonic Hall in the world built in 1785. Inside the windowless main hall featuring similar Aediculas as at Jarrow and described by John as a very perfect neo-classical room made unique by all the 18th century Masonic symbols. One of the most elegant classical rooms in the Northeast. Returning to Jarrow John provides some details on the history of Freemasonry which many believe originates with the temples and pyramid builders of Egypt. Knocking on the Lodge Room door a montage the decorative room inside painted as if an ancient Egyptian temple. Believing it be one of the most extraordinary rooms in the Northeast John has no hesitation in making it this week’s ‘Grundy’s Wonder.’ An animation of a fanfare of trumpets over the following title. Title: Grundy’s Wonders Over the closing credits a montage of some of the locations featured in this programme. Credit: Written and Presented by John Grundy Camera and Location Director Simon Elphinstone Sound Paul Graham, Peter Rossiter Lighting Gordon Porteous, John Mason Title: Archive courtesy The National Trust Wallington Hall Credit: Production Manager Christine Stewart-Tilling Production Assistants Karen Sharp Graphics Dave Richardson, Jon King Title Music John Cook Sound Dubbing George Joisce Online Editor Peter Telford Offline Editor Mark Duncan Executive Producer Jane Bolesworth Series Producer Steve Robins Title: © Tyne Tees Television 2003 End title: A Tyne Tees Television production. Granada