The third of an eight-part series produced by Tyne Tees Television on a year-in-the-life of residents of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne off the Northumberland coast. Early spring and one of the island's two farmers take’s his sheep to market for the last time while at Lindisfarne Castle problems arise with the installation of two new boatsheds. It is also renovation time at the castle, and the castle property manager tells us about the problem of "vomiting" seabirds. The...

The third of an eight-part series produced by Tyne Tees Television on a year-in-the-life of residents of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne off the Northumberland coast. Early spring and one of the island's two farmers take’s his sheep to market for the last time while at Lindisfarne Castle problems arise with the installation of two new boatsheds. It is also renovation time at the castle, and the castle property manager tells us about the problem of "vomiting" seabirds. The island’s vicar Franciscan monk Brother Damian conducts the annual Ash Wednesday services while pilgrims on a Lent retreat walk barefoot along the Pilgrim’s Way footpath to the island. Finally, the annual Duck Supper is held in The Lindisfarne Hotel to celebrate the island's wildfowling tradition. Title: Diary of an Island It is March on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and snow covers the ground and a strong winds causes boats on the water to bob up and down. At his farm Robert Brigham along with business partner and fellow farmer Danny Hodgson sorts the last of Robert’s sheep ready to be sold at Acklington Auction Mart. They talk about what sheep they are looking for, fat one with the rest remaining on the island until they are ready. As the hooves of one of the sheep are clipped, Robert explains why he is giving up on sheep farming to concentrate on fruit and vegetables that will be sold to visitors in the summertime. As the two work to load the chosen sheep into a wagon Danny talks about their partnership which started in the mid-1980s and the work they will both be doing planting strawberries, maize and vegetables that will be sold at a stall near the farm gateway. With few visitors on the island this time of year they both enjoy the peace of quiet. With the wagon loaded they depart for the auction mart. Two low-loader heavy duty lorries cross the causeway onto Holy Island carrying the two massive boatsheds. They crawl like giant armadillos towards Lindisfarne Castle where their loads will replace the two sheds that were recently destroyed by fire. Catherine Atkinson National Trust Property Manager at Lindisfarne Castle and a colleague look over an old photograph showing islanders working together to make the original sheds from old fishing boats. The first low-loader reaches a gate but hits a problem, it is too wide to fit through, so a crane is brought in to remove the fence posts. With the lorry now at the bottom of the narrow road snaking up to the castle they hit a second problem, the width of the boats is 2ft wider than the gap between the fence and cliff face. As the men go about preparing for it, Catherine explains how the boats will be jacked up on the low-loader to get them above the level of the fence before being lifted of and swung into place by crane at the top. She has full confidence in Coastal Marine who are doing the move. With the congregation inside St Mary the Virgin Church singing a hymn the nearby St Cuthbert’s Island with its cross. Inside the church the vicar Franciscan monk Brother Damian holds the traditional Ash Wednesday service asking those in attendance to come forward to the high altar to receive on their heads in ash the sign of the cross and of God’s salvation. On a sofa in the vicarage Brother Damian talks about the importance of this service. He believes Lent is a chance for the spirit to get a little extra boost. Back in the church following the service he holds up his specially made robes and holes in the stole made by mice chewing through the silk. He laughs when he shows the repair work which features an image of a mouse. Outside heavy snowfall in the churchyard and nearby Lindisfarne Priory changing to the vicarage and Brother Damian and one of his fellow brothers enjoying breakfast with four others. Brother Damian talks about his habit and cowl and what people think of them, to him it isn’t an outfit rather part of his religious life which he has brought back to the island in order to share it. Robert Brigham and Danny Hodgson arrive at Acklington Auction Mart and with the help of the auctioneer herds their sheep into pens. Robert and the auctioneer talk about the bad weather and poor driving conditions which Robert is afraid may have kept many potential bidders away. With the auction started Robert herds his flock into the ring and is delighted they sell them all at £41 per head. Back on the farm he explains the parts of the job he won’t miss and that vegetable growing is a lot easier. Title: End of Part One Diary of an Island With the boatsheds now jacked above the level of the fence the low-loaders slowly make their way along the narrow road around Lindisfarne Castle towards their final positions. Another problem, the crane to be used to lift the shed has become stuck on a muddy slope and could slip into the sea. With everyone working together, the crane is finally pushed back to safety and is made ready for the final lift. At the Open Gate Retreat candles are lit for a midday service in the cellar chapel. It is Lent and those at the retreat are going to walk the Pilgrim’s Way across the causeway from the mainland to Holy Island. On the sands near to the start of the walk Ray Simpson from the Community of Aidan and Hilda greets the pilgrims wearing a long gown and large wooden crucifix. He takes some of the pilgrim’s belongings as everyone removes their shoes and socks in order to walk the route barefoot, he explains why this is important. With two of the group looking back towards the mainland as a symbol of their old lives, they turn and begin to walk towards Lindisfarne following the wooden pilgrims’ poles in the sand which marks the safe route. Along the two-and-a-half-mile track some of those taking part are asked why they are doing it, one woman explains it’s a symbolic journey marking a new start. As the first of the pilgrims arrive on Holy Island, they are greeted by Ray who proceeds to wash their feet. He congratulates each of them as they arrive, a sign he believes of God’s hope. Back at Lindisfarne Castle the crane slowly begins to swing the first of the two boatsheds into position. However, there is another problem in that the crane isn’t long enough. With a smile on her face Catherine Atkinson isn’t worried as she’s confident Coastal Marine have a plan-B. Jim Scott from Coastal Marine explains he’s had sleepless nights worrying about the move, but it is a relief the sheds are now in. The sheds are lowered into their final positions on concrete foundations as Catherine and her colleagues take photographs for posterity. Six weeks after it opened Andrew Mundy of ‘Pilgrim’s Café’ makes a Cappuccino and talks about the slow start he has had. However, it is getting busier now the weather is improving. Outside empty chairs on the new patio area with Andrew explaining how he is looking to create a ‘quiet retreat’ but not to quiet. Back at Lindisfarne Castle a workman beginning the work to repair the cobbled steps leading to and from the castle. Brian Rochester Assistant Building Manager for the National Trust explains why it needs to be done and why they use lime rather than cement. Up on the battlement two men hacking out with hammer and chisel the old concrete cement put in during the 1950s. Brian Rochester explains that the concrete retains water which is causing the castle stonework to erode. It will be rendered, like the steps, in lime. Sitting nearby a Fulmer seabird and Catherine Atkinson explaining why and how they have to rescue these birds from the battlements. She provides further details on the challenges on doing this as the birds spit and projectile vomiting on those trying to help them, a mixture she describes as being really smelly and horrible. A montage of Holy Island at sunset with the moon waning around Lindisfarne Priory. In the kitchen of The Lindisfarne Hotel chief John Richardson works with his staff to serve up the fifty wild ducks he has prepared. He explains it is an island tradition dating back forty-two year and provides details on his failsafe system used to identify a specific birds to be served up to the individual who shot it which is important. In the dining room Dave O’Connor Duck Supper Joint Co-ordinator welcomes its newest member, 13-year-old Ryan Douglas grandson of fisherman Tommy Douglas who sits nearby. As Ryan explains that he only shot his first bird this year, Tommy states why eating duck with fingers is the only way to do it. He is very proud of his grandson who is one of the youngest people in Northumberland to be issued with a gun licence. Dave O’Connor explains that the supper is a final get together to celebrate the end of the hunting season and why the pleasure of the sport is in knowing that the odds are usually in the duck’s favour. Over a montage of clips details are provided on next week’s programme. Title: With thanks to the people of Holy Island Credit: Narrator Bob Johnson Cameras Alistair McKenzie, Phil Driver, Alan Robinson, Janusz Ostrowski, Dave Dixon Sound Robbie Carruthers, Andrew Bennett, Chris Corner, Colin Lang, Rob Tickell, Dave Venus Sound Post-Production The Edge Titles Music McGregor Cook Graphics Jon King Production Manager Christine Stewart-Tilling Editor Kerry Plummer Assistant Producer Sal Brecken Producer Sheilagh Matheson Executive Producer Jane Bolesworth Series Producer Derek Proud Title: © ITV Tyne Tees 2006 End title: Production for ITV