The fifth 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. As spring becomes summer two local farmers plant a maize maze for the tourists, the nature warden clears up overgrown scrubland and shows some of the rare Lindisfarne orchids. Also, the local school children dress up for a special Greek day, the island's artist stages his major exhibition of the year and an island...

The fifth 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. As spring becomes summer two local farmers plant a maize maze for the tourists, the nature warden clears up overgrown scrubland and shows some of the rare Lindisfarne orchids. Also, the local school children dress up for a special Greek day, the island's artist stages his major exhibition of the year and an island birdwatcher rings a brood of young swallows nesting above the beer barrels at a local hotel. Title: Diary of an Island As spring edges into summer an unseasonable North Sea fret of cold, damp sea fog engulfs the island, but visitors come regardless still happy to explore the landscape and visit Lindisfarne Castle. As it clears local farmer Robert Brigham and business partner Danny Hodgeson starts a new venture turning a five-acre field into a maze or labyrinth for tourists to lose themselves during the summer. Today, strips of biodegradable polythene are being rolled out by tractor over the site to help the maize seeds that will form the maze to grow. As the two men walk around the edge of the field they talk about the venture and why they are doing it. Across the island a team of young Coastal Rangers use rakes and pitchforks to clear unwanted plants from the dunes. Narrator Bob Johnson explains that Holy Island is a nature reserve with a delicate ecological balance that has to be carefully managed. Phil Davey Site Manager for Natural England explains what is being done and how it will help protect plants such as the Corallorhiza or Coralroot orchid which grows in the dunes on the island. Organising the rangers is Tom Cadwallender of the Northumberland coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) who talks about how this work will give young people an insight into why places like this are managed as well as help the natural flora on the island. Three of the six pupils at Holy Island Church of England First School get into a car that is taking them to their sister school on the mainland. The children are dressed in Greek costumes as Aphrodite, Menelaus and Persephone and on arrival at the school at Lowick they are greeted by teacher Kerry Fieldhouse dressed as Athena. Inside Kerry speaks with different groups of children about acting out a Greek story. Outside Kerry speaks with another group sitting under a willow canopy after which she explains that the school is having a whole day dedicated to the Greeks and Greek mythology. After telling the group the story of the kidnapping of Persephone by Hades, the children re-enact it with Kerry taking photographs which she will turn into a storyboard later on. Local shopkeeper Gary Watson travels to Berwick-upon-Tweed to do some shopping. Running the only shop on the island his premises are too small to hold all the stock that tourists need or want. As he collects a trolley he heads into a Co-Operative superstore at Tweedmouth to buy some of the items requested to him by visitors. As he wonders around the supermarket he talks about being requested to get obscure things as well as perishable items such as milk, cream and bread. With his shopping purchased he loads his car ready for the drive back to Holy Island. Title: End of Part One Diary of an Island Following a montage of the island with details on it size and population provided by Bob Johnson, local artist John Fieldhouse, husband of schoolteacher Kerry Fieldhouse, at work in his garden shed studio preparing for an exhibition at The Schoolroom Gallery in Alnmouth. A visit by gallery owner to finalise details changes to the opening night and a woman arriving at the gallery. Inside John is pleased with the layout of his works and explains the importance of selling them. As guest wonder round looking at his pieces hanging on the wall wife Kerry explains that John likes exhibitions such as this as he is looking for feedback. A couple look over one piece and admire it for capturing the wild look of Northumberland. They see the price tag of £2800 and explain why they believe it is value for money. Kerry wonders around the gallery pointing out the pieces she likes explaining why. Back on Holy Island café owner Richard Mundy of Pilgrim’s Café is rushed off his feet serving the many visitors. As he takes two cups of coffee outside onto the café’s patio area he talks in voiceover about how he is able to cope with these number of customers. Bird watcher Ian Kerr arrives at The Lindisfarne Hotel to ring swallow chicks that are nesting in the hotels beer cooling system. The nest is one of forty pairs of swallows on the island and Ian is careful when he collects each chick for ringing explaining how and why he is doing it. Back at the Pilgrim’s Café Richard coffee machine has broken down again, he complains about its unreliability and talks about the stresses of running a café. Back in the dunes a man on his knees photographing one of the islands rare plants. Standing with a friend he talks about the different varieties of orchids and wildflowers on the island that he likes photographing and keeping records of. He explains that as he keeps an eye on the ground, so he doesn’t trample on plants he sees many different thinks. Going for a walk through the dunes is Phil Davey Site Manager for Natural England who manages the reserve. While he complains about the added bureaucracy of his job, he still loves it especially on days when he can wonder through the dunes. He points our examples of flowering Marsh orchids as well as a new species recently identified known as Lindisfarne helleborine. He talks about the recent conservation work that has taken place on and around the spot where the helleborine is growing as proof that management is having a positive impact. At Holy Island Harbour a man putting the final touches to a recently painted fishing boat. Standing nearby is Fisherman Richard Ward who explains that between April and June the fishing is quiet so is an ideal time to spruce up the fishing boats and to check over the fishing gear in readiness for July and August when the fishing starts again. In front of him a stacks of crab pots with Richard explaining why they need repairing. 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