The fifth of a seven-part documentary co-produced by Tyne Tees Television and Deerpark Films in which Geordie television personalities Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, better known as Ant and Dec, explore the history of their native Tyneside from the beginnings of human society to the everyday dramas of the present day. In this episode the duo explores the works of two of Tyneside greatest engineers and industrialists William Armstrong and Sir Charles Algernon Parsons. They also look...

The fifth of a seven-part documentary co-produced by Tyne Tees Television and Deerpark Films in which Geordie television personalities Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, better known as Ant and Dec, explore the history of their native Tyneside from the beginnings of human society to the everyday dramas of the present day. In this episode the duo explores the works of two of Tyneside greatest engineers and industrialists William Armstrong and Sir Charles Algernon Parsons. They also look into the origins of the Geordie anthem ‘The Blaydon Races’ as well as the importance of Newcastle United Football Club to the area. An opening montage featuring both contemporary and archival material relating to Tyneside and presenters Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly providing details on the upcoming programme. Title: A History of Tyneside Ant and Dec stands on the deck of a ship as it travels upstream along the River Tyne. As it passes through the Swing Bridge they talk about its historic importance in allowing larger ships to pass ending the need for keelmen to transport coal to Tynemouth as well as opening up shipbuilding and armaments manufacture to became very big business. Following aerials of Cragside house in Northumberland Ant and Dec provide a history of William Armstrong, one of Tyneside industrial giants, who built the Swing Bridge that opened in 1876. Over a montage of both still and moving archive that includes Ant and Dec looking over a light field gun built and designed by Armstrong on display inside the Discovery Museum in Newcastle, they explain why Armstrong needed the Swing Bridge and how it help develop his shipbuilding and armaments business at his foundry at Elswick which eventually supplied the armies and navies around the world. At Cragside writer George Rosie talks about Armstrong being both a generous employer as well as ruthless and remorseless capitalist. Over more relevant images and an aerial of the River Tyne and its shipyards he talks about the importance of Armstrong employing Scottish physicist Andrew Noble who help expand the company’s move into armaments especially with regards battleships. Over more related archival images Ant and Dec talks about a strike of 2700 workers at Armstrong’s Elswick work who were fighting for a shorter working week. As George Rosie explains, although Armstrong was able to break the five-month dispute, he never forgave his workers. A montage of both archival and contemporary views of Cragside with George explaining that following the dispute Armstrong retired to the property rarely returning to Newcastle or his Elswick works. An aerial of Bamburgh Castle on the Northumberland coastline which Ant and Dec explaining that it was purchased by Armstrong to be turned into a convalescent home dedicated to the memory of his wife. Over archival images of both Armstrong Park and Jesmond Dene, which were both donated to the city of Newcastle by Armstrong, additional archival images of battleships built at Armstrong’s Elswick works with Ant and Dec along with George Rosie talking about how and why Armstrong was able to hold onto being the predominant arms manufacturer in Britain until the end of World Ward One. Over archive footage of guns and armaments being made in the Elswick works details are provided on how by the 1920s and 30s this dominance came to an end as the rest of the world began to make their own war ships and arms. Over a final montage of relevant images Ant and Dec describe Armstrong as a visionary with a talent bordering on genius which saw him predicting the end of coal mining on Tyneside, steam being replaced with electric trains and the growth in hydro-electricity and solar power. A mixture of both contemporary and archival material showing St James’ Park in Newcastle and supporters of Newcastle United Football Club (FC) watching their team play while chanting the song ‘The Blaydon Races’. A vox pop with supports who are able to explain that the song is about an ancient horse race which took place from Blaydon into Newcastle. Over a montage of relevant archival images Ant and Dec provide details on the origins of the song which was written in 1862 by local songwriter George “Geordie” Ridley and why it has become a part of Geordie culture. A second vox pop with Newcastle United supporters who explain why the song is important to them. Title: A History of Tyneside Over a montage of related clips, Ant and Dec provide details on part two. Title: A History of Tyneside Over a montage of high-speed footage in and around Newcastle Central Station, Ant and Dec explain how and why the station symbolises 19th century industrial Tyneside. As Architectural Historian Dr Thomas Faulkner talks about how the issues of crossing the Tyne was overcome by Robert Stephenson when he designed and built the High-Level Bridge, he goes onto provide details on Stephenson’s involvement in the design and building of the station alongside its architect John Dobson. Over more views around the station plus related archival images details are provided some if its main features including its iron and glass roof. As a GNER InterCity 225 passenger trains crosses over the arches above them heading into Newcastle Central Station, Ant and Dec come to stand next to Newcastle Keep to explain that for the Victorians the future of the city and not it’s past were important and so the railway was allowed to be cut through Castle Garth, an important historic area next to Newcastle Keep and an example of their self-confidence at its most powerful. Following archive footage featuring several ships being launched into the River Tyne, Ant and Dec stand on the deck over a ship on the Tyne. With a large a tanker under construction at Swan Hunter shipyard behind them, they talk about shipbuilding on the Tyne and how Swans became specialists in the construction of early oil tankers. In the main hall of the Discovery Museum in Newcastle the first steam-turbine powered steamship the Turbinia built in 1897 by Sir Charles Algernon Parsons. Standing on its deck Ant and Dec explain how’s its first appearance at the Spithead Navy Review near Portsmouth was a typical piece of Geordie cheek and opportunism. As they wonder around the vessel, they talk about its remarkable origins and why it revolutionised the construction of warships and brought in the modern age of the high-speed destroyer. Intercut with clips from the documentary ‘Parsons: Genius of Power’ George Rosie talks about the work of Charles Algernon Parsons in designing and develop the steam-turbine and how within twenty-years his turbines were being used in the most advanced ships being produced by Britain. Over additional clips from the film George Rosie also provides details on the work of Parsons to equip power stations, especially in America, with electrical turbines and that he should be remembered more than he is. Returning to Ant and Dec still standing beside the Turbinia they explain that the ship was an example of how ideas can translate spectacularly into reality and that Tyneside spearheaded the Industrial Revolution with its engineering flare, the railways and shipbuilding. Over a montage of both newsreel clips and archival images featuring both Newcastle United FC playing and their supporters, Freddy Shepherd Chairman of the club talks about the importance of the game and the team to Tynesider’s and why as a Geordie you must support Newcastle. As they kick a ball around the pitch inside St James’ Park, Ant and Dec talk about the clubs history and origins as well as its early successes becoming the best supported club in England. Over a montage of St James’ Park Local Historian Christopher Goulding explains how the location of the grounds in the centre of Newcastle is why the team is central to the Geordie psyche before explaining why Colin Veitch is an unsung hero of the club. He goes onto talk about some of the teams’ successes from the 1920s to 1950s winning the FA Cup six time, but as Alan Shearer comes of the field at the end of a game Christopher expresses his disappointment that Alan hasn’t been able to bring any silverware to the club. Coming out of the Sunderland Daily Echo office at Beamish Museum, Ant and Dec explain that the spark that gave rise to the success of Newcastle United and other clubs as well as create a mass readership of newspapers was when working men were given Saturday afternoon off. Over a final aerial of St James’ Park and with Ant and Dec leaving the grounds they explain how football part of the heart of life on Tyneside. Title: A History of Tyneside Over a montage of related archival images Ant and Dec provide details on next week’s episode which will look at how Tyneside moved into the 20th century with two world wars and the decline of heavy industry, cup final success and failure for Newcastle United and the invention of Newcastle Brown Ale. Title: A History of Tyneside Thanks to Beamish Museum Photographic Archive, The National Army Museum, The Discovery Museum, Newcastle United FC, One North East The British Museum, The Vermont Hotel Newcastle, Gallowgate Productions, The National Trust Credit: Camera Steve Green, Alistair McKenzie, Janusz Ostrowski Sound Andy Bennett, Colin Lang, Adam Toy Electricians Paul Caddick, Lewis Hedley, John Mason Research Sandy Neil Archive Research Gillian Robinson Titles Music “Get Carter” by PEAK Location Director Anne Buckland Contracts and Rights Peter McArthur Production Manager Christine Stewart-Tilling Graphics Charlie Lennie Sound Post Production The Edge Online Editor Peter Telford Assistant Producer Chris Phipps Producer Alistar Moffat Executive Producer Jane Bolesworth Director Ian Hughes Title: © ITV Tyne Tees 2006 End title: An ITV Tyne Tees and Deerpark Films co-production for ITV