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History
How the people of England developed their own local identity over 1,500 years of history.
Stuart Maconie visits the Furness Peninsula. Here, he discovers evidence of a Viking past, the founding of a new religion and the importance of the railways to Barrow's industrial heritage.
Westcountry comedian Tom Craine discovers the rich and colourful history of Glastonbury and uncovers its role in some of the most extraordinary events that Britain has ever seen. From the birth of Christianity in Europe to Henry VIII's dissolution of the abbey and execution of the abbot, Tom journeys through 2000 years of history - from Jesus to Jay-Z - to separate fact from fiction.
Jonathan Foyle sails the River Tamar in Cornwall to discover how mineral wealth shaped the history of this beautiful valley.
Jon Cuthill is in the New Forest discovering some of the Great British Stories from the last one thousand years. From the hunt for the lost Anglo Saxon settlement wiped out by William the Conquerer to the restoration of the vast chalk letters carved into the heath by pilots of one of Britain's first ever flying schools.
Peter Snow takes a journey around east London's docklands and charts its rise and fall over the centuries. He hears the extraordinary stories of gruesome traditions, lost craftsmanship and secretive communities.
Former boxer Richie Woodhall loves history. He wants to uncover the secrets of historic hotspot Ironbridge, the place where he grew up. Starting with the soldiers names on the town's War Memorial, he goes on a journey of discovery, retracing relatives of the dead soldiers and piecing together what life was like for them in the early 1900s.
A waterway dividing north from south, county from county. Tom Cunliffe sets sail on historic boats exploring 200 years of history along the Trent. He discovers how this river has shaped the people and places along its course.
Rory McGrath enjoys an historical journey into Cambridge and reveals how the county was tamed from a boggy, mosquito-infested landscape into one of Britain's most wealthy and clever counties. Using a variety of boats, stilts and a bicycle, Rory travels through Cambridgeshire and meets the people who can show how our ancestors survived and created the beautiful city of Cambridge. 500 years ago, malaria was rife, and the Cam was a filthy shadow of the idyllic river that attracts thousands of tourists today, but a combination of chance and determination led to a series of discoveries that changed the health of the country.
Helen Skelton follows the River Wear to discover the clues to fifteen hundred years of Northern history. Helen discovers how ancient buildings, local tradition, ancient maps and even a river bed can help reveal our past - and explain just how our towns and cities have grown.
Amy Garcia takes a journey on foot and by boat to discover thousands of years of history along the River Aire in Yorkshire, from its ancient source above Malham Cove to the industrial and post-industrial heartland of Leeds and beyond. Amy discovers why the river has seen great battles as well as sustaining industry, leisure and religious faith for the people of Yorkshire over many centuries.
Built to defend the country against invasion from Napoleon's navy, the Royal Military Canal zigzags from Folkestone in Kent to Hastings in Sussex. It passes by the Cinque Port of Hythe, across the smugglers territory of Romney Marsh, through the ancient ports of Rye and Winchelsea, ending at the shifting shingle of Cliff End. Travelling the length of the route, Shaun Williamson discovers how the need to protect and defend the nation shaped the lives of the common people living on the edge of Britain, during some of the toughest times in our history, from well before 1066 to the present day.
Songwriter and Deacon Blue vocalist Ricky Ross returns to his home town of Dundee to investigate both its history and hidden landscapes. Dundonians and local experts guide Ricky through the archives and streets where evidence of his ancestors' struggles and achievements still remains.
No cast information available.
GBH was a seven-part British television drama written by Alan Bleasdale shown in the summer of 1991 on Channel 4. The protagonists were Michael Murray, the Militant tendency-supporting Labour leader of a city council in the North of England and Jim Nelson, the headmaster of a school for disturbed children. The series was controversial partly because Murray appeared to be based on Derek Hatton, former Deputy Leader of Liverpool City Council — in an interview in the G.B.H. DVD Bleasdale recounts an accidental meeting with Hatton before the series, who indicates that he has caught wind of Bleasdale's intentions but does not mind as long as the actor playing him is "handsome". In normal parlance, the initials "GBH" refer to the criminal charge of grievous bodily harm - however, the actual intent of the letters is that it is supposed to stand for Great British Holiday.
The Bletchley Circle follows the journey of four ordinary women with extraordinary skills that helped to end World War II. Set in 1952, Susan, Millie, Lucy and Jean have returned to their normal lives, modestly setting aside the part they played in producing crucial intelligence, which helped the Allies to victory and shortened the war. When Susan discovers a hidden code behind an unsolved murder she is met by skepticism from the police. She quickly realises she can only begin to crack the murders and bring the culprit to justice with her former friends. The Bletchley Circle paints a vivid portrait of post-war Britain in this fictional tale of unsung heroes.
Sugar Rush is an Emmy Award–winning British television comedy drama series developed by Shine Limited and broadcast by Channel 4, based on the Julie Burchill novel of the same name. It follows the trials and tribulations of teenager Kim Daniels, who is dealing with all the usual adolescent issues, plus one - she thinks she might be gay. Her family has recently moved to Brighton from London, and she finds herself with a huge crush on her new best friend, Maria `Sugar' Sweet. Sugar has a bit of a wild side, and frequently gets Kim into trouble, though Kim can find trouble on her own as well. Despite attractions to other girls, and a few attempts at being interested in guys, Kim continues to long for Sugar.
An intoxicating love story set in England's first department store in the 1870s. The Paradise revolves around the lives of the people who live and work in the store, each bound in their own way by the power of the world they live in, and the pasts that follow them there. A love story, mystery, and social comedy all in one.
Spaced: the anti-Friends, in that it examines the lives of common 20 somethings, but in a way that is more down to earth and realistic. Here we have Daisy and Tim; two 'young' adults with big dreams just trying to get by in this crazy world. They are thrown together in a common pursuit of tenancy, which they find by posing as a couple. The house has a landlady and an oddball artist living there. The series explores the ins and outs of London living.
Wycliffe is a British television series, based on W. J. Burley's novels about Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe. It was produced by HTV and broadcast on the ITV Network, following a pilot episode on 7 August 1993, between 24 July 1994 and 5 July 1998. The series was filmed in Cornwall, with a production office in Truro. Music for the series was composed by Nigel Hess and was awarded the Royal Television Society award for the best television theme. Wycliffe is played by Jack Shepherd, assisted by DI Doug Kersey and DI Lucy Lane. Each episode deals with a murder investigation. In the early series, the stories are adapted from Burley's books and are in classic whodunit style, often with quirky characters and plot elements. In later seasons, the tone becomes more naturalistic and there is more emphasis on internal politics within the police.
Ian George, the head of an exclusive school, is asked to take a look at Hope Park Comprehensive School, which is in special measures, and asked to confirm its closure. The outgoing head breaks down during his farewell speech and delivers an emotional rant against the students, telling them how worthless they are. After meeting staff and pupils, George believes there is some hope for the school. The show was inspired by a real head teacher named William Atkinson.