John Grundy will tell you that buildings are the stars of his latest series, Grundy’s Northern Pride, but that’s just him being modest. John has so much infectious enthusiasm for his subject that the potentially stuffy topic of architecture is transformed into a lively and entertaining journey around his favourite part of the world.
In this second series of Northern Pride (ITV1 Granada, 7.30pm, Thursday) John looks at ten varied and fascinating aspects of our heritage.
Series 2 is also being shown on ITV Local Granada the day after transmission on ITV1
To order DVDs of all 19 programmes in Series 1 and 2 visit
www.grundysnorthernpride.tv
‘Village Halls’ June 5 2008. John sings the praises of the humble village hall. He samples a WI tea and has a go at Morris and disco dancing as he journeys from a Cumbrian timber beamed hall with ancient wall paintings to a turn-of-the-millennium building at Arkholme in Lancashire.
‘Railways’ June 12th 2008. From primitive mine railways to high speed inter-city trains, John’s journey takes him along the Settle to Carlisle line as he relives his train spotting days, to the colliery waggonways of the North East and to Rainhill in the North West – scene of the famous locomotive trials in 1829.
‘Anglo-Saxon and Viking’ July 3 2008. Fiery dragons and Viking horns keep John on his toes as he travels the North exploring its Anglo Saxon and Viking heritage.
‘Waterways’ July 10 2008. Rivers, canals, locks and quays are the subject of this exploration of the North’s architectural heritage. John visits some of the natural ports along our rivers (Lancaster, York and Newcastle) but then checks out some of the amazing feats of engineering that arrived during the canal age.
‘Stairs’ July 17 2008. John enjoys the highs and the lows of the North as he checks out staircases. In Manchester Town Hall he finds what he reckons are the most stunning, romantic and imaginative staircases anywhere in Britain.
‘Colour’ July 24 2008. What colour is the North? That’s the question John attempts to answer. He shows us buildings that are painted with black tar, whitewashed cottages and farmhouses and a whole range of colours in between.
‘Parks’ July 31 2008. John promenades around the parks of the North, showing how they evolved from common land covered in cowpats to sweet smelling and elegant places for family fun.
‘Lighting’ August 7 2008. John is very illuminating about lighting. He shows us how the bright ideas of Northern pioneers changed our lives forever and took us from humble rushes dipped in mutton fat to dazzling city lights.
‘Markets’ August 14 2008. For Mr Grundy, going down the market is not only the best place to pick up a bargain, it’s also an historical and cultural treat.
‘Iron and Steel’ August 21 2008. John takes us on an iron and steel journey from the Middle Ages to the present day.
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