The Humber has been on the TV a fair bit recently. Did you catch any of these shows? We are taking a look at two shows - Great Coastal Railway Journeys, and The Architecture the Railways Built.

The Humber region has a rich history of industry combined with our coastal location and both of these topics are explored in TV shows which were recently aired. First of all, Michael Portillo visits the Humber region across three episodes of Great Coastal Railway Journeys, and then Tim Dunn explores Hull through the architecture of Paragon Station in The Architecture the Railways Built. 

Great Coastal Railway Journeys - S2, ep 8 - Scarborough to Bridlington.

In the second half of this episode, Michael Portillo joins the Rural Task Force to investigate the pioneering scheme Operation Seabird which helps to protect seabirds and other wildlife from the negative impacts of increased tourism. Bempton Cliffs is home to huge colonies of kittiwake, guillemotts, and gannets and also minke whales and dolphins. This is a beautiful coast and well worth a watch.

Michael then ventures down to the famous seaside resort of Bridlington, the Lobster Capital of Europe. Bridlington lands 310 tonnes of lobster a year, and Michael visits the Yorkshire Marine Research Centre to learn more about the impact of climate change on lobster levels in the North Sea. 

You can watch this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mg0d/great-coastal-railway-journeys-series-2-8-scarborough-to-bridlington 

Great Coastal Railway Journeys - S2, ep9 - Hornsea to Spurn Point

From Beverley train station, Michael Portillo heads up to the pretty seaside resort of Hornsea, famous for ceramics. He visits Hornsea Museum to learn more about Hornsea Pottery, which at its peak, employed 250 staff. He then visits Hull to learn more about Rugby League, popping in on Hull FC to discuss rugby league legend Clive Sullivan,

Onto Goole, Britain's most inland port at over 50 miles from the east coast, where he explores the canals that reach into West Yorkshire and looks at their role in industry.

At Spurn Point, Michael visits the lifeboat team and finds out more about the origins and history of the now ubiquitous life jacket. 

You can watch this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mg6b/great-coastal-railway-journeys-series-2-9-hornsea-to-spurn-point 

Great Coastal Railway Journeys - S2, ep10 - Grimsby to Humberston Fitties

In the mid 20th century, Grimsby was the biggest fishing port in the world. It's still important for seafood but there is another industry which is growing and Michael Portillo talks with Lauren Little of Orsted about the growth of renewable energy through offshore wind in the UK's Energy Estuary. 

Michael then visits the nearby seaside resort of Cleethorpes with its miniature railway and very tiny pub, which claims to be the "smallest pub on the planet". In Cleethorpes, Michael meets some brave outdoor swimmers including record-breaking swimmer Pete Winchester.

Onto Humberston, a wild piece of coastline and home to the Humberston Fitties. Michael meets an artist and learns more about the history of this community.

Back in Grimsby and a visit to Young's Seafood to sample the scampi and explore the heritage of one of the region's biggest employers. 

You can watch this episode at https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mg46/great-coastal-railway-journeys-series-2-10-grimsby-to-humberston-fitties 

The Architecture the Railways Built - S4 Ep 10 - Hull 

In Episode 10 of The Architecture the Railways Built, Tim Dunn visits Hull's Paragon Station to check out the buildings and their history. Hull has its own railway company, Hull Trains, part of a rich transport heritage that Hull has for railways as well as shipping.

Tim meets Hull History Nerd Jamie Topliss-Yates for a tour of the station and to learn more about its buildings and history. The station, funded by "The Railway King" George Hudson was built as a display of wealth but by 1849, Hudson was involved in financial scandal and the station and the adjoining Royal Hotel became knows as "Hudson's Folly". Tim gets a tour of the interior including the opulent 1900s booking hall. 

Dr Nick Evans takes Tim to look at the nearby pub which in the 19th century, hosted over 2million migrants from Eastern Europe on their way to the USA via Hull and Liverpool 

Later in the episode Tim visits the old railway owned ticket station on Hull's Nelson Street to learn about the Humber ferry, which operated up to 1981 and the opening of the Humber Bridge. 

You can watch the full episode at https://uktvplay.co.uk/shows/the-architecture-the-railways-built/series-4/episode-10/6325377756112 

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