0:00:07 > 0:00:11Harvest isn't just about ploughing the fields and scattering,
0:00:11 > 0:00:13and gathering in the golden sheaves.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20Some parts of the country, like Whitby on the edge of the beautiful
0:00:20 > 0:00:23but bleak North Yorkshire Moors, have for centuries
0:00:23 > 0:00:27eked out a harsh living from both the land and the sea.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30It was a lifestyle immortalised
0:00:30 > 0:00:32by the photographer Frank Meadow Sutcliffe,
0:00:32 > 0:00:36who documented the development of fishing and farming
0:00:36 > 0:00:38into a new harvest of holidays and tourism.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50Congregations from farming and fishing communities across the land
0:00:50 > 0:00:55sing their songs of praise and thanks for all God's gifts around us.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Land, sea, history and character.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12Whitby has more than its share of the glories of creation,
0:01:12 > 0:01:15but at this time of year Christians are united in celebrating
0:01:15 > 0:01:18the sheer variety of our British landscape and people
0:01:18 > 0:01:21and the different types of harvest they produce.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Our first hymn comes from Evesham in Worcestershire
0:01:26 > 0:01:29and describes the cycle of the Christian life
0:01:29 > 0:01:31as a sort of human harvest of souls.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Whitby in times past is defined by
0:04:34 > 0:04:37the photographs of Frank Meadow Sutcliffe.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41Many of them depict scenes full of Christian imagery
0:04:41 > 0:04:44like loaves and fishes and the Good Shepherd
0:04:44 > 0:04:47but all of them celebrate the local people
0:04:47 > 0:04:50who brought home the harvests of land and sea.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54Photographer Michael Shaw literally inherited this legacy
0:04:54 > 0:04:58when his father bought Sutcliffe's entire collection
0:04:58 > 0:05:00of 1,500 glass plate negatives.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06I think Whitby has physically remained quite similar
0:05:06 > 0:05:10to how it was in Sutcliffe's day in a lot of respects,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13which is why people love coming to Whitby,
0:05:13 > 0:05:15because it has maintained its character.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18I was brought up here, as my father was,
0:05:18 > 0:05:22and my great-grandfather is in one of the Sutcliffe photographs actually.
0:05:22 > 0:05:23One of the fishermen.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27I think to actually be brought up here
0:05:27 > 0:05:32and to appreciate the beautiful scenery, the skies,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35the magical light that this area possesses,
0:05:35 > 0:05:38it really feeds the soul, it really does.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41One of the things that motivated Frank Sutcliffe
0:05:41 > 0:05:43was his love of nature.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47He wanted to capture a world that he saw quickly disappearing
0:05:47 > 0:05:51with the onset of industrialisation and mechanisation.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53In the Victorian period,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57the majority of photographers were portrait photographers
0:05:57 > 0:06:01and Sutcliffe himself was a very successful portrait photographer.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06But what he really wanted to do was capture the everyday working people
0:06:06 > 0:06:10and also inject some artistry into his work.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14He found more beauty in the working people of Whitby
0:06:14 > 0:06:16than maybe some of his portraits that he took.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19The real world he wanted to capture.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25Sutcliffe's photographs depict many forms of harvest, really.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28The bountiful fish that was available in those days
0:06:28 > 0:06:29and the harvest that was found obviously in the countryside.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32and the harvest that was found obviously in the countryside.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35The wheat and barley and everything like that.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40The community itself is in itself a harvest that he saw disappearing,
0:06:40 > 0:06:46the close-knit community that he felt was so important, so special.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Sutcliffe's images of St Mary's Parish Church
0:06:54 > 0:06:58give a real sense of how unchanging its care for the community has been
0:06:58 > 0:07:01throughout the ages and seasons.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04There's something very special about light,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07lives and landscape shaped by proximity to the sea,
0:07:07 > 0:07:11so let's join with another port community and the church of another St Mary's in Portsea.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34Just a few miles inland from Whitby, Egton Bridge Old Gooseberry Society
0:09:34 > 0:09:38hold the country's oldest gooseberry show every summer
0:09:38 > 0:09:40in the school, which used to be the Catholic Church
0:09:40 > 0:09:45before the community built a bigger one next door.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48This horticultural harvest may seem polite and gentlemanly
0:09:48 > 0:09:52but don't be fooled into believing it's not competitive.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58The show's history dates back more than 200 years,
0:09:58 > 0:10:02its secrets of growing the biggest and heaviest gooseberries
0:10:02 > 0:10:03being handed down the generations.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10And increasingly, there are international reputations
0:10:10 > 0:10:14and even world records hanging on each year's crop.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15These are good!
0:10:18 > 0:10:21The gooseberries are not the only fruit of creation.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25At the foot of the North Yorkshire Moors, a hard livelihood is earned from mixed farming.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Farming is in the blood.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35I've been involved in it ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37We're a mixed farm.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40We love animals and we spend a lot of time with animals
0:10:40 > 0:10:45but our land is very variable, from clay to sand,
0:10:45 > 0:10:52and so we've got to accommodate, with crops and animals, the type of soil that we have.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Harvest time, to me, is a very exciting time.
0:10:56 > 0:11:02I've had a faith in God, in Jesus Christ, for many, many years.
0:11:02 > 0:11:08Over those years, we have seen His goodness, His provision, His care,
0:11:08 > 0:11:12His love expressed, particularly through the harvest that we get.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19Last year, the soil suffered tremendously from the excess water
0:11:19 > 0:11:21that fell from the heavens above.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26An amazing thing has happened this year, though.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30The amazing thing is that God knows how to put the balance right
0:11:30 > 0:11:33and He's brought the sunshine
0:11:33 > 0:11:38and that in its turn has opened up the soil again
0:11:38 > 0:11:41to such an extent that I can almost put my hand down
0:11:44 > 0:11:46and let life begin within the soil again.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11one way or another, but I believe He always has us in his heart.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20For our next hymn, we join the congregation of Pershore Abbey,
0:12:20 > 0:12:22singing a hymn tune written by Francis Jackson,
0:12:22 > 0:12:26named after his North Yorkshire home village of East Acklam.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46Whitby has no shortage of fish and chip shops
0:14:46 > 0:14:49but that's only one type of harvest from the sea.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53In the shadow of St Mary's Church, the famous Whitby kippers
0:14:53 > 0:14:55are still smoked and sold
0:14:55 > 0:14:57by brothers Derek and Barry Brown in a business
0:14:57 > 0:15:01set up by their great, great grandfather in 1872.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05It's been part of our lives since we were children.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07You know, we were brought up, our grandparents and uncle,
0:15:07 > 0:15:11and we were all encouraged to help when we were kids.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14I think we can access the fish a lot easier than my granddad.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17In them days, they would have to wait for maybe bad weather,
0:15:17 > 0:15:19if boats couldn't get to sea, whereas now,
0:15:19 > 0:15:23with the fish being caught at sea, Norwegian, Icelandic supplied,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26and frozen at sea, we can order fish today
0:15:26 > 0:15:30and have it delivered tomorrow to defrost ready for producing kippers.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36This shop hasn't changed since we really opened for business.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40The exterior's the same, the interior's about the same.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Following on from the shop is a smokehouse,
0:15:42 > 0:15:46where we the smoke the fish, and after that is a prep area,
0:15:46 > 0:15:50where we gut the fish and brine the fish pre-smoking.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53And how important would you say that the harvest of the sea has been
0:15:53 > 0:15:55to Whitby over the years?
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Massively important.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Years ago, it was very important to the community
0:15:59 > 0:16:02because there were a lot more people involved in the fishing industry,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05going back to before TVs and radio and stuff like that,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08so there was things to talk about such as work, fishing,
0:16:08 > 0:16:10and some of the places would probably be round the church,
0:16:10 > 0:16:13where they might meet Sundays.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Or the chapels, they used to talk about this sort of thing.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18But certainly bring the quayside, the harbour-side,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20and especially if someone was lost at sea,
0:16:20 > 0:16:24then the community came right together - everyone would pull together for that particular reason,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27because the families were all probably big families in them days
0:16:27 > 0:16:29and if they lost the breadwinner,
0:16:29 > 0:16:32they would need help from the families around,
0:16:32 > 0:16:33and that always works, you know.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35My granddad and my mother told us that sort of thing.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Can I have a pair of kippers and a pack of bacon twice, please.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44'And would you say the sea is still important to the people of Whitby?
0:16:44 > 0:16:49'Yes, and visitors alike. You know, people on yachts, on the marina.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51'We have the two rowing clubs
0:16:51 > 0:16:53'which are very active during the summer months.'
0:16:53 > 0:16:56So, yeah, it is very important to people still, yeah.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58People still take their living from it as well.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Salford is not a fishing port, of course,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08but it's a former port nonetheless
0:17:08 > 0:17:10which handled the harvests of the world.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12It's where our congregation are gathered in a church
0:17:12 > 0:17:16dedicated to one of the patron saints of fishermen, St Peter.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Dominating the windswept headland above the old town
0:18:54 > 0:18:57are the ruins of Whitby Abbey.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02Founded in the seventh century, the original abbey was led by St Hilda.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05One of her many wise decisions was discovering Caedmon,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08the first named poet in the English language.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17It's like a story from a modern-day talent show.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Caedmon was a simple cowherd
0:19:19 > 0:19:22who had no confidence and believed himself to be tone deaf.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29One night, he had a vision telling him to sing of God's creation
0:19:29 > 0:19:32and the results were so beautiful
0:19:32 > 0:19:35that he's now known as the father of English sacred song.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Just as creation inspired the psalmists and Caedmon,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43its wonders have moved hymn writers throughout the ages
0:19:43 > 0:19:46to create their very own songs of praise,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49some for us now by a congregation at Exeter Cathedral.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18This is a very special locomotive
0:22:18 > 0:22:21named in memory of the renowned railway photographer,
0:22:21 > 0:22:25the late Eric Treacy, who was Bishop of Wakefield.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29It is one of many engines owned by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Now celebrating 40 years as a heritage railway,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35the line was first built to transport
0:22:35 > 0:22:39the harvests of land and sea, as well as early tourists,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41and it still attracts thousands of
0:22:41 > 0:22:44families, photographers and railway enthusiasts
0:22:44 > 0:22:47like volunteer signalman Adrian Gatrill.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51We're being hauled by Sir Nigel Gresley,
0:22:51 > 0:22:56one of the famous A4 locomotives of the North Eastern Railway.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58People come literally for miles around
0:22:58 > 0:23:00to ride on the train,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03take lots of photographs in this beautiful scenery
0:23:03 > 0:23:04that we're privileged to be in.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07So, what, no harvest link any more, would you say?
0:23:07 > 0:23:10I don't know, maybe tourism's a bit of a harvest, I think perhaps -
0:23:10 > 0:23:15coming to enjoy the scenery and enjoy the creation,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19as we can see out the window, and enjoying the creativity of man.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22I mean, these beautiful old carriages and the steam locomotives,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25that's what people really want to come and enjoy, I think.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27TRAIN WHISTLE SOUNDS
0:23:27 > 0:23:29I mean, I've been interested in trains for a long time,
0:23:29 > 0:23:31since I was a little lad,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33and then coming to live in this part of the country
0:23:33 > 0:23:36and enjoying steam trains and heritage railways,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39what better to combine a hobby and an interest
0:23:39 > 0:23:41with doing something worthwhile
0:23:41 > 0:23:44and volunteering and helping the railway
0:23:44 > 0:23:47to provide its service for the holiday-makers.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49I think it's good to meet other people,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52just to be involved with people in a different walk of life.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Quite a few people who work on the railway know my occupation,
0:23:56 > 0:23:58and it gives them a chance, if they wanted to,
0:23:58 > 0:24:02to chat about stuff that they might be thinking about.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05I think it's fascinating, because you just think of the skill
0:24:05 > 0:24:09and the expertise and the foresight, really, of building the railway -
0:24:09 > 0:24:12it's got some serious engineering feats on it.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14The trains, the locomotives, the carriages -
0:24:14 > 0:24:17I think it speaks something to me about, you know,
0:24:17 > 0:24:19the skills that we have
0:24:19 > 0:24:22and the gifts that we've been given by God, I believe.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31If we're the pinnacle of God's creation,
0:24:31 > 0:24:36then surely one of the highlights of man's God-given creativity are his inventions
0:24:36 > 0:24:39and, as the congregation of Hexham Abbey reminds us,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42all things should give thanks to God.
0:28:13 > 0:28:14God of the harvest,
0:28:14 > 0:28:18bless us all with your gifts from land and sea
0:28:18 > 0:28:22and give us thankful hearts for the creativity of mankind.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Fill us with the fruits of your spirit
0:28:25 > 0:28:28and let all creation sing your praises.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32We ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son
0:28:32 > 0:28:35and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
0:28:40 > 0:28:41And for this programme,
0:28:41 > 0:28:45we've harvested some of the best in North Yorkshire community talent
0:28:45 > 0:28:48as we've specially commissioned an arrangement
0:28:48 > 0:28:49of local monk Caedmon's hymn
0:28:49 > 0:28:52from distinguished composer Richard Shepherd.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55The modern English version is by Mary Holtby
0:28:55 > 0:28:58and it's performed by James Bywater and Jessica Wright.
0:29:03 > 0:29:09# Let us praise the creator of heaven and earth
0:29:09 > 0:29:12# From the darkness of chaos
0:29:12 > 0:29:15# New light he plucked forth
0:29:15 > 0:29:18# Let us praise him for his purpose
0:29:18 > 0:29:21# His power let us live
0:29:21 > 0:29:24# Our father of glory
0:29:24 > 0:29:29# Our lord and our king
0:29:33 > 0:29:36# With the marvel of the heavens
0:29:36 > 0:29:40# No mortal may span
0:29:40 > 0:29:43# But he made it for a roof
0:29:43 > 0:29:46# And a covering for man
0:29:46 > 0:29:49# There was earth for our dwelling
0:29:49 > 0:29:53# There was sun for our light
0:29:53 > 0:29:59# And he scattered the stars on the ceiling of night
0:30:04 > 0:30:07# Let us praise him
0:30:07 > 0:30:11# The creator of ages and men
0:30:11 > 0:30:14# Of the tree in the forest
0:30:14 > 0:30:17# The beast in his den
0:30:17 > 0:30:21# Of the great and the lowly
0:30:21 > 0:30:24# The Earth and the skies
0:30:24 > 0:30:27# With strength to the simple
0:30:27 > 0:30:30# And wit to the wise. #
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Just as Caedmon heralded the dawn of English sacred music
0:31:07 > 0:31:10here on Yorkshire's East Coast,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13so it's equally fitting that for our final hymn
0:31:13 > 0:31:17we follow the setting sun to the very west of my native Wales
0:31:17 > 0:31:21to a community united by fishing, farming and faith
0:31:21 > 0:31:24in the tiny cathedral city of St David's.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31Next week, I chat with singer Tony Christie about his faith
0:33:31 > 0:33:34and a long career that's impressed some famous faces.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36Tony has a timeless voice.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40If he has a song that tells a story, there's no-one better, really.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44And he leads friends and fans in some favourite hymns and songs.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd