They are there to help people in all sorts of different ways. Reuniting lost friends, providing a place of safety at the Fairtrade Cafe and ensuring those in need, get the help they require.

They work in partnership with the Night Marshalls, St John's Ambulance, CEMS, Town Centre Management, Police and the CCTV controllers, as well as working closely with venues and street traders in the town.

Join us once again from a very early Off The Beaten Track where we take a sneaky look behind the scenes at "Dunkirk" which was filmed in Redcar, in the former county of Cleveland.

We would like your help to set the schedule for 2008.

Tell us what you would like more of. Or indeed less of.

What interests you? Do you want more contemporary subjects covered? Are you really into the historic side? Does our local folklore spark your imagination or would you prefer more castles, stately homes and the like? Do you want to learn our language, Larn Yerlsel how to tark proppa?

Let us know what it is you want by emailing info@otbt.tv or leave a message on the voice lines:-

London England 0208 133 7721
New York City, NY 914 595 5411

Keep smiling!

Music today from the Podsafe Music Network: Old Man Coyote by Ethan Martucci

Cross border raids from the Scots, with looting and pillaging, ensured that when it comes to castles, we have the most and finest quality of any county in the country.

Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England and probably one of the most famous. The original home of Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter films, as well as featuring in the first series of Rowan Atkinson's comedy Blackadder, there are many aspects of the castle that will be oddly familiar.

In 1309, the first Lord Percy, Henry, bought the castle and immediately set about renovating the buildings and grounds.

In 1364 Harry Hotspur, was born in the Keep above the gatehouse of the castle. He first saw battle at the age of 8 and was later knighted at the age of 11 having established his reputation as a great warrior. His impulsive nature would lead to eventual capture by opposing forces.

Henry, The Ninth Earl of Northumberland, was born in 1564 and would have became known as the Wizzard Earl due to the scientific experiments he carried out, as well as the vast library he accrued, as well as being a central figure of The School of Knight. So it is appropriate hundreds of years later that Alnwick Castle became home to Harry Potter's Hogwarts school.

The constable of Alnwick Castle in 1605 was Thomas Percy, the Ninth Earl's cousin. He was responsible for collecting rents and managing bailiffs. Thomas had dinner with the Ninth Earl on 4th November 1605, however the next day, the 5th November, Thomas Percy was exposed as one of the central figures of the Gunpowder Plot to blow up parliament and was shot and killed while trying to escape. The ninth earl was believed to be guilty, by association but no more and imprisoned in the infamous Tower of London.

1950 saw the castle first open to the public and while you tour the castle it is important to remember that despite its huge scale and grandeur, it is still a family home. You will see faces in photographs around the castle who can sometimes be spotted mingling with the crowds of visitors.

During my visit I had a close encounter with a Range Rover, driven by none other than Ralph, the Twelfth Duke of Northumberland himself.

There are also plenty of activities available for younger visitors around the castle. The Knights School is particularly popular, on the day I was there a school visit prevented me filming, though the children loved dressing up in costume, practicing their swordsmanship and jousting around the arena.

Add to this the Dragon Quest. A true test of young knights' problem solving skills and bravery, but like the sign says children. Make sure you take a grown up with you, as children who venture inside on their own may be fed to the dragon.

Historic Alnwick Castle, a great day out for history, tv or film buffs and families alike.

Music from the Podsafe Music Network:

If you are planning a visit, allow yourself the whole day. There is so much to see and do at the site. Now you will see what looks like countryside, however this is all part of the museum. You are just as likely to see corn dollys being made as you are to see horses working the field.

If you are planning a visit, allow yourself the whole day. There is so much to see and do at the site. Now you will see what looks like countryside, however this is all part of the museum. You are just as likely to see corn dollys being made as you are to see horses working the field.

Originally founded in the early 1980's it opened fully to the public in May 1986. Staffed entirely by volunteers who have put on an amazing display that takes you right back in time to a World War 2 bomber command base.

So whether you want to get up close and personal with a Spitfire, peer through the jet engine of a BAC Lightning, marvel at sheer scale of the Halifax bomber, or simply sit down for a cup of tea and bite to eat at the NAAFI, Yorkshire Air Museum has it all.

Music in this episode is provided by Ian Babington, Caren Kennedy and Ron Arnold.

Now “the lakes” as they are known, can be very busy in summer, I managed to pick a day where the crowds had stayed away, but the sun was shining.

It’s been a long time since I was at Ullswater, in fact it was an old school trip, so I took the first chance I got just to pull the car over into a layby and take a look along the lake.

The view itself was absolutely spectacular and I’m not sure the camera captures the true scale of the landscape. However, the best way to drink in all the surroundings is to take a boat trip.

Now the one thing about boat trips is they cant be rushed. You have to got at the pace set by the Captain, and this trip took me two hours to complete with the Ullswater Steamers.

I boarded at Glenridding, headquarters to the Ullswater Steamers. We then went over the lake which was quite busy with allsorts of traffic, to Howtown. The place I had visited in my childhood. From the mooring at Howtown we then went on to Pooley Bridge and returned via the same route.

So put your life jacket on, hop aboard, kick back and relax, whilst I take you on a circuit of Ullswater in the Lake District.

The editing software I previously used, whilst coping with HD is not giving me the results I wanted so I'm gradually learning a new edit system. Whilst this is giving excellent results in test, it is taking a little time to pickup, hence the delay in  a fresh episode in the new format.

I am sure the HD upgrade will provide crisper images, better sound quality and larger displays on our downloads, so the future does look to be exciting, however, please stay with me as Off The Beaten Track goes through its transition.

In the meantime, why not take a look back through the archives of places we have visited and let me know your favourite by leaving a comment on the site or emailing me at info@otbt.tv

More than just a castle, a family museum, aviation historic centre and during the summer months there's usually some archaeological dig being carried out as more and more is learnt about the 1400 year old site.

Music provided by Podsafe Music Network:-

Dust Rhinos - Wild Mountain Thyme
Great Big Sea - The Mermaid

Whilst we managed to visit the priory ruins and the church where congregations have gathered for over 850 years as well as the Cavendish memorial fountain, we didn't get a chance to go on the sculpture trail or the moorland walks.

We did however dice with death, or perhaps just a good soaking by using the stepping stones to cross over the river.

Bolton Abbey is just north of the A59 between Harrogate and Skipton in North Yorkshire. A map of the location can be found here.

James Alfred Wight was the real James Herriot, born in Sunderland in 1919 before moving to Scotland with his parents at an early age. His first job vet's job after university was with the practice of Donald Sinclair (Siegfried Farnham in the books) at Thirsk. As a vet, just like in the books and films, he was out in all weathers and at all times of the day and night. This may account for the fact he only picked up his pen to write his first book at the age of 50.

You will need to allow a good 60-90 minutes for your visit as their is plenty to see, including some very interactive pieces on the top floor as well as a highly unique "test your strength" machine. (email or comment if you want to know more about that one.)

For the cricketing fans amongst us, visit the Thirsk Museum just across the road which is the birthplace of the founder of Lords Cricket Ground, otherwise you can head off into the market square where you will find a range of venues offering cream teas to full three course meals.

Kestrels, Hawks, Owls and even some very scary Vultures appear in today's episode.

For those who may have less than honourable intentions please note, security is tight and all the birds are removed from the park overnight to prevent any interference. 

Dont forget to use our promo codes at www.godaddy.com AP1 gets 10% off all orders and AP2 gets a massive 20% off all orders of 25UKP or more.

Oh and if you want really localised radio content while you are in the area, checkout Radio Teesdale.

We start off at Cowshill, heading west along the A689. We pass Killhope Lead Mining Centre and then just over the tops (and the county border) we enter Nenthead, home to the Nenthead Heritage Centre.

Music as ever from the Podsafe Music Network is Purgatory Road (no pun intended) by Jim Taft.

Check out the highest pub in Britain at http://www.tanhillinn.co.uk

Music From the Podsafe Music Network by Greate Big Sea:-

Graceful & Charming

Something To It.

We drive along the A684 from the eastern end near Leyburn in North Yorkshire. This takes us right along the dale until we reach the bustling market town of Hawes. There are plenty of places to stop and eat here, but we got straight to the Creamery making genuine Wensleydale cheese. The only chees approved by Wallace and Grommit.

Music delivered by Podsafe Music Network is Evergreen by Daniel Link.

Accommodation is quickly booked up in this area, but you can find a list of recommended accommodation on the Vindolanda website.

A hearty meal will be waiting for you in any of the local village pubs in this area. Unlike the weather, Northumbrians are renound for their warm welcome and dining where the locals go will ensure you get something warm and filling.

Music delivered by Podsafe Music Network:
Le Trib by Aidan Doyle

Music from the Podsafe Music Network:-
Amy Rigby - Bright Smile
The Nancy Drews - Cry 4 The 60s

Please be aware:

This video podcast was made under the restrictions of the Serious and Organised Crime and Police Act of 2005 who's provisions have been misused since it received Royal Ascent and became UK Law. For example, I could have been arrested for reading the names of brave UK Servicemen and women at the Cenotaph in the last scene. You don't believe me? Google Maya Evans and take a look at the search results.

Music is provided by Null Device (Walk In London) from the Podsafe Music Network.

For more information on the Washington Wildfowl & Wetlands trust visit www.wwt.org.uk

Music delivered by the Podsafe Music Network was by Alexander Blu - Nature song

Music provided by the Podsafe Music Network:

Brobdingnagian Bards - Maids in the Meadow

Brian Drotar - Melodic Memory

We have left the footage raw, with no overdub on the sound-track to better convey the atmosphere of the day, from the early practice and setup to the wind in the microphone.

You may recognise the name Bowes from HM The Queen Mother's family name, Bowes-Lyon, who were also great land owners in the same area.

Music delivered by the Podsafe Music Network is Raggle Taggle Gypsies by Celtic Stone.

Music delivered by the Podsafe Music Network:

Blazej Lindner - Fangorn the Forest

Steve Robinson - England's Green

Music by Podsafe Music Network, Dub Train, by Template.

For more information on Mother Shipton please visit www.mothershipton.co.uk

Join us as we take a look inside on the ground floor and around the gardens.

We have barely scratched the surface of the site, so if you find yourself in the area, pay the hall a visit. You'll be surprised what you learn.

Thanks to The National Trust

Music delivered by the Podsafe Music Network:

Bree Noble - Star Spangled Banner

77 South - Please Tell Her

Music was delivered by Podsafe Music Network
CLC Band Ft PodcastPaul - Sweet Holy Spirit (Live)

The station itself is haunted by the ghost of Thomas Munroe Winter who died in 1845 and on occaision, people stil see him. He was first seen by James Durham, a night watchman on the Stockton to Darlington line. An excellent booklet by Irene Macleod and Olive Howe is available from the museum that will tell you (almost) the full story.

Music delivered by Podsafe Music Network:

Steve Robinson - The Golden Age of Steam

Music
Template - Dub Train
Music delivered by the Podsafe Music Network

There is some disagreement locally, whether the worm slept at Penshaw Hill or Worm Hill, however, it is agreed, the worm caused fear and destruction throughout the area during its time.

If you are not a native of North East England you will have to listen carefully to words of the song, to understand the story that unfolds.

Music
Template - Dub Train
Music delivered by the Podsafe Music Network