Isle of Wight: Jewel of the South

In Bembridge, fishmongers Mike and Ruth Curtis, together with daughters Izzy and Jess, are preparing for a busy summer of customer orders. Mike and Izzy take out the family boat to fish for mackerel near St Helen's Fort. Under specific instructions from Mum to bring back fifty mackerel, Mike knows where to find the fish but it's Izzy who reels in most of the catch. In Sandown, Christine Jackson is rallying her army of volunteers to help clean up the promenade for the forthcoming Regatta. A lifelong local, Christine keeps Sandown spick and span through community initiatives including litter picking and maintaining the flower beds. To raise money for fresh flowers, she decides to set up a stall at Regatta selling handmade goods. In East Cowes, twins Philip and Nigel Brown look after the gardens at Osborne House – the royal residence built for Queen Victoria. Like their father before them, the Browns are passionate about the horticultural heritage of the palace. But the summer heatwave has taken its toll and, with a hosepipe ban, the boys are forced to take desperate measures. Dan Subhani and his wife Tracey run the airport in Sandown. Together with 91-year-old volunteer Henry, they attend to hundreds of planes that land across the summer. The airport also hosts large summer events during the tourist season which presents further challenges for Dan when a woman falls ill from sunstroke and an unwanted reveller appears on the runway. Also, local detectorist Justin Cavnor discovers a rare Roman coin from the time of Constantine the Great and holiday-homers, the Edwards family, explore Whitecliff Bay.

In Yarmouth, upmarket hotelier Howard Spooner is preparing for one of the busiest weeks of the summer. He runs the exclusive George Hotel – which has been in business since the 17th century and even played host to King Charles II. Howard has a champagne client to impress and it's up to new recruit Maddie to keep their glasses topped up on the hotel's speedboat the "G-Dogg" without spilling a drop. In Briddlesford, fourth generation farmer and "Caulkhead" Paul Griffin is battling the summer drought. His 150-strong Guernsey herd produce premium dairy products for the island and beyond. Next year marks the centenary of the farm and Paul plans to mark the occasion with a new cheese – the "Briddlesford Red." He and his wife have arranged a cheese and wine evening for the island's discerning clientele. But will it be hit? In Ryde, entertainer Derek Sandy is preparing for his "Love Monday" entertainment night. Since arriving from Tobago 20 years back to escape a troubled past, he's taken the island by storm and become an institution. He's even written a song about the place. This week sees the final of his island wide talent competition – with hot favourites including a Dickensian rapper and a singer called Bubbles. In Bembridge, 74-year-old diver Martin Woodward shows us around the collection of items he's retrieved from the rich waters of the Solent. And Martin has just made the discovery of a lifetime. On a recent dive he discovered the long-lost cannons of the HMS Invincible – which sank in 1758. The cannons were jettisoned by the panicked crew in a vain attempt to save the ship, which sank soon after. Today, Martin will be heading back to check on their condition. And we follow Helen Butler on one of her regular forays into the island's verdant forests on her quest to save the 3000 native red squirrels. Being an island has kept the invasive grey squirrels at bay and Helen wants to keep it that way.

The Island's High Sheriff, Kay Marriot, attends the annual Steam Fair where she tries her hand at some Morris dancing with the Oyster Girls: an all-female Morris troupe. The Isle of Wight is famous for its many carnivals and one of the oldest in the country, in Ryde, traditionally marks the end of the summer season. Kay helps some local volunteers get ready for the grand procession – where they're hoping to win the prize for best costume. In Bembridge, John Attrill is the fifth generation of his family to work in his village's RNLI and he's hoping that his seven-year old-son Teddy will follow in his footsteps. After a long day at sea, father and son join the thousands of scooter enthusiasts attending the annual Scooter Rally – one of the largest in the world. Sandown Airport owner Dan Subhani and his wife Tracy have their work cut out to ensure that the day goes off without a hitch. And it's the ferry operators' job to make sure that the thousands of extra visitors have a weekend to remember. Russ and Philippa Broughton came to the island from the mainland nine years back and decided to swap their corporate jobs for the once in a lifetime chance to run Adgestone Vineyard. Business is booming but this year's drought is causing problems, so they've arranged an event to raise the profile of the vineyard – and sell some of their signature blue sparkling wine. And it's the final of the island's Best Kept Village awards. Bembridge, St Lawrence, Godshill and Gatcombe and Chillerton are in the running for this year's crown. Judges Ann Evans and Mary Case have strict criteria and will be casting their gaze over each village's bus stops, playgrounds and toilet facilities. And heaven forbid the parish notice board should be out of date!

It's Darcy Muncer's job to keep the island's hundreds of thatched properties looking top notch. Cameras follow him over a month as he restores an ancient, thatched roof, using skills and traditions that have remained unchanged for centuries. Meanwhile, in East Cowes, B&B owners Karl and David are preparing for the arrival of tourists Meryl and Dave from Wales.

Following more of the residents who live and work on the Isle of Wight, and exploring how the locals cope with the challenges of a busy tourist season.

As we delve into our characters' lives and their personal and family histories, we get to understand the heritage of the island and what makes it unlike anywhere else in the world.