TV documentary makers love elderly nuns; and in the opening episode the new series of Sea Cities (15 February), Sr Mary Scholastica of the Stella Maris Centre in Sunderland was an undisputable scene-stealer.

Sunderland, the first city  to be featured in the second series on the life and people of Britain’s ports, is no longer the shipbuilding hub it once was, but it is nonetheless still a major shipping destination. And every ship that docks will be greeted by the diminutive Sr Mary Scholastica bearing welcome gifts of warm hoodies and sim cards for the crew.