Southern Television

Southern Television
Southampton (Channel 11)/ Dover (Channel 10).
Transmissions started on the planned date of 30th August 1958, and only ended in 1981 when TVS snatched their franchise.
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Opening Preparations, Southern after one year, Many Southern TV Programmes, 1960 Southern TV summer schedules, Southern TV TAM ratings, A Southern TV Film Unit, a few Southern personnel
Southern programme schedules:
August 30th 1958 . . Sept 4th 1958 . . Oct 28th 1958 . . March 21st 1959 . . July 9th 1959 . . Aug 19th 1959 . . Sept 1st 1959 . . Aug 8th 1960 . . March 23rd 1961 . . Aug 14th 1961 . . June 18th 1962 . . April 10th 1963 . . Sept 14th 1963 . . July 6th 1964 . . Aug 19th 1965 . . Sept 19th 1965 . . August 30th 1966 . . Sept 18th 1966 . . Oct 13th 1966 . . Oct 5th 1968 . . May 30th 1969
The Southern ITV area was a sprawling mass along the south coast from Weymouth along to Southend, a town which was a mecca for the TV enthusiast as London ITV, Southern and Anglia could all be picked up there. In fact Southern could be received as far away as Newbury, Lyme Regis and The Channel Isles also! Main studios were at Northam Southampton in a converted cinema, with a separate newsroom at Dover eventually increasing local news coverage.
Programme Controller- Roy Rich. First General Manager- CD Wilson. Head of Outside Broadcasts- Berkeley Smith. Head of Films- Roy Nevill. Head of Presentation- Michael Crawford. Chairman- John H Davies. Deputy Chairman- DFS McClean.

Southern Television Film Unit (1962)
Seen in this picture is the three man team based at Dover: Bob Walker (senior cameraman), Ben Brightwell (sound recordist, who'd previously worked on the series Tugboat Annie), and Barry Allsopp (assistant cameraman).
The team began work in May 1960, after the opening of Southern's new Kent studios. Initially they were involved with news assignments for locally made programmes, but their workload increased with the launch in 1961 of the Day by Day local news feature. They were a familiar sight locally, travelling in a blue Morris Oxford, with the Southern TV logo on it. Their patch went as far afield as Reading and Oxford for the Farm in The South programme, the Channel Isles to visit Jersey Zoo, and even the Isle of Wight- surely much nearer to Southern's Southampton hq.
Their assignment shown on the June 18th 1962 Day by Day was the journey of The Golden Arrow from Victoria to Dover, with Lester Clark introducing the feature.
Famous names the trio filmed included Mr Pastry at his Kent home, and Rab Butler at the Eastbourne Tory conference

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A few Southern Television personnel from 1958.

Terry Yarwood, aged 27 came from the Aston ITV Studios where he had been a stage manager. He started in Southern as a floor manager and quickly rose to director. He eventually moved to Thames, involved with series like This Week, and This is Your Life.

Richard Clark was Southern's first Head of News Department. He came from South Africa and worked as a reporter on the Daily Telegraph, before joining ITN in 1955, helping to pioneer a new kind of news presentation.

AF Jackman was Programme Planner. He had worked for the BBC at Shepherd's Bush since before the war. He was recruited from ABC.

Anna Lett joined Southern via ATV and Scottish Television.However her career had begun working in Canada- more details. In Feb 1959 married Chris Chataway. She directed programmes like Farm in the South.

Barry Westwood a lecturer from Southampton College- he chaired Southern's weekly "Southern Affairs" and went on to host The Sunday Break.

On the local news team in these early days were Meryl O'Keefe, Martin Muncaster and Mel Oxley. Julian Pettifer was the first to be appointed in June 1958.

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Day By Day was Southern's weekday regional news programme.
Special guests boosted viewing figures. These included The Beatles on November 12th 1963. However they never showed up! Illness was cited as the reason, a disappointment to all the waiting fans, plus the four Southern announcers who were wearing Beatle haircuts and had donned Beatles style clothing, Richard Davies, Lester Clark, Ian Rose and Trevor Baker.
Other guests: Sheila Buxton (late January 1962), Danny Williams (Feb 7th 1962), Terry Lightfoot (Feb 8), Bobby Vee (Feb 13), Lynn Cornell (Feb 14), Dorothy Squires (Feb 15), Kenny Ball (Feb 16), Mike Cotton Jazzmen (Feb 22), Janie Marden (Feb 27). Ella Fitzgerald appeared on March 7th 1962. Ronnie Carroll (May 14th 1962), Ray Ellington (May 15th), Eden Kane (May 16th), Judith Silver (May 17th), Jerry Lordan (May 18th), Joe Harriott (May 21st), Susan Maughan (May 22nd), John Leyton (May 23rd), Margaret Bond (May 25th), and Clive Lythgoe (May 30th 1962), Clyde Valley Stompers (July 2nd), Anita Harris (July 3), Antonio Navarro (July 4), Carmita (July 5), Liza Page (July 6), Rosemary Squires (July 9), Sheila Mathews (July 10), Ray Ellington (July 11), Tubby Hayes (July 12), June Marlow (July 13), The Springfields (July 31), Mike Preston (Aug 1), Marion Keene (Aug 2), Mike London (Aug 3), The Countrymen (Aug 6th), Elaine Delmar (Aug 7th), Brook Brothers (Aug 8th), Beryl Bryden (Aug 9th), Eric Delaney (Aug 10th), Judith Silver (Aug 27th), Dorothy Squires (Aug 28th), Matt Monro (Aug 29th), Lita Roza (Aug 30th), Forrie Cairns and The Clansmen (Aug 31st), Anita Harris (Nov 5th 1962), Andy Cole (Nov 6), Sheila Matthews (Nov 7), Joyce Blair (Nov 8), Valerie Masters (Nov 9), Joy Marshall (Nov 12), Marion Keene (Nov 13), Ketty Lester (Nov 14), Brook Brothers (Nov 15), Louise Cordet (Nov 16), Dany Clare (Nov 19), Denis Lotis (Nov 20), Ketty Lester (Nov 21), Janie Marden (Nov 22), Marion Williams (Nov 23 1962), Kenny Lynch (Dec 13th, singing Up On The Roof). A Christmas Day 1962 special presentation included Adam Faith, the Beverley Sisters, Humphrey Lyttleton, Tommy Fields, Beryl Bryden and Tommy Loughran. In 1963, visitors included Alma Cogan (Jan 10th and 16th 1963), Danny Williams (Feb 11th), Fenella Fielding (Feb 12th), Annie Ross (Feb 13th), Joyce Blair (Feb 14th), Mark Wynter (Feb 15th), Kenny Ball (Feb 19th 1963), Sheila Southern (Feb 21st) and Lita Roza (Feb 22nd), Danny Williams (Feb 25th), Johnny Pearson Trio (Feb 26th), Duffy Power (Feb 27th). Jean Hart (Feb 28th), Ronnie Carroll (Mar 1st), Fenella Fielding (Mar 11th 1963), The Springfields (Mar 12th), Millicent Martin (Mar 13th), Lucille Mapp (Mar 14th), and Dany Clare (Mar 15th 1963). Carol Deene (Apr 19th 1963), Johnny Preston (Apr 22nd), Cleo Laine (Apr 23rd), Kenny Lynch (Apr 24th), The Springfields (Apr 25th) and Mark Wynter (Apr 26th 1963). Don Rennie (May 1st 1963), Eric Delaney (May 2nd), Tubby Hayes (May 3rd), Paddy Roberts (May 4th), Viera (May 7th), Joe Harriott (May 8th), Mike Preston (May 9th), Rosemary Squires (May 10th), Margaret Bond (May 11th), Alma Cogan (May 13th), The Springfields (May 14th), Lucille Mapp (May 15th), Johnny Pearson (May 16th) and Annie Ross (May 17th), Lena Martell (May 20th 1963), The Countrymen (May 21st), Alastair Graham (May 22nd), Joy Marshall (May 23rd) and Cleo Laine (May 24th), Diana Dors (June 18th 1963- she sang Crazy He Calls Me), Lucille Mapp (June 24th- she sang Little Girl Blue), Brook Brothers (June 25th), Danny Williams (June 26th), Diana Dors (June 26th), Cleo Laine (June 27th), Stirling Moss (Aug 23rd), Frankie Vaughan (Oct 15th 1963). In a slot called Tuesday Date: Dusty Springfield (Feb 11th 1964), Cilla Black (Feb 18th), Dave Clark Five (Feb 25th), Susan Maughan (May 12th 1964 - Tuesday Disc Spot), Cilla Black (May 19th 1964).

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Southern Progammes in the b/w era
Southern Rhapsody - opening show
Old Vic plays
Mary Britten MD
Farm in the South
Lunch Shows
Admags
Talent Shows
Beauty Competitions
Pop programmes
Quizzes
Day By Day- some guests
Children's Serials, also Freewheelers
Brief details of some other Southern programmes
Jack Hargreaves rose to national prominence with his weekly confidential chat Out of Town. It used to send me to sleep. After being curator of the Piscatorial Museum in London (!) he was invited to present the fortnightly Gone Fishing directed by George Egan, first seen on 8th May 1959. "Such was the interest" that from August it became a weekly feature on Fridays at 6.35pm. Surprise surprise, Barbara Hargreaves, wife of JH, then joined.
Other Southern Programmes on Opening week that lasted at least the first two years were-
Southern Heritage introduced by George Egan with script and narration by Willoughby Gray. Westward TV latterly screened this.
Sports Club produced by Terry Yarwood. Danny Blachflower was one resident compere. Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie (captain of the Hampshire cricket team) took over in the autumn of 1960, by which time the programme had celebrated 100 editions.
Another long runner was Come Gardening.
On Sunday afternoons Southern Affairs covered theatre news. Among those interviewed were Frankie Howerd, Gerald Campion, JB Priestley, Frankie Vaughan, and on Jan 25th 1959 Sarah Churchill. Feb 8th 1959 included compere Wyman Baker with his Horror Show.
Other shows with familiar faces were ex-BBC Marguerite Patten who hosted the Thursday Your Ideal Home. And well known comedy writer Alan Melville had his own nicely titled show Melvillainy late on Sunday evenings. And celebrated radio man Leslie Mitchell also appeared in Southern programmes.
Clive Lythgoe appeared on the opening night, introducing the station's theme music, Southern Rhapsody. His 15 minute series The Lythgoe Touch, started Feb 24th 1959, was for a while the longest running musical series of its type, perhaps its most famous producer being Peter Frazer-Jones
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Southern Rhapsody
A contemporary account of Southern Television's opening show:
"Ready, Willing, and Able should have been the opening number... Ready: after months of careful and tedious planning, Willing: to build up a home produced policy, and Able: to measure up, right from the start, to such a high standard of production, that the future output can be faced with equal confidence.
Bypassing the usual platform and speech type of opening, Southern brought in their VIP guests as the studio audience and made the opening ceremony entertainment- the guests in the studio included Earl and Countess of Bessborough, Sir Ronald Matthews. Sir Robert Fraser and Lady Fraser, the mayors of all surrounding boroughs. Mr and Mrs Lew Grade, Mr and Mrs Norman Collins, Billy Butlin, Tom Arnold, JB Priestley, and Prince Littler.
But following the short and impressive prologue spoken by Alan Melville, the ceremony took a back seat and the estimated 2,790,000 new viewers had their first taste of ITV. Devised and written by Alan Melville, the show took its title from the station's identification music, specially composed by Richard Addinsell, and as compere Melville moved the production along at a cracking pace, and his interview with a typical Sussex farmer (Diana Dors) was a gem. The OB cameras were dovetailed in from the decks of the Caronia berthed in Southampton, bringing a few quickfire personality intros by Berkeley Smith; a gay dance sequence by Lionel and Joyce Blair; and movement and song from Gary Miller claiming That's For Me, whilst moving amongst a bevy of Southern beauty queens: excellent singing by Gary, but why so many backshots of him?
Back to Melville at Northam Studios, then in came the film sequences of Anne Shelton and the Malcolm Mitchell Trio playing at nearby Southsea. Charlie Drake and The Mudlarks from Weymouth. Greetings from Frankie Vaughan from Brighton Hippodrome. A vocal operatic greeting from Glyndebourne... Southern Television Centre opens with Gracie Fields in person, she flew in specially for this show... French singing star Line Renaud kept strictly to her well and trusted routine, and concert pianist Clive Lythgoe brought classical appreciation to Addinsell's Southern Rhapsody, while the Bournemouth Girls Choir edged the mosaic delightfully. The OBs came in again from the Caronia to end the show with a fanfare from the Kneller Hall trumpeters.
Music for the production was by Southern driector of music Eric Winstone and the studio show produced by Albert Locke, with the Caronia sequences by Bill Perry, and all settings by Reece Pemberton. The most modern ITV satellite has been launched. Viewer reaction is terrific. Their first offering has set such a high standard that Southern already have a reputation to uphold. They can and will."
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Lunchtime Shows
The first show at lunchtime in 1958 was directed by Helen Standage, with assistant director Jean Watson, Flotsam's Follies, a mix of music, song and light comedy "doodled" together by Flotsam himself (BC Hilliam). Another regular was Dennis Castle. First show was on September 1st and it went out every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 1pm until 1.45pm. Each week guests appeared, in the first week it was Fayne and Evans, baritone John Harvey and soprano Doreen Lane. Week commencing Sept 8th guests were soprano Helen Clare, Steve Arlen, and Eddie and Petronella. In the week of Sept 15th guests were soprano Joy Holman, magician Jeffrey Aitkins, and Billy Mayerl. The Sept 29th week included accordionist Gerald Young. Oct 6th included Barry Johns. In mid/late October Ronnie Carroll guested. From Nov 10th to 12th, guests were Bill Elliott and Lynn Crawford. Other guests included Clifford Henry, Leslie Sarony, Barry Johns, Cardew Robinson.
Take Forty was the next lunchtime series, starting on Dec 1st with music by the the Roy Marsh Trio, and on the first show 19 year old Judy Carne. Singer John Harvey also appeared along with rising star Craig Douglas.
Then from Monday December 15th, came Three's Company featuring the Malcolm Mitchell Trio with compere Tony Hawes. Resident vocalist was John Harvey, director again was Helen Standage. Singer Bill Elliott included for the first part of 1959. Another regular, after two guest spots, was Billie Anthony from February 1959. Guests included Terry Burton (last two weeks of January 1959), and Ronnie Carroll (March 16th for a fortnight's stint). June 22nd 1959 saw the start of rehearsals for a replacement show, Take it Easy. The series introduced Jim Dale as host, and also included the ubiquitous Malcolm Mitchell Trio. Director Helen Standage left the station and the new director was Canadian Lorne Freed (fresh from STV's One o'Clock Gang). The first show went out on July 6th 1959 at 12.47pm, shown thrice weekly (Mons-Weds, ATV's Lunch Box was screened Thurs/Fris). With a script by Dick Vosburgh, singers featured included Janie Marden and Joyce Clark. Other regulars in this series which ran for eight months in 1959/60 were the Malcolm Mitchell Trio, and Dany Clare, who took over from Janie Marden during December 1959. The Liddell Triplets also made several spots in 1959. The final programme was on Wednesday 16th March 1960.

Jim moved on to The Lunchtime Show which began on Wednesday March 30th 1960 and then ran thrice weekly, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 1.05pm. It included regularly weekly items by Julie Harris on fashion, Roy Rich as a DJ in an On Record spot, and the ubiquitous Gerald Campion, on food of course. Musical backing was provided by The Art Jones Quartet. Special guests included Max Geldray (March 30th), Shirley Sands (April 6th and 13th), Victor Soverell (April 20th), puppeteers Joan and Paul Sharratt (April 27th), Russ Conway with his new recording Lucky Fives (May 4th) while Nat Gonella also appeared this week, Rosemary Squires (May 11th), Ray Allen (May 18th) and Terry Burton (May 25th), Mike Preston (June 15th-17th), Tim Field and Dean O'Brien (June 22nd-24th), Allan Bruce (June 29th week). July 1960 guests included Valerie Masters, Victor Feldman, Eddie Falcon and Shirley Norman. Dec 23rd 1960 week had guest Marion Williams.

Lunchtime programmes on Southern were scrapped from April 1st 1961. Interestingly no commercial breaks had interrupted these programmes. A disappointed producer Peter Frazer Jones said, "we had hoped a programme similar to the show would be transmitted in the evenings, but the programme has been completely dropped."
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Like most stations, Southern had their own talent spotting show. Easy to produce, the butt of complaints from professionals, theirs was Home Grown. Eric Winstone was the first compere, music came from the Ted Taylor Quartet. 2000 acts were auditioned, whittled down to 64 for six eliminating heats, in which winners were adjudged by viewers' votes, the finalists were faced by a panel of judges, including Roy Rich, Southern's Programme Controller and Eric Winstone, Musical Director. Directed by their stalwart Terry Yarwood, winners of the first series were The Brooks Brothers, who subsequently obtained a record contract (New Century Artists). They made a return appearance in the series on November 3rd 1960. The finals of the second series were judged by four distinguished tv producers: Dicky Leeman, Joan Kemp-Welch, Brian Tesler and Russell Turner. Peter Haigh was presenter of the next Home Grown series which started on April 12th 1961, again over 2,000 people were auditioned for the series. Winners of the six eliminating heats won the princely sum of �25, and a place in the finals, top prize �100. The winners of Home Grown are pictured here (my thanks to Geoff Harding), The Woodford Quartet, (Derek Bridge, Colin Woodford, John Webley, and Peter Harding) being presented with their cheque by Joan Kemp-Welch. On the right are Billy Butlin and Eric Winstone. The winning piece that they played was Vaughan Williams' Linden Lea.
The show made some sort of history when it became the first regionally produced programme to make it into the Regional TAM Top Ten ratings. Home Grown continued into the 1960s, the host for series 3 commencing on November 6th 1961 was Jerry Desmonde, but the Equity dispute soon resulted in his quitting, the show continuing for a while without any links. For the summer 1962 series, left the studios- Richard Davies (later well known as Dickie Davies in ITV's World of Sport) hosted programmes from as far afield as Weymouth (June 19th 1962), Bournemouth, Brighton, Hastings and Herne Bay, with the final held in Margate. A celebrity panel introduced for series 7 was dropped in favour of the previous 'viewer vote' system until the finals. Series 8 had a seven week run beginning on Nov 1st 1962 at 7.30pm again with Richard Davies, and produced by Peter Fraser-Jones, now confined to the studio. However it quickly moved to a Monday night slot at 10.10pm. For the finals on Dec 10th the celebrity judging panel consisted of David Jacobs, Joyce Blair and Dorita y Pepe. Richard Davies was again compere for the summer 1963 series, accompaniments by the Art Jones Quartet. The second of the final series on Tues July 9th 1963 came from the Pavilion Theatre Weymouth. The acts were: The Johnny Quantrose Five, a rhythm group. Christine Martin-Peters, 15 year old singer. The Hunter Brothers, a miming act. Patricia Thistlewood, singer. The Wyke Regis Senior Recorder group. Jenny Wiles, singer. Vic Banks and Karen, a fire eating act. Rodney Carroll, flamenco guitarist. Anita Rossi, singer. James Cooper, a dulcimer player. Keith Ferguson, singer. The fifth heat on Tues July 30th 1963 included The Vampires, Linda Bumpstead, Christopher Wattle an illusionist, singer David Topham, singer Josephine Baker (sic), six pupils of the Freda Shepherd Dancing School Ramsgate, guitarist Karl Lawson, singer George Clift, singer Pamela Godden, banjoist Alan Young, and Joan Bigwood's Rainham Ladies Choir. The show came from the familiar Winter Gardens Margate, judges were Reginald Foster (Thanet Gazette), Sally Ford actress, and Jack Green (Margate Entertainments Manager).
Encore commenced on January 5th 1960, this weekly feature reintroduced some acts from the first Home Grown series.

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QUIZZES
included Snakes and Ladders
The ancient board game became one of Southern Television's first regional quizzes, commencing on Monday September 22nd 1958 at 8pm.
Question master was Kenneth Horne, on the Hammond Organ was Robin Richmond, with assistant Dorothea Hodgson, the cashier who handed out the winnings. These were �1, yes �1, for each correct answer, with the jackpot which was �25. If not won this was increased by this amount each week. Another assistant for seven weeks was Julie Shearing.
The basis of the game was a giant snakes and ladders board that can be seen in this photo, taken at rehearsals. A box titled The Brain Box (a little like a mini Criss Cross Quiz board) offered a choice of three subjects, Films, Art, Golf, etc etc. The Brain Box then calculated the value of the question, and the contestant moved along the snakes and ladders board that amount. The first player to reach home, the 50th square had a chance at the jackpot. Scriptwriter was Larry Forrester. Director Bill Perry. Kenneth Horne was ill during part of December 1959 so Robin Richmond took on the quizmaster's role for a couple of weeks, while George Blackmore provided the musical backing.
The programmes were made at various locations around the Southern TV area, this first show was made at Hove Town Hall. The second show came from Newbury Corn Exchange (Sept 29th 1958), then Worthing Assembly Hall (Oct 6th 58), before using Northam Studios on Oct 13th. Back on the road: Esplanade Theatre Bognor Regis (Nov 1st 58), Alexandra Gardens Theatre Weymouth, and St Peter's Hall Bournemouth. As from January 26th 1959 the quiz moved to Mondays at 7pm, this first show in the new slot was from Devizes. April 1959 included shows from Hastings (4th), and Jersey. Final show May 4th 1959 came from Guildhall Theatre Southampton, with celebrity contestants donating winnings to charity- Elizabeth Allen, Brenda Bruce, the Duke of Bedford, plus Southern's Berkeley Smith and Robin Richmond.
Two failed attempts were made to screen an edition from Blandford Forum. Apparently adverse weather conditions twice thwarted transmissions, Highway Patrol being the replacement programme, while Robin Richmond offered the assembled audience an impromptu entertainment.
Avril Light (nee Webb) appeared as a hostess on an Autumn 1959 edition of this quiz.
She writes, "I remember meeting Kenneth Horne at the Shelleys Hotel in Lewes, really exciting for a 20year old, also the filming of the show. I especially remember one contestant, a Mr Hilton who was a former gamekeeper. He must have been in his 80s and told a story of picking up partridge eggs and putting them in his shirt where they hatched! Before the days of sophisticated incubators!"

Kenneth Horne chaired several other offerings from Southern TV, including the children's quiz Full Marks which started in 1960. This was an inter schools quiz for 15 and 16 year olds. The series beginning in January 1963 had Peter Haigh as quizmaster, and ran for 15 weeks. Director: Bill Perry

Beat Your Neighbour was a 1961 inter town quiz. Excitement surrounded a November show in which Soothampton beat Salisbury by a single point. But the latter team complained that their opponents had been awarded two points incorrectly, for a wrong answer. Southern TV had to uphold the objection, and the heat had to be played off again. Chairman Fenton Bresler was replaced by Peter Lloyd, when the series continued as an Ourtisde Broadcast, on and from February 27th 1962.Success lead to a second series starting on Dec 18th 1962, chairman Peter Haigh: the first of the series came from the Pier Pavilion Worthing and was Chichester verus Shoreham. A third series ran for 30 weeks on and from October 30th 1963.

Seven Year Flitch - a 1965 panel game that went on the road as an outside broadcast. Resident Chairman was Don Moss. The panel on the first show on October 13th was Eleanor Summerfield, Cyril Fletcher, and Russell Braddon

What Do You Say? (1966) claimed to be a 'first,' a religious quiz. Ten ITV regional stations (the Big Companies didn't participate or screen it) competed. Each twenty minute programme consisted of three rounds. 1 Straightforward questions, 2 a poser without marks for a general discussion, and 3 a choice of hard or easy questions, with corresponding differences in marks. Quizmaster was Rev Bill Todd, Southern TV's Religious Adviser, and Bill Eagen originated and produced the series.
1 (July 10th 1966) Scottish TV v Grampian TV, 2 (July 17th 1966) Southern TV v Tyne Tees TV. Programme 6 (August 14th 1966) saw Round Two commence with the two winners in competition, Grampian TV v Southern TV. The Grand Final on September 4th 1966 was between Ulster TV and Westward TV. Anyone know which of these regional stations won?

Happy Families - this touring quiz show hosted by Kenneth Horne, began on February 16th 1967 at 10.25pm and featured Sir Donald Wolfit, Lady Wolfit and Margaret Wolfit, who challenged a local family from Portsmouth Mr William Smelling, a careers teacher, his wife and 16 year old son Nicholas. Both families had to answer oral, visual and musical questions, devised by John Ellison.
Guests on subsequent shows included Phyllis Calvert, Ted Moult, Eleanor Summerfield, and Clement Freud. A variation was the one-off Show Biz Quiz on May 18th 1967 again with Horne as chairman. The teams were Richard Murdoch with his son Tim and daughter Belinda, competing against Jack Watling, his wife Pat and daughter Deborah

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BEAUTY COMPETITIONS
In common with other regional tv companies, Southern ran their own glamour conpetitions.
In August 1958, when Southern began, as there was no time to show any heats, an alternative competition was shown, the finals of the Bournemouth Holiday Queen Competition. Variety Matinee was screened on Saturday November 8th 1958 from 3.55 to 4.40pm, an outside broadcast from the Royal Ballrooms Bournemouth.
22 girls competed, having battled their way through fifteen heats. They included Joan Marsh a shop assistant, Marilyn Mursell a fashion model, Diana French Miss Brighton (she had also appeared on Southern's opening night), Pamela Simpson a civil servant, Joan Bedson an aircraft factory worker, Margaret Hall a shorthand typist, Pamela Lonnen a worker in a cosmetics factory, Valerie Abbott an office telephonist and Diana Judd.
Directed by Bill Perry, the programme was compered by Ralph Barber and introduced by Kenneth MacLeod. Also appearing were the Harold Webb Formation Dancers, The Betty Raymont Rock 'n' Rollers, The Olivers with Lorna Lee, The TV Spotlights, Desmond Ellison and Brenda Winslade, and Haydn Powell and His Orchestra.
The winner won a trip to Paris and a silver cup. Second place received a holiday in Paris. Third place won a week in Bournemouth.
The 1960 show was titled Southern Belle. The final was shown on September 21st, made at Butlin's in Bognor Regis. MacDonald Hobley was the host (the automatic choice for the job) and also appearing in this show were Alfred Marks, The Jones Boys, Roger Carne, and The Brooks Brothers, with music supplied by Eric Winstone and his Band. TV direction was by Bill Perry. The 1961 final was shown on September 20th 1961, again from Butlin's Gaiety Theatre Bognor Regis. Judges included Roy Rich and Jerry Desmond. The 1963 final on October 31st was again from Butlins and included cabaret by Ronnie Carroll with the Al Fried Orchestra. The 14 resort winners were judged by Roy Rich, Muriel Young, Kathy Kirby, and James Green of the Evening News
Miss ITV 1966 was recorded on Oct 19th 1966 at the Top Rank Suite Southampton, networked to nine regions. Compere was Shaw Taylor, with Brian Nissen as commentator. The judges were Susan Hampshire, Judith Chalmers, the well worn Bob Monkhouse and Tony Brooks. While they deliberated, a cabaret was provided by Nicholas Parsons and Lynda Baron. Third was Jackie Kelk (Miss Southern), second Nanette Slack (Miss Anglia), and the winner was.... Marion Jenkins (Miss TWW). Bob Monkouse later did a cabaret turn with Lynda Baron at midnight- this was not televised. Among the audience were Gerald Flood, Sam Kydd, Joe Cornelius, William Roache, Johnny Briggs, Michael McStay, Anna Cropper, Gordon Honeycombe, Muriel Young, Richard Davies, Don Moss, Kenneth Kendall, Neil Hallett, Billy Wright, Marjorie Proops, Trevor Baker, and Peter Clark of Day by Day,
The title for the 1967 competition was, to fit in with the national TV Times event, the more prosaic Miss Southern Television. The finals were screened from Margate Queen's Hall. Now for the results... Third Place- Miss Hastings, Miss Diane Grey of Brighton. Runner Up- Miss Southend, Mrs Lynn Taylor. And the Winner- Mrs Valerie Appleby representing Dover.

Southern programmes menu

SOUTHERN TV POP SERIES included the quiz
Dad, You're A Square, described hopefully by Roy Rich as "a disc show with a difference." No difference in that the ubiquitous Peter Haigh was chairman from Dec 18th 1963. A panel of six- three teenagers opposed by three adult relatives- commented on a record, casting votes whether to 'buy' or 'break' the disc. If the latter vote was recorded, a machine instantly caused the unfortunate record to shatter. Director: Angus Wright. Scheduled starting date was June 13th 1963, with the panel including 19 year old pop singer Garry Mills. However, a couple of test programmes were made before this. The first two series in 1963 were studio based, networked to Tyne Tees, Border and Grampian. A third series in 1964, again with Peter Haigh but with Bill Perry directing, saw the show becoming an outside broadcast. The first on Feb 12th 1964 from Eastbourne included on the panel Raymond Francis and Ben Vaughan (father of Norman). The Feb 26th 1964 edition came from Salisbury, and featured Rosemary Squires, on April 29th 1964 from Petersfield Town Hall with Paddy Roberts, director Bill Perry, and on May 6th 1964 from Chatham Town Hall, also included Kenneth Horne. The final show was on May 13th 1964 from Worthing Pier Pavilion, with guest Bill Pertwee.

Three Go Round began on February 12th 1964, and was a teenagers' magazine and included a pop competition. Viewers were invited to write a pop song, the best of which would be submitted to record companies. It was hosted by Mitch Murray, who explained how to write a lyric, then in week two, how to compose a tune. Then on March 18th 1964, the best entry was announced and played by a group. The series also marked the tv debut of Southern's very own icon Fred Dinenage, his co-presenters were Jane Sinclair (until April 30th) and Britt Allcroft. Director: Angus Wright. In the autumn, Fred was still hosting, along with Britt Allcroft as well as Carol Binsted. The October 1st show included "a top Scottish group" The Golden Crusaders. These autumn programmes were networked to Tyne Tees, STV, Anglia and TWW

Discwizz commenced on Wed June 24th 1964, compered by Muriel Young and Tony Hall, director Mike Mansfield. Questions were put to a panel of two teams, made up of three girls versus three boys, all aged between 15 and 25. Questions ranged from artists and composers to pop songs. The teams changed each week, the prize... some LP records.

Ladybirds (1965) - top girl singers sing and are interviewed. An edition with Dusty Springfield was also screened by TWW (Mar 3rd 1965) and Anglia (Mar 9th 1965). The second series in the summer of 1965 included Marianne Faithfull, Sandie Shaw, Dana Valery, Annie Ross, Julie Rogers, Dakota Staton, and Jackie Trent. Interviewers: Shaw Taylor and Terence Carroll

Pop the Question began on October 12th 1965 hosted by Muriel Young with Shaw Taylor. This first programme featured Dusty Springfield, Johnny Gustafson and Madeleine Bell. The show toured the region, on Dec 7th 1965 it was from the Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, and included Mark Wynter. It ended during 1966.

Countdown in 1966 was Southern's most ambitious pop quiz to date, again hosted by Muriel Young, with DJ Don Wardell, produced by Mike Mansfield. Two pilots were made in the spring of that year, before it was networked in the autumn schedules. Screened on Saturdays, the actual show was taped the previous Tuesday.
Answering questions and performing on Oct 8th were Una Stubbs, Julie Rogers and Susan Maughan, along with The Spencer Davis Group, Paul Jones and Kenny Everett. Oct 15th (?) included Cilla Black, Annie Ross, and Simon Dee. Oct 22nd (?) Cleo Laine, Carolyn Hunter, Virigina Ironside, Herman's Hermits, The Searchers and Peter Murray. Oct 29th featured Salena Jones, Marion Montgomery, Manfred Mann, Alan Freeman, and Cat Stevens. Nov 12th: Sandie Shaw, Eve Taylor, Chris Farlowe, Jonathan King, and The Troggs. Nov 26th: Beryl Marsden, Beverley, Chris Andrews, Barry Chambers, Dave Berry. Dec 3rd: Marianne Faithfull, Mia Lewis, Susan Hanson, Tommy Vance, Mark Wynter. Dec 10th: Helen Shapiro, Cliff Bennett, The Small Faces, Joan Turner. Dec 17th: Lulu, Anita Harris, Alan Price Set, Long John Baldry, Chris Rayburn.

Next pop show was As You Like It that began on Tuesday May 9th 1967. Don Moss was resident host, and each week a pop star interviewed viewers. Adam Faith did this job on the first show. He had to fly to Amsterdam, gathering requests from people on his trip. The co-pilot requested Sandie Shaw's Puppet on a String. The air hostess wanted "something folky," while a passenger asked for Manfred Mann's Ha ha Said The Clown. (Presumably if someone requested The Beatles, their interview might be cut out of the show!) So appearing in this show were Sandie Shaw, and Manfred Mann, as well as Dave Clark and The Singing Postman. Lined up as interviewers in subsequent shows were Lulu (May 16th with Georgie Fame, Cat Stevens, The Tremeloes and The Herd), Paul Jones (May 23rd with Julie Felix, PP Arnold, The Move, The Kinks and The Warm Sounds), and Petula Clark (May 30th with Peter and Gordon, Anita Harris, Zoot Money and Gerry Marsden), Cilla Black (June 13th with The Small Faces, The Spectrum, The Bee Gees, Billie Davis), and on June 20th The New Vaudeville Band, Jackie Trent, Procol Harum, The Hollies, The Young Idea, Lynn Holland). An interesting comtemporary comment: "As You Like It succeeds in its format where Top of the Pops fails"!

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Details of some other Southern TV black.white programmes in chronological order

Probe chaired by Fenton Bresler, and directed by Berkeley Smith, "gives local residents the opportunity to vent their feelings on the way they are governed." The first programme aired on Monday May 25th 1959 at 6.25pm, and was from Bournemouth asking the vital question, "Does Bournemouth give a square deal to its visitors- and to its residents?" Southampton and Yeovil were the next locations, and Portsmouth hosted the programme on July 7th 1959 at the new time of 10.15, then Rex Ballroom Bognor Regis on August 18th. The first series ended on Sept 1st 1959 with a programme from Town Hall Ryde. Most towns queued up to get some publicity, however Shaftesbury, Dorset, Town Council took a stand and in December 1959 voted against allowing cameras near them, "these programmes are not an advertisement but are just a means of taking the rise out of a town." Berkeley Smith defended the series, stating, "this is a debate in public rather than a public debate, which we believe will produce a controversial, lively and entertaining programme." Canterbury Council's General Purposes Committee in 1960 recommended this city should not participate either, but an offer from Southern Television of �500 to the municipal controlled Marlowe Theatre seems to have swayed the council's debate and on a majority vote, the proposal that they take part in Probe was agreed. The programme was popular and returned for a second series in early April 1960, Berkeley Smith again defending Probe dispelling completely "the idea that the programme puts members of Councils on the fence as pigeons to be shot at."

Swap Shop (1959) made a celebrity of the Duke of Bedford. He ran it with Elizabeth Allan. Drawings by Ronald Searle. The format was first tried out by ABC from whom Southern bought the idea, which was that if viewers saw goods in the shop and they could offer something of equal value, Swap Shop arranged a swap. From Autumn 1959, Helen Standage, returning to Southern TV, directed the series.

Sea War was an acclaimed 13 part documentary made in conjunction with Rank, detailing the role of the Royal Navy in the war. It was not networled, but shown in some regions in September 1960, including ATV London. Ulster, Tyne Tees and STV also bought it up. Southern also repeated the series in their own region, starting February 11th 1962 at 3.15pm.

Strictly for the Birds was a jazz series that commenced on May 15th 1961 and ran throughout that summer. This was a late night 30 minute series directed by Peter Frazer-Jones, of special interest because the Dudley Moore Trio were resident guests, along with Bobby Sansom. Alex Orgar, the roving jazz reporter, linked the series. Special guest on the first programme was Cleo Laine. Next guests in the following weeks were Dinah Kaye, then Elaine Delmar, then Johnny Dankworth. Guest on October 23rd 1961 was Diana Kaye, on October 30th Bruce Turner, and on the final show on November 6th saw Cleo Laine on a return visit. From Oct 1st 1961, the show was repeated on Sunday afternoons at 5.20pm. It was also screened by Granada TV.

Don't Look Now (originally planned to be titled Let's Face It)- an intimate revue series that started on Sunday July 9th 1961 at 11pm, with Eric Merriman, Bill Pertwee and Dany Clare, the Art Jones Quartet providing musical backing. Director: Peter Frazer-Jones

Sweet 'n' Sour (Oxctober 1961) was an "intimate late night revue" introduced and scripted by Clement Freud, with Sheila Matthews. A second series with Freud included Pip Hinton and Art Jones and his Quartet. Director was George Egan. This began on Monday June 25th 1962.

The Young Elizabethans began in 1962, and ran until 1964. Young people from grammar and public schools offered their opinions under the chairmanship of Elaine Grand

Background- a series of documentary programmes originally titled Southern Affairs. This had included a special (local??) programme on Space (Dec 1960) with Geoffrey Pardoe talking to Eastleigh MP David Price, Lord Hailsham and Bernard Lovell. The series also included fourteen programmes on The Seven Ages of Man, with Barry Westwood, as well as three profiles of local towns: Portsmouth, Southampton and Brighton. In August 1961 the series was renamed, and the plan was to devote two conecutive programmes to a topic. August 18th and 25th 1961 it was The Mystique of Money. On March 2nd and 9th 1962 the two 30 minute programmes investigated progress on the Hovercraft. On January 5th, 12th and 19th 1962 the series was subtitled Bridge or Tunnel? Barry Westwood presented personalities connected with both proposals for a Channel crossing. Director: Terry Yarwood (These three programmes were also shown by Anglia that April.) On May 7th Background was about the probation service. Presented by Barry Westwood and directed by Terry Yarwood. The success of the series led to its continuation in a Tuesday slot through the year, George Egan taking over direction on and from the Dec 11th edition. A variation of the programme was Generations Apart which began on Sept 17th 1963, again hosted by Barry Westwood, and directed by George Egan. The format was two segments, firstly with a person experienced in their profession, secondly a group of youngsters working in the same sphere

Three of a Kind (June 18th 1962) marked the debut of Jon Pertwee's long running association with Southern TV. This was a guitar series, and apparently on this show Pertwee played the guitar. Resident hosts were Dorita y Pepe and Wout Steenhuis. Director: Peter Frazer-Jones. The series did well in the Southern TAM ratings, and was also networked to Grampian TV

First Night at Chichester (Tues July 3rd 1962, 11.17pm, networked to A-R, TWW, Anglia, Westward, and Grampian)- a one off programme on the opening of the Chichester Festival Theatre. Roy Rich interviewed Sir Laurence Olivier, while Peter Haigh and MacDonald Hobley gave viewers a tour of the building, whose history was traced on film

A Handful of Songs - a 30 minute late night (11.10pm) series of six shows in autumn 1962 starring Rosemary Squires

The Beating Heart was an acclaimed documentary networked to A-R London and Grampian only on Dec 13th 1962. ATV Midlands also showed it in that month, while Granada screened it on January 10th 1963 at 11.10pm. It pictured the physical and emotional build-up of the human heart, during an operation on a 11 year old girl for a defective valve in her heart at Southampton Chest Hospital. It was written by Robert Hounsome and narrated by Barry Westwood. Directed and produced by Berkeley Smith and Terry Yarwood

Absolutely Barkers began on March 25th 1963 and starred the inimitable Eric Barker, who also scripted the series. His co-star was his wife Pearl Hackney. Others appearing included Marion Grimaldi and John Hewer. Director: Peter Frazer-Jones

Going Up (length: 15 minutes)- April 30th 1963 featured Christine Campbell. Accompanied by Art Jones and his Quartet. Producer: Peter Frazer-Jones. On the June 11th 1963 edition, Kenny Lynch appeared.

The ABC of Jazz (thirteen week series starting on Nov 5th 1963)- host Steve Race, producer: Peter Frazer-Jones. Taking the alphabet, two letters per week, personalities of the jazz world were showcased.

Weather Permitting (Dec 20th 1963) - Southern Television's long serving weatherman Trevor Baker appeared on this programme designed to delve into every aspect of the weather on people and things. A panel of experts included a psychiatrist. Director: Pat Phillips

Robin & Jimmy & Rhythm
starred Robin Hall and Jimmy Macgregor, a series of six half hour shows starting on February 4th 1964. The idea was to create a folk club atmosphere with a backing group by Manfred Mann.

The Bilbow Report (May 18th 1965) Tony Bilbow as Willie Shakespeare's Agent, with Ronald Baddiley and Ivor Mills, director: Peter Fraser Jones. "A friendly get together" for the tv, no studio audience

Playback (Southern, 1965)
This "experimental" series began on Tuesday April 6th 1965, executive producer Jack Hargreaves described it as offering "a free hand" to writers and directors. He added, "we've got to accept that mistakes will be made because noone can know for sure he is going to do a good programme- he only knows after he has done it whether the idea has worked out. We will lay some eggs, and we will lay them in public, but television must have the courage to experiment and take chances."
Each week a well known personality or expert was in the studio to watch and give a candid opinion on the way the subject was handled.
ON August 31st 1965 the show starred Bill Pertwee, also scripted by him and Charles Hart. Also in this show were Jackie Lee and Harry Littlewood.
On March 1st 1966 the programme was Nearly Made It... Didn't Quite.. But I Bet I Will One Day - featuring Mike Barnett, a scene shifter on Southern TV. Script by Tony Bilbow (who also appeared), director: Mike Connor.

This Show was hosted by Sid Green and Dick Hills and ran in early 1965. Guest on the last of the series on Feb 26th 1965 was Ivor Emmanuel.

Play-back- one of this series on August 31st 1965 starred Bill Pertwee who also wrote the script with Charles Hart. Also featured were Jackie Lee and Harry Littlewood

Take It From Us (August 7th 1967, 8.40-9.30pm)
Hidden cameras show public apathy towards crimes being committed. It was made with the co-operation of Hampshire Police, and showed specially staged crimes. Reporter: Peter Clark. Producer: Terry Johnston.
The programme won the Egon Erwin Kish Prize for Reportage at the tenth International Festival of Documentary Films at Leipzig, beating over 200 entries.

A Tale of Two Rivers (1968)
Set on board the Southerner, which Southern TV claimed was the world's only permanent marine outside broadcast vessel!
Against a changing backdrop of famous landmarks on the Thames and The Seine, stars performed songs to match- Petula Clark, Lulu, Sandie Shaw, Masrianne Faithfull, Richard Anthony, Claude Francois, Adam Faith, Mark Wynter, and The Unit Four Plus Two. The Gojos performed dance sequences. Director: Mike Mansfield.
The series of four was shown weekly at 9.30pm commencing April 22nd 1986 on Southern, partially networked to STV, Harlech, Ulster, Border and Grampian. Rediffusion however showed it at 11pm commencing April 15th. Apparently on the first show Lulu sang a Gallic ditty on a Paris bridge, while Adam Faith sang about Paris in between slurping ice cream

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Farm in the South
Just a few details:
The series began in September 1958 on Tuesdays, 6.10-6.30pm with first host AG Street, director Anna Lett.
December 16th 1958, 6.10pm: Flowers for Christmas with AG Street. From nursery to market, how is the demand for flowers at Christmas met? Also Romsey Fat Stock Market. Director: Anna Lett
July 5th 1959, 3-3.30pm: The Soil introduced by AG Street. Director: Anna Lett.
August 16th 1959, 3.10-3.40pm: introduced by John Leese with Alan Exley. Director: Philip Dale. Street Corner with Arthur Street
August 30th 1959, 3.10-3.40pm: introduced by John Leese with Alan Exley. Director: Philip Dale. Charles Coles demonstrates game preservation, Stephen Williams demonstrates creep grazing, plus a feature on training a show jumper
Dec 25th 1960: with George Bryant and family at Court Farm
June 17th 1962, 2.15-2.45pm: FMC Ltd introduced by Jack Hargreaves. Interview with FJ Stratton of the Fatstock Marketing Corporation
April 7th 1963, 2.17-2.47pm: The Soil introduced by Jack Hargeaves. With Basil Furmeaux. Director: Angus Wright.
September 8th 1963, 2.40-3.10pm: The House Mouse introduced by Jack Hargeaves with Frederick Rowe. Director: Angus Wright.
December 20th 1964, 2.43-3.08pm: introduced by Jack Hargeaves returning to Buckskin Farm Worting with Mark Jenner to talk to tenant Cecil Gibbons. Director: Angus Wright. (It is now completely swallowed up by Basingstoke overspill)
August 15th 1965, 2.45-3.15pm: introduced by Mark Jenner. A visit to Dedswell Manor Farm, West Clandon with Maurice Claydon. Director: Angus Wright.
September 19th 1965: introduced by Mark Jenner. A visit to Bank Farm, Tudely with Harry Veall. Director: Anthony Howard.
Farm Progress in 1966 was a series in which Mark Jenner examined with examples from specific farms, how British agriculture is meeting its current problems. Director: Anthony Howard.
1 Structure: Machinery Syndicate (April 16th 1966) at Old Yates Farm Abberley, with Geoffrey Ballard
2 Structure: Amalgamation (April 23rd 1966) on beaulieu Estate, with Peter Harper and Brian Hubbard
7 Marketing No 2 (May 28th 1966) A traditional Co-operative (May 28th 1966) with Michael Smith of Monkton Court Farm Minster, HG Wright and Theo Dampney (Dover Studio). New director: Neil Potter
8 Marketing No 3 (June 4th 1966) Direct Selling (June 4th 1966) at Buxted Farmer's Market. In the studio: Mrs Sarah Lloyd Jones, John Nix, Richard Denny
Number 10 Grain Drying on September 18th 1966, 1.20-1.50pm. Visit to Bussey Stool Farm, Tarant Gunville, with the farmer Ronald Farquharson in the studio. Director: Anthony Howard.
Number 13 Mechanical Calf Rearing on October 9th 1966 visited Upton Bridge Farm Long Sutton Langport, with farmer Bill Wallford, Theo Dampney and Dr JB Roy
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