Thanks for posting. Just so many happy memories of childhood brough back by this. At the time I was keen for the start up to be over so the programmes could start Only now do realise how good it actually was. Has anyone seen any episodes of Treasure Hunt with Keith Fordyce anywhere?
Fabulous. Thank you so much. It may seem silly, but this represents a big part of my childhood. Every day of the school holidays I would watch this at 09:25. Westward TV was a cracking regional station. We even used to see the people who were on screen out and about doing their shopping lol. It was real, they really were a part of our community and our lives and that meant so much to all of us. Goodness, how times change. And the music, An English Overture by Paul Lewis, is an absolute belter. Every time I see the film or hear the music, I cry. It means that much.
Hi Stephen. I don't think you are silly at all. I used to love watching Westward TV when I visited my relatives in Kingsteignton, Devon. I loved the friendliness of the contunuity; Roger Shaw, Ian Stirling, Judi Spiers and Kenneth MacLeod (Westward Diary). The start-of-day theme and movie was truly inspired and could not be bettered. As for me, I find the scene with the Golden Hind right at the end of the video to be one of the, if not the most iconic moments in the history of ITV. This video is the most popular in the line-up and it is wonderful that it brought back so many happy memories for you. All the best, Nigel.
@nigelcash5284 I can agree, even being an ocean away from Westward's territory. My university had a model of the Golden Hind in its library, and I recognized it as "the Westward ship" before reading the plaque to confirm its identity.
Hi. My pleasure. I'm pretty sure that this is one of 2 videos that I have made which contains original ITV company film footage. The Westward movie is such a masterpiece that it could not be bettered. All the best to you, Nigel.
4:23 (1980) _"Good morning, this is Westward Television. We're broadcasting from the transmitters of the Independent Broadcasting Authority. Today is Sunday the 20th of July."_
Hi. I am so happy that you like the video and music, both originally from 1971. It's really great to see many from around the world looking in on my videos. Your comments are very much appreciated. All the best. Nigel.
Hi. I can confirm that 'An English Overture' composed by Paul Lewis was specifically commissioned by Westward TV for its startup theme. I think it was actually recorded in Belgium after the movie had already been made for startup. The original recording can be found on the CD 'Heritage and Landscape' which contains a lot of his other musical work. Hope that helps. Best wishes, Nigel.
Scilly Isles? There is no such place and Westward should have known. It's either the Isles of Scilly or just plain Scilly. As a proud Scillonian born and bred I should know.
Hi Philip. I seem to remember that the ITV companies did use this type of testcard, although maybe it was in a slightly different format. They tended to use the colour bars rather a lot in later years. Best wishes, Nigel.
