BBC report on the loss of the Southern TV Franchise

[Texbaslery]

Seems such a long time ago now. The old Studios at Northam, Southampton are now just rubble and wasteground. I drive by on the way to work and remember "Saturday Banana" and "Runaround" with Mike Reid. I even remember "The Ship" pub opposite where someone famous was always there, and Southern's old houseboat out on the river, used as a guesthouse (or guest tboat) for their visiting "artiste's". Simple times. Light years away from the corporate hell of modern television.

[GLFVIDEO]

@Texbaslery

I pass the old Northam site fairiy frequently too, it's a shame it has been left to rot. I visited the old Ship many, many times. The Southern launch was named "Southerner" Do remember Barry Westwood and the team from "Day by Day"? That was regional telly, not the nonsensical rubbish that is mostly served these days on ITV.

[Texbaslery]

@GLFVIDEO Remember Barry Westwood very well. But he seemed to drop off the radar and, I found out only very recently in Fred Dineages' column in the Southern Daily Echo that unfortunately he has died.. He used to live in Portchester (-close to the castle), near Portsmouth in the 70's. Totally agree with you about the crap quality of local TV. Just amazes me at what passes for local – The meridian region now seems huge – covering places like Oxford and Southend!

[GLFVIDEO]

@Texbaslery

I am saddened to hear of Barry's death. He was a true people person and a fine broadcaster. His life after Southern (He was not offerred a job with TVS) consisted of running a PR company. He specialised in training Exectives to deal with the media, and a lot of media people famous today were taught by dear old Barry Westwood.

RIP Barry.

GLF

[JAYROX1969]

Thanks for uploading!

[GLFVIDEO]

My pleasure.