ST
I think the new development will look very nice. I don't imagine the Foot-Anstey building that is currently there is a very pleasant place to work anymore since the Travelodge was built right in front of it - blocking the previous view over Derry's Cross.
It's always sad to see a former TV studio going, but it hasn't really been that for 15 years since TSW moved out. IIRC the TV South West Archives are still based in one of the buildings at the back of the site, presumably they will have to relocate.
It's always sad to see a former TV studio going, but it hasn't really been that for 15 years since TSW moved out. IIRC the TV South West Archives are still based in one of the buildings at the back of the site, presumably they will have to relocate.
FN
It will be sad to see the place go - It was such a distinctive little building, and there was a great atmosphere in the place.
Does anyone know what became of Harry Turner, the MD of TSW? He must be getting on now, but he was a real character. He wrote a book about his time at Westward (where he was Sales Director) and then covering the time at TSW uptil the franchise was sadly lost.
No doubt if TSW had won the 1992 franchise, they may have been taken over by either Granada or Carlton eventually. However, of all of the regional stations, something tells me that they would have stayed independent, and ITV would now be a richer place for it.
We laughed as Lenny Bennett described TSW as "Television Simply Wonderful" - Perhaps only now we can reflect that there was more than a hint of truth in what he said.
Does anyone know what became of Harry Turner, the MD of TSW? He must be getting on now, but he was a real character. He wrote a book about his time at Westward (where he was Sales Director) and then covering the time at TSW uptil the franchise was sadly lost.
No doubt if TSW had won the 1992 franchise, they may have been taken over by either Granada or Carlton eventually. However, of all of the regional stations, something tells me that they would have stayed independent, and ITV would now be a richer place for it.
We laughed as Lenny Bennett described TSW as "Television Simply Wonderful" - Perhaps only now we can reflect that there was more than a hint of truth in what he said.
IS
They are in another part of Plymouth: http://www.tswfta.co.uk/
StuartPlymouth posted:
I IIRC the TV South West Archives are still based in one of the buildings at the back of the site, presumably they will have to relocate.
They are in another part of Plymouth: http://www.tswfta.co.uk/
PH
Link from Plymouth Evening Herald
http://www.thisisplymouth.com/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133464&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133158&contentPK=18826299&folderPk=78031&pNodeId=133174
Or click on this is plymouth and look for news from 31st October 2007.
Sad very sad
http://www.thisisplymouth.com/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133464&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133158&contentPK=18826299&folderPk=78031&pNodeId=133174
Or click on this is plymouth and look for news from 31st October 2007.
Sad very sad
JV
Sad very sad
Sad that a solicitors is being demolished?
I think he was actually referring to the history of the building rather than what it currently is... Mind you, a lot of the history was ripped out of the building when they changed it and put in the glass facade.
James Vertigan
Founding member
Inspector Sands posted:
philglossop posted:
Sad very sad
Sad that a solicitors is being demolished?
I think he was actually referring to the history of the building rather than what it currently is... Mind you, a lot of the history was ripped out of the building when they changed it and put in the glass facade.
IS
I think he was actually referring to the history of the building rather than what it currently is... Mind you, a lot of the history was ripped out of the building when they changed it and put in the glass facade.
Exactly, there's nothing of the TV station left there now. It's almost 15 years since TSW closed down, it's housed a radio studio more recently than a TV one!
James Vertigan posted:
I think he was actually referring to the history of the building rather than what it currently is... Mind you, a lot of the history was ripped out of the building when they changed it and put in the glass facade.
Exactly, there's nothing of the TV station left there now. It's almost 15 years since TSW closed down, it's housed a radio studio more recently than a TV one!
CW
cwathen
Founding member
Sad to see such an historic building go, but I feel it should also be allowed to go and there should be no daft attempts to save it. It's not a very efficient use of space because A) it's not very tall in comparison to it's neighbours and B) AIUI large parts of the building including studios are lying empty from the time of TSW and have never been converted to offices.
The site is allready largely redeveloped leaving the Westward/TSW building decidedly less iconic than some of the other great ITV premises - Derry's Cross isn't another City Road.
The old footage showing Westward TV occupying a highly visible, prominent position and even the architecture of the buiding itself is allready a thing of the past. A huge Travelodge was built in front of it 3 years ago, all but blocking it off from the road. The entire frontage of the building was also changed what may well have been 10 years ago (maybe even more) and looks nothing like it did when Westward & TSW occupied it.
To get a good impression of it now, you've got to be only feet away from it and only the basic shape of it allows you to recognise what it was built as - the building which was once so iconic is allready long gone.
Rather oddly though, there are still *loads* of street maps of Plymouth City Centre around acknowledging the location and marking it as 'TSW' because of course at one time it was a useful reference point when giving directions - rather ironically they are often given out to tourists where it is now of no use at all in helping them to navigate!
The site is allready largely redeveloped leaving the Westward/TSW building decidedly less iconic than some of the other great ITV premises - Derry's Cross isn't another City Road.
The old footage showing Westward TV occupying a highly visible, prominent position and even the architecture of the buiding itself is allready a thing of the past. A huge Travelodge was built in front of it 3 years ago, all but blocking it off from the road. The entire frontage of the building was also changed what may well have been 10 years ago (maybe even more) and looks nothing like it did when Westward & TSW occupied it.
To get a good impression of it now, you've got to be only feet away from it and only the basic shape of it allows you to recognise what it was built as - the building which was once so iconic is allready long gone.
Rather oddly though, there are still *loads* of street maps of Plymouth City Centre around acknowledging the location and marking it as 'TSW' because of course at one time it was a useful reference point when giving directions - rather ironically they are often given out to tourists where it is now of no use at all in helping them to navigate!
ST
The glass facade was actually put in by TSW, and made it very modern and iconic in that respect (it was unusual for 1982). Foot & Bowden (later Foot-Anstey) kept the original outward appearance of the building from the road, although they no doubt changed the interior beyond recognition.
HUMBLE EDIT:
In an attempt to prove my point I hunted in the loft for my collection of ITV Yearbooks. Unfortunately my memory is playing tricks on me, and the picture in the TV & Radio Yearbook 1983 has the following:
http://www.rp-network.com/tvforum/uploads/tsw_1982.jpg
© IBA
My confusion comes from the fact that I recall TSW changing the exterior to largely black (although not glass as it turns out)
cwathen posted:
The entire frontage of the building was also changed what may well have been 10 years ago (maybe even more) and looks nothing like it did when Westward & TSW occupied it.
James Vertigan posted:
I think he was actually referring to the history of the building rather than what it currently is... Mind you, a lot of the history was ripped out of the building when they changed it and put in the glass facade.
The glass facade was actually put in by TSW, and made it very modern and iconic in that respect (it was unusual for 1982). Foot & Bowden (later Foot-Anstey) kept the original outward appearance of the building from the road, although they no doubt changed the interior beyond recognition.
HUMBLE EDIT:
In an attempt to prove my point I hunted in the loft for my collection of ITV Yearbooks. Unfortunately my memory is playing tricks on me, and the picture in the TV & Radio Yearbook 1983 has the following:
http://www.rp-network.com/tvforum/uploads/tsw_1982.jpg
© IBA
My confusion comes from the fact that I recall TSW changing the exterior to largely black (although not glass as it turns out)