Westward TV Startup (Mock)

[@ianhalsall-fox]

Stunning! Wish TV was still like this.

[@westerner1980]

What a lovely blast from the past. As a kid I was often up early to watch this.

[@nigelcash5284]

@@westerner1980 Yes, it was the best startup that I can remember. It was truly inspired at a time when ITV companies really cared about their audience. Best wishes, Nigel

[@pete9469]

There’s comfort food and then there’s comfort watching. This is the latter,simpler times.😊

[@nigelcash5284]

I must admit that I love the original film footage as it showed real pride and imagination by Westward. The Golden Hind used for their ident was also iconic as was Anglia's horse and knight. Glad that this brought back happy memories. All the best, Nigel.

[@revinhatol]

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."_

[@nigelcash5284]

Hi Revin Hatol. Was that Sunday 20th July 1975?

[@revinhatol]

@@nigelcash5284 1980

[@revinhatol]

@@nigelcash5284 And yeah. That, too.

[@stephenguppy7882]

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.

[@nigelcash5284]

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.

[@stephenguppy7882]

@@nigelcash5284 Oh Nigel, thank you so much. ❤

[@80sandretrogubbins25]

I've uploaded some Westward stuff in the last few days. Quite a lot actually.

[@stephenguppy7882]

@@80sandretrogubbins25 Yay! Thank you.

[@daveporter0217]

​@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.

[@trevortestertrev5531]

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?

[@jbowden9107]

Wonderful memories when I was in my teens. The best company too. Thank you for providing the nostalgia.

[@nigelcash5284]

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.

[@rizmid]

Thank you for uploading a crisp clear sound of this beautiful composition! A fan and an admirer from Pakistan.

[@nigelcash5284]

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.

[@80sandretrogubbins25]

@@nigelcash5284 Was it composed specfically for Westward?

[@nigelcash5284]

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.

[@80sandretrogubbins25]

@@nigelcash5284 Thanks.

[@stephenhall6595]

I saw a Westward start up whilst on Holiday in Cornwall in 1971 just before they went Colour. They showed Test Card D at that time.

[@chriswathen9612]

If you redid this with the ITCA slide on the end and maybe an authority announcement dubbed on it would be perfect!

[@dwiseman1]

In my own admittedly biased opinion the very best start up of them all.

[@grahamnancledra7036]

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.

[@Kinezoneoffcial19]

1:18

[@philipareed]

Using the BBC testcard.

[@nigelcash5284]

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.

[@stephenhall6595]

Yes the IBA did use Test Card F.