Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Ally Pally: Television at 75
This 2nd November, 2011, will be the 75th anniversary of television at Alexandra Palace
Courtesy of Clive Carter (thank you Clive) I am attaching a piece titled Television at 75, written by John Trenouth for the Royal Television Society's Journal Television.
It's a potted history of BBC television at Alexandra Palace. This long version is likely to be live on the RTS website within the next few days.
John, for 20 years the Senior Curator of Television at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television at Bradford, has kindly given permission for this to be distributed.
The Italian architect Massimo Moscato drew the facade.
Tags for Forum Posts: alexandra palace
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![TV75 by John Trenouth[2].pdf](https://static.ning.com/socialnetworkmain/widgets/forum/gfx/fileicons/pdf.gif?xn_version=539796025)
TV75 by John Trenouth[2].pdf, 490 KB
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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An exhibition in the old BBC Studio A at Alexandra Palace will be open to the public on 17th September as part of the London Open House Weekend and it is hoped that this will be repeated on 2nd November, on the 75th anniversary itself.
Times will follow when they have been confirmed.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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My understanding is that the studios will be open from 10 AM to 8 PM on the 75 th anniversary, with tours all day via the current relatively cramped access. At the last open day, hundreds came and there were queues.
This anniversary is pretty special, coming four years after the High Court defeat of the Charity Commission (and Trustee, the Council), whose Order (to sell to Firoka) would have seen the Studios destroyed.
Due to extra publicity, it is likely that numbers attending will be greater than ever and if anyone is keen to see the birthplace of television and doesn't fancy waiting in a queue for a long time, get there early!
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Permalink Reply by Angela on
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We went to this a couple of years ago and I really wouldn't recommend it unless you are a real enthusiast (and if you are, I believe there is a volunteer group to help gather information and maintain the collection)
We queued for at least an hour and were allowed less than 10 minutes to look around before we were asked to leave. The reconstruction of the BBC studio was a joke tbh.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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I went to it as well. I liked it but I suppose I am a bit of a nerd. Here's a few pictures I took in 2009
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Angela: I'm not sure what you were expecting, but there is no real reconstruction of the BBC Studio, at least not yet. The local council have had control over the entire building for 30 years. The only major improvement (really maintenance) in that time was the replacement of the roof after it was leaking for a while. The council has been a poor steward of the place which is why the Trusteeship needs to be placed at least partially in the hands of people who care.
Such exhibits are there courtesy of voluntary effort. As you will have seen, currently it comprises mainly a collection of old tellys. If you were disappointed with Studio A, I shudder to think what you'd say about Studio B. It is derelict and will require a big effort to restore. It will cost a lot of money: about the same as the council spent on lawyers in the last sale attempt and about the same they'll be spending on the next sale attempt (which will fail, like all previous such attempts).
During the out-of-control spending on rebuilding after the 1980 fire (in which the East wing was unaffected) the council was billed for removal of the (hazardous) asbestos in the Studios. But either the job was done partly, or inadequately or there may have been another reason why work contracted for (paid for?) was not completed.
The original contents of the studios, which if returned would likely be of interest, are cast about far and wide. I suspect the reason the contents are not there is that there has been little confidence in the stewardship. The Emitron camera you will have seen is a mock-up. The BBC still holds at least one original Emitron and in my opinion they should not return it (or anything else) to the studio unless and until there is effective governance in place.
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Permalink Reply by longers1 on
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Are the TV studio and theatre different spaces or the same? On another note, i would LOVE to see inside Hornsey Town Hall and the theatre there before it is renovated. Any idea how i can? Thanks, James.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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They're different but you can see them both on 17/18th at the Open House weekend. I don't think Hornsey Town Hall is in it this year, but I have a photo set here and you can take a virtual tour here.
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TV studios and the theatre are different spaces.
According to the Haringey council website
Hornsey Town Hall, The Broadway, N8 will be open for regular tours on Saturday only from 10am to 4pm, last entry 3.30pm. Limited numbers. First come, first-served.
OOps sorry that was for 2009. Well done Haringey Council.
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The last time I had a look at the AP theatre, we weren't allowed inside because of the danger of falling plasterwork and we had to peer through a window in the door. This is a sad illustration of the way that the Council neglects this building. The Hornsey Town hall theatre isn't much better.
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