Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
God only knows what Ali Pali would have been like if Aunty had of stayed
Ali Pali used as a back drop for the BBC's Music launch.
A compilation of artists were used to reproduce the Beach Boys God only knows, together with a cameo from Brian Wilson.
Spot scenes from the Victorian theatre within the clip.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XqLTe8h0-jo
Alexandra Palace is being transformed. The East Wing Restoration Project is under way, and represents the biggest investment in the building for a generation. This is your opportunity to help us bring the Victorian Theatre, situated in the North East side of the building, back to life.
See more at:
http://support.alexandrapalace.com/#sthash.g4PTDeTz.dpuf
http://support.alexandrapalace.com
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by matthew cuthbert on
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I have to say, it is more interesting in its distressed appearance, just make it safe. Mick Jagger always said he preferred Westminster's parliament buildings, before they cleaned the stonework, with a more Gothic appearance.
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I won't say what Keith said...
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Permalink Reply by Richard Woods on
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It was always Ally Pally when I was kid? Anyway I think the phrasing of you headline is unfortunate as it suggests the BBC would have ruined the place by staying? Not I think what you wanted to suggest. The BBC invented UK television at the pally so that is important history. But they were never in the main hall or its immediate ancilliaries. The reality is that successive organisations have tried to find the money to restore the building. I wish Haringey Council well this time around.
The magnificent Willis organ (which my grandfather once played in about 1910) seems to be almost back to full operation after its second grand re-build after fire!
There was huge banquet in about 1962/3 to celebrate one bid (GLC?) to restore the old place. My wife got the tickets and I had to gnash my teeth!
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I am retrospectively miffed the Beeb left for West London, but I'm told many BBC folk still choose to live in Muswell Hill.
I have to say, I do need to check the spelling on Ally Pally, so some local correction is welcome. Judging from the modern bay type adaption to the BBC tower, modernity does have a habit of exerting itself. My feeling is we are in a better place to assess the historic importance of the building. Commercial forces would have dictated continued remodelling, proving increasingly expensive compared to a new build in White City to accommodate an ever modernising BBC.
The Large theatres and Grand Hall would have made broadcasting more democratic, as long as attendance was stimulated, with the ability to directly host large public events within the Peoples Palace.
I'm interested in your story of your Grandfather, my great uncle played at Bendigo Cathedral, (aired by the ABC,) we had his pump organ utill recently when my dad found someone who could play it again.
How do we restore the palace without loosing the aged/ distressed charm of the place, while making it safe and functional for future use? The Arena in Verona seems to do well, and ultimately more interesting for its historic setting, if we want perfection there is the Albert Hall, Ally Pally is a treasure as it survives in part fully intact.
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Permalink Reply by Xavier on
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They also had the transmitter on site, but I gather that the site became unsuitable for multi-studio operations as the Beeb expanded. They kept the site for the OU until long after with a lot of staff until it moved to MK, and they still relay some broadcast services off the tower.
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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Even after the BBC ( I hate the word Beeb :-) ) opened Television Centre, Television News originated from AP for some years before moving to the Spur at Television Centre. Thereafter, as Xavier says, Open University programmes were recorded at AP, before the OU moved to Milton Keynes.
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Maybe I should not admit this but in about 1953 or 4 I and a mate climbed the fire escape up to the base of the mast. Then, emboldened by the lack of response, we started climbing up the ladder inside the mast. It was not really that dangerous as the ladder was very 'enclosed'. But about halfway up a stentorian voice from below heralded the arrival of the BBC's security in the form of a highly elaborate uniform surrounding a highly obese gentleman of no doubt military bearing. We meekly descended to be soundly ticked off in the best parade ground style.
BTW, the wonderful Maureen Lipman lived in Woodland Gardens MH for some years. And Peter Sellars was close by in the 50s.
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Yes Richard, I had access to the tower years ago, with the idea of climbing up as far as I could. When I got a little way up the first ladder and could see over the parapet wall, the wind blowing, I came back down. Heights are not for me.
I do remember working in the Lipman/Rosenthal house once in the 70s as a service engineer.
On occasions I use a portable amateur radio from a seat at the the top of the hill, once I got talking to a lady whose husband was a retired BBC radio producer, they lived locally.
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If you had got up to the aerials level and the transmitter had been on, you could have been fried.
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Its not microwave radiation - back then it wasn't even VHF! Medium wave stuff and 405 lines TV. And anyway the transmitting arrays were at the top - we never got that far! Somewhere less than halfway up the pyramid support I would guess.
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Did you get 'disco leg,' I think it's s climbing term?
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