Pilkington Committee's Film

A compilation of news, sport and event footage showcasing Anglia Television's regional output.

A compilation of Anglia Television footage, created and broadcast since the network’s beginnings in October 1959, presumably made to be shown to the Pilkington Committee on broadcasting, showcasing Anglia Television’s regional output. Beginning with an exterior shot of a cathedral building, and followed by an excerpt from the formation ceremony of the 1st East Anglia Regiment, originally transmitted as part of Anglia Television’s first evening of broadcasting in October 1959. Excerpts from the “Farming Diary” series, showing the traditional and modern techniques used in laying drainage systems, and to plough, sow seeds, fertilise and harvest crops. Dick Joice interviews Ted, now a foreman, about his past and present experience of farm work. Dick Joice also speaks with Jimmy Cole, a representative of the Farmer’s Union. Women workers and the machinery inside a sugarbeet factory, show the process of bagging and packing sugar; then there are various displays and competitions at an agricultural show. An aerial view of “Anglia House”, the headquarters of Anglia Television in the centre of Norwich is followed by a compilation of news footage that captured key events in the region. Including; the return of the United States Army Air Force fighter planes, the “Statue of Liberty Wing” to RAF Lakenheath and the aircraft wreckage at the airbase following a collision. The Black Arrows RAF display team perform the ‘Bomb Burst’ sequence. The dramatic scenes of emergency situations include; lifeboat rescues at Happisburgh and Gorleston, fires raging at Hodland Hall in Norfolk and an Essex farmhouse and scenes of severe flooding in the region. Scenes of a kingfisher in its natural habitat and footage from Norwich’s autumn flower show is followed by dramatic scenes at sporting events – motor racing at Snetterton and Norwich City's 4-1 defeat by Ipswich Town at Carrow Road. There are further dramatic scenes; legacies of World War II, unexploded mines at Great Yarmouth and bombs at Kings Lynn. Finally, John Bone, a vegetable seller, delivers to local people using a donkey and cart.

Featured Buildings

Anglia House, Agricultural Hall Plain, Norwich; Hodland Hall;

Featured Events

The amalgamation of the Suffolk Regiment with the Royal Norfolk Regiment forming the 1st East Anglia Regiment, held at the barracks of the Royal Norfolks in Iserlohn, Germany on Saturday 19th September 1959; Ipswich Town vs Norwich City football match at Carrow Road, Norwich; Motor Racing at Snetterton; The return of the United States Army Air Force fighter planes, the “Statue of Liberty Wing”, to RAF Lakenheath; Black Arrows aerobatic display at RAF Wattisham.

Keywords

Aeroplanes; British Armed Forces; Broadcasting Standards; Emergencies; Football; Lightships; Motor Racing;

Other Places

The Fens; Iserlohn, Germany; ESSEX: Eastwood. NORFOLK: Cley-on-Sea; Gorleston; Great Yarmouth; Haisbro; Kings Lynn; Norwich; Snetterton; Westacre. SUFFOLK: Ipswich; Lakenheath; Wattisham.

Background Information

The Pilkington Committee. “Set up in 1960, the [Pilkington] Committee under the Chairmanship of Sir Harry Pilkington was appointed to consider the future of broadcasting services in the UK. Around this time there was some disquiet about acquired programming, particularly US crime series and Westerns. The Pilkington Committee, which reported in 1962, felt that ITV was the more blameworthy for this public disquiet…” Cited from Ofcom - the independent regulator for the UK communication industries. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/itc_publications/itc_notes/view_note90.html BBC Report of the Pilkington Committee on Broadcasting:- Appointed: 13th July 1960; Reported: 1st June 1962; Cost: £45,450. Members: Sir Harry Pilkington; H Collison; Elwyn Davies; Joyce Grenfell; Richard Hoggart; EP Hudson; JS Shields; RL Smith-Rose; Elizabeth Whitley; WA Wright; Professor FH Newark (from March 1961); J Megaw (resigned 5th January 1961); Peter Hall (resigned 27th January 1961; Sir Jock Campbell (resigned 2nd February 1961); Discussed: organisation of whole broadcasting industry and programmes. Recommended: • renewal of BBC Charter and Licence Fee funding • extended radio hours • adult education broadcasting • second television channel • colour television on 625 lines • local broadcasting • better commercial television regulation. Outcome included: Open University; BBC local radio; BBC 2; colour television licence. The report criticised commercial television for triviality and endorsed the view “Those who say they give the public what it wants begin by underestimating public taste, and end by debauching it”. Cited from bbc.co.uk. http://www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthebbc/resources/factsheets/committees_of_enquiry.pdf