Charting the history of television in the North, from first broadcasts to award-winning documentaries and regional news output, the North East Film Archive are delighted to be back on the film show trail with a specially curated ‘television’ screening at the Forum Cinema, Hexham on Saturday 18th March, as part of the 2023 Tyne Valley Film Festival. 

From the small screen to the big screen, the Archive have delved into their vaults, with a little bit of help from friends at the BBC and ITV Archives, to take a look back at television programming in the North of England. 

The film show is part of a new project: ‘TV Time Machine’, a collaboration between three Northern archives: the Yorkshire and North East Film Archives and the North West Film Archive, supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network.

Yorkshire and North East Film Archives Manager, Graham Relton said: 

“I’m delighted to be heading back to Hexham with a great new screening that will take audiences on a journey through television in the North.  From quirky North East news features and famous faces from the days of Tyne Tees TV, to regional documentaries covering everything from clothing design (and fashion faux pas!) to competitive leek growing – there really is something for everyone!”

The event reflects on a huge time of change in terms of the development of television, but also explores how the TV cameras have documented and recorded events, social, cultural and political changes, and the landscapes and communities in the North of England over the decades.

Included in the screening is content relating to the town itself, such as footage from ‘About Britain: A Country Editor’, a 1976 programme about the Hexham Courant, and ‘Your Heritage: The River Tyne’ made in 1962 and featuring much-loved presenter Mike Neville.  VIP visits, local industries, country shows and carnivals also feature. 

There’s a wealth of other North East content to enjoy: the launch of Tyne Tees TV, life during the Swinging Sixties, local reactions to the moon landings, to name but a few.  Audiences can also look forward to reacquainting themselves with iconic footage such as the BBC’s ‘Interludes’ – remember the Potter’s Wheel?

‘TV Comes North to Hexham’ takes place on Saturday 18th March 2023, 4:00pm, at the Forum Cinema, Market Place, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 1XF.

Tickets are available via https://forumhexham.com/ForumHexham.dll/WhatsOn?Film=17962088