Over the summer months Made in Bristol TV has been broadcasting a weekly show about Knowle West TV, a series of programmes that were first shown on Bristol Channel, a community cable TV initiative that operated from 1973-75.
Bristol Channel was set up by Rediffusion, at the time the UK’s largest cable company, and it reached 23,000 homes in Bristol via Rediffusion’s cable network in 1973. Knowle West TV was one of the programmes: local residents were trained to record footage and just over 21 hours of local material was produced. From discussions about the women’s liberation movement and the 1974 General Election to music from local bands and street interviews, the films provide a fascinating and witty insight into life in Bristol and Knowle West in the 1970s.
The half-hour ‘highlights’ programmes on Made in Bristol TV are broadcast every Friday on Freeview channel 8, Sky 117 or Virgin 159, and are presented by Josh Ellis. As a result of seeing the programmes, over 30 people have been in touch with us to share their stories and memories.
The final episodes of the Made in Bristol TV series will focus on four Knowle West residents – some of whom still live in the area today. Bryan, Steve, Lorraine and Robin all saw things they recognised in the 1970s footage – and one of them remembered Bristol Channel first time round!
Our collaboration with Made in Bristol TV is part of the wider Knowle West TV project, where we’ve been working with the Know Your Bristol project at University of Bristol and Bristol Record Office to bring the 1970s footage back to our screens.
Tune in to Made in Bristol TV on Friday 18th and Friday 25th September to hear their stories.
