On this Day 1958: Noele Gordon goes up a television transmitter

OTD, February 6th 1958…

ATV Midland News showed ITV celebrity Noele Gordon visiting the latest in broadcasting technology in the Midlands.

The presenter and producer popped to the ITA television transmitter at Hints village near Lichfield. The site of the mast was operated by the Independent Television Authority – who oversaw ITV regional and network output from the 1950s to the early 70s, it later became the Independent Broadcasting Authority taking in local commercial radio. Today it’s nearest comparable public body is Ofcom.

In this footage from 1958, with the ITA showing off their latest broadcasting facilities Noele Gordon is seen arriving at the transmitter, touring the control room, climbing the aerial mast  – despite the warning signs – and eating in the canteen.

This footage has featured in The Unforgettable Noele Gordon (ITV) in 2012 and The Real Nolly (ITV) in 2023. Noele was the first female executive hired by ITV in 1954 and she spent a year studying television production in New York. On her return, as head of lifestyle and a producer, she created formats such as daytime magazine shows Lunch Box (ATV Midlands) and The Weekend Show (ATV London).