It was (see first photograph below). The ATV offices were also at 150 Edmund Street (2nd photograph) and potentially where the photograph @ #206 had been taken.
-
Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.
We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team -
HI folks the server that hosts the site completely died including the Hdd's and backups.
Luckily i create an offsite backup once a week! this has now been restored so we have lost a few days posts.
im still fixing things at the moment so bear with me and im still working on all images 90% are fine the others im working on now
we are now using a backup solution
Crossroads programme
- Thread starter nijinski
- Start date
as far as i know eric you are correct.. the first studio was in aston cross but i didnt think it was in the astoria cinema...i thought the ATV studio was in a building which i think is still standing...think i read they then moved to bridge st...all this would need confirming or not as the case maybe...
lyn
mw0njm.
A Brummie Dude
The original series was recorded at ATV's/Central's Broad Street studios in Birmingham, while the revived series was filmed at Carlton Studios in Nottingham.
en.wikipedia.org
Crossroads (British TV series) - Wikipedia
The Phantom Flan Flinger on Tiswas was a Black cab driver for TOA taxis called Benny Mills....Benny is still alive and kicking in Cheswick Green Solihull area....he got all the contract work for taxi filming as he had became best of mates with Chris Tarrant...good nights at ATV social club next to Holiday Inn hotel
Dionysius//88
master brummie
Rosie the Crossroads set was in the all singing all dancing at the time ne ATV studios in Bridge St I was lucky enough to get a guided tour around there, we saw the Crossroads set . Then we went onto the. Golden Shot set , we also met the late Trevor Lucas the announcer, remember the days when we had the announcers in between programmes . Then up to the bar yippee .
I understand The Theatre Royal was converted to The Astoria Cinema in 1927 (1st photo below) and then became Alpha Television Studios in 1956 (2nd photo), prior to being demolished in 1973 to make way for a new building. I think the building @ #211 was a 5-storey office block ATV built, which was taken over by BRMB radio in 1974, after ATV had moved to Broad Street (3rd photo is as it was planned to look, as I can't find one that shows how it actually did look, but from memory that seems close, the 4th shows it's position heading towards the city & the 5th after BRMB had vacated).
Robert Jones 1
New Member
I think you are correct John, I found a short history here. Alpha/ATV/Central and Carlton held onto the designation BAT, which I was told stood for Birmingham Astoria Theatre. The BAT designation is that used by the Post Office/BT for their video/audio circuits.
I see the programme “Nolly” (starring Helena Bonham-Carter as Noelle) is due to be shown in early 2023. It’ll be on ITV.
Viv.
Viv.
Maria Magenta
master brummie
There's a very short clip here
Helena Bonham Carter stars in first-look at Nolly from Russell T Davies
The actress plays Crossroads star Noele Gordon.
www.digitalspy.com
It is on ITVX (which is ITV's new streaming service) early in 2023 and will follow some months later on ITV.
The outside shots were recorded at Walford Hall in Baschurch, Shropshire, for the main motel frontage and house, with chalet shots recorded at the Longshoot Motel in Nuneaton.
Covroad
master brummie
The LongShoot has not changed that much since then!!!!
Maria Magenta
master brummie
I heard a bit of this
Helena Bonham-Carter talking about Nolly.
suemalings
master brummie
I remember Noel Gordon on "Lunch Box", What was the band leaders name? Anyone remember?
Mark Tooze
master brummie
The Jerry Allen Trio I think
Hi Sue. Think it was Jerry Allen and his trio? I have a memory of seeing them at the ATV studios early 60’s
Mark Tooze
master brummie
I believe this is the only full edition (out of over 2000) of Lunchbox that still exists:-
Mark Tooze
master brummie
Here is another clip:-
Mark Tooze
master brummie
And some more:-
www.macearchive.org
www.macearchive.org
www.macearchive.org
www.macearchive.org
www.macearchive.org
www.macearchive.org
www.macearchive.org
www.macearchive.org
www.macearchive.org
www.macearchive.org
And a nice interview from 1956:-
www.macearchive.org
Midlands News: 07.07.1960: Open Day At Alpha Studios
An open day at the Lunch Box studio at Alpha Television at Aston in Birmingham.
Gill: Noele Gordon at Ripley
Home movie shot by Harry Gill showing the Lunchbox television programme being shot on location with presenter Noele Gordon at Ripley railway station.
Midlands News: 20.02.1957: Queues for Lunch Box Outside Alpha Studios
The audience queuing for the Lunch Box television series outside Alpha Studios at Aston in Birmingham.
Midlands News: 20.09.1960: 1,000th Presentation of Lunch Box
The 1,000th presentation of the ATV daytime television programme Lunch Box at the Television Theatre at Aston in Birmingham.
Midlands News: 22.07.1959: Lunch Box outside broadcast
Lunch Box outside broadcast from the Goodyear Tyre Works in Wolverhampton.
Midlands News: 02.05.1961: Noele Gordon arrives at Alpha Studios
Noele Gordon arrives at Alpha Studios at Aston in Birmingham on a camel.
Midlands News: 07.12.1960: Noele Gordon and Auditions for Lunch Box
Noele Gordon at the Aston studios of Associated Television auditioning a group of boys to find one to appear in the Christmas edition of her day time Lunch Box programme.
Midlands News: 11.07.1963: Lunch box meets Pye recording company
Noele Gordon and members of the Lunch box meets the Pye recording company.
Lunch Box: 17.11.1960: Noele Gordon Goes Down a Mine
A film insert for the Lunch Box magazine programme showing presenter Noele Gordon visiting Lea Hall Colliery near Rugeley in Staffordshire.
Midlands News: 06.04.1961: Lunch Box and 'Mum in a Million'
The Lunch Box television programme was broadcast live from the Leofric Hotel in Coventry today in a special to announce the Mum in a Million.
And a nice interview from 1956:-
ATV Midland Tenth Anniversary: 18.02.1966: Interviews (2)
Reg Harcourt interview with guests at an event at Birmingham Council House to mark the tenth anniversary of Associated Television broadcasting in the Midlands.
Last edited:
Youngest Thorne
proper brummie kid
Hello folks, here's one from my memory bank. Many, many years ago I was doing a bit of taxi work. I got a call to pick up a fare from (old) New Street station. Well to my surprise it was Richard Todd. He wanted taking to Noele Gordon's flat. Apparently the pair were really good friends and she was expecting him. On the way we took the opportunity to chat away about the film world. He was really nice. Memories are great aren't they.
Maria Magenta
master brummie
Has anyone seen the series? I've seen the first two episodes, and it's quite fun. Helena B-C seems less posh than I remember Miss Gordon being, but the sets seem very authentic recreations.
Time Traveller 66
master brummie
Watched it growing up. Amy Turtle getting her lines mixed up Benny Miss Diane lots of characters over the years. Victoria Woods Acorn Antiques a comedy tribute at its best. Kings Oak .
I can't get ITVX on my television. Looking back, I did think that Noele Gordon sounded a tad "posh" myself, posher than Benny and Amy Turtle, certainly.
Maria Magenta
master brummie
Definitely posher than they were! I didn't know she was from the East End (or so she says in the 'Nolly' script).I can't get ITVX on my television. Looking back, I did think that Noele Gordon sounded a tad "posh" myself, posher than Benny and Amy Turtle, certainly.
A Sparks
master brummie
I mentioned earlier on the thread that she had a flat round the corner from us on the Handsworth Wood Road - I can confirm she had a posh and very loud voice!I can't get ITVX on my television. Looking back, I did think that Noele Gordon sounded a tad "posh" myself, posher than Benny and Amy Turtle, certainly.
I think she liked to be noticed
Time Traveller 66
master brummie
Spot on well spoken .I can't get ITVX on my television. Looking back, I did think that Noele Gordon sounded a tad "posh" myself, posher than Benny and Amy Turtle, certainly.
Maria Magenta
master brummie
Not quite Celia Johnson, but going in that direction. It was partly the way she pronounced the 'h' in words like 'what.'
I thought I spotted Susan Hansen in the last scene, so checked and she was there, also Tony Adams, who I didn't spot.
Last edited:
