Westward Television

Westward Television was launched on the 29th April, 1961. The chairman of the company was Peter Cadbury who had previously been on the board of Tyne Tees Television. He named the company after a course in Westward Ho! where he played golf.

The station was based at Derry's Cross within purpose-built studios.

Well-known and much loved presenters included Kenneth MacLeod (pictured), Stuart Hutchison, John Doyle, Lawrie Quayle, Roger Shaw, Graham Danton as well as many others.

Westward's flagship programme was Westward Diary which went out at 6pm on Monday to Friday. The three original presenters were Reginald Bosanquet, Barry Westwood and Kenneth MacLeod. Many people may have forgotten that Reginald Bosanquet worked for Westward before becoming an ITN newsreader. Kenneth MacLeod later became the sole anchor man for the show which featured local news in the first half followed by items such as 'Pick of the Post' and 'Picture Puzzle' where people at home had to guess a mystery location to win a prize. In a time when there weren't so many cars, the picture puzzle was harder than it would appear today because many people hadn't been to the places shown. Other popular Westward shows included 'Treasure Hunt' with Keith Fordyce and 'A Date with Danton' with Graham Danton.

Shows, being live, regularly broke down and I can recall one show where nothing would work. Lawrie Quayle had just come back from a holiday in Spain and, as they had no news or anything else to show the public, Kenneth MacLeod chatted to him for half an hour about his holiday!

Another favourite on Westward Television was Gus Honeybun who became a favourite with children.There are still Gus Honeybun trains on Plymouth Hoe though none of today's children will have any knowledge of him!

When Westward was taken over by TSW in 1982, I think the people of the Westcountry expected something better but instead they lost something that had been very special to many people. The channel and its presenters are still fondly remembered.

Unfortunately, many of the presenters including Ken MacLeod, John Doyle and Stuart Hutchinson are no longer around although Gus Honeybun is apparently living happily on Dartmoor somewhere!