5PY was determined to carry on for as long as possible. Finally in January 1934 the local output ceased but the transmitter sites at Plymouth and Bournemouth were kept on air to fill in gaps in  coverage  from the new regional transmitter at Washford Cross in Somerset.  The new BBC West Region had been inaugurated in 1933 but controversy reigned because the region contained Wales and the Welsh language. Wales naturally wanted their own service, and the West of England  had no connection to the culture and language of their neighbour. It wasn't until 1937 that the situation was resolved with separate regions for Wales and the West. 

Plymouth was set to be an outpost for the West region during the next era, providing links to the national and regional services with a base for outside broadcasts. 

To coincide with the closure of the Plymouth studio, a manager was duly sent from Cardiff, the west headquarters to answer concerns and criticisms from local voices and to deflect bad publicity directed to BBC head office. Mr J. Sutthery , programme director west region  toured Devon & Cornwall and attended a public meeting.  The Mayor of Plymouth had previously staged  a vigorous protest against the cutback in local services.  

The region's idea was to continue serving the region by covering ceremonies and events unique to the south west counties. Mr Sutthery stated:

It is our intention to reflect as far as possible the life of the West, in programmes from both the West regional transmitter and the national station

The policy broadly followed existing BBC policy which was to prevent the regions making programmes which 'London could do better'...... say no more!

The Rubinstein Discord

One of the world's top pianists Artur Rubinstein was booked to play at Dartington Hall in South Devon. This was a great opportunity for West Region to organise an outside broadcast to showcase the artistry of a great musician. BBC head office were contacted to approve the transmission - they declined, reasoning that as Mr Rubinstein had not yet featured on the National network it was unacceptable for a region to cover the event.  Meetings were called where Mr Sutthery made the case for his region to cover the event. Eventually BBC head office agreed to approve the broadcast so long as it was transmitted on the National network. A good solution, but West region had to assure London that technically it would be satisfactory. It's unlikely that they would have sought the same assurance from London based engineers - hardly a level playing field.

The Wind From The Tors And The Scent From The Mayfield

Despite the closure of the 5PY station,  Plymouth still had the opportunity to host occasional programmes. In the same week as the Rubinstein concert, a drama was produced in Plymouth 'The Farmers Wife' , written by Eden Phillpotts, some of the actors were familiar names from the 5PY era. Eden was well known for a series of novels set on Dartmoor.  This Plymouth programme even made the front cover of the Radio Times.  

Alumni - introducing Bill Ward

1932 was a significant year when a local 16 yr old boy joined 5PY as an engineering assistant. He was to go on to become one of the original team of Television pioneers at Alexandra Palace. Never losing his local accent he went on to be known as the ‘juggler with the stars’ and became one of the first TV directors at Alexandra Palace progressing through the operational engineering ranks from sound engineer and floor management. A pre-eminent television light entertainment producer he worked with the top stars of the day and was the first British director to work with Bob Hope and a whole raft of British actors and comedians. With the start of commercial tv in Britain he was ‘head hunted’ by Lew Grade to take a leading role in ATV.  

The West region takes shape

As the focus of the BBC shifted from the local stations to a new regional structure, BBC West began its evolution. Watch a video story of those early times below. 

Introducing Frank 

We have just seen Frank Gillard in the featured video, and at this juncture it is worth remembering the huge contribution this Devonian made. 
His broadcasting career had achieved distinction in four different fields: at the microphone, in the BBC corridors of power, as a consultant to broadcasting organisations world-wide and in the creation of a unique archive.
 Find out more HERE