Washford transmitting station

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Washford
Washford Cross - geograph.org.uk - 687209.jpg
Washford transmitting station masts
Somerset UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Washford
Green pog.svg
Mendip
Location Washford, Somerset
Mast height152 metres (499 ft) (MW)
45.7 metres (150 ft) (UHF)
Coordinates 51°09′38″N3°20′55″W / 51.1606°N 3.3486°W / 51.1606; -3.3486
Grid reference ST058410
Built1933
Relay of Mendip
BBC region BBC West
ITV region ITV West Country
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameWashford Transmitting Station
Designated25 January 1984
Reference no. 1057461

Washford transmitting station is a medium wave broadcasting station and low-power digital terrestrial television relay near Washford, Somerset.

Contents

A smaller 45.7 metres (150 ft) mast is used to relay digital terrestrial television services from the Mendip transmitting station. This mast carries the three public service multiplexes at an E.R.P. of 12.4 W.

The front portions of the old transmitter building are now part of the Tropiquaria wildlife park and house their tropical hall, aquarium, and nocturnal house. [1] The majority of the old building became surplus to the BBC's requirements in 1981 when new, smaller equipment was installed in a separate building to the rear. Two schemes subsequently failed to materialise for the old building: one to transform it into a public swimming pool and another to replace it with a Little Chef restaurant. In 1987, a £100,000 scheme to transform the site into an aquarium and reptile house was proposed by the consortium Ark Enterprises Ltd, headed by Stephen Smith. Both a 21-year lease on the building and planning permission were acquired in 1987, [2] and Tropiquaria opened in 1989. [3]

The transmitter building is a Grade II listed building. [4]

History

It was built in 1933 [5] and uses as antenna a T-antenna between two 152 metres (499 ft) tall guyed masts separated by a distance of 159 metres (174 yards). Originally the station used cage antennas around each mast. The station uses the frequencies 882 kHz with 100 kW, and 1089 kHz with 50 kW

It was also known as Watchet. [6] It would be near Washford Cross. The BBC West region was in Cardiff. [7]

It cost £150,000. [8]

Construction

On Friday 10 June 1932 a 50 ft girder collapsed and three men were crushed, Joe Willie Rowbottom, a rigger, died in hospital at 7pm on Saturday 11 June 1932. The other injured men were Leonard Bruce and Benjamin Bryne. [9]

Transmission

Transmission tests would begin on Monday 24 April 1933. [10] The West Regional transmitter opened on 9 May 1933. [11] [12] Transmission tests on the national programme started on Monday 17 July 1933.

Services available

Analogue radio (AM medium wave)

FrequencykWService
882 kHz100 BBC Radio Wales
1089 kHz50 Talksport

Digital television

Digital television began transmitting from Washford during the digital switchover in 2010. As a low-power relay, it only carries the three public service multiplexes.

FrequencyUHFkWOperatorSystem
546.000  MHz 300.0124 BBC A DVB-T
554.000  MHz 310.0124 Digital 3&4 DVB-T
602.000  MHz 370.0124BBC B DVB-T2

Analogue television

Analogue television was transmitted from Washford until the digital switchover of the Mendip transmitter group between 24 March - 7 April 2010.

FrequencyUHFkWService
615.25  MHz 390.062 HTV West
695.25  MHz 490.062 BBC1 West
831.25  MHz 660.062 BBC2 West
847.25  MHz 680.062 Channel 4

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References

  1. ↑ "1930s BBC radio station, Washford Cross, Williton". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  2. ↑ Stokes, Ray (30 May 1987). "Ex-BBC station set to go wild" . Western Daily Press . p. 5. Retrieved 28 May 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ↑ Collins, Dick (4 May 1989). "Council power – a new energy source" . Central Somerset Gazette . p. 32. Retrieved 28 May 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ↑ Historic England. "Washford Transmitting Station (1057461)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  5. ↑ "Washford". Radio Rewind. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  6. ↑ Somerset Guardian Friday 27 March 1931, page 1
  7. ↑ Cornish Guardian Thursday 2 April 1931, page 11
  8. ↑ Gloucester Citizen Wednesday 10 May 1933, page 8
  9. ↑ Central Somerset Gazette Friday 17 June 1932, page 2
  10. ↑ Western Daily Press Saturday 22 April 1933, page 7
  11. ↑ Lincolnshire Echo Tuesday 9 May 1933, page 6
  12. ↑ Western Daily Press Wednesday 10 May 1933, page 7
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