1957
BBC West began as a dual service with BBC Wales in 1957. Since there was only one transmitter, Wenvoe, serving both Wales and the West of England, both services were broadcast in both areas, sharing the time slots available The first edition of Points West was just two and a half minutes long.
All this came to an end in 1964 when the two services went their separate ways, forming the BBC West we know and love Today! Presenters have included, John Craven (Country File), Andrew Harvey (ITN), Vivien Creegor (SKY News) and of course, Chris Vacher (who joined in 1983).
Points West1957
Points West - with Armine Sandford.
Points West in 1957. The bulletin was broadcast to Wales and the West via the Wenvoe Transmitter.
1970s
Points West (Nationwide)1970s Points West - All roads lead to Points West!
The BBC West motorway sequence featuring views from around the west.
Points West (Nationwide)1970s Points West - Using the Nationwide music, these title seemed lack something, ah that's it, what's the name of the programme again?
Points West (Nationwide)1970s Points West - A classic title sequence from BBC West highlighting life in the west country. From concorde (made in the west) to the Somerset Carnivals.
1980s
Various stills dating before 1983..
c1984 - c1985
c1985 - 1987
Points West1986 Points West - with Chris Vacher and Graham Purches. The Welsh Hills are alive with the sound of Points West! Yes, I was one of those Welsh Boys who tracked down Points West in 1986. Don't you just love that red sofa.
Right clip - Points West (Trail) - with Vivien Creegor. A sound only file, trailing Points West on Thursday 15th May 1986.
Points West1987
One of the last programmes in 1987 before the new look is introduced later in the same year...1987 - 1988
BBC Points West Trail1988
Left clip - Points West programme trail with Annie McKie. Sadly this look was replaced towards the latter part of 1988.1988 - 1991
Points West1990 Points West - with Chris Vacher and Beverley Thompson.
BBC Points West, the last look for the long running news programme for the Westcountry, or was it?
1991 - 1993
BBC News West1991 A bold new look from BBC West in June 1991. This was introduced to all of BBC West's programmes of the time, including an on screen ident throughout the programmes.
Points West was no more! In came BBC News West.
1993 - 2000
News West1995 The longest running of the BBC West title sequences, apart from minor variations, this look ran from 1993 until the introduction of the Corporate look in May 2000.
2000 - 2002
Points West2000
The first programme of the new look Points West from 2000. It's back, bigger and better than ever. Monday 22nd May 2000 saw the rebirth of BBC Points West. Back by public demand!
right clip - programme close which shows how the set was built over the weekend.
2002 - 2004
Points West2002 A new variation of the familiar corporate look was introduced across the BBC English Regions on Monday 16th September 2002. This is how it looked in the West.
With a new look comes a nice new red carpet, well someone has to clean it. Could it be Susan? Who says humour is dead in the BBC Regions?!?
Points West - Late Bulletin2003
Points West - with Sally Challoner.
A slight variation to the BBC Points West titles in 2003 with the addition of a large BBC above the programme name. Subtle!
Points West - Special2003
Points West - with Chris Vacher and Sally Challoner.
A special hour long Points West to commemorate the retirement of Concorde, built of course in Filton, Bristol.
Points West - Concorde Special2003 Left clip - Points West with Sally Challoner and Chris Vacher. Wednesday 26th November saw Concorde's very last flight, back home to Filton in Bristol. To commemorate the occasion Points West produced a special set of titles.
Right clip - The main evening edition of the programme with Chris and Susan at Filton. Note the BBC Points West "DOG" for the special event.
Points West2004
Points West - with Susan Osman Monday 7th June. In readiness for the new look, Points West had decanted to the newsroom the previous week.
Here we have the last sight of the old tiles, as shown on the afternoon news at 3.20pm.
2004 - 2008
Monday 7th June 2004 A brand new look. Quite radical for a BBC Regional News magazine, although I can't help but feel that video wall looks just a little familiar! Nice to see the sofa back on Points West, sorely missed since 1987. Nice use of mirrors to make the studio look much larger than it is!
Some interesting camera angles it should be said, if it gets any closer to Susan we'd be able to se up her nose! Nice music though, a break from the BBC London music adopted by most of the other English regions.
Points West - Late2004
Points West - with Chris Vacher. The late news from BBC West. Shame the backdrop image has no relevance to the first story though, I guess you have to expect some gremlins on the first day!
I think the end titles should have been played out a little sooner as the come to an abrupt end!
Points West - Lunch2004
Points West - with Susan Osman. By lunchtime the following day the multiple images in the backdrop screens have evolved into the shop of the Bristol harbour side, as seen in the larger "window".
Points West - Afternoon2004
Points West - with Susan Osman.
Nice touch for the afternoon bulletin, note how the image changes with the story, nice!
Points West - Late2004
Points West - with David Garmston. A few more gremlins here (obviously still not quite used to the new set), not only is the backdrop image late in arriving, I think we should have opted out a little sooner too!
Points West2005 So how has the Points West studio evolved in the six months since the look was introduced? The backdrop images have changed from white writing on red to white on well, nearly white! Plus no images of Bristol. Also the little desk has been replaced by a glass top table. Points West is making the headlines itself today, Susan Osman is to leave tomorrow (Thursday 10th February), Chris appears to be visibly moved during his announcement. What will he be like on Susan's last programme?
Points West - Lunch2005
Points West - with Susan Osman.
Thursday 10th February 2005 saw Susan Osman's last ever lunchtime bulletin for BBC Points West.
Points West - Afternoon2005
Points West - with Susan Osman.
So that was Susan's last afternoon bulletin, at least Richard Angwin will be back from his training for Susan's last ever programme.
Points West2005
Points West - with Chris Vacher and Susan Osman. Susan's final programme arrived with the announcement of the marriage of the Prince of Wales. The main question was of course what would be Susan's final insult to Richard Angwin?
Points West - Susan Osman leaves2005 Points West - with Chris Vacher and Susan Osman. A touching report by Chris and a final farewell from Susan's boys!
Susan Osman - Points West 1991 - 2005.
2008 - Present
Points West2008 Points West probably has the one of best looks out of all the regions. The set still looks clean, bright and very white... perfect for the new corporate look based on white.
