Griff on the East Coast - BBC1

[AMCD300]

Somewhere at Sea

I did like 'Somewhere at Sea' with Timothy Spall.

We need more decent sailing-related programmes on TV. The last thing I saw (excluding the America's Cup) of any interest was 'Boatyard' with Tom Cunliffe. All we have now is an almost sailing programme featuring Two Hungry Blokes, and a load of old tosh called 'Boating TV', 'Narrowboat Felchers' and 'Right up my Canal' (or whatever) on Caravan TV......

 

[penfold]

I did like 'Somewhere at Sea' with Timothy Spall.

We need more decent sailing-related programmes on TV. The last thing I saw (excluding the America's Cup) of any interest was 'Boatyard' with Tom Cunliffe. All we have now is an almost sailing programme featuring Two Hungry Blokes, and a load of old tosh called 'Boating TV', 'Narrowboat Felchers' and 'Right up my Canal' (or whatever) on Caravan TV......

Oooh Matron! They sound like they belong on the same channel as Lakesailor's itchy bums!

 

[Seajet]

I did like 'Somewhere at Sea' with Timothy Spall.

We need more decent sailing-related programmes on TV. The last thing I saw (excluding the America's Cup) of any interest was 'Boatyard' with Tom Cunliffe. All we have now is an almost sailing programme featuring Two Hungry Blokes, and a load of old tosh called 'Boating TV', 'Narrowboat Felchers' and 'Right up my Canal' (or whatever) on Caravan TV......

Timoty Spall has slightly less relevance to sailing than crochet has to contraception.

Apologies to crochet.

 

[sailorman]

Timoty Spall has slightly less relevance to sailing than crochet has to contraception.

Apologies to crochet.

TSwas in control via his media Co who marketed the series + wifies book

 

[mcframe]

I think there's a slight excess of griping here

While I've never sailed on the SE coast, and never a barge, I found the whole exercise fairly well done. Not in the usual patronising giggly BBC presenter (aged 13 1/2) style , but a mixture of informative and light hearted presentation.
It's pretty obvious GRJ likes sailing. That's fine , so do I

I thought it was rather good.

I've followed the various Paxman Empire, Ackroyd Thames, Snow (F&S) progs, and live within a stone's throw of some piers where Essex sand is still unloaded - (for German-owned cement works..) - and a couple where barley & Kentish Hops† used to be unloaded, but I didn't know about spritsail barges laden with hay.

Kids liked it, and #1 shouted "Look Mummy! No boom! - you wouldn't bang your head if we had one of those boats" ;-)

† Or do I mean "Hops of Kent"?

 

[Penton Hooker]

Essex has its charms but in the most part, it is bloody flat!

Mountainous county, a trip to the Fens will show real flat!

 

[AMCD300]

Give Crochet a Chance...

Timoty Spall has slightly less relevance to sailing than crochet has to contraception.

Apologies to crochet.

While I agree, in part, with your crochet analogy, it would be fantastic to see a programme made by a likeable yottie (Griff, or whoever takes your fancy) undertaking a similar circumnavigation of the UK (or anywhere else for that matter) by sailing boat/yacht...all we have on TV currently are programmes about bl**dy narrowboats and barges. With around 155,000 people undertaking RYA training every year alone* (and not including everyone else who sails in UK waters) I would have thought that there would have been enough interest to do something sailing-oriented. I don't believe that there are more people who use narrowboats that sail???

Anyway, I had better get back to crocheting some more condoms before SWMBO and my 18 kids get home...

* according to the RYA website

 

[dylanwinter]

that would be a great idea

While I agree, in part, with your crochet analogy, it would be fantastic to see a programme made by a likeable yottie (Griff, or whoever takes your fancy) undertaking a similar circumnavigation of the UK (or anywhere else for that matter) by sailing boat/yacht...all we have on TV currently are programmes about bl**dy narrowboats and barges. With around 155,000 people undertaking RYA training every year alone* (and not including everyone else who sails in UK waters) I would have thought that there would have been enough interest to do something sailing-oriented. I don't believe that there are more people who use narrowboats that sail???

Anyway, I had better get back to crocheting some more condoms before SWMBO and my 18 kids get home...

* according to the RYA website

I think you have the germ of an idea here

Dylan

 

[AMCD300]

I think you have the germ of an idea here

Dylan

I hope that was just a typo...

 

[DogWatch]

I think you have the germ of an idea here

Dylan

It should be upbeat though, not a misery guts sails around norfolk throwing stuff at anyone who dares to use an engine...

 

[sailorman]

It should be upbeat though, not a misery guts sails around norfolk throwing stuff at anyone who dares to use an engine...

its now on again as a repeat

 

[mobeydick]

I think you have the germ of an idea here

Dylan

Perhaps they could call it 'Keep Turning Right', or something....

Actually the Distant Shores program has been up the west coast + Scottish Isles recently

MD

 

[GrumpyOldGit]

Yes i would !!

You wouldn't really want to have had a Thames barge skipper presenting that programme would you?

Jimmy Lawrence, a Thames Barge skipper from the 'Good Old Days' would have made an excellent presenter.
Anyone who has been priveleged to hear him speak at great length about his years under tanned canvas will agree.

Ask Tom Cunliffe !!!

 

[dylanwinter]

me

It should be upbeat though, not a misery guts sails around norfolk throwing stuff at anyone who dares to use an engine...

surely not me as a misery guts

always thought I was an upbeat sort of bloke who owns several engines and uses them on a regular basis

D

 

[sailorman]

surely not me as a misery guts

always thought I was an upbeat sort of bloke who owns several engines and uses them on a regular basis

D

I have seen some of your "engineering"

 

[Fire99]

It's worth considering that any show that is on at 8pm on BBC1 is going to need tailoring for 'mainstream' viewers, rather than sailors.

That doesn't mean they always get it right (River Pageant anyone?) but sadly the show will be targeted to the most common denominator. It doesn't help that, as mentioned on TV a few times recently, when aiming for the common denominator, the TV show producers seem to think that means treating viewers like they're not very bright.

 

[sailorman]

It's worth considering that any show that is on at 8pm on BBC1 is going to need tailoring for 'mainstream' viewers, rather than sailors.

That doesn't mean they always get it right (River Pageant anyone?) but sadly the show will be targeted to the most common denominator. It doesn't help that, as mentioned on TV a few times recently, when aiming for the common denominator, the TV show producers seem to think that means treating viewers like they're not very bright.

The BBC is a public service provider & should not pander to the masses

 

[Fire99]

The BBC is a public service provider & should not pander to the masses

One had best have a chat to the BBC then. The BBC want high viewing figures, like the next channel.

 

[dylanwinter]

here he is

You wouldn't really want to have had a Thames barge skipper presenting that programme would you?

Jimmy Lawrence, a Thames Barge skipper from the 'Good Old Days' would have made an excellent presenter.
Anyone who has been priveleged to hear him speak at great length about his years under tanned canvas will agree.

Ask Tom Cunliffe !!!

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/boat-archive/dinghies-and-dayboats/ktl-077-film-winkle-brig/

 

[Corribee Boy]

My brother knew James Lawrence when he didn't have an Essex accent!

By the way, for those who say that Essex is flat, you should know that the cliffs at Wrabness are in excess of sixty feet high! (if the recent rain hasn't caused any more the clay to slump)