As Seen On TV: Part I

A fun way to research Scarborough’s attraction history is to explore old UK TV shows. Thanks to suggestions from readers, and in particular from Neil, it’s been possible to start putting together a list for Stories From Scarborough

1. Last of the Summer Wine

Last of the Summer Wine, for those who are unfamiliar with it, was a long running BBC sitcom, first broadcast in 1973. The final episodes were broadcast in 2010. Mainly set in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, it featured a group of old friends and their various misadventures, which occasionally took them further afield, including to Scarborough.

In two episodes from the third series (which ran between October and December, 1976) , the main characters take a trip to Scarborough, and the programmes feature some lovely shots of Scarborough, including some of the historic attractions featured on this site. The first, ‘The Great Boarding House Bathroom Caper’ was aired on November 10, 1976, followed by ‘Cheering Up Gordon’ on November 17. Both episodes were directed by Ray Butt, better known for his work directing another famous UK sitcom – Only Fools and Horses, and the storyline featured Bill Owen as Compo, Peter Sallis as Clegg, and Brian Wilde as Foggy.

The attractions featured include Scalby Mills Amusements, The Futurist, Cliff Lifts, Scarborough Zoo, North Bay Pool and the Miniature Railway.

Scalby Mills Amusements, screenshot from a postcard featured in BBC Last of the Summer Wine, Series 3, Episode 3, first aired 1976

Foreshore and Futurist, screenshot from BBC Last of the Summer Wine, Series 3, Episode 3, first aired 1976

South Bay Cliff Lifts – screenshot from BBC Last of the Summer Wine, Season 3, Episode 4, 1976

Dolphin at Scarborough Zoo, BBC Last of the Summer Wine, Series 3, Episode 4, 1976

Dolphin display at Scarborough Zoo, BBC Last of the Summer Wine, Series 3, Episode 4, 1976

North Bay Bathing Pool, screenshot from BBC Last of the Summer Wine, Season 3, Episode 4, 1976

2. A Touch of Frost

Another long running television show to feature Scarborough, was A Touch of Frost. It starred David Jason as detective Jack Frost, produced first by Yorkshire Television (then later by ITV) and based on novels by R.D. Wingfield. It ran from 1992 until 2010. ‘Deep Waters’, the fifth and final episode in Series 4, was first aired February 4, 1996 and featured a visit to the fictional town of Boxborough, aka Scarborough. A highlight of this episode were the shots of the then derelict South Bay Pool.

South Bay Pool, screenshot from Yorkshire Television/ITV A Touch of Frost, Series 4, Episode 5, 1996

South Bay Pool, screenshot from Yorkshire Television/ITV A Touch of Frost, Series 4, Episode 5, 1996

South Bay Pool, screenshot from Yorkshire Television/ITV A Touch of Frost, Series 4, Episode 5, 1996

I would like to compile a list of TV features for the new website, so if anyone knows of any other examples, please post them in the comments below – it’d be great to have some more suggestions!

Please check back soon for As Seen on TV Part II, when I’ll be sharing another TV feature.