´óÏó´«Ã½

A well-timed window of calm weather arrived yesterday as the got underway.

And here across the West Country,Ìýthings were decidedly hectic for all my ´óÏó´«Ã½ colleaguesÌýduring the evening - as is always the case on this annual event!

In Bridgwater, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Somerset hosted a well-attendedÌýoutside broadcast - as well as procuring a special bow tie for me to don on TV weather through the evening. Generous staff (led by charming )Ìýand listeners agreed to double their donations to Children in Need if I'd wear the garment on-air. And indeed I did....

Meanwhile, here at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Bristol, we opened our doors to hundreds ofÌýpublic visitors, providing guided tours around theÌýhistoric baseÌýon Whiteladies Road - home to the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s ; factual programme strands including Antiques Roadshow and DIY-SOS; and our newsroom and studios for regional television (Points West)Ìýand ´óÏó´«Ã½ .

We were fortunate to secure the services of popular local actor , who presented (with typical dashing aplomb)Ìýour regional Children in Need coverage with Alex Lovell. Anthony has provided willing support and patronage to many charities over the years - including for animal welfare - and his help for Children in Need this year was a major boost in our region.

Once I'd finished fronting our weather on Points WestÌýyesterday evening, I spent the next 3 hours showing visitors of all ages the workings of our TV news studio and the weather sets.

It's always interesting to see how willing volunteers (and believe me, there are many)Ìýcope when standing in front of the camera, the countdown clock ticking, presenting to the very same weather graphics I'd used a shortÌýtime earlier on ´óÏó´«Ã½ ONE.

The most common surprises expressed to meÌýare how we never use any autocue to present TV weather and just how tricky it is pointing purposefully at maps, without having to second-guess where an area of low pressure is; or a specific town or other point of interest.

Well, huge thanks to all of you who contributed this year to Children in Need. And thanks also to the weather... forÌýa temporary interlude of calm, dry conditions last night, before the return of often wet, windy but mild conditions through this weekend and indeed through the working week ahead.

I'm returning to presenting our ´óÏó´«Ã½ Breakfast TV and local radioÌýweather output on Monday, so will familiarise myself again with the 0300hrs setting on the alarm clock. It's been three weeks since I last awoke at that time, so a shock to the system awaits!