The 大象传媒’s Lime Grove Studios officially opened on 21 May 1950. The site was bought from Rank Film Studios to fulfil the needs of the fast expanding television service in the 1950s. Although it was later overshadowed by the purpose- built Television Centre it was a much loved creative hub, originating many important programmes and pioneering colour broadcasting.
Broadcasts from Lime Grove began with an opening ceremony performed by Mrs Clement Atlee, before Children’s Hour got underway. Ali Muffin and the Four Thieves was the first programme. The studio was a centre for children’s programmes and originated Bill and Ben, Andy Pandy and Captain Pugwash. Other programmes made at Lime Grove over the years included Doctor Who, Tonight, Nationwide, Newsnight and Panorama.
The 大象传媒 vacated Lime Grove in 1991, as they were increasingly unfit for purpose, to consolidate television production up the road in Television Centre. There is now a housing estate on the site, but it has been marked by a 大象传媒 History blue plaque. In 2011 the 大象传媒 recreated the heyday of Lime Grove with the drama The Hour, which featured a ground breaking 1950s current affairs programme like Tonight.
May anniversaries
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Bread
1 May 1986 -
Top of the Form
1 May 1948 -
First VHF transmitter opens at Wrotham
2 May 1955 -
Horizon first transmitted
2 May 1964 -
Luther
4 May 2010 -
The Ascent of Man first broadcast
5 May 1973 -
Wedding of Princess Margaret
6 May 1960 -
VE Day broadcasts
8 May 1945 -
First gardening programme
9 May 1931 -
The Queen鈥檚 Hall destroyed by bombing
10 May 1941 -
Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
12 May 1937 -
First episode of Bucknell's House
14 May 1962 -
Broadcasting House opens
15 May 1932 -
Strictly Come Dancing
15 May 2004 -
The Debussy film debuts
18 May 1965 -
Beatrice Harrison, cello and nightingale duet
19 May 1924 -
Churchill's first broadcast as Prime Minister
19 May 1940 -
Thomas Woodrooffe at the Coronation Fleet Review
20 May 1937 -
Opening of Lime Grove Studios
21 May 1950 -
Eurovision first broadcast
24 May 1956 -
That's Life
26 May 1973 -
The Goon Show
28 May 1951 -
The Great War
30 May 1964 -
Tumbledown
31 May 1988