BBC iPlayer has a wonderful programme in the archive from the 1960s. Beside the Seaside was first screened in 1969, and gives a bird’s eye view tracing the origins of the British seaside holiday.
The 50 minute programme focuses mostly on the south west of England, but includes footage of the Isle of Wight (starting at 8.34).
Starting at Osborne
Set against the wonderful narration by poet, John Betjeman (who also wrote the programme), the aerial footage shows Queen Victoria’s ‘Italian Palace, Osborne’ of which the monarch said, “It’s impossible to imagine a prettier spot”.
It’ll be interesting to compare the aerial footage of Osborne with more recent footage by Seb Godsmark.
Down to Ventnor
The chopper shooting the footage then heads to The Needles, where you can just see the rocket testing station in the distance, and then along the coast to Ventnor, passing by the seafront and then back inland slightly to the National Hospital for Diseases of the Chest.
Seeing the hospital by film gives a brilliant insight into the size of the buildings that once cared for those with TB and other chest diseases.
Thanks for sharing
OnTheWight came across the archive after Cllr Wayne Whittle, a keen Tweeter of historic photos and footage of the Isle of Wight, shared a link sent to him by The Pier Society.
Watch the video
Watch the programme on iPlayer HERE. Details say it’s going to be available for over a year.
Image: © BBC
