ATV decided at the start that the link between studio and home would best be sustained by having station announcers “in vision” — seen on the screen. It has been amply justified.

It is not merely that Jean Morton, Pat Astley and Caroline Lloyd are so professionally competent.

That is a pre-requisite in a service in which the screen is never blank and in which split-second timing is a reality.

They are people, friendly, knowledgeable, accomplished — not disembodied voices. “Announcer” is a modest assessment of their duties.

They introduce programmes and they talk about people and programmes. Even weather forecasts are made human.

• Noele Gordon
• Patricia Cox
• Jean Morton
• Pat Astley
• Caroline Lloyd

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Among other successes she played more than 1,000 performances as Meg Brockie in “Brigadoon”, and thrived on the long-running “Let’s Face It”, “The Lisbon Story” and the late C. B. Cochrane’s “Big Ben”. She was honoured by selection to appear in the Royal Command Performance in 1949.

From the stage she went to America to study television techniques and joined ATV on her return as adviser on women’s programmes.

“Though I knew the Midlands well before I.T.V. programmes began here, I have been astonished by the immediate and tremendous impact ATV programmes made”, she says.

“I soon became convinced of television’s power to transform social life. Midlanders are very friendly people … I know that from the letters they write, from their calls and their greetings.

“Their response is whole-hearted and sincere. Through the screen, I feel I am welcomed into their homes as a friend. No-one who has shared an outside broadcast—such as when we tour “Lunch Box” — can have any doubt about that welcome.

“It’s equally spontaneous when audiences come to Aston to see shows produced. Requests for personal appearances pour in, and I would accept more if there were more than seven days in a week or 24 hours in a day.

“The splendid support we get from the studio back room boys and girls helps to strengthen this contact between performers and the audience at home. It’s delightful to share such experiences”.

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For over five years Birmingham-born Pat has brought information about wide-ranging life and interests of the Midlands and of events grave and gay. She has a flair for news and a remarkable sense of timing in its presentation and emphasis.

Her composure and smiling greeting each evening immediately after the first national news bulletin show nothing of the excitement and streamlined organisation that lie behind the preparation of a newscast as it is brought up-to-the-second with news contributed by staff reporters, interviewers and correspondents in all parts of the Midland counties.

Pat has logged nearly 1,500 news bulletins and her enthusiasm is undiminished. Her zest for news is shown when she goes on interviewing assignments for Midland Montage.

“When I am away from the studio the pleasantest part of my job is interviewing people”, she says. “I’m lucky, for people know me from ‘Midlands News’ and there’s always a welcome. I go to social events of all kinds, yet, as time goes on, I’m still astonished that so many should greet me as a friend. It’s very pleasant, and such convincing proof of the impact of television on the lives of us all”.

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Viewers know her as the friendly hostess whose natural style is an invaluable asset in linking programmes. She is cheerful, charming and spontaneous. They know her, too, as a versatile personality, confident and talented as she achieves the smooth running of such programmes as “Rainbow Room” and “Cover Girl”.

Jean herself has become a Midland celebrity through her ATV appearances. She is accustomed to welcoming and interviewing the many celebrities who appear in programmes produced at Aston.

When readers of a Sunday newspaper were asked to vote for their favourite announcer Jean topped the poll.

It is not surprising, therefore, that her services are in constant demand at functions of all sorts in the Midlands. She is a skilled puppeteer and a great show business personality—versatile, poised and knowledgeable.

Housewife, mother and TV hostess: life is busy for Jean. She has a flair for doing well everything that comes her way.

“I came to television from the stage,” she says, “and soon became aware of the immense power of television. People soon came to greet me as a friend when they saw me in the street. This feeling of being a welcome guest with so many people is flattering in its way and an incentive to keep on top form. Midlanders are kindly folk—and they are quick to note such things as changes in hairstyles, jewellery and dress fashions. They can be critical, but their comments are always good-natured.”

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He is a vigorous, exhilarating character whose bubbling enthusiasm registers immediately on the screen. And — typical of a war-time Commando — he will tackle any job, anywhere and at any time

He is a true enthusiast. He adds to his announcing duties reports and commentaries for news and magazine programmes. One of his hobbies is skin-diving, a pastime to which he has converted Noele Gordon. He has coached Noele in the instructional course she has undergone for the screen.

Pat came to ATV from the motor industry. He made an immediate hit, and remains a top favourite.

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Before entering Television, Caroline studied for three years at the Rose Bruford Training College of Speech and Drama, near her home in Kent, and obtained a teaching diploma.

She also has theatrical experience and has worked for various repertory companies.

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