Washford transmitting station is a medium wave broadcasting station and low-power digital terrestrial television relay near Washford, Somerset.
A smaller mast is used to relay digital terrestrial television services from the Mendip transmitting station. This mast carries the three public service multiplexes at an E.R.P. of 12.4 W.
The front portions of the old transmitter building are now part of the Tropiquaria wildlife park and house their tropical hall, aquarium, and nocturnal house. The majority of the old building became surplus to the BBC's requirements in 1981 when new, smaller equipment was installed in a separate building to the rear. Two schemes subsequently failed to materialise for the old building: one to transform it into a public swimming pool and another to replace it with a Little Chef restaurant. In 1987, a £100,000 scheme to transform the site into an aquarium and reptile house was proposed by the consortium Ark Enterprises Ltd, headed by Stephen Smith. Both a 21-year lease on the building and planning permission were acquired in 1987, and Tropiquaria opened in 1989.
The transmitter building is a Grade II listed building.
History It was built in 1933 and uses a T-antenna between two tall guyed masts separated by a distance of 159 metres (174 yards). Originally the station used cage antennas around each mast. The station uses the frequencies 882 kHz with 10 kW, and 1089 kHz with 80 kW
It was also known as Watchet.Somerset Guardian Friday 27 March 1931, page 1 It would be near Washford Cross. The BBC West region was in Cardiff.Cornish Guardian Thursday 2 April 1931, page 11
It cost £150,000.Gloucester Citizen Wednesday 10 May 1933, page 8
Construction On Friday 10 June 1932 a 50 ft girder collapsed and three men were crushed, Joe Willie Rowbottom, a rigger, died in hospital at 7pm on Saturday 11 June 1932. The other injured men were Leonard Bruce and Benjamin Bryne.Central Somerset Gazette Friday 17 June 1932, page 2
Transmission Transmission tests would begin on Monday 24 April 1933.Western Daily Press Saturday 22 April 1933, page 7 The West Regional transmitter opened on 9 May 1933.Lincolnshire Echo Tuesday 9 May 1933, page 6Western Daily Press Wednesday 10 May 1933, page 7 Transmission tests on the national programme started on Monday 17 July 1933.
Services available
Analogue radio (AM medium wave) FrequencykWService882 kHz10BBC Radio Wales1089 kHz80Talksport
Digital television Digital television began transmitting from Washford during the digital switchover in 2010. As a low-power relay, it only carries the three public service multiplexes.
FrequencyUHFkWOperatorSystem300.0124BBC ADVB-T310.0124Digital 3&4DVB-T370.0124BBC BDVB-T2
Analogue television Analogue television was transmitted from Washford until the digital switchover of the Mendip transmitter group between 24 March - 7 April 2010.
FrequencyUHFkWService390.062HTV West490.062BBC1 West660.062BBC2 West680.062Channel 4
References
External links
http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/gallerypage.php?txid=629