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Six English Towns: Bradford-on-Avon
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The late Alec Clifton-Taylor was a much-respected architectural historian and writer.

As a broadcaster, he presented a number of successful television programmes for the BBC.

One of which was 'Six English Towns' which ran for three series' between 1977-1984.

Each edition of the show saw Clifton-Taylor visit a different town in England and offer an architectural study as well as a potted history.

In terms of historical research, the programme is as valid today as when it was made. And it's fascinating to see how the many locations, Clifton-Taylor visited, looked in the mid 1970s to early 1980s.

Town Bridge
The Town Bridge stretches over the River Avon

One such edition of the show, broadcast on 13 October 1981, centred on the town of Bradford-on-Avon.

Throughout the 35-minute programme, Clifton-Taylor is seen visiting all the town's many historical buildings and landmarks including the Town Bridge, the converted Abbey Mill, Tory Street, the Old Manor House, Church House and the Tithe Barn.

At each point in his journey he reflects on the history of each location and ruminates on the Georgian architecture of the beautiful buildings, the majority of which were hewn from golden-coloured Bath limestone.

'Six English Towns: Bradford-on-Avon' offers a fascinating snapshot of life in the town in the late 1980s - and will appeal to anyone who remembers the town of the time - or is interested in its long history.

Click the link below to view our extensive collection of archive films of Wiltshire over the years.


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