The Judges also made a Special Award to mark the 30th Anniversary of the North East & The Border Programme Awards...not only for individual services to the television industry in the North East and the Borders region throughout his career, but also a consistent backstage presence at the Awards ceremonies for 30 years.

Presenter Jayne Secker's introduction said:

As you know, we are celebrating 30 years of awards for our region and this has given us the opportunity to award a second Outstanding Contribution Award to someone very special.  This person started their career at the BBC 60 years ago in 1957.  Being under age, he was offered a temporary role in the Post Room.  Once he turned 18, he began his training, starting out as an assistant floor manager working in a number of support roles including radio sound effects, studio management, and moving on to TV OBs as a vision mixer, assistant producer and director.

ln the early 70s he moved to the BBC Broadcasting Centre in Newcastle as a Production Director and worked on a wide range of output — including studio, film and outside broadcasts.  He was the director on the very first 'Great North Run', and in 1987 (30 years ago) he was asked to direct the first RTS North East and the Borders regional awards.  Since then he has directed every awards show for us.  Alan retired in 1997 after 40 years with the BBC, but decided not to allow retirement to change his lifestyle.  He continues as a freelance director, mainly for the BBC but occasionally for Tyne Tees and Border.  He is still directing various broadcasts for BBC North East and the Network, including the 'Politics Show' and recent elections.  He's always backstage in the control room making sure the events and programmes are seamless for the audience.  Alan is highly respected by all those who have worked with him in regional and network broadcasting and his contribution to the Royal Television Society has been outstanding.

Winner:

ALAN FARRINGTON

 

However, this was the first year that Alan missed the Awards Ceremony, having unfortunately ended up in hospital with broken ribs when his car left the road on his way back from helping with the coverage of the Copeland By-election the day before.  The Award was collected on his behalf by his wife, Lucy Jolly, who had also stepped in in Alan's place backstage as Director.  We honour her commitment to the Awards, and wish Alan a full and speedy recovery.