Respectable Swindon?

This is a treat: Andy Partridge of XTC taking viewers on a tour of his home town Swindon, circa 1981.

This was the year that R.P.M., a magazine programme for the BBC West region, launched. It was sandwiched in the weekday early evening BBC1 schedule between Points West and the prime time schedule. 

I remember R.P.M. for three things:

1) Presenter Andy Batten-Foster, which would have put Kevin Keegan's poodle perm to shame;

2) Krek Bristle, a parady sketch starring Tony Robinson, based on Derek Robinson's book; and

3) The music features, which were frequently awkward and/or terribly stilted, but at least exposed me to new music.

Andy is great fun and whilst Swindon is a much-changed place - The Brunel shopping centre lasted more than 5 minutes, the Oasis is standing empty and festering - it's a fascinating snap shot.

And here's Respectable Street, which is referenced but not featured in the R.P.M. clip.