1962

1962 - Radio Times, December 20th

Midnight mass from Exeter Cathedral.

Believed to be the first ever televised broadcast of such a service.

Comments from Allan Johns, a tenor in the choir at the time:

"I remember the choir being literally engulfed by wires and we became almost unbearably hot by the end of the service on account of the very powerful (arc) lamps that were installed!

Midnight Mass had stopped before this date. This was a one-off for the TV. We only did the Bishop Grandisson service during my time, including the Midnight service on the day in question only."

The service of Midnight Mass was reinstated in 2017.

With thanks to Allan Johns (tenor 1960-1963) for the photograph of this page from The Radio Times.