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Timothy Backs Heartbeat Petition
Yorkshire, 15th February 2009
Yorkshire MEP Timothy Kirkhope is lending his support to a petition to save the ITV Television drama Heartbeat, which is filmed on location in the North York Moors village of Goathland.
The show, based on Peter Walker's Constable books, tells the story of the comings and goings in the villages of Ashfordly and Aidensfield in the late sixties.
Recently production was halted, prompting residents and fans of the show to fear the series was being cut. The worry is that the local economy will suffer. The programme brings in lots of people, not only those involved in the filming of the show, but tourists as well.
Brian Taylor, postmaster of Goathland, set up a Petition to save the show and already has more than 1,000 signatures. Timothy backs the idea, and recently visited the set and talked with residents.
Timothy said:
"Heartbeat means a lot to many people in this part of the world and has become an institution of sorts. It would be desperately sad if it was the end, and I applaud those who are fighting to keep it on our screens.
"The show has done much for the local economy: the crew and actors are based in B&Bs around the area and tourists flock to the village to sample the magic of the show and the beauty of the surroundings."
Later, in an interview with the Daily Express newspaper, Timothy said:
"I understand ITV plc has problems and they’re trying to cut back but if Heartbeat is axed the effect on the local community really will be very, very savage."
"I’ve written to ITV’s executive chairman Michael Grade to say can you please be aware of the knock-on effect of cuts in ITV, not only in terms of a local community in Goathland but of a whole tourist industry in Yorkshire. It is a big financial issue.
"If he doesn’t respond positively – or if he reacts as if it’s an irritation – then I think it’s a matter I would want to take further with Ofcom. I know we’re under pressure economically but this is not the time to take away some of the more popular, reassuring programmes which help boost the morale of the country."
ENDS
