WILL you be watching the Eurovision Song Contest this weekend?

If so, you'll enjoy this stroll down memory lane.

While all eyes will be on Vienna this Saturday, back in 1982 it was North Yorkshire's turn to shine.

The UK hosted the contest thanks to Bucks Fizz having triumphed in 1981, with Making Your Mind Up. And Harrogate was chosen as the host venue.

The BBC broadcast, introduced by Jan Leeming, survives on YouTube. It opens with "Where is Harrogate?" flashing on to the screen in multiple languages, before a short film about the town, including decorative window-displays.

If you're a Eurovision die-hard, you may enjoy the whole thing. But if not, just cherish the opening few moments, to see how Harrogate was presented to the world - and take a look also at the short film about the surrounding region, which begins after 1 hour and 26 minutes.

 

Harrogate tried to host the event again in 1998, after victory for Katrina And The Waves in 1997 brought the contest back to Britain. Alas, Birmingham triumphed instead, leaving only hazy 1980s memories for Yorkshire's Eurovision devotees. 

But who knows? - If Electro Velvet triumph in Vienna at the weekend, maybe a campaign to bring Eurovision back to Yorkshire will be on the cards.....

York Press:

 

York Press:

York Press: