Tag Archives: Daphne Neville

Memories of appearing on HTV

Back in 1968, Daphne was was chosen to be one of four in-vision announcers at Harlech Television in Cardiff. They would introduce programmes, read the local news and speak at events.

Representing the Welsh Television channel proved both glamorous and demanding but she loved every minute and found a firm friend in Liz Carse.

Daphne Neville in 1969
Daphne Neville in 1969

Daphne was soon asked to present her own series of short daily programmes for children called ‘It’s Time For Me’ when she was lowered from the ceiling of the studio in a wicker chair.

Daphne Neville on ‘It’s Time For Me’

When Harlech re-launced as HTV Wales and West, Daphne was based at their studio in Bristol, where she presented a bi-weekly daytime magazine programme called ‘Women Only’ with Jan Leeming for seven years. They were also involved in HTV’s ‘Christmas Special‘, presented by Bruce Hocking and the station anchor Alan Taylor. Jan still has the lovely pink dress she wore.

HTV Christmas Special with Jan Leeming and Daphne Neville

Daphne represented HTV at a number of events from village fetes to the Royal Bath and West Show. She still has fond memories of opening the Preseli Transmitting Station at Crymych in Pembrokeshire and is still remembered by fans.

Do write in with any memories in the comments below.

Jan Leeming, Sophie Neville and Daphne Neville
Jan Leeming, Sophie Neville and Daphne Neville in 1975

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Memories

Daphne has just been sent this photograph taken about 40 years ago with Bee the Otter. She was thrilled. Do send in any more photos you might have or add a note to the comments below.

Daphne Neville with Bee the Otter in about 1984

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50th anniversary of the movie ‘Swallows & Amazons’ 1974

Daphne Neville worked behind the camera on the original movie ‘Swallows & Amazons’ made on location in the Lake District and post synced at Elstree Studios in 1974. It was released in cinemas across the UK on 4th April 1974. Read more on Sophie Neville’s website here

Daphne Neville in Shaftesbury Avenue at the London premiere of the movie ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1974)

The Arthur Ransome Society invited Daphne to join other members of the film crew and cast at the 50th Anniversary celebrations at Windermere Jetty in Cumbria in June 2024.

She was interviewed by the former BBC reporter John Sergeant and chatted to film fans, grabbing a chance to sail in the original dinghy Amazon, still owned by Barbara Altounyan and her family. She caught up with members of the original cast including Suzanna Hamilton, Simon West and Kit Seymour and went to a slide show on ‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons’ by her daughter Sophie Neville, who played Titty Walker.

You can read about Daphne’s adventures working on the film in ‘The making of Swallows and Amazons’ available online here

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Daphne Neville playing Charlotte Rampling’s mother in Broadchurch

Daphne Neville appearing in 'Broadchurch'
Daphne Neville appearing in the crime drama ‘Broadchurch’

The BAFTA award-winning crime series Broadchurch is currently on ITV catch up where you can watch an episode that Daphne appears in. She plays Charlotte Rampling’s bed-ridden mother, Margery Knight, who lives in an expensive nursing home.

The scene was shot in a lovely room in a hotel by the sea and appearing in the series proved great fun despite the gloomy screen shot.

In a later episode you see a portrait of Daphne aged about forty. Her real daughter’s face has been photo-shopped to look like Charlotte Rampling.

A photo of Daphne Neville used in Broadchurch. Her daughter Sophie's face has been photo-shopped to look like Charlotte Rampling.
A photo of Daphne Neville used in the police drama Broadchurch. Her daughter Sophie’s face has been photo-shopped to look like Charlotte Rampling.

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Daphne is still signing books

Daphne Neville – May 2023

Although now 86, Daphne is still signing copies of her illustrated children’s book ‘Bee a Particular Otter’.

You can find large hardback first edition copies online here or asked for a personally dedicated and signed copy of the paperback by contacting us via the Comments section below. The paperbacks cost £7.99 + p&p.

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Remembering ‘Swallows and Amazons'(1974)

The original film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ is streaming on Amazon Prime and is often broadcast on Talking Pictures TV. Daphne Neville writes about working on the crew of this iconic feature film here.

~Daphne Neville with her daughter Sophie Neville on location in the Lake District, 1973~

The full story is now available as an audiobook and paperback and on Kindle.

‘The Making of Swallows and Amazons’ published by The Lutterworth Press contains numerous behind-the-scenes photographs taken on location by Daphne almost fifty years ago when she captured unique home movie footage later broadcast on Countryfile and Big Screen Britain.

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‘Swede Caroline’ is up for Best UK Feature at the Sundance Film Festival 2022

Swede Caroline

Daphne Neville plays Edna in the new British movie ‘Swede Caroline’ which is up for a prestigious award. Having been screened at the Sundance Film Festival, this mocumentary will be premiered at the Curzon cinema in Soho on 31st October. Made by Deadbeat Films, this debut movie has been nominated for ‘Best UK Feature.’ Set to poke a comedic carrot at the world of competitive vegetable growers, it is written by Brook Driver and stars Jo Hartley, Ray Fearon and Aisling Bea.

“There is nothing funnier than a British person on the edge of losing it.”

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Hundreds came to meet Rudi the Otter in August & September 2022

Daphne Neville took Rudi the Otter to meet children at the Melplash Show near Bridport in Dorset, An Animal Sanctuary in Devon and at the Frampton on Severn Country Fair when she was interviewed by Miles Warde on ‘Open Country’

One supporter wrote to say, “This morning I was listening to the farming programme on BBC Radio 4 and when they announced that it was on the Frampton Fair, I wondered…. and there she was, I just knew she would be… the fabulous Daphne.  I was so thrilled to hear her sounding as passionate as ever about life and the otters… In this mad world, Daphne is still a beacon of hope and caring. “

Daphne Neville and Rudi meeting new friends

If you can’t get to the west of England, you can watch Rudi and Belinda the Otter on the movie Scottish Mussell staring Martin Compston, Joe Riley, Harry Enfield and Talulah Riley is currently on BBC iPlayer. You can watch the trailer here

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Daphne Neville appearing in the new TV advert for BUPA

Daphne can be seen blowing out the candles on her Birthday cake in the new BUPA advert

You can read more about Daphne’s antics in the book ‘Funnily Enough’ available here

You can read more about BUPA’s  advertising campaign here

 

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Daphne Neville profiled in Country Life magazine with her tame otter

Daphne Neville at Bakers Mill near Cirencester in the Cotswolds with Rudi, her tame Asian short-clawed otter

~ Country Life magazine, 11th September 2019 ~

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September 11, 2019 · 2:07 pm