One Foot in the Past


One Foot in the Past is a British television series on BBC2 that ran from 1993 to 2000. It considered conservation in, and the architecture, heritage and history of, the British Isles and, in three episodes, France, Italy and India. The series was a magazine programme. Each programme ran for 30 minutes.
From 16 April 1999, the series was part of the History Zone.
The series was subsequently broadcast outside the United Kingdom on BBC World.

Production

The series was conceived by Roland Keating.
The programme had a segment called "Ruin of the Week".

Finds and preservation

The series found the remains of Euston Arch and some of the remains of Skylon. This search for Euston Arch was the subject of the programme The Lost Arch.
The series prevented the demolition of Bankside Power Station by mobilising public opinion against the demolition.

Presenters

Presenters included Kirsty Wark and also:

Episodes

There are eight series, and there are a number of special episodes that are not included in those eight series. There are two series of repeats of portions of episodes, and a number of other edited repeats that are not included in those two series.

Series 1

This series did not assume that pro-conservationist ideas must be right.
Repeats of segments of episodes of Series 1

List It

  • 3 April 1994. The title of this episode is List It.

Series 2

A Very Modern Love Affair?

  • 12 April 1995: The title of this episode is '''A Very Modern Love Affair?'''

Series 3

Brunel

  • 17 November 1995. The title of this episode is Brunel. An episode on Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Part of a season on engineering. Repeated on 2 April 1996.

Series 4

This series has nine episodes.

One Foot on the Continent

Series 5

This series has nine episodes.

One Foot in Broadcasting House

  • 7 November 1997. The title of this episode is One Foot in Broadcasting House and it includes Broadcasting House.

Palaces of Apes

  • 29 March 1998. The title of this episode is Palaces of Apes. Part of Evolution Weekend.

Series 6

This series has eight episodes.

Birthplace of the Beatles

  • 22 July 1998. The title of this episode is Birthplace of the Beatles, and it is about 20 Forthlin Road.

Series 7

This series has seven episodes.

World War II

The following episodes were first broadcast on 4 September 1999:
  • Defence of the Land. This episode includes the Maunsell Forts.
  • Defence of the People.
  • Defence of the Art.

One Foot in the Festival of Britain

  • 6 November 1999. The title of this episode is One Foot in the Festival of Britain and it includes the Festival of Britain and the Millennium Dome. Also called One Foot in the Future.

Series 8

This series has eight episodes.
  • Episode 1: 15 April 2000. This episode includes London Zoo.
  • Episode 2: 22 April 2000. The title of this episode is Sex and the Georgian City.
  • Episode 3: 29 April 2000. The title of this episode is Transport.
  • Episode 4: 6 May 2000.
  • Episode 5: 13 May 2000. The title of this episode is Nelson: the Hero and the Harlot, and it is about Horatio Nelson and Emma Hamilton.
  • Episode 6: 20 May 2000. The title of this episode is Sculpture.
  • Episode 7: 27 May 2000. The title of this episode is Decoration.
  • Episode 8: 3 June 2000. Final episode, which includes Hestercombe gardens and Wellington Arch.

Series of repeats

Another Foot in the Past
Another Foot in the Past is a series of repeats of portions of episodes, first broadcast on BBC2 from 28 November 1995 to 16 January 1997.
Afoot Again in the Past
Afoot Again in the Past is a series of repeats of portions of episodes, first broadcast on BBC2 from 21 January 2002 onwards.

Reception

The programme was popular.
In 1994, The Architects' Journal called the programme "excellent". William Cook called the programme "sterling". Christopher Beanland said the programme had "charm".
The series was criticised by Richard Morris.