The Steve G - Scrapheap

previous period History January to December 2008

Chronological History of the Information Newsdesk Update

SHC11 - the final year 2009

The earliest entries are at the bottom, and the latest entries are at the top

return to The Steve G Scrapheap Homepage

1^st November 2009 – ............... and so it came to rest !

Following the very poor reviews from the world premiere of Scrapheap Challenge series-11 on Australian ABC television, this latest series hiding under the name of Scrapheap Challenge later aired in the UK and unfortunately met with the same UK poor reviews from the viewing public. Tonight without any warning the series appears to have just falling off the edge of the planet .................. and the sad story is that very few people will miss this latest scrapheap series. It is however very sad for the teams that did take part but have as yet failed to reap any reward on screen for all their effort.
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For this reason The Steve G Scrapheap has now moved the 'Newsdesk Updates' into the history archives where you will find all things Scrapheap covering the first ten years of successful Scrapheap Challenge from the original pilot show presenter Sally Gray through the fantastic times of Robert Llewellyn when he was joined in the UK series by Cathy Rogers and later by Lisa Rogers .
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Scrapheap Challenge you served us proud and now we say goodnight and goodbye. May the world of Scrapheap live on through the actions of many of us every time we have to 'bodge' and 'make do' to get something working from nothing.
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The Steve G Scrapheap

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30^th August 2009 – So as we predicted it was just Dick Strawbridge, his voice .............. and the gang........ oh, and Dick's voice again.

As predicted it was indeed a new look Scrapheap Challenge that really should have been named 'The Dick Strawbridge Show'. It was good to see Nikki Woolmore back on the screen and to be honest it is suggested that she would have made a much better presenter and could have even given other people a chance to speak. Unfortunately the restricted budget that RDF Bristol had to work with for this series-11 was very self evident, even the team overalls have disappeared being replaced by off the shelf trousers and rugby shirts with nothing more than a cheap looking chest badge.
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In all a very sad reflection on what used to be a great show. If this new look Scrapheap was given a brand new name to isolate itself from the famous long running Scrapheap Challenge series then it is possible it could have been accepted as just another 'teams-build-something-from-nothing' program, but to use the original Scrapheap Challenge name and introduce such an empty format is not doing justice to the many home build teams that put in a great deal of hard work to make their projects come to life.
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So let's hear less of Dick's own voice all the time, and lets see and hear more from the teams that actually make the machines. Of course as this complete series-11 has been long filmed and edited it is unlikely to improve during the coming weeks.
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If you would like your feelings to be heard then email the Steve G Website and maybe we can post a few of the best viewers comments.
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29^th August 2009 – It say on the C4 site they will be there ............. but we bet you they WILL NOT BE THERE !?

As already advised on the Steve G Scrapheap the screening of the 'new look' Scrapheap Challenge series-11 comes to the UK television screens this Sunday 30th August 2009 on Channel4 at 5:25pm. The confusion is in respect of the 'listed presenters' on the official Channel4 series-11 website where it is written that Lisa Rogers and Robert Llewellyn are presenting episode 1, and then the official C4 website indicates that for episode 2 and episode 3that Dick Strawbridge joins them, see the screen grabs below or click the provided episode web links and see for yourself. This is all very strange as the Steve G Scrapheap is not aware that Robert or Lisa were involved in series-11 at all ................it is our guess that Channel4 have got their own information a little mixed up................ either way we shall find out tommorrow evening at 5:25pm.

20^th August 2009 – Scrapheap Challenge series-11, THE NEW SHOW due on Sunday 30th August 2009.

The Steve G Scrapheap has been informed that the screening of the 'new look' Scrapheap Challenge series-11 with Dick Strawbridge at the helm will come to the UK television screens very soon on Sunday 30th August 2009 on Channel4 at 5:25pm. The official Channel4 series-11 website have recently released this TV listing and the time slot of 17:25hrs until 18.30hrs indicates the new Scrapheap.
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Click the image above for more Channel4 information and just to get you started here are a few details about the first two shows:
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SHC-11, Episode One - Dick Strawbridge throws down the gauntlet as he challenges three teams to build and race chariots at historic Hever castle. Each team has four weeks and £450 towards costs to build their contenders while Dick's Diamonds - Strawbridge, resident engineer Jim Milner and guest expert Nikki Woolmore - get just one week for their bid for glory.
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SHC-11, Episode Two - If you go down to the woods today your in for a big surprise. Chaos rules as three teams take on Dick Strawbridge and his Diamonds in the squelching mud of Beaulieu. From retrieving bombs to speed trials, who's got what it takes to win the day and who ends up stuck in the mud?
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SHC-11, Episode Three- Dick Strawbridge challenges another three home build teams to build a machine powered by water in a bid to beat Dick's Diamonds at Beaulieu, home of the national motor museum. Who will become a cropper when the determination to win gets the better of them?
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It will be very interesting to see how the viewers take to this new format in the light of feedback from Australia where the new series-11 recently received its worldwide premiere showing on ABC (see below).
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The Steve G website wishes all those taking parts the very best and we really hope you all had a brilliant time making the show.
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29^th July 2009 – Oh Dear !, Oh Dear !, Oh Dear !

'Down Under' in Australia the New look Scrapheap with Dick Strawbridge has received a big "thumbs down" !!!!

The Steve G Scrapheap can reveal that the new look Scrapheap Challenge with Dick Strawbridge (read the entry below dated 17th May 2009) as the host has gone down really bad in Australia this past few weeks. The new format show received it's world premiere showing on Australia's ABC Television and as normal the eager viewers have been glad to air their feelings to the Steve G Scrapheap website that is used by those great Aus guys and gals for back edition information of the old favorites. This is a copy of the feedback from one such viewer received this week in the Steve G Scrapheap In-box ...................
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"Have just finished viewing the New look Scrapheap Series here in Australia and unfortunately it is a poor image of the previous series.It is to say the least disappointing but more importantly it is boring and Dick Strawbridge is a very bad choice as host. You no longer get to see much of the builds and given its roadshow format it is less scrapheap and more contrived and circus like. The forums here have given it a real thumbs down and I fully expect to see the show cancelled completely. Shame because it was a fun and uncomplicated show"

The forum concerned is operated by ABC Television and if your would like to read the viewers feedback have a look here
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So there we have hot of the press on the Steve G Scrapheap. More news as we get it.
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24^th May 2009 – Andy 'Barley Picker' Barnes spotted on TV talent show

Last night (Saturday 23rd May 2009) on UK television you may have spotted Andy 'Barley Picker' Barnes providing enthusiastic applause for what appeared to be a lovely looking belly dancer during the hit show 'Britain's Got Talent'. A quick call to Andy has revealed the truth behind the images on screen. Indeed Andy's was present in the audience and indeed he did provide enthusiastic applause................. but not for the belly dancer, his pleasure was aimed at a group of farmers entertaining the audience with their wheeled barrow act as the aptly name of the 'Barrow Boys'. The false illusion that he was applauding the belly danser was due to the editing techniques used these days ............. you cannot always believe what you see.

However it goes to prove that once a family member is in the limelight of national television that other family members will soon follow, and this time in the form of Andy 'Barley Pickers' Barnes's 18 year old Son Bobby Barnes, who you can see in the above picture on the far left side. Bobby is joined by his farming friends Sam Parris, age 27 (centre), , and Lyle Burrough, age 19 (right side) who make up the entertaining group named the Barrow Boys. They pleased the judges enough to get through to the next round and as soon as Andy manufactures their new custom aluminum lighter wheel barrows they will appear again on your screen at 8.30pm this coming Tuesday 26th May 2009 on UK ITV television.
So if you a have a moment and can spare a quid, then make that all important telephone call to support the 'Barrow Boys'.

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17^th May 2009 – Scrapheap Update and new links added

There is still no actual transmission dates for the screening of the 'new look' Scrapheap Challenge series with Dick Strawbridge at the helm. The official Channel4 website have recently released the following statement :- (note: Their statement below reading this new series as being series-10 should in fact read series-11)

Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Francis "Dick" Strawbridge MBE is just one of those big personalities you can’t miss! The engineer and environmentalist is now at the helm of the new-look Scrapheap Challenge where he takes on all-comers to see who’s got what it takes to beat him. Raised and educated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Dick served in the Royal Corps of Signals for more than 20 years and was awarded the MBE for distinguished service. A former series winner of Scrapheap Challenge, Dick will be at the helm of the 10th series for Channel 4, building various machines to compete against three teams of scrappers in each of the 20 one-hour shows for Channel 4.

Immediately when the Steve G Scrapheap hears more we shall let you know.

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On a separate note I thought I would share this snippet of information with you lovers of machines, engines, and all things mechanical. Being myself an enthusiast of remote model helicopter flying I recently came across an excellent place to visit during the coming months, namely the Helicopter Museum near to Weston-Super-Mare. This excellent helicopter museum will be well worth a visit and the museum is supported also by the Friends of The Helicopter Museum who provide financial and other support, with opportunities for members to be actively involved.
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28^th December 2008 – Scrapheap Update

Changes to the Steve G Scrapheap website and also a change on the Channel4 forum site.
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To tidy up the end of not only Scrapheap Challenge series-10 but also the end of Scrapheap Challenge in the format we have loved over the years, the Steve G Scrapheap website has now archived all the previous posts into the Chronological History where you can find all the past information.

Also this month, December 2008, the official C4 forum having not received any new entries for some time finally decided to 'pull the plug' and they have now closed the C4 Scrapheap forum.

previous period History January to December 2008

Chronological History of the Information Newsdesk Update

SHC11 - the final year 2009

The earliest entries are at the bottom, and the latest entries are at the top

return to The Steve G Scrapheap Homepage