THE Adver recently revealed that there are still 19 black and white television licences in use in Swindon.

Back in January of 1968 there were even fewer colour ones – perhaps one or two, according to an article in our annual Industrial Review.

Those who owned a colour set had little to look at. Programmes had been few and far between since the BBC gave its first colour broadcast, of Wimbledon, the previous summer. Some of that footage can readily be found online, and there is something haunting about seeing people nearly half a century ago looking as ‘real’ as anybody on screen today.

As far as television went, the world was still overwhelmingly black and white, but for Swindon that was about to change.

“Colour TV Coming to Swindon,” ran the headline over a story in our annual Industrial Review.

We said: “Soon the full opportunities of colour television will be available to people in the Swindon District.

“Colour television sets will be pouring into the town ready to be connected up in your home – provided, of course, you have got the necessary money.”

Swindon had, in fact, been receiving colour broadcasts for about four months, but sets cost £250 at a time when a respectable two-bedroomed house could be had for £2,000 or less.

That was where Rentaset came in. The company was about to take delivery of hundreds of new sets and planned to make them available to as many people as possible.

Weekly rental costs would range from 32 shillings (£1.60) for a 19-inch set to 35 shillings (£1.75) for a 25-inch.

This was quite high compared to black and white, but Rentaset boss Mr EA Dickinson told us: “Our knowledge of the market is such that we know a good percentage can afford to pay the rental rates for colour television.”

At its Shrivenham Road Depot, Rentaset staff practised making marketing films using another new wonder of the age, video cameras and tapes.

It was able to supply equipment to the public and organisations, and schools were taking an interest in recording lessons. With kits costing £700, though, they’d need deep pockets.

By the end of the year most programmes on BBC2 were in colour and so were many on BBC1. ITV took the plunge in 1969.

 Back in 1968 when these pictures were taken, most people in the town were still viewing their television programmes on black and white sets