The Vital Spark

[John Arton]

The Vital Spark was a series back sometime that related tales of the Para Handy, a Clyde Puffer.
Last night on BBC there was a great documentary all about the Clyde puffers which were the lifeblood of the Western Islands of Scotland and were operational up until the late 60's. It was only the introduction of Government subsidised RO-RO ferries that eventually killed them off but their decline started with thee closure of Forth and Clyde canal that started the decline. In WW2 a number of them were built and named VIC+ a number and they were Victualing ships for the Royal Navy. Despite diesel power by then being the norm they were still steam driven as coal was readily available and did not take away the diesel fuel used for the navy that had to be imported.
A really fascinating program.
BBC iPlayer - Scotland's Vital Spark: The Clyde Puffer
For overseas members this just may work.
https://www.facebook.com/john.arton/...09190442424328
rgds
JA

[Richard Quartermaine]

Great series JA. Unfortunately can't raise it on BBC or Facebook which I don't know much about and only keep as a 'watching brief' on what the extended family are about.
Richard

[John Arton]

Richard
I posted the link on Facebook as possibly a means of overseas viewers being able to watch BBC programs as on the IPlayer it allows you to "share" videos via facebook. I guess that you would either have to send me a "friend" request or possibly just paste that link into your facebook page and possibly then you could view the video.
I am a complete numbskull when it comes to Facebook, only going on it when I get a notification via my email.
rgds
JA

[Keith Tindell]

I watched that program John, wonderful time for the puffers. I looked up the web site for the *cruises* that they do, £810 pp for a week, but what an experience, that would be a cruise that i could go for ,kt

[Stan Carter]

works well over here john, thanks for converting these programs for us.
regards, stan

[Charlie Hannah]

Both failed to work here John.cheers.

[John Arton]

works well over here john, thanks for converting these programs for us.
regards, stan

Stan
which link did you use? The IPLAYER or Facebook?
To my thinking anyone who has a facebook page (free and you can use it as much or as little as you want), should be able to view videos posted from anywhere world wide.
If someone in Aus could let me know if they could view it on Facebook by pasting the Facebook link into there own Facebook page that would be great as I could then "share" more U.K. programs both BBC and other channels.
rgds
JA

[Richard Quartermaine]

Richard
I posted the link on Facebook as possibly a means of overseas viewers being able to watch BBC programs as on the IPlayer it allows you to "share" videos via facebook. I guess that you would either have to send me a "friend" request or possibly just paste that link into your facebook page and possibly then you could view the video.
I am a complete numbskull when it comes to Facebook, only going on it when I get a notification via my email.
rgds
JA

It came up on my Facebook page John and I opened it to see it blocked. You mention pasting but I still have to work that one out. I found more pages just now than I knew I had!!! I too only go in when I get an email. I even have my surname in the original French (pre 1066!!!) in my delusioned belief that it is a form of security.
Cheers, Richard

[Keith Tindell]

I cannot help with the actual program, but this is the web site of the Vic 32, and a report on her cruises, which may help in some way, kt
Holidays | Save the Puffer!

[Stan Carter]

John, both the links on your post opened for me. I do not have face book, have enough problems with the different programs now using on this computer. today tried to open all i got was a blue page with the microsoft emblem showing, had to go through google to get any joy. will have to leave as such until i get back home, then send it in for a tune up.
regards, stan