“SWINDON has acquired its very own answer to Hollywood,” we announced almost exactly 34 years ago.

In retrospect it was an optimistic claim, but for many years to come Wyvern Television was a great success.

Millions of people working for all kinds of businesses across the globe saw films made by the Swindon firm as part of their training.

Wyvern Television is also rumoured to have employed a young Sacha Baron Cohen, later better known as Ali G and Borat.

The Adver has never been able to confirm it, but in a 2009 interview the man himself mentioned having worked for a Swindon TV company.

In July of 1981, when we ran our first big story about the firm, Wyvern Television was a year old and based in Newport Street.

We said: “Wyvern Television makes video productions for industry and already has some big name clients under its belt – Thorn EMI, BUPA, Triumph International, Sketchleys, Rumbelows, Hambro Life, Whitbread and Express Dairies.

“Over 100 programmes have been made in the past year, covering company promotions, presentations of annual reports, training films and safety information productions.

“Its biggest project now is a 54-programme staff training series for Beefeater Steak Houses, covering the fine points of serving and cooking steak and keeping kitchens clean.”

Stars of the films included William Woollard, who was a national celebrity at the time thanks to presenting Tomorrow’s World and the pre-Clarkson Top Gear.

Good Life and Yes, Minister star Paul Eddington also appeared.

Later the company moved to a building in Lansdown Road which is a familiar piece of Old Town architecture to this day.

Once occupied by Arkell-owned soft drink brand Ace, which many rewind readers will remember fondly, the building is currently on the market.

If any of Wyvern Television’s older productions survive, we would be delighted to hear about them.