"East Anglia has taught the world something about agriculture. Perhaps it may teach the world something about television."

Lord Townshend, the founding chairman of Anglia Television, casually uttered this aspiration in 1958 - the year before it launched.

"We want to put on the best possible programmes. Although we do not underestimate the advantages of commercial success we recognise that television is more than a business. It's a social responsibility and we're very conscious of the fact."

Eastern Daily Press: Looking down into the main studio at Anglia Television. Date: October 27, 1959.Looking down into the main studio at Anglia Television. Date: October 27, 1959. (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: An employee sits at the hub of the main control room at Anglia Television. Date: October 27, 1959.An employee sits at the hub of the main control room at Anglia Television. Date: October 27, 1959. (Image: Archant Library)

And today we have delved into the archives to share these photos of the company in its infancy.

The region's new broadcasting organisation emerged within a context of changes in the media industry.

Eastern Daily Press: Technical staff working behind the scenes in the sound control room at Anglia Television. Date: October 27, 1959.Technical staff working behind the scenes in the sound control room at Anglia Television. Date: October 27, 1959. (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: Staff in the camera control studio of Anglia Television in Norwich. Date: October 27, 1959.Staff in the camera control studio of Anglia Television in Norwich. Date: October 27, 1959. (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: Lights, camera, action - inside the studio while filming takes place at Anglia Television. Date: October 27, 1959.Lights, camera, action - inside the studio while filming takes place at Anglia Television. Date: October 27, 1959. (Image: Archant Library)

Following the Television Act of 1954, the Independent Television Authority (ITA) was created to regulate new commercial channels and award franchises.

Eastern Daily Press: Anglia Television staff working at Anglia House in Norwich - do you recognise anyone? Date: October 27, 1959.Anglia Television staff working at Anglia House in Norwich - do you recognise anyone? Date: October 27, 1959. (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: Anglia Television employees working at Anglia House in Norwich city centre. Date: October 27, 1959.Anglia Television employees working at Anglia House in Norwich city centre. Date: October 27, 1959. (Image: Archant Library)

The ITA granted the East Anglia franchise to the newly formed company before it even had an office.

It was not long before Anglia Television found a home in Norwich city centre at the Agricultural Hall building, which was renamed Anglia House.

Eastern Daily Press: Can you help us identify the people in this photo outside Anglia House, which used to be known as Agricultural Hall, the home of Anglia Television? Date October 27, 1959.Can you help us identify the people in this photo outside Anglia House, which used to be known as Agricultural Hall, the home of Anglia Television? Date October 27, 1959. (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: The old main General Post Office building at Agricultural Hall Plain Norwich. The building became a post office in 1944 as an extension to the Norwich sorting office and closed in 1957 when the hall was handed back to Norwich City Council after Agricultural Hall Company's lease ran out. After a year unused Anglia Television leased it from the council and later made it a permanent move. Date: April 1, 1963.The old main General Post Office building at Agricultural Hall Plain Norwich. The building became a post office in 1944 as an extension to the Norwich sorting office and closed in 1957 when the hall was handed back to Norwich City Council after Agricultural Hall Company's lease ran out. After a year unused Anglia Television leased it from the council and later made it a permanent move. Date: April 1, 1963. (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: A glimpse inside the newsroom at Anglia Television on October 27, 1959.A glimpse inside the newsroom at Anglia Television on October 27, 1959. (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: Engineers inspecting punched tape at Anglia Television on October 27, 1959.Engineers inspecting punched tape at Anglia Television on October 27, 1959. (Image: Archant Library)

What are your memories of Anglia Television through the decades? Let us know in the comments below.

For more old photos and articles about Norfolk history and heritage, subscribe to our fortnightly Through the Decades email newsletter. Sign up by clicking here.