The last ever Grange Hill has now left our screens. What are your thoughts on the final series? Are you sad that the end has finally happened? This month's Help is a special devoted to your thoughts and feelings on the last show.Sean Seymour returns to GH Online after a long absence with his thoughts: "Hi Simon, you may or may not remember me; at one time I took a very keen interest in keeping up to date with Grange Hill, mainly pre-Liverpool during the last years of the Elstree days. I have attempted to follow Grange Hill with a keen eye since being out of contact with the site and have generally caught at least 50% of each series since being a devoted fan (after the third series at Liverpool in a way I lost hope), however it was difficult enough for me to continue watching after the move from London in which we witnessed the show go down hill substantially (and with this I mean no disrespect to the score of new characters and faces who did prove slightly interesting).
"In 2006 I actually moved to London for University and this just happened to frustrate me even more! It made me realise just how vital the context of Grange Hill being a North London secondary school was, being based in North West London myself it just reaffirmed how contextual it was and how accurately portrayed GH was as a London school prior to the fire in 2002.
"Slowly we watched the show we once loved for it's gritty realism reduced to Comic Relief for young primary school kids. I can remember the shock and disgust I felt when I first watched the first series filmed at Liverpool, let alone the latest series. For me Grange Hill died after the fire in 2002 at Elstree, it might as well have, that way we can retain the memory of the North London school that we watched hundreds of pupils walk through and graduate from, and we can avoid the sad images of the North England comedy club which was brought out in recent years."
Malcolm Neale has held on to his thoughts: "Hi Simon, You are probably wondering why I have not said anything about the end of Grange Hill. The truth is it is difficult for me to find anything to say that has not already been said. Grange Hill has been part of my life for over thirty years and of course I am sorry to see it end. However, having said that, I would not wish to see it continue along the same lines as series 31, which was so pathetic compared to the glory days. As you know I have every episode on video or DVD and will continue to watch them as often as time allows. I can look back at the great characters and storylines from the past and remember what a wonderful programme Grange Hill was, and hopefully keep its memory alive by visiting GH Online and the forum. Speaking of GH Online I like the new flash videos, much more convenient than having to download them first. Maybe at Christmas you could make the two Christmas Specials available in this format for the benefit of anyone who has not seen them. Look after yourself, will keep in touch." Hi Malcolm - just because Grange Hill has ended it doesn't mean the wonderful friendships forged both through GH Online and the Grange Hill Blackboard have to! We have really valued your support over the years and we hope as many people will stick around and keep the memory of Grange Hill alive as you say. Thanks for your feedback on the Flash video - we hope to convert more of our stock soon.
Finally the last day of school has arrived. Our very own Andrew Gregson takes stock, and begins his thoughts before transmission: "Simon, The sad day has finally arrived...I can't believe this is happening after so long. I am leaving work early to watch it live - first time in a while! I still remember watching episode 1 series 1 and now I am watching episode 20 series 31 for the last time. Very sad indeed...
"I have mixed feelings about the current series. There have been some good lines. I have liked the work with Chloe and the reasons why she is a bully. I like the work with Andrea and showing a different side. The bully issue has been well managed and the effects shown clearly. However the trivial storylines have been a nuisance and spoiled what could have been a good series. The silly scenes such as the wrestling and the Alex the enforcer approach in 19 have been embarrassing! A lot more could have been done and it gave a glimpse of what GH could have been had it been seen as the valuable resource it was.
"I am sad that we will not find out what happens to Alex, Sammy, Tigger, Ed and crew. We won't find out what happens with Chloe who had the potential to be a great character. And will we know what Togger decides? I delighted to see Todd back as Tucker but disappointed it was left to Episode 20 and basically a cameo. I am hoping we will see a decent treatment here. At least it was fitting to sign out with Tucker.
"There has not been much in the media. It has been on local radio in Northern Ireland which was unusual. All in all a very sad day.....I am looking forward to 4:35 and dreading 5pm when GH finishes after so long. This really will be the last time we will hear that theme on BBC1...Speak soon!"
And what did Andy think of the episode: "Tearful! Brilliant episode. Apart from the bomb embarasment it was great. Fitting end to by and did the school proud. Tucker was awesome. End of an era. Finally my last day at Grange Hill. Just as emotional and memorable as my last day at college and high school. I am truly sad. A chapter closed."
Our first writer didn't leave their name but states simply: "I don't want Grange Hill to end in two weeks, because if people normally say last in series they usually mean it is not going to be on again. But I wish they would make more series. And also you could put a link to the site the used in Grange Hill in episode 18." Well we don't want Grange Hill to end either? But sadly the decision has been made and is unlikely to be reversed at this point. The end of Grange Hill will leave a huge gap - not just among the loyal fans who have supported the show over the years but also in television provision for young people of secondary school age. Let's celebrate the fact that Grange Hill lasted for 30 years and all the good things it did for British television.
Why did Tucker have to go?
Dave Gerard has a few questions: "What episode did Tucker leave and why was the reason he left? I do think Grange Hill were unfair to him." Well Dave - everyone has to leave school sometime and Tucker Jenkins was no exception, making his final Grange Hill appearance in episode 16 of Series 5 (1982). However, such was his popularity he went on to get his own series, Tucker's Luck, which ran from 1983-1985. Tucker then reappeared in Grange Hill in 2003, and is set to make his last ever appearance in the final episode of the current series."Is Chloe going to be written out in the final episode?" You'll just have to wait and see!
