There were valves from smashed up old TVs in the fields near my house growing up. Pulling them out and smashing them - watching the puff of smoke was fun! Coal fire? You'll be telling us about frost on the INSIDE next... lol
I can imagine - was it Tyne Tees when the skies were clear? Being in line of sight of emley moore mast here it drowned out everything else pretty much. Photo from garden.
the silver panel with channels opened up to reveal the tuner buttons. You had to guess the channel you found as there were no screen overlays back then.