Brian Baird (newsreader) facts for kids
Brian Baird (1929–1998) was a well-known newsreader and teacher from Northern Ireland. Many people in the 1970s and 1980s would have seen and heard him delivering the news on UTV. He was also a dedicated teacher and lecturer at Stranmillis Teacher Training College.
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Meet Brian Baird: A Voice of Northern Ireland
Brian Baird was a familiar face and voice to many people in Northern Ireland for several decades. He was best known for his work as a newsreader on UTV, a local television channel. But his career was much more than just reading the news! He was also a respected teacher, a lecturer, and even had a passion for rugby.
From Malaysia to Media: Brian's Early Career
Brian Baird was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1929. His journey began far from the TV studios. In 1956, he started his career as an English teacher in a small town called Kuala Kangsar in Malaysia. He found this job by answering a newspaper advertisement looking for teachers to work abroad.
Five years later, in 1961, Brian and his wife, Stella, moved to the island of Penang, also in Malaysia. It was there that their son, Patric Baird, was born. In 1963, Brian and his family returned home to Belfast.
Becoming a News Icon
After returning to Belfast, Brian Baird became a very important part of Ulster Television (UTV). For many years, he was the main face and voice of their news reports. People trusted him to deliver the day's news clearly and calmly. He also worked for a time at BBC Radio in Belfast, showing his talent for broadcasting across different media.
Beyond the Broadcasts: Brian's Other Passions
Outside of his busy media career, Brian Baird was also a dedicated teacher and lecturer. He taught at Stranmillis Teacher Training College, helping to train new teachers. This showed his commitment to education and helping others learn.
Brian also had a strong interest in rugby. He was so involved in the sport that he became the past president of the Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees. This shows he was a leader not just in news and education, but also in his hobbies and community interests.
Brian Baird passed away in 1998 after a long illness, leaving behind a legacy as a trusted newsreader and a respected member of the community.
