<Tr> <Th> Original release </Th> <Td> 8 January 1976 (1976 - 01 - 08)--21 April 1981 (1981 - 04 - 21) </Td> </Tr> <P> When the Boat Comes In is a British television period drama produced by the BBC between 1976 and 1981 . </P> <P> The series stars James Bolam as Jack Ford, a First World War veteran who returns to his poverty - stricken (fictional) town of Gallowshield in the North East of England . The series dramatises the political struggles of the 1920s and 1930s and explores the impact of national and international politics upon Ford and the people around him . </P> <P> The memorable traditional tune "When The Boat Comes In" was adapted by David Fanshawe and sung by Alex Glasgow for the title theme of the series . Fanshawe also composed the incidental music . </P>

Where was when the boat comes in set