04·08·09 Week 31 explore.gateway..co.uk/ THE BBC NEWSPAPER

HOWZAT: Ashes fever grips a Page 6

Wish you were here? BBC Radio CambridgeSHIRE ◆presenter Jane Smith enjoys a ‘staycation’ picnic in Peterborough to celebrate the great British summer. You tell us if the weather’s hampered your holidays at home (pages 8-9)

> NEED TO KNOW 2 WEEK-AT-WORK 7 OPINION 10 MAIL 11 JOBS 14 GREEN ROOM 16 < 162 News a 00·00·0804·08·09 a NEED TO KNOW the week’s essentials NEWS BITES THE Show is to be extended BBC names its sporting A-list to an hour once a week from September. BBC One also Room 2316, White City u WORLD CUP finals should make confirmed , 201 Wood Lane, W12 7TS it onto the A-list of sporting events but Test , John Sergeant and 020 8008 4228 matches should be kept off the list of ‘crown as guest presenters Managing Editor jewels’ to protect the game’s grass roots, the to cover for and BBC has said. Christine Bleakley when they take Stephen James-Yeoman 02-84222 It’s among submissions made to the govern- a fortnight’s break in August. Deputy editors ment review of sports events that should remain Sally Hillier 02-26877 free-to-air. The BBC also wants all home nation Midlands Today and Inside Out Cathy Loughran 02-27360 football qualifiers for the European Champion- presenter Ashley Blake has been Features editor ship and World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, found guilty of unlawful wounding Clare Bolt 02-27445 and all Welsh autumn and Six Nations rugby un- and perverting the course of Reporters ion internationals to enjoy the same protected justice. He has been warned status as Wimbledon and The Olympics. It has he is likely to face a custodial Laura Scarrott 02-84224 been more than ten years since the list of events sentence. A BBC spokesman said Peggy Walker 01-43940 was last reviewed. they would need time to ‘carefully Production editor Former Olympic hurdler Colin Jackson and consider the findings of the Claire Barrett 02-27368 Test cricketer are on the review court before taking action’. Art editor panel as well as sports presenters Eamonn Hol- Ken Sinyard 02-84229 mes and Dougie Donnelly. The review is look- PHONE PROBLEMS in TV Centre Ariel online ing into the principle of having a list, its content, on Thursday caused widespread and the criteria determining which events may disruption in BBC News when more Alex Goodey 02-27410 be listed. than 500 failed. The 45 minute Business co-ordinator Dominic Coles, chief operating officer, BBC failure was the third in a week and Silvana Romana 02-84228 Journalism and director of sports says the list journalists reported having to revert Ariel mail works well and ‘delivers a healthy mix of pay to old equipment and personal [email protected] television and free to air sport’. It also offered Six Nations Rugby: protected status mobiles to get on with their work. Ariel online explore.gateway.bbc.uk/ariel plurality, ‘preserving key sporting moments for the whole UK public and encouraging sports made, the BBC must comply. Seemingly more of BBC Cymru Wales began live web Guest contributors this week participation whilst delivering sufficient funding an order than a request… English language commentary for into UK sport to deliver the extensive range of the first time from the National DAVID ATTENBOROUGH on why great sport we enjoy’, he said. u MSN has signed rights owners BBC Eisteddfod on Saturday bringing was always the natural place Worldwide and All3Media to take part in an ad- activities at the Pavillion to to make natural history. Page 10 u After press reports that the depart- vertising-funded web video pilot. The service, an international audience. ment for children, schools and families might which launches later this week, was unveiled by TONY FOLLOWELL ,BBC order the BBC to broadcast lessons, if schools Microsoft’s vice president for Consumer and on- Outake TV is back and the team producer, on at attachment that was were closed by swine flu, the government made line Ashley Highfield (a former director of fm&t is asking staff to be on the look out of this world. Page 14 it clear it would not expect the BBC to clear its and ex-chief exec of Project Kangaroo). out for fluffed lines, problem schedules in such an emergency. The service will feature content from a props, technical glitches, on air ‘We would never force an organisation to as- number of broadcasters with which Worldwide gaffes or continuity confusion. sist in delivering education,’ a DCSF spokesman has distribution deals, including the BBC, once Suggestions can be sent to BBC Jobs 0370 333 1330 confirmed. So what can the government ask the video is no longer available on iPlayer. MSN Vid- [email protected] and there’s Jobs textphone 028 9032 8478 BBC do under emergency agreements ? eo has content deals with , and Sky. a finders fee for any clips used. BBC Jobs John Clarke 02-27143 According to clause 81 of the charter (de- The service is the first, not owned by a broad- Room 2120, White City, London W12 7TS fence and emergency arrangements), the gov- caster, enabling people in the UK to watch con- Tom Baker returns to his role as ernment can request the BBC to broadcast a tent . the fourth for a new Advertise in Ariel special educational programme. But the clause In North America, advertising-funded tv on- series of five audio adventures Ten Alps Publishing 020 7878 2314 does not provide for the government to take line is lead by Hulu.com, with content from the from BBC Audiobooks. www.bbcarielads.com the schedules to allow ministers to direct main national broadcasters, who are also part- programming. In theory, any minister can make ners in the enterprise. Child labour comes under the Printing the request, which has to be in writing, but this The company hopes to launch in the UK in spotlight at BBC Three with a new Garnett Dickinson Group has never been done – even during WW2. September, featuring a mixture of domestic and series exploring the realities of life as Rotherham 01709 768000 What would actually happen in the unprec- imported programming. a child labourer. Presented by Stacey edented event of the clause being implemented Meanwhile, Canvas, the hybrid broadband/ Dooley the series will be examining Subscribe to Ariel remains unclear however, because the final par- broadcast service proposed by ITV, BBC and BT what life for these forgotten children Six months: £26, £36, £40 agraph of Clause 81 says that if such a request is was this week joined by broadcaster five. is like in Nepal and the Ivory Coast. Twelve months: £50, £60, £68 (prices for UK, Europe, rest of world respectively) Cheques to: Garnett Dickinson Print, MEDIACITY UK: HUGGERS WANTS A NEW WAY OF WORKING Brookfields Way, Manvers, Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 5DL BY PEGGY WALKER to divisional colleagues who are was keen that everyone Tel 01709 768199 already working in Manchester Erik Huggers: who will work at MediaCity no more silos This time last year when any calling them his ‘marines’, pav- tries a new way of working. INFORMATION IN AN EMERGENCY London staff visited Manches- ing the way. Maintaining the link ‘If we’re not failing every Telephone 0800 0688 159 ter and asked a taxi driver to take with staff at Kingswood Warren and then, then we’re Page 159 www.bbc.co.uk/159 them from the station to Medi- was recognised as an issue. Hug- not trying hard enough,’ he Ariel is produced by Internal aCityUK the drivers didn’t know gers was keen to know if those in said. ‘When people fail it’s Communications for people at the BBC where it was. Months later, after Manchester felt like they were in a because they took a leap of increasing numbers made the northern bubble. The feeling was faith. We should celebrate journey, drivers knew where it yes, to an extent, and the possi- that and thank them for was, but said it would never work. bility of Skype on the corporate going out on the cutting Today, the taxi drivers of Man- network was greeted with a cheer edge.’ chester know all about it, and are from the small audience. Construction of MediaC- keen to know when it’s all going Huggers also talked about the ityUK is ahead of schedule. PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY OF ARIEL to open. growing use of Yammer as a net- It was also announced in Just one anecdote related in working tool, as well as raising the Manchester that the exten- a staff session headed by Erik possibility of HD real time video it again,’ he said. ‘We need to fig- sion to the tram system (which Huggers when he travelled to the conferencing: ‘Because it’s not ure out how to make sure we don’t will take people into the of north west last week. good at the moment, you use it all feel like we’re sitting in silos.’ the site) will be ready early - by The director of FM&T talked once, and then never want to use In true FM&T style, Huggers December 2010

> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< a 04·08·09 News 3 £50m for local news photograph: anna gordon by Cathy Loughran justify £68m or the negative impact on commercial media. Trustee Diane The BBC’s £50m alternative plan to Coyle said that consultation with li- local video news will double regional cence payers had shown they wanted bulletins at weekends and create new the BBC to improve local and region- jobs in journalism across the nations al services. The trust has asked man- and regions. agement to report back on the new The local services proposal in- services within the year, including cludes landmark programming, a re- the volume of local news video sto- gionalised football magazine, better ries that appear on local websites. reporting of local government and Improvements and new posts will more ‘district reporters’ in under- be paid for from existing efficien- served communities. cy savings, with annual investment From October, there will be an ex- of around £8.5m this financial year, tra regional tv news bulletin at Sat- rising to £15.3m in 2012/13. At a to- urday lunchtimes and on af- tal cost of £49.7m over four years, the ter the Ten O’Clock News in each nation new offer is cheaper than the £68m and region. Scotland, which already ringfenced for local video, but still has three weekend bulletins, represents a significant invest- will run five. ment, says Mark Byford. Existing breakfast ‘The thrust is around and late evening bulle- weekend news, improv- tins will be better re- ing newsgathering in sourced, there will be areas where we know regional radio news we’re weaker and in opt outs for Wales better reporting of lo- and enhancement of- cal government. six opt-outs for Scotland ‘BBC regional tv news in 2011. at 6.30pm is the most suc- While new posts will be Byford: return of the cessful news programme created, there is unlikely district reporter in Britain but at week- to be an overall increase in ends we don’t have suf- headcount: it’s hoped that many of ficient presence. With the extra bul- the new jobs will be filled through re- letins we want to extend reach and deployment. build audiences. The revised package replaces the ‘And we’ll be putting more people original plan for a bespoke video-on- on the ground in areas like the North demand service, offering news, sport East of , Scotland and North- and weather, carried on enhanced ern Ireland, where we don’t have a BBC Local websites. big enough newsgathering strength That was blocked by the BBC Trust – more of the old district reporter in February, which decided the plan roles,’ the deputy DG said. had limited public value and did not There will be investment in land- mark series like A History of Scotland- and Coalhouse from BBC Wales – pro- EXPANDED grammes that scored highly with local viewers and could easily play on network. OUTPUT Each year there will be a major n Two extra weekend news ‘state of the nation/region’ investiga- bulletins tion on the big issues – centred on a n Breakfast and late evening one-off tv programme but also bring- improvements ing in local radio and online. n Regional radio news opt out for Byford adds: ‘We’re very strong in Wales and six enhanced opt-outs our reporting from Westminster and for Scotland. the devolved assemblies but we’re de- n A £1.5m a year impact fund in ficient in local government report- English region for major docu- ing, so there will be a whole network mentaries and Question Time-type of new local government reporters.’ discussion In the English regions, controller n Landmark programming with David Holdsworth believes that over network potential in the nations half of new jobs created can be filled through redeployment. He also esti- n New Football League highlights magazine programme, launching in mates that the Saturday lunchtime January for 20-week run, covering bulletin could draw in an extra mil- lion viewers to regional news. What goes up must come down six macro regions across England And in an email to colleagues in n Annual ‘state of the nation/ Scotland, head of news and current Isn’t it easier to take the stairs? Sixteen members of the Safe- and to realise when to refer a com- region’ journalism initiative affairs Atholl Duncan said: ‘We still A week ago, presenter Jem ty team from around the UK took plex situation on to in-house rope n Network of local government have to make efficiencies and sav- Stansfield climbed up White part in the activity, part of a train- specialist and trainer Alistair Rick- reporters ings…but the new funding is clearly City using improvised vacuum ing session on using ropes to get man from BBC Bristol. n More newsgathering strength welcome in these difficult times.’ cleaners. Now, Wendy Dearsley, people into hard to reach places – Rickman regularly works with in Scotland, and He too aimed to redeploy people senior safety manager, smiles from ship’s masts to cliff edges – the NHU on programmes like Wild- North East England into the new output ‘in an attempt through her nerves as she abseils and keep them there. est Dreams, and was helping the to make future savings without the down the side of Television It was designed to teach the others get their own taste of rope need for further redundancies’. Centre’s Studio One. team the basics of ‘rope access’, access in action.

4 News a 04·08·09 Boaden defends web sharing deal by Cathy Loughran supply independent news video to ers have questioned whether it’s too tent is provided and all video is BBC ice genres – so nowhere near sport newspaper sites. The companies say much of a one-way partnership (see branded. and entertainment’. she added. The BBC has been defending its con- they will complain to the BBC Trust. Mail, page 11). Speaking on the BBC News Chan- Mark Byford, deputy director-gen- troversial video sharing deal with News International and Trinity The BBC maintains that limiting nel’s, director of news Helen Boaden eral said that opposition from ITN four newspapers after a barrage of Mirror – which have not joined the the type of content shared to UK pol- said she believed the BBC had ‘got it and PA was to be expected, despite complaints from commercial opera- partnership – have branded the deal itics, business, health, science and right’: ‘The people who have called us restrictions on content. He told Ari- tors. ‘self-serving’ and free marketing for technology, means that it is comple- high-handed over this are the [news- el: ‘As public broadcaster we should The latest BBC partnership, which the BBC. mentary to the services provided by paper groups] who have chosen not share our own material but we have allows , , The Within BBC news, there are dif- ITN and others. to take part. ‘On the other hand we to be careful not to go into areas that Daily Telegraph and Independent to ferent concerns – acknowledged All the video clips on offer – ac- have newspapers saying the BBC isn’t would be commercially sensitive. embed restricted BBC video content by Craig Oliver, deputy head of the cessed by the partner newspapers via sharing enough of the value that it ‘That the BBC gets credit is vital, as on their websites has been attacked BBC newsroom, in his email update a special portal – have already been has in its content. This is clearly one is the stipulation that material can- by ITN and PA, who say the move un- to staff – that the BBC could lose its shown on the BBC’s own website in way of sharing that value.’ not be commercialised nor shown dermines business like theirs which competitive news advantage. Oth- the last 48 hours. No bespoke con- Shared content was in ‘public serv- outside the UK.’ Rebuilding 1Xtra News trust in Hunt ‘transparent’ Show on air A tailored news show for 1Xtra will Zimbabwe from this week offer information over family firm on sport, entertainment and sexu- The slow business of rebuilding the al health for its target young adult BBC’s relationship with the authori- by Sue Llewellyn audience. Presented by Tina Dahely, ties in Zimbabwe has begun, follow- with special reports from Nesta Mc- ing the lifting of restrictions on BBC BBC One controller Jay Hunt has done nothing Gregor and David Garrido, the 1Xtra journalists operating legally in the wrong in her involvement in a family run com- News Show. will be broadcast at noon country. pany which runs training for BBC presenters and 5pm Monday to Friday. The government never called and staff., the BBC says. The 15-minute programme will it a ban but since a disagreement Hunt had been transparent by declaring her cover subjects including unprotected with Robert Mugabe’s information involvement as company secretary of Bright- sex, teenage pregnancies, and sexu- minister eight years ago, all BBC spark TV, a media training company run by her al bullying. Editor Rod McKenzie said reporting from Zimbabwe, including husband Ian Blandford. She told the BBC of her he was ‘delighted to hear the voices by world affairs editor John Simpson outside role when she rejoined the organisa- of 1Xtra’s young audience, on issues and Africa correspondent Andrew tion from five last May, the BBC confirmed. that are relevant to them.’ Harding, has been done undercover. Newspaper reports over the weekend ques- Harding reported legally from inside tioned whether this was a conflict of interest the country the first time last week under strict BBC guidelines. and intends to travel back there, A BBC spokesman said there was no case to Childcare plan from his Johannesburg base, in Sep- answer. ‘The BBC’s rigorous conflict of interest tember. policy lays down strict procedures to prevent gets extended He doesn’t miss working under an actual conflict of interest arising. Where ex- cover, not least because of the risks ecutives have a close relationship with some- Almost three times as many work- involved for local fixers. one in a company we are doing significant ing parents can take advantage of the ‘We’re free to come and go now but business with, they may not play a role in the BBC childcare voucher scheme fol- with senior officials accompanying decision making process related to the award lowing new rules introduced on Au- us – not in any sinister way, and of any such business, including any commer- gust 1. they have opened some doors, but cial sum agreed.’ are able to meet the majority of the training The scheme – which can save each their presence can still intimidate Commentators also raised the question of requirements of the BBC from within the BBC participating parent up to £1,196 a interviewees,’ Harding said. why the BBC outsources training to external Academy, we do also draw on the skills and ex- year – has been extended to include The possibility of opening a companies when it has its own internal train- pertise of the wider industry outside the BBC, employees on fixed term contracts of BBC bureau in Harare is also being ing department. Anne Morrison, director of working with many external training compa- less than 12 months. investigated, says world editor Jon the BBC Academy commented: Although we nies over the course of the year.” Staff can exchange up to £243 per Williams, who opened negotiations month of their salary for e-vouchers with Zimbabwe’s unity government to help pay for a range of childcare over reporting access in February. support. Until now, the scheme has ‘Aware of the reconciliation only been available to staff who have process going on in Zimbabwe Make contest a more than 12 months to run on their we recognised that we had our contract. But, with immediate effect, own reconciliation to do with the working parents with at least one full government, and we welcome the photo finish month remaining on their contract opportunity to go back,’ Williams of employment will be able to apply. said. Restrictions were lifted after Are your snaps as candid as Henri Cartier Bres- BBC People has almost 1200 em- a 90-minute meeting he had with son’s or as intimate as Annie Leibovitz’s? ployees currently participating in senior government officials. The BBC staff photography competition is the voucher scheme and an addition- ‘It will take time to restabilise now open and wants people to send in their best al 2,200 employees will now become trust in a real working relationship. shots. Sponsored by Global News the competi- eligible. Allowing our journalists back in is tion has five categories: our world, august activity The ‘salary sacrifice’ method bene- just the first step.’ (photos must be taken in August 2009), mobile fits employees because the cost of the He too welcomes an end to covert technology, abstract and unexpected beauty. A vouchers is taken from gross pay be- reporting: ‘It takes courage and can winner will be announced in each of these cat- fore tax and national insurance are be compelling journalism but it was egories as well as an overall winner. deducted. Tax and NI are not applied always partly about us, and how we Entries should be uploaded to the group’s to childcare vouchers. were doing it, instead of the 15m Flickr page, tinyurl.com/bbcphotocomp2009, by For more information, visit http:// people in Zimbabwe.’ September 11. sites.gateway.bbc.co.uk/myreward/ There was no opposition from Visit tinyurl.com/bbcphotocomprules for myChoices.shtml the authorities to a bureau in the more details. Last year’s overall winner was Fish- Call HR Direct on 0800 082 8080 , and any decision would be erman in Valencia Spain (pictured). by John Quin- or vouchers provider KiddiVouchers made on a business case, he said. tero, the iPlayer picture editor. on 0800 612 9015. a 04·08·09 Features 5 WANTED: WITTY WOMEN Edinburgh isn’t short of stand ups in August - but how many are women? Claire Barrett meets the BBC’s part- time comediennes and asks comedy exec Katie Taylor what efforts are being made to get funny women on tv

Funny females are in short supply. very female thing’. Even the ballsy But Taylor is urging producers It’s not that women can’t be as side- Jo Brand has vowed to steer clear of and commissioners to ‘think more splittingly uproarious as men; it’s sim- Mock the Week as she ‘didn’t like the laterally’ when matching comedy ply that so few of them choose to vent prospect of having to bite someone’s style to showcase. ‘On the new se- their humour as stand-up comedians. foot off before they let us say some- ries of QI, for instance, we’ve got It’s a scarcity that is affecting the thing’. Sandi Toksvig. She’s perfect, gender balance of tv panel shows. Mock the Week is ‘a bit of a lion’s but she’s never been on it As Dara O’Briain, Mock the Week host, den’, admits Katie Taylor, comedy en- before.’ pointed out recently: ‘There’s a 90 tertainment exec editor, who insists While being on the road percent, 10 percent split the entire that efforts are being made to get and doing late night gigs way down the industry, from the Ed- more funny women on BBC telly. Katy may deter some women inburgh Festival to the open mic level. Brand, Shappi Khorsandi, Jo Brand, Jo from the stand-up life, Tay- Every [panel] show ’ve done we’ve Caulfield and Miranda Hart are on the lor believes there is plenty torn our hair out trying to find female guest lists for panel shows from Have of sharp and original female comics.’ I Got News For You to Would I Lie To talent coming through. But Or is it that panel shows just aren’t You. And Taylor points with pride to she calls for patience. ‘Comedy very welcoming to women. Victoria the recent Michael McIntyre’s Com- is very exposing, whether it’s in Wood has complained that many are edy Roadshow – a Saturday night, a theatre or tv studio,’ she warns. testosterone traps, relying on ‘men BBC One series that featured a female ‘You cannot put people onto topping each other, or sparring with comic in every show bar one and panel shows until they’re ready or each other, which is not generally a pulled in 4.5m viewers an episode. they’ll be written off or put off.’

Rowena Haley Clara Heimerdinger

Humour was a social ice- The laughs started com- breaker for Rowena Haley, who ing when Clara Heimerdinger aban- used her wit to make friends at doned the fluorescent jacket and school. ‘I didn’t really have much banana – a misguided attempt to be else to work with,’ she says. ‘I was surreal – and based her jokes on her never going to be the best-dressed own experiences and observations. girl or have the nicest hair. It’s much ‘My act is energetic, cheeky, better to have people laughing at friendly, a bit quirky,’ explains the you at school for the right reasons.’ 6 Music network co-ordinator, ‘and Her first public performance came totally honest.’ at Uni. Comedy songs – be they about A fan of live comedy, she spent Primark, phasing out friends or her dead pet hamster, Mau- her teenage summers around the Edinburgh Fringe and did reen – remain at the heart of the act, which catapulted Ro- her first open spot after finishing a comedy course in Lon- Feri Tescan wena to the Funny Women finals at London’s Comedy Store don. ‘My friends who were in the audience made sure they last year. ‘I felt like I was going to be sick before I went on,’ laughed loudly. When they got bored of coming to my gigs, The fight for equal- show has had sell-out admits the researcher for new BBC One comedy Walk on the I found that genuine audiences were laughing at me.’ ity may have been won, Edinburgh Festival runs Wild Side, who is doing some open mic spots in Edinburgh. At least, the ‘more usual, intelligent type’ were. ‘There but female stand-ups still for the last five years. She attributes the lack of female stand-ups to play- are some clubs that are full of big groups of drunken rugby have some catching up to She also gets into char- ground politics, with ‘some girls put off as they are scared players, stag dos, hen dos, office parties, that kind of thing. do, reckons Feri Tezcan acter for adults – short they will embarrass themselves in front of men, whereas They decide before the female comic starts her first joke (pictured right). ‘At the dialogues in the guise of maybe men think comedy is a good way to show off’. that they don’t find her funny.’ back of some people’s a jaded primary school The woman who grew up watching French and Saun- She admits that great female role models are scarce on minds there’s still this teacher or Turkish belly ders – ‘the dirty old men were my favourites; a bit inap- the traditionally male dominated circuit. ‘You need a re- feeling that a woman just dancer. It’s deliciously propriate for a 10 year-old’ – is herself likened to Victoria ally thick skin, a lot of self belief and confidence,’ believes shouldn’t be up there.’ bad taste. ‘I think it’s Wood. But she’s happy for comedy to remain a sideline Clara, who names Jenny Éclair, Janey Godley, Josie Long and The Red Bee subtitler important to shock, to – ‘I’m not too bothered about making money from it – and Jo Romero among her female favourites. ‘It’s very scary admits that she does it cross boundaries,’ she it’s still winning her friends. ‘It’s great when people come and, unlike in theatre or music, the reaction is instant and it herself. ‘Many have that says. ‘Surely people are up to me and say they enjoyed my songs – it makes me feel might be a bad one. There’s nothing or nobody to hide be- apologetic air – like they past being offended a bit useful.’ hind. It’s just you – you write alone and you perform alone.’ have to make up for all when they hear some- those dreadful female thing crude come out of comics who whine on a woman’s mouth.’ about their terrible boy- Feri also writes for tv Ione Harding friends or being dumped.’ sketch shows, and she’s Funny women, she be- considering straight I thought I’d try, even if I ended up than anyone I’d ever heard,’ she says. lieves, seem to flourish stand-up. Not that she’s spitting glass and tombstones,’ says ‘When you’re dealing with life and behind characters. It’s driven to perform. ‘Tak- Ione Harding. A relative newcomer death, nothing else is that serious.’ where Feri has had some ing your gags out there to the circuit, the researcher from So why are there so few women on success. As one half of a and counting the number Learning is no stranger to humour. A the circuit?. ‘Men know that women double act, she performs of silences, can be soul former scientist, she used to make love funny men,’ she reasons. ‘Wom- sketch and character destroying. I just wish I jokes to relieve the stress of work- en are just as ballsy – they’re just less comedy for kids. Their was a bloke – it would be ing with cadavers. ‘The surgeons likely to do something that masochis- Silly Billy Bum Breath so much easier.’ could swear better and were funnier tic to attract the opposite sex.

6 Features a 04·08·09 EMPICS S EMPICS p or t ‘For me cricket is like chess on grass’

Successful commentary is all in the research, says Test Match Special commentator Simon Mann

Without the commentators well, it just wouldn’t be cricket. The relaxed, conversational tone of the BBC’s team of experts has earned them something approaching iconic status among followers of the sport. But the ease with which they follow the ebb and flow of the game – seemingly plucking obscure statistics out of the blue – belies their profound depth of knowl- edge. ‘The keys to good commentary are prepara- tion ahead of each game and an inherent love of the sport’, says Mann, who’s been on the TMS commentary team since 1996. ‘It might be a cliché, but to me cricket really is England’s Stuart Broad celebrates the of Australia’s Mike Hussey on the fifth day of the third Ashes test at Edgbaston chess on grass. I’m fascinated by the facts and figures, the athleticism, the element of danger given the speed and hardness of the ball – the physical and the mental element.’ Simon has followed cricket since he was 11 How radio makes the and continued play- ing at club level until recently. He’s con- vinced that following the sport at all levels – at different grounds, in different countries and test match special through different media – is essential to do justice to the job. ‘Your big- gest tool as a commentator is the depth of The British summer has many sounds – provide commentary when things get platforms tuning in to hear the likes experience built up and knowledge assimi- lawnmowers, ice cream vans, the gentle pat- particularly riveting – as in the Test’s of Jonathan ‘Aggers’ Agnew and lated over many, many years,’ he says. ter of rain – but in recent weeks one has been climax, where the schedule was given over genteelly discussing the day’s events as they Before a match Mann researches the biog- notable in its ubiquity: the crystal clear bab- to an hour of action from Swalec Stadium. happen. ‘It’s the family that’s been with you raphies and track records of each player so he’s ble of the DAB radio, whispering 5 live’s Ash- Australian fast-bowler has for years, providing you with the very best familiar with each member of each team. The es coverage into the distracted ears of damp been brought in as a summariser, providing commentary you can have,’ says Mount- basics are essential – not just names and form barbeque guests the country over. With Eng- an antipodean perspective on events, while ford. but how do they play? How many test matches land still one up following the third Test at on Saturday mornings the remit broadens Of course ball by ball commentary is as have they been in? Do they perform better at Edgbaston and Ashes fever rising, that bab- to include comedian ’s crick- at the mercy of this summer’s changeable home or abroad or at any particular ground? ble could become a roar. et comedy show Yes, it’s the Ashes. weather as cricket itself, but that doesn’t ‘You can’t retain all the details, but when a ‘It’s not a series you have to sell to people stop the TMS team: ‘People love it when it player comes out to bowl I like to have the tem- - they want to know what’s going on,’ con- rains,’ says Mountford. ‘As a kid growing up plate,’ he says. firms cricket producer Adam Mountford, ‘It’s now less about I listened to TMS and there were times I al- The team in the press box consists of the who is responsible for all radio coverage of most hoped it would rain, because that’s commentator who describes the action and the the sport. ‘You can sense that the nation is England winning, when you’d get the great stories.’ ex-player who analyses it. The scorer or ‘stat- getting behind it.’ Mountford maintains the programme is man’ is on hand for more complex facts or fig- The events of the weekend are just the than it being an not one that needs an annual overhaul, al- ures that may need verifying. latest instalment in what is turning into a though this year has seen some interesting So what of those long periods during a game classic series, which began with the nail bit- exciting series’ changes. where very little seems to be happening? ing draw at the first test in Cardiff, followed by Adam Mountford and Tim Lovejoy are bring- Mann says there’s always something to a historic victory for England at Lords, thanks ing it to a new audience over on talk about, because as a commentator you’re to Andrew Flintoff’s bowling prowess. But for many obsessive fans, plus a sur- during a half hour segment that will be describing the whole scene – the weather, the Whether or not we witness a repeat prising proportion of eager novices, the Ash- available as a podcast, and the TMS Ashes crowd, something somebody said during lunch, of England’s 2005 Ashes triumph - when es mean Test Match Special (TMS). The 52 year Archive has recently opened online, provid- even lunch itself. He also keeps some handy an- Dixons reported a 70 percent increase in old programme, which provides live ball by ing historic commentary from the series ecdotes up his sleeve. DAB radio sales over the summer - the 5 ball coverage for listeners on each day of the dating back to 1938. ‘The trick is to not use all of those up at once,’ live team are again providing an array of series, continues to constitute the ‘crown Though his phone ‘never stops ringing’ he says. ‘These days our producer can get infor- coverage to suit everyone, from the casual jewels’ of the BBC’s cricket coverage – even with people from different BBC outlets want- mation onto a screen in front of us very quickly. listener to hardcore fans able to recount the when on television the sport isn’t on the A- ing to speak to the Test Match Special team about If we digress during a lull in play and something notoriously arcane LBW law in mind-numb- list. the cricket, Mountford remains coy about quirky comes up – like what’s Peru’s biggest ing detail. Through digital only station 5 live predicting any particular outcome. export? – he or she can find out while we spend 5 live itself provides regular news up- sports extra, Radio 4 LW, iPlayer and the ‘I think it’s less now about England win- a few moments debating the answer ourselves. dates. Its recently bolstered team allows website, the programme gets in the or- ning the Ashes as it being an exciting se- Then the cricket starts up again.’ the station to react as needed and also der of four million listeners across the ries,’ he says. ‘And I’m sure it will be’. a 04·08·09 Features 7

YOUSAY Last week our cutting edge columnist week@work Bill thompson admitted to watching tv with his phone and laptop to hand. How How many screens do you watch?

I confess to using Twitter on my laptop while watching TV. The wit, commentary and knowl- edge of the community definitely adds a wel- come dimension to certain shows. Of course it’s also made me aware that whenever I present, the Twitter community is also out there providing that sardonic layer of appreciation. Maggie Philbin, presenter, Radio Berk- shire

Watch tv on just one screen? I shall do no such thing. Not without my phone or laptop to Twit- ter away while watching or Doctor Who. I know someone who was in London while his wife was in France. They used to watch the BBC in their respective homes and have their lap- tops running Skype so they could chat to each other while watching tv. After all it’s a commu- nal experience. Andrew Wong, senior content producer, Multiplatform

I usually have a second screen to hand - be it a mobile phone or a laptop. If the programme de- mands my full attention then I’ll use the pause facility to avoid losing the plot. In my job I have to compile post production paperwork about of our listeners as possible,’ explains Switch visited the festival as part of their programmes, so I’ve been trained to be unable bbed by hundreds of teens at Carver, ‘Which meant doing what they do – Mo week long road trip which will visit places to watch a programme without writing down but I bottled it on the swings.’ London’s Underage Festival Switch dj Nick across the UK. information about it. You can follow the tour at bbc.co.uk/ Grimshaw and producer Megan Carver were ‘As it’s the summer holidays we thought Mark Abraham, production switch and on Jo Whiley’s show on Radio 1. forced to head for the fairground rides to we should pack our bags and meet as many coordinator, Vision record their packages.

I only very occasionally have my laptop on in the evening. And if the programme (or book - remember them?) is interesting then I let my CHANGING PLACES green champ Introducing the environment champions mobile go to voicemail. Life’s too short to com- plicate it with all these distractions. Debbie Thrower (left) joins u Stuart Ellis, assistant producer, Manchester suggesting we revert back to the Iron Age, Anna Cassar, assistant content Radio Solent. She will present but it makes sense that the less the food producer, A&M Interactive the early breakfast show and Why did you become an environment champ? has travelled the fresher and tastier it is. It afternoon programme in I’ve been a bit of a ‘Green Beret’ since before has less impact on the environment by re- Just the one screen if I’m actually watching August... Bj Angela Frain the group formed, ticking team members ducing its mileage and what’s more it sup- stuff. I hate having the telly on as a background leaves BBC Lincolnshire to off for binning paper and needless print- ports local farmers and food producers. It’s thing - if you’re watching something, watch become news editor at Radio ing. When I saw that a group was gathering not always pricey either. it. Twitter needn’t be on a different device of Bristol... Look North reporter I though it would be great to join - greater course - if I’m watching programmes on the Hannah Moffat leaves the numbers, louder voices and all that. What habits have you changed? laptop I set my Tweetdeck to silent alert. Single BBC to join France 24 in Paris... James Stewart I recycle more household screen multi tasking. becomes editor of Radio for six What’s the biggest gripe waste, reuse plastic water Ant Miller, technologist, FM&T months replacing Jeremy Pollock who becomes you have about your bottles and other items editor of the English regions special features unit. building? that just need wash- My laptop is always to hand and is usually the Electrical equipment ing up, say no to car- focus of attention, with the TV on in the back- left on stand-by. I un- rier bags, and turn ground. I have been known to Tweet to the per- COMING UP derstand some habits off lights. It may not son sitting next to me on the sofa. are hard to break and seem much but add Annabel Blair, head of internal u Eight people will learn to play an instrument in some issues too big it all together and the communications, World Service a new 6 x 30 minute series for BBC NI. Compose to crack quickly but difference it makes is Yourself will be made by Waddell Media and is ex- pressing an off button surprising. I sit in front of the tv with my MacBook and pected to tx later this year. Commissioned by head and shutting your PC down iPhone. Because my phone’s more portable of programmes Ailsa Orr it will be exec produced by costs nothing and takes What advice would you give than my laptop I’m more tempted to tinker Deirde Devlin. seconds. someone that wants to make a around on it. I love learning and there’s always difference? something else I want to look for. It’s force of u Controller of BBC One Jay Hunt and controller of If you could ban one thing where you live There’s no shortage of websites that can habit that makes me put the tv on. commissioning Ben Stephenson have com- what would it be? help you be more ‘green’ and save cash. Stewart Kingscott, producer, missioned a second series of Five Days for the I’d like to promote locally sourced produce Check out the Environment site for ways to Coventry and Warwickshire channel. Made in-house, the 5 x 60 minute series and seasonal food shopping. I know that help: explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/environ- will tx in 2010. we live in a global economy and I’m not ment I have just one screen - my iPhone - but from it I will happily Tweet, email and Facebook my way through pretty much anything. Unless it’s CSI. one mile radius Things you can see in your lunch break That gets my undivided attention. Zoe Kleinman, bj, News Online u Kay Wright, sbj, BBC Leicester blends pleasingly with the present at tree-lined New Walk prome- The second you step outside BBC the medieval Guildhall and Leices- nade and admire the showcase I have four including the tv: my iPhone for tex- Leicester’s studios, you’re in the ter Cathedral which stand alongside of fine Georgian architecture. ting friends, first laptop for Tweeting/ blogging thick of it. Take your pick from a the Highcross shopping centre that That’s before dipping into the and a second laptop to stream BBC content plethora of cafes, bars, shops and hums with activity from dawn ‘til New Walk Museum (right) and if I’m watching another channel. I’m a media galleries reflecting the city’s rich dusk. Alternatively you can step back making friends with the collec- junkie. ethnic and cultural diversity. If his- from the hustle and bustle by tak- tion of dusty old dinosaurs and Jon Jacob, website manager, COJO tory’s your thing, then the past ing a languid stroll up the peaceful, mummified remains. 8 9 take the weather with you With the words ‘bbq summer’ ringing in our ears and the financial climate still a little chilly, taking a ‘staycation’ (formerly known as relaxing at home) seemed like a brilliant idea – and bang on trend. But has the weather dampened our spirits? Sue Llewellyn went in search of staff who are sticking close to home Derbyshire Devon Harry Matharu, legal Fiona Gristwood, research Northumberland UK Tour Business Manager (above) exec, MC&A, is currently in Devon. is a convert to the holidaying ‘My husband and I always said that if Vicky Barry, PA in near home cause: ‘We’re we ever had kids we’d show them the entertainment, is hitting planning a staycation again beautiful British Isles before the rest the road. ‘I’m staying in the this year - it’s too expensive of the world; but after 17 days of solid UK, having bought a flat last trying to organise trips abroad rain in Ireland last year with an 18 year we’ve yet to get the bank with two small children and month old baby, where we rarely got balance back to normal. We none of my family are sun out of the car, we decided that if the usually take a week or long worshippers. This year we’re summer was wet and cold again we’d weekend in Amsterdam and going to Derbyshire as we have get a last minute deal. had our sights set on either a family membership to the Then friends who live on the edge of Paris or Bruges. I’m ginger Merlin group, which includes Dartmoor asked if we would house- so sun, sea and sand don’t Alton Towers. My kids are at sit and with money being tight at the appeal much anyway, which an age where they love theme moment we jumped at the chance. We is good. We decided to take Surfing Ireland parks and rides. We’ve booked a love the beautiful and varied scenery a mini road trip around the Radio Foyl little cottage nearby, so we can of Devon and Cornwall and there is e’s presenter Mark Patterson country, visiting friends from edits the BBC Northern Ireland surf platform even for a ‘wee cheapie’ - so for me it’s a explore the countryside too. just so much to do there come rain or university and family, ending (bbc.co.uk/ni/surf) ‘Staycation? You bet. The Staycation 2009 Surfari here in Ireland. August There is so much to explore in shine. But we are hedging our bets. up in Edinburgh for a few days taxman has had the final say on any fancy and September see the return of bigger waves the UK, you don’t need to go Despite the promises of a hot August of the Fringe Festival - where notion of holidays this year, so in a few weeks off the east coast, and a few mates are coming abroad to have a break. Have were not taking any chances and are we’ll take advantage of the time it’s salt and pepper sandwiches, a rack of over from Oz and America to surf surf surf...with you ever wondered why half the taking our passports, so if it looks free shows.’ boards on the roof and a road map to my own maybe a modicum of cold stout and a bowl of world comes to the UK for like its going to be another wash-out place. The continent has become so expensive, hot chowder somewhere down the road. Wish a holiday?’ we can take a ferry to Spain or get a us luck.’ cheap flight from Plymouth.’

Camping in Cornwall Camping in Scotland Sightseeing in London West Sussex ‘Barbecue summer or And, of course, it’s the perfect Eileen Murphy, assistant editor, board games?’ says Simon opportunity for a bit of quality news interactive England, has just Waldman, Strand Editor, time with the kids, if I can prise returned from a week with her three TV News ‘By the time you them away from the games kids in West Sussex. ‘It wasn’t the south read this, I will have dragged my console. of France, but we had a jolly nice time family, yet again, to Cornwall for Wish you were here.... (and I was and I had the pleasure of seeing my kids another soggy fortnight. We go there?)’ (pictured) experience all the elements of every year, always hoping for the traditional British seaside. just a BIT of sunshine and usually These included: Punch & Judy on Worthing end up massively disappointed, promenade with the whiff of raw sewage but phlegmatic in a true-Brit sort hanging in the air; finding a Waitrose on of way. But we look on the bright the south coast that stocked fresh fish, as Isle of Man side after all, there’s PLENTY to we couldn’t find a fishmonger or a market; Some are staying at home do if it’s wet: sitting in gridlocked traffic on the way into to pursue other passions. •traipse miserably round the Brighton, caused by people flocking in ‘I only go abroad for work,’ overcrowded shops with for Gay Pride and trying to explain to my says Howard Benson, lots and lots of other seven-year old what ‘gay’ meant; eating Assistant Ed, Up All people in anoraks; the worst fish and chips ever in the history Night. ‘I’ll be travelling in •queue up with the rest of the world and trying not to laugh at my battered VW camper of the world for half an the Yummy Mummys in the children’s van and going to the Isle hour in an overcrowded indoor playground in Hove, with their barely- of Man for the transport swimming complex; there bikinis. festival, visiting preserved •try - and usually fail - to get into Susanna Reid, Presenter, BBC Breakfast took her young family to railways in the north and one of the overcrowded Jeff Zycinski Head of Radio, Scotland Tussauds, Oliver!, the new Harry Potter Movie the Tube journey was amazing. Better than Northumberland. ‘We went there because our fantastic weather team promised riding on mainline steam cinemas along with opted for a two centre holiday, one week at the Empire Leicester Square. We did all of Buckingham Palace, they said. The second week us a barbeque summer. As we drove up the M1 in pouring rain we wished trains like the Scarborough everyone else; in London and the second camping in the those things and more and even managed a was under canvas in the Glenmore Forest Park we’d booked Barbados. Then we remembered we couldn’t afford to go that Spa Express and the Garrett •or sit in the drizzle Highlands of Scotland with his family including trip to where we watched near Aviemore. Some fantastic days on Loch far abroad, and our week turned out to be glorious. Sunshine, punctured by Exhibition at Manchester on the beach - kids Sarah (14) and Alan (12). ‘No pay rise, no Nicholas Witchell interviewing people about Morlich and nothing beats the taste of sausages showers that didn’t spoil our utter enjoyment of the best beaches, castles and Museum of Science and not crowded bonus and so no trip to Disneyland. The London the BBC’s annual report. Funny how things cooked in the outdoors! The rain stayed off until country walks anywhere in the world. ‘ Industry - collecting ideas at all. idea went down well and each family member seem more exciting when you look at them the very day we had to go home. Who needs for my railway features.’ made a list of things we wanted to see. Madame through children’s eyes. They even thought Disneyland?’

10 Opinion a 04·07·09 MADE IN THE UK aview Bristol and wildlife tv – more CLARE than an accident of history BOLT THE NATURAL history unit in produced in Bristol. We started Bristol is a rare constant in In the first of a short series of work on it in the mid-1970s, an evolving broadcast world. and the ground-breaking Life on A good reason Whereas other specialist centres essays by celebrity champions Earth was transmitted in 1979 to of excellence have come and huge audiences, selling around for Radio 1 gone, the NHU has always been of out-of-London production, the globe so that eventually it there, or so it seems. What happy was estimated that 500m people combination of circumstances David Attenborough explains watched it. Ed Vaizey claims he was quoted out of and talents made Bristol the There is a great deal of trial context and his party has swept in, reassur- ideal habitat for the unit, why Bristol is the natural place and error in producing natural ing Radio 1’s 11m listeners that selling off the enabling it to grow into the most history programmes, and the station isn’t Tory policy. But let’s try it out for enduringly successful out-of- to make nature programmes people who make them have size: the ‘government’ sells off Radio 1 and London production department built up extraordinary levels replaces it with an advertising funded, UK- in the history of the BBC? of knowledge and expertise. wide pop radio station. You might argue that there Waiting patiently week after In the rebranded, commercially-driven has always been a strong interest week in freezing temperatures world of Radio 1 and Only! (TM) it’s Fearne in natural history in the West for a snow leopard to creep Cotton who is left running the show. Chris Country, and a long tradition across a mountainside, or Moyles is out (too expensive) Westwood’s there of self-educated, amateur understanding precisely when show has been axed (too edgy) and Annie naturalists. But the truth is and how to film the annual Mac no longer plays dubstep (too specialist that the NHU would not exist in hatch of turtles on a starlit for profit-hungry shareholders). Bristol, had it not been for the beach, requires special skills. So You could also bet that the specialist mu- enthusiasm and passion of one too does the post- production of sic sessions, live music events and expen- man, and his belief in the public natural history series, and once sive PSB content would slide from view: a service ideals of the BBC. a commissioning mainstream commercial station carrying Desmond Hawkins was not momentum was established, documentaries, social action campaigns and himself a trained naturalist, nor over the years the NHU in extended news and current affairs bulletins? a West Countryman. He moved Bristol attracted many satellite MP Tom Watson, who sits on the select as a radio producer to the BBC businesses and freelancers. The committee for media and culture, blogged in Bristol after WW2 and started city has accumulated a unique eloquently on the subject when - natural history production in set of trades and talents. day Times story broke. Vaizey’s analysis, he Bristol with radio programmes argues, fails to understand that Radio 1 is such as The Naturalist and Birds In Cultural identity much more that a music station. ‘Other than Britain, long before the arrival of At the same time the cultural Radio 1, you cannot find a broadcast radio television in the area. As a boy, life of Bristol has benefited station in Britain that engages with young I listened to those programmes, from the existence of the NHU. adults at scale and on their terms. The sta- and I dare say my own passion The world’s first wildlife film tion does this because it has the luxury of was stoked by them. festival, Wildscreen, was held in having a wider remit than a good balance the city, attracting visitors from sheet at the end of the month,’ he writes. Global reputation all over the world. The University Even the Trust has praised the station’s In 1952 I began my career with of Bristol would probably tell role in supporting new UK music and artists. the BBC in London, at the tv you that its zoology department The age profile may need a push back talks department in Alexandra gains greatly from the fact down, but it’s a no brainer that a privatised Palace. I worked on anything that the best natural history Radio 1 wouldn’t have the same editorial from political broadcasts to television unit in the world is scope, nor would it take the same risks. As archaeological quizzes. but within walking distance, and a Watson reminds us, it’s a lot more than a mu- before long I launched Zoo to London. So natural history tv stories. Productions like these, close and symbiotic relationship sic station. Quest, a series which took me programmes were being made building on the foundation of has sprung up between the two. Clare Bolt is features editor of Ariel all over the world and helped to in Bristol even before anyone in its existing BBC One output, Producers and academics drink determine the future course of the region could watch them. secured the future of the unit in the same pubs and exchange my life. Enthusiasm is infectious, and and bound natural history ideas, and many a promising Meanwhile, in Bristol, Desmond gathered about him a production ever more closely young graduate has found A matter of pay Desmond Hawkins had decided core of people whose passion for with its Bristol roots. employment at BBC Bristol. that as soon as it was physically natural history equalled his own, At BBC Two, I also launched It may have been historical and privacy possible to make television so that by 1957 it was officially a style of documentary which accident that the NHU was programmes in the West recognised as a production would now be described as the founded in Bristol, rather than Country, his team of natural specialism in Bristol, and he set ‘landmark’ series, taking a big London, but instinct tells me The salaries issue is set to run and run. history specialists would show up the NHU proper there. subject and devoting 13 one- that when Desmond Hawkins Michael Lyons has been defending (on Radio these upstarts in London how When I became controller hour programmes to it. The first produced the first natural history 4’s ) the right of the highest paid it was really done. Hardly was of BBC Two in 1965, I naturally of these was Kenneth Clark’s radio programmes there in 1946, talent and BBC receptionists alike to have Zoo Quest on the air in 1954 than wanted to indulge my own Civilisation, followed by Jacob he already saw far further than their salaries kept under wraps. Only those Desmond had decided to launch passion for natural history. Bronowski’s The Ascent of Man. the wildlife that was on his West making decisions about how public money his own series Look, with Peter When BBC launched colour tv An obvious contender for the Country doorstep. is spent should have their earnings revealed, Scott, whose bird sanctuary at in Britain, I could think of no same treatment had to be the Natural history programme Lyons said. To do otherwise could drive peo- Slimbridge was only 20 miles subject better suited to showing history of all life on earth, but making has become as much a ple into the arms of other employers. away. off the new technology. I that was a subject I hankered part of Bristol’s cultural identity Interesting that the chairman of the BBC The fact that there was still commissioned from the NHU The after tackling myself. as seafaring or the wine trade. Trust admitted that he doesn’t know what no actual tv studio in the city, or World About Us, initially a series As soon as I resigned from my The skills it takes to make such Jonathan Ross – the most controversial of for that matter any transmitter of 26x50-minute programmes management job, I suggested programmes are now woven the BBC big earners – actually does takes or tv sets in the region, did that turned into a long-running the idea to one of the most into the fabric of the city, and home. But whether a receptionist in the not deter him. He brought in strand, and helped to establish experienced producers at the long may it remain so. lower salary bands would be as likely to jump an outside broadcast unit, ran a global reputation for the NHU, Chris Parsons, who would Read David Attenborough’s full ship as a Wossy or a Wogan – where their pay cables and cameras into the unit. Bristol also produced Life, later himself head the unit. This article and the other Made in to be made public – is debatable. large radio studio and piped a magazine programme that was without doubt at the time the UK online essays at the BBC Cathy Loughran is deputy editor of Ariel the programme by landline up covered natural history news the most ambitious series to be website bbc.co.uk/madeintheuk

> IF YOU HAVE A VIEW ABOUT THE TOPICS ON THIS PAGE, PLEASE EMAIL ariel mailbox a 04.08·09 11

This is the page that everybody reads. Please email [email protected] You can also contribute to the mail page directly from the Ariel Online home page mail

R.I.P. expenses BBC Workplace is aware that there I work in BBC People and therefore are currently not enough card and have to deal with sad situations like Privilege check on sate of our education paper skips at this location. Further the death in service of a member At the end of a month in which new in place to monitor the ethnic breakdown skips are available in the recycling of staff. In these cases, one of the compound (Dodds Yard) that are things that helps the family is that research showed social mobility in the of staff and various initiatives to promote sufficient for all paper and the BBC acknowledges its apprecia- UK had dropped, and universities were diversity, yet I’m unaware of any attempt to cardboard waste generated at TVC. tion of the deceased staff member. told by the government to increase the grapple with the issue of privilege. Site staff are aware of the need to I think most of us would agree that number of poorer applicants in their If the BBC is to reflect and serve all sectors recycle as much as possible and this is normally shown, amongst intake, shouldn’t the BBC be encouraged of society, it could employ a few more of the have been asked to remove any cards and letters, by the sending of paper and card prior to compacting flowers to the funeral. to reveal the proportion of senior figures – 95% of the population who were educated black bag waste. However, we have been prevented on screen and off – who were educated at in state schools. from doing this in the last few state schools? We already have mechanisms Matt Prodger sbj, Newsnight No thank you situations in Scotland because of The BBC’s generous offer to the the expenses policy. I have been Daily Mail, Telegraph et al of free looking at the recently published Deal or no deal? provide a number of discounts for to land fill. Why doesn’t BBC work- video content for their websites expenses of the senior executives As someone who has signed up for BBC staff (at no cost to employees or place replace some blue bins with does not appear to have been and note that they have successfully myDeals Corporate perks I thought the BBC). Where the BBC has man- green ones? What is the point in acknowledged by the recipients. claimed for sending flowers to I would use their service to book aged to directly negotiate a better encouraging people to recycle card- One wonders what kind of individuals. How on earth is a hire car for an upcoming trip. I deal than the Next Jump deal we do board and paper when there isn’t partnership we have entered when that possible? wanted to book a car for one week aim to only show the BBC negotiated enough capacity in the bins. the partners offer no reciprocal Isabel Cosgrove and decided to do my own price com- deal but in this case it does appear Steve Pearce benefits and do not admit to HR & development manager, Scotland parison. I can save almost £66 doing that this hasn’t happened. Thanks resources and development organiser, being in partnership. this via Gateway but only £22 via for pointing this out – we will get it newsgathering Jeremy Hayes Zarin Patel, Chief Financial Officer re- myDeals. Why is there such a price corrected. sbj, plies: Our staff are very important difference between the myDeals and Mark Wilkinson, Environment Team, to us and they make the BBC what the Gateway Personal Hire deal? Can Bin there done that BBC Workplace replies: BBC Work- All good people it is but it is still hard to justify to someone explain please? At the back of the TV centre Spur place support recycling throughout Michael Lyons said in his email to us the licence fee payer the purchase Paul Green there are about six green paper the organisation and have a plan for all on Friday: ‘But I also recognise of gifts for staff from licence fee production planner, newsroom recycling bins (and about twice improving the recycling provision at that the BBC needs to be able to funds. Flowers and other gifts are that many blue rubbish bins). The Television Centre and elsewhere. At attract the best people for the job however occasionally purchased Anneke Heaton, Reward Manager, problem is there are insufficient TVC this includes additional bins for because good people deliver results. for talent to mark notable successes BBC People replies: The BBC has a bins for the amount of cardboard/ recycling plastics and cans. As part And sometimes they do come with a and significant events. This helps number of discounts and deals avail- paper waste produced. I frequently of this, we are looking at the site big price tag.’ Is it me or is Michael the BBC in the building and able to staff and we are working go down to deposit cardboard in waste management equipment, in- Lyons saying that the majority of us nurturing of relationships and on getting them all in one place to the green bins and they are nearly cluding the provision of a compactor who aren’t paid that much are paid collaborations to bring the best avoid confusion. The Hertz discount always full up. As a result cardboard for paper and cardboard to reduce so little because we’re rubbish at our performers to air and is usual on myDeals is negotiated by an ex- and paper is being put into the rub- volume of waste and improve site jobs? It’s nice to be appreciated. amongst this community. ternal company, Next Jump who bish bins, the contents of which go operations. Gillian Darlington

ADvertisement 

a 04.08.09 14 Jobs See Attachment 

         Doctor’s                         orders                  Scotland producer          Tony Followell Hot             Shoe’d it to TVC to           spend time with the           events team                  It was the end of a long day in TC4. A triumphant     ‘alien’ wearing blue tights over his head, padded out     with his girlfriend’s chicken-fillets, was pronounced        the winner. He’d seen off 30 similarly-clad extra-terres-     trials to star in a specially-written scene in Doctor Who.        Sao Til, our underwear overlord, had triumphed.          I’d been producing entertainment shows for BBC    Scotland for some years and I was eager to widen my     experience in primetime Saturday night. In April I     headed to London, where I was to help the entertain-         ment team produce a Doctor Who competition strand    within John Barrow-           man’s Saturday night  show, Tonight’s The      Night.    When I arrived, as-     sistant producer Ali     Marlow and researcher        Lucy Baker were franti-      cally trawling the coun-   try for competition en-           trants. With just a few  days till the deadline,        we had only a hand-       ful of takers and the      Doctor Who strand was  due to feature heavi-     ly in the last three pro-    grammes. After some        The winner heavy phone-bashing     and targeted hits at Doc-      was an alien tor Who exhibitions and     sci-fi gatherings, we had    with blue a selection of aliens of        all shapes and sizes.        tights over Ten days later we      were in studio with our     30 chosen aliens, judg-  his head     es    and Denise Van Out-      en and Doctor Who’s casting director Andy Pryor. The       whole production team had come together to design,        shoot and organise our `show within a show’ and it   was great to be part of it. The studio team conjured an    out-of-this-world set, while our experienced reality di-     rectors set about hoovering up every ounce of tension       and drama behind the scenes. By the end of a relent-        less day’s shoot we had more than enough great ma-         terial for the Doctor Who strand.    It was a fantastic few weeks for me. I learned a lot     and made some good contacts and friends. Much re-     spect to the whole team at London ents, I hope we’ll     see each other again soon. As for Sao Til, well there was     another surprise in store for him. Half way through     filming of the scene specially written for him by Rus-               sell T Davies, starring John Barrowman and shot on     the hallowed Tardis set in Cardiff, David Tennant tapped him on the shoulder and asked to join in. Sur- prised? He nearly laddered his tights.    Been anywhere nice?    Send your attachment stories to Clare Bolt            

     

14 OCTOBER 08 ARIEL a 04·08·09 What am I doing here 15 PHOTOGRAPH: MAR PHOTOGRAPH:

She welcomes hundreds

of visitors a day but was K BASSETT foreign almost defeated by a bath of baked beans report

mike sergeant hot on THE trail of wild fires in spain

The heat was on from the moment I was given the assignment. It was nearly Friday lunchtime, and I was in TV Centre about to start editing a package for the One on Usain Bolt. Thoughts were already turning to a re- laxing weekend with the family. Then assignment editor Sarah White- head rushed over, and cut to the chase: ‘Can you get to Spain this afternoon?’ Flights andrea Collier were booked from Stansted, radio and tv kit gathered. A thousand British expats had been evacuated from the southern hill town operations manager for of Mojacar. It seemed as if the whole place might be consumed by raging wildfires. public space tv tours On the M25, I started calling Mojacar resi- dents. If we were going to make the Ten that CV andrea collier night, we would need to stay cool and get - lucky. A storm delayed my Ryannair flight by Degree:Art and psychology BA at Nene University Col an hour and a half. Any hope of making the lege, Northampton. Ten went up in smoke. Next morning, a 0530 First paid job: Washing up in a local village pub in start in Almeria. I met ever-cheerful camera- Derbyshire. man Peter Everett and we went off chasing What does your job involve? ly popular. The drama studio is Career Landmarks: Getting my first BBC foot-in-the- fires. 0655: no I manage the public space at BBC amazing. It’s just so curious. door job and working with people who took a chance We were sign of any, but Birmingham. It’s an interactive on me. my mobile was area where members of the pub- What do visitors like best? fighting starting to glow. lic come and look around. There If people are lucky they get to Demands from are viewing windows into the go to Ambridge where The Arch- ham so helping to set up a proper And before that? the flames Breakfast, BBC Asian Network studio, and into ers is recorded. That’s the gem – system was brilliant. The demand I’ve had an eclectic mix of jobs. World News, radio BBC WM, the local radio sta- if it happens it’s very exciting. If is still there, people are still curi- I’ve painted murals in night- of the news bulletins and talk tion. I’m often trying to control they’re not recording we sneak ous. clubs across the country, and of a tv package for hordes of school children who in. We’ve had people from The organised art workshops for dragon lunchtime. come to learn about the media. Archers Addicts fan club come Why do you think that is? people with mental health prob- The BGAN (sat- I also organise events and exhi- round. One man refused to en- People just want to come and lems. ellite internet terminal) and camera were set bitions in the space for things ter in case it ruined the illusion. touch Nick Owen’s sofa, and just up near some emergency trucks on the sea- like Gardeners’ World and pan- There’s an ironing board they really get to grips with the BBC. So you’re quite artistic? front, and we started our own fire-fighting – BBC campaigns like Breathing use to make the sound of a gate, They’re just completely wowed That’s my background. I’ve start- dousing the flames of the news dragon with Places. and old filming tape for straw so by the whole thing. ed hot glass blowing in Stour- one two-way after another. For the next 16 I guess he’s right. bridge, which is internationally hours, every time we thought we’d extin- How many people do you get What do you remember of Peb- renowned for glass making. It’s guished the BBC fires, the embers would coming along? Are the guides walking oracles? ble Mill? the hardest skill to master. It’s flare back up again with another load of pro- We get hundreds. In the school What they don’t know isn’t We moved to the Mailbox five really dangerous. You’re dealing gramme requests. holidays we can have up to 400 worth knowing. They are so well years ago and it was a culture with hot molten glass and heavy It was hot and getting hotter, with tem- people a day. They don’t spend informed. We advertised four change, but I hope people are blowing irons, and you’ve got to peratures nudging 40C. But for once the all day here, but they pop in, positions last year and I had 180 used to it now. When you greet be quick because you don’t want story was pretty straightforward. We drove have a shop and a cup of tea, applicants. A lot of them were guests you want a building that the glass to cool. I’ve had a burnt up into smouldering hills and found homes and maybe spot a presenter and actors who were good at memo- looks funky. We’ve all got fond fringe and skin. I’ve not made and a restaurant that had been gutted by get all giddy. rising facts and could entertain memories of Pebble Mill, but it anything particularly pretty so fire. I wanted to do a piece to camera inside people. They do mini tours in was very dated. far, but it’s a break from the rou- the restaurant, but the charred ceiling bent Have any odd things happened the public space and come into tine. I think it’s a human need under the weight of rubble above. Best to in the open centre? the studios for the bigger ones. Where are you originally from? to create beautiful things. get out. So back to Mojacar where we found A man was sponsored to sit in They’re amazing people who are Derby, but I’ve been in Birming- a campsite on the edge of the town. Cara- a bath of baked beans for Chil- so good at making everything ham for about ten years. It gives What else do you do in your vans had been torched and charcoal cov- dren in Need and I was left to sound exciting. Their enthusi- me everything I need and want. spare time? ered trees were still smoking nearby. clear it up. It was vile. I man- asm doesn’t wane. It’s a really big city, but you’re Every year I like to hit the slopes We had to get a tv package cut and fed aged to get most of them to the not far from the countryside. and go snowboarding. I’ve done for the BBC One news that evening. Close loading bay in various contain- How did the BBC Birmingham it for years all over the world. to meltdown, we sent it from the laptop in ers. I didn’t eat beans for quite a tours come about? How did you end up at the BBC? I did a season working in cha- an internet café. There was still time to set while after that. Tours have been going on at TV I came to BBC Birmingham to do lets in Austria. You got a free lift up an M4 (for radio broadcasting), do a few Centre for years, and the de- a couple of days of photocopying pass in return. My helmet is my more hits and send in a piece for Breakfast. So how are the new studio tours mand was high at other plac- for the press office, and that was latest piece of kit. As you get old- We hadn’t eaten all day but in Spain, going? es. Andy Begg, head of audienc- seven years ago. I’ve also worked er you realise you’re not invinci- you’ve almost never missed dinner. Seafood It’s taken ten months to set es, wanted to roll them out across in publicity, as a PA, and an ble. I skied when I was younger, on the coast was our reward for a hot and them up. The guides do ten be- the regions. I had a waiting list of events co-ordinator for the move but switched to boarding when I demanding day. Our own fires were finally hind the scenes tours each week over 200 people who wanted to to the Mailbox. I’ve been in my realised it was cooler. put out with some cold Spanish beer. and so far they’ve proved real- come and see inside BBC Birming- current role for three years. Peggy Walker

> CONTACT peggy walker to suggest a colleague for this feature 16 a 04·08·09 green room

▲ THE ARIELAT0R Girl racer: WE HEAR THAT. . . A weekly take on life at the BBC: Caroline Derbyshire All personal differences over the external ▲ who’s up, who’s down, who’s off changes to Doctor Who’s TARDIS (see last weeks UPSIDE Sports Green Room) were put swiftly aside thanks to the ▲ commentator Nigel publication of a job ad which seems to offer a posi- Johnson thought he ON tion inside it. Yes, the Australian Department of De- ▲ was attending a rou- fence is advertising for a TARDIS manager. tine meeting when Offering £32 - 37,000, the vacancy calls for ‘an en- ▲ he walked into the YOUR ergetic indvidual’ who is able to ‘work with minimal Radio Stoke studios supervision’ - qualities evident in any self-respect- last Thursday, but in- ing Time Lord – as well as a good working knowl- ▲ stead stumbled into edge of ‘DOORS’, presumably to avoid becoming ▲ a surprise party celebrating his 40 years of BIKE trapped in the booth’s voluminous interior. talking sport for the 41 year old station. Potential TARDIS managers who don’t mind relo- ‘He’s the Dumbledore of BBC Radio During National Bike Week cating (possibly through space and time) for the ▲ Stoke - imposing figure, a tad forgetful, Ariel online ran a competition job should get their application in by August 6. windswept hair,’ said managing editor Sue to win a Dahon Vitesse folding ▲ Owen of Nigel in her celebratory speech bike and ‘Bspoke’ Angel cy- Green Room was astonished to discover that one to gathered colleagues and local sporting cling jacket, donated by Fisher PA had passed up the much sought after honour of ▲ types. ‘But it’s his voice that does it.’ Outdoor. We nowpresent the appearing in Ariel’s prestigious fortnightly fashion Nigel’s son Roger Johnson couldn’t winner, Caroline Derbyshire, feature, What to Wear. ‘I ▲ make it thanks to the small matter of be- a picture editor in News. don’t want people to ing on telly that night, reporting the sport. And her victorious 15 word think that we’re A regular presenter on South Today, Roger tie-breaker describing just a bunch ▲ was inspired to take up the profession by how the bike would change of fashioni- his esteemed dad – with the pair even com- her life? ‘Wind in stas sitting ▲ mentating on the same match for the BBC my hair and a there doing last season. toned bum, nothing more ▼ Home for than deciding DownSIDE It was predictably a hard week bedtime, what outfits to ▼ for the BBC Weather team after the MET what a wear,’ said the office revised it’s infamous ‘barbeque sum- great PA, justifying ▼ mer’ forecast and replaced it with the alto- mum.’ her highly irregu- gether more familiar ‘occasionally sunny Enjoy lar decision. BBC but only when you’re the bike! Three’s Personal Af- ▼ at work’ predic- fairs (pictured), with its tion. Their inquisi- perfectly preened and glossy ▼ tors weren’t view- cast, clearly has a lot of explaining to do. ers but presenters, ▼ who treated them Robert Peston’s ‘Why men are to blame for the to ‘some persistent crunch’ blog post managed to raise some hackles. ▼ questioning’, The business editor’s assertion that ‘masculine according to deputy HAVING vices’ had bought about the financial crisis and ▼ head of newsroom call for females to take positions of financial re- Craig Oliver in an email update. Thankfully sponsibility such as Chancellor of the Exchequer ▼ an on-air hot front didn’t ensue, allowing the generated 248 comments and a response from Weather team to ‘keep their cool’ and ex- A BALL Adam Sherwin in who pointed out that plain the science behind the change. Peston’s BBC business post was indeed taken by… ▼ a man. Evidently Stephanie ‘Stephanomics’ Flan- Five seconds of ders, bearer of the not un-financially related title of fame: Eloise BBC economics editor, managed to pass him by. Curran EARWIGGING WIN A LAST CHOIR OVERHEARD AT THE BBC STANDING CD …This rat seems to have Remember last year’s tuneful an affinity for broadcast talent show Last critical circuits… ‘It was fun, but I was there for two playing some alarmingly fancy foot- Choir Standing, and half hours even though I’m only in work with the ball as they go about where groups of …Can you have an old new it for a few seconds’ says Eloise Curran their daily BBC business. eager amateur of her starring role in BBC Scotland’s At least, the footwork looks fancy singers around romantic?… new season football trails. Part of the on screen… ‘On one of the takes Dav- the nation fought front of house team at , she id Currie kicked the ball directly at (politely) to be …Over the last nine months evidently got an accurate taste of the the camera and we thought he’d bro- crowned ‘the nations favourite choir’? Well, my mum has literally aged overnight… tv trade during her first brush with the ken it’, confides Eloise ‘Luckily it was the accompanying Last Choir Standing al- often less than glamorous world of tel- okay and we could go on filming. I bum has sold an astonishing 80,000 cop- …My hamster was in the freezer for three months evision production. think he felt the pressure a little bit…’ ies, receiving a silver disc for its success. The requirement for the part was She admits that any foot-focused To celebrate this, we’ve got 10 copies of before I could decide what to do with him… to throw a ball to sports pundit Chick moves from her would have been the cd - which features everything from an Young and presenter David Currie as out of the question, but despite this acapella rendition of Justin Timberlake’s Cry …Can’t you play dominoes later and come to they start their shift. In keeping with Eloise was bestowed with a singu- Me a River to a choral take on old favourite my meeting?… the realities of life at Pacific Quay, the lar honour: ‘Apparently I have the Bridge Over Troubled Water - to give away. men do a few keepy-uppies and then only speaking part in the piece,’ she To enter to win a copy, answer this question: …Are you doing the sooking in and boot the ball off into the building. laughs. ‘I think I’ll need an agent next Who won Last Choir Standing? Email your The camera then documents a series time.’ answer to Ariel competitions by August 11. the blowing oot?… of commentators and pundits dis- See the trail at Ariel online.

> IF YOU HAVE A STORY FOR THE GREEN ROOM, CONTACT adam bambury