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Memories Fighting for Theft levels of TVC the galgos ‘unacceptable’ page 3 page 6 page 9 June 2010 Number 4 An election like no other page 3

With highlights from News TVC It’s a wrap: Centre forward to a Election 2 010 5Facts new national future • Did you spot any faces you Ty Davies writes: recognised in the virtual reality I responded to the news of the possible sale of House of Commons on Election Television Centre in the November 2007 issue 2010? The ‘MPs’ were actually of Prospero by putting forward an idea for its BBC staff members who sat in development into a National Museum of for the graphic. Performing Arts. Since then, English Heritage have succeeded in having a grade II listing on • 40 satellite trucks were brought part of the complex. PROSPERO in from across Europe, to ensure The RTS and the National Media Museum V&A National Video Archive of Performance. Equity ‘would like to see the idea considered’. June 2010 the BBC was live at more have since convinced me that a National Centre The major difference between the development The three Secretaries for State for CMS who counts than any other for the Performing Arts would widen and make of a centre rather than a museum, would be the have held the post since 2007 and the shadow broadcaster. better use of the complex. Instead of possible establishment of a music and dance secretary have all responded favourably. museum-style exhibits there could be galleries academy and there could also be facilities for If the BBC would like to take the lead and • A news producer was locked in with historical displays drawn from existing education and training for all professions across progress the idea further into a plan, it would Prospero is provided free to with the psephologists all day museum collections including: a V&A Theatre the complete range of the performing arts. BBC demonstrate to the license payers its on May 6, ensuring nothing Gallery, a combined BBC/NMeM gallery, a BFI The BBC and other production companies training could be relocated to the Centre and commitment to be the major cultural and retired BBC employees. It can leaked as they crunched the moving image gallery. This would limit the need could still use studios for live audience become a part of the campus. performance arts supporter in the UK and begin also be sent to spouses or numbers for the exit poll, which for permanent on-site curatorial staff. The recordings and audience facilities could be The reaction from most of the organisations to put into practise the second of the five The culmination of the most gripping election was very accurate. National Gallery has also stated interest, as has upgraded in a studio permanently allocated to has been favourable and there have also been priorities. Also ensuring another 50 years for the dependants who want to keep the British Library, which currently has over the Royal Opera House for live relays. Facilities favourable comments from BAFTA, The Mayor ‘Centre of Excellence’ as described in the August campaign for decades – and the most challenging • BBC Parliament had ‘a good 12,000 titles relating to the performing arts. and space could be allocated to the growing of and The London Borough of H&F. 2009 issue of HERITAGE magazine. in touch with the BBC. It campaign’, doubling its includes news about former in BBC history, according to Mark Thompson – audience during the last four colleagues, pension issues, weeks, and achieving its highest produced strong TV viewing and a weekend of ever weekly reach of 942,000. the early and developments at the record traffic to BBC News Online. The channel broadcast the Dry sherry on BBC. Prospero includes morning press conferences, years The audience for Election 2010, anchored by David and all local radio stations. Coverage was also on plus highlights of the day’s TVC classified advertisements. To Dimbleby, peaked at 6.6m, with an average of 4.7m, the Red Button and the BBC’s and campaigning, and all debates. advertise in Prospero or the a 36.1 per cent share and a 16.1m reach. The sites and . The mobile election We had a good response to our call for your memories and programme was broadcast on BBC One, the News results pages had more than 1m views. • For the first time, memorabilia about the history of BBC Television Centre, broadcast live and on the move TVC’s 6th floor which celebrates its 50th anniversary this month. We hope to BBC Staff magazine, Ariel, Channel, BBC HD and BBC Two in the nations. The nations ran their own programmes on BBC Programme editor Craig Oliver said: ‘It was an One, and attracted healthy audiences, with using Live U, essentially a publish more in the next issue of Prospero . see page 12. extraordinary privilege to work with such a talented Northern Ireland taking a 31 per cent share, Wales computer fitted with sim cards The first time I saw Television Centre was what Attenborough and my father discussed but Patrick O’Neill kindly sent us a copy of the Practical team on one of the most exciting and intriguing 24 per cent and Scotland 26 per cent. from various networks. When when I was a schoolboy in the early 1960s, not I do remember how graciously I was treated by Television March 1960 issue, which had as its cover story the construction of TVC. We were interested to read that ‘the cost stories. The journalism was extremely sharp, the A veteran of six general elections at the BBC, connected to a camera, Live U long after it opened, a few years before the household-name star presenter of Zoo Subscription information for production had real and the technical staff Mark Thompson said he couldn’t remember I unexpectedly joined the BBC at the end Quest. Attenborough talked to me in such an of building the mains block and works block and completing compresses video and uses 3G the restaurant section will be in the order of £10 million Ariel is on page 12. performed miracles. What more could you want?’ another one as complex or demanding as this one. mobile signal to stream footage of the decade. uncondescending way, almost as an equal, Across all channels the BBC’s tv election night And the output was ‘first class’, he said: ‘Brilliant My late father Dr Kenneth P. Oakley had been listening intently to my juvenile opinions as if including technical plant and wiring’. programming had a total reach of 17.7m between campaign coverage was followed by an election back to a server at TV Centre. invited in one afternoon to meet David the schedules should be immediately shifted to 9.55pm and 2am. night (and its fascinating aftermath) which showed The technology allowed North of Attenborough, who must have been Controller accommodate them. But the best bit was when There was a live results service on Radio 4, 5 live, the BBC at its very best – clear, authoritative, fair England correspondent Chris of BBC2 by then. My dad worked at the a drinks trolley suddenly appeared as if by BBC Scotland, BBC Wales, BBC Northern Ireland but also unbelievably gripping.’ Buckler to broadcast live from Natural History Museum and sometimes magic. I was asked what I’d like to drink and Fantastic facts the Conservatives’ battlebus appeared on radio or TV because of his role in no-one batted an eye when I asked for ‘a dry I joined the BBC in ’67 and worked in East Tower TVC in Scenic Servicing before helping expose the Piltdown Skull hoax in 1953 sherry’, my idea of the height of sophistication during David Cameron’s 36-hour moving to Studio Management where I worked as a Floor Assistant and Assistant 11.4m marathon and political and as ‘a treat’ he took me in with him. based on ‘special occasions’ round at my The number of unique users who visited the BBC News website on Friday May 7, breaking the Floor Manager until ’78. correspondent Mike Sergeant I remember the sweeping sense of light and grandparents’ house. previous record of 9.2m on the day of the Obama election victory. There were more than 100m from the Lib Dem campaign trail. airy modernity the new building conveyed, and Of course I had no idea then that one day I The facts about the fantastic TVC that I can remember are… page views in total and, at peak, 1,200 searched for a constituency result every second. I was impressed by Attenborough’s sun-filled would be a regular on that same 6th floor, still 6th floor office with its panoramic view of the showing off and trying to persuade successive 1. The staircase in the South Hall was the highest cantilevered staircase in Europe circular centre court below and its fountain channel controllers of something or other. at that time. Perhaps it still is. CROSPERO 148 12 surmounted by the gilded bronze figure of the Oh happy days. Greek God Helios. I have no recollection of Giles Oakley 2. There is another level below the basement which was built as a car park. Editorial contributions Devised and compiled by Jim Palm Unfortunately it flooded up to halfway and has always been unusable. 34 Complete the square using the clues; these apply only to words 3. The fountain in the centre had to be turned off as it was making employees go to running across. Then take these words in numerical order and the loo too often. (Might be an urban myth, that one.) Write to: Prospero extract the letters indicated by the dot. If your answers are correct, 56 BBC Pension and Benefits Centre the letters will spell out the names of two BBC characters 4. TC1 was the largest purpose built TV studio in the world. of yesteryear. 7 5. When Apollo landed on the moon, the studio (I think TC7) ran all night with the Cardiff, CF5 2YQ Please send your answers in an envelope marked Crospero to The satellite up all the time. I think that was the longest satellite broadcast ever – at 89 Tel: 020 7765 1414 Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting the time. House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ by June 18. 10 6. Programmes were not allowed to film in the grounds of TVC. Email prospero@.co.uk Clues: 1. Portent (4); 2. Grim experience (6); 3. Metal (4); 4. Pioneer 7. No statues were permitted in the grounds of TVC. The legendary Biddy Baxter flyer (3); 5. Choppers (4); 6. Grippable surface (5); 7. Vivacity (4); 11 12 changed both these rules with not just live shoots from out on the Ring Road but 8. Yearn (4); 9. Terminated (6); 10. Pale (5); 11. Protein substance (6); a Blue Peter Garden and a statue of Petra! Please make sure that any digital 12. Apparel (4); 13. Former Soviet state (4); 14. Lovers’ meeting (5); pictures you send are scanned 15. Mountain goat (4); 16. Exclamation (3); 17. Observed (4); 13 8. The BBC Club on the 4th floor (now a gym) was the scene of many altercations at 300 dpi. 18. Generates again (6); 19. Colours (4) . on Top Of The Pops nights between the orchestra members of the Musicians’ 14 15 Union, the Commissionaires and the young frustrated rock stars. Solution to Crospero No. 147 : Toff; Ichor; Obi; Ado; Gap; Yin; Van; Rio; Stage; Help; NATO; Calculating; Reps; Army; Tunis; Sue; 9. On the 6th floor Lifts Hall the loos were for Management only. Mixed Sources Ike; Ace; Ens; Rid; Peg; Esher; Tess. The programme was FRIDAY 16 17 Product group from well-managed 10. The dressing rooms did not have any plug sockets because Make-Up decreed forests, controlled sources and NIGHT IS MUSIC NIGHT. recycled wood or fiber that artists would bring in their own hair driers and that would be a disaster. WWW.fsc.org Cert no. SA-COC-1468 18 19 © 1996 Forest Stewardship Council The winner of Crospero 147 is Mr John Dean of London. Maurice Gallagher

2 • • June • 2010 June • 2010 • • 3 Letters Letters Contacts This issue… Harry and the Iron Hague; a reader defends Prospero; local radio programme sharing; memories of past times and old friends Visiting Scheme If you would like a visit or information on how to become a volunteer visitor, please ring 0845 712 5529. You will be charged Memories of Harry Carpenter only as a local call. Oh what a night I would very much like to add a personal Centre I tentatively asked if he would Listeners assumed it was an actual Queries memory to the many tributes paid to consider voicing my script for inclusion in commentary, overlooking the fact that the For benefit and pension payroll queries, call the Service Line on 029 2032 2811. introductions were always musical – initially caused a frown so goodbye everybody it’s time Harry Carpenter following his death. In my programme. He was fascinated by the fight pre-dated the start of radio – and sung by Judy Shirley when it was Monday to say goodnight, for Monday Night at Eight is 1969 when Harry was already the voice idea of a commentary on a title fight from indeed the birth of the outstanding Prospero Night at Seven – she being followed by a closing down.’ of boxing and I was a young producer the days before radio and readily agreed. commentator that was Harry Carpenter. To add, or delete a name from the succession of ‘singing commères’ such as ‘The I never heard Douglas Moodie. Perhaps he with the then fledgling BBC Radio Within a few days he re-wrote my Geoff Sargieson distribution list, ring the Service Line Three Chimes’. was a stand-in for HP when he was ill? Another Sheffield, I rang Harry to ask for his amateurish attempt at a live commentary, (number above). Prospero is provided free Ronnie Waldman introduced the segment serial Grandma listened to was Miss Dale’s help with what was to be my first personalised it in his own unique style and of charge to retired BBC employees. On called Puzzle Corner and became co-producer Diary and a bit later The Archers . radio feature. posted it to me on a 5” reel-to-reel tape. I WHILE READING THE well-deserved, request, we will also send it to spouses or with Harry S. Pepper in 1939. Despite Ronnie Lavender Beard I was working on a half-hour simply added sound effects of a big crowd kind reminiscences of a gentleman of dependants who want to keep in touch later being in the RAF, he did occasionally programme about Iron Hague, a at a boxing match. sports department, I remembered the with the BBC. Prospero is also available on appear as an interviewer during the war years audio tape for those with sight impairment. and in 1946 returned to the BBC as a producer MAY I ADD another anecdote to the recent little-known boxer from Mexborough, As a freelance, Harry later sent me a bill time when a relatively new Tony Gubba, To register, please ring the Service Line in Variety Department. By the end of the war, correspondence in Prospero about Monday Night South Yorkshire, who had taken the for fee we had agreed – charging £7. during the hectic Grandstand operation in on 029 2032 2811. Monday Night at Eight had been transferred to at Eight? I worked as Douglas Moodie’s English Heavyweight Boxing title from I still have the recording and in fact video tape, introduced the next item with Studio 1 Aeolian Hall for the orchestra and Production Manager, when he was directing Gunner Moir in the first round at the used it again last year when I re-made ‘...and now to boxing and your carpenter BBC Club main cast – and Studio 2 housed the dramatic episodes of This Man Craig for television in National Sporting Club in 1909. The local the programme for BBC Radio Sheffield is Harry Commentator.’ Only half of us The BBC Club in London has a retired inserts such as Inspector Hornleigh Investigates. Glasgow in the mid-Sixties. press at the time had carried to celebrate the centenary of Iron noticed, the other half hearing what was category membership costing £24 a year Douglas Moody and Gordon Crier were also After being auditioned for a part, one actress blow-by-blow accounts of the fight Hague’s Heavyweight victory. I didn’t meant. We were ever undecided as to for members; and £36 a year for family co-producers during the entire run, which lasted popped her head back round the door and said: and from these I had written a script offer a repeat fee as the initial contract which group of us could claim the more membership. Pre-1997 life members are until early 1948. ‘Excuse me for asking, but are you the same not affected. Regional clubs may have Just one more observation in Marion’s article Douglas Moodie who produced Monday Night detailing how a radio commentary was for all Local Radio rights! agile brain! might have sounded. The response to the programme was Geoff Higgs different arrangements. – the Grafton studio was not in Grafton Street at Eight ?’ Ever the wit, Douglas replied: Iron Hague Please call BBC Club London but in Tottenham Court Road, near Warren ‘Madam, when I produced it, it was Monday Having reached Harry at Television the same as it had been 40 years earlier. administration office on 020 8752 66 66 or Street tube station. Night at Seven ’, which of course was the email [email protected]. Brian Willey original format. Glyn Edwards Benevolent Fund broadcasting work for the BBC from the 1950s were made and broadcast regularly in those long This is funded by voluntary contributions THIS SHOULD PUT to rest the Monday Night Planet Peel Strategic review on. I have letters, typescripts, rough drafts and ago days. Each programme included dance from the BBC and its purpose is to protect at Eight ghost for good! This picture from Radio I am writing in response to David Peel’s letter Buried in the BBC’s strategic review is a other material among his personal papers, and pieces of various lengths but also included a the welfare of staff, pensioners and their Times (above left) and the billing for 4th March in the April issue (‘Scarce news’). proposal for more programme sharing between I have listened to a number of his recordings. major piece commissioned by some of the best families. Grants are made at the discretion I think Ronnie Waldman’s connection with 1940 (right) clearly shows Ronald Waldman's Which planet are you on mate? In an age of local radio stations at peak times. But I would dearly love to speak to any former choreographers working at that time, including of the trustees. They may provide Monday Night was that he did the Puzzle involvement. He is on the right looking at his deep recession and higher and higher costs here Anybody who has ever worked in local radio BBC members of staff who worked with him. I the late Kenneth Macmillan. Sadly all those 2” assistance in cases of unforeseen financial Corner, which was a slot in the programme. It watch; Harry S. Pepper is on the left. on planet Earth, we have Prospero delivered to must have groaned at reading of this plan as part would be very grateful if any of your readers master tapes from the series were wiped. Now hardship, for which help from other had a vocal introduction which started, ‘Get Jim Palm our door by post absolutely free. This monthly of a major review of the BBC’s future. who have memories of Scannell would contact there are only memories of that inventive series, sources is not available. your pencils and your paper out. You’re a magazine of ours is a vital link with our former It’s not as if the idea is a new one. It isn’t. In me at [email protected], or on perhaps there are some black and white winner if you know about…’ employer/employees, it keeps us well informed his regional days, Mark Byford put forward 01628 826822. photos somewhere. Prospero Society It was ’s favourite section. I HEARD MONDAY Night at Eight a lot when and up to date with current affairs and is a exactly the same idea. It was aimed, as now, at Andrew Taylor Bob Lockyer Prospero Society is the only section of the Gillian Ford I was a child because my grandmother always delight when covering the historic parts of (our) switching more resources into news gathering. BBC Club run by and for retired BBC staff had it on. The words sung after the programme BBC heritage. The management that followed him into We received a letter from Geoff, telling us that and their spouses. Its aims are to enable were: ‘Produced by Harry Pepper and Ronnie I look forward with sheer anticipation the regions undid it; they realised that imposed Zodiac videotape co-conspirator and friend, Geoff Taylor, BBC pensioners to meet on a social basis DURING THE 1940s I was a JPE (Junior Waldman too, we hope the programme hasn’t for it to drop through my letterbox and I programme sharing was a sure-fire Geoff Higgs wrote in the April edition of had reminded him that the programme was for theatre visits, luncheons, coach outings Programme Engineer) doing the sound effects gain a little bit more knowledge from audience loser. Prospero about the work of Maggie Dale. The indeed called Zodiac. Geoff said each of the etc. Prospero is supported by BBC Club on all the variety shows of the time, and without its well balanced contents each time – The success of BBC local radio – and it has programme he referred to was called Zodiac . I programmes themed on the supposed characteristics funds so as to make events affordable. wishing to argue too much with Marion often some fascinating facet of broadcasting been a success story over the years – has been was lucky enough to work with Maggie on that of a star sign – ed The only conditions (apart from paying a Holledge’s excellent feature in the February is described, which is knowledge to me based on providing a good all-round local series and many other dance programmes that small annual subscription) are that you issue, I have to agree with Jim Palm that and you. service of news and programmes of interest to must be a BBC pensioner and a member Richard Murdoch was never the actual compère Prospero only fit for the re-cycling bin? the community the station serves. of the BBC Club. Write for an application of Monday Night at Eight . He certainly Well I should hope so – we all need to do our Certainly there is a place for programme form to: Graham Snaith, 67 Newberries participated in the shows, but only ever as bit to save planet Earth. I scan the articles and sharing in some specialist programmes and at Avenue, Radlett, Herts. WD7 7EL. presenter of Puzzle Corner during Ronnie photos to save to my hard drive – see, no paper off-peak times. But during the day people who Telephone: 01923 855177 Waldman’s wartime RAF service, when the wasted, but saved for a delightful read at listen to BBC local radio expect it to be local. Mobile: 07736 169612 shows came from the Monseigneur News any time. Well, they would wouldn’t they? Email: [email protected] Cinema at Marble Arch. To my recollection the I suggest you get off your posterior and get out The balance between news and general and about and try and find something of interest programmes of information and BBC products interest to publish in this wonderful paper of entertainment is vital to successfully BBC retired staff are entitled to a 30% ours. Ingratitude we can all do without. maintaining the local audience. discount off the RRP of most products Alan Sutcliffe Local radio has already found its freedom to in the BBC TV Centre shop. There is a identify with its local audience hampered by postage charge of £2.95 per order (not WATO decade out developments in recent years. Fewer stations per item). Pensioners must quote their Oh dear... Mea culpa. It was sharp-eyed indeed of my former organise public events these days because, I am BBC pension number when ordering. Women musicians told, it involves so much form filling and they Contact: BBC Shop, Audience Foyer, World At One colleague Sue MacGregor to query the date of In the February issue, in Joan Morris’ are not allowed to make a profit; stations have Television Centre, Wood Lane, London the photograph I submitted to Prospero recently of a WATO (nee Adams) account of life in the BBC been banned from publishing an annual W12 7RJ. Tel: 020 8225 8230. get-together. Revue Orchestra circa 1956, I was surprised to magazine to publicise their programmes and Email: [email protected]. I acquired the picture around the time of the event itself. read she believed that prior to that date there activities; even the word radio is now being Other ways to order (quoting your Since then, coming across it again after many years, I’d were no women musicians in either the taken out of their title as the latest exercise in pension number when ordering): assumed it was the programme’s 10th anniversary because it Revue or Variety Orchestras. Well, not corporate identity. By phone: 08700 777 001 seemed a likely significant date and included most of us who according to my memory of those earlier times. I think it was Lord Annan many years ago 8.30am-6pm weekdays. By post: BBC were there from the very beginning. I became very conversant with the Variety who suggested that the BBC might not be the Shop, PO Box 308, Sittingbourne, Kent Orchestra some 10 years before her given best keeper for local radio. For many years the ME9 8LW. Email: [email protected]. However, Sue’s doubts made me realise I could have been a memory and distinctly remember ladies in BBC has proved him wrong and stations have Or visit BBC Shops in Eastbourne, decade out. Perhaps we were still looking young and thin even the orchestras. I recall only one name, that of flourished with a collective audience of Brighton, Leicester, Birmingham or 10 years later! The picture seems to have been taken by a Olga Jones, who was I believe deputy leader 10 million at one time. Liverpool. UK postage £2.45 for freelance photographer specially for the occasion, judging by with the Variety Orchestra, then directed by That is going down and if the BBC doesn’t telephone, post and email orders. the stamp on the back, but there is no date. With little hope I Charles Shadwell. keep its local radio local it will lose even more Overseas: £4.50 for one item and £2 for began searching among old memos, diaries, and other Joan also mentions a studio in Lower Regent of its listeners. each additional product for telephone, reminders of 40 years in the BBC, and actually unearthed the Street, calling it ‘B Station’. This was surely the Roy Corlett post and email orders. original invitation. The party was held in The Langham Gallery wonderful ‘Paris Cinema’ to which she refers. It in The Langham, on 4 October 1985. So Sue was quite right. It deserves a full name credit – a vital part of BBC BBC PA radio history. For details of how to join the Pensioners’ was indeed WATO’s twentieth. Neither are subjects to quarrel over, but just Vernon Scannell Association, see panel on page 5. Peter Dorling to put the matter straight. I am working on the authorised biography of Brian Willey the poet Vernon Scannell, who did a lot of

4 • • June • 2010 June • 2010 • • 5 Life after Auntie Life after Auntie

020 8752 6666 Prospero I was accepted as an adoptant by L’Europe des Small but Levriers, a French galgo rescue association, who events Fighting for the galgos allowed me to travel to central Spain with their We have a new Prospero team to collect my galga (female galgo). It was events page for the an eye opener and I was thrilled to have the tale beautifully marked of my trip accepted and published in the Club’s biggest section, Beryl Brennan didn’t Retirement and France beckoned and in 2001 Weekly Telegraph. keeping you updated with all Prospero we bought a beautiful Charentaise farmhouse in This led me to start my weblog Galgo News , A piece of plastic, a magnet and coil… former events and discounts. You can find it in imagine her retirement Deux-Sevres – where? Next one down from the whereby I link with the dozens of galgo rescue the events section on the website: Loire; people tend to drive through rather than associations in Europe, with the intention of engineer Ian Creed continues to be fascinated (https://www.bbcclub.com/eArticle. would involve stop. Our two horses, three dogs and three cats alerting the world to the plight of the galgos, php?r=2002) also came along for the ride! For three years we the horrendous conditions in which they are by the loudspeakers campaigning on behalf ran it as a B&B, specialising in MG car owners kept by the hunters, and the tireless work of the and bikers. UK banks were at that time volunteers and Spanish refuges who cope with ‘Small but beautifully marked’ could describe – something I understand that the commercial BBC Club AGM of the galgos, the throwing money at people to buy homes this mass abandonment of galgos at the end of some of the wonderful small monitor manufacturers of these speakers also had to do. BBC Club Sports and Leisure Limited abroad, so we had plenty of property searchers January, year after year. It is also a medium loudspeakers of the 70s and 80s. The final outcome was a really beautiful pair AGM. The Annual General Meeting will Spanish hunting dogs too, some bought nearby and have become whereby I run and co-ordinate petitions and I suppose I have always been fascinated by of speakers, which I defy anyone to tell apart be held on Wednesday, July 7 2010 in which face a terrible firm friends. letter-writing campaigns to put pressure on the loudspeakers, and amazed how good the from an original pair. I appreciated even more Meeting Room 4, 6th Floor, Television It was great fun but hard work; downsizing European Commission, the Spanish sound can be from a piece of plastic, a magnet how brilliant the BBC engineers were in seemed an attractive idea, and would give me Government and regional and municipal and a coil. producing a world-beating speaker with so Centre, W12 at 6pm. fate at the end of the more time for writing and my animals. For over councils to end the annual and completely In my teens I used to be an avid reader of all many innovations, and why they were five years I’d been writing for the English unnecessary massacre of hunting dogs. the audio magazines, and built many strangely carefully built under licence to ensure Introducing White City’s season each year language newspaper French News , together with I’ve travelled to Spain several times, visited shaped cabinets to hold some very average their uniformity. editing an Internet website, which left little time animal refuges to see the situation for myself, speakers by ’s standards. For those who wanted something for a New Wellbeing Centre for anything else. and it never ceases to amaze me how the people I suppose it was my enthusiasm for all things domestic listening setup, there were spin-offs Workout is OUT and in its place we I didn’t plan on retiring overseas when I worked I’ve had dogs all my life, including a helping the galgos and the rest of Spain’s audio that persuaded the selection board to in the shape of the Kef 101 – a larger speaker have Club W, Wellbeing @ Work. The in External Services in Manchester in the late greyhound who was an excellent PAT (Pets As abandoned dogs cope. A natural development offer me a job in Manchester (NPC) as a than the LS 3/5a and somewhat more forward new centre has: 1960s. I had my perfect job as, besides Therapy) dog and who converted me to the from this was to consider writing a book about trainee engineer. It was whilst working in the sounding; the JR 149 and its big brother the • NEW suite of state-of-the-art gym supplying stories to all the language services at breed – serene, graceful, affectionate, and the galgo, exploring its ancient history through various studios in Manchester and Leeds that JR 150 – cylindrical speakers that were Bush House, my producer Randal Herley also terrible food thieves! My last one died after we to the present day, discussing the cruel methods my interest in loudspeaker design was designed by that fine engineer, Jim Rogers; equipment including POWERPLATE produced programmes for Talkabout , a Sunday moved to France, so I trawled the Internet for used to dispose of the galgos, researching rekindled. Having built large speakers for and the Dalesford ‘D’, an interesting design and FUNCTIONAL TRAINER morning magazine programme hosted by an association through which I could adopt European and Spanish Animal Welfare laws, myself, and spent many hours in building the produced in Pudsey ,Yorkshire, in a D-shaped, • NEW changing rooms and showers Brian Trueman. another one. That is when I discovered the and how it could be possible to solve cabinets and acoustically treating them, the well damped enclosure, using their homebuilt • NEW DANCE STUDIO and a separate The regional External Services offices were Galgo Espanol, the Spanish greyhound, and it the problem. SPIN STUDIO eventually closed and I moved to working on A changed my life forever. My definitive guide to the Galgo Espanol is • NEWLY decorated and NEW sprung Word in Edgeways , produced by Michael Green The Spanish hunting season is from now available as an ebook on sale through Galgo flooring and hosted by Brian Redman – a man September to January and galgos are the most News and the next step is to publish a printed • NEW healthy food and drink vending who seemed to know a little about common breed used by hunters. At the end of version, together with translations into Spanish machines absolutely everything. every season the hunters abandon these dogs, and French. My next move towards crossing La Manche over 50,000 every year, as they will not keep a Don’t know how I found time to go to work! • NEW complimentary therapies was broken by the rural lifestyle of Suffolk and dog when it can’t hunt. They hang them from Sound familiar? • NEW smoking cessations and Radio Suffolk where I became ‘Beryl from Bury’ trees, drop them down wells, burn them alive, nutritional therapy in the West Suffolk Studio in Bury St Edmunds poison them, abandon them on motorways – to www.galgonews.com • Plus your old favourites – classes, for the lunch-time programme presented by a Spaniard, a galgo is a hunting tool, has no From Heaven to Hell – The Story of the Galgo physio, beauty, fitness assessments, John Eley, the Cooking Canon. feelings and is treated like vermin. Espanol , Beryl Brennan personal training National Car Rental Enjoy exclusive rental rates on car and Frozen The 39 steps to a 40-year reunion van hire in the UK and in over 80 countries internationally. Last summer, former BBC TV sound supervisor Dave working indirectly for the BBC. We all had a Cardiff, Bristol, Norwich and the south coast. Terms and conditions apply. few contacts, and in this industry everyone Many of us hadn’t seen each other for over For more details on how to redeem, Howell realised that it had been 40 years since he had in time seems to know someone who knows someone 40 years. Luckily I realised that we might not please log on to Club Save. joined the BBC, along with 39 other trainee technical you are looking for. recognise each other. So I persuaded a former Paul Middleton of Cardiff has kindly made I got some help from the Pensions & Benefits cameraman friend from the course, Terry From left to right: JR 149, Kef 101, JR 150, (LS3/5a on top of it), Dalesford ‘D’ Vue Cinema available this photograph (below), taken in operators, on a course to become proficient in sound, Centre, who sent out my enquiring letters to Reeve, to make up named badges using 2004 at the Science Museum Large Object names and addresses of likely former Staff enlargements of everyone’s faces from copies of BBC’s attention to detail in theirs was an eye six-inch bass/mid units. Off-peak cinema tickets only £5.75. Store at Wroughton, near Swindon in Wiltshire. cameras and lighting operations... members, some of whom replied. I also used the three black & white group photographs we opener to me. These five are some of the speakers that have All day Monday to Thursday at all Vue It shows the two former BBC scanners the internet to search the Electoral Roll and had taken all those years ago. Sadly the quality of the available domestic stood the test of time. There were many more Cinemas (including Westfield W12). Not mentioned in the November issue of Prospero , Companies Register to find the last few. Many of the chaps had found old photos of loudspeakers left a lot to be desired. Many with designs that were somewhat less successful. valid at Vue West End and not for Gold stored there on behalf of the National Media Amazingly, in March this year, 26 (or our time together at Evesham when we were 18 were paper cones, some tried to make a full Sadly, all these domestic designs were Class or Premiere. Buy tickets at BBC Museum. two-thirds of the original 39 trainees) arrived or 19 years old and some even had cine footage. range loudspeaker using a parasitic tweeter –a compromised in some way and could never Club sites and Club Hub. AMU404H on the left is the type-2 scanner, at The Rutland Arms Public House near Quite a shock as we all looked so young! bit of circular plastic glued in the middle of really be classed as true monitor speakers. CMCR 10, the former London Unit 6, which Hammersmith Bridge in London for a fantastic Lots of catching up, old stories and a few the cone. Other manufacturers, it has to be What they can do is still provide excellent and completed its BBC service as a temporary reunion. beers passed by and everyone thought it was said, were more successful, but exceedingly affordable listening in the home. Live Ticket production gallery outside the Leeds Studio in Many had travelled long distances, coming well worth the effort to meet up again. expensive. People have asked me what is my favourite – Powered by Ticketmaster 1985/6. After that it was on public display for from all over the UK including Glasgow, Next one in 2050? In the course of time, a very small monitor bookshelf speaker, and it has to be the JR 149 a while outside the NMeM in Bradford. speaker appeared at the BBC, the LS 3/5a. – in the reviews of loudspeakers, it beat the Lots of fantastic savings on events at On the right is the type-5 scanner, CMCR 20, I have to say that initially I was not a great Spendor BC1, LS 3/5a and Quad electrostatics 20 Live Nation theatres nationwide, also London Unit 6, but of a later generation. fan of these speakers – so accurate, that they in a blind testing. I have completely including three in the West End! The registration of that one is EXH 86V, almost sounded clinical to my ears. Gradually refurbished my pair, and I have to agree that At participating Live Nation theatres. although that is difficult to read, except in an over the years my opinion slowly changed, and they are superb. For details on how to redeem, please adjacent shot. This should clear up any I now appreciate the brilliant design of these I am not a fan of large cabinets in a domestic log on to Club Save. confusion about the identity of the vehicles in speakers – they are still my reference today ! environment, but choose with my system to preservation. The Wroughton storage facility is On retirement, in my case taken very early, use smaller, more accurate speakers, with the not open to the public except for very occasional it gave me time to do research into addition of a transmission line active Warren Evans Beds organised group visits. loudspeakers and look at the commercial subwoofer, which takes the bass end down to Get 10% discount The original group offshoots of this design, using in many cases a clean 22hz. For those who have never heard Award-winning bedmaker and sleep the same Kef speaker units that had been such a domestic full range loudspeaker system it can specialist, Warren Evans is well-known ...He set out to trace as many of his colleagues on the a success in the LS 3/5a. come as a bit of a surprise to find that there is for its high quality, stylish wooden I purchased some empty and original LS a lot of information in the low bass which has three-month course as he could. 3/5a cabinets, and embarked on a project to never been heard. beds, comfortable supportive rebuild them, and hopefully get them I still play around with speakers and design mattresses at affordable prices and I contacted the three chaps I still knew and Four chaps didn’t quite satisfactorily to sound like my reference pair. This was crossovers, and I am happy to help colleagues first-class customer service. For details suggested we all try to see how many of the 39 complete the course, and some left the BBC most certainly not an easy project. The with speaker problems, or if they have any on how to redeem, please log on to we could contact. As I had just taken within a year or so, but many of us stayed in first listening tests were not at all good, unwanted or orphan speakers, to give them a Club Save. redundancy, just seven weeks short of 40 years’ broadcasting, moving around to different and expert advice had to be sought. caring home. service, I seemed to find myself with the task departments. Others left to go to regional ITV Frequency runs were done and the crossover You can contact me at [email protected] At the reunion Wroughton scanner of tracing the rest. companies or became freelancers, sometimes modified for the later loudspeakers I was using or 0161 427 7546.

6 • • June • 2010 June • 2010 • • 7 Back at the BBC Back at the BBC MONEY Call to reveal even Theft levels now ‘unacceptable’ more on pay MATTERS Working Lunch axed MPs have called on the BBC to be even more open about staff and talent pay – saying the A Freedom of Information request has revealed that reward packages of the director general and Emergency budget property worth almost £600,000 was stolen from senior management are ‘out of step with the By Arnie Vashisht, BBC premises last year. current economic climate’. Chartered Financial Planner for future savings The thefts included camera equipment valued at In a review of the 2008-09 annual report, the more than £250,000, 10 computers and 52 laptops Culture, Media and Sport select committee said The new coalition worth £93,000, 32 mobiles and 14 Blackberries that – ‘at minimum’ – the BBC should publish government The 14-strong team behind Working Lunch has been told that the worth a total of £7,400 and four projectors with a details of headcount by salary band for all staff, plans to £2,756 price tag. and lay out the number of people in each announce its payment band for ‘talent’. They suggest bands programme will come off air permanently this summer, to be replaced by a BBC-owned property accounted for £484,261 of emergency ranging from those earning £250,000-500,000 the total stolen, the other losses being suffered by budget on June to those earning £1m-5m, adding that they don’t UK-focused edition of BBC World News show GMT with . contractors, service partners and staff. 22. We have expect to see any entries in a £5m plus category. Responding to the FOI request by The Daily Star summarised the A year and a half after its relaunch, the BBC first to see how we can reduce by that amount, and newspaper, the BBC admitted that this level of theft probable regime Two daily business magazine, whose audience aim to meet with the unions after the election.’ was ‘clearly unacceptable’ and that measures were changes that will has stabilised following a gradual decline, has But he admitted redundancies are a possibility. being investigated to make sure it is reduced. Collaborative affect your personal finances. been axed. Head of newsgathering Fran The audience for the BBC Two lunchtime show ‘The portability of laptops and phones means that Pensions success Unsworth said it was ‘a very difficult decision’. started to fall after 2001, with 450,000 (8 percent in any large organisation there is an inevitable risk of The big fear is the possible loss of higher ‘It was ‘an extremely hard [decision] for share) in 2002/3 dropping to an average of below A collaborative series between , the theft,’ the BBC added. ‘The BBC investigation unit rate tax relief on pension contributions everyone on the team who has worked so 300,000 (4.3 percent share) this year. Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, the is involved whenever an allegation of theft is made, (an item on the Lib-Dem agenda). Better creatively and passionately on the programme’, Some of the savings made by cancelling newspaper and Dutch paper de and where appropriate the police are informed and news for pensioners, who look set to she said. ‘The decision is no reflection on them programme will come back to the business unit Volkskrant has won the Daniel Pearl Award for prosecutions brought where we can.’ benefit from a return to earnings-linked but reflects the continuing requirement to meet to launch new weekend business programming outstanding international investigative our delivering creative future savings plan.’ on Radio 5 Live and the News Channel. A new journalism. The series looked at toxic waste pensions from April next year. Unsworth hoped that the eight to nine people Money Watch season starting in the summer is dumping in West Africa, and the award was Capital gains tax (CGT) on the editorial team could be redeployed, also part of the revamp. given in memory of Wall Street Journal reporter CGT for non-business assets is likely avoiding any job losses when the programme Working Lunch producer Carolyn Rice told Daniel Pearl who was killed by Pakistani to be aligned to income tax rates, closes this July. Ariel: ‘The biggest shame is what the audience militants in 2002. increasing from its current flat rate of The equivalent of 5.7 craft posts in the will lose. There is Moneybox on radio, but no A nightingale sang… 18% to 40%, or even 50%. Those sat newsroom studio group, graphics and editing one else does what we do in business on TV for on substantial gains from non-business are also likely to be affected, said Nigel Charters, a very loyal audience that includes lots of retired assets such as second properties managing editor, television news. people who don’t consume business output ‘We will look at shifts, overtime and rota patterns online or anywhere else.’ Writing in Ariel, BBC historian Robert Seatter and investments should review their position. reminds us of an extraordinary anniversary Personal allowance A Lib-Dem party pledge that looks likely involving a cello and a nightingale. to survive the coalition is an increase to the tax-free allowance on income. We BBC North will create ‘energy’ DG tells staff Once upon a time on May 19, 1924, BBC radio nightingales, eventually, joined in. may not immediately see the promised listeners heard for the first time an extraordinary The public reaction was such that the increase to £10,000 p.a. (currently ‘It’s one of the biggest things that I’ve ever been programmes and parts of the BBC up to Glasgow’s Pacific Quay could be applied to a duet LIVE from a Surrey garden. broadcast was repeated the next month and £6,450 for the under 65s), but many involved with in the whole of my 30-year career Salford,’ Thompson told Manchester staff at a future media village in Shepherds Bush. The cellist was Beatrice Harrison, who had then every spring for the following 12 years. Classic charts at the BBC,’ said Mark Thompson after his question and answer session. ‘I want to carry on In a reply to a question on workforce diversity recently performed the British debut of Delius’s Harrison and the nightingales became commentators still expect a generous visit last week to the BBC’s future base at turning up the volume.’ – especially after the proposed closure of Asian Cello Concerto, which had been written for her. internationally renowned and she received Radio 3 has launched its first ever uplift in the allowance. It is believed the Salford. ‘The buildings are ahead of schedule, More than 10,000 applications have been Network and the Today editor’s comments that The nightingales lived in the woods around 50,000 fan letters. weekly chart, marking sales of classical increase will target lower paid workers we’re well under budget and, particularly on a submitted in the last three months for at least more women were on TV news because they Harrison’s home in Oxted. Writing in the , BBC managing music. Every Monday the drivetime and pensioners, but that through sunny day, it looks stunning.’ 500 new jobs at BBC North. were ‘slightly easier jobs’ – Thompson said that Harrison first became aware of the birds one director John Reith said the nightingale ‘has programme In Tune will unveil the chart adjustments to tax thresholds, higher Five major London departments and all ‘We’re going to have hundreds of new the corporation should be open to all talents. summer evening as she practised her cello in the swept the country...with a wave of something and play a track from the Number 1 rate taxpayers will not benefit from it. Manchester units will transfer to the colleagues – many of them young, many of He added: ‘I believe BBC North should be a garden. As she played she heard a nightingale closely akin to emotionalism, a glamour of disc, with a more detailed look in the National insurance MediaCityUK site by December 2011 although them coming into broadcasting for the first beacon to the rest of the BBC. It’s incredibly answer and then echo the notes of the cello. romance has flashed across the prosaic round of following day’s breakfast programme. It looks like employers will escape the schedule of when each section moves is still time,’ said the director general. ‘I think that’s important that reflecting the whole of the UK When this duet was repeated night after night many a life’. Radio 3’s website will include clips Labour’s planned 1% increase in NICs, being worked out. Further programme and staff going to be a shock of energy into this isn’t just about geography…it’s about women Harrison persuaded the BBC that it should be Do any Prospero readers remember this duet – moves will be revealed this summer. part of the BBC.’ as well as men, non-white as well as white, broadcast. After an engineering test the live perhaps you heard the very first broadcast? Get in from the top 20 and a list of the week’s but not employees. Anyone earning ‘You are going to continue to see a traffic of He said the lessons learnt from Salford and different faiths being reflected and respected.’ broadcast took place. Harrison played and the touch and share your memories with us. rises and falls. more than about £20,000 will thus have an increased NI liability from next April. Inheritance tax (IHT) The Conservative’s promise to increase the IHT threshold to £1 million is unlikely BBC Gardeners’ World Live 16-20 June, NEC, Birmingham to see daylight. So, for the time being, the threshold will stay at £325,000 for individuals and £650,000 for married Prospero readers save up to £8 per ticket booked in advance! BBC Gardeners’ World Live is celebrating 18 chefs cooking live, buy delicious food and years as the number one destination for drink and see MasterChef champion Dhruv couples and civil partnerships. BBC Gardeners’ World Live is the perfect day out for garden lovers, and is an hands-on gardeners. Every year the Show Baker cooking live under the watchful eyes of Marriage tax breaks especially great value day out for Prospero readers too! delights visitors from all over the country with John Torode and . A small giveaway is the likelihood of a Prospero readers’ tickets cost just £12 when booked in advance by quoting BBC12*. a stunning collection of Show Gardens, expert Book now and look forward to a great day out £150 marriage tax break for middle and demonstrations, tips on growing your own this summer. low income earners. BOOK NOW at bbcgardenersworldlive.com or call 0844 581 1357. produce and fantastic shopping! Monty Don, VAT Alan Titchmarsh and the Gardeners’ World Economists anticipate that the UK VAT TV presenters will be appearing in the will rise to 20% by the year end, Gardeners’ World Magazine Theatre, and visitors can see a unique projection of Toby bringing it in line with the European Buckland’s plans for his back garden in A Taste average. It is thought this measure will of Greenacre. add £11.5bn a year to Treasury coffers Explore the Floral Marquee with 1,000s of at an annual cost of £425 to the plants to browse and buy, discover great average family*. gardening gifts and the latest gadgets and a Arnie is an independent financial host of show bargains. Enjoy Floristry adviser with AWD Chase de Vere, one Masterclasses, inspirational Show Gardens, of a panel of independent financial family activities and expert help with Growing advisers selected by the BBC. Further Your Own delicious fruit and veg. Plus, all tickets include free entry to the BBC details can be found on www.bbc.co. Summer Show taking place uk/mypension. AWD Chase de Vere alongside BBC Gardeners’ World Live. So you Wealth Management Limited is can also pick up summer recipe ideas, see top authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. * Not valid with any other offer. bbcgardenersworldlive.com * www.independent.co.uk 14 May 2010 Booking fee per ticket applies.

8 • • June • 2010 June • 2010 • • 9 Obituaries Obituaries

cameraman in 1958. Some of the highlights of his career were Memories of Radio He was ambitious and hardworking and filming at the 1966 World Cup, working on From spark to interesting in lighting. Between 1969 and Whickers World, Tomorrow’s World and 1974 he did some stints as an acting the two-and-a-half years he spent as John Campion Humberside’s cameraman before finally achieving his lighting cameraman on Body in Question goal in 1974, when he became a BBC with , where he was I am prompted to write this note having read lighting cameraman. I remember the commended for his dedication and skilful the wonderful tribute to John Campion indomitable lighting cameraman (Camp to his friends) penned by his celebrations at home included a steak work which contributed to the daughter Mary Luke in the April edition of dinner and a new TV set! programme’s success. Prospero. John was indeed a true gentleman. ‘mother hen’ Kenneth Lowe began work for the BBC to work as a spark, he went out with the Ken loved the BBC and the family feel at Ken retired in 1984 and enjoyed an I was aware of his sad passing but this tribute in 1955 with fellow new recruits Dave film crews on his days off and worked Ealing Studios. We grew up being lucky active and happy retirement in Dorset, brought back such happy memories of John In 1971, Joan Bratley was on hand Gorringe and Tubby Englander, starting at voluntarily, learning the skills he would enough to visit the studios and be taken travelling extensively and enjoying that I felt I would like to share them with any to welcome an enthusiastic team of Lime Grove as a spark and moving into need. In 1956 he moved to Ealing Studios to outside broadcasts of interest. For my painting and calligraphy. He made many others that knew him. rather wet-behind-the-ears, mainly the film department. His first job was and continued to spend weekends with brother’s eighth birthday in 1964, Dad friends who supported him after our mum I first became ‘aware’ of him when I joined 20-somethings to Radio Humberside’s sparking on Watch with Mother at Ally the cameramen, and in 1957 his hard borrowed a dalek for his party, wheeling Betty died in 1991. Ken was an the BBC External Services (as they were then it up from TFS through the commuters interesting, enthusiastic and talented man, called) in 1968 as a newly qualified ETSI newly created studios above the Post Pally in 1955. work paid off and he got an attachment as Chapter 2 Engineer. I say ‘aware’ because it Office in central Hull. He became interested in being a an acting assistant cameraman followed at Ealing Broadway to our home for dedicated to his family and much loved by was to be some time before I met him. After Appointed as the radio station’s cameraman, and although he continued by a full-time job as an assistant the weekend! us all, God Bless him. a period of being shouted at by the OSI Administrative Assistant, Joan was to Barbie Markey (Keith Chantler) I and my fellow new intakes guide the fledgling station through the were despatched to our various roles. I joined financial minefield of those formative D Shift under their legendary TOM Freddie years alongside the ebullient character exams and was added to the Library A peaceful passing had two children, Chris and Jan (and there are Dedicated engineer Wiles. After a lengthy period learning the of John Cordeaux. John was a strong Association’s professional register as a Fellow now three grandchildren: Scarlett, Violett and eccentricities of the main operational character, but I have no doubt he’d met in 1955. for Peggy Callum). Betty died in 1980 after a long battle After a spell at sea as a radio operator on positions within the Control Room at Bush Mary joined the BBC as a Library with cancer. Stuart is also survived by a sister passenger ships, Joe Arthur came to the BBC (Monitoring, MCP, MSP, VOA and SB) I his match in Joan. Assistant on 4 July 1945 on a salary of £4 a Margaret Cole , who worked for the BBC for living in Canada. at Alexandra Palace. He was one of the was eventually thought capable enough to Strategically, Joan’s office was placed week – plus 17/- cost of living bonus. Some approximately 30 years, first as a secretary, but Stuart was introduced by a colleague in BBC knowledgeable band of engineers who worked join the Shift Maintenance Team under Pete halfway down the main production ten years later she transferred to what was after the war as a radio studio producer, died on Pebble Mill to Joyce Mahon, a divorcee working at AP until the outbreak of war. Eva. It was here that I began to realise just corridor between John’s office and that then known as the Historical Records February 12 at the age of 99. in the Press Office and they married in 1982, After the end of the war he worked for several how much of the very clever technical of the Programme Organiser, David Section and was trained as the Archives Margaret (known as Peggy within the family) spending as much time as they could travelling. years at ‘8 & 9’ near to Penrith, finally going to equipment that surrounded me in the Gredington. The door of Joan’s office Assistant. Based in the Langham, the Section had been visited by a local friend during the Stuart was an active Mason; he served as a Pontop Pike, the temporary TV transmitting Control Room was a product of Camp’s was always left open, Joan was not to kept files of all the BBC correspondence afternoon and afterwards told her carer that she parish councillor in his home village of station opening there in time for the highly inventive mind. Who can ever be excluded from the day-to-day internal and external, all programme was rather tired and would like to go to bed. Wychbold and as chairman of its village hall. Coronation in 1953. The equipment was forget the ASU! documentation records, minutes and associated Within a few minutes, she died peacefully in He was a member of the local history society housed in a pre-war OB van; there were I had the great privilege of taking over as running of the radio station, and she papers and BBC publications from 1922-54 her sleep. and also of groups for enthusiasts of ancient ex-government sound transmitters bought in Manager Engineering Services when John missed nothing. and a unique collection of newspaper cuttings She was a wonderful, strong person and was history and archaeology. Tottenham Court Road, converted to television retired. I was very conscious of the very large When it came to office management, on broadcasting matters. Most of that material fascinating to speak with, especially about her I was one of the many at Pebble Mill who before being transported up to the site – we all pair of shoes I was stepping into. If I ever Joan was of the old school. Like her was stored in the Langham cellars. As the offices memories of working for the BBC during the always looked forward to Stuart’s arrival in the quickly learned a lot! The viewers thought the forgot, even for a minute, just how highly office, she was always turned out were on the ground floor, staff were constantly war period. office (even more so after his retirement) with dim and flickering black and white pictures on regarded John was, there were a large group impeccably, neat straight skirts and twins running up and down stairs carrying papers Despite very poor eyesight towards the end of stories of his studies, his travels, his discoveries: 9” screens were wonderful. of people who wouldn't hesitate to sets, the final touch being her ‘fly away’ and files. her life, she loved to read your magazine and he made us realise that life after the BBC could Joe became the A.E.i.C at Pontop Pike, doing remind me! Dame Edna Everidge spectacles. It was Difficult it may have been but their was very proud of having worked for the BBC, be richly satisfying and an opportunity to an excellent job until his retirement. We all John Campion was, to me anyway, the impossible to creep past the Admin achievements were great none the less. In the ‘in Lord Reith’s time, you know dear!’ discover new interests and undertake new missed his quiet ways of getting on with things, classic BBC Engineer. He was always kind, preface to Volume 111 of The History of Helen Carmichael adventures. He was right and many of us owe his patience when things went wrong when we helpful and supportive, particularly to this Office knowing you were late with the Broadcasting in the – The War him a deep debt of gratitude for that hadn’t a clue why, and his years of experience. very young and rather green Engineer. I shall P as B forms (Programme as Broadcast) of Words , Asa Briggs wrote, ‘I would never have inspiration, as well as for the professionalism Joe died recently aged almost 92, after being miss him. and I remember being summoned in like been able to complete the volume had it not and attention to detail which he brought to all ill for some time, and we send our sincere My deepest condolences to his wife a naughty schoolgirl. Expenses claims been for Miss MS Hodgson, the BBC’s A zest for life his work. sympathy to his wife and family. Kathleen and his family. were examined meticulously and staff Award-winning industrious and imaginative archivist, and Stuart Miller had that extraordinary quality of Chris Bates Peter Brett Alec Thomas had to account for every mile they had her staff.’ making you always pleased to see him: he was driven, but Joan was scrupulously fair I first met Mary in 1969 when I became Head always doing something new, following a fresh and she was quick to point out if you had of Reference and Registry Services and very interest, studying a new subject or language. erred by not claiming sufficient. soon I came to recognise her many skills You found yourself always enthused when he lighting director and achievements. talked to you, about whatever it was he had Legendary knowledge of hidden London The early days of local radio were hard In November 1970 the Historical Records discovered. So it was not surprising that after 40 times financially, with derisory budgets. In my opinion, one of our greatest television He was particularly generous to his own staff, Section was renamed Written Archives and years in the BBC and a lifetime in community Maurice Stedman died in January 2010 after He particularly looked forward to the Upminster where they enjoyed visits from Without the budgeting skills of Joan, lighting directors sadly passed away in the early always encouraging them to contribute and transferred to empty bungalow offices in the groups, voluntary organisations and bodies, his a short illness. He retired from the BBC in annual visits to check the circuits at the Royal friends, family and from their daughter who ran a tight ship, management would hours of February 11. nurturing new talent, never disparaging. He was grounds of the Monitoring Service premises in funeral on Friday, April 9 in St. Mary's Church, November 1985 at the age of 60 having Albert Hall prior to the Promenade Concerts Daphne and son Timothy. have had difficulty keeping the operation I first met Howerd King when I was once described to me as having ‘absolute artistic Caversham Park. With birds singing in the trees Wychbold in Worcestershire (of which he was worked in Radio since he joined in 1951. He and also to Wimbledon before the He took pleasure in supervising the afloat. However it wasn’t just office appointed to the post of Technical Manager 2 integrity’ and that was very apt, because and squirrels running around the grounds, an active member) should be so well attended – will be remembered as a true gentleman by all tennis championships. restoration of his 1966 Morris Oxford car management that Joan excelled in, she and we were paired together. I had seen him everything he did was solely for the good of Mary described the new accommodation as ‘the standing room only, in fact. those who worked with him. Maurice’s wartime service in the Indian which he subsequently donated to the Haynes was able to manage people; and despite around previously but had never actually the show. most work conducive and peaceful place’. Stuart Henry Miller was born in Maryhill, Maurice was fiercely loyal to the BBC and subcontinent gave him a lifelong love of Indian Motor Museum. He also continued to her sometimes formal exterior she cared spoken to him. Once he retired from the Beeb, he did Although some 60 miles from Broadcasting Glasgow on August 25 1933, the son of a Welsh would not accept anything less than the highest food and consequently many of his colleagues maintain radio sets for the ‘Wireless for the Little did I know then that I was about to freelance work for a while but eventually his House and the other major London premises, marine engineer. After a brief period in the RAF, standard of engineering in any new studio that were grateful to be introduced by him to the Blind’ charity. about all the staff rather like a mother embark on probably the most rewarding, health deteriorated and latterly he had had a no-one was deterred by the journey to he joined the BBC as a sound engineer in his team were commissioning. ‘Nearly right is flavours offered by a vegetarian Indian Although he did not enjoy the best of health hen. She had the ability to know of any fulfilling and exciting phase of my career at the pretty torrid time which he bore with great Caversham – in fact the number of visiting Scotland. His career with the BBC involved him not right’ was a maxim that his trainees were restaurant that he had found located in a quiet he rarely complained and having survived ‘station romance’ long before the people BBC. Howerd was already an experienced fortitude. I never heard him complain. A very researchers from all over the country and in many popular programmes such as The soon to learn. backstreet near the Tottenham Court Road. He by-pass surgery in 1995 he gained a new involved knew, and many a time her lighting director, having cut his teeth on early private, kind and gentle man with whom I still sometimes from overseas has increased year Archers , the Miss World contests , Match of the Day, Maurice was called up in 1943 at the age of was disconsolate when the site was redeveloped lease of life. door would be closed as someone went episodes of Dr. Who , but over the years we enjoyed many a pleasant lunch over these last by year. Z Cars, Softly Softly, Task Force, The Forsyth Saga, 18 and joined the RAF where he underwent to make way for an office block. Maurice died in hospital in January 2010 in for a bit of ‘personal counselling’. worked together he developed his craft to even few years. I was privileged to be his colleague, The Written Archives Centre benefited from Blue Peter, Gardeners’ Question Time, as well as intensive technical training before being posted After retirement in 1985 he and his wife after a short illness. Joan was a keen member of the greater heights, and I gratefully tagged along. and proud to be his friend. modern filing systems in electrically operated many outside broadcasts. to Northern India to support the war in Betty continued living in the family home in Chas Commander Soroptimist, holding office during her Drama was his forte and his numerous credits Brendan Carr bays, which slid smoothly on runners at the For many, though, Stuart will always be Burma. After demob in 1947 he returned to included such epics as Heartbreak House , Julius touch of a switch. Such facilities greatly eased associated with his pioneering work with BBC Britain and worked in a radio repair shop long membership. Following her Caesar, Bridget Hitler, Jekyll and Hyde and The the load on the staff. Certainly the contrast Local Radio. He helped set up what was then before joining BBC Radio in 1951 as an retirement she served on the Humber Cherry Orchard . Serials included The Barchester between such facilities and the basement storage BBC Radio Birmingham (now BBC WM) as its engineer. He worked in London Control Mental Health Board as Associate Chronicles, Therese Raquin and Crime and Industrious and in the Langham could not have been greater. Chief Engineer in 1969, enabling it to open the Room in Broadcasting House and also at the Manager and the Hull and Holderness Punishment . For relaxation he enjoyed working imaginative archivist But the big advantage was found in Mary’s skills following year. Clearly establishing a pattern, , then leading a team that Community NHS Trust as Associate on Dad’s Army . and personality. when BBC Hereford & Worcester was created tested new installations and maintained Director. She would always roll her It was during this period that he was Mary Hodgson had a remarkable career with Mary retired on 31 July 1974 after almost in 1989, it was Stuart to whom the station Outside Broadcast sites in London. sleeves-up and help, and as late as last nominated for the BAFTA television lighting the BBC in which she achieved a great deal. 30 years working in the BBC Registry turned for its Chief Engineer. His knowledge of the hidden doorways, Summer went fruit picking to help one award five times, winning the award on three Her father was a Methodist minister and Archives. She went back to live on her He retired in 1993 and took every backways and corridors in the London of the charities she supported. occasions. That record speaks for itself. and moved around in various parts of the favourite , the Isle of Wight. She enjoyed opportunity to pursue his interests in history cathedrals, concert halls and public buildings However, as well as his obvious talent for his country, including the Isle of Wight – a her garden and watching from her porch as so and travel – twice circumnavigating the globe, and venues leading to remotely sited technical Joan Bratley was an indomitable lady craft, his success was only achieved by extremely location which became Mary’s favourite. many boats of virtually all sizes and types sailed visiting Eastern Europe, the Russian Federation, circuits was legendary. He had a good whose organising skills were second hard work and the attention to detail he put She was the youngest of three children. by. On one occasion she herself even sailed Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel, China, Hong relationship with the staff at these locations nature, whose smile was warm and into every project. Yet despite the esteem in Her elder sister is 93 years old and hale around the world on a banana boat – what Kong, Sri Lanka and French Polynesia, as well and always knew who to speak to in order to who Radio Humberside has a lot to be which he was held among his peers, he was a and hearty; unfortunately her elder brother courage! She was frequently visited by each of as family and friends in New Zealand and gain access to the most distant microphone and thankful for. very modest man, shy even. He was very died, aged eight. Mary was educated at her three nieces and took them out for lovely the USA. commentary positions. Those in the remotest Chris Cooke (with contributions from appreciative of the talents and expertise of those Edgehill Girls College in Bideford, North lunches on the Island. She is sorely missed by Stuart met his first wife, Betty, in 1958 while recesses of St Paul’s cathedral could only be Jill Hopkins and Chris Bates) in the other disciplines with whom he worked Devon. She went on from there to qualify as a her family and friends. he was training at BBC Wood Norton. They accessed by traversing dusty roofspaces. and would always try to help them if he could. librarian, coming top in the country in her final Dick Hewlett returned to Scotland after their marriage and 10 • • June • 2010 June • 2010 • • 11 Talking point Classifieds

BBCPA responds Seaview, Isle of Wight. Wanting to get away for a break? Pleasant ETB 4* Studio Annexe, sleeps 2 comfortably. Near Beach and Village. For details contact to strategy review [email protected] or By Bud Evans Tel: 01983 812180. BBC management came in for fierce Barbados, St James. Beautiful 2 criticism when pensioners gave their bedroom (sleeps 5) apartment, close response to Mark Thompson’s West Coast beaches. Pool, floodlit strategy review. tennis court. Tel: 07802 483962 At the BBCPA’s annual meeting, there were calls for better quality Spain: near MARBELLA/PUERTO programmes, a return to the public BANUS. Lovely villa, pools, sleeps broadcasting ethic and an end to what 6-8, walk to beach. Contact was termed the bonus culture. [email protected] On programmes, Louise McClean Visit http://web.me.com/ described the TV documentary unit drskelly/robertsvillas for details. she worked in at White City as Tel: 02089524369/07768285337 fantastic but now it was down to a strand of perhaps 10 programmes a W. Dorset. Recently renovated year – and nothing from abroad. 3-bedroomed cottage with When she left, proposals for attractive gardens and all modern documentaries were being rejected facilities in quiet village close to because places such as India Beaminster and Lyme Bay. and Africa were regarded as Tel: 0118 934 1566 ‘not interesting’. There was a call for the return of Lagos, Algarve. Small townhouse good TV comedy writing. It might be within ancient city, 2 bedrooms, expensive to start with, said Bill roof terrace, 5 minutes walk to Dudman, but programmes like Dad’s beach. From £150pw. Army, Blackadder, Keeping up Tel: 07956 181613; Appearances and The Young Ones lasted [email protected] for decades. ‘They’ll still be showing them in 2015.’ Paphos. A/C studio apartment, David Allen said he would make a journalism ‘in a way perhaps they and depends on a team basis, not on sleeps 2/3, spectacular balcony pitch for much greater attention to weren’t before’. But he was concerned an individual.’ view, from £95pw. Amenities science and technology, but the radio that the heroes in the BBC, who used Pete Harding was critical of a change adjacent. Taxi/car hire arranged. science unit was ‘a Cinderella group’ to be programme producers, were in culture ‘so that now you have www.cyprusapartments.net or with a very small staff. He said there now the managers. highly-paid executives who aim to get Tel: 01455 635759 was a lack of risk-taking in ‘The problem seems to be how to as much out of the system as possible, production, partly because short-term turn the clock back and restore to the move around from company to Turkey, Kalkan. Superb coast, contracts made people worry about programme makers some of the company and are not actually town and apartment. All details their jobs and partly because of ‘very prestige they once had,’ he said. dedicated to the BBC public service Tel: 01643 841602 or narrow training’. In defence of Radio 6 Music, Willy broadcasting ethic’. www.kalkanapartment.org.uk It was being driven by business unit Cave said the BBC was planning to The move from White City to from £250 to £400 per week. needs, he said, and was not giving that get rid of it ‘on false evidence of their Salford was condemned by several breadth of training that led to own making’ – putting it only on speakers as a waste of money. completely new forms of DAB which he described as a failed Margaret Edall suggested it was the Prospero Classifieds, programming. ‘There is a lot of transmission system. Radio 6 on FM kind of thing the BBC had been BBC Pension and Benefits timidity at the top,’ he said, ‘and too might well have quite a big audience doing for many years. ‘Like fashion, it Centre, Broadcasting House, much obsession on compliance and – ‘it could be the rock equivalent of just comes round again,’ she said. Cardiff, CF5 2YQ too many programme prevention Radio 3’. ‘They’ll all go to Salford and in Please enclose a cheque made officers, as I like to call them.’ The so-called bonus culture worried another 20 years they’ll all come back payable to: BBC Central Nick Whines, BBCPA membership Hugh Sheppard. ‘Individual bonuses to London.’ Directorates. secretary, detected that in the strategy are misplaced in an organisation like Bud Evans is a member of the BBCPA Rate: £5 for 20 words document the BBC was talking about the BBC,’ he said. ‘It ought to have management committee. In a covering letter please include quality, creativity and better public service as its ethic and works your pension number The next issue will appear in July BBC riding club Yorkshire Region Annual Thanks must go to Shirley Green (nee Thornton), who sent in the Reunion/Pensioners’ Lunch following photograph of the BBC Riding Club from September This year the lunch will be held on Thursday, August 12, 12.30pm 1952, at the BBC gymkhana. It shows Brian Johnson (cricket for 1.00pm. The venue, once again, is the popular Dower House commentator) and Henry Riddle on a very wet day! Mary David is Hotel, Knaresborough. Do join us and catch up with former a founder member of the original secretary. Shirley joined a couple colleagues at a superb venue and with excellent food! of years later. Please contact Sue Pagdin on 0113 261 2613 for details.

RELCs summer lunch invitation The BBC RELCs are holding an extra ‘summer lunch’ at the Miramar Hotel on the East Cliffs at Bournemouth on Thursday, July 8, starting in the seaview bars from 10.30am. This ‘lunch’ replaces their snowed-off visit to Bournemouth in January. Their last lunch in April was enhanced by a visit, electronically, from the Chairman of the BBC Trust, Sir Michael Lyons, in a recorded interview with their Vice-President, Paul Gouldstone, covering a wide range of BBC topics. Paul has circulated, by email ARIEL SUBSCRIPTIONS and on the lunch tables, a number of ‘Questions and Answers’ on very topical BBC subjects especially aimed at members of the UK: 6 months £26 RELC’s. including colleagues and friends. 1 year £50 Their next lunch is again open to new members; both as Overseas: 6 months £36 engineers and/or others who have been in the broadcasting chain 1 year £60 in their BBC careers. Contact the lunch organiser, Russell Please phone 01709 768 199 L-R: Brian Johnson, Mary David, Henry Riddle and Shirley Thornton Horne, on 01590 624389 or email [email protected]

12 • • June • 2010