The newspaper for BBC pensioners – with highlights from Ariel

Worship over the years The BBC’s religious output, past and present – Page 6

October 2011 • Issue 7

Patten – BBC Genome ‘we need Memories of project – more women’ the Proms our DNA Page 3 Page 7 Page 9

NEWS • Memories • Classifieds • Your letters • Obituaries • CrosPERO 02 Pension news A chance to catch up and look Pension Fund latest into the future Former staff will be going to extremes as The meetings, on Thursdays at 14.15, are in: The BBC pension fund deficit has grown they hold a series of get-togethers around • Glasgow on 6 October in the Old Man the country during October. This year the of Hoy Meeting Room, BBC Scotland, in the past year, to £1.49bn, up from BBC Pensioners’ Association is heading out 40 Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G51 1DA west to hold its first regional meeting in • Oxford on 13 October in the Old £1.1bn in 2010. Plymouth as well as organising gatherings Common Room, Balliol College, in Belfast and Glasgow and moving in on Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BJ an Oxford College. • Plymouth on 20 October in the The figures are revealed in the BBC Pension Anyone over 55 can ask to do so, but from The meetings are open to anyone who Conference Room, Broadcasting House, Scheme’s annual report, which was issued to next January they will no longer be able to once worked for the BBC and for the first Seymour Road, Plymouth, PL3 5BD members last month. make pension payments into either the Old time discussion is expected to extend beyond • Belfast on 27 October in the Board Room, The report included the latest funding or New Benefits schemes; instead they will pension issues to proposals to establish a Broadcasting House, Ormeau Avenue, update from the actuary. This showed that have to pay into Lifeplan, the BBC’s new DC BBCPA memory bank (see page 9). The Belfast, BT2 8HQ. from 1 April 2010 (when the full valuation pension arrangement. Association has been exploring ways of For further details: 0208 948 1982 or visit was carried out) to April 2011, the Scheme’s capturing members’ memories and the Association’s website at http://www. funding level had fallen from 88% to 87%. Investments committee members will be bringing people bbcpa.org.uk/ This was despite improved investment The report looked at the Scheme’s up to date with latest developments, performance over the 12-month period and investments over the year. After the financial including plans for an online archive that deficit contributions by the BBC amounting crises of 2007-2009, investment markets could include access to oral history to £110m. The main reason for the fall in have recovered strongly over the last two interviews with former staff and freelancers. funding was lower expectations of future years. In the year to 31 March 2010, the The hope is this will integrate with the BBC’s long-term investment returns from equities. Scheme had a return of 28.2% and this Project Genome, which is digitising the If the expectations of future long-term has been followed by 8.6% in the year to Radio Times programme pages, and allow investment returns had not changed since 31 March 2011. people to look behind the scenes and learn April 2010, it is estimated that the liabilities However, prospects for financial markets more about the experiences of the would have been around £9.9bn in 2011 for the next year are mixed. Persistent programme-makers and all the other teams (funding level of 90%). weakness in the UK economy remains that helped make sure the broadcasts got The report summarised the Scheme’s a significant cause for concern, though on the air. Report & Accounts, with the full report being many companies have managed to report The committee members will also be made available on the BBC Pensions website improvements in earnings. listening to any concerns about the BBC (bbc.co.uk/mypension). Meanwhile, both index-linked and Pension Scheme so they can raise these in conventional UK Government bond yields regular liaison meetings with members of Changes ahead have fallen to levels that are relatively BBC management. The report announced two changes to some low compared to recent years, and as a of the ways in which members of the Old consequence, the level of income and total and New Benefits sections can currently take returns from Government bonds are likely their pension, removing the ‘levelling’ option to be somewhat lower in coming years than Data matching exercise for future pensioners and amending flexible they have been over the last few years. As an alternative to issuing ‘declaration of We will be sending the Audit Commission payment options. Against this background, the Scheme entitlement forms’ for all UK-based BBC some basic personal details such as name, And there may be further changes continues to increase its level of pensioners to sign, we will be taking part in date of birth and National Insurance number. ahead. Introducing the report, Jeremy Peat, diversification across equities, bonds, an electronic data matching exercise with This data matching exercise meets Chairman of the Trustee, said: ‘[We] are property and other investments. Spreading the Audit Commission using the records of the requirements of the Data Protection conscious of the need to ensure the Scheme’s investments over a greater number of the Department for Work and Pensions. Act 1988. The Audit Commission services deliver value to members…in the different types of assets both within The purpose of this is to identify cases will be processing the data for this year ahead the Trustees will be reviewing a and outside global stock markets should where the Scheme has not been notified purpose only, and will comply with data number of Scheme services and will report provide the Scheme with more protection of deaths and to avoid overpayment protection principles. back next year.’ from future market volatility. The Scheme of pensions. continues to be managed with the aim of Pensioners’ choices generating sufficient returns to reduce the The levelling option allows members to take size of the pension deficit over the long term, a higher BBC pension until they reached State without taking excessive risk. Pension age, then a reduced BBC pension Pensioner passes until age 75. This used to be ‘cost neutral’ to Future investment strategy It has come to my attention that some building, you will need to speak to Security, the Scheme, but as the Government moves to This year, a new committee has been set pensioner passes have been rejected at who will in turn contact the Pensions raise the State Pension age the reduced BBC up (the journey plan committee) which various BBC locations. Upon investigating Department to verify that you are a payments will be paid for a shorter time, and will look at how investment strategy should this issue, it appears that there was a loss registered BBC pensioner. You will then need the option will start to cost the Scheme. So change in future years to help the Scheme to of some of the pictures when the Access to go to the ID Unit to have a new photo the Trustees intend to remove the levelling progress towards greater security. Control system was upgraded. Therefore, taken for your profile and a new card will option for future pensioners, from 1 October Another important factor in deciding there are a number of pensioners who do be issued. 2012. Please note: existing pensioners are our investment strategy is cash flow. The not have a photo showing on their profile. I’m sorry for any inconvenience this not affected. BBC’s changes and the Scheme’s closure Unfortunately, the ID Unit is unable to may cause, but I’m sure you appreciate that Around 200 members of staff are taking to new members will affect cash flow and confirm with the Pensions Department or security is of paramount importance. their pension whilst working for the BBC, the Trustees have asked their advisers to an individual if their profile needs updating. Jan Killick and still paying into the pension scheme. determine the exact effect. If your card is refused entry to a BBC Head of Pensions

Editorial contributions: Write to: Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ. Email: [email protected] Please make sure that any digital pictures you send are scanned at 300 dpi. The next issue of Prospero will appear in November. Prospero is provided free of charge to retired BBC employees, ARIEL SUBSCRIPTIONS or to their spouses and dependants. Prospero provides a source of news on former colleagues, developments at the BBC and 6 months 1 year pension issues, plus classified adverts. UK: £26 £50

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PROSPERO October 2011 update from the bbc 03 BBC needs more women Don’t jump the gun BBC agreement BBC chairman Lord Patten wants more women on air on Four, says Patten amendments BBC Trust chairman Chris Patten has said there are not enough The BBC Trust has published women in on-air roles at the public broadcaster. ‘We should have details of the agreement with more women on radio and television,’ the former Conservative the Department of Culture, party chairman said in an interview with The Observer. Media and Sport which varies the existing BBC charter to take account of the changes introduced in last year’s licence fee deal. Lord Patten appeared to give his personal backing to BBC Four by telling the Royal Under the deal the BBC takes on financial Television Society that he hopes to continue responsibility for the World Service, watching his favourite digital channel Monitoring, Welsh language channel S4C and after Delivering Quality First proposals are supporting the local television services the published next month. Culture Secretary is establishing. Fiona Bruce But the BBC Trust chairman told the RTS The agreement also sets out the new Cambridge convention that some of the arrangements for the National Audit Office He singled out Radio 4’s Sarah Montague She was later rehired to present BBC One’s BBC’s foreign bureaux could close, as the to examine BBC spending. At present the and Martha Kearney as being among the Crimewatch Roadshow. organisation tries to make 20% savings, and NAO carries out value for money reviews of ‘good ones’. Lord Patten was appointed head of the BBC entertainment – like sport – is likely to take a BBC services at the request of the Trust, but The BBC pledged two years ago to find Trust, the BBC’s governing body, in May. bigger hit than news. in future it will decide its own programme more women, particularly older women, to In his interview, Lord Patten stated that A petition to save BBC Four has gathered of audits. front its shows. women should be better represented on more than 66,000 signatures. Patten said that Concerns have been expressed that the It later announced that Julia Somerville, the BBC. petitioners might have jumped the gun: ‘I NAO reviews could lead to individual stars’ Carole Walker, Fiona Armstrong and Zeinab ‘I’m 67, for heaven’s sake, and I’m married think it might have been sensible for people salaries becoming public, or the details of Badawi had been appointed to front its to a charming and beautiful 66-year-old, and to hang about before signing a petition, to see managerial decisions on finance, because the news bulletins. I would be delighted if she was the face of what the proposals are.’ NAO can ask for any information it needs But earlier this year, Walker criticised the anything on television,’ he said. As prospective Trust chairman he had been for its audit. The wording of the agreement move as ‘nothing more than a PR stunt’. He also praised newsreader and Antiques ‘sneered at’ for enjoying some of the more makes no specific reference to those concerns ‘It is now 16 months since the BBC Roadshow host Fiona Bruce as an example of esoteric BBC Four programmes, including one and no such information has been revealed in announced that I was to be one of four older female talent at the BBC. about grain production: ‘Now I’m criticised previous NAO reports on the BBC. women presenters on the BBC News Channel,’ ‘I saw her programme on royal palaces, for wanting to close [the channel]. It’s not A Trust spokesperson said: ‘The NAO she said. which she wrote as well as presented,’ he said. true,’ he said. already have full access to the information ‘Last year I was given fewer than 20 days in ‘I thought she was terrific. But there should ‘I hope that when we come forward with they need to carry out reviews of the BBC; the role. This year so far I have been given just be more.’ proposals, that role of the digital channels today’s announcement confirms and continues one presenting shift.’ Lord Patten also indicated there was a will be explained in a way that makes sense in that arrangement. In addition it will now Other voices criticising the BBC on gender question to be answered about the rationale these straitened times…I hope to continue to enable the NAO to decide which areas to issues have included newsreader Anna Ford for the BBC licence fee which is levied on TV be able to watch BBC Four.’ look at, but in an arrangement where it will and actress Caroline Quentin. Quentin, whose viewers, saying ‘there’s a growing disjuncture Quizzed directly about whether DQF continue to submit reports to the Trust. We shows include Jonathan Creek and Men Behaving between the technology and the tax’. efficiencies would cut the number of overseas believe that the terms agreed build on the Badly, said there were ‘many, many more men’ ‘More and more people are not watching offices, Patten admitted: ‘We may have to BBC’s existing relationship with the NAO on screen than women. on a television. That doesn’t deal with the close some foreign bureaux but we will to the benefit of licence fee payers, while ‘It’s mostly men of a certain age who seem intellectual case for a form of taxation to pay still have more than almost any other news preserving the BBC’s independence.’ to be getting the roles – blokes are dominating for a public good, but it does raise issues organisation.’ The agreement makes clear that whilst the drama,’ she told TV Choice magazine. about what that tax should be based on.’ He confirmed that DQF proposals NAO is ‘entitled to review any BBC decision’ Meanwhile, former Countryfile presenter The current licence fee agreement is due to would mean ‘fewer people, employed more it is not entitled to ‘question the merits of Miriam O’Reilly won an age discrimination expire in 2017. A programme of cuts is under effectively’ He hoped that at least half of the any editorial or creative judgment or policy tribunal against the BBC earlier this year after way at the BBC after the previous settlement savings could be achieved through greater decision about the way BBC services are made it dropped her from the programme. was lower than expected. efficiency and productivity. or distributed.’ The Trust will still do its own value for money reviews. In fact the agreement requires it to lay out its own programme of such work Crospero 160 devised and compiled by Jim Palm each year. The NAO can’t examine the same area as the Trust in the same year. 1 2 Complete the square by using the clues; these apply only to words The NAO will submit its reports to the running across. Then take these words in numerical order and Trust, which will prepare a response before 3 4 extract the letters indicated by a dot. If your answers are correct, sending both to the Secretary of State to lay these letters will spell out the name of a BBC series. before Parliament. 5 6 Apart from scrutinising the BBC’s books, Please send your answers in an envelope marked Crospero to The the agreement also sets down the details of Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting 7 the extra financial responsibilities the BBC House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ by Friday, 9 November 2011. is taking on. There will be a service licence 8 9 agreement for the World Service, which will CLUES be reviewed every five years by the Trust, and 1. Blemishes (6), 2. Unfortunate mister (4), 3. Eggs (3), 4. It’s at 1, 6 & 10 (4), 10 the BBC ‘may use the World Service brand to 5. Medicine (6), 6. Church official (4), 7. Anger (4), 8. Sussex town (6), generate additional income’. 9. Baked item (4), 10. Go furtively (5), 11. Floor covering (4), 12. Nimble (6), 11 12 It can also use Government cash for specific 13. Buffoon (4), 14. Reasonable (4), 15. Behind (6), 16. Get bigger (4), projects associated with the World Service, 13 17. Clinger (3), 18. Portent (4), 19. Not observed (6) providing the Trust agrees. As for Monitoring, the BBC has full 14 15 Solutions to Crospero 159: Lad; Reacted; Bar; Oak; Erie; Idle; Steps; managerial and editorial control, but it Needs; Pet; Gumbo; Relic; Uta; Nodes; Drive; File; Aire; Fob; Pot; Parents; can take money from outside bodies for 16 17 Nod. The serial was LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD. ‘additional services’, such as monitoring outside the core services it covers. 18 19 The winner was Ms J Grimley of Shipley.

PROSPERO October 2011 04 letters Dr Who titles myth Sale of Television The current panic Having come across a copy of July’s Prospero Centre in the markets at a retired BBC staffer’s home, I was I feel I must react to the article in the July I do not expect to be the only person amused to read the letters regarding the 2011 issue of Prospero headed ‘BBC Television concerned about the current turmoil in the origins of the Dr Who ‘Howl Round Effect’ Centre Up for Sale’. stock markets, but I hope and trust we may opening title. It was ever thus that VT The centre did not ‘open’ in 1960, it was be able receive guidance over the position of engineers took credit for other’s work but ‘open’ in late August ’53 when I joined our BBC pensions in relation to the current also memory must fade as they age. straight from school as an office junior at situation. I, for one, should be grateful to The title sequence and the effect was the Lime Grove Studios. The scenery block learn of the current position. created, designed and produced by Graphic already housed the design department and Arthur A Lincoln Designer Bernard Lodge and was shot on some production staff. The central doughnut 35mm film probably by Doug Adamson was sketched out but most of the site was Jeff Webley, Pension Communications BSC at Caravelle Films in Maidenhead. still occupied by the ruins of the White City Manager, BBC People, replies: Bernard left the BBC in the mid 70s Exhibition. The current volatility in investments markets to set up his own design company. He is I joined the design development secretary and I went into the General Office is unsettling and the BBC Pension Scheme still very much around and recognised in January ’54 and they built the rest where there were three girls and a postboy (the Scheme) is not immune from economic as one of the greats in TV graphic design around me. who dealt with the telephone switchboard. forces. It is however important to remember circles. I know this as, for some time, I was The first transmission was from TC3 on When he was out we had to deal with calls, that the Scheme is a long-term investor and Bernard’s assistant and worked for him on Wednesday, 29 June 1960, a variety show irrespective of whatever we were doing, along the way it’s almost inevitable that there subsequent Dr Whos. with David Nixon, Arthur Askey, Richard sometimes stencils of examinations questions will be ups and downs. Rosalind Dallas Hearne and Liz Larner. I remember Irving which of course we had to make sure were The Scheme has been reducing its Davies dancing all the way up from the front not seen by any casual trainee. They came in exposure to equities and will take further gate and into TC3 as an opener. The show groups of approx 30 and were housed in the steps to ‘derisk’ out of equities into bonds was called First Night, not It’s Magic as you huts. Also in a hut was the sick bay manned and other investment over time. Care has print elsewhere in the edition. by a resident nurse. There was a tragedy to be taken so that equities are not sold at Ten years to build at a cost of on one course when a young boy leaped depressed prices and currently dividends £10,000,000, designed before the war off steps and banged his head on the wall from equities are recovering strongly and and now a ghost of its former glory. Sad. and died. contributing to the Scheme’s positive D Blake The canteen supplied meals for one cash flow (returns on investments and shilling and sixpence (old money of course!) contributions are greater in total than the and at coffee time delicious rolls warm from benefits currently in payment). Memories of the local baker for about one penny and a pat We remain vigilant and the Scheme’s of butter for the same price; cheese about investment team are working with fund the Engineering two pence. managers to continuously monitor the I deputised for Dr Sturley’s secretary financial markets closely. Pensioners will Training Department when she was away and dreaded technical continue to receive the pension promised dictation with my weak shorthand. I had under the rules of the Scheme and should (not Centre!) to do cashier’s work and he was off for ten not be unduly worried. Camera corrections Joan Symons (nee Ovard) adds her ‘ancient weeks once and I had to do wages for house As mentioned by Rex Palmer and others, recollections’ to Colin Pierpoint’s memories staff which meant collecting about £2,000 I was immediately corrected by several of Wood Norton (Prospero, August 2011). every week from the bank in a small suitcase Vi Chester cameramen, who I still see regularly, as to When Dr Sturley came to start the then having coffee in Evesham before the I was sad to see the announcement (July the camera type that ‘peeled off’. I think Department, I was already at Wood Norton, driver picked me up to return to Wood issue) that Vi Chester had died. I got to know that all the contributors have fairly defined having initially worked at nearby Abbey Norton! Duties included wages for Club Staff her well in my early days in Yalding when the sequence of events, although there are Manor which dealt with typing, duplicating in Evesham and even dealing with garden Vi was in Music Bookings and I was in the still a few discrepancies. and despatching news bulletins which were produce. I hadn’t any idea how to cash up Music Library, mostly through her tireless Effect first noted on C.P.S. Emitron supplied by Monitoring Section housed in and when one of the bosses came down to work with the Association of Broadcasting cameras at Riverside studios. huts at Wood Norton. ‘help’ me he eventually confessed he couldn’t Staff. Vi was the Yalding House Branch Effect used to generate opening title I only remember one out of the recipients do it either. I was relieved when the cashier Secretary, to be honest Vi was the branch, backgrounds from Studio D at LGS. and the name was Professor AJ Toynbee! returned and I was only a few pence out. He she attended annual conferences as our These must have been recorded by Film Then Wood Norton went under Midland said you must apply for acting responsibility representative, organised the Committee and Recording since the opening titles had Region until the Engineering Department pay, so I did – got £1.00. branch AGMs. I succeeded her as Secretary studio captions superimposed (probably started. Dr Sturley came with his own Joan Symons nee Ovard but never felt I came up to her standard of from a 35mm slide scanner – notorious for sticking). Synchronous VT reply, enabling superimposition, was not a real option in those days. Puppet masters The titles must have been pre-prepared I was intrigued to read Peter Charlton’s letter, operator to work on the show. The request Ian Carmichael was a joy to work for. It because, as Peter Jarrett states, it would be ‘Rooting around – can you help?’ (Prospero, came to Radio’s Variety Department in Aeolian would seem he was a TV producer by day and unfeasible to tie up a camera to produce August). I have a story to tell that may clear Hall where I worked and, as I was the only ex- an actor by night, for he was then appearing this variable effect at studio recording time. up the mystery he wishes to solve. ITMA sound effects boy still around, I got the in the Lyric Revue at the Globe Theatre. The Also, I remain fairly convinced that, at I have no recollection of a show called job and was seconded to television for a few TV shows were great fun to be involved with. some stage, the resulting ‘peel off’ was Vegetable Village but the account leads me to weeks to work with the show. There were only six made, of 15 minutes modulated by the title music and that believe it was probably a pilot that came duration, transmitted on Sunday nights at somehow, a vertical, centre line reflection to nothing and that the dear puppeteer 8.15 during the first three months of 1952. was introduced. lady in question was not aware of what I consulted Caversham archives who were Rex Palmer is correct about the memory later transpired. most helpful with their research and able to playing tricks. Now, was it Studio G that In early 1952 Ted Kavanagh, the writer of tell me the names of the puppet operators: originated the first story (that I am sure ITMA, conceived a TV puppet show titled It’s Sam and Elizabeth Williams, Joyce Hoggett, was The Cave of Skulls) or Studio D as opined a Small World. It was a comedy set in an office, Jeniffer Hughes and John Vindon. by Dave Mundy? with voices supplied by Kenneth Connor, Kenneth Connor was narrator and the I remember an early series with The Yeti Deryck Guyler, Bill Saville, Graham Stark, voice of ‘Arfer’ the office boy and, although who were in animal-type skin costumes Maria Charles and Violet Gould. The music there was no Mrs Mop featured, there was and so confined inside that they couldn’t director was Eric Robinson and the producer an office cleaner named Mrs Ope voiced by see very well and kept crashing into the set. was Ian Carmichael. Violet Gould. Hilarious for us recording in VT but a bit The show required a lot of sound effects I do hope this helps towards solving the wearing for the studio with all the retakes! and apparently the pilot programme had mystery. In the meantime it was a great Many thanks for providing the space for used scene shifters to do them and they were memory jogger for me and certainly revived these amusing and happy memories. not satisfactory. Ted Kavanagh was disgusted a most happy occasion among many in my Geoff Higgs with the result and demanded that a search BBC life. was made to find an ex-ITMA sound effects Brian Willey

PROSPERO October 2011 LETTERS 05 An ‘i’ for the ladies… A song for JFK

What is the first thing you notice? Is it the As Songs of Praise celebrates its 50th anniversary (see page 6), L2 portable recorder used in the 50s and David Hannon sent in this recollection of an early recording of early 60s, or the naked lady on the couch? SOP that he will never forget: If like me, dear radio friend, it was the recorder, then I suspect you too are On 22 November 1963 I was recording happened. The general mood among them getting old! Songs of Praise in Newtownards Parish was of excitement at the new experience. As I recall, you had to rewind the EMI L2 Church in County Down. After the rehearsal In the event, I decided to keep the news ‘midget’ (ha ha) recorder by hand and stuff ended and while the engineers were under wraps until the recording was wrapped eight large torch batteries into their innards. completing ‘line up’ with the VTR machine up – at which stage we paid a suitable tribute They could also only record 15 minutes in Belfast, I heard the news that JFK had to the event under the leadership of the Rector. on a reel. So that disciplined the mind a been assassinated. I was faced with the I know that I have always been able to say little. They were heavy brutes and made the quandary of whether or not I should let the that I know where I was when I heard of the Uher recorders which followed them seem congregation, who were enjoying a coffee death of JFK! positively lightweight. break in the Church Hall, know what had David Hannon Imagine, if you will, having climbed Ben Nevis to find the empty take-up spool missing, a brief moment of panic then solving the problem by pulling off 600ft This is the year, this is The Hour of unrecorded tape. Carried away on the Much has been talked about in the media However, the publicity revolved around the Have a look at the image above. It is Highland wind were some of the words pages of The Hour and about the accuracy accuracy of the piece and also how it was an illustration from the i newspaper that never were. of the piece. For those who haven’t seen the from the same stable as Mad Men. The latter (14 September 2011). Allan Rogers programme, The Hour forms the background was set in the 60s, a different age, and Mad to a thriller of murder and intrigue. ‘The Hour’ Men is set in America. itself is a current affairs programme made at The Hour is part produced by the Shine efficiency! I learned so much from Vi, not especially the volume control of ‘sound’ in Lime Grove Studios. It is loosely based, so group. This may mean that, with an American only about union work but also how to both Radio and TV. we presume, on the beginnings of Panorama, connection and the fact that Shine is a organise and run committees, training I still ‘Potts’ was a most understandable and with Grace Wyndham Goldie, perhaps, as company with a Murdoch connection, the use today. I was pleased but not surprised happy man in all respects. the producer. truth doesn’t matter. I would be interested to to see in Dai Jeffries obituary that she had Paul Gouldstone The drama is set in the mid-50s when know what other readers think. continued to work hard for the world of the BBC’s attitude to the status quo began Albert Barber music after her retirement from the BBC. to change. It was a time when being British Diane Ward Holme and away meant being polite to those in authority, and Look out for more thoughts on The Hour As the mystery over Graham Hare’s Faraday knowing your place was the norm. – and one reader’s recollections of the cage deepens, could I muddy the waters The two elements of trying to blend real Grace Wyndham Goldie – in the next Ronald Pottinger further: accuracy with fiction seems to me, who edition of Prospero. My memories of ‘Potts’, as he was always Colour transmissions from Emley Moor joined the corporation slightly later, an known to us affectionately in the BBC, goes began on BBC2 in July 1967 with BBC1 uncomfortable mismatch. back many years when I was in BBC Research going colour in November 1969, so by Although the external locations look good Department at Kingswood Warren in Surrey 1973 colour had been available in the area enough, the lack of a gallery, a producer in the early 1950s, working on the design for six years. When the tower collapsed counting down to the end of the programme, of a special optical programme meter for in March 1969, it was a 1,265ft guyed the wrong telephones and a strange series both Radio and Television sound engineers mast, eventually replaced by the existing of offices that look as if the designer hadn’t to improve the overall ‘volume’ control of concrete structure. enough money to finish them off properly radio and TV programmes. ‘Potts’ was my TV There were never any colour makes for a series of jolts. When accuracy contact and guide for actual field trials of this transmissions from Holme Moss as Peter becomes totally inaccurate to the way new type of control instrument. Sherdley confirmed in July’s Prospero. television studios at the time were run, it From that time on I kept very much in Working on Look North Leeds in the 1970s destroys the drama. touch with Potts (as well as Dick Gundry for I well remember the S.Tel E. ringing Holme Radio) and I then moved up to Broadcasting Moss every night shortly before the 6pm House, London in Quality Monitoring at the opt-out and taking control of the switching. start of VHF/FM where our paths crossed On one occasion Holme Moss handed again many times… control rather too early and viewers were Later, before and after I retired in 1986, treated to unscheduled scenes of a Look North I came down to the RELC lunches when I rehearsal instead of a children’s programme was with BBC Radio Solent at Southampton on BBC1. and would meet up with Potts socially at the It seems to me Graham’s theory about Bar and at the lunch tables in Bournemouth Holme Moss is as full of holes as Compo’s and we had many interesting conversations pullover. on any BBC topic that was going the rounds, Courtenay Tordoff Can you help? Eric Powell, who appeared in the March colleagues but would like to hear from others.’ 2011 Prospero as part of the group Christine does not have email, so photograph of C53 Pt2 Engineering course Ray Liffen, who supplied the original at Wood Norton, sadly died recently. article, has offered to pass on any His widow, Christine, would like to contacts. His email address is hear from any of his colleagues who [email protected] have memories or photographs which include Eric. She says: ‘Eric always worked for John Ammonds (ex-producer of the Television News starting as a basic engineer. Morecambe and Wise Show) and I were He then became a video tape editor then friends in the 1940s and I would like to get in trained as an editor on electronic equipment touch with him again. Do any readers know travelling a lot covering news stories around how I might contact him? the world. His last few years were spent as a John Mathison, Crownfield, Langford Duty Operations Manager. Budville, Wellington, Somerset TA21 0QZ ‘I am in touch with several of Eric’s Email: [email protected]

PROSPERO October 2011 06 Memories

Worship over the years

With Songs Of Praise having celebrated its 50th anniversary in mid-September, the Revd. Roger Royle. Roger also hosted Sunday Half-Hour at 8.30pm on the network former Radio 2 producer Anthony Wills surveys the BBC’s current religious output until he was succeeded in 2007 by Father and discovers that there are many even longer runners on the radio. Brian d’Arcy. In some ways this is the radio equivalent of Songs of Praise, consisting as it o mark the 50th anniversary minutes of church bells on Sundays, when is usually lively and occasionally fierce. does of popular hymns interspersed with of BBC1’s flagship religious there is also Something Understood at 6.05am, The Religious Broadcasting Department is prayers and dedications for (mainly very programme, one of the longest normally presented by former BBC journalist also responsible for discussion programme elderly) listeners. The most listened-to running series in television history, Mark Tully and described as ‘an ethical and The Moral Maze. religious sequence on Radio 2 is Good Morning Tthe producers recorded a spectacular religious discussion that examines some of The Daily Service has been running Sunday presented by Aled Jones, recently celebration concert at London’s Alexandra the larger questions of life, taking a spiritual continuously since 1928 and consists of a extended from two hours to three and Palace on Sunday 25 September. Jointly theme and exploring it through music, short act of worship with a couple of hymns, broadcast between 6 and 9am. The music presented by Aled Jones, Pam Rhodes, prose and poetry’. The coupling of those a reading, a homily and a prayer. It is now played is popular but spiritually based and Sally Magnusson and Diane-Louise Jordan, two adjectives reflects a significant change confined to Radio 4 Long Wave, up against again there are plenty of dedications plus a the programmes will be transmitted on in the BBC’s attitude towards belief, for the Book Of The Week on FM, though (as with mixture of interviews with celebrities and Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Religious Affairs Department changed its Yesterday In Parliament) it is broadcast in parallel people with interesting tales of courage or I worked on the programme as an assistant name in 2001 to ‘BBC Religion and Ethics’ on the digital platform. achievement to tell. producer in the late 1980s. The format has and its present head is a Muslim. Sunday at Thought For The Day is transmitted six days a Also on Radio 2 there is an annual Faith barely changed since; it is tried and trusted 7.10 is the religious equivalent of the Today week during BBC Radio 4’s most listened-to Week in October which examines the impact and (dare I say?) safe, consisting of popular programme; ironically its current anchorman current affairs programme, Today. It succeeded of religion on culture and society through a hymns sung by an untypically large church particular theme (in 2010 this was Money congregation dressed in their Sunday best, and Faith and included a documentary interspersed by uplifting stories of faith from presented by Dragons’ Den millionaire Duncan around the UK and beyond. “It’s worth saying that Thought For The Day Ballantyne asking Can Money Make You In the 1970s and 80s Songs of Praise was Happy?), plus special concerts on Good eclipsed by, first, Stars On Sunday and then attracts more opposition than any other Friday and Christmas Eve and the annual Highway, which aired at precisely the same religious programme.” Young Choristers Of The Year contest. All time over on ITV, but it has survived, albeit in all quite an impressive list for the most with an average viewership these days of popular radio station in the UK. 2.6 million compared with 6m in the pre- By comparison Radio 3 offers just digital era. Unfortunately it is not given the Edward Stourton was taken off Today in 2008, Ten To Eight in 1970, itself a successor to Lift Up one weekly strand, albeit broadcast twice regular early evening slot it used to enjoy. allegedly for sounding too ‘posh’. Sunday Your Hearts, which had begun on the Home – live on Wednesdays with a repeat on But what of the rest of the BBC’s religious tackles the hot news stories of the week Service in December 1939. Described as ‘a Sundays, both at 4pm. This is Choral Evensong, output? Let’s start by looking at the ‘Senior and draws on the expertise of reporters on reflection from a faith perspective on issues which unbelievably has been on the air Service’. The Radio 4 day begins with Prayer the ground as well as the BBC’s Religious in the news’ it is a 2 min. 45 second scripted continuously since October 1926. It is For The Day at 5.45am, replaced by two Affairs Correspondent Robert Piggott. Debate piece broadcast without comment from the broadcast in the presence of a congregation programme’s presenters, who in any case from a different Anglican cathedral each give the impression of not bothering to week. Radio 3 does not promote it as an listen to it. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the act of worship but this it most definitely is. Pope and the Chief Rabbi have all taken part, Sacred music of one type or another features though regulars include Anne Atkins, Tom in The Choir, broadcast on Sundays at 6.30pm Butler, Richard Harries, Mona Sidiqqui and and fronted by the ubiquitous Aled Jones. of course Lionel Blue. It’s worth saying that Elsewhere on the network Joan Bakewell Thought For The Day attracts more opposition presents the occasional series Belief, talking to than any other religious programme, with artists, scientists and thinkers. frequent campaigns from the National Most BBC local radio stations offer Secular Society and the British Humanist some kind of worship or discussion Association. programmes and the Jerusalem Awards, Pause For Thought is Radio 2’s equivalent to introduced in 1993, recognise outstanding Thought For The Day and is broadcast in two achievement in various categories at an separate editions at 5.45am and 9.15am awards ceremony held every autumn. during the Vanessa Feltz and Chris Evans (www.jerusalemawards.co.uk) shows. It consists of an informal exchange Taking into account the above, the with a vaguely spiritual tinge between the question is whether the Corporation is presenters and the day’s speaker. For many continuing to fulfil its charter obligations Edward Stourton Roger Royle years the principal PFT contributor was in respect of faith?

PROSPERO October 2011 Memories 07 Memories of the Proms BBC Bristol Film Unit reunion Pensioner Brian Willey joined the BBC in 1944 and, having recently Cameramen, sound recordists, lighting electricians, editors, rediscovered his first copy ofAriel , noted it contains an interesting make-up, wardrobe, design, props, producers, office staff and report on the Proms of that year (in their 50th year) – and recalls the management gathered at the BBC Club in Bristol for a mid- story for us. summer reunion on 31 July. Many had not met for over 20 years since the unit was disbanded and much reminiscing took place. A show of photos covering decades of the unit was played on the big screen and Cyril Moorhead, Barry Paine, Colin Godman, and Jim Guthrie reminded the assembled 100 guests of the great times had by all whilst producing a vast range of natural history, drama, music and documentary programmes for the networks. In fact, BBC Bristol was second only to TFS Ealing in the amount of film shot in the UK each year. Keith Rodgerson

The film shooting crew who used to occupy their crew hut ‘Shangrila’ whilst preparing for shoots around Sir Henry Wood the world. From left to right: Jim Guthrie, Brian Beaumont, Hugh Maynard, Trevor Gosling, John Palmer, Jim Saunders, Red Denner, Martin Saunders, Roger Long. Front row: Keith Rodgerson, Dickie Bird. Note The Proms commenced life in August 1895 were continued from Bedford, and Sir Henry the Nagra IV recorder and Arriflex BL camera as a reminder of the technology we used. in the Queen’s Hall, then London’s newest and Lady Wood travelled to Bedford and put concert venue, completed just two years up at the Bridge Hotel, so that Sir Henry earlier. Mr Henry Wood had been appointed could be within easy reach of the studios. conductor of the Queen’s Hall Orchestra and, He continued conducting his Jubilee knighted in 1911, remained the conductor Season of studio Proms until, after a and inspiration of the Proms for the rest of magnificent performance of Beethoven’s his life. Seventh Symphony, he was suddenly Money matters Sadly, the Queen’s Hall was destroyed by overtaken by illness and died on 19 August – a Luftwaffe incendiary bomb on the night of just over a week after the finish of his fiftieth 10 May 1941 and the Sir Henry Wood Proms year of Proms. Rewarding philanthropy were then transferred to the Royal Albert The funeral was held in Hitchin Parish Important to estate planning is having a valid Will to protect dependants from the Hall, which became their permanent home. Church on 24 August and the BBC Singers intestacy provisions, which vary depending where we are domiciled. It was there that the 50th Anniversary was and a section of the BBC Orchestra travelled A key issue is looking at softening the effects of Inheritance Tax (IHT) and here, tax celebrated in 1944 – a more momentous and over from Bedford to take part in the service. exemptions and reliefs can apply. sad year than could have been expected; the Many people choose to support favourite charities, via legacies which are exempt from following paragraphs are extracted from the Boogie bug IHT. The Government’s intention is to reward this by applying a reduced rate of IHT to the Christmas issue of Ariel: Another historic occasion in Bedford’s deceased’s ‘net estate’. This is subject to consultation, becoming effective for deaths on and Perhaps the ‘highspot’ of BBC radio musical history was the visit of the world- after 6 April 2012 and the consultation paper has been published. programmes in 1944 was the Jubilee Season famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin. He gave The objective is to encourage philanthropic bequests, not to make non-charity of the Promenade the first performance beneficiaries significantly better off but to provide incentives for charitable gifts. Concerts, which of Bela Bartok’s new The proposal is, for deaths on or after 6 April 2012, estates including charitable legacies ended so unhappily “Music Department violin concerto, with of at least 10% of the net estate will attract a 36% IHT rate (compared with the main rate in Sir Henry Wood’s the BBC Orchestra of 40%). untimely death. For received the message under Sir Adrian Boult. For inheritance tax purposes, a ‘charity’ is a UK registered charity or other qualifying the first three weeks The most outstanding body, which includes organisations like St John’s Ambulance, hospices and orphanages, the Proms were given that the Proms figures in the musical amongst others. from the Royal Albert world flocked to the The consultation paper provides examples of how this might work, the simplest of which Hall, though from the must stop.” Corn Exchange to is as follows: very beginning they hear this brilliant Estate value £850,000 (available nil-rate band £325,000). Minimum charitable legacy to were disturbed by performance, among pass the 10% test calculated as: flying-bomb attacks. them William Walton, At first the concerts were interrupted in Herbert Howells, Sir George Dyson and Currently From April 2012 order to announce alerts to the audience, but Albert Sammonds. Staff at Bedford also had Estate value £850,000 £850,000 alerts became so frequent that red and green the opportunity of hearing the great violinist. Charitable legacy - £52,500 (A) lights were installed on either side of the Bedford has become a centre for conductor’s rostrum. celebrities of all kinds and the latest are Nil-rate band - £325,000 - £325,000 Major Glenn Miller and his American Band Net estate for 10% test £525,000 Under attack of the AEF who have broadcast regularly Less minimum charitable - £52,500 (A) In this way the Proms went on in spite of from Bedford studios. The younger members legacy to pass 10% test the heaviest attacks – in spite, even, of the of the Bedford staff have been well bitten Taxable estate £472,500 £472,500 baleful drone of ‘doodle bugs’ directly over by the ‘boogie bug’ and Glenn Miller could the hall. One night there was the crash of have no more enthusiastic following than Tax @40%(B) = £189,000 @36% (B) = £170,100 an exploding bomb very near, but none of he has there, especially in the control room! £850,000 – (A+B) £850,000 – (A+B) the orchestra and none of the audience so Famous British and American film and Amount to dependants £608,500 £627,400 much as turned a head. At last, however, the stage stars have visited Bedford to appear Ministry of Home Security decided that it with the band, including Bing Crosby, Without a charitable legacy the amount received by dependants would be £640,000. The was too dangerous to continue the concerts, Dinah Shore, Vera Lynn, Pat Kirkwood, Ann effective ‘cost’ of the legacy currently is £31,500 but from next year it would be £12,600. and on a memorable Friday afternoon there Shelton and Dorothy Carless. During the The effect will vary depending upon the complexity of the estate but the incentive is bound was a melancholy moment, yet not without band’s comparatively short stay Bedford has to be welcomed by individuals and charities alike. drama, when Music Department received the probably seen more popular singers than Bob Perkins DipPFS, Technical Manager, Origen Financial Services message that the Proms must stop. Broadcasts during the whole of the BBC’s ‘occupation’.

PROSPERO October 2011 08 Back at the bbc

Annual visitors’ conference covers wide range Points of interest of topics of interest to BBC pensioners he BBC Volunteer Visiting Scheme for care homes in the 21st century. benefits for older people. He spoke at length actuarial report, which showed that the held its annual conference in John made some excellent points about about the proposed acceleration to the rise in Scheme deficit had increased by 1% as at Cardiff over 22-23 August, where the care system, and had everyone chuckling State Pension age (as reported in the August 1 April 2011. (See page 2 for more details the 111 visitors were educated and when he pointed out that the rock ‘n’ roll issue of Prospero), and reminded the visitors about this.) ‘Gilt yields have suffered very Tentertained by the variety of speakers who generation may soon be needing care services: about the importance of claiming pension severely and last week [mid-August] they had been lined up for them. ‘Mick Jagger is a pensioner – imagine him in a credit if you are eligible. Unclaimed State were at their lowest since 1899. It means the The visiting scheme provides a ‘listening care home. Bingo and war songs won’t cut it.’ benefits amount to £16.6 billion each year, value of the Scheme’s liabilities went up as a ear’ for BBC pensioners over the age of 70, Brian said. ‘The DirectGov website result of the dramatic reduction in gilt yields, the bereaved and anyone in poor health, and Keep moving (www.direct.gov.uk) has a lot of useful because economists believe that growth rates the visitors are all BBC pensioners themselves. At 5pm, as the visitors’ energy levels started calculators on it, including a Pension Credit will be low for an extended period. The conference aimed to update the visitors to flag, with many of them having set off calculator, so you can see if you’re eligible.’ ‘The Trustees are busy updating the on a number of topical issues, so that they early to make it to the conference, Roy Ibson, investment strategy in view of the difficult in turn can help their pensioners, who may a popular speaker from previous years, got Scheme update economic environment; we are looking now be worried about care home fees or feel them up on their feet to show how you can After lunch, the visitors heard from Jeremy at a time of lower growth and implications bamboozled by State benefits. The conference take small steps to fitness. Peat, Chairman of the Trustees, who apologised for equities and bonds, so it’s a good time for also provided the visitors with an opportunity ‘It’s important to have a go – and keep for the fact that this was the first and last time a strategy refresh.’ to advise and support each other, as evidenced having a go,’ said Roy, as he bounded around he would address them. Jeremy stepped down Jeremy added: ‘It has been a very difficult by a lively Q&A session on the second day, the stage. ‘Get out of your comfort zone and from the BBC Trust earlier this year, but decided year for members and trustees. The challenges where problems were discussed and more to stay on as Chair of the Pension Scheme as it are vast and can never be over-estimated. experienced visitors shared their knowledge. was mid-way through its valuation. Pensioners may have found the changes to After a welcome by Cheryl Miles, who took “Imagine Mick Jagger With August’s stock market falls fresh in the Scheme unsettling. However, I wish to re- over the running of the Scheme from Christine everyone’s minds, Jeremy talked about the emphasise the point that your benefits are not Geen earlier this year, the first speaker, Helen in a care home... Scheme’s investment strategy: ‘Our equity affected and will not be affected.’ Papadopoulos, was welcomed on stage. Helen’s managers have managed the assets very well. task was to update the visitors on the BBC’s Bingo and war songs There has been a slight decline in value, but Sounds like… Genome Project (see article right). nothing like the FTSE. Thereafter followed one of the liveliest won’t cut it.” ‘As the Scheme becomes more mature, we sessions of the conference, when Clare Sillery, Caring about care want to derisk, but the issue is where do we Executive Producer, BBC Vision, explained Helen was followed by Guy Patterson from throw in some variety. Swap it around and invest? We have reduced our equity holdings what the BBC had been doing about the Age UK, who gave an entertaining but get yourselves moving.’ and transferred into lower risk assets but it’s contentious (as recent letters pages in Prospero thought-provoking talk on the issues and The next morning, everyone gathered not easy to find those in a way that balances can attest) problem of sound levels. challenges facing the UK as its population bright and early to hear Dianne Evans risk and reward.’ She reported back on the Vision audibility grows older. He quoted extensive statistics from Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice He mentioned the results of the latest project, which has been 18 months in the which shed light on the challenges facing discussing the importance of putting your our care system: affairs in order – by drawing up a Will and, • 3.7 million people aged 65+ live alone. if required, a Lasting Power of Attorney • Nearly 2.5 million people aged 65+ in (LPA). The LPA replaced the Enduring Power England have care needs. of Attorney (EPA) from 1 October 2007, • The number of people with dementia is although an EPA drawn up before that date projected to double to around 1.6 million will continue to be valid. An LPA, like an by 2050. EPA, allows you to choose one or more • 1.8 million pensioners live in poverty. attorneys to make decisions should you lose Two-thirds of these are women. the capacity to do so yourself. We hope to Guy introduced John Moore, who runs an publish a more detailed article about LPAs in initiative called My Home Life in Wales, as part a future issue of Prospero. of Age Cymru. My Home Life aims to improve The second speaker of the day was Brian the quality of life of people in care homes, by Hogarth of The Retirement Counselling identifying best practice and creating a vision Service, who updated the visitors on State Roy gets them moving Clare faces tough questions

PROSPERO October 2011 back at the bbc 09 making and involved a number of internal and Pulse Panel completed the survey, giving us responsible for the audio mix. They have to external bodies, including the RNID. The study 290,000 responses to programmes. sign off the audio, and if the programme aimed to looked at the variety of issues that ‘Ninety per cent of respondents had no generates complaints they [the producers] have CONTACTS give rise to viewer complaints about TV sound. problems, but around eight per cent reported to pay for the remix out of their own budgets. The survey comprised three elements: some level of difficulty with audibility. This Clare hoped that this would be enough of Visiting Scheme • the BBC Pulse Panel (20,000 people level of difficulty was repeated in the VLV an incentive for audio to be afforded greater If you would like a visit or information on surveyed in February and August 2010, survey. Most of the complaints related to importance in the editing suite. how to become a volunteer visitor, please ring 0845 712 5529. You will be charged who noted problems with audibility over background noise and accents.’ The conference was closed by James only as a local call. a week) In the RNID survey, the main issue causing Hacker, Senior Pensions Manager, who • A parallel study of 500 viewers aged 65+ problems was background music, followed thanked all the speakers for giving up their Queries by VLV (Voice of the Listener and Viewer) by noise, diction and tone. time to keep the visitors informed on what For benefit and pension payroll queries, call • An RNID study of 500 people One of the actions arising from the was happening in the BBC and wider world the Service Line on 029 2032 2811. Clare said: ‘Twelve thousand viewers in the project has been to make executive producers of life after work. Prospero To add or delete a name from the distribution list, ring the Service Line (number above). BBC Pensioners Prospero is provided free of charge to retired BBC Genome BBC employees. On request, we will also Imagine being able to access any of the so where they exist, we have captured the Association send it to spouses or dependants who want programmes made by the BBC over the last data and the aspiration is there to create to keep in touch with the BBC. Prospero is 80 years… Helen Papadopoulos, Project more complete records of regional output in Memory Bank Pilot also available on audio disc for those with Manager of BBC Genome, took the stage at the future phases.’ sight impairment. BBC Volunteer Visitor Conference to explain The data that has been extracted from Radio On a regular basis the BBC updates its official To register, please ring the Service Line what the BBC is doing to make that a reality. Times can be sorted by details such as the history and maintains the website www. on 029 2032 2811. The BBC holds about a million hours of programme title, channel name, date and time bbc.co.uk/historyofthebbc but there is BBC Club programming in its archives (still, only a of broadcast and a synopsis of the show. ‘It is something missing. The BBC Club in London has a retired fraction of what was actually broadcast), but rather dry at the moment, but the hope is that With the BBC PA Memory Bank project category membership costing £30 a year as yet there is no easy way for members of we will eventually be able to link it to the BBC’s we aim to collect other parts of the BBC’s for members and £39 a year for family the public to access it. digital assets and enable people to access and history which are not recorded in the official membership. Pre-1997 life members are BBC Genome is the first step in this view whole programmes where they exist, publications, from the memories of the staff not affected. Regional clubs may have process, by creating a comprehensive online clips, or just interesting historical artefacts, such who have worked there. At the moment we different arrangements. Please call BBC Club London catalogue of all of the BBC’s programmes. as scripts or photographs,’ said Helen. are investigating software applications that administration office on 020 8752 6666 or ‘Until we know what we broadcast, we won’t ‘We’re now at the stage where we are will allow us to record these memories in an email [email protected]. know whether it’s missing from the BBC checking the quality of the data – and orderly fashion and make them available and archive,’ said Helen. although we have a very high OCR accuracy searchable via www.bbcpa.org.uk (the BBC Benevolent Fund The project team decided to use Radio rate, corrections will be required where the PA website). This is funded by voluntary contributions Times as the starting point, because it software was unable to accurately detect the We hope our collection will sit happily from the BBC and its purpose is to protect the welfare of staff, pensioners and their provides a complete – if imperfect – record text. That’s where BBC pensioners could play alongside and work with other online families. Grants are made at the discretion of the BBC’s broadcasting history going back a role in the future – by identifying errors in collections about BBC activities such as ex- of the Trustees. They may provide to 1923. ‘It’s not 100% accurate, because of the data or helping us confirm programme bbc.net and VT Old Boys. In the long term assistance in cases of unforeseen financial programming changes resulting from live genres and reporting back to the BBC we aim to link up the Memory Bank with hardship, for which help from other sources broadcasts and major events, but it is the most Genome project team.’ other BBC projects such as the Genome is not available. Telephone: 029 2032 3772. complete record of output available to us.’ The aim is to publish the catalogue on Project (which itself aims to create a Prospero Society The pages of Radio Times (all 360,000 of bbc.co.uk, and the project team is looking comprehensive, easy-to-use online catalogue Prospero Society is the only section of the them) have been scanned, and using optical at ways to connect it to other digital records of all of the BBC’s programmes). BBC Club run by and for retired BBC staff character recognition (OCR) software, held by the BBC. However we have to learn to walk before we and their spouses. Its aim is to enable BBC the programme listings are turned into ‘Once we fully populate the database with can run, so we will be running a pilot to make pensioners to meet on a social basis for computer-readable text (ie, data that contributors, programme synopses and other sure we create the correct structure in which theatre visits, luncheons, coach outings etc. can be sorted and searched just like any sources of data, you’ll be able to find people to store the memories and related details and Prospero is supported by BBC Club funds Excel database you might have on your and places and all the programme records can publish them on the Web in a way that is so as to make events affordable. home computer). In total, these will list they feature in if it was recorded in the interesting, useful and ideally future proof. The only conditions (apart from paying an estimated three million programmes Radio Times. It’s very important we collect not just the a small annual subscription) are that you (tripling what the BBC holds in its archives). ‘Making everything available will take memories of people who worked directly must be a BBC pensioner and a member of the BBC Club. For an application form write Helen said so far they have scanned in all time, but the Radio Times programme records on programmes but all the other staff as to: Graham Snaith, 67 Newberries Avenue, Radio Times and received data files from 1943 will soon create the spine and Genome well – transmission engineers, cleaners, Radlett, Herts WD7 7EL. to 1982. And, in response to a question is a vital first step in bringing the BBC’s receptionists, you name the job. Everyone Telephone: 01923 855177 about regional editions of Radio Times, she broadcast history to life.’ has stories to tell and each one of those Mobile: 07736 169612 said: ‘In the 1970s, there were up to 26 If you would like to contribute to BBC Genome, please memories adds a little bit more to the wider Email: [email protected] different editions of Radio Times, so in this first contact Helen ([email protected]). history of the BBC. phase we are using the London or National Read more about the project at http://www.bbc. If you would like to know more or take part in the BBC products editions. Some regional listings are present co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/2010/08/bbc-genome- pilot please contact our webmaster George Gimber via BBC retired staff are entitled to a 30% in the Radio Times editions we have scanned, the-complete-broadc.shtml [email protected] discount off the RRP of most products in the BBC TV Centre shop. There is a postage charge of £2.95 per order (not per item). Pensioners must quote Tom worked at the BBC for 35 years as a and their mother brought the children up on their BBC pension number when ordering. Centenarians commissionaire at the Paris Studios in Regent her own with very little money. Muriel joined Contact: BBC Shop, Audience Foyer, Street, meeting many of the performers such the Beeb in 1939/40, after a period at the Television Centre, Wood Lane, London as Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan, who would British Council. She was on duty when the W12 7RJ. Telephone: 020 8225 8230 regularly invite him to have a drink with them at first bomb was dropped on Broadcasting Email: [email protected] the local pub, the Captain’s Cabin. House, killing some staff, two of whom were Other ways to order (quoting your His granddaughter says: ‘As you could colleagues. She later transferred to Audience pension number when ordering): By phone: imagine, he has many fond memories and Research in Queens House. Muriel lived in 08700 777 001 8.30am-6pm weekdays. stories to tell of his time with the BBC. Tom Wembley for a time before moving to Pinner By post: BBC Shop, PO Box 308, is to this day very passionate and loyal to the in Middlesex. She enjoys good health and still Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8LW. BBC and will only watch programmes shown does her own shopping. Email: [email protected]. Or visit BBC Shops in Eastbourne, on BBC channels. He always looks forward Brighton, Leicester, Birmingham or to receiving his copy of Prospero and often Liverpool. UK postage £2.45 for telephone, The BBC Pension Scheme has nine shares articles with the family.’ post and email orders. Overseas: £4.50 for pensioners aged 100 or over. Among them one item and £2 for each additional product is Thomas Mack, who recently celebrated Muriel Withers celebrated her 100th for telephone, post and email orders. his 101st birthday, on 14 August this year. birthday on 12 August 2011. She was born He was born in Kennington in 1910 and the in Patagonia, as were her three siblings (one BBC PA majority of his working life was spent with of whom was the actress Margery Withers). For details of how to join the Pensioners’ the BBC. Their father was killed in the First World War Association, see panel on page 5.

PROSPERO October 2011 10 Obituaries Ariel when John retired: ‘The area that John Spaghetti Harvest Hoaxer and Panorama Editor Face to face ran was a specialist one and he always Ian Robert Martin, 75 of Isleworth, maintained the knowledge to match, Middlesex, passed away peacefully at home together with an uncanny knack of instantly on 12 August after battling a difficult illness. putting his finger on where any mechanical Born 29 December 1935, Ian was or chemical problem lay. No-one in the BBC educated at Wallington Co School and Christ knows as much about film processing as Church Oxford where he gained a First he did.’ in English. John had a busy and enjoyable retirement After Royal Navy National Service, Ian until a few years ago, when he began to joined the BBC’s Current Affairs Department find walking difficult, but he managed to and worked on the groundbreaking series continue living in his flat in Edgware with Face to Face, until moving to Thames Television the help of carers until towards the end where he edited ITV’s prestige documentary of 2010, when he moved to Henry Nihill series This Week. He was Controller of House – an excellent care home – where he Features, Education and Religion for almost was most happy and content to be. His jovial ten years during which time he won the manner and quick wit was undiminished to first of two Prix Italias for La Cantata di San the end and he died on 19 August at Chase Nicola, 1977, before moving on to be Head Farm Hospital, Enfield. He was 83 years old, of Documentaries and later Head of Music but for ever young in spirit. David Wheeler, who has died at the age of four series of Analysis, numerous arts and and Theatre. I met John shortly after he joined BBC TV 84, was a writer, broadcaster and former music programmes and several six-part series Among Ian’s many notable achievements, News, where my former husband, Graham Editor of Panorama, working on more than such as The Germans, Famous Scandals and Farewell he was Executive Producer on the very first Gomm, was in charge of Special Projects. 300 episodes from 1953 to 1965. Fleet Street. Telethon on British TV in 1980, which John became a firm friend of the family Wheeler was born in Ipswich in 1927 and, He was Executive Producer on One Pair Of raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for and Godfather to our son David Gomm, after National Service with the RAF in Kenya, Eyes for BBC2 and This England for Granada. He charity. At Thames he was responsible for a born in 1969. Graham died of a heart attack got his first job as a journalist with the Luton wrote many radio plays and dramatisations, quarter of ITV’s output for schools as well as in 1978 and John could not have been a News. He moved on to the Manchester Evening News two novels and many of the scripts for the innovative educational programming such as more supportive friend of myself, nine- and then, at the age of 26, joined the BBC. award-winning ITV series The World At War. the hugely successful Botanic Man (with David year-old David and seven-year-old Helen He was one of the originators and In his work for the BBC, David Wheeler Bellamy). As a keen proponent of the Arts, through the difficult time that followed and founders of Panorama, which launched in interviewed a wide range of people: Franco Ian also brought opera and theatre to a wider indeed, ever since. In 1990 I was fortunate 1953. He was Assistant Editor for several Zeffirelli, Sir Anthony Eden, Sir Alec Douglas- commercial television audience. He was enough to have a second happy marriage years and became Editor in 1963. Home, Indira Gandhi, John F Kennedy, awarded his second Prix Italia in 1990 for – to John Brewster – who has also enjoyed The episode he will be best remembered Ronald Reagan, Herbert von Karajan, PG Una Stravaganza dei Medici. the company and friendship of ‘Donc’ on a for was the famous Spaghetti Harvest Hoax Wodehouse, Hitler’s interpreter and Alan In 1992 Ian co-founded the production regular basis over the past 21 years. He was a broadcast on 1 April 1957. Wheeler conceived Sugar, to name just a few. company HD Thames and went on to win a lovely man and we shall miss him, but are all the idea of showing pasta pickers in Italy He believed he was extremely fortunate to number of international awards, including an the richer for having known him. (although it was filmed in Switzerland) have worked at the BBC during what he saw International Emmy. The company pioneered Mrs Joanne Brewster plucking spaghetti strands from large bushes as a golden age for journalism and television. the introduction of high definition television and laying them neatly into baskets. He wrote His colleagues included Max Robertson, with prestige projects such as the Winter the script, which was narrated by Richard Sir Robin Day and Sir Ludovic Kennedy. Olympics in Lillehammer in 1994 and Les Forsyte Saga Dimbleby, and convinced millions of people In recent years, Wheeler settled into quiet Misérables in 1995. He was a dedicated Bafta that pasta grew on trees. retirement by the sea in East Sussex. He member and former Chairman of the TV and script editor In 1965 Wheeler left the BBC to work as a died in his sleep in St Leonards on 6 July. Awards Committee. It is with much sadness that I report the freelance TV producer and radio broadcaster. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine, and Ian will be remembered and celebrated for death on 13 July of Lennox Phillips, a As a radio presenter and writer he worked on four children. his faith, intelligence, dry wit, compassion colleague and dear friend of some many programmes for Radio Four, including Matthew Wheeler and the confidence he inspired in all he met sixty years. to achieve their dreams. Her BBC career began in radio in the early He is survived and greatly missed by his fifties and she soon moved to television to Legal local radio manager wife of 47 years, Susan (nèe Mountfort) be Stephen Harrison’s production secretary Martin; his daughter Sally and three sons when I was his studio manager, later Harold (Hal) Bethell, a retired BBC local worked there for three years with colleagues Andrew, Roger, and Alan; his grandchildren production assistant, in that decade. radio manager, died on 5 August, aged such as Maurice Ennals, Roger Matthews, Joshua, Freddie, Harry, Libby, Tess and I had the good fortune to benefit from her 82 years. Mike Hollingsworth, Ron Coles and Tony Magalie; and his sister Jean. expertise when she worked with me as my Hal was born in 1929 in Birkenhead on Glynne. In the 1970s he returned again to Alan Martin production secretary on the four live series the Wirral, Merseyside, and after serving in The Langham, before joining BBC Radio of Spy Catcher which I produced between the British Army of occupation in Germany Cleveland as Manager in 1975. In 1980 he 1959 and 1961. from 1946-48 he attended Aberystwyth helped launch BBC Radio Cambridgeshire as In charge of in-house I am sure she would nominate her time University and then trained as a teacher. He Manager, working with Paul Cobley and Cliff as script editor for the 1967 series The Forsyte taught for several years, notably at Tunbridge Kitney amongst many others. Overseeing this processing Saga as the highlight of her career. Wells Grammar School for boys. launch was probably his finest achievement John Gordon She retired soon after that project to enjoy After leaving teaching he underwent at the BBC. Doncaster was the delights of her Sussex village home training as a barrister at the London Inns Ill health forced his early retirement employed at BBC where I enjoyed many visits through the of Court, an achievement which was the in 1984. However, he then enjoyed many Television Centre years until deterioration in her health led to pinnacle of his academic career. It is here that relaxing years in Great Malvern and living in between 1967 a move to a care home where she died. She his professional relationship with the BBC both Italy and France before coming home and 1987, firstly was approaching her 96th year and was three began as he was engaged by the corporation to spend his final months in Eastbourne near in charge of Film years my senior. because of his legal experience to present a to his family. Processing for BBC Terence Cook programme aimed at assisting listeners in He will be remembered as a man of not TV News, and legal matters. inconsiderable vision, drive, compassion and later, after ENG He subsequently worked for the BBC’s humanity. He will be greatly missed by many. developed, he Radio Education for Schools Department His wife, Betty, died in 2002. He is survived worked with the Film Group. Intelligence and wit based at The Langham. In 1967 he joined by his son, Paul, who lives in Eastbourne. Gordon Clarke of Film Group wrote a With independence dawning for former BBC Radio Leicester, aiding in its launch, and Paul Bethell splendid appreciation of John’s work for British possessions in East and West Africa,

PROSPERO October 2011 obituaries 11 many in the Colonial Service looked for Rhodesia’s Sunday Mail and Daily News. He he was offered a job as a sub-editor and new jobs, more than a few applying to the was soon interviewing prime ministers scriptwriter with BBC Television News at External Services at Bush House. and presidents and covering major events Alexandra Palace. He worked as a producer Among them in the 1960s was Alan Jones including the shooting of Dr Verwoerd and on Newsday presented by the late Sir Robin from what was then Tanganyika, reasonably the Sharpeville massacre. He trekked 400 Day. In his trademark pale safari suit, Marcus fluent in Swahili but whose occasional miles to interview freedom fighter Joshua soon became a familiar figure in the BBC TV cricket commentary from Radio Dar es Nkomo in his bush hideout. As News Editor Newsroom, working on all the main news Salaam had been in English. His next 28 on Rhodesia’s Daily News, a campaigning bulletins. His films always added a touch of years were marked by an impressive variety tabloid, he championed the cause of class to a bulletin and were highly sought of output jobs, starting naturally in the democracy for six million Africans governed after. In 1978 he was honoured with The African Service, next Sport and then running by the votes of only 220,000 Europeans. Royal Television Society’s Award for Best the main production department for World He infuriated Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Current Affairs Documentary. BBC Club has had a makeover, in response to a survey at the beginning of Service in English where his skills, not only Smith by confronting him with details of his Marcus was a gifted professional with a the year that showed that people were in production and writing, but in leadership government’s plans for UDI – independence glorious sense of humour. A generous and not aware of all the benefits membership quickly became apparent. from Britain – more than a year before he caring colleague he was also a strong trade offered and therefore were not being People liked working for and with Alan, actually did it. Smith was so upset he banned union man and NUJ Father of Chapel in blown away by the value the Club admired his at times alarming intelligence the paper for reports likely to cause fear, the BBC Newsroom for a number of years. can offer. and wit, and came cheerfully to ignore his alarm and despondency. He left the BBC in 1993 and spent his Retired members will now be called our unnecessary but entirely genuine tendency to Back in Britain he became News Editor retirement making video documentaries for Young at Heart members. We are planning self-deprecation. on the Reading Evening Post – the world’s first military veterans. a series of events specifically aimed Alan always maintained that he really computerised daily. Within a couple of years Laurie Mayer at you, which will include our popular wanted to write full time and was just weekly lunches at our spanking new West not cut out to be a BBC staffer. Well he One Club (without the smells), as well certainly could write, as witty, stylish scripts as exercise classes, talks and courses. Pioneer director for the visual arts We also hope to work more closely with for the World Service weekly ‘Letter Box’ Prospero to offer more in-house events. If demonstrated for many years. But there was After a long illness, John Read died in a record being made. Over the years John you have any ideas for events or activities London on 26 July, aged 88. At the BBC he also recorded the development of Moore’s insight and considerable organisational skill for our YAH members then let us know. as well, plus a rapport with contributors that was to create a unique role as a pioneer art, his studios and the landscape settings Are you our friend on Facebook? Do was clearly evident in his Heroes series with director and producer of films for the for his sculpture at his home in Much you use Facebook or are you a tweeter? Melvyn Bragg. He perhaps felt rather remote visual arts. Hadham, Hertfordshire. To this day John is Would you be interested in learning from live broadcasting later when appointed His family was from Yorkshire but his remembered warmly at The Henry Moore more about social media? If so email to head the Transcription Service, Bush early years were spent in Edinburgh. His Foundation there. us at [email protected] and as long House’s distinctly hi-tech outpost based at father was the distinguished scholar and art In 1972 Moore was given a major as there are the numbers we can run Kensington House, but a love and knowledge critic, Sir Herbert Read, so John grew up in retrospective exhibition, with his work set a course specifically for our Young at of music and drama were amply satisfied. contact with many artists. In his films of the against the historic buildings of Florence. Heart members. Lastly Alan ran Central Talks and Features, 1950s these included Graham Sutherland, John’s films recording events like this If you are a Young at Heart member back at Bush, where his capacity to stimulate John Piper, LS Lowry, Stanley Spencer, Barbara are still shown in relation to exhibitions don’t forget to bring your card into the Club to benefit from your on-site and then motivate writing talent was once Hepworth and together in ‘Sculptors Must such as the recent ‘British Sculptors’ at the discounts which launched on again marked. Live’ Patrick Heron, Keith Vaughan and Ivon Royal Academy. 19 September. If you can’t get to a A very happy retirement with Monica and Hitchens. In later years, there were studies Before he retired in 1983 John himself Club soon, let us know and we will his three daughters followed in Dorset where, of Walter Sickert, Marc Chagall, Naum Gabo, was favoured with a retrospective – a post your new card to you. totally unsurprisingly, he quickly found Carel Weight and Peter Blake. series of 14 of his films transmitted with Following in White City and TVC’s himself writing a highly entertaining weekly Henry Moore was to be a special study: it introductions by Huw Wheldon. Recently he footsteps, West One has just received a column for his local paper and then becoming is due to John’s initiative that there exists in was interviewed on film and appeared very total refurbishment. With the majority of Assistant Secretary and match announcer black and white and colour a visual record much himself with his gentle, humourous London staff being relocated to West One for Dorset County Cricket Club. When asked of Moore’s sculpture, beginning with the view of things. Throughout his working life we want to ensure we can provide the (by me) what, if anything, he missed, Alan ‘Reclining Figure’ for the Festival of Britain he was held in great esteem and affection by facilities that they need. The new West shrugged, ‘Well, perhaps only that Bush in 1951. John and his unit had filmed Moore his colleagues. One has flexible space that can be divided canteen and club camaraderie, pre-Birt of in his studio at regular intervals as the work He was twice married and is survived by up to provide private meeting or party spaces with an updated food service area. course. Pompous word camaraderie, but you progressed and, as far as I know, this was the his second wife, Louise. The gym has been redecorated and will probably know what I mean.’ Indeed. first time a British artist had agreed to such Ann Turner be getting an equipment update towards Christopher Bell the end of the year. West One reopened on 20 September so come and see for yourself! Campaigning Southern Welcome to the new Club… for everything we have to offer, visit our brand African journalist new website: www.bbcclub.com Marcus Davidson (3 September Got a question or comment? 1928- 15 July Email us at [email protected] 2011) built an or call 020 875 26666. enviable reputation over many years as a film producer for BBC News. Journalism was in BBC RELC’s his blood. Straight The BBC RELC’s Christmas lunch is earlier from school he this year to help spread the many festive joined the Sheffield Telegraph where he got his ‘bookings’ for all of us. It takes place at the first by-line when he was only 18, with a usual place – Miramar Hotel in Bournemouth story in Mansfield on refugees from the – on Thursday, 8 December 2011. Booking Hungarian uprising. details will follow in due course but please In 1959 he left Sheffield for Johannesburg Picture shows (l-r) writer John Read, cameraman John Baker, sculptor Henry Moore and unidentified mark your diaries. Paul Gouldstone as a reporter on the Rand Daily Mail and later assistant cameraman during filming of ‘Henry Moore’ (TX : BBC Two, 11 November 1967). ([email protected])

PROSPERO October 2011 12 BOOKS

The BBC in Scotland: the first 50 years Classifieds Former BBC Scotland Assistant Controller Pat Walker’s account of the first 50 years Time to be... Is your retirement what you expected? Do you want more? Life coaching with Lynda Sanders. Email: lyndacoaching@ of the BBC in Scotland (1923-1973) was published last month. Mike Shaw, who gmail.com; Tel: 07879 810046 helped Pat edit the book, provided Prospero with highlights from the book. Holiday gite, central France. Small village, sleeps 2/3, private garden, use of pool, internet/DVD. From £200wk incl. 2EH in Edinburgh also broadcast to the rest of Tel: 0033 25425 3979; www.maisonfleurie.fr the UK a highly effective, spoof news report, Richmond, Swaledale. One-bedroom Broadcasting the Barricades. This predated by more apartment overlooking castle. Sleeps 2/3. than a decade the famous Orson Welles’ Walking, restaurants, Georgian theatre. production for American radio of War of the Tel: 01748 822863 Worlds that fooled many listeners into thinking Email: [email protected] that a Martian invasion was under way. Script advice needed in Cornwall. Broadcasting the Barricades was a talk by Father An informal group of seasoned writers is looking for a volunteer to help hone skills at monthly Ronald Knox taking the form of a series of meetings in Penryn. For more details please news bulletins about a ‘live’ political uprising contact Mark Hatwood. Tel: 01872 580942; in which Big Ben was demolished by trench [email protected] mortars and the National Gallery set on fire, For sale. Ferrograph series 4. Buyer must complete with every sound effect the staff collect from NW London - or pay for delivery. could manage. Such was the measure of public OIRO £50. [email protected] panic that the BBC offered an apology that For sale. Andalucian village house. same evening and ‘regretted that any listener Situated within easy reach of the Serrania de Rondo, Sierra Nieves and the Sierra de John CW Reith and BBC senior staff should have been perturbed by this purely Grazalema, 8 miles north of Ronda and just fantastic picture’. Questions were subsequently over an hour from the Costa del Sol. The house The key figure in the early days of the BBC was of which is fully documented by Pat Walker asked in parliament. consists of a salon, fitted kitchen, 2 bathrooms, a Scot, John Reith, who as General Manager of with the wry humour of a Glaswegian now George L Marshall, the Edinburgh station 7 other rooms, 2 terraces, a garage and the British Broadcasting Company predictably domiciled in the capital. manager, had the foresight to introduce the outstanding views. The property is totally legal and we need a quick sale for family reasons. It took a personal interest in the development of David Cleghorn Thomson was appointed item with a ‘health warning’, but must have is therefore offered at £115k. Initial enquiries to the service in Scotland. But very little is known Scottish Regional Director in 1926 (his had many sleepless nights until the crisis 020 8642 4181 and we will then contact you, or about that period and the creative work of the original title was Northern Area Director, passed. A childhood friend of Reith and gifted email [email protected]. first members of staff. That’s why this account to include Northern Ireland, but he argued intellectual, he went on to enjoy a successful We can send you pictures of the house and the by Pat Walker is such an important record. successfully that the posts should be managerial career ending up as Controller, beautiful views you will enjoy. Pat is certainly qualified for the task. His separated). Relatively quickly, and driven in Northern Ireland, where apparently he was Port Solent on South Coast – FOR SALE. Lovely 3-bed house with 36-foot berth mother, Madeleine Christie, was a popular part by more engineering developments this not recalled for any great risk-taking… attached. £369,000. Details: stacy.871@ singer, actress and broadcaster, and the young time offering the possibility of twin medium- Scotland was also active during WW2. btinternet.com; Tel: 07502 305807 Pat himself had one line in a play broadcast wave services, Thomson initiated a new plan In the first days of the single Home Service Seaview, Isle of Wight. Wanting to get away in 1944. His long BBC career in Scotland to integrate the local stations. The result it created the religious programme, Lift Up for a break? Pleasant ETB 4* studio annexe, started with a temporary contract as a junior involved job losses and came not long after all Your Hearts – A Thought For The Day, and the daily sleeps two comfortably. Near beach and village. programme engineer and ended as Assistant the four stations had echoed the sentiments exercise programme, Up In The Morning Early. For details email: [email protected]; Controller, with a stop along the way in expressed in an Aberdeen submission that they Later, it added the Radio Padre for the Forces Tel: 01983 812180 Northern Ireland where he became Assistant ‘were not overstaffed and could never tolerate Programme in which, unknown to the BBC, Lake District. Historic watermill, secluded in woods and fields, sleeps 6, beautiful all year Head of Programmes. any inefficiency in any department…’ the Rev Ronald Selby Wright included coded for walking, climbing and sailing. Tel: 020 7387 His book describes how BBC broadcasting But if the machinations of yesteryear messages from M19 for Allied prisoners of 6654; Email: [email protected] in Scotland started on 6 March 1923 with the betray an uncanny resemblance in the minds war, escapees and the resistance. Paphos. A/C studio apartment, sleeps 2/3, opening of 5SC in Glasgow, followed on 10 of Prospero readers to those of more recent There was much more programming, of spectacular balcony view, from £95pw. October by 2BD in Aberdeen. This completed a times, what comes through above all in Pat course, from comedy to music in its multiple Amenities adjacent. Taxi/car hire arranged. spine of ‘main’ stations spreading northwards Walker’s book is the phenomenal creativity of forms – orchestral, the famous Glasgow Tel: 01455 635759; www.cyprusapartments.net from London. Other cities throughout the UK the first station staffs working, literally, from Orpheus Choir, variety and Scottish country Brittany, Dinan. Delightful medieval riverside quickly demanded their own stations and to scratch in the brand-new medium. dance. Gaelic also featured in recognition of town with many restaurants. Attractive apartment in old merchant’s house; quiet, satisfy them and, of course, to increase the Glasgow started the first programme the huge contribution to the war effort being central. Beaches, walks close. Near St Malo sales of sets and equipment, the BBC proposed specifically designed for schools, while made by merchant seaman for whom Gaelic channel port and Dinard airport (Ryanair). using new local-power transmitters. These RE Jeffrey had a meteoric rise to fame after was the first language. Sleeps 2, double or twin. From £190pw. Tel: 020 additional ‘relay’ stations were to make full producing drama for Glasgow and being Pat Walker charts all these waters with 8995 8543; Email: [email protected] use of a simultaneous broadcasting system by immediately promoted to become Aberdeen’s insight and affection, including the aftermath Dordogne. Farmhouse in peaceful hamlet with being linked to a nearby ‘main’ station. first station manager. His abilities were of war when staff returned from service to magnificent views from garden. Ideal walking, As part of this plan 2EH in Edinburgh was swimming nearby, all comforts. Sleeps 4. considered so exceptional that he was establish a golden period for radio, and – Bargain. Tel: 07788 940660; Email: clare.c3@ opened on 1 May 1924, followed by 2DE in appointed the first ‘Dramatic Director’ later – the arrival of television and Scotland’s btinternet.com Dundee on 12 November. But was Edinburgh in London. changing role within UK broadcasting in Kalkan Turkey Two bed apartment with pool really to remain a mere ‘relay’ station and to Children’s programmes, plays, talks, which he played his own part. It ends in the on lovely turquoise coast, SW Turkey. Owing receive its sustaining service not from London, poetry, Gaelic, music, religious broadcasts period prior to the birth of Radio Scotland. to medical recommendation to reduce stress, but Glasgow? The Edinburgh city councillors (once the ministers had broken through the The work undertaken to produce this book I am proposing to sell off fortnights of the year would simply not tolerate this and thus self-defined barrier of agreeing ‘to preach represents a labour of love for Pat Walker. The (like a time share) at £10,000 per fortnight (6). Compared to a time share though, the property began a decades-long, arm-wrestling contest into the microphone, but not PRAY into it’) aim has always been the very basic one of would be wholly legally owned by all our families between the two cities and the BBC over agriculture, sport, community singing and acknowledging the people who went before for ever. Do give me your email / phone number broadcasting pre-eminence in Scotland – all more were all explored. and whose creativity and commitment would for further details, or contact me on: Tel: 01643 otherwise have remained forgotten. As Pat 841602; Email: [email protected] himself writes, ‘I am grateful that what is quite Be sure to get your copy of ‘Zoom in when simply a narrative of perseverance can now you see the tears’. 30 adventurous years at the BBC, by Film Cameraman, Fred Hamilton. be read’. www.fantomfilms.co.uk Menorca. Detached holiday villa with private pool. Sleeps 2-7. Near Es Castell, amenities Prospero reader offer and beaches. For brochure: Tel: 01621 741810; www.menorcaholidayvilla.co.uk Discount price £15 for one copy, £12 Prospero Classifieds, BBC Pension and each for 2 or more copies, post free in Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, UK, phone Luath on 0131 225 4326 or Cardiff CF5 2YQ send cheque or credit card details to Luath Please enclose a cheque made payable to: Press Ltd, 543/2 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, BBC Central Directorate. Edinburgh EH1 2ND and quote Prospero Rate: £5 for 20 words. In a covering letter Jimmy Logan and Stanley Baxter The author Reader Offer. please include your pension number.

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