The newspaper for BBC pensioners – with highlights from Ariel Weathering the storm Pensions liaison meeting – Page 2

December 2011 • Issue 9

40th anniversary ‘Johnny’ of Sub-Continent Longden war Ally Pally at 75 remembered Page 6 Page 8 Page 10

NEWS • Memories • Classifieds • Your letters • Obituaries • CrosPERO 02 BBC Pensions

we could have pretended that inflation was 2%. in assets (compared with £8.2bn in 2010). ‘Historically, we have based salary With the extreme volatility in markets since Weathering the storm increases at 2% above RPI – but at this point the Euro debt crisis struck in June, ‘the value the BBC stepped in. It consulted on pension of the Scheme’s assets changes literally daily’, As a pensioner of the BBC Pension Scheme, knowing how the reform to limit increases in salary for pension said David. ‘Yesterday [2 November] it was purposes to 1% per annum.’ around the £8.7/8.8bn mark.’ Scheme is doing is likely to be important to you. Every year, the Geoff says of the benefit changes • Over the year to 31 March 2011, the Scheme invites all its pensioners to a meeting where they have introduced by the BBC: ‘Members Scheme continued its derisking strategy by a chance to ask questions about the running of the Scheme, as misunderstood the relationship that Trustees reducing its equity holdings (from 56% have to the benefits that have built up – at the to 48%) and increasing alternatives (from well as those all-important investments. end of the day it is the BBC that decides what 9% to 15%). The Trustees are also moving level of benefits will be built up. Trustees have more assets from active management to no say in what is regarded as pensionable passive management. salary – and this has been very difficult for • Over the last one, three and five years the members to understand. to 31 March 2011, the portfolio has ‘There are lots of things the BBC couldn’t performed broadly in line with the do – for example, it couldn’t reduce the average pension fund. The biggest accrual rate, as set out in the Trust Deed and underperformance has been in alternative Rules, but the one thing it could change assets. This, said David, was because they was pensionable salary, and it subsequently were set a very ambitious benchmark of introduced CAB 2011 as an alternative to the 10%, which was reasonable at the time, pensionable salary limit.’ but given the turbulent markets and low Another ‘thorny issue’ that the Trustees interest rates this has not been achievable. had to consider was longevity. Geoff said, • The Scheme is also starting to benefit from ‘We decided to build in a little bit of extra its private equity investments, acquired longevity for the next three years – an extra between 2006 and 2009. David showed 1% for women and 1.5% for men – all of the group a photograph of a Chicago which adds to the cost of providing pensions property, owned jointly by the Scheme Jan Killick, Head of Pensions Geoff Jones, pensioner-elected Trustee because it assumes that the Scheme will be and Grosvenor. The original tenant was paying out for longer.’ Borders until they went bust; however, it This year, 48 pensioners attended the chairing meetings.’ The Trustees also had to look at the is such a prime location that they had no meeting at Broadcasting House in early Helen Boaden has stepped down as an employer covenant – in other words, the problem finding a new tenant – Top Shop, November – on the day, in fact, that the employer-appointed Trustee, and the BBC strength of the BBC’s support for the Scheme. who contributed towards the store refit. Pensions Act 2011 received Royal Assent. has selected Kevin Carter to replace her. ‘In the 2007 valuation, the BBC’s covenant was David said: ‘I understand that Philip Green The first speaker of the day was Jan Killick, He is an investment expert, which, said Jan, rated ‘strong’, which is the highest rating you himself was involved in the negotiations Head of Pensions. She covered many areas, is particularly welcome because he has a can have. However, the BBC is really having to for such a prestigious site.’ including a brief overview of the Scheme’s great deal of experience and will be chairing cut its coat according to its cloth, with what • The top 10 equity holding includes Baidu, funding level as at 1 April 2011. This showed the Investment Committee. Andy Baker is effectively a 20% reduction in income. which David described as the ‘Chinese that although the Scheme’s assets had was elected as the member-elected Trustee, From the Trustees’ point of view, we believe equivalent of Google’. increased, so too had its liabilities… and the following Dan Cooke’s resignation. very strongly that the BBC remains wholly • David was asked whether the Scheme was overall deficit. Jan also confirmed that pensions in committed to supporting the Scheme, but its doing anything to challenge the level of Jan discussed the changing membership payment from the Scheme will continue to ability to do so has got to be slightly weaker increases in directors’ pay, in the companies profile of the Scheme and the concern be linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) for than it was three years ago. The covenant, we in which it has a shareholding. He replied amongst some pensioners that it is now Old Benefits, New Benefits and CAB 2006 therefore say, is ‘tending to strong’.’ that the Scheme has employed a company a closed Scheme. ‘With the closure of the members, despite the Government’s decision About the recent turmoil in investment called Hermes, which engages on behalf Scheme to new members, the number of to base its increases on the Consumer Price markets, Geoff had the following to say: ‘As of the Trustees with all the companies it active members contributing will gradually Index (CPI). ‘Within the Scheme’s Trust Deed a Trustee I am moderately confident; the invests in. ‘Believe me, we do challenge fall over time,’ she said. ‘However, the and Rules it makes reference to RPI, so that is Scheme is weathering the storm quite well them, across all the equity assets we own,’ Scheme is not relying on active members’ hardwired into the Scheme Rules and is not and we have a first-class man chairing the he said. contributions to fund your pension. something that can be changed.’ Investment Committee. However, we can’t ‘As an active member, contributions made predict what’s going to happen next… You by me and on my behalf by the BBC are Access all areas can withstand a storm but I don’t know if enough to fund an extra year of pension for The 2010 valuation was the focus of Geoff we can withstand a tsunami! I’m not quite as me. Pensions are being funded out of the Jones’ talk, which provided an insight into confident as I was 10 years ago… now I feel Scheme’s investments and income and not the many different areas that the Trustees we are doing the best we can and the Scheme the BBC’s regular contributions.’ are responsible for, from supplying data to is in better health than most.’ the Scheme’s actuary, to setting assumptions New faces on the Trustee Board about future inflation and salary/pension Investment update Other notable news included the increases – ‘a highly technical area’, said In light of recent developments in the world’s appointment of Bill Matthews as Chairman Geoff, ‘but we rely heavily on the advice of financial markets, David Shaw’s update from of the Trustee Board, to replace Jeremy Peat, Towers Watson in much of this. the investment team proved timely. The key who stepped down at the end of October ‘Having considered their advice that, going points are summarised below: (see page 3). Geoff Jones, pensioner-elected forward, inflation would be higher than it • Investment markets recovered from the Trustee, stepped in to comment: ‘We were had been in the past, we agreed to raise the 2007-09 financial crisis, and in the year to impressed with him. He admits to not being inflation figure from 3% to 3.7%. Over time, a 31 March 2010 the Scheme’s investments a pensions person, so he has started out small change in inflation will have a big effect posted a 28% increase. To 31 March 2011, doing the Trustee toolkit on The Pensions on the liabilities of the Scheme. the returns were less spectacular but still a Regulator’s website. I have no doubt he is ‘At the same time we have to be prudent. If very solid 6.8%. Owned by the Scheme – a man of intellect and great experience in we just wanted to make the figures look good, • At 31 March 2011, the Scheme held £9bn 830 N Michigan, Chicago

Prospero is provided free of charge to retired BBC Editorial contributions: Write to: Prospero, employees, or to their spouses and dependants. BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Prospero provides a source of news on former Cardiff CF5 2YQ. Email: prospero@bbc.co.uk colleagues, developments at the BBC and pension Please make sure that any digital pictures you send are issues, plus classified adverts. scanned at 300 dpi. To advertise in Prospero, please see page 12. To view Ariel online, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/ariel. The next issue of Prospero will appear in February 2012.

PROSPERO DECEMber 2011 BBC Pensions 03 New Chairman of Holding back the bears the Trustee Board 2008 saw the deepest equity bear market in decades, followed by a spectacular recovery in 2009 – but markets since then have been extremely volatile, and bond yields have dropped to historically low levels. James Duberly, the new Director of Pensions Investment, shares his view on the Scheme’s investments and the outlook for the future. Financial markets have experienced an and the strong performance of the Scheme’s extremely volatile summer and autumn. bonds has partly offset the decline in value With the Eurozone crisis seemingly as far as of its equities. Also, the pound has weakened, ever from resolution, there is no sign of the which has increased the value of some of the situation calming down as we head towards Scheme’s overseas investments. It is worth Christmas. Events in the markets have noting too that the Scheme has relatively James Duberly implications for the BBC Pension Scheme’s low exposures to some of the most volatile investments, as well as the value ascribed to areas of the markets, including continental thus the reported deficit, tends to go up. its liabilities (the cost of benefits built up), so European equities, financial stocks such as If the bond market is right, and lower bond I wanted to update you on how the Scheme banks, and commodities. yields are an indication of very weak economic is faring in these difficult times. The Trustees of the Scheme have taken activity and low returns from all asset classes An engineer by training, Bill Matthews The FTSE 100 index of UK share prices some steps to reduce risk over recent for many years to come, then it will be difficult spent over 20 years in the private sector was above 6,000 in early July but had fallen months. £100m of equities were sold to buy to meet our objective of reducing the deficit. in marketing and operations roles for large below 5,000 by early October. The market bonds in early July before the stock market However, another way of looking at this and small companies in the electronics has recovered to some extent since then but fell, and we have taken advantage of the situation is that neither the market value of market, mostly based in Scotland. The continues to swing around dramatically on a weaker pound to hedge some more of our assets nor the expected future value of benefits requirement by the Scottish Government daily basis, depending on the latest prospects exposure to foreign currencies. Also we have has changed materially over recent months. The for non-executives for departmental for the European financial crisis. Meanwhile, suspended our programme for lending the rate of return that the Scheme’s assets need to management boards coincided with Bill’s yields on UK Government bonds have fallen fund’s securities back to the market via banks deliver to meet its commitments over the long increasing conviction that it was time to sharply and their prices have consequently because we were uncomfortable with the term is the same as it was at the end of June - contribute his business expertise to the risen. The yield on the 10-year maturity Gilt current risks involved. about 3% above inflation. Our conversations public sector, fuelled by his experience as has fallen below 2.5%, to what is reported to Although falling bond yields and rising with the fund managers making investments a non-executive at the Crown Office and be its lowest level since the 19th Century. bond prices have helped stabilise the value on behalf of the Scheme also draw our Procurator Fiscal Service. Bill combines his The value of the Scheme’s assets fell from of the Scheme’s assets, they are also at the attention to the high cash yields available on a business and managerial expertise with long £9bn at the end of June to £8.5bn at the root of its biggest investment challenge, in wide range of investments and give us some involvement in public service broadcasting end of September, and has since recovered that they tend to increase the deficit. This grounds for optimism, despite the apparently through his membership of the Broadcasting to £8.7bn at the time of writing. The decline is because bond yields are used to calculate bleak current outlook. Council and then the Audience Council for of 6% from June to September compares the present value of the benefits (i.e. the One of the Scheme’s investment managers Scotland. Bill was appointed as Chairman with a 14% decline for the FTSE All Share Scheme’s liabilities) that will be paid to manages a UK equity portfolio for the Scheme of the BBC Pension Scheme Trustees in index. The Scheme is invested in a mixture pensioners over many years. So when yields that is invested cautiously with very little November 2011. of bonds, equities, property and other assets, go down, the present value of liabilities, and exposure to financial stocks. The portfolio value fell by just 4% in the June-September quarter compared with a 14% fall for the On the cover: A snowy Cornish scene… perfect for our painting on the cover is the first painting FTSE. They remain very concerned about December issue, we thought, except for the he did at the start of his long and active the state of the economy and think we are Just as parts fact it was painted in the Springtime! retirement. A freak fall of snow in early April likely to require another 5-7 years of slow of Britain James, or Jimmy as he was known by 1978 at Seaton, near Downderry, provided growth, with consumption growing less than were enjoying his friends and colleagues, was a former Jimmy with the challenge of capturing this wages, before the consumer debt overhang unseasonably stills photographer who worked largely for rare weather phenomena in watercolour, a is cleared out of the system. But despite a mild weather Children’s Programmes TVC, a department difficult medium for a scene of this nature. bearish economic outlook and the likelihood for November, to which over the years he made a valuable We would like to thank Jimmy’s family for of a return to recession in Europe, they think we received a contribution. On his retirement, to Cornwall allowing us to use this lovely image, and also that there is a group of large-cap companies scan of this watercolour painting by James in 1978 he took up his former love and skill Brian Hawkins for drawing our attention to it. with international earnings that can continue Matthews-Joyce, a BBC pensioner who died of painting, in particular watercolours. The to grow. They cite Astra Zeneca and Roche last year. on a 5% dividend yield and a large number of companies (e.g. Vodafone) with dividend yields significantly higher than their bond Crospero 162 devised and compiled by Jim Palm yields. Another investment manager, which manages a global equity portfolio for the 1 Complete the square by using the clues; these apply only to words Scheme, similarly commented that they think running across. Then take these words in numerical order and a basket of multinationals with earnings yields 2 3 extract the letters indicated by a dot. If your answers are correct, of 10% and dividend yields of 4%+ represents these letters will spell out a delightful festive fantasy. a safer long-term investment than long dated 4 5 Please send your answers in an envelope marked Crospero government bonds. to The Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Yields on our commercial property 6 7 Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ by Friday 6 January 2012. portfolios in both the US and UK are in the region of 5%-6%, with some risk, but also CLUES the possibility of rent increases over time. 1. Relating to films (9); 2. Concerning mankind (5); 3. Suffolk town (5); In summary, the Trustees and Scheme’s 4. Combo (4); 5. Hard wood (4); 6. Big state (5); 7. Slowly (5); 8. Provider for 8 9 the Services (5); 9. Rubbish (5); 10. Kent castle (5); 11. At lowest level (5); in-house team are monitoring the Scheme’s 12. Swoop (4); 13. Seaweed jelly (4); 14. Queen of Troy (5); 15. Absorbent investments closely and have made some strips (5); 16. Young birds (9). And you may like to fill in the two incomplete adjustments. In these worrying times it is ‘down’ words, the first being a freshwater fish and the second a blackbird. right to be concerned, but there are grounds 10 11 for optimism too. Solutions to Crospero 161: Tan; Waratah; Aged; Rile; Tones; Canna; Geoff Jones, the pensioner-elected Trustee, comments: 12 13 Agent; Under; Owe; Motor; Bluff; Aga; Befog; Lanes; Atone; Llama; Ruse; ‘I am grateful to James for this excellent summary. Limn; Dissent; Nag. The film and series were The League of Gentlemen. The Scheme is performing well in difficult economic 14 15 Solutions to Crospero 160: Cracks; Bean; Ova; News; Emetic; Dean; circumstances, and the Trustees are mindful of the need Rage; Bodiam; Cake; Sneak; Lino; Lissom; Twit; Fair; Astern; Grow; Ivy; to take risk off the table whenever possible. We are 16 Omen; Unseen. The series was Knowing Me Knowing You. fortunate to be supported by a strong in-house team, The winner of Crospero 160 was John Dean and 161 was Richard Cox. excellent advisers and a supportive employer.’

PROSPERO DECEMber 2011 04 letters

BBC Talks Department before moving to the US. away behind the person I had spoken to Retired staff to Urging me to join the BBC when I returned earlier. After finding the money to pay for the CONTACTS home, she gave me a letter of introduction to exorbitant 24-hour car park charges I walked the rescue Grace Wyndham Goldie for whom she had on. I met a driver exiting the car park. ‘Are you Visiting Scheme I have a lot of sympathy for today’s young worked (as a secretary, I believe) and of whom sure you have to pay at this time of night, even If you would like a visit or information on BBC producers, editors and managers. she spoke warmly. Barbara’s letter must have though it says so on the meter? No one else how to become a volunteer visitor, please Many of them have been promoted been positive because I was invited to see Grace seems to have put a ticket in their window.’ ring 0845 712 5529. You will be charged at quickly on their raw ability. Experience – real at Lime Grove. I had no idea who she was – or ‘No idea,’ said the driver. ‘I haven’t paid.’ the local rate. experience, amassed over years not months – that I should be afraid of her. I told her that, as Asking someone else, after not finding Queries is not regarded as essential in today’s BBC. a Liverpudlian, I remembered her husband’s a way into the building, I was told ‘It isn’t For benefit and pension payroll queries, call Many of these managers must often think connection with the Liverpool Playhouse. this one, it’s the one over there’ and added, the Service Line on 029 2032 2811. to themselves: ‘I wish I could talk this issue She was pleased: it was a good start. We had ‘I think’ and added as I ventured on ‘The over with someone – just to get a second a most agreeable and interesting talk over the landmark to look for is Costa Coffee.’ Prospero opinion.’ But they know they can’t. They can’t tea cups (yes – we had tea!) and I found her So, the BBC is found on your SatNav by To add or delete a name from the distribution list, ring the Service Line (number above). ask their staff – because it makes them look most pleasant. In due course I had a letter looking for a coffee shop. Prospero is provided free of charge to retired weak and inadequate. They don’t want to from Kenneth Lamb, Chief Assistant (Current Getting into Television Centre with your BBC employees. On request, we will also ‘refer up’ because that makes them look like Affairs), referring to this meeting and asking retired BBC Staff pass is relatively easy. I don’t send it to spouses or dependants who want an indecisive buck-passer. They know they me whether ‘I would care to come and talk know who runs it. Getting into a BBC building to keep in touch with the BBC. Prospero is need advice from an impartial experienced to him about possible opening’ at a ‘mutually in Salford isn’t. It’s run by Balfour Beatty. also available on audio disc for those with ‘old hand’ – but they just don’t know convenient time’! ‘I know what you mean,’ said the man sight impairment. where to turn. One memory stays in my mind. It was behind the desk. ‘But they give us rules. I’ve To register, please ring the Service Line What a great idea John Hale came up some sort of Board. She was businesslike been in Security for over thirty years. Hope on 029 2032 2811. with in his article in November’s Prospero. but not at all intimidating. In fact, I dared to the BBC stays here for at least ten, then I’m BBC Club Okay, admittedly John was talking about BBC reject some scheme she had in mind for me retired.’ As he was trying to find someone The BBC Club in London has a retired sound-mixing and getting a panel of retired as unworkable – and I’m alive to tell the tale! to collect me, I muttered that today rules category membership costing £30 a year professional dubbing mixers (all aged over 60) I have one memento that confirms were everywhere and stopped initiative and for members and £39 a year for family to advise present-day producers. But the kernel the impression of Grace I had from the thinking for yourself. ‘What’s it like here?’ I membership. Pre-1997 life members are of the idea surely has much wider potential beginning. On 30 December 1963 I had a asked. He shrugged, ‘A courier came in here not affected. Regional clubs may have to be applied throughout the BBC as a whole letter from her: ‘Dear Patsy,’ she wrote, ‘I am with a parcel and wanted to drop it here at different arrangements. – not just to the limited area of improving so sorry that because the incentive awards the desk. He said it was urgent. He was told Please call BBC Club London current audio production standards. were late in arriving and I am now on leave, to take it round to despatch. The only thing administration office on 020 8752 6666 or email [email protected]. Retired staff – whatever their job used to it has not been possible for me to give your was – the man who wanted the parcel was be – are the living folk-memory of the BBC. award to you personally. I would like to say behind the barrier there’ (he pointed six feet Benevolent Fund They are the ‘village elders’, the embodiment how very glad I am that your excellent work away) ‘but rules are rules.’ This is funded by voluntary contributions of the BBC’s traditions, its culture, its very has been recognised. With best wishes for Anyway I had arrived. Meeting from the BBC and its purpose is to protect DNA. It is surely high time the BBC drew the New Year.’ programme makers gave me the hope that the welfare of staff, pensioners and their families. Grants are made at the discretion upon the enormous fund of expertise and I’m sure I was not the only one on that there was still that sense of wanting to make of the Trustees. They may provide experience which they represent. occasion to whom she wrote in similar terms. brilliant programmes. They glowed with an assistance in cases of unforeseen financial Should not an advisory panel of retired John Grist writes of her disdain for enthusiasm that I had when I made them. hardship, for which help from other sources BBC staff be formed – covering all the women. Yet she took the time to see an However, I had that nagging feeling that is not available. Telephone: 029 2032 3772. skills and disciplines in the BBC – to act as unknown female simply on the say-so of a they, like me, wondered why here in Salford. Prospero Society a guide and mentor to today’s young and former secretary (in whom she must have Alfred Barber Prospero Society is the only section of the comparatively inexperienced controllers, had some confidence). She gave me the BBC Club run by and for retired BBC staff department heads, producers and managers? chance. It was up to me to take it. There was and their spouses. Its aim is to enable BBC Many of the policy and programming indeed another side to Grace away from Club card query pensioners to meet on a social basis for mistakes which the BBC makes today and those quivering young men. I am glad to I too winced at the BBC Club’s ‘Young at theatre visits, luncheons, coach outings etc. many of the political and public relations testify to it. Heart’ category (letters from Bill Chesneau Prospero is supported by BBC Club funds gaffes the corporation commits could easily Patsy Meehan and Tony Woolf), but didn’t complain because so as to make events affordable. have been avoided if only wiser counsel had there are more serious things. With the The only conditions (apart from paying been sought. introduction of new membership cards for the a small annual subscription) are that you Bodies like the BBC Trust, composed as it is Gulag North so-called BBC Club, the BBC [London] Club must be a BBC pensioner and a member of of people with no background in broadcasting, I went north last month. Looking at my premises are now only accessible to members the BBC Club. For an application form write does not and cannot provide this level of expert SatNav, I wondered why it was taking me with this card. Now, I always understood, to: Graham Snaith, 67 Newberries Avenue, Radlett, Herts WD7 7EL. and professional ‘second opinion’. In any case, round the Manchester bypass. It didn’t seem throughout my BBC career, that membership Telephone: 01923 855177 the Trust can only react ‘after the event’ – after to know the way either. In fact, when I set of one Club gave access to all Clubs, and in Mobile: 07736 169612 a mistake has been made or a contentious it in London, it couldn’t find the place, so I particular, a regional membership card will Email: [email protected] item has been broadcast. It cannot advise or had set it somewhere close. Turning off, we allow that person into Club premises when intervene to prevent the mistake being made in entered a land of warehouses and factories in London. Apparently this is no longer the BBC products the first place. scattered amongst dismal streets; a tribute to case, or never was. Had I got it wrong? I am BBC retired staff are entitled to a 30% However, a professional advisory panel concrete. It was getting dark and was lit by a London Club member anyway, but others discount off the RRP of most products composed of experienced retired staff would yellow street lamps; it was Salford. ‘You have from the regions may not be. in the BBC TV Centre shop. There is a postage charge of £2.95 per order provide a much more useful ‘in-house’ reached your destination,’ came the voice. It Colin Pierpoint (not per item). Pensioners must quote solution. It would be the equivalent of asking wasn’t, but close. The man outside the gate their BBC pension number when ordering. your granny for advice. And no one outside I had stopped said with a Lithuanian accent BBC Club replied: Contact: BBC Shop, Audience Foyer, the Beeb need ever know. that it was nearby and pointed. He was As a Club member you have access to all Television Centre, Wood Lane, London David Morris Jones looking at a smart, three-dimensional map. BBC Club sites. However, to access the Clubs W12 7RJ. Telephone: 020 8225 8230 ‘You can’t miss it,’ he said without much in BBC buildings you will need a valid BBC Email: [email protected] confidence, glancing back at the map. ‘This is retired staff pass. With regards to the new Other ways to order (quoting your An alternative Grace the only copy I have,’ he said, smiling. ‘I can’t membership card, you need a new Club pension number when ordering): By phone: In your November issue you ask: will the real let you have it.’ I mused that it was the only card in order to access all your benefits. The 08700 777 001 8.30am-6pm weekdays. Grace Wyndham Goldie stand up? way he would get home himself. benefits include discounts on hot beverages, By post: BBC Shop, PO Box 308, Well, I would like to stand up for Grace Finally I arrived at a group of towers. One alcohol and food as well as a monthly Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8LW. as I knew her. I offer this as an alternative to Email: [email protected]. had the huge letters – BBC – in a Gill Sans member offer which for December is £3.50 Or visit BBC Shops in Eastbourne, John Grist’s reiteration in his article of the typeface that had been reworked, perhaps for any hot dishes on the daily specials Brighton, Leicester, Birmingham or ‘eating up and spitting out’ image and the to justify some of the huge cost of a logo menu. Now that the Clubs are open to all, to Liverpool. UK postage £2.45 for telephone, sniggering reminiscence by Donald MacLean. facelift and moving here. ensure it is members that are receiving these post and email orders. Overseas: £4.50 for In 1961, I was working in New York on an At last, I entered a one-way system. I was benefits we require that with the issue of the one item and £2 for each additional product American TV series based on Churchill‘s war stopped at a nearby car park and told I had new Club card we take your picture, which for telephone, post and email orders. memoirs. A member of the production unit, to get in via the route that took me away and is stored on our system. This acts as a form of Barbara Vesey-Brown, had formerly worked for brought me back but less than twenty yards ID so that your picture appears whenever you BBC PA purchase something or collect your Radio For details of how to join the Pensioners’ Please send your letters to: The Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Association, see panel on page 5. Times. You can collect your new Club card at Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ or email [email protected] any London Club site on your next visit.

PROSPERO DECEMber 2011 LETTERS 05

Once again, with regards to the name months’. What I – and others – are objecting Dr Who mythology The recollections of ‘Young at Heart’ we apologise for any to is their announcement in the October Bernard Lodge writes: I only just got round to reading a six-year-old offence taken and we are open to suggestions edition of Prospero that ‘Retired members will the Ros Dallas letter (Prospero, October). She is very I am neither a pensioner nor retired, but my for a more suitable name. now be called our Young at Heart members’. loyal, flattering, but had not the direct experience of father is and he pointed me to Prospero’s Doesn’t that mean a recent decision rather the subject. It would help clear things up if you could letter pages. I too did a lengthy stint at than something already in place? feature the following piece. TVC (Tel Rec) and would like to add my NDO correction Whatever the reason for the decision, Rosalind Dallas was my earnest assistant recollections of the creation of the Patrick May I correct a small error in Trevor Hill’s it’s a dreadful one. Perhaps Messrs Chesneau, when I made version five of theDr Who titles, Troughton Dr Who titles. excellent Musical Memories article in the last Woolf and I can set up a Grumpy Old but she wasn’t at the BBC when the first I clearly remember a camera sitting aslant issue of Prospero. Persons’ branch of the BBC Club... version was made, and, bless her, mentions on the lighting desk at one of the TVC The CDs mentioned at the end of the Lorna Dodd people who were never involved. Here’s how studios. The feedback was blobby and not article mainly consist of unreleased broadcast it happened: symmetrical and was started – so I was told quality tracks from the Northern Dance Producer Verity Lambert had some – by shining a heavy duty torch at the camera, Orchestra, even though a couple of tracks Tape recording ‘howl round’ footage on 35mm. It had been which was focused on its own output, are indeed from the era of the Northern produced for a junior production, Tobias and displayed on one of the monitors in the Variety Orchestra. connections the Angel. She asked me to produce some gallery’s rack. I think the camera was an EMI In the early days of the NVO all material The L2 portable tape recorder in the suitable titles. When I saw the footage I was 2001 but I have no idea how it didn’t fall off had to be cut to disk, ‘in house’. (At the time illustration plus accompanying letter which amazed. I suggested that if the facility for the desk. I was very concerned as, being six there was no availability of tape recorders in appeared in October’s Prospero, brought back producing the effect could be arranged, we at the time, it was mostly higher up than me. the BBC.) Fifty years on, sadly, many of the some memories, as from the early 1960s to ought to try entering the basic lettering into My father, Chick Anthony, was taking me few remaining disks are unplayable. (Unless early 1980s I owned two of these machines the howl round. I didn’t realise that it would round TVC that day. It was years later that I you know different of course!) – one valve and the other converted to involve a TV studio for half a day. Verity had to realised what I had witnessed. If you have any old 78s from this era I transistor with a stereo record head for sync plead for more money. On the day there were Subsequently, when I too worked at TVC, would be delighted to hear from you. Email: pulse recording from a film camera. about five technical men, with Ben Palmer in I helped develop the first recolourisation [email protected] or post MWC, PO Box As Allan Rogers says in his letter, they charge, and the effect was created again – system for the Pertwee stories. I did my 143, Marple (LDO), Stockport SK6 9AD. ran on eight large (HP2, now known as the camera looking at the monitor to which it experiments at the now demolished BBC The website, now in its 156th revision, D size) batteries. Actually, for the valve sent the image. When we introduced the title, Enterprises in the editing suite at Wood will tell you most of the story of the band: version, six of these batteries ran the the effect was sensational. We used 35mm Lane, around 1987, I think. I didn’t record www.northerndanceorchestra.org.uk machine, while two supplied the valve film recording, and amassed miles of film. the output as I had run out of machines, Ian C Reed heaters. However, there was also a 90v battery Verity asked me to edit the sequence, which but it was witnessed by Peter Lydiard White supplying the HT for the valves which you I did. I learned from that first sequence, that – who I sadly never saw again but who had to be very careful connecting as the plug the technique could be ‘moved’ by graphic was very impressed by the results. It took Women at BBC was a pressed stud version (similar to those input, so that is what I did for the Patrick another two decades before the job of I see that the Chairman wants more women used for PP9 batteries today) but without Troughton and the Jon Pertwee versions. For recolouring the Doctor was funded; by then on air at the BBC. Could I remind him of any cover on the back. Get your fingers versions four and five I use ‘slit scan’, a totally I was long gone. Frederick Forsyth’s comments when Forsyth across the contacts as you changed batteries film technique. But that’s another story. Simon Anthony left his Today slot: ‘Today’s BBC is run by young and you knew all about it! women in dungarees, with short hair and an The valve machine came to me Agenda.’ As exam questions say – Discuss! complete with a set of spare valves, and the Questionnaire The London Lunch returns for 2012 Tony Nelson instruction book. The BBC Pensioners’ The long running London engineers’ reunion organised for I used the valve machine for recording Association will be issuing many years by the recently departed Norman Taylor, together interviews for hospital radio for many years a questionnaire, Working at with Michael Bunting, is to reappear. Planning is now under Grumpy Old Persons and the sync pulse version for a number of the BBC Part 2, to all of its way for a 2012 event, which will be on Tuesday 6 March I’m so glad to find I’m not the only one who film shoots. After the machines had been members in late December 2012 at the Victoria Services Club as before. objects to the BBC Club’s decision to call superseded by more modern units, and were 2011. If you would like To help with administration, would those colleagues and its retired members by the extraordinarily collecting dust under my desk, I offered them to receive a copy of the friends who have attended this event in the past and who patronising term ‘Young at Heart’. to Radio Training (then at the Langham) for questionnaire or details of wish to come to the 2012 lunch please email their contact And I wasn’t impressed by their claim that their museum and a well-earned retirement. the results please email details to: [email protected]. Those without they have been using the term ‘for the past 18 David Buckley [email protected]. email kindly send a stamped self-addressed envelope to: LL12, PO Box 208, Havant, Hampshire PO9 9BQ. BBCPA sad to learn of the demise of Ariel We understand that during a period of excellent job. We remain concerned that such financial constraint everything must many BBC pensioners are unaware of its be considered on its merits. Given that existence and we think that at least once a an electronic version of Ariel will continue, year a copy should go out to all pensioners keeping Ariel in print might well be thought a to give everybody the chance to opt to luxury that can no longer be afforded. receive it should they so wish. For 75 years Ariel has provided BBC The Association would be resistant to any staff with an immediate and dramatic idea that Prospero should be cut back in insight into the sheer breadth and scope of any way. the Corporation’s activities and concerns. Nick Whines It established a forum for debate and a BBCPA Membership Secretary safety valve at times of stress. It’s been an On behalf of the BBCPA important if subtle means of transmitting the cultural values of the organisation from one Jan Killick, Head of Pensions, said in the generation to the next. Will it be missed? November Edition of Prospero: ‘There are At a time when the BBC has to rebuild no plans to stop Prospero, although as the trust of staff which has been lost over explained in this year’s summary report, we the pension crisis and insist on quality on a are conscious of the need to ensure the substantially reduced budget, abandoning Scheme’s services deliver value particularly its staff newspaper may prove to be at a time when the BBC is going through counterproductive. We will see. significant change and the Scheme is So long may Prospero stay in print with in deficit. news of the BBC, glimpses into the lives of ‘Over the last year we have made old colleagues, a platform for research into changes to the way we produce, design, the history of the BBC and crucially regular print and distribute Prospero. We believe information about our pensions and related these have helped to improve Prospero issues. No other publication celebrates the as well as reduce costs. Looking ahead BBC in quite the same way. we will examine whether any further The Association believes that Prospero changes are necessary and will keep and those who produce it are doing an pensioners informed.’

PROSPERO DECEMber 2011 06 Memories

On top of the world - sunrise over Everest. Harold Briley in the Himalayas with a very small guide Indian soldiers on the march BBC tops in Indo-Pakistan-Bangladesh War The BBC emerged as the most trusted media organisation in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan-Bangladesh War, which radically changed the politics and geography of the Sub-Continent. Pakistan was defeated and split asunder and East Pakistan declared independence as the new Bangladesh. Millions of people on both sides relied on the BBC’s English, Urdu, Hindi and Bengali services. For World Service Correspondent Harold Briley, his first foreign assignment was a baptism of fire, under attack from Indian warplanes and Gurkha troops, arrested as a spy and granted interviews with political leaders.

ndia’s Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, Government minister abruptly cancelled an on the dawn of defeat. Instead Pakistanis of the Royal Commonwealth Society for smiled graciously and told me she was arranged interview about the country’s sports queued up to voice thanks to the BBC. At the Blind (now Sightsavers International) so impressed by the BBC’s coverage equipment industry based there. war’s end I caught the first flight from Kabul and helped to establish a new charity of the war, it was free to re-open its Catching a train in Lahore, I was the first to Delhi. called Impact, which runs a hospital train DelhiI Bureau she had previously closed in journalist to come under fire when it was in India and a boat in Bangladesh. For protest over a television documentary. The strafed by an Indian warplane. I linked up Birth of a new nation years I paid for the education of two blind, Bureau was swiftly back in business with with the Pakistan Army in Kashmir to report In Bangladesh, President Mujibur Al-Rahman, mentally handicapped children in Bombay the BBC’s legendary correspondent, Mark the only battle they won – against Gurkha full of praise for the BBC, invited me and a (now Mumbai). Tully, in charge. Everywhere I went, people troops. There I discovered the vulnerability BBC Bengali producer to join him at Dacca asked me: ‘Do you know Mark Tully?’ of my Uher tape recorder, infiltrated by sand University for the ceremonial planting of PM captive audience on Mrs Gandhi invited me to join her when a Brigadier hurled me to the ground in a Banyan tree, symbolising the birth of the Ganges boat taking the salute at the victory parade in an Indian air raid. new nation. On a subsequent visit to the region I Delhi and on a visit to Calcutta to meet Pakistani military spokesmen told me that Bangladesh recovered impressively from accompanied James Callaghan as Prime the new President of Bangladesh, Sheikh their forces had not retreated in East Pakistan. a war affecting hundreds of millions of Minister. He was besieged by complaints that Mujibur al-Rahman, who gave me one of his But I was able to telephone Dacca, where people. Cataclysmic consequences were millions of people could no longer hear BBC first interviews. John Humphrys contradicted them. He held averted. Calcutta, an already overburdened, broadcasts because, as I explained to him, I was astonished to discover millions his telephone out of the window and said: overpopulated city, housed hundreds of as a captive audience on a long Ganges boat of people listening to the BBC, which ‘Hear that? That’s Indian guns advancing thousands of refugees, keeping most of trip, the BBC transmitter on Masirah Island they trusted above their own media. A on Dacca.’ them alive in tented camps. Bangladesh, its in Oman had been destroyed by a cyclone. Sikh colonel told me Indian troops at the infrastructure destroyed, including many He promptly promised the transmitter would battlefront tuned in, as did international Under carpet and under arrest! bridges, coped with severe flooding with be re-erected. journalists reporting the war. People in As I had no accreditation, I hid under carpets the help of dozens of international charities, Despite BBC World Service cuts, its remote villages marked a niche on their at military checkpoints on the eight-hour Mother Teresa, and the Royal Navy which broadcasts still flourish – a trusted presence radios to locate BBC services. car journey to Rawalpindi to file via Pakistan sent men and inflated rubber boats from in a volatile region. In Karachi I watched President Bhutto Radio. There was no mobile phone or instant nearby warships. I hitched a lift on Red Cross declaring a 1,000-year Jihad (Holy War). It satellite filing then! Censorship and filing helicopters taking relief to islands in the lasted only weeks, during which my planned took several hours, after which I regularly Ganges Delta, where 100,000 people had peace mission to seek out positive stories made another eight-hour road trip up the been cut off from food and other supplies for became a war assignment. Khyber Pass to Kabul to put television and a year after a cyclone smashed their boats. At first the Pakistanis criticised the BBC, radio tape on London-bound aircraft, as all Indira Gandhi wisely withdrew her troops which they sarcastically said stood for ‘Bharat Pakistan commercial flights were suspended. within three months because, she told me, (Indian) Broadcasting Corporation’. But in Halfway up the Khyber, I was arrested they would not become an occupation force Bangladesh, ministers praised the BBC as the and threatened with execution as an Indian like the Pakistan Army with a reputation ‘Bengali Broadcasting Corporation’! spy in a village of gunsmiths, where nearly for repression. every home was a miniature gun factory. I joined Mrs Gandhi on a State election Invasion and under fire When I persuaded the tribal leader I was campaign that attracted large crowds, On Day One, 3 December, I unwittingly from the BBC he released me and tried to sell illustrating India’s enthusiasm for democracy. came across the Pakistan Army mobilising me a gun! I resumed my focus on humanitarian and to invade India at the border town of Pakistani friends warned me to flee in case positive stories and found many. Sialkot, where only hours earlier a Pakistan I was mobbed and murdered in their anger As a result I became a trustee for 25 years Mark Tully

PROSPERO DECEMber 2011 Memories 07

to enlighten us as to what I had seen. Télé Diffusion de France (TDF) had some Over 100 years Boggled in Moldova years previously been contracted to manage improvements at the Moldavian broadcasting JJO Smith, whose broadcasting career included time with the centre. Without taking into account local of music and culture, they had installed western style toilets. BBC, Marconi Company and Eurovision, sent in this amusing After a short while they noticed that many of drama in anecdote about Moldovan State television. them were broken. On making enquires as to the cause, they were told that the majority of Manchester Some years ago I attended a meeting in standing at the centre of a roomy cubical. Moldovans had never seen this style of toilet Kishinev with representatives of Teleradio At the centre of the block was the exposed before and were too embarrassed to ask how Moldova, the equivalent of our BBC. After rim of a western style toilet but without to use it. They assumed that like Asiatic toilets prolonged discussions and many cups a toilet seat. For reasons of hygiene and you should stand on the rim and that was the of coffee, I needed a short break. I asked geometry, sitting was definitely a no-no. cause of the damage. an attendant where I could find a toilet. A younger man may have been able to use it TDF decided that the best solution Although I can’t speak Moldovan I got the in a conventional manner but this was not an would be to revert back to local custom. gist of his reply, or so I thought, and made option for me. Well I won’t go into details. Unfortunately, the noise and dust which my way to the appointed place. Then, horror of horrors, female voices! would emanate from breaking out concrete Unusually, the door was only marked What should I do – keep quiet and hope would be unacceptable as the studios were with Cyrillic characters, and the lack of they would go away? No chance – I had to now in use. After much discussion the an identifiable image did not fill me with get back to the meeting. I threw caution to problem was resolved by bricking up around confidence. I opened the door slowly… yes, the wind and ventured out. Immediately the existing western toilet bowl in order to it was a restroom, but it only had cubicles I was deafened by screams and shouting achieve a ‘pseudo’ Asiatic toilet, albeit 2ft and was not equipped for gentlemen. I tried in Moldovan. I thought I was about to be above the floor. And that’s what I saw. Of other doors nearby. No, this was definitely murdered, but after receiving a thorough course, in the immediate aftermath of the the only restroom. telling off, punctuated with finger wagging break-up of the Soviet Union there were I opened the door to one of the cubicles. and scissor mimicry, I was sent on my way, more pressing needs than considering those Another shock. I have travelled a great deal shaken but unharmed. of the disabled, or those of a vertiginous in my life and have seen a great many things, On getting back to my office I recounted disposition. BBC tops in Indo-Pakistan-Bangladesh War but this, it was a completely new experience. the story to the amusement of my colleagues. And the moral to this story – first check Imagine a tile-covered rectangular block A French colleague then spoke up and said that the locals are happy to adopt your of height 2ft with sides measuring 3ft by 3ft that he recognised the situation and went on culture. We never seem to learn, do we? Televising the coronation in America in 1953 Shortly after the coronation in 1953, I started Jack Hollinshead (pictured) is possibly the working in Philip Dorte’s Film Department oldest surviving audio supervisor, not just in at Alexandra Palace (A.P.) in the Tower Block Manchester, but maybe all the BBC. under the TV mast. Memories of getting He is now 96, still active, and has been coronation pictures on American screens known to turn up at the BBC Club in on the same evening as the coronation Manchester using two buses to get there were fresh in many minds. One of my jobs (OK, so the drinks were free!) was buying the raw black & white 35mm Born in 1915, he joined the BBC in 1930, film stock for the film cameraman, so I had and eventually did 45 years at the BBC in firsthand stories from them. Later I joined Manchester, which included his war service the newly formed Television Transcription serving in the RAF, in exotic regions such as Unit under Peter Tyrrell, which was the Egypt, Aden, and the Western Desert. first time BBC complete TV programmes, Jack has worked on many programmes, recorded on 16mm film, were supplied including Woman’s Hour and Variety Fanfare, to North America, Australia, European and which of course involved the Northern Commonwealth countries. But 1953 was Dance Orchestra (NDO). long before this came about, so special He saw the beginning of what was arrangements had to be made and this is a very special relationship with music how I learned it was done. in Manchester, and was there when First of all relays of motor cyclists the Northern Variety Orchestra (NVO) collected batches of film from points along was formed. the coronation route and rushed them to He is pictured holding the new double, the Film Labs for developing to negative limited-edition CD of the NDO, which only. The film was hurriedly viewed (in celebrates 60 years since the formation of negative form) and roughly edited at A.P. the NVO, and which has been produced by It was then parcelled up for loading onto three retirees who have given their time and a helicopter parked outside A.P. When time expertise for nothing, in order to benefit allowed for the last possible batch of film charity, for which over £500 has so far to be loaded on the helicopter, it flew to been raised. Heathrow where the film was transferred to The CDs have been highly praised for a Canberra bomber. This then took off for a their audio quality and the variety of the non-stop flight to New York, arrangements band numbers. having been made for re-fuelling in flight. Jack of course has been extremely helpful Having the benefit of a five-hour time lag, in providing information about the early the film was rushed to a TV transmission days of recording the band in Studio 1, point (reversing the negative picture Broadcasting House in Manchester, initially electronically on transmission to positive) to 78s and 33 1/3 discs, and when it and the Americans were then able to see eventually arrived, tape. highlights of the coronation on the same day We cannot think of anyone nicer whom to as it happened. give a personalised copy of the double CD. I should like to point out that as I’ve learnt Details of how you can buy the CD can be this story from other people I am therefore found at www.northerndanceorchestra.org. open to correction if any of the details uk or from MWC, PO Box 143, Marple (LDO) are incorrect. Stockport SK6 9AD. John Priest Ian C Reed M.I.E.T.

PROSPERO DECEMber 2011 08 Back at the BBC Switchover Help Smile you’re on camera Scheme passes 1m mark

The BBC Switchover Help Scheme has now helped more than a million over-75s and disabled people to prepare to go digital. Around six million more eligible people across the UK are expected to benefit from the scheme before the last analogue signal is switched off in less than a year’s time. In the run-up to switchover in each region, the help scheme offers practical help to convert one TV set to digital. Most people are asked to contribute £40 towards the switch. The work has involved more than 500 help scheme installers driving around six million miles to date, but chief executive of the White City-based help scheme, Peter White, said the one million milestone had been reached through partnerships.

Collaboration ‘Our close collaboration with charities, volunteer organisations and community supporters means we’ve been able to reach a significant number of isolated eligible people who might otherwise not have responded to our offer for help. ‘We’re hugely grateful to everyone who has worked with us and to those who continue to do so,’ he said. The scheme was first trialled in Cumbria Technology adviser John Trenouth describes the launch of the world’s first high definition in 2007 and is currently offering help to TV service 75 years ago. 1.4m eligible people in the London region alone. Meridian, Anglia, Tyne Tees and Seventy-five years ago, on 2 November 1936, was on 2 November 1936. After the toss of outside broadcast of the Victory Parade on Northern Ireland are the other four regions the world’s first high definition TV service a coin, the pilot programme was transmitted the first anniversary of Victory in Europe. still to complete switchover. was created. first on the Baird system and then, after a BBC Television quickly outgrew the An estimated 23m households across It was a momentous occasion, but the brief pause, the entire programme was done two original studios at Alexandra Palace. the UK have already switched to digital. road towards it had been rocky – corporate again live on the Marconi-EMI system. Additional studios were provided at Lime uncertainty, Government intervention, multiple So the BBC’s second television programme Grove and the Television Theatre, and then in egos, and a race against time. But eventually was also its first repeat! Within three months 1949 the BBC purchased a 13½ acre site at history was made at Alexandra Palace. the decision to go with the Marconi-EMI White City for a future ‘Television Centre’. Why Alexandra Palace? It was chosen system was made and the Baird studio at News moved to Alexandra Palace in BBC Local mainly because of its location, high above Alexandra Palace was closed down. Baird 1954 for a decade or so, and in 1970, the London, but also because of the time scale had been the best of propagandists for the newly-launched Open University had its of the project: at a mere 18 months, it was new innovation of television, but as writer programme-making base there until 1981. Radio review deemed cheaper, easier and quicker to Rebecca West said of him, he was ‘doomed to Thirty years later, and 75 years after John Myers, who recently conducted a convert an existing building than to build a be the man who sows the seed but does not television started, much of the original review into the BBC’s network music stations, new one. So ‘Ally Pally’ – as it was named by reap the harvest’. structure is still there and it is now the will carry out an independent review of BBC an early TV performer Gracie Fields – with earliest surviving example of a television Local Radio. its extraordinary TV tower, became the iconic Debt of gratitude station anywhere in the world. The report has been commissioned visual for 1930s TV. Three years later, on 1 September 1939, WW2 The men and women who worked there by English Regions controller, David Then began the race for TV. Two competing loomed and the staff at Alexandra Palace were took television from a scientific novelty and Holdsworth, and is expected to run systems were to be tested for six months in instructed to switch off the transmitter and set it firmly on the path to become the most until Christmas. two different studios. In studio A was the close the service down for the duration. powerful communications medium of the As with his previous report on the Marconi-EMI system, all electronic on 405 The last programme seen on air was 20th Century. We owe a debt of gratitude to network services, Myers will focus on how lines. It had the advantage of being flexible: a Mickey Mouse cartoon; when the TV the scientists, engineers, production teams and BBC Local Radio can become more efficient three cameras could be accommodated service re-opened on 7 June 1946, its first performers who have given us such a wealth and maximise productivity. He will not be and, most importantly, could be moved on programme was that very same cartoon. of entertainment, information and education expected to review content. wheeled dollies to follow the action and It was followed the next day with a major over the last three quarters of a century. In the next two months, Myers, who is provide close-ups. also the CEO of Radio Academy, will visit Studio B housed the Baird system on 240 a range of BBC Local Radio stations across lines (devised by John Logie Baird), which England. He will deliver his report in was a mainly mechanical system, much No phone hacking at the BBC February 2012. more limited in range and capacity. Live As part of DQF plans, BBC Local Radio in announcements were made from a cramped An internal survey of journalistic practices, spokesman told [Ariel]: ‘Lord Leveson has England has to make 12% cuts, including ‘spotlight studio’ which scanned the head and in light of the Leveson inquiry, has found asked the BBC, in common with other the loss of 280 from around 1,300 jobs shoulders of the announcer with an intense no evidence of phone hacking by BBC broadcasters, to look into whether any of across 40 stations. The strategy also proposes beam of light. Physically uncomfortable for journalists, says Mark Thompson. the practices which he is investigating in more content sharing among neighbouring the presenter, it also used a delayed form of TV ‘We have yet to find a single example of the press might have been deployed by stations during off-peak slots. known as the Intermediate Film Technique. phone hacking or bribery of police officers,’ the BBC. The BBC Trust is already conducting a With this system the film passed into a the director general told his industry ‘He has asked us to check our records routine service licence review and public processing tank of cyanide where it was audience at BH Belfast. back to January 2005 and as, the director consultation on local radio. They will issue developed, providing a TV picture only 58 The internal checks were led by director general has said, we have found no evidence their final report in late spring 2012. seconds later. The official opening ceremony of editorial policy David Jordan. A BBC of wrongdoing.’

PROSPERO DECEMber 2011 Back at the BBC 09 Woman’s Hour: Listeners ‘hungrier than ever’ for show The programme title may be as much of an anachronism as the silver service lunch that once preceded each afternoon broadcast, but departing editor Jill Burridge reckons listeners are hungrier than ever for Woman’s Hour.

The former Radio London producer who changed their lives. The former head of Haringey’s children’s New Clubs arrived ‘young and green’ at the Radio 4 ‘We had a huge and enthusiastic response,’ services gave Woman’s Hour her first in-depth November has seen the launch of two new magazine in the early 70s – going on to be a recalls the former World Service and broadcast interview following her dismissal Clubs – BBC Club Salford and BBC Club reporter, producer and occasional presenter Education producer, with a ‘rather good for after the Baby P case. Radio Lancashire. These are our first steps on the show – left recently after ten years in 2004’ 15,000 voting for the top five titles. ‘It was a chance contact through a senior into a virtual Club offering. Our northern the top job and with the audience at an all- producer,’ Burridge explains. ‘When the time colleagues will still benefit from all the time high. Heart warming was right, Sharon Shoesmith came to us.’ Club has to offer but without the physical ‘There are those who don’t like the There was also the special message board premises. We are working with local programme and ask why we need a launched to accompany Woman’s Hour’s Constantly challenged partners to bring Club Alive, Extra, Connect programme specifically for women in this month-long focus on breast cancer, after Back in the early 70s, when the young and Together to life, and as membership day and age,’ she concedes. presenter Jenni Murray was diagnosed with producer was ‘too nervous’ ahead of 2pm’s grows we will be delivering more onsite ‘But there’s clearly an appetite. You don’t the disease. Sensitively monitored by breast showtime to sample the wine served with the activities and exclusive member events. get a record 3.6m listeners across the week cancer care nurses, it was flooded with frank traditional lunch with the day’s guests, men Membership without doing something right.’ and ‘truly heart warming’ exchanges from would guiltily whisper in her ear that they BBC Club is a great place to meet old Indeed. Maybe it’s down to the way many of those affected. were listeners. friends and colleagues. Membership for Burridge fostered audience loyalty from the Burridge’s reign has seen the programme Today, a hefty 42% of the audience is retired BBC employees costs just £2.50 outset through interaction. tackle issues and stories neglected elsewhere, male. ‘By and large, the whole aim of the per month or £30 a year and includes She’d spent a year away from the BBC at from health matters (‘what we fondly call programme is to be inclusive,’ says the editor, discounts in the clubs and online, special the start of the noughties helping launch women’s plumbing’) to international stories, who welcomes a fresh influx of first time events and of course your FREE weekly iVillage – a discussion-led women’s website. such as the recent focus on the women mums to the audience. She guesses that they Radio Times (which covers the value of ‘The internet was coming alive by early 2000 driving revolution in the Yemen. find it a way of keeping ‘in touch, informed your membership alone). Register at and I had enhanced my understanding of ‘It’s humbling,’ admits the editor. and constantly challenged’, just as she did www.bbcclub.com/membership/registration how it could work with a radio show.’ ‘Especially since we tend to take women’s when she was pregnant. to join. She dreamt up new ways of building a rights for granted here.’ Now the mother of three, grandmother of Young at Heart – yes or no? community that could spill out from the And the programme has attracted high four (‘with another on the way’) is relishing We set out with the best intentions airwaves onto email, web, message board and calibre guests during her time. Big names some time to think. ‘Driving a major daily when changing the name of our retired now Twitter. like Hilary Clinton, Helen Mirren and Cherie with quite a small team has been so full on membership category to Young at Heart, Like Watershed Women’s Fiction, an idea Blair stand out, together with the main – six programmes a week, plus the Saturday which has also featured as the headline for brewed while Burridge was recovering from party leaders. digest, with each requiring four meaty our weekly lunch get-togethers at W1 for hip replacement surgery, that saw listeners But Burridge picks out the 2009 interview ideas,’ she puffs. I’m looking forward to some time. We have received some emails post tales online of the books that had with Sharon Shoesmith as a particular coup. some downtime.’ stating that the name Young at Heart is disagreeable. So we open it to you. We will be sending out a short survey to gauge BBC savings on track your response in the near future. Club together The BBC is on track to exceed its continuous Recommendations suggestions for further improvement, will be A perfect occasion to get together is our savings target of £487m by 2012/13, the The NAO report does not look at Delivering invaluable as we implement the challenging weekly ‘Young at Heart’ meal where you National Audit Office reports. Quality First savings, but in general programme of efficiencies proposed as part can enjoy a two-course meal and a lovely The organisation has been delivering value recommends that the BBC should: of the Delivering Quality First process.’ cuppa for a mere £5. for money through its 3% a year efficiency • continue to explore opportunities to December’s member offer programme, without affecting performance challenge its perceptions about what its For all of December, £3.50 for any hot dish for audiences, the NAO says. activities should cost to deliver NUJ no on the daily specials menu. Available in But the auditor calls for a culture shift • prioritise savings by using detailed analysis all sites. towards a continuous challenging of the of the value its activities contribute to December offers & discounts way the BBC operates, if it is to manage the its objectives confidence A Christmas Carol with Simon Callow: Best extra financial responsibilities of the 2010 • adopt a consistent approach to savings and available seats for £20 (normally £37.50) licence settlement. share best practice across the organisation. The NUJ is calling for a vote of no for any show until 18 December and The report also questions whether confidence in Mark Thompson over DQF excluding Saturdays. savings targets set by the Trust were Response cuts, it has announced. Enjoy 80% off at luxurious hair and beauty ‘stretching’ enough. In response, the BBC Trust has agreed a set of A meeting of BBC union reps unanimously salons: Our special new client invitations actions with the BBC Executive including: agreed to the move, the first in the union’s allow Club members to experience these Strong governance • a more strategic approach that measures 104-year history. salons at 80% OFF. These invitations are The Trust commissioned today’s report from impact of savings on core BBC objectives as NUJ general secretary, Michelle Stanistreet, normally valued at up to £230! the NAO to look at BBC management of the well as performance said the announcement showed the ‘depth of 2 night’s B&B accommodation for five-year continuous efficiency programme, • apply lessons from the continuous anger felt by journalists across the BBC and £75 per person (Sun-Thurs): Login in to set up in 2007. improvement programme to DQF their outrage at the lack of leadership from www.bbcclub.com/extra/offers to find out By the end of 2010/11, reduction in • learn from other organisations in order to the top of the corporation’. how to redeem these offers and many more. annual expenditure had reached £396m. challenge current ways of working. She added: ‘The BBC’s future is under By the end of the programme in 2012/13, attack as a result of the freeze on the licence Club Alive New Year – new you. We are laying down forecast savings are now £560m – this Lessons learned fee settlement driven through by the the challenge to our retired members. despite uncertainty as to how £64m of ‘at Anthony Fry, BBC Trustee with lead Coalition Government. If you would like to see some fitness risk’ savings will be found, the report says. responsibility for value for money, said: ‘The director general should be fighting activities specifically aimed at the older Nine out of 12 areas of the BBC, including ‘It is clear from this report that under the for the BBC, not inflicting cuts in areas that population let us know. Perhaps even a bit BBC Vision, are ahead of schedule on savings Trust’s stewardship the BBC has made great will cause irreparable damage to services and of personal training? while three – BBC North, Future Media & strides in continuing to improve its efficiency inevitably compromise quality journalism Technology and Workplace are behind. and this should be commended. and programming.’ It just remains for us to wish you a very The report commends ‘strong governance ‘When targets are achieved, of course A BBC spokesperson responded: ‘We Merry Christmas and a prosperous new arrangements’ in BBC Vision – responsible for people can question whether they are too remain committed to a constructive dialogue year from all here at the Club. more than half the planned savings and where low; just as, when savings fall short, it is with the Unions.’ staff had been encouraged to exceed efficiency rarely suggested that targets were too high. The NUJ, as well as broadcasting unions Got a question or comment? targets – but identifies a ‘lack of senior ‘What is most important is that the Bectu and Unite, are set to ballot members Email us at [email protected] management control’ in Workplace and FM&T. lessons learned to date, along with the NAO’s on industrial action in response to DQF. or call 020 875 26666.

PROSPERO DECEMber 2011 10 obituaries He was paid 2/6p per week with an 84p Pioneering sound engineer John Longden, that he had designed with moveable sections; Former Head of weekly allowance for his uniform. His father who has died at the age of 88, was having completed this exercise, each DJ Operations, Radio OBs was outraged that a boy should receive such responsible for a range of developments was asked to sign the hardboard model. Gerard Glancy, retired Head of Operations a high salary. that were to change BBC radio production Unsurprisingly, most agreed to the eventual Radio Outside Broadcasts, was born in 1943 When war broke out, he was told by techniques and transform the corporation’s layout – and duly signed. in Dunoon in Scotland. his manager, Maurice Gorham, that ‘some outside broadcast capabilities. In 1970 Johnny became the first engineer- Although he moved down to Croydon unpleasantness in Europe had occurred’. So In a career spanning 42 years, ‘Johnny’ in-charge of BBC Radio London, and even with his family when he was only three years he joined the RAF Reserve in 1938. By this Longden’s innovations became industry went in front of the mic himself, presenting of age, he always considered himself to be time he had received a 2/- shilling a week standards, including the ‘self-drive’ control Sounds Good, a specialist hi-fi programme, Scottish and never was this more evident rise at the Radio Times. He left in 1939 for desk that enabled DJs at the new Radio where he answered listeners’ technical than when Scotland were playing England at six years on full salary from the BBC, less One to control their own programmes. He questions and reviewed audio equipment. football or rugby. wages from the RAF. He paid for his pension was credited as the first person to attach a Johnny oversaw BBC Radio London’s Having joined the Territorial Army, (London Life) from his RAF wages. At the microphone to an angle-poise lamp arm. move to new premises in Marylebone High Gerard had planned to join the Royal Navy end of the war he returned to the Radio The son of a shipping company chairman, Street in 1976, and remained there until his on leaving school, and having passed the Times as a copy boy whose duties were to Johnny was expected to follow his father retirement in 1982. rigorous lengthy selection process, he was take everything to and from the printers. He into the business. But the excitement of the Widowed for 22 years, Johnny lived offered a place at Dartmouth Royal Naval walked from BH to Holborn to the block emerging broadcast technology of the 1930s independently at home until his death in College to train as an officer. But he never makers. He picked up bus tickets from the was irresistible. hospital after a short illness. took this up as his hopes of being on the street to make travel claims (a tip he received He recalled: ‘I joined the Beeb at the Anthony Longden bridge were dashed because his eyesight was from Maurice Gorham!) height of the Blitz in 1940, and went straight not 20/20. He applied to be a Film Library Assistant into London Outside Broadcast Department BAFTA-winning sound He started his BBC career in 1964 as a in the 1950s under Taff Davies, Film as a Junior Maintenance Engineer without technical operator working in the control Librarian and then Anne Hanford. He moved any knowledge of how a broadcast was made recordist room at Broadcasting House but soon from there to Film Traffic and Despatch but I did have a huge schoolboy enthusiasm transferred to Radio Outside Broadcasts, as as Manager in the 1960s. He received the for the job.’ a Sound Supervisor where he found his true Queen’s Medal on her Silver Jubilee in 1977. For the next two years, Johnny was home. Always a popular member of any team He retired in 1977 after 46 years’ service. involved in wartime morale-boosting he soon became a Senior Sound Supervisor He then started working at Lord’s Cricket broadcasts, travelling back and forth across and was involved in running many of the Ground as a steward in 1980. He became London and the South East of England. He more testing events such as the Olympic Chief Pavilion Steward in 1981. He retired remembered with amusement one wartime Games, World Cup Football and Rugby World after suffering a stroke. broadcast by Winston Churchill. ‘I had been Cup, as well as the Commonwealth Games. None of the above describes what a setting up the microphone,’ Johnny said. ‘As It was not all sport – there were many character he was – utterly loyal to his I was connecting it up, I noticed Churchill’s ceremonial events and major concerts around managers, an amazing teller of jokes, a enormous hat sitting there, and I couldn’t the UK; Gerard would often arrive at site on terrible temper and a loyal friend. resist trying it on. It was huge, and came John Kyle Murphy was two distinct people. his much loved BMW motorbike. So there it is. A man’s life in a few down over my ears. Just then this enormous To his family he was John, Dad, sometimes Having built a reputation for hard paragraphs – he’s worth so much more. voice boomed out behind me: ‘Oh! So you Ee-ore, and to his many colleagues at the BBC work well done, he rose eventually to Rosalind Grant think you’re me, do you?’ he was simply Spud. become the Head of Operations Radio In 1942, Johnny joined the RAF as a radar He was born high in the Himalayas in a Outside Broadcasts. Designer of ‘self-drive’ boffin. It was here that he met his future town called Murree, the only child of Major At the age of 53 he was devastated to be wife Dorothy, a flight sergeant in the WAAF. James Murphy – serving in the British Army told he was to be given compulsory early DJ desk The couple married in 1946. in India, and his wife Gwendolen. retirement, but he felt he needed to get At the end of the war Johnny returned John joined the BBC first in sound radio, other employment as he was too young to to the BBC where he continued to show then in the dubbing suite, before becoming retire. Fortunately on his last working day at considerable technical flair. In the 1950s a sound recordist at his beloved Ealing the BBC he received a call from one of the he designed what became known as the Film Studios where he spent the happiest directors of HHB, an equipment company Longden Music Desk – an innovation and most fulfilled days of his working life. that he much respected, and as a result of that transformed the outside broadcast Music and drama recording gave him his that call he spent the next six years working capabilities of the BBC. greatest pleasure, working with love and for them until his retirement at the age of 59. In 1961 Johnny became a special projects humility with international artists, orchestras Gerard suffered Meniers disease for about engineer, and the work he did over the next and directors. 20 years, which resulted in his gradual eight years confirmed the use of sliding John’s innate and instinctive talent in hearing loss and tragically over the last rather than rotary faders across the BBC. recording sound was legendary, and his couple of years his hearing deteriorated But this meant a particular choice had to beloved BBC gave him every possible scope markedly in both ears. Gerard finally be made. for that talent. By the time of his retirement died from leukaemia on 26 April 2011. ‘I had to decide which way they should at 60 he had become a legend there, twice My lasting memory is of a generous and travel to fade up or down. The commercial a BAFTA winner, sought after by the top considerate friend. desks of the day tended to favour UP – away directors of the day, and a greatly respected, Gerard leaves his wife Angela and sons from the operator, and DOWN, toward the admired and loved friend and colleague. He Damian and Martin. operator, as they did in the USA. I adopted then worked as a freelance recordist for three Leo Feord UP for OFF and DOWN for ON, simply years in the British film industry before ill because our domestic switches do this, the health forced him to retire completely. opposite being the case in America. John was married twice. His first wife A lifetime at the BBC ‘Years later, I was very amused to read Diana also worked for the BBC. They had Jim Radcliffe was typical of so many BBC all sorts of comments in technical articles, two sons, Paul and David. He met his second staff who joined at the age of 14 or 15 discussing the difference between BBC and wife Judith when they were both working before WW2, left to fight in the war, then commercial practice for sound faders, where on the then notorious film on the German returned to develop a substantial BBC career various theories put it down to ‘not knocking composer Richard Strauss, the director – over more than four decades, showing the script pages as one fades out…’ etc.’ the enfant terrible of the film world – Ken absolute commitment and loyalty in One of his biggest challenges was to Russell. John and Judith had a son, Ben, and the process. come with the launch of BBC Radio 1 in a daughter, Tallis. In the last years of his life Jim joined the BBC as a post boy at BH September 1967. Johnny was commissioned he found a new love for all his children and in the 1930s. Three months later, he was to design and build a mixing desk for the was rightly proud of their achievements. promoted to a messenger for the Listener and very first transmissions. He conducted John died peacefully before dawn on Radio Times (delivering blocks to the printers). ‘market research’ by inviting as many DJs as Sunday 9 October, five days before his 84th He met Lord Reith in a BH lift and was he could contact (including Jimmy Savile) birthday, his family by his side. ticked off by him for not using the stairs! to have a go on a wooden ‘prototype’ desk Judith Murphy

PROSPERO DECEMber 2011 obituaries 11 and subsequent commissioning of Band III respectfully to all other opinions, his quiet Small camera engineer transmitters to complete national coverage considerate manner, being painstakingly John Strivens died of the BBC’s 405 line Television Service. Later prepared to explain ‘why’ and giving on 28 August 2011 he played a major part in re-engineering encouragement and praise, meant people aged 83 after a the VHM/FM radio transmitter network to liked to work with him and for him, and short illness. He ensure that the service provided would be gained him a well earned reputation for will be remembered suitable for car and portable radio reception honesty and loyalty. mainly for his in addition to reception by fixed receivers Bill joined BBC Enterprises in its early days engineering work and antennas, for which the original service as Head of Business Administration, later on early miniature was designed. He worked closely with BBC becoming a Director of the limited company Money matters cameras in television design engineers and industry, and had the and embracing the duties of Company outside broadcasts. technical knowledge and managerial skills Secretary. His reputation for straight dealing Individual Following army service and a spell to ensure that the required transmitters served him well in his role, acquiring rights as a draughtsman, John joined Designs met the high standards demanded within from artists, writers, musicians, their agents, savings accounts Department in 1950 where he specialised in the budgeted costs. Whilst carrying out and the Talent Unions to enable Enterprises the development of small broadcast quality this work he established a reputation for to distribute programmes and issue licences (ISA), an update cameras for use in programmes where professionalism, tenacity and the utter around the world. During this early crucial Towards the end cameras at the time were limited by their size reliability of any information requested or work he made many friends among the of October 2011, and weight. volunteered by him. people he dealt with, who appreciated his HM Treasury Once these small cameras became reliable With the re-engineering of the VHM/FM trustworthiness and loyalty, and who will announced an enough John moved to London OBs where services nearing completion in 1990, he share with us the sense of loss. increase in the he worked on vehicles which were already was appointed to a post dealing with Health At heart Bill was a real family man, both ISA subscription being used for mobile work but with and Safety, which he held until he retired gentle and caring. He was devoted to his limits to £11,280 from 6 April 2011. bulky equipment. in 1993. wife Margery, son Gareth and daughter-in Small cameras meant productions This is the limit In the later years of his career he was law Tania, his daughter Candace, and his two per person for were able to obtain shots from previously diagnosed with what at first was thought to grandchildren, Gemma and Joshua. He chose the 2012/2013 unreachable locations such as early coverage be ME, but later was found to be MS. This to spend his last few days at home to be tax year and up to one half of this from a submarine. It was also becoming led to a gradual but relentless decline of with them. can be saved in a cash ISA, if that possible to provide coverage from moving his physical abilities, compounded by the Alan Bilyard and Geoff Buck is appropriate. vehicles at such events as horse racing, John death, from cancer, in 1997 of his youngest providing engineering support. Cash deposits, whilst providing monetary daughter Rachel, both of which he bore security for the short term, do not tend to As cameras developed, shots from Children’s programme with great fortitude. During the last 10 keep pace with inflation over the longer term, previously inaccessible locations were years of his life he regularly spent weekly producer and so for medium to long-term investments feasible, one example being coverage of the periods in the nearby Danesbury Home in On 15 November I was privileged to attend some exposure to stocks and shares is climb up The Old Man of Hoy, a 450-foot sea Welwyn, Hertfordshire, specifically built the funeral of Peter Wiltshire in the village generally accepted as being necessary. stack in the Orkneys in 1967. Cameras could by the local community as a respite home of Beeston Regis in North Norfolk. Exposure to the markets can be achieved now be with the climbers. for those suffering from MS. When this was I’m sure many Prospero readers will have in a variety of ways, but the volatility of He enjoyed small camera coverage stock markets in recent months may not threatened with closure, he was the prime met Peter at some point during their time of operas where the unusual shot be too inspiring. Investors should note, mover in ensuring that it remained open to at the Beeb. He began his BBC career as a complimented the production in ways not however, that when investing for the longer those already benefiting from such provision; cameraman at Ally Pally and ended it as a previously achieved. One of the earliest term, short-term downward movements in an illustration of how his mind remained as producer in Children’s Programmes, where operas televised as a colour OB was Peter stock markets offer potential opportunities. sharp as ever right up to the time he died – most of his time was spent working on Grimes from the Maltings, Aldeburgh with For most investors looking to spread risk, he was a true gentleman in every sense of Play School, though there were occasional collective investments such as Unit Trusts John as the small camera engineer. the word. excursions to Vision On, Play Away and, I and Open Ended Investment Company He left OBs to join Special Projects He died at the age of 76 on 3 October believe, Blue Peter. shares continue to be popular. Current where he was involved in work installing 2011 and is survived by his wife Joyce, a Everyone has their favourite Wiltshire added attractions may be: new regional studios and then just before daughter Margaret and four grandchildren. story. He was never less than slightly • Falls in stock markets may provide retirement he became a BBC Television Geoffrey C Platts eccentric but always a good professional and, an opportunity to gain exposure at a Safety Officer. though childless himself, seemed to have lower entry price. In plain terms, falls in John had at one time joined the BBC markets generally mean falls in unit or an instinctive insight into the heart of an Sailing Club where he met his wife, Pauline. BBC Enterprises share prices, making them cheaper to under-5 child. Later they spent many holidays caravanning buy. Spreading the investment over three straight dealer He had lived in Beeston Regis for only around Europe where he was able to draw or four months, rather than committing It is hard for anyone who worked closely 13 years but in that time had really won the and paint. all funds on one day, may be an with Bill Dovey to imagine anyone less hearts of the people there. Chatting to people John leaves his wife, Pauline, and children appropriate option. likely to conform to the commonly held in his local pub after the funeral service, I • Exchanging existing investments for tax Michael, Rachel and Richard. behavioural image of a regimental sergeant was instantly aware of the high esteem and advantaged ISA holdings may enable Geoff Rathbone major. Nevertheless that was the rank Bill love the local people had for him. I was individuals to make use of their annual achieved following war service in Burma, proud to have been his friend. exemption to capital gains tax. If they Engineer of VHM/FM prior to his demob from the Welsh Regiment Peter Charlton have not already used it, a couple in 1946. could release investment gains of up to services Bill and Margery’s school friendship £21,200 in the current tax year before David Colin Davis developed and they married in 1949, and 2012 publication dates paying any capital gains tax. was awarded a left Wales to move to London to enable • Even if exchanging an investment for an Prospero will be published on the following ISA incurs a loss, that can have attractions, B.Sc. (Engineering) Margery to further her singing career. Bill dates in 2012: because any future gains in an ISA are tax degree by Queen joined the Corporation in 1959 as a qualified No January issue free and it is possible to sell and buy back Mary College, cost accountant and a senior member of Wednesday 1 February the same holdings under what is known as University of the Finance Division’s embryonic Costing Wednesday 7 March ‘Bed and ISA’ arrangements. London in 1957, Department, charged with developing cost Wednesday 4 April Whilst equity linked investments offer and then joined awareness throughout the BBC. A job he did potential for greater long-term gains, No May issue Metropolitan there is no guarantee. Such investments conscientiously for five years. Wednesday 6 June can go down as well as up in value, and Vickers as a Michael Checkland recalls: ‘Bill was my Wednesday 4 July selecting the right ISA within the investor’s graduate apprentice. He was subsequently first boss and I was so impressed by his Wednesday 1 August risk strategy is generally best left to employed on the development of radar until integrity, warmth and commitment to the No September issue independent advisers. 1963, when he joined the BBC’s Transmitter BBC that I thought I would enjoy working in Wednesday 3 October Capital Projects Team. this organisation with people like this – and Wednesday 7 November Bob Perkins DipPFS Technical Manager Initially he was one of a team of engineers so it turned out.’ Bill’s hallmark qualities of Wednesday 5 December concerned with the acquisition, installation attention to detail, listening carefully and Origen Financial Services

PROSPERO DECEMber 2011 12 BOOKS

On the trail of the one-legged admiral Classifieds

by Tim Luard, former BBC China correspondent Time to be... Is your retirement what you expected? Do you want more? Life coaching As we eagerly deciphered her father’s account with Lynda Sanders. (he was one of the Secret Service team on Email: [email protected] the escape), my wife Alison and I determined Tel: 07879 810046 to find out more. I spent long days in the British Library, the Imperial War Museum and the National Archives, poring over other Richmond, Swaledale. One-bedroom memoirs, official reports and old military apartment overlooking castle. Sleeps 2/3. maps. Then we flew to Hong Kong, took Walking, restaurants, Georgian theatre. a bus along the Chinese coast, and set out Tel: 01748 822863 to retrace the 80-mile journey to Huizhou Email: [email protected] on foot. Many of the old paths and paddyfields Seaview, Isle of Wight. Wanting to get away had vanished beneath six-lane highways for a break? Pleasant ETB 4* studio annexe, and factories. But some of the same villages sleeps two comfortably. Near beach and village. were still there, along with a temple where For details email: [email protected] the sailors had slept on the floor and the Tel: 01983 812180 fortress base of their guerrilla escorts. The original escape group on arrival in Huizhou on 29 December 1941 There were even one or two people who Lake District. Historic watermill, secluded in still remembered the admiral and his party woods and fields, sleeps 6, beautiful all year for The first thing I did after 23 years as a BBC role in its defence. The British had promised to passing through. Though we cheated with walking, climbing and sailing. journalist was to stop listening to news help him get out, rather than face torture in a the odd bus ride through a tunnel, we ended Tel: 020 7387 6654 bulletins. Just as good as not having to Japanese prison camp. up walking most of the way – the highlight Email: [email protected] go in to work was not having to find out The escape group raced to the fishing being a wonderful stone-flagged smugglers’ everything that was going on in the outside village of Aberdeen, where they set off in a path over the mountains. Menorca. Detached holiday villa with private world while brushing my teeth to ensure small launch. But they were soon halted in Back home, we tracked down other pool. Sleeps 2-7. Near Es Castell, amenities I was suitably briefed for the morning mid harbour by a barrage of gunfire and had descendants – including the sons of the and beaches. meeting. How to ‘take a story on’ for the to abandon ship. Despite being shot in the admiral – and soon found ourselves back in For brochure, tel: 01621 741810 lunchtime bulletins suddenly seemed less arm and losing his wooden leg, the admiral China with some 70 others of all ages, as part www.menorcaholidayvilla.co.uk interesting than delving back into different managed to swim with the other survivors to a of a group we called the Hong Kong Escape kinds of stories that had been firmly put to nearby island. They climbed a steep hill under Re-enactment Organisation, or HERO. Our ‘Bottom John’, autobiography of Eric Jones, bed long ago. continuing fire and spotted five small torpedo proposed walk over the smugglers’ path was former B.E.S.M, BBC Wales. £12.50 inc p+p. Perhaps, I hear you say, it’s just part of boats – all that remained of the colony’s navy. this time deemed by our official hosts to be Tel: 01656 720970 getting older, this turning away from day-to- They then sped through the night to the ‘too dangerous’. But we were driven under Email: [email protected] day affairs to things that happened in the past. mainland coast, dodging enemy destroyers police escort to several of the surviving Whatever the reason, the discovery of a diary on the way. The 50 British sailors scuttled landmarks along the route and succeeded left by my late father-in-law triggered a spark their boats and joined the escape party. After in recreating the original group photo Venice, Giudecca. Beautiful apartment in quiet of interest in a particular wartime adventure walking for four days and nights through wild, in Huizhou. private courtyard, sleeps 5, fully equipped. of his that soon became an obsession and has Japanese-occupied territory (with Chan Chak There’s now a plan to set up an official Experience the real Venice. now, some five years later, resulted in a book. now being carried in a homemade sedan chair) ‘escape trail’. Meanwhile, the various Tel: 01260 227262 On Christmas Day, 1941, after a fierce the motley group were welcomed as heroes mementoes we collected are on long-term Email: [email protected] 18-day battle, the British colony of Hong in Huizhou, the nearest town held by the display at a Hong Kong museum. (And my Kong surrendered to invading Japanese forces Nationalist Chinese Government. history of the escape is published this month, Prospero Classifieds, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, that had already taken over much of China. When, after a 3,000-mile overland trip in time for the 70th anniversary.) There’s Cardiff CF5 2YQ. Hours later, a handpicked escape party of across China, the Royal Navy party landed even a film in the offing. But maybe that’s Please enclose a cheque made payable to: senior British staff officers and others carrying back in Britain five months later, they were where my involvement will end, before it BBC Central Directorate. sensitive information staged a daring break- ordered not to speak of their epic journey, for gets a bit too much like going back to work. Rate: £5 for 20 words. In a covering letter out through the enemy blockade. With them fear the Japanese would punish the Chinese Escape from Hong Kong: Admiral Chan Chak’s please include your pension number. was a tiny but indomitable one-legged admiral villagers who had helped them. Many Christmas Day Dash. By Tim Luard. Hong Kong called Chan Chak, who was China’s senior remained silent to the day they died. As far as University Press / Eurospan [December 2011]. agent in the colony and had played a heroic is known, none now survive. [HB ISBN 9789888083763] Leslie reaches his century

Leslie G Smith celebrated his 100th Can you help birthday on 11 November 2011. Leslie joined the BBC in 1929 as a junior in the Equipment Department’s drawing this Gent? office and retired from full-time work in My name is James Gent and I am currently 1971, although he continued to work part- writing and researching an in-depth time in the office of the Deputy Director of guide to Monty Python’s Flying Circus, due for Engineering until May 1974. publication in September 2012. He recalls: ‘In those early days in Equipment I would like to hear from anyone who Department, there were no female staff worked on the series in any capacity, who except the wife of the general handyman would be happy to share their memories who brought round the tea (at one old and recollections of working on the penny a cup!) All secretarial staff and show – supporting actors, film or studio telephone operators were male, working cameramen, tech ops, sparks, production 9.30 to 6 with every other Saturday!’ members, video effects crew, wardrobe and Mr Smith sends the BBC Pensions costume, makeup, grams operators, vision Department money for cakes every year mixers; no contribution is too large or on his birthday, saying: ‘It was our custom too small! to do this throughout my career with the If you worked on the show between BBC, but now my only contact is with the 1969 and 1975 I would be very happy staff in the Pensions Department, who have to hear from you in order to provide a provided such excellent service throughout broad picture of how the TV series took the years.’ shape and was created. Please email me at [email protected] Thank you Mr Smith, and we send you all our heartiest congratulations.

Designed and produced by Wordshop PROSPERO DECEMber 2011