The newspaper for BBC pensioners – with highlights from Ariel online

Hush Hush Hall Wood Norton in WW2 Page 8

June 2015 • Issue 3

BBC Pensions customer Lime Grove Location survey Dubbing Theatre filming Page 2 Page 6 Page 7

NEWS • MEMORIES • CLASSIFIEDS • YOUR LETTERS • OBITUARIES • CROSPERO 02 BACK AT THE BBC BBC Films: making a scene for 25 years As BBC Films turns 25, commissioning exec Joe Oppenheimer – who has been with the department for 17 years – reels in memories of weeping buckets, singing about serial killing and favourite scenes.

On a favourite scene... We have a film out in May called Man Up – a romantic comedy, directed by The The new Inbetweeners’ Ben Palmer, that is genuinely funny, genuinely romantic and rather wonderful. There’s one scene that I’ve watched BBC Alumni endless times and it makes me laugh every single time. It is filthy, hilarious, beautifully staged and beautifully acted by Lake Bell, scheme who is unknown to most audiences here, playing against Simon Pegg. I just love it. The BBC Alumni is a free, online community for Joe Oppenheimer, on the set of Broken, says BBC former staff. Films makes movies that otherwise wouldn’t be made. BBC Pensioners’ Launched in November 2014, Association AGM we are a rapidly expanding group of ex- On taking risks… On getting the colleagues from all walks of the BBC. You You have to second-guess so many things A very full house greeted speakers at may have left the BBC but you are certainly – and you’re doing it with a concept lines right… this year’s lively BBC Pensioners’ not forgotten and the Alumni scheme lets rather than a finished film. You’re always With development at the heart of what we Association AGM. you and your old colleagues reconnect with anticipating whether cinema audiences do, being asked to name our finest script is Former Chairman Martin Cox gave both the BBC and one another. will want to go and see it, which means like being made to pick your favourite child. a warm tribute to retiring Membership As a member, you would have the anticipating whether cinema chains will We think they are all wonderful and work Secretary Nick Whines, who had served opportunity to enter ballots for tickets to want to show it, which means anticipating very hard on them with the writers. the Association tirelessly for over live events and recordings as well as our whether distribution companies will be able Having said that, I do think Nick Hornby’s 10 years. own exclusive events – including, more to sell it to the cinema chains. adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s novel Brooklyn, After the formal business, Natasha recently, preview screenings of episodes And we’re in this business to make those which has just screened to great acclaim at Maclean from the BBC explained the from the BBC Two drama Wolf Hall and films that couldn’t be made otherwise. So Sundance, has to be one of the best I’ve read. BBC Alumni project, a welcome recent BBC comedy W1A. We also organise tours there are always risks, but there are times It’s an exquisite script that underpins the film initiative to keep ex-staff in touch of BBC buildings and the BBC’s consumer when those risks are more extreme, which and I’m sure it’s going to be a big hit. and which nicely complements the technology media lab, the Blue Room. can be quite fun. Association’s Memories project. And should you wish tell us about your We have a film coming out in June called Colin Browne of the Voice of the Listener time at the BBC, we would very much London Road. It’s crazy – someone [director On the first film & Viewer Association clearly articulated welcome your contribution to our blog page and LinkedIn discussion board. As Rufus Norris] comes to you and says I want We consider our first film to be Truly, Madly, the challenges facing public service the Alumni community grows, we hope to make a film about a street coping with Deeply. It was the first time the BBC Films broadcasting in a changing political and to expand our offering and appreciate the murder of prostitutes; it will have a credit appeared on British cinema screens – media world. suggestions about what you’d like to see. massive cast of actors, most of whom will be 25 years ago. Sir John Tusa, former head of the If you would like to stay in touch with completely unknown to the audience and, by I remember weeping buckets as I watched World Service, was this year’s the BBC and win tickets to our special the way, they will all be singing. It’s not an it at the Phoenix Cinema in Oxford. I didn’t keynote speaker. obvious call. think twice about who had made it, just that events, please send an email entitled ‘BBC A passionate advocate of Reithian Alumni Prospero’ to: alumni@bbc.co.uk It’s a feature film version of a wonderful it was Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman principles, he spoke about his frustrated play put on by the National about the in this wonderful piece of writing that had with your name, BBC staff or National attempts to get answers to awkward Insurance number, last BBC office building Ipswich community that suffered the murder been rendered into this gorgeous film. questions put to the BBC Trust and of five women in 2006 and the arrest and That film has always stayed with me. It and the first half of your home postcode. government especially about the We very much hope to hear from you. subsequent conviction of Steve Wright. encapsulates a lot of what we would like to funding of the World Service. It’s unlike any film you’ve ever seen – think BBC Films is about – great writing, Visit us at: www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/ Full audio recordings from the insidethebbc/whoweare/alumni remarkable and moving, stirring and striking wonderful performances, real people, real AGM are available on the open part and fresh. Who knows how it will play in emotions, a great role for a woman at its Or of the BBCPA website: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/ the cinemas? There’s nothing to compare it centre and undeniably British. BBC Films www.bbcpa.org.uk. to. It’s been a risky business but I think it’s stands for all of those things. BBC-Alumni-669837/about paid off.

Please send your editorial contributions, or comments/ feedback, to: Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Prospero is provided free of charge to retired BBC Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ. employees, or to their spouses and dependants. Prospero Email: [email protected] provides a source of news on former colleagues, Please make sure that any digital pictures you send are developments at the BBC and pension issues, plus classified scanned at 300 dpi. adverts. It is available online at www.bbc.co.uk/mypension To advertise in Prospero, please see page 12. The next issue of Prospero will appear in August 2015. To view Ariel online, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/ariel. The copy deadline is Friday, 3 July 2015.

PROSPERO JUNE 2015 03

BBC Pensions customer survey BBC Music BBC Three

From time to time we ask for feedback The survey will remain open until 30 June Library Exhibition move ‘delayed to help us monitor the satisfaction of and we will publish the results of the survey members in respect of the Scheme-related in the October edition of Prospero. this summer until 2016’ services provided. The BBC Music Library is proud to present We would be grateful if you could take a free exhibition celebrating over 90 years Plans to move time to complete this survey. The responses supporting the BBC’s musical output on you give are confidential and all questions TV, radio and at the Proms. BBC Three online have are optional. To complete the survey, please The exhibition will take place this visit www.bbc.co.uk/mypension. summer at the Barbican Library between been delayed as the Alternatively you can request a paper 7 July and 28 August and will chart the Corporation waits for copy from the pension service line on: history of the library through the years 029 2032 2811. with many musical examples and artefacts. the BBC Trust to If you have any questions about this It will include many rare and unseen survey or your pension, please contact the treasures from the depths of the approve its proposals. pension service line on: 029 2032 2811 BBC Archive. or email: [email protected]. For further information, please The channel was originally supposed to email the music library manager: become an online-only brand in autumn [email protected] 2015, but its boss said the shift would not now occur until ‘after Christmas’. ‘We won’t be rushed. We will do what’s right for our fans, not to satisfy deadlines,’ said Damian Kavanagh. BBC unveils plans for heritage trail The Trust is expected to deliver a decision on the move around September. It is currently running a public value The BBC will mark its ‘We want to celebrate its reopening with commemorate buildings with historical test, after which it will publish provisional everyone, so we’re launching a brand new significance. conclusions and seek comment from broadcasting history with a historical plaque trail, starting here and While they have been commissioned the public. working its way across the capital.’ by the BBC, English Heritage has approved ‘Once we have the Trust’s final decision, series of plaques placed on The blue plaques are similar in design the design. we’ll start doing more online and in social key landmarks in London. to those used by English Heritage to [media], building up to a move online,’ Kavanagh told Broadcast magazine. ‘You simply can’t turn around Director-general Tony Hall unveiled the first something as groundbreaking as of these at Television Centre on 23 April this overnight.’ during an event marking the arrival of The youth channel was earmarked Worldwide to its new home. for closure as a linear TV channel by BBC He was accompanied by Tess Daly, Bruce director-general Tony Hall last year. Forsyth, Claudia Winkleman and Worldwide Under current proposals, it will be chief executive Tim Davie as he showed off remodelled as an online platform, offering the blue plaque which reads: ‘One of the first tailored content based around comedy and purpose-built television complexes in the thought-provoking programming. world’, dated 1960. Programmes will not just live Hall said: ‘Television Centre is an iconic on iPlayer, but will be distributed on building. Countless legendary programmes third party sites including YouTube were created here – and it’s great to see our and Facebook. BBC Worldwide team in such an inspiring The removal of the channel from digital new space. terrestrial television will make room for a BBC One+1 service, while CBBC will be extended by two hours in the evening. But critics have said the delay in CROSPERO 185 devised and compiled by Jim Palm approving the proposals have turned BBC Three into a ‘zombie channel’, with confusion over its future leading 1 2 devisedComplete and the squarecompiled using the by clues; Jim these Palm apply only to words running across. Then take these words in numerical order and to a ‘logjam’ in commissioning new programmes. 3 4 extract the letters indicated by the dot. If your answers are correct, the letters will spell out the names of two BBC characters Jimmy Mulville, managing director of Have I Got News For You production company 5 6 of yesteryear. Hat Trick, argued that the channel was Please send your answers in an envelope marked ‘Crospero’ to The already being dismantled. 7 Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting th ‘Already assets are being taken off House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ, by Friday 10 July 2015. The winner will BBC Three. They are destroying the 8 9 receive a £10 voucher. value of BBC Three as we speak,’ he told the Guardian. 10 CLUES 1. Portent (4); 2. Grim experience (6); 3. Metal (4); 4. Pioneer flyer (3); ‘They are actually setting up and 5. Choppers (4); 6. Grippable surface (5); 7. Vivacity (4); 8. Yearn (4); 11 12 putting resources into a BBC online 9. Terminated (6); 10. Pale (5); 11. Protein substance (6); channel which is yet to be ratified by the 12. Apparel (4); 13. Former Soviet state (4); 14. Lovers’ meeting (5); 13 trust. This speaks to the very heart of how 15. Mountain goat (4); 16. Exclamation (3); 17. Observed (4); the BBC is governed.’ 18. Generates again (6); 19. Colours (4) 14 15 Mulville, along with Jon Thoday of Solutions to Crospero 184: There; Race; Vale; Aloes; Miner; Avalon productions, has approached the BBC Trust with a plan to buy BBC Three 16 17 Gesso; Ilton; Uta; Onion; Orate; Dew; Paste; Effra; Otter; Drain; Deys; Ebon; Trust. and run it independently. 18 19 The Corporation has insisted the The TV programme was Have I Got News For You, and the winner of channel ‘is not for sale’. a £10 voucher was Alan Pennington of Reading.

PROSPERO JUNE 2015 04 LETTERS

a diet of spoon-fed TV. It is worth noting that Cluttered voiceovers this BBC4 venture was rightly praised by Not sure about ‘MOB rule’ (Prospero Letters, many television critics. Perhaps in due course Remembering Nancy April 2015) but, together with many other the Corporation will consider rewriting parts viewers of current BBC programmes, I feel of their ‘best practice guide’. We can but wait there is much left to be desired in the and hope. Thomas & Poets on Poetry quality of the sound mix of most recently Paul Foxall made programmes. How lucky I was to have worked as a For example, there must be a directive producer’s assistant for both Nancy Thomas sent to directors/editors/sound mixers London Lunch 2015 and her great friend Brenda Horsfield which instructs them always to put music The annual ‘London Lunch’ was held recently (whose obituary appeared in the February (often at a high level) under commentary at the Victory Services Club when around 60 edition of Prospero), neither of whom would or voiceover links in documentaries. retired staff gathered for a splendid lunch. take ’No’ for an answer. However, without the visual help of seeing This year the guest speaker was Richard In the summer of 1973 Nancy produced the speaker’s lips in PTCs, it is surely even Tait CBE who delivered a wide-ranging and directed Poets on Poetry, in which more important to keep the intelligibility speech, initially reminiscing about his years contemporary poets read and discussed of voiceovers as good as possible without at the BBC where he appreciated the skills their poems with Patrick Garland. One of cluttering them with often unnecessary and and advice of engineers whilst working the poets was WH Auden. inappropriate music. Short links especially on Nationwide, The Money Programme, Newsnight I was tasked to find visuals both for the should be kept clear. and General Elections. He then compared that biographical introduction and images that A prime example of unnecessary and experience with his time at ITN as Editor-in might have been the stimulus for the poems WH Auden. inappropriate music is the otherwise Chief and Channel Four News as Editor. He being discussed. excellent Michael Portillo series of Great British moved on to tell us a little about his time as For WH Auden I located delightful Railway Journeys where, now very predictably, a BBC Governor, and then BBC Trustee. Since photographs of him as a young teacher at won’t stop talking’. With a reputation for odd snippets of music seem to clutter each then, he has concentrated on teaching the a school in Helensburgh, Scotland, in the answering questions with a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ we and every voiceover – and most are the same next generation of broadcast journalists and 1920s, standing with young boys in large thus gave him more. The resulting interview old links recycled over and over again! Worse, undertaking advisory roles. sun hats having a biology lesson in a stream. was wonderful. they are often of a strident solo electric piano As he speculated about the 2015 General Nancy had sent Auden a list of poems Auden died on 23 September before which completely fights both the voiceover Election, BBC Charter renewal and the longer she wished to include one of which was our programme was transmitted, and we and the pictures. Has the skill of using pre- term radical changes that the BBC might ‘Musée des Beaux Arts’. Auden sent a letter endeavoured to have the programme and recorded and Foley FX on archive footage have to undergo, his speech became more to say that it was an ‘Old war horse and the unedited recording held in the archive. been lost forever? challenging yet stimulating for the retired therefore forbidden’. Nancy replied that I doubt they remain. There was even one sync shot of a heritage staff who had fond memories of their old her researcher had found some wonderful Nancy and Brenda were inspirational, steam train puffing by with music plastered BBC days. photographs but was having difficulty always encouraging and nurturing those all over it – what’s wrong with hearing the On behalf of the appreciative audience, deciding which of the Brueghels he was who worked with them. I would never sync sound alone? Keith Harlow thanked Richard for his address describing and ‘won’t you relent?’ He did. have embarked on my OU degree without Never mind, forget the sound: we now which had magnificently evoked the BBC’s He arrived at the studio as we were their encouragement, for which I am ever watch the series using sub-titles only! mission ‘to inform, educate and entertain’. rehearsing the photos and held our breath grateful – and as for Figaro, Nancy’s parrot! My view is that probably the directive Keith Harlow waiting his response to these particular He came to stay when Nancy was on for squeezing music into every production photos. Not a murmur and we relaxed. holiday. Used to the ‘tree canopy’ daylight of whenever possible came from the same Before the evening recording we had a her top floor flat, he disliked the gloom of source as the one which tells all VT editors private dinner provided by Hospitality and the basement kitchen of the house where I to speed up leisurely drifting clouds so that Superb in those days spirits were available. Auden’s lived in Chelsea. It was possible to hear him they hurtle past at 100mph! drink was ‘Gin and It’ which drew the screeching in the King’s Road! John Hale Richard Dimbleby comment ‘If you give me more of these I Elizabeth McDowell Watching the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill on 30 January (BBC Parliament) made me realise what a superb commentator Lord Hall responds Richard Dimbleby was. of outsourced department, or ‘fully owned As usual he had all the facts at his Tracing colleagues subsidiary’. Although it’s no doubt today’s to music complaints fingertips, able not only to name all the I am trying to trace former colleagues of price, the costs for these copies are not I recently had cause to write to the director- officers etc in the procession, but, being Laura Rowe who I understand used to work cheap, at £132 for a first copy and £29 for general about the increasing use of excessive Richard, even able to name the drum horses at BBC Radio Merseyside. She was born in any others ordered at the same time. and unsuitable music that spoils many BBC and their riders. At St. Paul’s he listed the the 1920s so I’m assuming she is no longer documentaries for me and others. dignitaries and their duties, also naming the with us but I could be wrong. A cousin I’m pleased to say that in his reply Lord Hall VIPs as they arrived. of mine is tracing her family tree and has explained how seriously he took my concerns. However, the one thing I noticed about discovered she’s related to Laura and is keen Early retirement He went on to stress how the BBC continues his commentary was – and I wish modern to find out more about her and her career Having been retired from Bush House studio to monitor their documentary output through commentators would take note – he knew if possible. managers for over 20 years, thanks to Margaret Danny Cohen and his executive producers and instinctively when to keep quiet and let the Belinda Artingstoll Thatcher, who ordered John Birt to impose they are always looking for ways to improve. pictures do the work. Email: [email protected] early retirement on staff there over 50 (two Interestingly enough, a month later a Neville Withers colleagues committed suicide), it’s sad to season called BBC4 Goes Slow was screened. imagine how my career might have developed These documentaries had no music or without such unexpected curtailment. narration, just the pictures telling the story Contributor The saddest part is not having sufficient and therefore were unhindered by those Seaton unseated? post-retirement achievements, except perhaps breathless reminders of what was at stake. Professor Peter Hennessy’s article in the last Access update studying for an Arabic Degree, to merit a Prospero This practice is not new of course. As a edition of Prospero is very complimentary of David Buckton wrote in to say that his letter obituary. One useful thing I did learn while former staff film editor and later freelance Jean Seaton’s publication, Pinkoes and Traitors. to Prospero (April) appears to have provoked a spending seven years with the Arabic Service director of two South Bank Shows for LWT in I also read Richard Brooke’s column in a response after two-and-a-half-months’ silence. was to always remember to thank God when the 80s, I, like most producers then, made recent edition of The Sunday Times Cultural I got a message to the Archive Manager, driving through a green traffic light. According documentaries that created drama and Magazine. This reports 30 spelling mistakes mentioning that I’d had a letter published in to Allah: ‘La inshakartum la asidinacum’… ‘If atmosphere without resorting to a pointless and several factual inaccuracies reported in Prospero, and it’s possible that did the trick, you thank me I will give you more!’ and incessant music track. Private Eye and the open Democracy website of as I have now had an acknowledgement and Barry Mitchell In the light of BBC Four’s bold experiment David Elstein. promise of a reply. My acknowledgement Worthing I would hope that in the future some I now have more faith in the Pension email dated 12th May said, ‘I may need to documentaries would avoid those ‘in your Association’s history project for a more check current procedures with others as the face’ techniques where everything is up front reliable account of the BBC’s history rather responses cover current and historic archive and immediate. Somewhere between the than that of the BBC’s official historian. policy as well as services supplied by S&PP’. Barry, Prospero publishes every obituary that two production methods is the goal that will Ty Davies I’m still awaiting the full reply. One trouble we receive, and everyone – from DGs to achieve the correct balance in order to reduce Prospero received a few similar letters from readers, but is that we don’t know any more whether cleaners – is given the same coverage (that unfortunately space precludes us from publishing them. we’re dealing with the BBC or some sort is, max 350 words).

PROSPERO JUNE 2015 05 Bing sounds CONTACTS I was delighted Reclamation man to read in the Visiting Scheme Bing Crosby Rex Hipple was delighted to see so many ‘They were all lovely and talented February 2015 Is available to BBC pensioners over 70, master tape names mentioned in Peter Ceresole’s and people. How they stood up to the pressure those recently bereaved, and anyone in issue of Prospero I read with interest John F Burton’s article about the Sounds Natural programme others’ recent letters about the Dubbing I’ll never know – it was ‘push push push’ poor health. The scheme is a method of Chris O’Brien’s with Bing Crosby in the October 2014 issue of Prospero. Theatre at Lime Grove. all the time.’ keeping in touch and operates throughout follow-up to Before I retired seven years ago I the UK. Visitors are BBC pensioners my article about used to work for BBC Information and Rex worked on Tonight from 1959-62, In 1962 Tony Essex made Rex unit Archives in Bristol and for the last four or when he used the Dubbing Theatre on a manager on the Great War programme. ‘It themselves. If you want to be visited, Bing Crosby and five years catalogued all the regional opt- receive a phone call or meet up somewhere out television programmes and network daily basis. was a series that used up a lot of outside the Sounds Natural radio tapes stored in the Bristol vaults. mutually convenient call 029 2032 2811. Although not officially part of the ‘I was delighted to have worked on film – as well as the eyewitness and radio series, and BBC’s archive, many programmes from The contact is the same if you would like to the 1970s on (and some even dating back Tonight. It relied so much on outside film veterans’ accounts, we used an enormous am most grateful to the 1950s) were retained in Bristol and become a visitor. had not been destroyed. material but film suppliers began to black amount of unusual archive footage that to him for the These included an almost complete Queries run of Down Your Way, various poetry the programme because they couldn’t get was sourced from all over the world. You information he series including Time for Verse and Poetry For benefit and pension payroll queries, has supplied. Please, as well as many radio dramas – their film back – simply because no one just soaked it up on a series like that.’ call the Service Line on 029 2032 2811 including an early Dennis Potter play. I hadn’t Among the numerous Natural History had the time to put it back together! After Rex left the BBC, he worked for or email [email protected] realised that ‘Alasdair Milne had me transferred ITV in Birmingham for two years, but Prospero many master from Film Department into Talks to do he hated it there; ‘there was nothing but To add or delete a name from the tapes of natural history radio programmes what I call the ‘reclamation job’ of putting disputes and arguments’. distribution list, ring the Service Line on had actually been retained in the vaults outside films back together, to help After a period of unemployment, a 029 2032 2811. Prospero is provided of BH, Bristol, and had been catalogued maintain relationships with the suppliers. friend encouraged him to put an advert in free of charge to retired BBC employees. by him. When I am in England in June, I ‘It was an exciting time. I don’t think I the Church Times. It was seen by the Dean On request, we will also send it to spouses could do it now though!’ and Chapter of Bristol Cathedral, who or dependants who want to keep in touch will make a point of contacting the BBC’s with the BBC. Prospero is also available on archive storage facility at Perivale where Rex, who is now 87, remembers with invited him down for a visit and then audio disc for those with sight impairment. Chris states that they are now stored. As great fondness the crews he worked with offered him the post of sub-sacrist and To register, please ring the Service Line. well as the Bing Crosby Sounds Natural, I at Lime Grove: Alan Tetzner, Richard head verger. Alternatively, it is also available online have CD and/or cassette copies of the Bigham – who later became Lord Mersey, Rex remained in the post for 22 years at www.bbc.co.uk/mypension, programmes I produced in the series with Mike Tuchner – ‘a very gifted film editor’, and retired in 1993 at the age of 65. under ‘Documents’. the late Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, George Inger and Alan Martin… BBC Club the late Lord Home of the Hirsel, the late The BBC Club in London has a retired golf commentator Henry Longhurst, the membership costing £3 per month or £36 former Miss World Eva Rueber-Staier and the per year. Members can also add friends cartoonist the late Norman Thelwell. South Today corrections and family to their membership for a small The number of celebrities who have additional cost. Regional clubs may have embraced a keen interest in bird-watching May I correct some of the assertions that have Other occasional presenters with me were different arrangements. Please call BBC and other branches of natural history and been made about early South Today presenters in Kate Adie, Michael Buerk, Andrew Harvey, Club London office on 020 8752 6666 the recent columns of Prospero? Tim Hurst and Caroline Hall. When we had or email [email protected] for details wildlife conservation has escalated and, had I or to join. not retired in 1988, I could have produced a In 1961, Martin Muncaster, not ‘Anthony’, a news bulletin within the programme, these good many more Sounds Natural programmes! was the first presenter of South at Six (as it were mainly presented by Sheila Tracey, Peter Benevolent Fund then was) with Valerie Pitts and Meryl O’Keefe McCann, Paul Harris and John Leeson. This is funded by voluntary contributions The series revealed a quite different and from the BBC and its purpose is to protect often surprising aspect of their lives from also presenting. There have been others more recently... the welfare of staff, pensioners and their that usually known to the public and, in my Other subsequently well-known Bruce Parker families. Grants are made at the discretion view, for that reason was certainly worth broadcasters such as David Waine, Hugh of the Trustees. They may provide preservation, especially as many of them are, Scully, Bob Wellings and David Lomax did IN PETER HILL’S letter, headed ‘It’s the Pitts’ assistance in cases of unforeseen financial sadly, no longer with us. some stints until around 1966-7 when Clive (Prospero, April 2015), he mentions the regular hardship, for which help from other sources John F Burton Jacobs and I shared the presentation. presenter of South Today as being one Anthony is not available. Telephone: 029 2032 2811. Heidelberg, Germany When Clive left for London in 1970, Muncaster. I have recently contacted Martin Prospero Society I did single presentation until 1979 Muncaster, who WAS the regular presenter, and Prospero Society is the only section of the when I was joined by Jenni Murray (now he has never heard of this phantom Anthony BBC Club run by and for retired BBC staff and their spouses. Its aim is to enable BBC Dame Jenni) and then Debbie Thrower Muncaster. Could this be a mistake I wonder? Sandy Chalmers pensioners to meet on a social basis for followed by Sally Taylor. He does though remember Peter Hill! theatre visits, luncheons, coach outings etc. I was saddened to read of the death of Lloyd Silverthorne Sandra Chalmers who, as station manager, The Prospero Society is supported by BBC Club funds so as to make events was my first boss when I joined the affordable. if you would like an application BBC at Radio Stoke-on-Trent as a news form please contact: reporter in the mid 1970s. Memories of Gayner Leach, BBC Club, BC2 B3 Broadcast her bring back lots of smiles and a great Centre, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TP sense of indebtedness. Tel: 0208 752 6666 I remember arriving many a morning Email: [email protected] around 5 for the early shift to find Sandy BBC SHOP discount on the floor of her office surrounded Get 10% off your order at BBCShop.com by paper; ‘I’m just catching up with the Enter code BBC0001 under ‘redeem admin,’ she would quip. She shared an a promotion code’ at checkout infectious passion for radio and was FREE UK Delivery fiercely proud that Radio Stoke had some Orders can also be placed over the phone of the highest audiences in the country, by calling 01788 821 107 and quoting as Michael Barton recalled in his epitaph code BBC0001. in April’s Prospero. Her office and our Terms & Conditions: Discount code newsroom looked out over the rooftops BBC0001 entitles BBC pensioners to 10% of Hanley and beyond, and she would off your order at BBCShop.com. Offer is not point to this scene and tell staff and valid with any other promotional discount or offer and subject to availability. Only one visitors alike how proud she was that discount code can be used per transaction. her station was serving ‘all the people BBC Shop reserves the right to change, out there’. amend or discontinue the offer at any time Sandy had a voice like velvet and I will without prior notice. Products are available always be indebted to her for the time whilst stocks last. Free delivery to UK only. she spent mentoring me in presentation Standard BBC Shop Terms & Conditions skills, which I carried with me into my apply. Promoter: BBC Worldwide Ltd. Contact (UK) 01788 821107 (charged at subsequent roles in radio and television basic rate) with any queries. See website reporting and presenting. I feel privileged for full Terms & Conditions. to have known such a special person. BBC PA John Roberts For details of how to join the Pensioners’ Association, see the panel on the left.

PROSPERO JUNE 2015 06 MEMORIES Lime Grove Dubbing Theatre

George Cash has found the contributions on Lime Grove’s Dubbing Theatre in recent issues of Prospero to be very interesting, and has added a few of his own recollections of those times.

was an engineer at Ealing (Television Regular dubbing mixers at this date were Film Studios) from 1974, mending Dave Freeman, with his legendary beard, Nagras and the Transfer Suite there Pictured (l-r): Arthur Maw, Roger Piper and Pat Whittaker and later Mike Horwood. George Cash at the mixing desk (1978). under the genial management of Ben Geoff Cutting was often the assistant, with IPalmer, Ray Holroyd and Les Hammond. appearances by Pat’s wife Maureen and Doc Graham Aldridge (always known as Cox though they usually worked at TVC. Doc ‘Graunch’) was by then the department’s later achieved fame (or notoriety) as the trainer and he used to give us lectures on the chart-topping recording artiste ‘Ivor Biggun’, equipment, accompanied by comprehensive as a regular performer at the Three Pigeons in handouts, handwritten and photocopied, Ealing, and as a regular on Esther Rantzen’s which I still have. Other characters in the TV show. Department at the time were Bill Jerrard, In the record room we had among others Richard Stephens, Geoff Powell and Sue Hardy. Geoff Owen and Jean Sturt, who I believe In 1975, I was posted to Lime Grove where had started her BBC career at 200 Oxford most of the work was in the Transfer Suite, Street. Projectionist was often Grant Lobban, cutting rooms and the Dubbing Theatre, who produced extraordinary charts showing where the Keller dubbing machine was every film gauge and format ever produced, beginning to show its age but was still worked a remarkable feat of scholarship. extremely hard as most of the Current Affairs There was a small workshop off the record material was still done on film. room behind the projector, but the EMT We had Nationwide every weekday, Panorama echo plate was still in the upstairs corridor on Mondays and the late-evening Current that Frank mentions but we rarely needed to Affairs strand under various titles: 24 Hours, go up there. Tonight (the second use of the title) and The Film Engineering team at Lime Grove something else (I can’t recall the exact order) included Tom Palmer on camera repairs in before it was transferred to News Division, the Smith’s Yard workshop next to the Club, moved to TVC and went electronic under the Joe Parsons, Roger Piper and Arthur Maw in name of Newsnight. ‘…when the light went out you could see a the 5th floor workshop S501 next to Theatre Most of the items for these programmes 5 projection room mostly looking after the were shot one day, processed overnight, dim image of the clock-face…’ cutting rooms, and the late Derek Bottle who edited in the morning, dubbed in the used to produce excellent amateur films with afternoon and rushed down the back stairs A German-made GTC projector had been The Mellotron that Nick mentioned had his club Class Films in the Croydon area and to TK for transmission that evening. There added to the system by our colleagues in gone, unfortunately, but I did find a few had his own dubbing and viewing theatre was always something for Nationwide going SCPD Ian Sanderson (who also appeared on cartridges from a machine called the in his living room – he was a family man through the dub at 6pm, which would only Mastermind a few years later) and Ian Hare, and Programme Effects Generator, which was so it all folded away when not in use and it just make transmission; then there was a by a remarkable feat of ingenuity this had made by Mellotronics Ltd for the BBC (I became a conventional sitting room. moment of relaxation before the remaining been sync-locked to the Keller by adapting believe it was coded equipment) and used I moved on from Lime Grove at the end items for 24 Hours came through. the wiring of the central motor of the latter small interchangeable cartridges with lengths of 1978, on attachment to SCPD, and never Panorama worked on a slightly longer (which was intended for running at 4x speed, of recording tape inside for sound effects. came back. A new Dubbing Theatre was later cycle, usually editing on Saturdays, dubbing but no-one dared to try this in anger) to act Sadly we didn’t have the machine but built in the old Studio H but I never got on Sunday afternoon (sometimes well into as a Selsyn machine, which interlocked with I think I saw one at Pebble Mill in 1972. to see that. Now Lime Grove has all been the evening) and often with a second item a similar Selsyn on the GTC. This projector We used a couple of Spotmaster tape-loop demolished and no trace remains. needing to be dubbed on Monday in among had been installed at the end of the Keller at cartridge machines for effects. George Cash all the Nationwide items. Mondays were always an angle so that it shone through a hole in the (Who never appeared on Mastermind) our busiest days, therefore usually our first wall on to a back-projection screen in front choice for when anyone managerial wanted of the dubbing mixer at the mixing desk. At to come and see us. least he got a colour picture then, but as the The Keller dubbing machine was rather rest of the suite was laid out for video viewing more careworn than in the days of Nick for the other staff (the assistant recordists in Jennings and Frank Wood (who incidentally the record room, assistant dubbing mixer on was on Mastermind recently) and during Grams and the reporter doing the voiceover my time we were allowed to close down in the theatre all had monitors) the projector the Dubbing Theatre on Saturdays for a was fitted with a beam-splitting prism and day of preventative maintenance, which a Link monochrome camera to feed them. helped considerably. The GTC was a continuous-motion machine The picture transports with their built-in with a holoscope (rotating-prism optical telecine function were not normally used compensator) so it wasn’t as noisy as a as the picture was not good and only in conventional intermittent-motion projector. monochrome. For the cameras in these (one As Frank said, the Keller installation was original Grundig and one newer Link) we inserted into the western end of the old used picture tubes that had been rejected Dubbing Theatre, but in my time the old from mainstream cameras, and we received projectors and sepmag equipment (but not one which had been used in the camera the desk) were still in place in rooms at the that had looked at the BBC1 interval clock eastern end, though not usable. for several years. It produced a half-decent The old theatre had been quite large, picture when in use, but when the light went because in the old days when Lime Grove was out you could see a dim image of the clock- a film studio the Dubbing Theatre was also face, the line across the screen below it, and used for music scoring with a full orchestra, the letters ‘BBC1’. This after-image had been and for preview screenings of new films. It burnt into the tube after years of exposure had been ornately decorated and traces of this but of course the hands did not appear. were still visible. The Keller dubbing machine with the GTC projector in the background (1978).

PROSPERO JUNE 2015 07 Shooting on location around the world

With the move from 35mm to 16mm, location shooting became more affordable and therefore more commonplace. Looking back on my years as an art director and designer, it was not the actual process itself but those little off-screen incidents, fleeting glimpses of human nature, that I recall best.

or instance, in 1979 we were scenes, we encountered another unlikely filming in Munich, for Unity, problem: fields of nude sunbathers in starring Lesley-Anne Down, about various stages of fatness, redness, and age. the relationship between Unity All human life was there but it did not fit FMitford and Adolf Hitler, directed by Jimmy into our screenplay. Cellan Jones. Some years later we were in France, We’d somehow found out that Hitler’s shooting a thriller by Ruth Rendell, seeking one-time apartment in Munich had survived, a run-down cottage in an out-of-the-way boarded off from a typing pool within an cottage in the Amiens region where rural admin block. There, behind semi-glazed hamlets and straggling homesteads clung panels, a section containing the Fuhrer’s to a featureless landscape. original fireplace had been preserved. As After several long days we found the officials reluctantly shepherded us through, ideal place but the smallholder and his secretaries and typists craned round and village were deeply suspicious, their whispered: many mis-typings must have chainsaws loud and their dogs overactive: occurred. Anyway, I got the photos needed no way would they allow any filming to reconstruct it in the studio. without a signed contract and down While filming later sequences involving payment in cash. ‘Either pay now or no deal. Unity Mitford in the Englischer Garten, We are not Provencal! Not paysans!’ they an eighteenth century urban park donated said in mock English. by an English Milord, there was a sudden The agreed solution was for the unit disturbance: a hysterically screaming woman manager to return to base and raise ready started attacking the camera crew. Someone cash, leaving me as surety. As they drove off quietly explained that she was a survivor into the twilight, time passed unnaturally of the Allied bombing of Dresden when all slowly. I still remember a tall nineteenth Unity Mitford - The Osteria Bavaria (1979) her family were killed, from which she’d century grandfather clock in the kitchen never recovered. Here she was, accusing ticking noisy seconds away, chiming every our producer Louis Marks of somehow quarter hour as the family dogs prowled ‘…fields of nude sunbathers in various stages being complicit, leaving him subdued and kids observed me like some zoological and disturbed. Then, as we tried to find specimen. Finally the team reappeared and of fatness, redness, and age’ uncrowded lawns in the park for period hard francs changed hands. Intriguing Africa iron barge. The British manager handed over his workmen to us for two weeks as Of all our foreign locations, Africa was the Harmattan blew its hot winds from TFS Ealing location filming the most intriguing and sometimes the Sahara. Luckily our project had caught disturbing at a time when ‘Abroad’ still their imaginations. Simplicity had to be All of the 200 or so staff cameramen, On another occasion we sat embarrassed seemed very far away. keynote with limited props and few means sound recordists, electricians and grips when Prince Charles shed a tear as One of our Fight Against Slavery locations was of research, but those carpenters were who were lucky enough to be part of TFS Ludovic Kennedy interviewed him about Elmina Castle in Ghana. This coastal fort had wonderful: so much so the Minister for Ealing and who are still around today Lord Mountbatten. The location was been built by the Portuguese in the fifteenth Fisheries paid a state visit accompanied will have memories of location filming. Mountbatten’s home, Broadlands. Charles century, then enthusiastically put to use by several limousines to find out why our Nowhere in the broadcasting world was sitting on the same sofa that he had by the British as a slave trading post in the construction was going ahead whereas his had there been, or ever likely to be again, years before when in the navy and talking eighteenth century. The sun beat down on new yacht had never made any progress! a similar sized in-house film unit. Any to his favourite uncle. He quickly regained our heads but Chris Ralling, the producer/ Finally our hot, floating barge with its night of the week the efforts of TFS staff his composure, but needless to say that director and cameraman Tony Pierce-Roberts wooden superstructure and dubious were to be seen on BBC One and BBC touching moment was edited out of were undeterred. Danny Mensah-Dapaa, a Two. The following morning in Ealing the film. architecture was towed into the estuary and former BBC designer, then head of Design canteen those of us not away filming I remember on my 38th birthday filming began. for Ghana TV, was full of useful advice. He would discuss techniques and the latest returning from Miami and sitting in the With thanks to Oliver Bayldon, reproduced equipment, exchange experiences, and cramped Concorde cockpit behind the pilot said that when he’d returned to Africa he’d from The Veteran, Winter 2014 offer advice to others. as he landed at Heathrow. One day we were suffered serious I was immensely proud when I was filming a multi-millionaire in his mansion sunburn, imagining selected as an assistant film cameraman on the Isle of Man after flying there in his an African could at age 30, and feel privileged to have private jet, a few days later with a little old never get burnt been part of that elite circle of ‘mobile lady in her flat on a council estate in North – ‘So don’ make staff’ backed up at base by an equally London. Guess which one offered us tea assumptions,’ he committed team of film operations and sandwiches? said. ‘Don’ make managers, allocations assistants, and My children consider me very lucky to assumptions.’ office and maintenance staff. have travelled the world, met stars, royalty The bulk of our As to memories, I remember being and many interesting ordinary folk during West African filming down a gloomy Bolivian tin mine my 30 years in the Film Department, and was in Sierra watching as a miner cut out the still- they’re right. Leone; Freetown’s beating heart of a (thankfully drugged) Yes, all of us will have memories, Fisheries Dockyard llama and threw it down the mineshaft amusing, absurd, occasionally frightening generously agreed while his colleagues invoked the spirit but all unique. to build our of the devil, el Diablo, to keep them Andrew Godfrey mock eighteenth from harm. century ship on Fight Against Slavery - Duke of Argyll’s deck (1974) top of a rusting

PROSPERO JUNE 2015 08 MEMORIES Hush Hush Hall Brian Hawkins writes: As so many retired members of staff had spent many months of their careers on courses at the former BBC’s Engineering Training Department, I thought you might to consider the attached article in which HV Morton describes so well the establishment’s role in the Second World War.

eing someone who is addicted to ‘Having procured a pass, I was taken off to rummaging through second-hand see the hall. It lay beside a country road some books at sales, I was delighted way out of Evesham. We passed cyclists, male recently to find a copy of HV and female, busily pedalling in its direction. BMorton’s I Saw Two Englands (published by We passed a small omnibus containing an Methuen in 1942) at a Methodist church’s orchestra. We run a bus to and from the hall book sale in Weston-super-Mare. every hour. It’s absolutely essential, especially It was 25p well spent. The book chronicles after black-out. Morton’s tour of the Home Counties which he starts in those dark days prior to the outbreak of the Second World War and continues into the early days of the war. ‘I noted that the (previous) royal French My interest in the book further intensified when I read of Morton’s visit to Evesham and Wood Norton Hall. He describes the feverish occupants had placed the crown of France activity within the place when it played a different role to the one that many of us wherever a crown could be placed. ’ remember so well from our engineering training days, when seated in those draughty leapt in fury against the bars. He was a dog, huts in the Hall’s grounds, we learnt about but of what fabulous breed I do not know, a dioptres and decibels amongst many other creature as big as a Great Dane and as shaggy things and struggled to solve the square root as an Airedale. As I looked at him,I seemed to of minus one! remember the Hound of the Baskervilles. ‘His cage was a mass of beef-bones chewed white. He was, I think, the most ‘We came to a pair of wrought-iron gates. savage-looking dog I have ever seen, and I Standing outside them, looking extremely wondered why, of all the previous owner’s out of place, was one of the commissionaire wild animals, he alone should have survived; from Broadcasting House. He halted us, an unhappy legacy for the BBC. Perhaps examined my pass and although my friend nobody was brave enough to take him away. goes in and out each day and is well known ‘But no, he is the BBC’s own watch dog. to everybody, he insisted, like a good He was procured on the outbreak of war martinet, on viewing his pass as well. We to prowl the grounds, and let loose every were then at liberty to enter the sweeping night after dark; so let me warn you never drive, which soon brought us in sight of a to attempt to enter Hush Hush Hall over remarkably ugly country house. fence! If a Beethoven Symphony should ever ‘We entered the house, a gloomy place be interrupted by a series of blood-curdling full of pale, nineteenth-century panelling, barks, you will know that the Hound of the and I noted that the (previous) royal French Baskervilles has earned his keep and caught occupants had placed the crown of France a spy.’ As Morton relates of his visit: ‘The black- wherever a crown could be placed. out came upon me at Evesham, where I had ‘Even the bathroom shower terminated the greatest difficulty in finding anywhere in a crown and the escutcheons on the door to stay because the town was occupied plates bore the same uneasy symbol. We by musicians, vocalists, educationalists, went round counting the crowns and the professors and others who had been called to coats of arms but soon gave it up. the microphones of ‘Hush Hush Hall’. When ‘Glancing through the windows, I saw a the story of the War is written, the removal number of men and women approaching of the BBC into the country will take a high the house on bicycles, and amongst them place in the fantasy. The location of the new I recognised Mr Stanford Robinson, the broadcasting studios was a state secret and conductor. Several of the girls were members remained so, I am told, even after the address of the resident choir. had been given away by Berlin radio. At the ‘I asked someone to explain a notice- moment of writing, although it may be board which bore the words to ‘To the Bear permissible to whisper the name of Wood Pits’ thinking that perhaps some facetious Norton Hall, it is necessary, if you wish to member of the BBC had put it up, in write to the BBC, to address the letter to a reference maybe to the wartime studios. box number at Evesham Post Office; so the I was told that the previous occupant had fiction is maintained that the BBC is secretly satisfied a regal eccentricity by keeping hidden away, no one knows where.’ wild bears. Morton continues: ‘I gathered that Wood ‘Pressing my way through dank bushes Norton Hall had to be seen to be believed, and trailing briars, I came to a slight rise of and the exiles from Langham Place were ground on which were built cages for wild enjoying themselves in the country. Few animals. As I was inspecting them, a creature of them ever wanted to see Broadcasting wilder and more ferocious than any bear House again. flung itself from the gloom of the cage and

PROSPERO JUNE 2015 LIFE AFTER AUNTIE 09 Raiders of the lost oxide! by Ian C Reed Some of you will know that in my retirement I have been searching for music and scores of the BBC Northern Dance Orchestra. Now with over 1,000 NDO numbers in the archive, and over BBC Club, Western House 4,000 scores rescued, I feel that our considerable efforts have been worthwhile, and it is now time for the ‘NDO and NRO project’ to move on.

hanks to the efforts of the team, the Playhouse Manchester, but permission music from the five NDO double to produce a double album took over a year, albums is once again being heard because the MU had to contact members of on the airwaves worldwide, and the band to get their permission – if the BBC Tprogrammes have been produced about the had already agreed to a licence. contribution to the music of their era by The ‘lost oxide’ in the title refers to the The Western House Club (adjacent to New the band – a great tribute to the wonderful magnetic tape that all the NRO numbers Broadcasting House) has been refurbished! The flyer used to support the band during the strike. musicianship in the band, and their very were recorded on. Until April this year it Phase one of the refurbishment is now special recordings. seemed as though none of their recordings complete with all new furniture, including The quality of the recordings and The five CDs covered the Northern Variety had survived on tape, although I had good some new booth style seating. musicianship is quite stunning and will be Orchestra and the Northern Dance Orchestra, recordings from other sources. In the coming months other improvements featuring in the NRO double CD due for but not the last orchestra to play in Enter Sue Lucas-Woolley (pictured right), will be made such as some repainting release late June 2015, called ‘FINALE’. This Manchester – The Northern Radio Orchestra. flautist with the NRO for six years, who and other works. These will not affect the will contain around 60 tracks of the NRO This was formed in 1974, rising like a found a number of listening copies, including opening hours of the club and won’t impact including vocals, and piano duos from Brian Phoenix from the ashes of the NDO, with 10 numbers she featured in and others she your visit! Fitzgerald and Tom Steer. It will be, as are all of their regular members transferring to the really liked. the NDO CDs, a very limited edition and not Even better news is that the retired new band. I borrowed these tapes and had them available to purchase at any shops. members’ lunch offer is changing from Sadly the other great musicians in the digitised professionally – apparently not As with all the NDO CDs and out of our 1June. Previously only available on a NDO had to find other work in a very without most of them shedding a small respect for the band, members of the NRO Tuesday, Western House will now offer limited market. amount of oxide. or their close relations who contact me will retired BBC Club members a special rate Some may feel that the NRO was always I cannot believe how good the band every weekday, from 12noon receive a complimentary copy of the CDs. the poor relation to the NDO but this was still sounds some 30 years since they last until 2.30pm: All purchasers can donate a small amount not so. It had a changed line up of musicians, recorded, due in part to the new ‘NEVE’ to the Musicians Union Benevolent Fund if • 1 course plus coffee - £5.00 including french horns, oboe and harp. stereo desk fitted in the Playhouse in the they so wish to help support musicians who It also had for special outside broadcasts 70s, and the skills of the Manchester sound • 2 courses plus coffee - £6.50 are unable to work for whatever reason. (sometimes with a sponsor) an extensive balancers in getting such wonderful sounds If you would like to book ahead for a group string section of around 10 players and from the stage of a theatre rather than from please call the Club on 020 7765 3620 or became the Augmented NRO, but this was a a custom-designed studio which some other email [email protected] very rare occurrence. regions could call on. The band’s first conductor was Neil Prospero Society events Richardson, who was really responsible Prospero Society members enjoy an for the new, somewhat orchestral sound ‘I cannot believe extended range of activities. Events that the band produced, and many of the include, among other things, matinee arrangements the band played in its early days. how good the band theatre performances, lunches and visits He was replaced by his deputy conductor to buildings of historical interest. There Brian Fitzgerald around four years later, who are one or two trips a month, all at highly together with Goff Richards saw the band still sounds some discounted prices. To join only costs £10 through troubled times, including a major per year which is generally recouped on the first or second trip and the Society is a strike of musicians in 1980. It was disbanded 30 years since they great way to meet up with friends old and in 1986. new! For details or to join, contact the club. The NRO was the missing link that last recorded’ completed the music of the big bands in BBC Club BC2 B3 Broadcast Centre, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TQ Tel: 020 8752 6666 Email: [email protected] Prospero Society newsletters can be viewed on the Prospero homepage of the BBC Club website: www.bbcclub.com/ connect/prospero Sue Lucas-Woolley holding the only known tracks of the NRO remaining on tape. Prospero Society events Plans for a members’ holiday are well under way, with two short breaks by luxury coach BBC pensioners will be planned for September/October. With both entitled to a 15% discount single and double/twin rooms available and on the purchase price physical ability in mind, this will initially be open to Prospero Society members and of the FINALE double CD. their guests but depending on take-up it may then be opened to wider interest. For details of how to purchase the Please contact the club for details; the CD, please email Ian at: booking deadline is 15 June. [email protected] Got a question or comment? Website: Email us at [email protected] The Northern Radio Orchestra. www.northerndanceorchestra.org.uk or call 020 8752 6666.

PROSPERO JUNE 2015 10 OBITUARIES

Documentary producer Respected member on days off, watching the leading actors and AS1 grade secretary entertainers of the day in rehearsal. Dad’s and Top Gear creator of the Transmitter reliability and enthusiasm became well known with a love for AmDram Derek Smith, who has died aged 87, was a Group ‘team’ and he devised and implemented many quality Angela Taylor passed away aged 92 on documentary producer, whose body of work enhancing modifications. The frantic schedule 17 March 2015. Angela joined the BBC in stretched to more than 100 programmes. It is with deep regret that I have to report the of the 1966 World Cup, the transferring of rare 1966 as Secretary to Ivan Pinfield; H Cat As an ideas man he had few equals and death of Frank Smith. Frank was a Clerk of nitrate film to permanent archive and the (Head of Catering) and subsequently Peter inspired colleagues with his energy and his Works/Building Works Supervisor, with BBC recording of the Blue Peter elephant were Kelly, a position she held until retirement sense of humour. Engineering Division, Transmitter Group, for particularly memorable to him. in 1983. With a background in the literary Derek joined the BBC in Birmingham in over 30 years, and more recently, as a contractor After retiring in 1982 he enjoyed new world she was intellectually well placed to 1957, working on Farming, before moving with Crown Castle, National Grid and Arqiva. interests, including family history research and join the Corporation. on to produce programmes on a diverse Frank’s service with the BBC started in local committee work in Crawley. He cared subject range. the Middle Region, an area from the Wash devotedly for Elsie in the last seven years of her He made a number of films on the to the Thames. But as time rolled on his area life, but his own health started to decline services: Soldier In The Sun; Singapore Twilight; The expanded to cover the whole of Britain, and within a year of her death. He died on 8 Last Outpost and They Speak The Language Anyway some World Service sites. March, aged 92, after a short illness. (1964-67). Frank was a very much respected member He leaves behind close family and friends, Through the 1960-70s his non-stop of the Transmitter Group ‘team’. His and many happy memories – not least of output included: Jimmy Hill Profile (manager knowledge base was limitless, and it is fair those privileged days at Television Centre, Coventry City F.C.); Mission To Hell (the Bishop to say Frank was a legend in his time, within watching rehearsals. of Birmingham returned to meet his Japanese the group, not only among staff, but also Fiona Alexander torturer in Singapore); The Flight Deck Story contractors. Everyone knew that with Frank (history of the aircraft carrier). if the ‘job’ was in his hands you would get a Derek moved into new offices at Pebble good job done, and contractors knew exactly Natural History Unit Mill in 1971, but he was soon on his travels what standards Frank required. He would not again: Look Stranger - A River Reborn (restoration accept anything less! editor, director of Upper Avon to navigation); Lost River Of I could go on and say many things about and producer Gaping Gill; Journey Through Summer (six long- Frank, his integrity, his work ethic, and his Keith Hopkins, distance walks with PJ Kavanagh); Archie loyalty to his family, friends, and colleagues. 89, passed away Hill Comes Home (author’s return to the Black I think it is suffice to say that his peacefully on Country); Four In Hand (Carriage driving with epitaph should read: Frank Smith. A legend 16 March 2015 Angela’s 1978 report read ‘re-organising HRH Duke of Edinburgh); Major Minor (piano within his lifetime, and a man who will be at Saville Manor the move of Catering HQ must have competition for 10-13 year-olds, for three sadly missed, by his family, friends and Nursing Home, caused difficulties needing tact and gentle series); Just a Year (Birmingham pub bomb work colleagues. Bristol. His son persuasion’ – something she was particularly victims’ long recovery from injuries) Ken Ward Paul and daughter- good at. Roger Chase’s letter to her on her (1966-76). Ann, Frank’s widow, would sincerely in-law Maria were with him. retirement wrote: ‘You have become widely In 1977, Derek created motoring like to thank all those BBC staff who knew He was born in Preston, Yorkshire, on respected by your colleagues and contacts programme Top Gear. Initially broadcast on Frank and attended his funeral at Telford 12 July 1925 and was always proud to be throughout the Corporation for your BBC Midlands, it moved to the network and Crematorium on 26 February. Donations a Yorkshireman. efficiency and helpful manner.’ She achieved Derek continued as producer for a further in aid of the Severn Hospice came to just After a year in the RAF in WW2 he went AS1 (Personal Grade) in 1979. nine series. Kick Start and Rally Report were over £800. to Nottingham University. On completion of Angela’s life circumstances meant she had spin-offs. In a similar vein, the one-hour film an honours degree in English he worked as no immediate family; for Angela, the friends Mini analysed the history and influence of the a studio manager at the BBC in London and she made at the BBC became as good as any car on its 20th anniversary. Norman Burgess a few years later moved to the BBC in Bristol family one could wish for. where he worked as a film editor, director Born 27 October 1922 Angela was raised Dad inherited his and producer for various films in the Natural by her aunt, following the untimely death of electrical ability History Unit, including Animal Magic, World About her mother and sadly losing her only brother, from his father. Us, Life on Earth and a series of short cameo films. a bomber pilot, in 1939. She joined the Together, they He greatly enjoyed his work at the Natural Wrens and hid under tables in Deal ‘whilst built a valve History Unit where he made many great Jerry shelled us’ she recalled. It was here radio set using friends who he kept in touch with throughout she developed her love for the theatre and an HT battery his life. amateur dramatics, starring in productions and 2v He was always passionate about nature, often mentioned in the press. accumulator. It ignited Dad’s interest in the environment and self-sufficiency, and as a Moving to London in 1955 she continued electronics. It also set fire to the alcove curtains father he provided fresh vegetables from the her love of the stage and should be especially – but that’s another story. garden for his family for many years. remembered for the work she did with He met Elsie, his future wife of 63 years, Throughout his life he was passionate and the Ladbroke Grove Youth Drama Club. The while both worked at the Co-op in Lewisham keen to share his enthusiasm for literature and children, many from troubled backgrounds, Way, London, just before the war. Volunteering poetry and was an avid reader of the Guardian grew to love her; an accomplished pianist for the RAF in 1941, he spent the next few newspaper. He also loved music, especially she would play with passion and fervour years servicing aircraft, training local ground- classical and jazz, and was an excellent pianist. bringing enjoyment to ‘the little ones’ and crew in Canada and fitting radar equipment to A celebration of his life was held on 30 the audience who she would cajole to attend Another original programme he created was planes bound for the Far East. He married Elsie March which Karen, Paul, Jan Hopkins, Keith’s – we loved it. Now Get Out Of That, a competition between in March 1945 and, after demob a year later, nephews, his close friends and many BBC Latterly playing piano for a ballet school, two teams testing their survival abilities, worked in the industry for 16 years. Along the colleagues attended. Those unable to attend sent and her mobility failing, she paid for taxis to integrated with problem solving challenges. way, he gained several qualifications at night words of how Keith had touched their lives. get there and back; it was the love of playing, The show ran for four series, 1981-84. school and became an associate member of the This quote by Chief Seattle meant a lot to especially for the young, that kept her going. After retiring from the BBC, Derek IEE. He joined the BBC at the end of 1962. him: ‘The Earth does not belong to man; Man In typical Angela bohemian style she worked in Saudi Arabia for two years as a His proud father died a few weeks later. belongs to the Earth. This we know. All things donated her body to medical research; we programme controller. Assignments to Westminster Abbey for are connected like the blood that unites one hope to have a gathering to celebrate her life He will be remembered as a character, Princess Margaret’s wedding, studio family. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the at some point in the summer. If you would with a sense of fun, yet a serious determination engineering at Lime Grove and direct-entry sons of the Earth. Man did not weave the web like to join us and raise a glass, as was her that he had a duty to tell interesting stories training at Evesham were early experiences. of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he want, contact Stan on 07908180864. in visual and stimulating ways. However, most of his 20-year career was does to the web, he does to himself.’ Stan Donkin Graham Smith spent in film recording at Television Centre, Rest in peace and may your spirit be with working alongside Doug Green and Robin us always. Hall. Many happy times were spent as a family, Karen and Paul Hopkins

PROSPERO JUNE 2015 MEMORIES 11

Bob would take People involved with a Radio 3 music an experiment for Blue Peter. Never a dull Further Education part in some programme for the first time expressed moment, with Dave! On trips to a care home producer memorable surprise and delight that their copies were on ladies’ day, he insisted on having his nails broadcasts painted turquoise. He didn’t believe in telling In the 1970s and ‘80s it was hard to miss the ‘proper books’, not just A4 paper stapled in including the the top left corner. One composer phoned the world about his growing and terribly innumerable television documentary series Ronnie Barker show from the continent to say his music had painful physical afflictions. His cheerfulness produced by Howard Smith, who has died in 1968 and a never looked so good. was enchanting. Our hearts go out to aged 80. His prodigious output typified his groundbreaking Copies for all musicians were always his family. passionate commitment to classic BBC public OB covering taped, stapled or sewn – he avoided the Julius Hogben service ideals. the assent of dreaded comb binder. I knew Howard for over 45 years, as the Old Man He did modernise the guillotine; the one colleague and friend in the Further Education of Hoy. Noble in use when he arrived was old and very First solo Controller of Department, and I admired him enormously. MacPherson, senior television engineer dangerous and probably broke every health He was a wise and handsome man who and safety rule. Syd had it replaced by Radio 1 at the time, recalls: ‘The Edinburgh TV carried himself with a quiet distinction. a modern guillotine, which was more In 1978 MDR studio was always at the end of the queue Behind a guarded facade was a gentle user friendly. decided that for equipment. Bob’s ability to persuade a warmth and kindness, with an irreverent Syd was always calm, not phased by our Radio 1 should succession of elderly, second-hand cameras sense of humour. many emergencies, kind and thoughtful too, have a separate and other apparatus to keep going was Howard was born in Upminster, Essex, a valued member of the team, and a friend. Controller from testament to his great qualities as a practical to Ted Smith, a chartered accountant, and He never looked a day over 35, something Radio 2 and the intuitive engineer. With a puff of his ever- Edna, a domestic science teacher. He gained we often joked about. Since we both retired man given that present pipe he would either rapidly find a choral scholarship at Winchester College in he would phone to see how I was getting on. task was Derek and fix the problem or, if time was tight, 1947 before doing National Service, serving I shall miss those calls. Chinnery. give the offending piece of equipment a as a platoon commander in Malaya. He enjoyed reading Prospero and kept all Derek was calibrated wallop just in the right place. One In 1954 he won a scholarship to his copies, intending to bind them into steeped in of the apparatus room bays had a panel with volumes someday. Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he BBC tradition, a worn polished area caused by Bob ‘tapping’ He is survived by his wife Ercil, son acted and directed in Footlights, attaining having joined in Newcastle in 1941. The it each evening to complete genlocking Ian, two daughters, Gail and Yolande, and a first class history degree. He married Jane war interrupted his career but on his the station pulses to Aberdeen for the two grandchildren. Howes in 1958 and they had three children, return from the RAF his programming evening News!’ Diane Ward Matthew, Adam and Eleanor. The marriage skills were recognised and he became a He was a much loved figure by all the ended in divorce in 1984. Light Programme producer, responsible for staff in Edinburgh and he was in particular Howard joined established shows like Housewives’ Choice and an inspiration to the younger engineers. Bob the BBC as a trainee Never a dull moment in Midday Spin. finally retired in 1996. in 1962, rising to He originated many shows with the new As well as engineering Bob had a further the Transfer Suite executive producer. band of presenters (the term ‘disc jockey’ passion in his life: from the age of ten, Bob The memory of He produced series was still frowned upon), like Pete Murray, became a church organist. Bob could be seen good-humoured on the USA, India, Sam Costa, David Gell and Alan Dell. moving out to his car several times a week Dave Brett and Japan, the Middle In 1956 he began a long association with attired in his characteristic black suit and white his remarkable East, the Cold War, caricatures will David Jacobs, five years ofPick of the Pops. Alan shirt clutching his portfolio of music on his NATO, British politics and the media but his always arouse ‘Fluff’ Freeman took over the show in 1965 way to play at another funeral or other event. greatest achievement was arguably Ireland – deep affection and it was Derek who found the famous Sadly Bob had lost Margaret, the love of some episodes from her past (1972), a nuanced amongst signature tune, ‘At The Sign of the Swinging his life, relatively early in his retirement in ten-part exploration of the roots of the everyone who Cymbal’, which has become synonymous 2003 but is survived by his daughter Janice Troubles. He also wrote the accompanying worked in Sound with chart countdowns. who misses him greatly. book, and the whole project was critically Transfer Suites in Derek devised and produced Pop Inn, the He was certainly one of the great well received, North and South of the border. West London, in Engineering Maintenance, first BBC non-ticket show staged before a gentleman engineers of the BBC. After retiring from the BBC in 1990, and with film editors and assistants. live audience, with Keith Fordyce, in the Howard became a highly popular senior Stephen Carter Starting with a Philips engineering Paris Cinema. Later this morphed into The lecturer in broadcasting studies at Leeds apprenticeship, Dave passed through art Radio 1 Club. University, where they flew the flag at half- school, and began at Bush House in 1963, In 1967 Derek was a Radio 1 executive a day before his 20th birthday. Five years mast on the day of his funeral. Music Library producer overseeing much of the output. He later he took the assistant sound recordist’s Howard was always great fun, relishing paired me with Tony Blackburn on the first bookbinder course. From then on, BBC Sound Transfer the vagaries of human nature without Breakfast Show and personally went to Paris and Sydney Rogers Suite was his second home until he retired ever being malicious or belittling. He died on Wednesday, in 1997. His quiet expertise, friendliness signed American DJ, Emperor Rosko. He was had huge intellectual integrity and fair- 15 April 2015 aged and skill at training people were memorable. made Head of the R1 Production Department minded openness to a remarkable range 87. He was the Music He was also a keen astronomer. During in 1972 and Controller six years later. of viewpoints. He formed an enduring Library’s bookbinder quiet evenings and weekend shifts, Dave He always claimed that the ‘70s and early and loving relationship with a former for many years, a vital spent hours hand-grinding down telescope ‘80s were the great days of Radio 1 when it BBC colleague, Marion Allinson, living part of the operation, mirrors on a pile of wet Radio Times. had a broad appeal and massive audiences. contentedly in Lothersdale in North Yorkshire often taken A visit to Transfer Suite was a trip to an It was Derek who tried to ensure that the for the last 20 years of his life. for granted. art gallery. His caricatures of colleagues and original BBC standards of taste and decency Howard is survived by his children and Syd turned the manuscripts and of politicians covered the walls. One hit the were upheld. This meant it was he who grandchildren Zoe and Lauren, and by Marion. photocopies generated by the rest of us in front page of New Scientist magazine, another, took responsibility for the highly publicised Giles Oakley Music Services into music, sewn, stapled Punch. Dave was CND, a Humanist and an Old decision to ban the Number 1 record, ‘Relax’. and covered; he bound scores, often huge Socialist. He sent one of Margaret Thatcher There was something of the kindly page sizes, at a staggering speed. He repaired sitting on a loo seat in the shape of the schoolmaster about him and I am sure he Gentleman engineer and restored the older Music Library stock, British Isles to 10 Downing Street. The reply thought of the DJs as his somewhat wayward ensuring a longer shelf life. came: ‘The Prime Minister thanks you for children who had to be kept in line. A very of Edinburgh Some jobs, needing leather bindings with your enclosure.’ respected boss who was an ‘old school’ BBC Bob Hooker was born in March 1941 in gold tooling, called on all his skills. One Dave thought a colleague was too long man through and through. Port Seton and educated at Preston Lodge was the full score of the national anthem of on the phone, so he cut the line in half with Johnny Beerling High School. He studied at Heriot-Watt Bangladesh; we prepared sets of quite a few scissors. The terminal block which replaced it national anthems. The High Commissioner remained there for two years! University before joining the BBC as a asked if Syd could bind the MSS full score One day he brought in his son Nathan. technical assistant. in the national colours, red and green, with With colleague John Miller they took a huge His first posting was to the Scanner Unfortunately, we do not have the country’s name in gold letters, for their heap of cardboard discs, wrote on them, space to publish all the obituaries Maintenance Base at East Kilbride in 1962, archive. Not easy, it was only a few rather ‘If Found, Return to John Hughes (another received for this issue; they will before moving on to Glasgow in 1964. In large-sized pages, therefore a thin colleague) E178 BBC TV Centre’. Then they be published in the August issue 1968 he was appointed C-grade engineer spine. Somehow Sydney made it into slung the lot off East Tower roof. People and moved to BH Edinburgh. a splendid volume. who brought them back were told it was of Prospero.

PROSPERO JUNE 2015 12 THE LAST WORD Arthurian Legend? Appeal for memories from Bangor’s 80 years of broadcasting Eric Walmsley, a former As the BBC celebrates its 80th anniversary of broadcasting in Bangor, an appeal has been BBC Production Designer, launched for people to share their memories of the BBC in the area. has devoted much of his Bethan Williams, BBC Wales’ Head of Centre for North Wales, says: ‘We’ve already done some internal research and found some fascinating pictures, but we’d really like to find retirement to finding out the out more about some of the key dates and events, not least the official opening of the true story behind the legend original Bryn Meirion studio in Bangor in 1935. If anyone has any photos they can share, of King Arthur. The fruits of or recollections of taking part in programmes over the years, we’d be grateful if they could get in touch with us. his research have been ‘There are plans for organised days later in the year when people will be able to visit published in a book, King the studios or the museum with any photographs or other memorabilia they can donate or supply for copying. This will also be an opportunity to record people’s personal stories Arthur’s Battle for Britain, and memories, so that there’s a lasting legacy for future generations.’ which reveals intriguing Anyone with memories to share can email [email protected], telephone BBC secrets of Dark-Age Britain, Wales Audience Services on 03703 500 700 or write to BBC Wales, Bryn Meirion, Bangor LL57 2BY. including the real location of the Isle of Avalon.

What drew you to Tell us about your career King Arthur’s researching this particular with the BBC. Battle for Britain CLASSIFIEDS time in British history? I worked as a full-time Production Designer (ISBN 978- Guédelon. My interest in Arthur began in the late on a wide variety of programmes, including 1780884004) ‘The world’s biggest archaeological summer of 1969 when I visited Cadbury Top of the Pops, Blake’s Seven, Only Fools & Horses, experiment’ – stay in our apartment and Castle in Somerset, just off the A303. and drama series Wings, Warship and Secret Army. Available to order from Amazon visit this castle and see it rise from what Archaeologists were trying to prove whether I became a freelance designer in 1996, was just an old quarry! We are just one and other major it really was Arthur’s Camelot. They did find specialising in stage-to-screen productions. hour away. Contact Martin Carley. booksellers: a medieval hall, which really started my Website: www.holidayinburgundy.co.uk. interest in the whole thing. I later read an What was a highlight of your RRP £23.50. early medieval text that listed the 12 battles BBC career? Venice, Giudecca. of Arthur, and I set about visiting the battle In 1994 I won a Primetime Emmy Award in Also available Beautiful apartment in quiet private sites across the UK, although I did not make Los Angeles as Art Director on Sir Trevor Nunn’s direct from courtyard, sleeps 5, fully equipped. it to every one. production of Porgy and Bess. I am also particularly the publisher Experience the real Venice. proud of being the designer on Sir Kenneth www.troubador.co.uk Tel: 01260 227262 Describe the writing style Macmillan’s production of Winter Dreams, at the discount price £17.50 Email: [email protected] of your book. developed from Chekhov’s play The Three Sisters. My book is based on King Arthur’s battle Perfugas, Northern Sardinia. list, transcribed by Nennius, a monk Fabulous newly renovated farmhouse, writing in Bangor early in the 9th century. fully equipped, in beautiful scenic The book is written in the style of a WIN surroundings, 30 minutes from glorious drama-documentary with a review of beaches. Sleeps 2-7, £350 to £600/week. the historical evidence for Arthur taken CAPTION competition £10 Alghero or Olbia airports. from medieval texts and early Welsh Website: villadimimosa.wordpress.com poetry, together with my own imaginative Tel: 07786 078571 (Elaine) interpretation of the battles. Email: [email protected]

What does your book reveal? Provence, France. I have found that Arthur’s battle sites are Modern detached villa. Sleeps 6. Heated located throughout the length and breadth pool. Close to delightful medieval hilltop of Britain, so I hope that my book will village. From £600 per week. have a nationwide appeal! From what I Email: [email protected] have found, King Arthur became the battle commander for Britain in the fifth century, Portugal. facing enemies as far apart as Portsmouth Traditional country house B&B. Pool; Harbour and the Caledonian Forest, with a garden of oranges, olives, vines and figs. final victory against the Saxons at the battle Between World Heritage cities of Evora of Badon in Berkshire. and Elvas. £45. Also, while comparing the stories of Email: [email protected] Arthur by Geoffrey of Monmouth and Tel: +351 925393701 Malory I have revealed evidence of the real location of the legendary Isle of Avalon. New biography of Have you any plans to write Huw Wheldon by any more books? son Wynn. Please I have really enjoyed the experience of pledge towards publication at unbound.co.uk/books/kicking-the-bar writing my first book, from the initial research to the development of a storyline The winner of a £10 voucher for the most amusing caption was John Robinson, with and the long process of finding illustrations ‘No, I haven’t a clue – they just told me to put a seal on the tape when we’d finished.’ and maps, and finally the search for a good Thanks also to Kay Ennals (‘What I ‘reely’, ‘reely’ want is fish’). publisher. However, I have no plans at present Prospero Classifieds, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, to write another book! Post your witty caption to Prospero by Friday 10 July 2015 (see page 2 for address) Cardiff CF5 2YQ. or email [email protected], with ‘caption competition 3’ in the subject line. Please include your BBC pension number. Good luck! Please enclose a cheque made payable to: BBC Central Directorate. Picture shows Angela Rippon, Top Gear and London Lunch write-up presenter. Rate: £6 for 20 words. In a covering letter please include your pension number.

Designed and produced by Wordshop PROSPERO JUNE 2015