The newspaper for retired BBC Pension Scheme members • December 2020 • Issue 6 PROSPERO

RECOGNITION FOR PENSION A LIFETIME'S WORK SCHEME PAGE 8 | WELLBEING MANAGING YOUR MONEY DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES Prospero’s readership will have their BBC pension and maybe a State pension providing a regular source of income – but while your income might not depend directly on the ups and downs of investment markets, it’s always a good idea to ‘look after the pennies’, especially during such uncertain times.

ere, we share some tips for Make small changes managing your finances Small changes can add up over a year: positively and proactively to H • ‘Try and plan your meals every week. improve your overall wellbeing. This will not only reduce your weekly Managing your money food bill, but also the amount of food The good news is there are plenty of waste in your home'. organisations who are regulated to give Tax financial advice to support you with When you get paid, check your payslip financial wellbeing, like the Money Advice and pay close attention to your tax code. Service (moneyadviceservice.org.uk); Millions of people across the UK are Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk) on an incorrect tax code. The most and Step Change (stepchange.org) common tax code for the 2019/2020 However, we also asked some BBC tax year is ‘1250L’ – this means that the colleagues for their tips on how they first £12,500 of your annual income is manage their own money. Here’s what not subject to tax deductions – but they said… there are lots of reasons why your tax ‘It sounds obvious, but a good place to code might be different, like if you have start is by working out how much more than one job, you get a pension or money comes into your bank account taxable benefits, you are repaying a tax each month, and how much is due to go underpayment from a previous year, etc. out for things like bills, direct debits and It could also be because HMRC have other essentials.’ wrong or outdated information about Shop around and you can often find Dealing with debt you. If you think you might be on the Regular expenditure better deals (especially if you take Even small steps can make a big wrong tax code, get in touch with them Look at what you spend every month advantage of a cashback rate for a difference when you’re in debt. – you might even get a tax refund. and whether you could make a change: new customer). Don’t be afraid to It’s always best to do this well in switch companies from one year to Debt charity Step Change recommends • Your gas and electricity tariff advance of March (the end of the tax the next. As soon as your renewal five steps for managing your money: ‘It might be time to switch energy year), giving HMRC enough time to quote comes through, use a price providers – you might save money 1. Create a budget re-issue a code if necessary, which then comparison website to see if there’s a even if you have to pay an early exit may mean a tax refund in your pension better deal out there.’ 2. Be honest with yourself fee, even if your current tariff isn’t before the tax year ends. due to end anytime soon. It’s a very • ‘Before buying anything online, have 3. Gradually reduce the credit easy process and takes a lot less time Relationships a check to see if there is an active you’re using discount code for that particular than you might think. There are lots As of February 2020, if you are married 4. Talk about money of different tools online that can help or in a civil partnership, you may be able retailer. A quick search will often you find the best deal.’ to benefit from Marriage Allowance. throw up a code, for discounts like 5. Get debt help If you or your partner earns less than 10% off or free delivery, for example.’ • Premium TV channels £12,500 each year, you can ‘donate’ Talking about money (step 4 above) ‘Review the package that you’re • ‘If you travel by train, split-ticketing is £1,250 of your personal tax allowance is important if you’re feeling stressed, paying for and ring your provider if another way you can save money. It to your civil partner/wife/husband. anxious or your situation is getting you’re paying more than you would doesn’t always work, but when it you down. It’s natural to think that like to.’ This could reduce their tax contributions does, it’s very satisfying. By buying people might judge you, but money by up to £250 a year, and you can claim two or three separate tickets for the • Subscription-based media services worries are common and most people it for past tax years since 5 April 2015. same journey, you can save quite a ‘If you have more than one person can relate in some way, even if it’s not Further details of this allowance can be significant amount of money, without paying for a subscription-based the same situation as you. Talking to found at gov.uk/marriage-allowance or having to even move from your seat media service in your house, join call the helpline on 0300 200 3300 or change trains. There are tools family, friends or even a charity like Step forces and you could potentially save online that’ll work out if you can split Change can help when you're dealing over £100 a year.’ Spending your ticket and suggest the best way with debt. It can also help to A lot of your monthly outgoings will be • Other subscriptions of doing it – all from the comfort of put things in perspective and make you on essentials, however, there are ways ‘If you have subscriptions that you your favourite armchair.’ feel better about your situation. to reduce the amount you are spending, do not use regularly, like gym often with little effort. Here are some memberships or magazines, top tips from our colleagues: perhaps think about cancelling them. WHERE TO GET SUPPORT There’s always hope and help if you’re struggling. Not only is that better for your wallet, • ‘You can earn cashback by simply but it might be better for the doing your online shopping via a • BBC Benevolent Fund environment too.’ cashback website. You simply log Funded by the BBC to provide support for current and former employees into the site or app, search for the ‘Look into changing your standing as well as their dependants at times of unexpected financial hardship. retailer you are after and then you orders and direct debits so that Grants are made at the discretion of the Trustees. Call 029 2032 2811 for are directed to the website via the they come out the day after your more details. site’s link. It can take a while for BBC pension is paid (normally the • Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust Fund cashback to land in your account and 16th of the month). This will give A registered charity which provides small grants towards the cost of the rates vary quite a lot, but it’s an you a much better idea of how much education or hardship. The Trustees are responsible for awarding grants. easy way to earn some extra money.’ you have left to spend for the rest of The deadline for applications is 31 July each year. They meet during the month.’ • ‘Watch out for insurance policies that September and grants are awarded following that meeting. auto-renew when your policy ends. 2 TAKE 5 TIPS… PROSPERO FOR EMOTIONAL WELLBEING Prospero is provided free of charge to retired Scheme Blogger and author Liggy Webb members, or to their spouses and dependants. (liggywebb.com) has published Prospero provides a source of news on former books around physical and colleagues, developments at the BBC and pension mental health issues, and also issues, plus classified adverts. It is available online runs webinars for companies at bbc.com/mypension and organisations. After a To advertise in Prospero, please enclose a cheque recent one for the BBC, made payable to: BBC Central Directorate. Rate £6 she gave us permission to print for 20 words. Please include your pension number her ‘Take 5 Tips’ in Prospero. in a covering letter.

Dealing with emotions can be challenging and sometimes overwhelming and it is important to Please send your editorial contributions, understand that we have a great deal more control over our emotions than perhaps we sometimes or comments/feedback, to: believe. Establishing approaches to manage emotions is fundamental to our overall emotional wellbeing Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, and mental health. Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1FT

Learning to harness and manage emotions and use them to the best of our ability will help us all to feel Email: [email protected] calmer and more in control. Here are five top tips on ways to manage emotions: Please make sure that any digital pictures you send 1. And…breathe are scanned at 300dpi. Please also note that the maximum word count for obituaries is 350 words. One of the best ways to calm high emotion is to manage your breathing. Get into a comfortable position and slowly take in deep breaths, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. This will help you to calm your mind and be less reactive. This is also an important technique to help you to release built-up tension and feel less stressed, which is really helpful when it comes to managing your emotions. Contents

2. Stay calm When challenging situations occur, it is important to stay as calm as possible. Allowing things to wind you Wellbeing 2-3 up will only drain you. Keeping things in perspective with a calm approach is a useful way to channel your Managing your money during uncertain times energy more positively and constructively. Stepping away from the situation and creating some perspective Top five tips for emotional wellbeing could be all it takes to help you regain composure.

3. Recognise your inner control freak Being in control can make you feel safe and comfortable, however there are some situations in your life that you simply cannot control. This may well frustrate and even infuriate your inner control freak! Letters 4-5 It is important, however, that you are aware of this and learn to accept situations you can’t control. It will be far more helpful to put your emotional energy into working out what you can do to positively influence those situations. Memories 6-7 4. Let go of anger A day to remember There are occasions when you may feel very angry about something that someone else has done or This is the BBC Holmes Service said. You may even feel resentful and bitter about it and allow your emotions to fester. It is important Memories of a BBC man that you process these emotions as quickly as possible as they will eat away at you and do you far more BBC Club harm than the other person you are upset with. Being able to move on and avoid breathing valuable energy into futile situations and frustrating people is key.

5. Get some rest Being overtired can fuel negative emotions and make you irritable and Life after Auntie 8 even unreasonable. Sometimes the best bridge between despair and Do you ever wonder what happened hope is a good night’s sleep and very often things do appear better to so-and-so? when you are well rested. The mind also has a way of working things Emeritus Award for Alan out subconsciously and a rested mind can handle everything in a much calmer and more positive way.

Obituaries 9-11

Mystery Sudoku Odds & ends 12 Complete the grid so that every row, column Covid-secure Strictly and 3x3 box contains the letters ADEIKNORT T A Classifieds in some order. One row or column contains Caption competition a 5 or more letter word, name or programme N T I title with a BBC connection. Solve the sudoku to discover what or who it is and send or O K N email your answer to The Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, E I O Prospero December 2020 Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1FT O T A E The next issue of Prospero will appear by Monday, 4 January 2021. in February 2021. The copy deadline A E R is Monday, 4 January 2021. The winner gets a £10 voucher. WIN £10 Many thanks to Neil Somerville K O N for providing this puzzle.

The Sudoku winner in October 2020 was D I E Mrs C Anderson who correctly identified the A O connection was ‘Flog It’.

PROSPERO DECEMBER 2020 | 3 | LETTERS

RCA TR22 Quadruplex VTR ‘Dicky Birds’ & Tom Douglas The below picture of this RCA TR22 VTR was taken in 1970. The machine was the first all-transistorised VTR and was originally installed for TV News at Alexandra – can you help? Palace where it was identified as VTN2. It was installed in BBC South studios in Ian Williams is trying to find information about Tom Douglas, a BBC engineer who South Western House, Southampton by myself and Roger Jelbert, who took the was a prisoner-of-war on the Siam-Burma railway. photograph. Tom constructed secret radios (known as ‘Dicky Birds’), one of which was operated No, I don’t wear sandals with socks anymore! by Ian’s grandfather and great uncle (Max and Donald Webber).

Garth Jeffery After the war, according to letters gathered by Ian, Tom became engineer-in-charge of the Sutton Coldfield transmission station and was appointed an MBE for his clandestine radio activities.

Nearly all the sets were made from small standard radio components. Usually two or three valve circuits, they were camera size, about 6 inches by 6 inches by 4 inches. Often they were made so as to fit into the bottom of a standard size army water bottle; the base of the bottle could then be removed and the set taken out when required for use. Power was supplied by torch batteries, 30 being required to work a set.

Every time the POW camp moved, the radio had to be stripped and the ‘bits and pieces’ distributed among the officers and re-assembled again as soon as opportunity offered.

The photo includes Tom, but Ian is not sure which one he is. It may be him in uniform receiving the engraved silver cigarette case. The man presenting it is Colonel Carey Owtram, who had been British commander of the POWs in Kanchanaburi, where the bridge was built.

Sound quality I think other readers of Prospero will agree with me that it was a real pleasure watching the various Plays for Today on BBC Four, celebrating 50 years of that genre. You could hear every word clearly, lighting was perfect and there was no loud intrusive music.

Neville Withers

Staff vs Newbies If you can help Ian, please get in touch with him at: [email protected] In 1963 the BBC had reduced its lower age limit for new entries into Engineering to, I think, 18. I was on attachment to Staff at Wood Norton at that time and there was some consternation amongst Staff because the latest intake had challenged them to a football match. Impartiality? Prospero rightly gave prominence to what the new Director-General, Tim Davie, Many had not played for years, and at least one had never played soccer and had to have the rules explained to him. had pinpointed as four things the BBC most urgently needed to get right. And the first of these was impartiality. It looked as though Staff were in for a hiding. Anyway, Staff won, showing the youngsters that for their life ahead they had more to learn than just Being interested in tennis, every morning I check the latest news on teletext. broadcasting principles. Shortly before the end of the Western and Southern Open late in August, the top headline was ‘Osaka into final as Konta beaten’. The headline explained that Osaka I hope this photo brings back memories for some. had pulled out of the tournament as a gesture of support for Black Lives Matter Roy Bradshaw protests that followed the shooting of Jacob Blake by police, but had agreed to resume after play was suspended for a day.

Nearly two months later, that headline still occupies the same position. But there has hardly been a shortage of tennis news since. We have had both the American and French Opens, the latter won yet again by Rafael Nadal, placing him on equal footing with Roger Federer with no less than 20 major titles. Nevertheless ‘Osaka into final as Konta beaten’ has clung on, to become what must surely be the most enduring headline ever. Rather a remarkable achievement, it must be admitted, though scarcely of the kind that merits applause. And not exactly evidence of impartiality, either.

Rivers Carew

By the time Prospero passed this on to the Sport editorial team, the headline had been updated – but we had this reply: It doesn’t look like there were any technical issues with the tennis service on Red Button during this time, so the assumption from our end (as it is difficult to retrospectively determine issues that have since been resolved) is that this was an editorial issue brought on by a mix of automated importers to the Sport website and manual intervention on the tennis headlines that went undetected for a period of time. So the short answer really is that this was simply an unfortunate human error on Red Button that has since been resolved. It is certainly not a reflection of compromised impartiality, where all of the events listed in the initial correspondence were covered in depth on the BBC Sport website. 4 Michael Talbot Smith Holme Moss recollections I read with interest the letter from Roy Glew, in the Further to Phil Upton’s story, I have another recollection of Holme Moss. October edition of Prospero, about the passing of Back in 1985, we were transferring all the OB receive facilities from atop the Michael Talbot Smith. old, rusting mast to the new one. So we had to swing the base equipment off I myself had worked with him in the Engineering the old multicore power and control cable running up the old mast, and onto Training Department at Wood Norton, in 1970, the new one. 1975 and from 1980 until his retirement, when I took Having assured Jim the rigger that this old, one-inch diameter cable was fully over from Michael as editor of the Microphone Data disused and isolated, I told him to hacksaw through it where it entered the Sheets (later the Microphones book). mast base comms room. I must set one thing straight, and to be fair, Roy Within seconds, his incision was showering him with high-pressure water. does say he is not sure on this point. The ‘program ‘It’s a water pipe!’ he shouted at me. But as the flood subsided, he had to learning’ system he quotes from 1966 was in fact concede that the markings clearly showed it to be an electric cable. called ‘programmed learning’, which was in printed form. In Michael’s day it was just a duplicated booklet. The booklets were in fact We concluded that over the preceding years, the outer sheath of the vertical copied on the then Roneo office duplicator and had nothing to do with computer run had been damaged by the elements, allowing water to seep in between programs. I can be sure of that because I was given the job in 1980 of changing the (19) conductors. So the whole cable had been doubling up as very tall these booklets to printed form, in the Print Unit then at Wood Norton. (400’), but thin, water storage tank. Not much capacity, but with a large enough head of pressure to drench the rigger in a few seconds! The term ‘programme’ comes from the fact that the text was divided into Mike Steed frames, with a pre-determined routing. At the end of each frame there was a multiple-choice question. Which frame the student went to next depended on the answer chosen, because each multiple-choice answer gave a different frame THE PICTURES OF Holme Moss number. Obviously, if you got the question wrong you were sent on a longer in the October 2020 edition of remedial route, and then back to try the same question again. The routing was Prospero triggered my memory done by turning the pages over to find the frame number you had been given. of my visit there in 1956. Colin Pierpoint I had applied to join the BBC as a direct entry engineer, and as my father, Donald Hinchliffe, was Assistant E I C (Engineer in Auntie Body Charge) Holme Moss at the time, I paid him a visit to get as much I slept with COVID I have to lie down information about the BBC as She is nineteen years of age But the Sparrow hawk has gone possible. I was, of course, introduced to I am sick of her And birds are singing the E I C himself, Charles Buckle. COVID slept with me I’m through it all now During our conversation, I indicated that I was a little I am nineteen years of age Still friends with Auntie Body concerned about the start-up of a new television company, ITV no less. She's now sick of me But keep my distance Charles told me not to worry, as he was of the opinion that ‘commercial What I did not know COVID is still here television would never catch on’. Was Auntie Body was there She has a strange new boyfriend She went ballistic Vak Zeen or something I was successful at my appointments board, and joined BBC Television at Lime Grove in October that year. She threw everything Auntie Body smiles Caught me in a deep dark cell It's that knowing kind of smile I went on to become Head of Engineering and Operations at the BBC’s It was just sheer hell She has set them up! Open University Production Centre. My father succeeded Charles Buckle as E I C Holme Moss. As for Charles, a BBC man to the core. Well, I think that if No flies on Aunt then Terry Anderson he were with us today, he might agree that he had been a little sceptical in How she pulled out all the stops 1956 as, surely, ITV had turned out to be ‘reasonably successful’? I was so naive

Phil Hinchliffe

Submariners et al Reading to previous Prospero reports on filing from submarines, I recall that, as BBC World Service Defence Correspondent, I believe I was the first journalist given permission by the Admiralty to join not just a nuclear-powered submarine but also a nuclear-armed submarined on a brief underwater patrol from its base in Faslane.

It was a fascinating and frightening assignment.

The Captain told me his 16 Polaris missiles exceeded in destructive firepower all the explosive used in both World Wars – all the bombs, shells, bullets and the two atomic bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima! And the more modern Trident missile submarines have even greater destructive power. The missiles are all trained by computer on pre-determined targets unknown even to the Captain.

The Captain told me, with a twinkle in his eye, he received ‘responsibility pay’ – one pound a day extra, taxed. I suppose you need a sense of humour doing such an awesome job! He also told me they got exercise in such confined space using an exercise bicycle. But on a previous patrol, months at sea, one of the pedals broke. So, he said, the crew all have strong right legs and weak left legs!

Astonishingly, the Ministry of Defence, which censored all my material, allowed me to use most of it, even broadcast in Russian.

Thirty years later, an unknown number of nuclear-powered submarines from several nations still criss-cross the oceans, running silent and deep, and they are undetectable even by the most modern technical means.

The ultimate nuclear deterrent.

Harold Briley PROSPERO DECEMBER 2020 | 5 | MEMORIES A DAY TO REMEMBER by Neil Somerville

There are certain days which will always stick in the memory. I’m sure for many it was the day they were interviewed for a job at the BBC.

or me this was late in 1976. I was living on the Almost a month later I returned to London and met With the BBC Written Archives Centre the home of so Isle of Wight at the time and invited for an the BBC accommodation officer at Cavendish Place, much fascinating documentation, I was asked by the Finterview for a position as classifier at the who fixed me up with a bedsit. Radio Times to supply BBC trivia for the magazine BBC Radio Times Hulton Picture Library. and this resulted in me being commissioned to compile two puzzle books for BBC Publications. Little Living in a rural location, I was not sure I was ready did I know that when I left the BBC to pursue a career to move to the bustle of London and remember sitting I once told my grandmother in writing, I would be involved in more puzzle setting, in trepidation in a waiting room at 5 Portland Place. that I worked with a lot of especially themed puzzle books. Inside the room was a fish tank containing a splendid variety of colourful fish. This, I am sure, was there to dirty pictures... It was with real delight that last year I compiled help calm nerves. The Unofficial Archers Puzzle Book and this year one On my first actual working day at the BBC, I turned up based on Radio 4. With the station’s varied output, in a suit. I was unaware of the BBC’s relaxed dress these puzzles were fun to compile and hopefully code and also that my job involved handling pictures will be fun to solve too. I was also able to draw on stored in dusty cardboard folders. This in itself was a amusing instances from the station’s history, as well grubby occupation; I once told my grandmother that as set puzzles based on many famous and I worked with a lot of dirty pictures before realising favourite programmes. what I said! Little did I think in 1976, From the Picture Library I secured a promotion to the when invited for interview at BBC Written Archives Centre, where I worked for over the BBC, it was going to be 20 years. such a key moment in my life. Even now, 44 years The archives are a treasure trove of BBC history, later, I am still delighting with records starting from the early days of the in setting regular puzzles British Broadcasting Company with its staff of four. for Prospero as well as enjoying the history and At the Centre there is correspondence with leading output of the BBC. political figures, discussion of what was and was My interview went well and when I came out was not permissible to broadcast, as well as files of For the Love of Radio 4: given a slip to take to the cash office at Broadcasting correspondence with contributors, some of whom put The Unofficial House to reimburse me for my fare. As I entered the forward programme suggestions. One was from the Puzzle Book by hallowed doors of BH, out came the four members of prolific Roy Plomley, who tentatively proposed a Neil Somerville is Abba who went into a waiting limousine. This was an series called Desert Island Discs. The rest, as they say, published by exciting place to be. is history. Summersdale.

After his eight years at Radio 4 in Bristol, he returned This is the BBC Holmes Service to his roots in local radio, but also presented Holmes & Away, a historic walks feature for John Holmes appears to be throwing down a He spent a short time in Birmingham on Broad Street. East Midlands Today. It ran for an unprecedented challenge to all Prospero readers in his recently His work here included spot effects on The Archers. eight series – a total of 33 walks. published autobiography, This Is the BBC This was before the days of Pebble Mill. Holmes Service. His next stop was with the fledgling local radio ‘No one could network, at BBC Radio Nottingham. It was perfect Have you enjoyed a more varied possibly have timing, working on sport in those halcyon days BBC career than John? Let us enjoyed a more when Brian Clough and Nottingham Forest were varied career in the winning the European Cup, Nottinghamshire County know at [email protected] BBC than me,’ he Cricket Club were on top with Clive Rice and boasts. It’s certainly Richard Hadlee, and Torvill and Dean were dominating He was also asked to regularly present items on quite a claim, but ice dance. Inside Out East Midlands. For him the highlight was can you match it? a documentary in one of the country’s top security At Radio Nottingham he also regularly presented hospitals, Rampton. Just his production and produced a children’s request show called work at Radio 4 Bran Tub, and Extravaganza, the station’s progressive Covid-19 has interrupted his broadcasting in shows considerable music programme. Nottingham, because at his age he’s considered depth, having ‘vulnerable’, but he hopes to be back in the His work on the latter lead to him being asked to worked on such New Year presenting every Sunday morning, co-present a highly successful series of youth shows cornerstones of our output as Any Questions?, 9 until noon. Special guests on that show have for BBC Midlands TV in Birmingham. Look! Hear! Any Answers?, The Natural History Programme included Dame Stella Rimington of MI5, Sir Paul with Toyah Wilcox and Chris Phipps was so successful and Down Your Way. Highlights here include Smith (Nobel Prize winner for creating the MRI that at its height it was attracting over 600 fan letters visiting 10 Downing Street with Nigel Hawthorne scanner), Sir Peter Mansfield, Dr Stewart Adams a week. to interview Margaret Thatcher and visiting (pioneer of ibuprofen), Lord Falconer and the birthplace of The Goons, Bexhill, This in turn resulted in being asked to front many Sir Peter Bazalgette. with Spike Milligan. opt-outs for Pebble Mill, including his own So the gauntlet has been thrown down. Have you hobbies-based show called Sparetime. John joined the Corporation in 1969 as a enjoyed a more varied BBC career than John? Programmes Operations Assistant [SM] in His next stop was the BBC TV’s first half-hour Let us know at [email protected] Broadcasting House, London, working in the consumer series, Inside Information, broadcast on This Is the BBC Holmes by John Holmes was Music and Light Entertainment Department. BBC Two, co-presenting alongside Nigel Farrell. published in November. ISBN 978-1-83853-908-5.

6 MEMORIES OF A BBC MAN by David Perman

My first job at the BBC External Services BBC Clubs reopening, closing, reopening… BBC Clubs W1 and Elstree reopened on – to give the World Service its original name – 2 November as planned – and then had to shut again on 5 November due to the new was to understudy a splendidly knowledgeable national lockdown. Unfortunately the announcement on Talks Writer on European affairs named 31 October came too late so we remained open until the second lockdown came into force. Josephine Gamon, who was about to retire. At the time of writing, the current lockdown is due to end on 2 December and we plan to reopen ur unit was called Central Current Affairs Talks and it was headed by an even more knowledgeable then if allowed to do so. Opening hours have woman, Elizabeth Barker, who was also about to retire. Elizabeth had a Chief Assistant in Elliot Watrous, changed at all sites so do check the website Owhom I had met when he was Head of the African Service. Other members of the unit included for details on this. Stanley Mayes and Leslie Stone, who had joined the External Services from Westminster Press where he had We have been hard at work making sure all been Diplomatic Correspondent. Covid-19 restrictions are complied with. You can Current Affairs Talks was on the first floor of the South-East Wing of Bush House, which it shared with part see some of the changes in the photos below, of the French Section and the South European Service. There were five offices, all of them too small for the with a one-way system and added screens. furniture they contained – unlike the Centre Block, which had spacious offices and marble fittings, the other blocks of Bush House were built in the 1930s on much tighter budgets.

To get to my seat I had to shuffle past my secretary’s chair and then squeeze between her desk, my desk and a filing cabinet, which contained the past Talks written by Jo Gamon and two outside contributors, who also used the office.

The day began with a morning meeting, held in the slightly larger office which Elizabeth Barker inhabited as Head. Here, possible topics of the day were discussed, subjects allocated, and then a list of the day’s Talks, with the times they were expected to be available, was agreed and quickly typed up on a Banda machine stencil (this was in the early 1970s before we had computers, the internet or even photocopiers). The Head would then take copies to the Controller’s meeting to decide if the Talk should be used in the World Service ‘Commentary’ and scripted for translation by the language services.

The canteen and the Club Can we stress again, The two institutions that united the diverse disciplines and nationalities of the World Service were the canteen please do not travel to and the BBC Club. The canteen lay under the car park separating the South-East Wing from the Centre Block BBC Club sites without and was shaped like a figure ‘8’ lying on its side. Along the middle of the ‘8’ were two serving counters, checking the website first one dispensing hot meals, the other salads, sandwiches and snacks. Diners would tend to remain in national where we will announce the reopening. grouping, but with the busy crush at lunchtimes a Brazilian could find herself eating with Poles, or a Ugandan We look forward to welcoming you back as soon with Japanese. With the lack of security in the 1970s, college students would often find their way into the as it is safe and practically possible to do so. canteen but the story is surely apocryphal that an announcement once came over the tannoy: ‘Will the students from the LSE kindly leave as it is time for King's College to dine’. In this unprecedented time, BBC Club would like to thank all our fantastic members for their support. Security was tightened in about 1980 when student demonstrators invaded the Centre Block and threw papers As an independent, not-for-profit and unsubsidised from the English-by-Radio offices into the Aldwych. company, it is the support of our members that has The Club was originally across the Strand in Surrey Street. But that closed when the Reading Room of the kept us going. India Office Newspaper Library was moved from the Lower Ground Floor of the Centre Block. The move took place in stages and the final shape of the Bush House Club produced two chambers. The management thought BBC Club Lottery it was a good idea to have a long aquarium tank separating the two rooms, with a variety of tropical fish. In the October draw (the last before copy But one morning the Club staff found the tank had ruptured and water, weeds and dead fish covered the floor. deadline) for the lottery, nine of the 11 prize winners were retired members – surely a record! Unlike the canteen, where staff came, ate and left in quick order, the Club was a place to linger in and be Please email the Club if you would like to join entertained, not only for hardened drinkers – though there were some – but for the generality of staff. the BBC Club lottery or increase your shares. A few of the Controllers would hold court at the bar, including Austen Kark and Lance Thirkell who was in Contact details at the foot of the page. charge of ‘Personnel’ (Human Resources). BBC Club EXTRA Entertainment was enhanced by Berny, an outrageously camp barman/manager who loved to scandalise the BBC Club Extra has continued throughout, the drinkers from foreign parts. I used to drink in the Club with a circle of friends which included Chris Bickerton monthly competitions still proving popular and in and William ‘Barry’ Burgess of the African Service, Christina Koutsoudáki of the Greek Section, Laurence anticipation of reopening we will be giving away Lalanne from the French Service and Abdi, a Somali whose surname I never knew – Abdi was often arrested vouchers for lunch in the Club for two (including for violating his student visa by working but then released to interpret for the Immigration Service in the bottle of wine) as competition prizes. The vouchers prosecution of other Somalis. are valid for a year from date of issue so do email in your entry.

BBC Club would like to wish all our members A Square Peg in Bush House: Memories of a BBC Man, a merry, safe and healthy Christmas by David Perman, is published by Rockingham Press in and a happy New Year. an illustrated paperback at £14.95. It is available post-free at www.inpressbooks.co.uk or send a cheque for £10.00 Please note, correspondence by post to David Perman, 11 Musley Lane, Ware SG12 7EN. or email only as staff are continuing to work from home.

[email protected]

BBC Club Broadcast Centre, BC2 B3, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TP

PROSPERO DECEMBER 2020 | 7 | LIFE AFTER AUNTIE DO YOU EVER WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO SO-AND-SO? Perhaps someone has even asked that about me. This is what happened in my case...

started working for the BBC in 1960, One day in the BBC Club at TV Centre, I was going to start a transcription from the age of 19 to 21 in Stockholm. aged 21, and spent five years in he said, ‘How do you know so many agency from home. The first job that The interviews covered a variety of I Studio Bookings at Bush House on a people, Camilla?’ He would get to know came my way paid £3 and I went out to subjects during a 12-year period, salary of £10 a week. I then transferred so many more by the time he was DG. celebrate with a friend (cost £10). from William and Kate’s wedding, to television as a producer’s assistant, the Olympics, even about 50 Shades of Not long ago I found out that For the next 37 years, I employed mostly as we were called in those days. Grey, sometimes on a regular basis Brian Wolstenholme, who became young women with children at home, but often not. The last one was on My first ‘posting’ was to Further a real friend for many years from the who often typed late into the night after 30 March 2019, which should have been Education in Ealing. I had no idea early days at Bush House, had died in the children were in bed, or pensioners Brexit Day. I don’t expect many more in where Ealing was but luckily it was an France. One or two have remained who were pleased to get extra income. the future – perhaps if someone from easy ride on the underground from friends for life. TV Transcriptions was very successful the Royal family dies before me. Notting Hill Gate all the way. After working on Clothes that Count, and expanded to take on work from But it is the people I came across at the After that I moved from building to The World About Us, The Fight Against many other TV companies. I finally shut BBC whom I wonder most about – the building, department to department Slavery, The Philpott File and many it down two years ago, at the age of 78. crews on location who made me laugh and from one production to another others, I decided to resign, aged 39, Over the years, we completed nearly until I ached; the production team; the for 12 years. after my son was born. I had married 19,000 assignments, ranging from lovely people in various receptions. Norman Carr, Chief Film Editor in the One bonded briefly with all sorts of half-hour interviews to 20 hours of East Tower. We divorced but married I remember one studio manager at wonderful people, some of whom, unedited rushes, plus post-production again and lived happily ever after until TVC who, when I said that I liked ‘nice’ after a production was completed, scripts. Many voices became very familiar he died 15 years ago. I miss him every day. people, replied acidly that ‘nice won’t sadly disappeared forever. Names and to me, although of course I was never get you anywhere’ – but it did because faces became so familiar but now, So, what happened to her (me) after able to put a face to more than a handful I enjoyed my years in television to the at 80, many names are no longer easy I left the BBC? of them. What happened to them? full, which makes me often wonder, to recall but memories and faces are. On the first day my son went to school With my media links, I was lucky to be ‘What happened to so-and-so?’ Those who rose to dizzy heights were at the age of five, I visited various BBC asked, as a consequence of speaking If there is anyone out there who still easier to follow, like Will Wyatt, with departments where I still had Swedish, to be interviewed on Swedish remembers me, I send you my love. whom I worked on Points of View. connections, to tout for work. Radio. I had worked for them briefly Camilla Coats-Carr

EMERITUS AWARD FOR ALAN

Retired BBC employee Alan Woolford has been recognised for his outstanding service to sport and recreation by the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

e was presented with the Emeritus Award in front of more than Spelthorne MS Society, and students 110 members who tuned into the ceremony online on Wednesday from local schools for those David's American 23 September. with severe learning difficulties, father.H the opportunity to enjoy cruising on Since the 1960s, Alan has been an exceptional advocate for the sport of the Thames. boating for people both with and without disabilities. For nearly 30 years he served as the Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) Regional Racing Coach in the Over five decades, Alan’s work as Thames Valley and was instrumental in setting up the RYA’s regional network, a volunteer has helped to enable

later serving on the RYA Council as Regional Chair. both future Olympic and Paralympic Alan at home with his award. medal-winners, and children and As an instructor and coach, Alan set high standards throughout the region. adults with disabilities who just enjoy Both Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb began their sailing careers at Queen Mary boating, to thrive on the water. He has been a strong, visionary leader of the Sailing Club (QMSC) and went on to win gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 Sailability movement and of diversity in boating. Olympic Games. Alan said: ‘I’d like to thank the Alliance for considering me and sailing for In the 1990s, Alan became the driving force behind the establishment of this Emeritus Award. I’d also like to thank the RYA for nominating me. Sailability at QMSC and led the fundraising to provide boats and equipment. They’ve done such an excellent job in the development of young people He promoted the benefits of sailing to local special-needs schools and initiated in the sport of sailing. links with inland waterway bodies. The club has gone on to provide hundreds of Sailability sessions each year, enabling children and adults who have a ‘I think it’s great to receive this award in the year that we celebrate 50 years physical, sensory or learning disability to take to the water and of Sailability. The scheme is recognised throughout the world and has been enjoy the sailing experience. Alexandra Rickham, who won a the basis for the great successes that we've had in UK sailing over the years.’ Bronze Medal in the 2012 Paralympic Games, was introduced RYA Regional Development Officer Steve Mitchell said: ‘The work Alan has to sailing at the club. carried out over many decades, supporting sailing in the Thames Valley Alan was instrumental in the 2015 RYA accreditation of area and beyond, has influenced a vast number of people to start boating. Thames Sailability, which operates the river cruiser, Impossible His dedication and endless commitment to helping and supporting others Dream, from Desborough. The boat gives groups such as the is truly remarkable.’

8 | OBITUARIES

Somali. That linguistic flair led him to the Colonial Roland Challis, a life Service, where he served in frontline roles as District A career spent in in current and Commissioner in the worst troubles of Kenya and Bush House Aden. He narrowly escaped various assassination Elsa van der Zee, a studio international affairs attempts, including a bomb on an aircraft. But in 1967 manager and producer in Roland Challis was a BBC man he left the Colonial Service after becoming disillusioned Bush House during the 1960s, through and through: working with the British government’s role in Africa. died on 10 August 2020. for the organisation for most He was offered a job at Bush House, which employed of his career – as a foreign She was born in England in his extensive knowledge of Somalia’s various clans, correspondent, as a radio 1937, to Dutch parents who its 63 political parties and its language. He loved producer and in various remained in this country Bush House and its friendly, multiracial atmosphere, management positions. because of the war. As a moving jobs from language supervisor and producer result, she grew up Born in 1929 in Johannesburg, he spent his boyhood to programme organiser. completely bilingual: she proved, anyway, to be a in North London, living in Cuffley and going to Queen At one point, the BBC sent him to Mogadishu for a particularly good linguist, speaking fluent French Elizabeth School, Barnet. Thereafter, at Wadham diplomatic meeting with the notorious Siad Barre, and German in addition to her native Dutch. College, Oxford, he read English Literature & who was very friendly towards Hugh because of Language, and was the editor of the university When she joined the BBC in 1959, further to signing the power of the BBC. Hugh thought him to be a student magazine Isis. the Official Secrets Act, she underwent, due to her dangerous dictator, but it was only years later that parentage, additional investigative vetting – still, His working life began in London and Sydney as a evidence emerged that his 21-year rule had brought at the time, a common practice in the years after staff writer for the Sydney Morning Herald. He then persecution and death to thousands. the war. worked with Radio Australia in Melbourne, before In 1974, Hugh was tempted away from London to moving to Kuala Lumpur where he was the principal take up another colonial job in Hong Kong, where he Her BBC career was spent entirely in Bush House, leader-writer for the Straits Times. served for 13 years. In 1982, he discovered he had serving first as a studio manager, and subsequently After a stint with the Westminster Press in London, two sisters, three nephews and a niece from his birth as a producer in the African Service, working under he joined the BBC in 1964. Based in Singapore, he was family, giving him the love and stability he had the formidable Veronica Manoukian. its first full-time South-East Asia correspondent, never known. At the time Bush House was a veritable United covering the turbulent events of that area, including He eventually retired to Sherborne in Dorset where he Nations, staffed with individuals from all over the the Vietnam War. He was then the BBC’s married the artist Anne Moorse, whom he had first world, particularly many European refugees: in such correspondent in Cairo during the early Seventies, known during the Aden insurgency. an atmosphere Elsa – never a ‘Little Englander’ until a leg injury ended his postings abroad. – was very much at home. Lesley Curwen Returning to Bush House in London, he produced She was a popular colleague and enjoyed working a variety of programmes for Radio Three and in such a stimulating atmosphere; she was an active co-produced the Radio Four ‘Analysis’ series, member of the ‘Ariel Player’ – the BBC Club amateur before embarking on various managerial posts. Doctor Stumps dramatic society – and gave a memorable and These included four years as Head of Central Current Cricket fans worldwide will have benefited from luminous performance as Antigone in Jean Anouilh’s Affairs, followed by the Monitoring Service, where he ’s innovation, skill and expertise in the David Gooding play of the same name. became Acting General Manager. stump cam. She left the BBC in 1967 to marry Michael Butler, He retired from the BBC in 1986 and moved to Tours, He hugely improved this technology! It was a a World Service producer, who died in 2010. They had in France, during which period he was Deputy Director challenge to pack delicate electronics inside a wicket divorced, amicably, several years earlier. of the Salzburg Seminar in Austria. which could be hit by 80mph cricket balls, and have After having three children, she became the Head of He returned to England in 1990 to his final home in them to work reliably, but not content with that, the village of Coombe Bissett in Wiltshire. He was Dave put two cameras in the same stump, with a an independent primary school, where she stayed involved in the local arts scene, an early supporter choice of wide or narrow angle lens. He improved until she retired. Eventually she moved to Wells in of the Salisbury Arts Centre and the initiator and the way in which they were connected for broadcast Somerset, where she became heavily involved in the participant in several poetry and drama groups. with very little disruption to the soil. life of the Cathedral, taking on a number of roles, including that of Prebendary of Cudworth, writing a Active to the end, Roland died, aged 90, on 1 June. At the end of the match, the stumps man must His life was celebrated by those close to him, retrieve the camera stumps before they get stolen published history of the Cathedral and, above all, including his three children, at a Buddhist funeral by pitch-invading spectators. Dave’s turn of speed becoming ‘Keeper Of The Fabric’: a key post in in Salisbury and at his final interment in a peaceful rivalled Lynford Christie! We didn’t lose many and the management of the Cathedral; not a sinecure, spot overlooking the Wiltshire countryside. they kept working. but a role which gave her much hard work and considerable joy. Robin Challis Dave joined Television OBs in December 1968, just quietly getting on with his work on the ‘mini group’. She leaves behind her children Tom, Saskia and David, He became the ‘go-to’ person for a lot of us newbies and five grandchildren. From Colonial Service and he would spend evenings whilst away on location Warren Hearnden in his hotel room fixing broken camera cables. to World Service His dedication to the job was an inspiration. He could appear humourless to those who did not Peter Johns know him, however he was a person who showed was born in 1923. After leaving the RAF, immense kindness and he was ever willing to help Peter Johns others. His outward manner was due to his own he joined the Engineering Division of the BBC in 1948 diffidence but he was one of us. A very private man and, for some years, enjoyed playing cricket at the who lived with his mother in their Thames-side home. BBC’s Motspur Park sports ground.

Sadly, he had to take early retirement because illness From the early 1950s, he worked closely with BBC had robbed him of touch sensations. I saw him last Capital Projects Department Engineers at Christmas where he told me that his illness had Nightingdale Square, Maida Vale and finally at returned and the prognosis was poor. He entirely Brookmans Park, developing antennas and combining understood all the intricacies of his malady. A highly equipment for the expansion of VHF/FM radio and intelligent engineer taking an analytical approach. television services. Hugh Walker MBE, former colonial officer and Programme Organiser, BBC Somali Service, passed Now, Dave will be in a better place, fixing broken He was respected for his reliability, first-class away at his home in Sherborne aged 89. gadgets and producing superb pictures from where workmanship and practical advice. He retired in 1987. the sun never goes behind the clouds. Dave penned Hugh’s modest nature belied his adventurous and Tragically, in his last decade he became completely an appropriate epitaph: ‘Just remember that when polyglot life, which began rather badly. He was an blind, but was lovingly cared for by his two daughters you see the person planting the flag at the top of the illegitimate baby, sent to a children’s home. An elderly and carers, whilst still living in his own home. mountain, someone had to get up there first of all spinster, the redoubtable Aunt Vi, adopted him and Remarkably, when visited by old colleagues and with the broadcast kit.’ sent him to public school. reminiscing about old times, he was always cheerful. Rest in peace mate, you were a one off! He died on 11 September 2020. His National Service was spent in the British Army’s Somali Scouts regiment where he learned fluent Mike Philpott Geoff Platts/Pat Smith

PROSPERO DECEMBER 2020 | 9 | OBITUARIES

She was always on parade, impeccably dressed, Pebble Mill at One a wonderful tutor to junior secretaries and was even Clive Hosken producer and known to sew on a button: ‘I don’t mind doing that. Clive was born in Barry, I am one of the old school.’ South Glamorgan in 1933. His father was a Master Live Aid director Her ability to do three things at once was remarkable. From the moment he joined Mariner who, whilst at sea, Rosemary was born in Newport and joined the BBC the fledging programme spent a lot of time away from in London in 1955. She married Leo and in 1957 they Pebble Mill at One in late his family. Clive also attained moved to the USA for 18 months before returning to 1972, John G Smith set out to Master Mariner status. the UK and starting a family. It was not until 1969 that establish a strong relationship However, he remembered she re-joined the BBC, working the next 27 years in with the military, though he that when he was growing up, senior offices, retiring in 1996. As usual, she knew how himself had no previous or he saw very little of his own things should be done: ‘No collection, absolutely no family links with any of the father. Eventually Clive three services. autograph book, would prefer no speeches and if we married his childhood sweetheart Gaynor – they met have to, as brief as possible.’ She did then work at Sunday School at the tender age of 5! The influential contacts he nurtured at the MOD proved occasionally with Visitor Liaison until 2000. hugely important and supportive, more so when he Not wanting to be a stranger to his two children, The high standards she brought to her work were the produced a series of ambitious and memorable OBs as his own father (who died early) was to him, involving the military. He received full backing for a standards of her life. Her two daughters and three he started looking for other employment. Harrier jet to land on Pebble Mill’s lawn and to film on grandchildren attest to Rosemary always being In 1959 Clive applied for the post of rigger at BBC HMS Dreadnought, the nuclear sub while at sea. beautifully dressed, doing all the work for parties herself and being the last one standing with a glass Wenvoe near Cardiff, which was a High Power Band1 A Pebble Mill special he produced on the Falkland in her hand. TV, and Band2 VHF/FM station, covering much of Islands, again with substantial military help, had South Wales and a large area of the West Country. She faced cancer with fortitude – ‘I’ve lived with it for repeated showings at the outbreak of the Falklands Clive dealt with many problems. One of the most 30 years,’ she said earlier this year – never complaining war. John forged a special relationship with the difficult tasks was repairing or renewing expansion about pain, however severe. Rosemary died peacefully armed services built on mutual trust. joints on large VHF coaxial copper feeders, because at home on 4 July 2020. Born in Doncaster, he spent most of his early life in especially on a hot sunny day, expansion joints were County Durham before attending boarding school Will Wyatt prone to failure. in Staffordshire. Wenvoe gained another mast in 1964 for BBC Wales He joined the lunchtime programme from BBC Leeds, Band3 TV, and Colour TV, DAB came along. Eventually and as a director/producer stayed for 11 years before Brilliant OB engineer Clive was working all over the UK. In the early days his moving on to other programme areas at Pebble Mill. favourite site away from Wenvoe was Haverfordwest, The list of programmes he directed included and practical joker staying in an excellent guest house ran by Ken and Telly Addicts, Paddles Up, and Pot Black. Guy Martin was a vision Ann Evans (Ken was EiC at Haverfordwest Tx before supervisor in Television de-staffing). I could easily be persuaded to play the John also enjoyed strong ties with the popular music Outside Broadcasts. Early in local pub piano, and a good time was had by all, sector, and in 1985 was invited to be one of the his BBC career, an incident with Clive enthusiastically leading the singing! directors for the Live Aid broadcast from Wembley involving a coil change, Stadium, and then asked to direct the opening With Clive’s many years of experience, now based at defeated interlocks, an segment of the programme. Music specials for BBC Warwick Tx HQ, he became supervisor of rigging teams earthing wand then a rapid featured Barry Manilow, Peggy Lee and Billy Joel. all over the UK and was greatly respected for his wide unintended journey across a knowledge, experience and management skills. In 1987 John opted to be an independent producer sender hall convinced In 1990 he was awarded the British Empire Medal. and set up his own company, White Rabbit Productions, management that transmitters were not for him. principally to produce music shows. Apart from He then went to OBs at Kendal Avenue. In 1992 at the age of 59, Clive retired, but kept himself commissions in the UK from Channel 4 and ITV, he fully occupied, being a keen gardener, DIY guru, That Guy never suffered fools is a common trait worked frequently with artists in America, mainly in and also a Volunteer CoastWatcher at the National amongst brilliant engineers. His exasperation when a Las Vegas. Coast Watch station at Barry Island. new engineer requested a video feed be checked for John was a larger than life character, blessed with level because the size of the picture on a commentor’s Thanks Clive, for everything. It was a pleasure knowing unbounded energy and drive. His enthusiasm for any monitor was ‘small’ was one example. That he was you, working with you, and especially playing the project or programme he was involved with was also an excellent and supportive team player with the piano for you! Diolch yn fawr! catching and highly infectious. At home he loved to OB can-do attitude is every mark of the man. entertain friends and was a most generous and Peter Condron accommodating host. Guy was frequently a member of the Mobile International Control Room team. At Wood Norton, John G Smith died in hospital on 9 September on he had attended courses famed for their familiarity what was his 77th birthday. Dresser to the stars with the GPO telephone network and these were Jim Dumighan good preparation. For much of his OB career, his Neil Sweetmore was born home Scanner crew was London 1. Guy was a key in Buxton to parents Gladys figure in driving the cross-craft cooperation and and Sam. After three years, sociability this particular unit was noted for. sister Anne arrived, 13 years Rosemary Haynes later brother Gary. Neil disliked When confined to Base as part of the engineers’ ‘Of all the princesses on grammar school, but he rotation, Guy kept boredom at bay with practical the sixth floor of Television adored going to the local jokes. He would use the tie-lines between Kendal Centre, she was the number picture house with his sister. Avenue’s test rooms to explode electrolytic capacitors one,’ said Sir Paul Fox. Movies fuelled his imagination by remote control. For a bet, he configured a Scanner and he daydreamed about Rosemary was PA to for a complex programme using just U-links instead of Hollywood. He had a Charles Curran as DG, patching the jackfield. There were no patch cords on beautiful singing voice, performed regularly at Gunnar Rugheimer (Head of the front of the jackfield, but plenty of modifications weddings, in the church choir, and notably won Purchased Programmes), were made to cabling at the rear! several competitions. Alan Hart (CBBC1), Stuart Guy’s interests outside of work included meteorology Young (Chairman) and two MD Tels, Paul Fox and me. Aged 15, under pretext of staying with an aunt, and aircraft. He built a weather satellite-receiving She must have known more secrets than anyone in Neil secretly auditioned in Blackpool for the stage station at home and would forecast the arrival of rain the BBC but Rosemary, as well as having lightning show ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ and was offered the part at the OB. On leaving the BBC, his engineering skills fast typing and shorthand, was fiercely proud of the of Jake. His mother disapproved but his father was found a welcome home as an IT technician at BBC and was the soul of discretion. She understood encouraging, and Neil toured with the company. Tonbridge School. Guy was pragmatic to the end. the Corporation and its people. ‘X has just resigned,’ When diagnosed with cancer he said, ‘Well, I’ve barely In 1952 he was called for National Service, stationed at I once told her. ‘Yes,’ she replied, ‘I could tell when he been sick my whole life so I suppose it's about time.’ Eastleigh (not in Hampshire as he thought but in Kenya) was waiting outside.’ during the Mau Mau rebellion. On returning to UK, He passed away peacefully, hours after an enjoyable Rosemary’s insistence on the highest standards of Neil trained at the newly formed Corona Academy day spent with wife Carol, son Nick, daughters Tanya written and spoken English should have made her for Performing Arts. He developed self-confidence, and Jemma, plus several grandchildren. Secretary of State for Education. She hated bad and appearances in a string of stage shows language: ‘I just keep my ears shut.’ Gareth Rowlands then followed.

10 Neil worked briefly as a waiter, then a cabin steward many happy years, as a native Welsh speaker (Cymro with BA, but he missed show business so he left to The personal touch Cymraeg) in the village of Tremeirchion, Denbighshire. become a dresser with the Royal Ballet Company, Michael McCudden, Dave and his wife Norma again played a large part in touring Canada for four months with Rudolf Nureyev known as Mick, joined the community and looked forward to the annual and Margot Fonteyn. Nureyev at that time was the BBC in the late 70s. scarecrow competition. extremely nervous, having just defected from Russia, Born in Monaghan, and we are told that Neil was instrumental in creating Ireland he married a girl His Welsh roots came to the fore in the carving of a vitally supportive, calm atmosphere around him. from Dublin called Welsh love spoons. To those who are unfamiliar, Josephine and was a In 1968 Neil joined BBC TVC, remaining there for a love spoon is carved from a single baton of wood. publican in Enfield for 23 years, an invaluable, much loved member of The spoon end resembles a normal wooden spoon a while. Later they the Costume Department. He worked on a broad but the handle is a wooden box. The sides of the box relocated to East Acton spectrum of programmes including The Two Ronnies, are the most delicate filigree work and within the box to raise their family and he worked for the United I Claudius, Object of Beauty, Cosi Fan Tutte and is/are carved perfect sphere(s) retained within the Dairies in White City. Bergerac and was extremely popular with major handle. A true labour of love. presenters including Alan Titchmarsh, Michael As a member of the BBC messenger service, he was Jim McPherson Parkinson and Terry Wogan. one of a team of five dedicated to the Television Branch of the Reference Library, housed since 1960 Neil regularly adopted waif and stray cats. His sister in the scenery block of Television Centre under Anne died in the 1970s. His partner, opera singer John Holt, a ‘gentleman’ Mick had much respect for. World Service John Perrin, died in 2015. Neil recently had a fall, badly injuring his head, and did not recover. ‘Our Nellie’ At a time when Newspapers & Periodicals were all Sport producer was cultured, empathetic, fun loving, and will ever delivered in-house, he and his colleagues provided Geoff Parker, who was for many years the producer remain a dear and unforgettable personality. a crucial service to the newsroom and countless behind the weekend Sportsworld programmes offices, in the days before digital news gathering. Maggie Partington Smith broadcast on the BBC World Service, died in June They would begin their shift at 6.30am and mark up after a long illness aged 74. the hundreds of titles and deliver them by hand throughout the West London BBC premises: Geoff began his BBC career as an engineer working in Technical long-gone offices at Kensington, Threshold, Union the control room. But it was with World Service Sport and Villiers Houses, Television Film Studios, Television at Bush House that he spent most of his career, Investigations engineer Centre, Hammersmith and Woodstock Groves, and producing a variety of radio programmes from the 1970s to the late 1990s. John Mitchell died at the end Lime Grove Studios. of August after a long illness. In 1986 the TV Library, including Newspapers Sportsworld began as Saturday Special, presented He was 79. & Periodicals, was relocated in the newly built by Paddy Feeny, bringing live coverage of major He first worked for the GPO at Woodlands on Shinfield Street. It was then that international events to a rapt audience around the their Somerton Radio Station Mick also became responsible for collecting books globe. It featured football and cricket commentary where he trained and qualified. from bookshops and publishers throughout central from the UK, but the international flavour has grown He joined the BBC in 1962 as it London and became a recognised and popular face stronger with each passing year. with them. In this way, reference materials were recruited engineers to meet the Some of sport’s biggest names were interviewed for supplied to programme makers to meet urgent expansion of the television the programme, from Muhammad Ali to Formula One broadcast deadlines. service. As part of studio world champion Juan Manuel Fangio, who came into engineering in TVC, he worked He was known for the good humour with which he the Saturday Special studio. in a number of locations, delivered a very reliable service. Geoff also produced the World Service’s coverage including the then experimental In 1991, the Newspaper & Periodicals delivery service of the Olympic and Commonwealth Games… and not colour group based in Studio H was decentralised and the team disbanded, Mick just the glorious gold-medal performances of Lime Grove. retiring to Jo and his allotment. He was a great athletes such as Sebastian Coe and Daley Thompson. He was promoted into the Studio Technical handyman and would never engage anyone else to do Programmes put a spotlight on some of the Investigations Department and was involved in the any jobs around the house. He would ask around for tiniest countries in the world, for whom the taking development of some of the early innovative ‘cutting advice or get a book on the subject and would always part was a victory too, like the lawn bowls edge’ computer-based technology for use in television. share his knowledge when you were in need. competitor from Papua New Guinea or the shooter I associate him with being the mastermind of the from Norfolk Island. He reached the fine age of 88 and is survived by BBC 2 logo, above, and numerous other developments. three sons and two daughters, grandchildren and Another memorable moment for Geoff was a visit to These range from the first generation of electronic great-grandchildren. Gatcombe Park to record an edition of the At Home weather map symbols that did not fall off the chart; series with Princess Anne. the first in-vision clock for Breakfast Television; special Christine Noone effects for Top of the Pops, about which he was Geoff and Paddy had one of the longest working interviewed on Blue Peter (available on YouTube) and relationships in Bush House – and Saturday Special all the graphics associated with the children’s quiz Dave Tanswell had a loyal audience who wrote appreciative letters programme Finders Keepers. Much of the picture from across the globe. passed manipulation was aided by the BBC Computer David Ivor George Tanswell away in June 2020 at 91 years of age. A keen cricket fan himself, Geoff also introduced Literacy Project microcomputer. Known by his friends and colleagues Test Match Special commentaries to the World Blessed with a strong intellect, his technical contribution in Transmitter Department as Dave, Service listeners. to the needs of the programme maker over three he was one of the older style Many still working at the BBC will have learned much decades was enormous, and some of his work comes engineers who preferred a collar from him, and gone on to become excellent producers down to us at the present time. Many will remember and tie to the more casual style of a and broadcasters in their own right. long and detailed discussions with him on a whole later generation. range of technical subjects. Geoff was closely involved with his local church, As a most meticulous member of the team at St Paul’s, at Winchmore Hill in North London. He is In private life he devoted time to family history, finding Douglas, it was typical that when the local opt-out survived by his wife, Suzanne, and son Andrew from with his wife Jenny, who was adopted at birth and had failed for the second evening he went onto site, his first marriage. Sadly, Geoff’s other son, Geoffrey also worked for the BBC, that she had a twin sister, checked the incoming broad pulses, photographed junior, died just a month after his father, following his only meeting her in mid-life to find that her sister and the waveform with the Polaroid camera which was own illness. husband had been BBC employees as well. part of the team equipment and ‘all right leaving me’ no longer stood up. Jo Parsons & Martin Fookes In retirement he became well versed in the intricacies of mobile phone technology and moved with it as it There was no failure on the third evening. developed. He and his BBC microcomputer remained He was involved in the local community and at active together until recent times, when he finally We have received a large number of obituaries and lunchtime would patiently untangle the tape in invested in a tablet computer. were unfortunately not able to publish them all in the audio cassettes used by the newsletter for the this issue. Tributes to Arthur Bennett, Fenella Skuse Condolences to Jenny, Duncan, Heather and their visually impaired. (née Mantle) and Ant Astley will follow in the families at this time. When the team at Douglas was disbanded, he moved February 2021 issue. John Warner on promotion to Moel y Parc and on retiring spent

PROSPERO DECEMBER 2020 | 11 | ODDS 'N' ENDS CONTACTS COVID-SECURE STRICTLY Queries For benefit and pension payroll Meryl McLaren, Commercial Manager at BBC Studioworks, explains the incredible queries, call the Service Line work being done across Studioworks’ facilities to bring Strictly safely to our screens. on 029 2032 2811 or email [email protected]. Talkbacks, walkie-talkies and headsets are also assigned to individuals and Prospero sanitised after every use, with headsets To remove a name from the being bagged and named. distribution list, ring the Service Line on 029 2032 2811. Prospero In addition to Covid-secure cleaning is provided free of charge to protocols, electrostatic misting is retired BBC Scheme members sprayed overnight after each day on set, only. Prospero is also available including communal areas and toilets. on audio disc for those with Safeguarding our remote workers sight impairment. To register, In case a member of the production please ring the Service Line. team needs to self-isolate, we can Alternatively, it is also available provide full talkback facilities to the online at bbc.com/mypension, studio from their home via a Riedel under ‘Documents’. e’re providing full studio and Keeping our distance control panel and audio-visual of the post productions services to To allow for social distancing, the number studio floor via a Zoom feed. BBC Club The BBC Club in London has a Wboth Strictly Come Dancing, of people allowed in each gallery has Adaptions have also been made to retired membership costing £3 per and its weekday companion show been reduced. Bespoke Perspex screens the way we facilitate the two shows’ month or £36 per year. Members It Takes Two, from our operations are in place across all the gallery suites post-production requirements. For past can also add friends and family in Elstree. and a number of gallery-based series, both Strictly and It Takes Two to their membership for a small Safety measures remain the top priority operatives and production staff have make use of our Avid Symphony suites additional cost. Regional clubs for our teams as we work with BBC been relocated to cabins outside. at our Elstree edit village. may have different arrangements. Studios to accommodate the eighteenth On the studio floor, some of the However, this year editors and producers Please call the BBC Club London series of Strictly. Studioworks and Strictly operated cameras have been replaced for Strictly are working remotely at office on 020 8752 6666 or email go back a long way – we’ve facilitated by remote heads and all other cameras home, with access to Avids and the [email protected] for details, the show since its very first series. are spaced more than two metres apart. Logging system via a secure VPN. or to join. This year is a bit different as we work to Perspex vocal booths have been This in turn frees up space for multiple ensure a Covid-secure environment. created for the band’s singers, each assistants’ rooms. Viewings are Benevolent Fund We’ve worked closely with the Strictly with a bespoke air extraction system. happening remotely via live video feed This is funded by voluntary Production and Health and Safety Each booth has also been rigged with or viewing links for repeat viewings, contributions from the BBC and its teams to make a number of changes. a monitor with a live feed of the as are voiceovers. purpose is to protect the welfare of show’s Musical Director, Dave Arch. staff, pensioners and their families. A breath of fresh air Key staff will be on site for transmission We’ve hired a number of additional air Clean up, mic up days, maintaining social distancing. Grants are made at the discretion handling units which help to fill the Microphones have to be managed If people need to be in the same room, of the Trustees. They may provide stage with fresh air, 60,000 cubic carefully, and as such, will not be shared Perspex screens are in place across all assistance in cases of unforeseen meters an hour to be precise, and the across the series-run. Each mic is clearly the edit suites. financial hardship, for which help fresh air system within the gallery suite named for a specific user and is sanitised Working together to keep dancing from other sources is not available. has been upgraded to ensure sufficient Tel: 029 2032 2811 after each use by our sound team. Making the Strictly ballroom a Covid- air changes. To avoid any issues around proximity, secure environment has been a real Prospero Society the talent are now responsible for collaborative effort between BBC Prospero Society is the only micing themselves, with our crew, Studioworks and BBC Studios, section of the BBC Club run by in PPE, advising and guiding throughout with months of planning and preparation. CLASSIFIEDS and for retired BBC staff and the process. As we collectively steer our way their spouses. Its aim is to enable EMI TR50 reel-to-reel tape recorder. To limit their exposure due to the through the Covid-19 pandemic, BBC pensioners to meet on a Complete but requires attention. propelling of vapour, the singer’s hand entertainment shows such as Strictly social basis for theatre visits, Free for collection from Wiltshire. microphones remain in place within are more important than ever, offering luncheons, coach outings, etc. [email protected] their booths throughout the series. audiences a big dose of normality, They are also sanitised there. fun and high-impact content. Prospero Society is supported Ventnor. Isle of Wight. Selected by BBC Club funds so as to staycation properties sleeping 2-10 make events affordable. If you with stunning views and close to Caption competition would like an application form, restaurants. Parking. Ferry deals. please contact: www.ventnorselfcatering.co.uk The winner of a £10 shopping voucher is Mr R Whyte who Gayner Leach Menorca. Stunning detached villa submitted: ‘When I say that I want BBC Club with private pool. Sleeps 2-7. to be PM, I don't mean Paul Merton.’ BC2 B3 Broadcast Centre Es Castell. Close to amenities, 201 Wood Lane Please note, vouchers will be bars & restaurants. Air conditioned. London W12 7TP Brochure: 07860 232854. issued once the latest lockdown www.menorcaholidayvilla.co.uk restrictions have been lifted. Tel: 020 8752 6666 Email: [email protected]. Andalucia, Spain. Modern villa south of Granada, 20 metres from beach. BBCPA Post your entry to Prospero by Monday, Traditional fishing village. Sleeps 8. The BBCPA was founded in 1988 to 4 January 2021. Email for brochure: promote and safeguard the interests [email protected] Or, you can email your entry WIN of BBC pensioners. It is independent to [email protected], £10 of the BBC. For details of how to Prospero Classifieds, BBC Pension with ‘caption competition 6’ join, see the panel on page 5 or and Benefits Centre, 3 Central Square, in the subject line. download a membership form Cardiff, CF10 1FT. at bbcpa.org.uk. Please include your BBC pension number Please enclose a cheque made payable to: BBC Central Directorate. Rate: Good luck! £6 for 20 words. In a covering letter, please include your pension number.

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