The newspaper for BBC pensioners – with highlights from Ariel online

Goodbye TVC One man’s personal campaign to save the building – page 8

April 2013 • Issue 2

BBC expenses Regional Dance band down television drama memories Page 2 Page 6 Page 7

NEWS • Memories • Classifieds • Your letters • Obituaries • CrosPERO 02 back at the BBC Pollard Review findings On 22 February, acting director general Tim Davie sent the following email to all staff, in advance of the publication of the Nick Pollard. Pollard Review evidence:

hen the Pollard Review was made clearer to ensure all entries meet BBC published back in December, Editorial standards. we said that we would The additional papers we’ve published Club gives TVC a great release all the evidence that today don’t add to Nick Pollard’s findings, send off NickW Pollard provided to us when he they explain the factual basis of how he (where a genuine and identifiable interest of delivered his report. Today we are publishing arrived at them. We’ve already accepted the BBC is at stake). Thank you to all the retired members and all the emails and documents that were the review in full and today’s publication There will inevitably be press interest and ex-staff who joined us for our ‘Goodbye to appended to the report together with the gives us no reason to revisit that decision as you would expect we’re offering support to TVC’ on 9 March. The day started with a transcripts of interviews given to the review. or the actions we are already taking. those most closely involved in the review and two-course meal followed by some As you know, the review found no evidence The volume of material is huge we should bear in mind the sensitivities of all entertainment from Beeb Flutes, of any improper pressure to prevent the (comprising of thousands of pages those mentioned in passing. culminating in a nostalgic tour of Television broadcast of the Newsnight investigation or to uploaded this morning). Despite what has We’ve been open and transparent in our Centre. We hope you all enjoyed your day protect the Jimmy Savile tribute programmes. been reported, the limited redactions have not handling of this unhappy chapter in our catching up with old friends and colleagues. However the review did expose failings in our been made because they make uncomfortable history. It has not been an entirely Thank you for the lovely memories and systems, as well as cultural and management reading for the BBC. Roughly 3% of the comfortable process for us to go through but comments you contributed to the guest issues that we need to get to grips with. transcripts are redacted, on the basis of it is right that we did it this way. It is book. TVC Club closed its doors for the We have been getting on with the actions external legal advice and in consultation with important that we now move forward with final time on 28 March, along with many we said we’d take and tackling the problems the BBC Trust, for the following reasons: the lessons learned and continue to regain happy memories. that the review highlighted. To give you just a defamation; data privacy; protection of the public’s trust. You can read the couple of examples: the Managed Risk confidential sources; anonymity of victims of documents and the process we went through The Club lives on Programmes List is being strengthened and is sexual assault; potential prejudice to or ahead of publication here: http://www.bbc. now discussed regularly by the Divisional interference with police investigations or co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/ On 6 March we opened the tills for our Directors at Management Board, whilst the ongoing criminal proceedings; legal howwework/reports/bbc_pollard_report_ latest venture in Broadcast Centre. The new guidance on use of the Editors’ blog is being professional privilege and confidentiality appendices_and_transcripts_2013.html. restaurant and coffee bar, along with the 5th Floor Café in Media Centre (opening on 2 April), will be serving the remaining W12 population in true Club tradition with quality staff hospitality, including one dinner costing food, an evening bar and good old Club £275; and controller of Radio 1 Ben Cooper events. Following the success of our retired Expenses down but managers claimed £198.60 three times, in July, August member get-together at TVC, we hope to and September, for internal staff briefings. arrange similar events in other sites in the Patel was one of nine senior staff who future, which will give members the show more hospitality to staff enjoyed free tickets to the Olympics. She opportunity to pick up their Radio Times enjoyed a trip to the opening ceremony, and visit the new sites. These events will be BBC expenses are down 15% on the last quarter, but the cost courtesy of Lloyd’s Banking Group. Former bookable in advance in order that we can of internal hospitality has jumped up by 40%. director general Mark Thompson and his arrange the guest list for BBC security. short-lived successor George Entwistle were Details will be published in our newsletter. he figures, which relate to senior Arizona, in the month after she left the BBC at also there, both as guests of the IOC. management spending, were a cost of £4,190 to the licence fee payer. Thompson also attended the closing Radio Times update released on 6 March. They cover Thomson left the Corporation at the end of ceremony, was a guest of Bernie Ecclestone at the second quarter of 2012 (July September 2012 with a pay-out of £670,000, the British Grand Prix and was given tickets to Club members can still pick up their Radio Tto September). but agreed with the BBC that she would still the women’s Wimbledon final. Times from our Western House Club in W1. Senior staff are spending less on rail, take the pre-planned transatlantic flight in Director of HR Lucy Adams claimed back Unfortunately we have been unable to find flights, hotels and external hospitality, but October last year. £568 for changing two flights to cut short a a viable mailing solution at this stage, but their taxi bills have risen. They are up by 49% ‘Caroline’s trip to Phoenix was arranged family holiday in August. This was so she we are still pursuing options. on the last quarter, although the BBC says this before her departure from the BBC,’ said a could ‘return to work to play a critical role in is due to an accounting change, with many spokesperson for the Corporation. ‘Even planning for the start of the new director journeys that fell under quarter 1 (April to though the event took place once Caroline general’, the BBC said. BBC Club Prospero June) being charged in quarter 2. had left, it was agreed with management A BBC spokesperson added: ‘Total – renewal time The total taxi bill for the first two quarters that she would honour her commitment to expenses have fallen by 15% compared to For those of you who are members of BBC in 2012 is £49,549, an increase of 2% for the attend the industry-related event on behalf the previous quarter and are down 8% on Club Prospero, it’s annual renewal time same period the year before. of the BBC.’ the same time last year. The bulk of our again. Check out the website for more Peter Salmon, director BBC North, spent Senior managers showed significantly more expenses are unavoidable routine costs details. Membership is just £7 a year with just over £700 on cabs, while former COO hospitality towards staff during the quarter. incurred in running a major international Club membership. Caroline Thomson had a taxi and mini cab bill Controller of Radio 3 Roger Wright broadcasting organisation. totalling more than £1,000. claimed £934.48 for a thank you lunch ‘However, we continue to be mindful Got a question or comment? The long-serving BBC executive was one of for 39 staff who worked on the Proms on of how we spend public money and the biggest spenders between July and 10 September; outgoing chief financial officer have made good progress in tightening Email us at bbc[email protected] September last year. She flew to Phoenix, Zarin Patel spent over £500 in the quarter on our expenditure.’ or call 020 875 26666.

Please send your editorial contributions, or comments/feedback, to: Prospero, BBC Pension and Prospero is provided free of charge to retired BBC Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ. employees, or to their spouses and dependants. Email: [email protected] Prospero provides a source of news on former Please make sure that any digital pictures you send are colleagues, developments at the BBC and pension scanned at 300 dpi. issues, plus classified adverts. To advertise in Prospero, please see page 12. The next issue of Prospero will appear in To view Ariel online, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/ariel. June 2013. The copy deadline is 3 May 2013.

PROSPERO APRIL 2013 back at the bbc 03 BBCPA responses to pensioner access CONTACTS David Allen, Chair of the BBC Pensioners’ Association, writes: Visiting Scheme If you would like a visit or information on en years ago the BBC Pensioners’ The BBCPA committee have tested this and other buildings in W12 and Bush how to become a volunteer visitor, please Association helped negotiate passes procedure successfully. The BBC asks that House and Henry Wood House in ring 0845 712 5529. You will be charged for retired staff. We were holders of passes use them responsibly, central London. at the local rate. disappointed to learn during our adhere to the rules of use and report loss or • Some new buildings have canteen areas Queries TNovember meeting with BBC managers that theft immediately. Entry to some buildings used by both staff and public. LBH and For benefit and pension payroll queries, these were to be withdrawn. We made our will also require a building induction, which Salford are among them. call the Service Line on 029 2032 2811 objections and those of our members can be arranged by the sponsoring manager. The BBCPA has done its best to reach a or email [email protected] known, and asked the BBC for a compromise reasonable working compromise. We will Prospero which would meet their security concerns 2. Social needs monitor how well things work out in practice To add or delete a name from the distribution and our wishes to retain the highly valued The second group are retired staff who and provide feedback to the BBC and to list, ring the Service Line on 029 2032 2811. access for pensioners. want to visit BBC buildings for social visits, pensioners though Prospero or our website. Prospero is provided free of charge to retired As a result, in January we had a friendly including being accompanied by guests. BBC employees. On request, we will also and positive meeting with Paul Greeves Applications for specific visits would be send it to spouses or dependants who want A helping hand to keep in touch with the BBC. Prospero is (Director, Workplace and Safety), Eddie welcomed where practical and reasonable, also available on audio disc for those with Halling (Head of Corporate Security) and either by email to CorporateSecurity2@ Applications are invited for grants from sight impairment. To register, please ring James Hacker (Acting Head of the BBC bbc.co.uk or by telephone. Once some basic the Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust the Service Line. Pensions Unit). security checks have been carried out, names Fund, which exists to help those engaged in broadcasting or an associated activity, BBC Club The BBC accepts that former staff may would be held at the appropriate reception The BBC Club in London has a retired have a range of valid reasons for visits, desk and some form of photo ID (such as a now or in the past, as well as their children and dependants. category membership costing £30 a year and wishes to be welcoming. We looked at driving licence) requested on arrival. Visitors or £39 a year for family membership. The Trustees, in their discretion, will how retired staff can continue to gain access, will be asked to wear visitor badges and only Pre-1997 life members are not affected. but within a more secure system. We allowed in within the strict purpose of their consider giving assistance towards Regional clubs may have different recognised two distinct groups requiring visit. Unescorted visits to LBH, Media Village educational costs in small ways, such as arrangements. Please call BBC Club different arrangements: Buildings, Salford and Pacific Quay will not travelling expenses, school outfits, books London administration office on 020 8752 normally be possible. LBH, Salford and PQ and additions to educational awards. 6666 or email [email protected] 1. Business needs have public tours which retired staff can be Other grants can be made in respect of a Benevolent Fund The first group are those who have bonafide booked onto free of charge. The existing specific short-term unexpected need which This is funded by voluntary contributions business needs or roles which necessitate arrangements where retired staff and guests is beyond the means of the beneficiary and from the BBC and its purpose is to protect access to particular BBC buildings and who can be met and booked in by present BBC not covered by aid from other sources. the welfare of staff, pensioners and their families. Grants are made at the discretion are not on a contract (which would entitle staff will remain in place. The resource of the Fund is limited. So that help can be given where it is most of the Trustees. They may provide them to a contractor’s pass). The Association can give advice about the assistance in cases of unforeseen financial Names can now be submitted on a form process and pass on contact numbers, but we needed, applicants must be prepared to give, in confidence, full information about the hardship, for which help from other sources obtained from the corporate security team, cannot provide verification that individuals is not available. Telephone: 029 2032 3772 circumstances supporting their applications. completed along with the name of an are indeed retired BBC staff. This will be done Prospero Society appropriate BBC manager and passed back to by the security team through the Pensions It is important to recognise that the fund has been established to act as a Prospero Society is the only section of the the security team for approval. Once Unit in Cardiff, since they are the only BBC Club run by and for retired BBC staff safety net and not to fund expensive validated and registered, applicants would people who hold everyone’s details. For this and their spouses. Its aim is to enable BBC lifestyle choices. If you therefore need to make arrangements to visit an ID reason individuals need to allow a reasonable pensioners to meet on a social basis for unit to have a photograph taken. They would amount of time for a visit to be arranged. have expenses such as holidays, gym theatre visits, luncheons, coach outings then be issued with a pass carrying the Existing regional sites where canteens or membership, sky digital, high mobile etc. Prospero is supported by BBC Club holder’s name and photograph and a clubs exist within main BBC buildings will telephone charges or non-essential funds so as to make events affordable. The microchip allowing access to specific BBC still allow entry on production of a club car costs then you will be expected only conditions (apart from paying a small premises. Passes would be honoured at membership card. to be able to pay for these yourself. annual subscription) are that you must be a BBC pensioner and a member of the security gates and reception desks and would These arrangements recognise some facts Those wishing to apply this year should write for an application form to: BBC BBC Club. For an application form write remove the need for signing in or being of life we have all had to accept: to: Graham Snaith, 67 Newberries Avenue, escorted around buildings. The only • The BBC believes that new buildings are Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ, returning it Radlett, Herts WD7 7EL. difference from staff passes would be a more vulnerable now because of changes Telephone: 01923 855177 no later than 31 July. Applicants are limited period of validity, probably 12 in broadcasting technology. Mobile: 07736 169612 considered annually in September and months, after which they would need to • Many familiar BBC buildings are sadly Email: [email protected] be re-activated. now closed or closing. These include TVC in no circumstances can continuing help over a number of years be promised. BBC products BBC retired staff who can provide proof of identity as a BBC pensioner are entitled to a 30% discount off the RRP of most products in the following BBC shops (some Crospero 172 devised and compiled by Jim Palm exclusions apply): BBC Sussex Shop, 40-42 Queens Road, 1 Complete the square by using the clues; these apply only to words Brighton BN1 3XB. Tel: 01273 320413 running across. Then take these words in numerical order and BBC Birmingham Shop, BBC Birmingham, 2 3 extract the letters indicated by a dot. If your answers are correct, The Mailbox, Birmingham B1 1AY. these letters will spell out a BBC series. The winner will receive a Tel: 0121 6321372 4 5 £10 voucher. BBC Shop, 9 St Nicholas Place, Leicester Please send your answers in an envelope marked ‘Crospero’ to LE1 5LB. Tel: 0116 2016612 6 7 BBC Merseyside Shop, 57 Hanover Street, The Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Liverpool, L1 3DS. Tel: 0151 794 0908 Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ by Friday 10 May 2013. 8 BBC Kent Shop, The Great Hall, Mount Pleasant Rd, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 9 CLUES 1QQ. Tel: 01892 530915 1. Pirate (9); 2. Adriatic wind (4); 3. Break into pieces (4); 4. Thesaurus man The shops can offer a select mail order

10 (5); 5. Jam in (5); 6. Portents (5); 7. German city (5); 8. Southern river (3); service in the UK only; please call your local 9. Maids of all work (9); 10. Musical note (3); 11. Belittle (5); 12. Stop! (5); shop to discuss your requirements. Other ways to order a wider range 11 12 13. Big stretches of water (5); 14. Mad scramble (5); 15. Liveliness (4); 16. Weed (4); 17. Lighthouse (9). of BBC products (quoting your pension number when ordering): By phone: 08700 13 14 777 001 8.30am-6pm weekdays. By post: Solutions to Crospero 171: Char; Rotter; Item; Wem; Step; Donut; Ante; BBC Shop, PO Box 308, Sittingbourne, 15 16 Dali; Enamel; Renew; Theses; Echo; Lees; Hates; Opal; Mil; Smug; Spells; Kent ME9 8LW. Ebor. The series was Homes Under the Hammer. The winner was John BBC PA 17 Lamb of Oldham. For details of how to join the Pensioners’ Association, see panel on page 12.

PROSPERO APRIL 2013 04 LETTERS Politics and the pullover The Beatles in Manchester With reference to the excellent article on The biggest news story that With my unveiling imminent I hared up to the Beatles in the last edition of Prospero, Breakfast Time had to cover in Shepherd’s Bush market and bought a couple I would like to point out that my colleagues the year of its launch, 1983, of those sweaters with big diamond patterns; in Manchester played a large part in was the general election. One the sort of togs the daft young thing in their success. of the innovations that its Blandings wears. Nick Ross and I had sofa In 1962 they made their radio debut at the first editor Ron Neil was chats each morning and Margaret Thatcher Playhouse in Manchester, sharing the same determined to push won the most decisive victory since 1945. stage with the BBC Northern Dance Orchestra, through was for the After which I put in an expenses claim for conducted by Bernard Herrmann. programme to have the pullovers. Not possible, came the reply. One would like to think that some of the its own dedicated You keep them. You keep them, I typed back magic of the NDO may well have inspired political correspondent – something quite (1983? typewriters?). More executive them to move on from their success on the unheard of. He got his way and I got the job. considerations. The compromise was that I programme, to become the legends they As well as the red sofas, Breakfast Time could claim half the cost, but only if I eventually were. featured casual clothing for its presenters. So disguised it. So I fiddled an entertainment Of course the sympathetic backings that the how to dress a political correspondent? Would item with the minister for amazing things, BBC NDO provided always inspired the many a pullover detract from my authority? The the charity shop got the pullovers and soloists who worked with them. dilemma went all the way up to the DG. Michael Foot left the stage. The NDO’s excellent version of ‘A Hard He OK’d a pully, but a bit late in the day. David Coss Days Night’ with Gary Cox’s stunning sax solo (played eventually to an empty theatre, after the audience rushed outside to get autographs of a departing pop group!) appears on the next NDO double album, ‘Pure Gold 1 - the early years’ released this April, and containing many tracks thought lost forever. Ian C Reed

Prescient critique of Turn to page 9 for Ian’s facinating account of how he got involved with keeping the NDO alive. BBC management culture Woolly Doctor Who Did Albert Barber have prior access to the Pollard Inquiry papers released by the BBC? Tony Hall. The item ‘Doctor Who from 1970 gets I would also guess that, although an (‘A New Year Show’, Prospero letters, February remastered’ in the February issue is a little improvement over the original transmission, 2013). One might have thought so after his woolly in its reference to technical standards. it will not be up to the quality produced by prescient critique. It explains that the 1969 recording, modern HD video cameras or high definition Lord Patten told the Inquiry “…it wasn’t transmitted in January 1970, was recorded film used for the HD service. just a joke when I went to speak to the senior on 16mm film, rather than videotape, due I am also sure that any attempt to produce leaders’ group in the BBC and said they had to industrial action. an ‘HD’ upgrade from a 1970 colour, 625 more senior leaders than in Communist Then it says, ‘With only this exception, line, videotape recording would fail as there China. The management team, the senior the entire original series was recorded to would not be any captured, but then management group that the previous director- videotape of much lower quality, making unrealisable, quality to be extracted. general had was 27… 25 or 27. They had it unsuitable for true HD.’ My point therefore is that, at the time of the never met.’ Doctor Who was for many years recorded 16mm episode, the transmitted qualities Although the BBC website appears silent, it on videotape (with film inserts into the were not dissimilar, with 16mm film and is reasonable to assume that essentially these studio from teleciné). videotape each having pros and cons. This is were the members of the BBC Executive Board The ‘original’ series was in the 60s not implied by the article. which, according to BBC Trust Protocol E1 ‘... and videotape then was 405 line, black I am sure that Clive (Hodge) can put all is responsible for the operational day-to-day Mike Lynch, founder of the IT company and white and certainly nowhere near this more succinctly than I. By the way, in management of the BBC, for... the BBC’s ‘Autonomy’ which he sold to HP and who has current ‘standard definition’, let alone those days ‘videotape’ (all one word) was an operational financial affairs... and for... all legal been described as ‘the most influential person high definition. However, by 1969/70 Ampex Corporation trademark and ‘video and regulatory requirements... including in UK IT’; Simon Burke (not present) is it was on 625 colour and of reasonable tape’ should have been used. those... placed upon it by the BBC Trust.’ chairman of Superquinn, an Irish supermarket quality, definition comparable with 16mm The sign above the entrance to VT in So this was the board with responsibility chain and a trustee of the National Gallery; film, but not up to that of 35mm film. the basement of TVC said ‘Videotape’ and for the conduct of the Corporation at its and Brian McBride (also not present), is the I would suggest that the real reason Ampex pointed this out to us. It was never top-most level throughout the Savile/ chairman of the ASOS fashion chain and the that this remastering can be made is that changed and I think they took no action as Newsnight/Entwistle hiatus. The trigger for this former MD of Amazon. it is possible to scan the 16mm film at a we were not making any commercial was, in effect, ITV’s own Savile programme, Board membership is self-serving in that its high definition rate (1080 rather than 625 advantage from it and were buying many about which it had advised the BBC on ‘Nominations Committee’ is drawn from the lines) and thus extract all the detail that the of their expensive machines and providing 7 September 2012. board and chaired by the director-general or film holds. useful technical feedback. This news was either too late or not the senior non-executive director. Hence, until Geoff Higgs important enough for the minutes of Mark recently, certain appointments to the BBC’s Thompson’s valedictory board meeting three Executive Board had been under the aegis of days later where, of the 11 executive board the chairman of Barclays! (This same members present, only George Entwistle, committee also recommends appointments to A voice of reason Caroline Thomson and Roger Mosey had the Audit and Remuneration Committees.) produced or edited BBC programmes. Three How could this lot cope if faced by the I was very sorry to learn of the recent death were problems aplenty and he seemed other BBC executives and four non-executive nuances of difficult programme policy of Tony Parry; only a few weeks earlier to be the only ‘outsider’ who appreciated directors were also there, while absent were decisions? It’s no good anyone saying the I had read the hilarious account, in the that the day-to-day work of the library had Helen Boaden and two other non-executive board isn’t there to take decisions about Pensioners’ Association newsletter, of his to carry on in spite of the demands being directors. With the board members were programmes when, ultimately, the application to join the BBC when chaos made by the Hewlett-Packard monster in 17 others, mainly for specific items; none, it broadcasting of programmes is what the BBC reigned after he turned up at the wrong the next room. seems, were programme-oriented. is there for. interview and nobody knew what anyone At home, I was reorganising our back Crucially, the non-executive directors No wonder the Pollard Inquiry found BBC else was talking about! garden and was able to give Tony half a dozen would have had as much clout on the board as management to be ‘completely incapable’ of I got to know Tony quite well in 1983/84 rhubarb crowns that were surplus to the BBC executives. In outline, they were: dealing with the row over Newsnight. when he was given the job of masterminding requirements; I wonder whether they are Marcus Agius, the outgoing chairman of Thankfully, new DG, Tony Hall, has begun computerisation of the Gramophone Library still flourishing down in Kent... Barclays; Sally Davis, an ex-CEO of BT to clear out the stable, reducing the non-execs and its enormous stock of records. I always My sympathies go to Tony’s family and wholesale and a non-executive for Logitech to four, albeit with one vacancy. Perhaps he felt that his was the one voice of reason friends at this sad time. and others; Fiona Reynolds, who was formerly could now find room for Jeremy Paxman! amidst a welter of impossible ideas; there Jim Palm the director-general of the National Trust; Hugh Sheppard

PROSPERO APRIL 2013 LETTERS 05 Variety Department memories Dealing with the I always enjoy reading Prospero, especially artists and writers was a bonus. Apart from the writers who were the backbone of most Brian Willey and other readers’ recollections the British talent of the day, many American productions, particularly of comedy, the BBC Archives of the 50s and 60s in and around Aeolian artists would appear on our Show Band most difficult of all. I have to smile when, Hall and studios. They bring back the days Show with Cyril Stapleton’s Orchestra at currently, tapes from yet another series of It has been interesting to read in Prospero I spent there after I joined the Corporation, the Paris Studio in Lower Regent Street, on the 60s are being repeated. Could that be the comments on Adam Phillips’ dealings at the age of 18 in 1947, as a production their way to appearing at the London 50 years ago? with the BBC’s Archive Department. My secretary in the Variety Department – later Palladium. Such names as Nat Cole, In the 70s and 80s I was able to witness own experience was very similar. called Light Entertainment – working with Rosemary Clooney, Billy Eckstein and Sarah from the sidelines the influx of very young I was recently compiling a short piece Johnnie Stewart, Charles Maxwell and, later, Vaughan. Frank Sinatra even proved friendly talent into the department, all of whom went for December’s edition of Prospero. It was Simon Brett and Richard Willcox. and co-operative when visiting Aeolian Hall, on to greater things, among them David about the 50th anniversary of the BBC Before the facilities were available for drinking the grey canteen coffee and happy Hatch, Simon Brett, John Lloyd, Geoffrey Club’s inaugural charter flight to New York pre-recording programmes, working days, to borrow my late father’s city bowler Perkins, Griff-Rhys Jones – the majority, sadly, in October 1962. and often weekends, could be very long and rolled umbrella to sing a song of not still with us. I was short of a couple of bits of and the salary barely sustainable (no EDP London! As a One Take perfectionist he was Now into my 27th year of happy information, however, so I contacted the in those days!) but the commitment of the so impressed with the musicianship of retirement and careering into my dotage, Club, but it seems they have passed all their staff never flagged and I was happy to be the members of the orchestra that it was I can still take pleasure in looking back with old archive material to the BBC’s Archive one of them. said he later booked them to back his next clarity undimmed on the good old days of Department at TVC. I was given a number The department lived up to its name with recording session in London. Praise indeed. radio Light Entertainment – and I can’t be to call, but, when I did, I was amazed to be the diversity of its programmes – comedy, I think we were all encouraged by the the only one, so keep the ‘Memories’ and told that I could not be put through, even sitcoms, drama, quizzes and a variety of keenness of the staff in those days and also ‘Letters’ coming, just in case we do forget. though I had explained that I was a retired music – and being involved with well-known the artists, actors, musicians and of course Doris Copping (nee Donnellan) member of staff, and that the information I was enquiring about was for the BBC’s own in-house magazine. I eventually managed to persuade the person on the Music Library switchboard (or whatever it is that they have nowadays) to forward my enquiry to catalogues Who sounded loudest someone in Archives. This he did, but In reply to Elizabeth Connah’s letter, I am lucky when he came back to me, he said that in possessing a set of the original BBC music they would not take my call and that they catalogues to which she refers. I was a Radio 3 – Capital or Radio 1? had suggested I should call another producer at BBC Bristol in the early 80s when number, which I believe was the one for the music catalogue was being transferred to I started my career in BBC Radio in 1968 after advised against this, as experience in the USA general public viewers and listener queries computer. I asked the librarian what was completing the TO29 course at Wood Norton had shown that listener fatigue set in if the and complaints. happening to the old red-bound catalogues. and finished my career in BBC TV News in sound was over compressed by too much use So it looks like this is yet another area ‘Oh, they’re going out in the skip.’ I brought 2007, but in the intervening years I worked of this equipment. Not to be put off by this where we pensioners are persona non them home and they are a mine of information for Capital Radio from 1974 to 1989. advice, he insisted that we tweak it so that grata. This is sad and disappointing, for we on instrumentation and duration and I refer to In the latter part of the 1980s the IBA gave we were louder than Radio 1, particularly are constantly being encouraged in this them frequently in the course of the freelance permission for commercial radio stations to during the Sunday afternoon chart show. magazine, and elsewhere, to contribute to musical work I still manage to do. use compressors on the output of their He was so fanatical about this that we had to the history of our BBC, as we are, Eric Wetherell stations to ‘improve’ the sound of their AM simultaneously record Capital and Radio 1 so apparently, a valuable source of knowledge and FM transmissions. These were multiband that on Monday morning he could listen to and experience. compressors which originated in the USA, the two recordings side by side and see who So let’s hear what the official line on this The kindness and the one Capital chose was made was loudest. matter is. If we have no access to this by Optimod. There was some speculation that Radio 1 department, just say so and I, and no doubt of colleagues At first this was not announced to the were also using Optimod or something many others, will not trouble them again. I always enjoy reading Prospero and the latest listeners, to see if anyone noticed the similar and were also engaged in a similar We have plenty of other things to do, but one was no exception, but it made me very difference. On FM there was a clear response sort of exercise, although there was never any just remember that the BBC and this nostalgic and rather sad. The reason for these from audiophiles, who noticed the difference hard evidence of this. The purpose of my magazine will be the losers in the long run. feelings was the news that two people had straight away – and the comments weren’t letter is to ask if anyone working at Radio 1 Douglas Keown passed away. When I first started working in my always complimentary. However it was here in those days has any memory of them using very early twenties for the BBC it was as an to stay, and the programme controller at the similar equipment and if they were engaged A response from the BBC Archives announcer at what was then called the General time was keen to make the most of this bit of in a similar exercise of sounding better or Recent correspondence has highlighted some Overseas Service at 200 Oxford Street, just a kit that could make the station sound louder louder than Capital. ambiguities around ex-members of staff and the public year before it moved to Bush House where it than any others if you wanted to. He was Clyde Martindill acquiring copies of programmes they have had some became the World Service later. The person who involvement in. I hope the following will clarify the taught me what to do was a very charming and process for your readers. Any member of the public kind woman called Patricia Hughes. I have who has made a significant contribution to a BBC never forgotten her kindness and patience. Retired staff access programme, for example performing in a programme Many years later I met her again, when she was I too share the disappointment and frustration As for a nostalgia trip to BBC Television or as a member of the production team, can request one of Radio 3’s most distinctive voices. To my regarding the policy for BBC retired staff access Centre and the BBC Club, I think I will park a copy of the programme if it is held in the Archives. surprise, she remembered me and we laughed to BBC premises. I still have my BBC retired staff that in the ‘too difficult tray’. (For those Applications can also be made on behalf of those who about those days. photo ID card, which has always served me interested, do visit Martin Kempton’s website have taken part, such as a relative, or where your And then I read about Roger Brunskill, well up until now, but my desire to make such www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk.) company, organisation or property was featured. who had been my studio director when I visits decreases with advancing years! I must add a big ‘thank you’ to the Full details, charges and further information about became a continuity announcer for BBC2 I am, however, pleased to hear that some Pensioners’ Association, pension visitors the Archives can be found on the following web page: when it began. Roger was a lovely man with retired members can still receive a copy of and all those kind souls who organise retired http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/help.shtml#copy a very distinctive voice and he was a very the Radio Times. That disappeared in Newcastle staff lunches and ‘get-togethers’. Long may If you wish to proceed in obtaining a copy of a devout Christian. Roger’s favourite remark along with the closure of the much they continue. programme, there is a link to the application form was ‘Never let the sun go down on your appreciated BBC Club many years ago. Garth Jeffery on the site. anger.’ He was kind beyond words. Many Sally Weston years later (and we had not been in touch for a long time), he heard that my wife had passed away and he suddenly turned up at my front door and sat and talked to me for Incredible Hulke some time, which touched me greatly. I’m currently writing a biography of Malcolm Hulke, author and television writer, who wrote a number of high-profile television I am sure that many other of your readers programmes, the most famous of which was Doctor Who. Mr Hulke (known to everyone as ‘Mac’) was particularly active at the BBC in the may have fond memories of Patricia and 1960s and 1970s. Roger and will recall the warmth and If any of your readers knew Mr Hulke and have memories of him that they would like to share, then I would love to hear from them. kindness of them both. I can be contacted on [email protected]. Clive Roslin John Williams

PROSPERO APRIL 2013 06 MEMORIES The rise and fall of regional television drama David Rose recalls the early days of the regional television drama department in Pebble Mill, and the ‘us and them’ relationship between television drama and the film industry.

oining BBC Television Drama in 1954, whole operation, including ten days of theatres, our policy included a relationship working in Birmingham, Alan Bleasdale, I witnessed a tension between the rehearsals, took some three weeks, meaning with regional live drama, sharing Willy Russell, Christopher Hampton, Barry Jwell-established film industry and the members of the regular cast were possibly development. At the heart of our work there Hanson, Mike Leigh, Michael Apted, Mike young Television Drama Department. working on three different episodes within emerged a regional voice. Through the 70s, Newell, John McKenzie, Stephen Frears The former were concerned by the television 24 hours, with three directors. An all-filmed some 100 Second City Firsts, each running and David Hare, together with others audience growing fast at cinema’s expense episode would have taken two or three times 30 minutes, were produced in Pebble Mill engaged by English Regions Drama, were and were, frankly, ‘snobbish’ about their own as long. video studios. A valuable opportunity for seen by some as ‘the British film industry superior ‘quality’. The BBC, meanwhile, were Attending a BBC Senior Management new writing – but studio bound. To capture in waiting’. The timely arrival of Channel 4 guarded, so as not to be drawn into the level Course at High Wycombe in 1970, the regional towns and their countryside needed in 1982 provided, through Film on Four, of fees in film and the production costs question of improving the BBC’s relationship film cameras, which at that time alone gave the opportunity for a growing number of generally, bearing in mind their huge with the regions was tabled. At the time, all us the needed atmosphere. Thus we were our filmmakers to compete worldwide, investment in video. This all gave rise to an television drama was produced in London. using a higher proportion of film in our winning awards in leading international unfortunate ‘them and us’ relationship, My small group recommended a Drama contribution to Play for Today than London. film festivals. suggesting that all television drama was Department be set up in Manchester. Our films were written by, among others, cheap and poor quality; someone wasn’t The following year, David Attenborough, David Rudkin (with Penda’s Fen set in the Shakespeare or Bust. noticing some exceptional writing then Director of Programmes BBC1 and 2, Midlands); Alan Plater in Hull; Alan Bleasdale for the small screen, i.e., Hopkins, Mercer, invited me to create a department of drama and Willy Russell from Liverpool; Mike Leigh Potter, Rosenthal, Griffith and Plater to name based at the new Pebble Mill Studios in venturing into Dorset; and Alan Garner’s but few. Birmingham. My post was Head of English Red Shift reflecting Cheshire’s history. Regions Drama, Television (HERD.Tel.) Series or serials included Peter Terson’s Managing director Huw Wheldon added: trilogy following Art, Ern and Abe (miners ‘Find and nurture new regional writers.’ from Leeds); Gangsters, exploring multicultural Birmingham; and Plater’s Chaucerian Trinity Tales – a journey ‘Find and nurture from Yorkshire to the Wembley Rugby League Final. This ‘gulf’ was finally put to bed in new regional writers.’ After ten years based at Pebble Mill and 1987 during the Cannes International retirement in the wind, I was happily invited Film Festival when, initiated by French and Penda’s Fen. by Jeremy Isaacs to join Channel 4 as Senior Italian film directors, the newly created A small share of the London drama budget Commissioning Editor, Fiction – with 18 Roberto Rossellini Award went to Channel 4 and output provided a start; funding was months before going on air. Leaving English for ‘services to cinema’ – and, incidentally, During 27 years with BBC Television Drama, found to provide me with a script editor Regions Drama was sad for me, especially designed by David Lynch. My dream I produced 176 live Z Cars. This meant while all production effort came from the as our cherished policies seemed to wither, for nearly 40 years had become an transmitting in real time a 50-minute weekly existing Midland Region services. with Pebble Mill becoming a production official reality! episode from the Television Centre using up My response was to decline an invitation base for London output. to half a dozen cameras, averaging 400 shots to attend London Drama meetings; my A consolation for me was that the edited by vision mixers on air, and cueing in wish was to have our own thoughts – in longstanding gulf between television and April’s anniversary: five or six minutes of exterior film. The Birmingham. While never putting cameras in cinema would now be addressed. While The Oxford Cambridge Boat Race The return of the Boat Race to the BBC in 2010 continued an association that Covering our shop floor history dates back to 1927. Now available on all platforms, the first broadcast race of 2 April Nick Whines, Membership Secretary of the just across the road from London BH, as Disasters’ while working for the Corporation. 1927 was an event which the Radio Times BBC Pensioners’ Association, writes: this was the first port of call for many Many people have commented on how much trailed as ‘one of the biggest treats that the Last year the BBC would-be BBC workers. Unfortunately the they have enjoyed the writing process and BBC has provided yet’. Pensioners’ Association building was being converted into luxury how much they have been able to recall The technical challenge of providing a invited all ex-staff to flats and a photograph was not possible. when they ‘got down to it’. running commentary over the length of write an account of Then I remembered. The Association hopes to produce a the four-and-a-quarter-mile course was how they came to join My father-in-law, Nic Furse, had worked second booklet at the end of the year. If you considerable. The commentators – Mr the BBC, as part of a in Appointments Department, and on his own an original painting by Joe Latham of Nickalls and Mr Squire – described the project to compile a retirement he was presented with a book other BBC premises or activities please let race to listeners from a launch which ‘shop floor’ history signed by his colleagues. This included a fine me know. followed the Oxford and Cambridge of the Corporation. watercolour of 5PP painted by the late Joe All the material we receive will gradually crews. An aerial on the launch relayed the The response has Latham. Nic died in 2007 and his book is be transferred to our website at www.bbcpa. signal to two receiving stations in Barnes, been excellent. The now in the possession of his daughter, my org.uk and the documents deposited in from where it was sent by landline to accounts of the wife Corinna Furse, herself a senior BBC Written Archives for use by future historians Savoy Hill for broadcast. Care was taken to YiTs (or Youths in appointments officer. After lengthy negotiation of the BBC. If you have good computer skills evoke the atmosphere along the banks of Training), who joined involving my walking the dog and washing and would like to help with the project, the Thames, as well as to describe the race, the BBC as 16-year-olds during World War her car, she kindly gave permission to use the please do make contact. which was won by Cambridge. II, have been particularly interesting. If you painting on the cover of the booklet, which Please email us your account of ‘Joining The Boat Race was first televised in 1938, joined the BBC in the 1940s and haven’t yet members received in January. the BBC’ or ‘Triumphs and Disasters’ to: but cameras only covered the finish line and told us your story, please do so. This aspect of While stocks last, we would be pleased to [email protected] or post to: the boat house. Viewers had to be content the BBC’s history has been under-recorded. send a copy of the 32-page A4 booklet to Working at the BBC with John Snagge’s commentary – on radio In the autumn, I was tasked with making anyone joining the Association. You will find FREEPOST RSLK-CGKR-XEAG and television – and a chart showing the a small selection of the material we received an application form on page 12. PO BOX 230 progress of the race. The BBC’s latest coverage available in a publication. The problem was, This year the project has moved on, and Alton uses 25 cameras on land, nine on the water, could I find a suitable image for the cover? we are inviting all ex-staff to send us Hants and one in the air. 5 Portland Place was the obvious choice, accounts of their personal ‘Triumphs and GU34 9AR Robert Seatter, Head of BBC History

PROSPERO APRIL 2013 Memories 07 Dance band memories Brian Willey looks at a musical anniversary that set our feet a-tapping. obert Seatter’s Prospero item radio fans before taking outright control (February, page 8) reminded us of the orchestra under his own name and that the Radio Times celebrates its handing over his BBC baton to Henry Hall. 90th year this September – but that Also an ex-hotel bandleader, Henry Hall Ris a long way ahead, and there was an 85th was in control of 32 bands in the LMS anniversary that has just been missed but Railway hotel chain by January 1932 when should not go unnoticed. he received the BBC invitation to form a It would seem that the BBC, right from new orchestra. its infancy at Savoy Hill, set out to promote Readily accepting the offer, he and the dance music, hitting the airwaves in New BBC Dance Orchestra made their debut February 1926 with regular broadcasts by in March 1932 from the newly-built, but as The main use of the orchestra during the London Radio Dance Band, a nine-piece yet unfinished, Broadcasting House. those years was to accompany the many To affinity and beyond unit led by violinist, Sidney Firman. The Dance Orchestra, now a fully-fledged radio variety shows that had become firm Nick Thornley, who arranged the first BBC But an important development occurred staff house-band, remained under his favourites. Billy Ternent, with his strong Club transatlantic flight all those years in March 1928 when the BBC Dance direction for five years, broadcasting daily Geordie accent, had become popular as ago, gives the last word. Orchestra was launched, for it would from 5.15 to 6 o’clock and also frequently a stooge for the many comedians that In the 1960s, air travel was very continue in various forms for almost recording for the Columbia label. Back in the lightened the wartime airwaves. expensive and unaffordable to ordinary 25 years. days when ‘78 rpm’ records still ruled the In 1944, ill health forced Billy to resign, folk. Fares were regulated by IATA and In its first manifestation it evolved from turntables, no doubt many ex-staff members and the next to inherit the BBC baton was not fixed individually like they are now. a small dance band directed by Jack Payne, will recall the orchestra’s disc of The Teddy Stanley Black, who commanded the orchestra The only way was to be a member of an that had performed for some four years in Bear’s Picnic which, as a special pressing, until 1952 – calculating that during those organisation or club and charter your the Hotel Cecil in the Strand in London. could be found in most studio cubicles for eight years he conducted 3,000 shows. own plane, known as an ‘Affinity Charter’. (The hotel was demolished in 1930 to make use as a frequency test for loudspeakers. He had introduced two vocalists to the The organiser was entitled to two free way for Shell-Mex House.) The band had In March 1934, Henry Hall’s Guest Night orchestra’s personnel – Diana Coupland and tickets, which was the big incentive begun broadcasting in late 1925, and it made its first appearance as a regular Monty Norman – both of whom went on for me! I was a studio manager at was Jack Payne to whom the BBC turned Saturday night feature with the orchestra, to achieve further fame in other directions. Bush House and I was helped crucially when it decided to establish its own dance later to become a popular programme for Monty became a composer for the musical by a friend of mine, Peter Tagart, who band to broadcast at five o’clock every the next 21 years – but that is another story! theatre and famously created the James Bond worked on the Baltic Exchange and did weekday afternoon. By September 1937 dozens of hotel dance theme. Diana became an actress, probably all the negotiating. Once established, the new ten-piece bands were regularly broadcasting and the best remembered as the wife of Sid James in It was a personal initiative. I signed orchestra became highly popular and BBC Dance Orchestra seemed suddenly the 1971 TV sitcom Bless this House. an option on the charter with SABENA made Jack Payne’s name a household word superfluous, so Henry decided to resign, Stanley Black’s departure heralded the and then printed up a poster that was throughout the land. He soon secured a whereupon the orchestra was disbanded, final curtain for the BBC Dance Orchestra, displayed on all BBC noticeboards. Replies recording contract with Columbia Records; but happily reformed as Henry Hall’s own which was almost immediately replaced and deposit cheques were held for me interestingly, the record labels stated ‘Jack orchestra, which he then took on tour. by the BBC Show Band under the direction in a brown envelope by friendly staff in Payne and His BBC Dance Orchestra’, the There followed a two-year gap before a of Cyril Stapleton. the mailroom. When we had recruited reason being that the musicians were not new BBC Dance Orchestra was established, this This was a 17-piece big band containing enough passengers, I approached the BBC then on the BBC’s payroll but assembled time under the baton of Billy Ternent, who the cream of the music profession, and it Club to take it over officially, which they and employed by Jack Payne to be hired arrived right at the start of World War Two existed for five years until rock ‘n’ roll did (Alec Lee was the secretary). by the BBC when its broadcasts took place. with a ready-made orchestra from the Jack began to ring the death knell for the big To fill 164 seats was a daunting task, The whole project was a great success, Hylton Organisation. It was soon dispatched bands’ supremacy. and it was a very exciting moment when subsequently leading to a Royal Command to Bristol, which had been selected as Variety There is much to tell in the histories of all passengers checked in at Heathrow on Performance in 1930. But by late 1931 Department’s first refuge from the London the many BBC orchestras over the years and 6 October 1962. SABENA provided First he had tired of studio restrictions and, blitz. When Bristol began receiving undue this tale covers just a fraction of the complete Class catering with unlimited champagne, announcing his resignation on the air, attention from the Luftwaffe the department story. Hopefully it may inspire further extraordinary luxury, and for most of us it caused an outcry from many thousands of had to move out to Bangor, North Wales. histories as the respective anniversaries unfold. was our first flight on a jet airliner. We were in the USA during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and I remember with scorn the panic of Americans who The men who helped my mother crowded the supermarkets to stock up In July 2009, Prospero covered the war-time by mere chance two elegant gentlemen with food supplies. story of retired BBC journalist Patrick reading The Daily Telegraph. She walked up This first charter flight was followed Gerassi’s family (‘Gone but not forgotten’). to them and told them about her by a second in May 1963, this time with His mother’s cousin was Leslie Howard, predicament. The two gentlemen comforted BOAC in a Boeing 707. I travelled on whose plane was shot down by the her in perfect English and offered to help. By the outbound flight to New York, and Luftwaffe in 1943, while his father helped the the way they spoke, it sounded as though then three days later hitchhiked a flight Allied war effort by setting up escape routes they had studied in a prestigious British back on Riddle Airlines to Luxembourg. from France to Lisbon via Bilbao. university. They told her they were brothers We also organised a flight to Athens in Patrick, now living in Vigo (Spain), sent in and were from Jerez in Spain and were October, and also a weekend in Rome. this update about his British-born mother working for the Gonzalez-Byass company. marquess of Torresoto and Maria de los These short-haul flights were chartered Helen Girvin Balfour, which appeared They put her on the train to Lisbon, where the Angeles Diez Gutierrez, who ran for some through British United Airways using recently in the Spanish daily, Diario de Jerez. UK ambassador gave her a job. 20 years the Vila Nova de Gaia bodega Vickers Viscount aircraft, and I went on In 1940, Helen found herself trapped in In Lisbon, Helen met her cousin, the actor (cellars) which Gonzalez founded in 1895 all of them. France by the German military invasion. Leslie Howard, famous for his role in Gone With in Oporto. The charter flight activity was very With great difficulty, she managed to the Wind. That was the last time they saw each Manuel Gonzalez Diez is survived by his good for me personally as regards my flee France, enter Spain and reach the other, as Leslie’s civilian plane from Lisbon to Portuguese spouse, Maria Natalia Lameirao career. I was seconded to Bristol in Portuguese border. She intended to embark Great Britain was shot down by the Luftwaffe. Monteiro, who is living in Oporto. Patrick January 1963 to help organise the in Lisbon for her home country. At the border More than 70 years later, Patrick wanted to Gerassi is looking forward to visiting her; BBC 40th anniversary celebrations, and between Spain and Portugal a ‘guardia civil’ express his gratitude to the two gentlemen Vigo, where he now lives, is less than 90 later that year I joined BBC2, working took all her money. She then travelled by who had helped his mother in Portugal. He minutes away by car. for Huw Wheldon as an organising train to Oporto, where she hoped the British sent the Spanish newspaper a photo of one PS: The irony is that the very same Oporto assistant when he was Head of Consulate would help her – but her hopes of the gentlemen with his mother (shown consul who failed to help Helen one day Documentary and Music Programmes, were dashed and she was turned away. above). We now know the gentleman is visited the Lisbon embassy and, realising the and also presenting Monitor. Lost in a foreign country and helpless, Manuel Gonzalez Diez (1916-1991), son of situation, asked her why she had not told I then emigrated to the USA in May Helen felt desperate. However, she noticed Pedro Nolasco Gonzalez Gordon, second him she knew the ambassador... 1965, and never returned to the BBC.

PROSPERO APRIL 2013 08 Life after Auntie

A selection of images of TVC by photographer Manual Vazquez, who was commissioned to document the building before it closed. He wanted to capture the feeling of someone having recently left and not Saving Television Centre returned. You can view the photographs online at www.bbc.co.uk/ariel/21615204 With the closure of Television Centre in March, Ty Davies looks back at a personal campaign of his over the last five years to save the building from the developers by turning it into a National Centre for Performing Arts.

lthough I was aware of closed Theatre Museum), the BFI (to have the rumours, the formal BFI2 in West London and to create a new announcement that the BBC MOMI), The Royal Opera House (for live intended to sell the Television relays into a studio and exhibition space) CentreA site to developers was made in and the National Media Museum (NMeM) October 2007. On 20 October in the Today Bradford (to share historical and vintage programme press review, they included media equipment in an exhibition shared a two-page article by Ciar Byrne in The with the BBC). Independent titled ‘Britain’s cathedral of culture’. There was interest and encouraging John Humphrys thought that funny. I responses from The Prince of Wales, The worked at the Centre and grew to like it and Royal Opera House, RTS, BAFTA, The appreciate its history, so I decided to try and National Gallery, The British Library, H&F save it from the developers. Council, Bectu, Equity, Esther Rantzen, Greg I contacted English Heritage regarding a Dyke and others. I had a chance meeting listing application and eventually a Grade II with Amanda Neville, DG of the BFI, who listing was granted for part of the complex. stated opposition to the idea as, in her ‘I asked Esther Rantzen if she would agree to I also contacted the UNESCO World opinion, a new Theatre Museum should Heritage office in Paris to see if there was any be in Blackpool and any exhibits the BBC become chairman.’ possibility of a listing, bearing in mind that could offer should be in Bradford to avoid it was the first purpose-built television centre duplication. BAFTA also had similar concerns. in the world and, sitting across time zones, I therefore wrote to the NMeM explaining touch with me as he was writing an article to her. In it, she asked if I would meet Chris the International Control Room played an my idea and they sent their Head of about Television Centre in Heritage magazine Kane (Head of Corporate Real Estate) ‘to important part in the development and Collections down to London to discuss it and asked if I would contribute. The four- see if there is merit of merging your ideas exchange of international television linking with me. He explained that the museum had page article was titled ‘Centre of Excellence’ within our sales strategy’. They were aware of America, Japan, Europe and other parts of only recently become ‘national’ and they and ended with a paragraph ‘A dramatic my idea and liked it, but Mr Kane explained the world. Their response was good, but they thought they should have a capital presence future’, based on my idea. that he was committed to getting as much explained that only national governments and my idea could be an opportunity. He also Following a second article in Ariel, I was money for the BBC as possible. A preferred could make applications. wondered if I could set up a Television Centre contacted by Ralph Montague to discuss my option was for a consortium to buy the site I’d already written to three consecutive trust, but he did not want it called a museum, idea with him and some colleagues. Over for development into a culture/performing Secretaries of State for Culture, Media and The RTS too did not like the title ‘museum’, time we exchanged information and ideas arts complex. This is where the idea could Sport explaining my idea for the Centre, but so I changed it to The National Centre for and eventually decided to set up a TVC society, merge with the sales strategy. there was little interest – although Jeremy Performing Arts, which both found acceptable. which we called ‘TC tomorrow’. Thanks to We now know what the future holds for Hunt considered it an ‘innovative plan’. I There were disappointing replies from Sue Malden, Lord Puttnam agreed to become TVC, and it includes a sizeable BBC presence, decided not to continue down that road. My others, including Melvyn Bragg, Michael president and I asked Esther Rantzen if she with a new HQ for BBC Worldwide and BBC MP also took an interest and wrote to Mark Grove, Joanna Lumley and Michael Grade. I would agree to become chairman. However Studios, with post-production remaining. Thompson, James Purnell and Margaret was also disappointed not to receive answers time ran out, and the Centre was put up I hope my meetings and letters helped in Hodge about the possible development. from Terry Wogan, Janet Street Porter, Alan for sale. By then I’d written 101 letters, so I arriving at this decision. There is still talk of I then started writing to various influential Yentob or the MU. decided to wait and see if any of the seeds had a hotel and shopping centre for the site, but organisations and individuals to sow seeds Sue Malden (ex Head of Broadcast fallen on good ground. let’s hope that in the future there will be a of support for my idea to develop the Centre Archive and now international chair of Focal On 21 March 2011, I received a reverse Langham situation and the hotel will into a National Museum of Performing Arts. International) asked me to write an article letter from Lucy Adams (Director, BBC be returned to its original purpose-built use This would involve the BBC continuing to for Archive Zones magazine. It was well Operations), letting me know that my as production offices. use it as a production centre while sharing received with a good editorial comment. second letter to the BBC Trust following the I have had a ‘thank you, well done’ note the site with the V&A (to replace the recently Torin Douglas asked Bob Chaundy to get in appointment of Chris Patten had been passed from Tony Hall.

to former members of the Design Group. Last chance to see Feathers and photoshoots ‘Word got around, and people replied and Bernard Newham told Prospero about confirmed right up to the day itself!’ another tour of TVC, organised by Bill She also contacted Don Smith, veteran Jenkin, a BBC cameraman for near half a Photo by Don Smith. photographer for the Radio Times, who century. It took place on 12 March, just a very kindly volunteered his services. few days before the last news bulletin was ‘On the day we assembled in the main broadcast from TVC. ‘He expected around reception. A very patient security man 30, but had to close the book at 120. There ticked off the 86 names I had previously were tours, and pictures, and lunch, and a sent to Russell, before issuing the passes. lot of nostalgia.’ We had people coming from the Isle Bill booked special extra tours of the of Wight, Devon, Cornwall, Oxford, place, as the last official one had been Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset, Bristol, Wales weeks before. The lady in charge explained and London. the itinerary – ‘We’ll go to the horseshoe ‘It was very successful and put people in and talk about the history of the place.’ touch again. I met a girl who I hadn’t seen Bill said: ‘Don’t do that, these people ARE for about 25 years! the history of the place.’ ‘After the photoshoot, some people went ‘We were guided around in a friendly There have been a number of goodbyes contacted a BBC producer, Russell Minton to the nearby wine bar, Birds of a Feather, manner by a chap who started in to TVC since its imminent closure and (who had previously interviewed her which used to be a regular haunt. We talked broadcasting after most of us had left. We plans for redevelopment were announced. regarding her extensive Doctor Who work for at length about our time at the BBC TVC; we visited our old haunts, and some studios, Joan Stribling organised a Design Group a DVD he was making). He agreed to host all had fond memories of the place and the ending on the set of a sitcom in TC3, the photoshoot at TVC in November. She the group, and Joan sent out copious emails people we met.’ place where it all started in 1961.’

PROSPERO APRIL 2013 Life after auntie 09 Retirement…what retirement? Keeping a big band alive – the NDO lives again!

Sometimes you begin to wonder how it is possible to be retired, Money matters and still be working harder than you were at work. So it was with me well over a year ago, up to the present day. In my Caring for career with the BBC, I had worked in many aspects of audio, your future from drama, music and radio outside broadcasts – a total of People are living for longer and it is 25 years. commonplace to find people of an older generation not being able to manage in their own home. When this unfortunate fter I left, I still maintained a keen After having all the salvageable recordings occurrence happens, it can cause difficulties interest in audio, designing and carefully digitised, it was obvious to me from both an emotional and financial restoring loudspeakers, and above that the NDO ought to be heard again – to perspective. Most people are unaware of all listening to music of all kinds. achieve this as a private individual was the options available to them and very few OneA evening I was trawling the net to find something of a challenge, and it was plain take any legal or financial advice around the the website of the BBC Northern Dance that there were few band or audio colleagues options they have available. Orchestra, with whom I had worked in who would wish to (or be daft enough to!) Residential care, or continuing care a very junior capacity at the start of my tackle such a complicated task, involving in the family home, is expensive and is a BBC career. There was nothing of note to both music, audio and reams of paperwork. cost that most people are unable to meet be found and no website available. More It would be down to me to do it. without the encashment of investments or searching revealed that they had almost What was on those tapes quite amazed the sale of the family home. This can be vanished without trace. me. They were the very best of the NDO; a difficult and emotional time, with those In my time with the BBC, there have been after all, would a band member or soloist We would sell the CDs at cost, but requiring care also concerned that their only a few occasions when I realised I was in request a copy of a number he featured in if ask buyers to make a small donation to financial assets will erode down to the the presence of something or someone very it wasn’t something special? a music therapy charity, Nordff Robbins bare minimum. special: once was working on the Today Gradually, more and more tapes and CDs (www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk). You can avoid this situation with programme in Manchester with the late Brian arrived, and I contacted my colleague, Ian The support from the BBC and the appropriate financial planning. One option is Redhead; another time was having the privilege Parr, who had made the first NDO CD. Both Musicians Union was excellent. Both were through the purchase of a care plan, which to record the first public performance after her the playing of the band and the audio quality extremely helpful and eventually, after many will guarantee a level of income throughout graduation by Evelyn Glennie. of the CD were sensational, and this gave me emails, permission was given to make the the care recipient’s life, with any remaining The NDO fell right into that category too an idea! first CD, ‘Diamonds’, which was released assets ring fenced for future beneficiaries. – magical playing, perfect solos. Their sight in 2012. This gives both the care recipient and their reading was so good that the final takes were Through the great generosity of buyers, family peace of mind that care costs are invariably the rehearsals. If the band wasn’t What happened was over £2,400 has been raised for Nordoff met indefinitely without the ongoing erosion in the pub round the corner by 12.30, Robbins, who do great work with music, to of their assets. having recorded 20 immaculate tracks, there quite amazing. help disabled children and vulnerable adults. The biggest concern facing many is the had been a crisis! But it didn’t end there. The publicity from potential loss of the home in order to meet I did a little research and found out that ‘Diamonds’, and features on the Clare Teal the cost of care. The current system uses the NDO had only recorded one LP in 1972, It was quite clear that this was a group and Desmond Carrington R2 shows meant means testing to see what finances are and a colleague had released a CD with the of truly exceptional musicians who did that I was getting around 20 emails a week available and generally the home can be relevant permissions in the 90s, both of not deserve to be forgotten. Their following to the NDO mailbox (see below) – these disregarded if it is occupied by any of which were unavailable 23 years later. by the public was huge because of the included the offer of publicity material and the following: I remembered all the band numbers being number of outside concerts they did, many more tracks, which duly arrived. • a partner recorded on five-inch W reels for transmission and their continuous exposure on the Many were poor quality recordings off • a relative who is over 60 or incapacitated in London. These were played twice on shows Light Programme (later Radio 2) and loudspeakers. However, some were quite • a child under 16 who you are liable throughout the week, then wiped and World Service. sensational and easily of broadcast quality. to maintain returned to us to put more recordings on the I decided to ask for help from the BBC and These too were professionally digitised, and at • a lone parent who is the estranged or next week. It seemed to me that the chance Musicians Union – many in the past must a rough count there are now around 500 NDO divorced partner of the client. of locating any NDO recordings would be have tried this and failed. My advantage band numbers previously thought wiped. It can be tempting to think of giving slim, if not non-existent. I had the bright idea was that I had worked both with the band Maybe the next idea might not have been away your house to family members, of putting up a rudimentary website, with and the BBC. my best…I asked the BBC and the Musicians so that you will not have assets in your what information I had on the band, and I wrote a letter to Mark Thompson, then Union for permission to produce two more name to fund care home fees. However, requesting more. the DG, explaining what I was trying to do, double CDs. This permission was kindly there are disadvantages to doing this, What happened was quite amazing. People and how I thought it could be achieved. given and the first of these double CDs, ‘Pure including a regulation which states that, emailed me to say that they had recordings I said that it really was in the interest Gold 1 – the early years’, will be released if a Local Authority believes that a person off air of many NDO shows, and some even of the BBC to allow the public to hear in April 2013. Our nominated charity for has deprived him or herself of assets had master tapes of special NDO sessions these exceptional recordings, once thought this first double CD will be Children in Need, deliberately to avoid paying care home and were happy to send them to me. After lost forever. while the second CD, to be released in fees, the Local Authority can deem that 40 years, some of the tapes were in awful I decided that this would not become a 2014, will benefit the Musicians Union the person still owns that asset. condition, having been stored in lofts and commercial venture, and that myself and Benevolent Fund. Everyone’s requirements are garages – one box containing eight gems was colleagues involved in attempting this task I cannot even think how many hundreds different and there are many options to covered in a thick layer of bird droppings, would work without payment, as a measure of hours have been put into the project by consider, therefore financial planning is and others needed specialist treatment to of respect for the band – of whom, sadly, us all, but judging by the feedback and letters absolutely crucial. recover the music. only four now remain. of thanks, it has all been worthwhile. Origen Financial Services provides Thanks to the NDO project and the specialist advice in these difficult dedication of all at the Light Music Society, circumstances. To arrange a free initial around 200 arrangements of the NDO/NRO discussion then please email Origen at are now available to the public (and more [email protected] have recently been located) – but be warned: only exceptional musicians need apply! Ian C Reed M.I.E.T. www.northerndanceorchestra.org.uk CDs produced by retired staff. Email: [email protected]

PROSPERO APRIL 2013 10 obituaries her parents decided to send her to Elmhurst The Cricketer magazine, but re-joined the BBC and worked with many established stars, Driving BBC North’s instead – then based in Camberley, Surrey – in 1985, in a deal which saw him also retain including, once more, Morecambe and Wise. entertainment output where she learned to dance and act with that editorial role with the magazine. She retired in 1985 and spent her later Ken Stephinson, the renowned director and Jenny Agutter and Hayley Mills. That arrangement ended in 1991, when years in Norwich. Her younger son, Simon, producer, who was the driving force behind Brigid followed her older sister Jillian into he was appointed cricket correspondent of who as a boy appeared in the film Oliver!, the growth of BBC Entertainment in the BBC in the late 1960s, joining the BBC The Daily Telegraph. In 1999 he moved to same predeceased her and she is survived by her Manchester in the late 1970s and 80s, has External Services in Bush House as secretary job at The Times. That should have completed other son, Tim, and her partner David died, aged 79. to the then Head of Current Affairs, Robert a remarkable and unique quartet of jobs, Edwards, a retired BBC photographer. Tyne Tees gave Ken his grounding in TV Milne-Tyte. Always passionately interested in but in 2010 he capped even that CV by David Edwards but in 1972 he was lured to the BBC to work theatre, Brigid moved eventually to the World becoming President of the MCC. on the networked current affairs magazine, Service Drama Department. Several years In his early days in broadcasting, it was More Morecambe Nationwide. For the next four years, he made were then spent as a World Service the conciseness of his reporting that attracted short films and a lot of new friends, notably programme reporter charged with choosing attention. That attention to detail remained and Wise a series with Richard Stilgoe filmed on the domestic radio programmes suitable for throughout his career in his radio cricket John Ammonds died on Wednesday 13 River Thames. adaptation and transmission for an commentary. However he was to develop a February as the result of a stroke. He was 88. His next move was to a new Features international audience. This included certain reputation for scattiness, as when he Renowned for his production skills with Department, based in BBC Oxford Road, recording and editing the Proms every rang me as a one-day international was The Morecambe and Wise Show, a fine obituary Manchester. His first task was to act as a summer from the Royal Albert Hall – a role starting at the Oval to tell me that he had appeared in the national press written by senior producer on Brass Tacks, a weekly that sparked her love of classical music. gone by mistake to Lord’s. Graham McCann, their biographer. With summer current affairs programme. But it Brigid left the staff in the late 1980s to set In the West Indies, famously, he tried that in mind, any other obituary pales was in entertainment features that Ken up an independent production company for some time to get through to The Times into insignificance. demonstrated his greatest strengths. He with her husband Malcolm. Together they sports desk, before realising that what he renewed his partnership with Richard Stilgoe travelled the world, from Alaska to Africa thought was his mobile phone was the in And Now the Good News, the programme in through Asia and the Pacific, to the Middle television channel changer from the hotel. which a young comedian, Rowan Atkinson, East and the classical world of the Those tales – and his commentary – will made his BBC television debut. He edited the Mediterranean, recording documentaries be sorely missed by colleagues, listeners new Russell Harty chat show. And, for the for their award-winning World Service and readers. first series of Great Railway Journeys of the World, series, Heritage. Peter Baxter he took Michael Palin from London to Kyle Away from the pressures and stimulus of of Lochalsh, a film which delivered over nine life at Bush House, Brigid and Malcolm were Head dresser million viewers to BBC2 in mid-evening, a devoted couple with two children – Sebastian and Henrietta – who remember after Ken heard the former Monty Python who danced with Having both been ITMA sound effects radio as part of their lives almost from the star talking about a childhood spent on Morecambe and Wise boys, John and I shared many memories, Sheffield station trainspotting. No surprise beginning. When Brigid was doing a Jean Beaton, under her maiden name Jean so I thought it preferable to present my then that Ken was subsequently put in weekend shift, Sunday lunch was quite likely Bamforth, provided an intriguing footnote tribute with a memory of John’s life in his charge of all BBC North’s network to be in the canteen at Bush House. During to the history of entertainment by briefly own words. entertainment output, including Hinge and the Proms season, the children often joined turning what became one of its most famous In March 2004, Jim Palm, the Crospero Bracket and It’s a Knockout. But he still found their mother in the BBC broadcast box at the double acts into a trio as Morecambe, compiler, wrote about radio sound effects for time for one more Great Railway Journey with Albert Hall. Bamforth and Wise. the magazine Best of British. I sent John a copy, Michael Palin, this time from Derry to Kerry Ironically, Brigid died in the year that her Born in High Green, Sheffield, in 1925, suggesting he wrote a brief letter to the in Ireland. beloved Bush House, which had nurtured Jean showed an early talent for dancing and magazine about his career. I had a 1950s There was no shortage of trains in Ken’s her career and played such an important part appeared in local shows. ‘It was the only photograph of him busy with sound effects life. On his arrival in Manchester, he and his in her life, closed its doors to the World thing I ever wanted to do and I dreamt of which would be a fun illustration to use. He wife, Marjorie Lofthouse, herself a Service for the last time. making it a career,’ she recalled. Her parents accepted the suggestion, his letter was distinguished broadcaster, moved into a Mike Popham were supportive and her father advised her to published in May 2004 and reproduced here: former station at Saddleworth, high up on stop entering talent contests and concentrate ‘I joined the BBC in 1941, when I was not the Trans-Pennine line, where the noise of CMJ: concise on more serious work. quite 17, as a sound effects operator and expresses became the regular background to In 1939, aged 14, she was performing in worked on numerous entertainment shows. domestic life. On one occasion, a BBC2 but scatty a children’s matinee at the Lyceum Theatre in The most popular was ITMA starring Offers Meeting with Brian Wenham is said to Christopher Tommy Handley. Martin-Jenkins, Sheffield. By chance, Jack Hylton, the have concluded in Ken’s living room to the I remember one ITMA script in which who was for two bandleader and impresario, was appearing at accompaniment of the 18.19 to Leeds. there was an instruction to make the sound spells, totalling a the nearby Empire. He was always on the Ken and Marjorie stayed in Saddleworth of a battleship coming down lighthouse after Ken’s retirement from the BBC. They dozen years, the lookout for acts for his touring shows, and stairs. This was the 1940s – long before continued to make videos, narrated by BBC’s cricket one afternoon, partly to get out of the rain, The Goon Show! Marjorie and produced by Ken, which correspondent and he dropped in at the Lyceum. He spotted The photo was taken at Aldenham in the celebrated local life. No wonder Saddleworth a commentator on Jean and sent a note to Mr and Mrs Bamforth 1950s. I am the chap with his back to the Church was packed with friends and Test Match Special asking to meet ‘the parents of the wonderful camera making rowing noises in the pond neighbours – as well as former colleagues – for four decades, died on New Year’s Eve at acrobatic dancer’. with my colleague, Peter Kent. The at Ken’s funeral, in which a life well-lived the age of 67. The result was an offer on the spot in programme was The Windjammers, and starred was properly celebrated. He joined the staff of Sports News in Bandbox, a show at the London Palladium. Jack Hawkins and Anne Crawford (also in the Martin Brooks and Roger Laughton 1970. In those early years he was as likely to From the Palladium she went on to her first be required to round up football matches as pantomime, at Golders Green, and Hylton photo). to deal with any cricket matters, but his sent her on his touring show, Youth Takes a I had a long and interesting career with Heritage producer talent was known about in the rival Outside Bow, where she first met Ernest Wiseman and the BBC; I became a radio and then a TV Brigid O’Hara, a former producer of Broadcasts Department and in 1972 he was then Eric Bartholomew. Bartholomew producer, reaching a zenith with eight years Heritage, the long-running BBC World invited, alongside another young pretender, became Morecambe and by 1941 as producer/director on The Morecambe and Service series presented by her husband Henry Blofeld, to commentate on the first Morecambe and Wise had formed their Wise Show. Not bad going when you Malcolm Billings, has died of ovarian cancer ever series of cricket one-day internationals. double act. Two became three when remember that I started my career at a wage aged 68. The following year he commentated on his Bamforth joined them, but their trio was of £1.7s.6d. a week, and on ITMA doing a A child of Empire, Brigid was born in first Test Match. short lived; Eric and Ernie decided to leave multitude of sound effects including blowing Munnar in south India in 1944, the daughter He remained part of the Test Match Special Youth Takes a Bow for a West End show and bubbles into a soup bowl as ‘The Diver’ made of an Irish tea planter. Returning to Ireland commentary team continuously from then in due course were both called up. Bamforth his entrance and exit with the line: ‘Don’t just before her sixth birthday, she displayed until his illness forced him out of it in 2012. stayed with Hylton, who became a father forget The Diver, Sir!’ an early talent for dancing. She was offered a Appointed Cricket Correspondent in figure, and enjoyed a successful career as a Signed: John Ammonds MBE, Gerrards place at the Royal Ballet School, but in those succession to Brian Johnston in 1973, he dancer before joining the BBC’s Costume Cross, Bucks. days the School had no boarding house so left that job in 1980 to become editor of Drama Department. She became head dresser Brian Willey

PROSPERO APRIL 2013 obituaries 11 ‘part of the furniture’ there. He worked out of a so sad that she has gone so early.’ Hamish Encyclopaedic tiny broom cupboard in the North East Wing Norbrook recalls Barbara asking him to do Down Your Way knowledge of Bush House, known as ‘Granger’s Grotto’, a range of unusual but interesting jobs – producer Alan Brownless and was part of what was officially called the running a video course in Trieste, shuttling The death has occurred in Westgate on Sea, passed away on Presentation Unit for BBC English. He had a between East and West Jerusalem and Kent, on 15 February 2013, of former BBC Thursday, 24 January melodious and measured voice, ideal for attempting to show the Queen’s English producer Phyllis Robinson, aged 89 years. spoken English at the microphone. after a long and Society that the BBC did actually broadcast Phyllis joined the Corporation as a Martin took voluntary retirement in 1992. debilitating illness ‘decent’ English. shorthand typist in 1941, working her way He was in his early 50s, and still had plenty very bravely borne. Turid Wøien, from the Norwegian sales up through the ranks as secretary and then of vigour to apply to his passions: Alan joined agents, saw Barbara last October. ‘She had recorded programme assistant, until 1949 freemasonry and cricket. Apparently he was a the Equipment a glass of red wine in one hand, a stick in when she was engaged in actuality recorded senior freemason, but most of his friends Department in the the other and a big smile on her face. The programmes On the Spot, Holiday Hour and never knew this till after his death. He was a 1950s, having moved from the North East only thing missing from the old days was member of the MCC and the Lord Taverners, special features for Woman’s Hour. She then where he was in the Police Service. He her cigarette.’ but he also loved playing cricket and for transferred to Outside Broadcasts – State remained with the department (later A final word from Glynis MacKay: ‘Barbara several decades turned out for the Bushmen occasions, Olympic Games, ‘live’ Down Your becoming the Design and Equipment always made time for people, whoever they cricket club at home and abroad on tour. Way progammes with Richard Dimbleby; Department) at Avenue House, developing were. Though she was passionate about her job, On the cricket field he always fielded in then three years of ‘outside’ recorded she always enjoyed a good laugh and a joke, his career and ultimately becoming a the slips and he always batted some way programmes Welcome Stranger and Welcome to which made it a real pleasure to work with her.’ member of the senior management team. He down the order in a stolid and somewhat Britain with Eamonn Andrews in one of his Hamish Norbrook retired in 1990 prior to the department cautious style. He was not noted for quick first opportunities at broadcasting. being closed as part of putting more money singles. In 1996, his final season, he was Phyllis became a permanent producer on into programmes. presented with the club’s prized annual Costume Department Down Your Way with Franklin Engleman for During his time at the BBC, unbeknown to award, the Berle Adams Trophy, for managing 18 years – 733 programmes – travelling the many, he touched their lives. As Head of to score only one run in an innings of dresser length and breadth of the United Kingdom Purchasing and Supply he was responsible for 56 minutes. However, in a match at Fernhurst Sheila Evans (nee McGelicot) was born and Ireland. She carried on producing Down making sure that the Central Stores fulfilled a few seasons earlier, he astonished his of Irish Catholic parents in London. Her Your Way for a further four years with Brian the needs of the service. Much of the stock teammates by striding down the wicket in father, a much respected man in charge of Johnston at the helm. was of a specialised nature and stock levels the final over and smashing the ball with correct flooring for all events at Wembley She transferred to the Archive Features needed to be such that the highs, lows and uncharacteristic ferocity to win the match. Stadium, also sharpened skate blades for all Department, working on four series of aspirations of the Output directorates could be Uncharacteristic, because Martin the skaters, and there Sheila became inspired. natural history quiz programme Two By Two. accommodated. On the technical side, some embodied prudence, decency and old She overcame all opposition to her chosen For many years she produced the popular of the requirements were for dates that could fashioned virtues. He was an efficient career, working at C & A’s. She also practised programme Thanks For The Memory, with not be missed, such as special State occasions, organiser, who worried about getting things skating regularly, eventually Hubert Gregg. She also produced Hubert’s major international sports events and the start right. He went on to be an excellent being invited to join series I Call It Genius and I Call It Style, of new services. Alan was always prepared to Chairman of the club, and presided over its the Ice Show going which were a personal spotlight on special go the extra mile to provide the best possible 50th anniversary dinner at the Waldorf Hotel. on tour to South people in entertainment, such as Walt Disney, service in the most economic way. His Peter Hill Africa. She met and Busby Berkeley, Laurel and Hardy etc. Phyllis encyclopaedic knowledge of Engineering married Jack Evans, is also remembered for a number of series Stores was of immense value. Head of BBC English who had been working of Be My Guest. Alan had an extrovert personality, getting on the Kariba Dam in North Carmel Gregg on well with both BBC colleagues and the Barbara Goldsmid, Rhodesia. They had two sons Peter and Paul. many suppliers he came into contact with. former Head of BBC The marriage became troubled, they agreed to He had a great sense of humour, which made English, died on 17 split up, causing Catholic Sheila an agony of Dorothy Tanner/ him an easy person to work with and for. January aged 82. She conscience. She returned in the 1960s to look Jicinsky After his retirement Alan maintained his joined the BBC in after her parents in Wembley. She continued Known by her love of all things football, became secretary 1955, after a degree working, making costumes for impresario Tom friends as ‘Durra’, of a local bowling club, enjoyed holidays in in French from Arnold’s shows, gaining enough experience to she died in Devon far-flung parts of the world and kept in Oxford and a couple join the BBC Costume Department where she on 27 January, aged touch with many of his departmental of years working in found herself reunited with several of her 88. She worked in colleagues through regular lunch meetings. Geneva as a bilingual secretary for the World ex-skating colleagues. Sheila radiated such a the Arabic Section in His rock, especially during the difficult Council of Churches, still facing strains after calm confidence she was soon promoted to Bush House as a years of his illness, was his devoted wife the Second World War. The BBC had broadcast senior dresser, becoming an invaluable crew typist and translator, Audrey, and our sympathy is extended to her, its first English language teaching lesson to member on a wide variety of shows. Her son from the mid-50s to their daughters and grandchildren at their occupied Europe on 4 July 1943, under the Paul with his wife Sian moved to IOW and had the mid-60s under the name Dorothy Tanner, immense loss. guidance of the linguist Vernon Duckworth- a daughter Angharad. Sheila spent every free and then from the 70s until she retired in the Bert Neale and Colin Bowler Barker, and after the war the ‘English by moment with them, helping tirelessly with the Radio’ service grew fast. Ryde School drama productions, earning 80s, under the name Dorothy Jicinsky. The new Head, SF (Steve) Stevens, saw the respect and affection from all. Years later Sheila Suzanne Carroll Teaching English potential of turning the notes that and her husband Jack were reconciled, setting accompanied the programmes into books, up home together in Hove; tragically Jack died Richard (Dick) Henry Oliver, by radio later accompanied by gramophone records, in 1992 and then she lost her son Paul in 1994. ex Science Correspondent, Martin Granger, World Service, died peacefully and in 1955 Barbara joined the department She remained in constant touch with scattered on 12 February 2013, after a who died on 19 as his secretary. Barbara travelled ceaselessly, family and friends in Ireland, Australia, America long fight with cancer. Trade December 2012, signing up new agents and negotiating and UK. Always deeply religious, she made Unionist, Journalist, Quaker. The photo shows Dick worked for the BBC broadcast and publication co-production regular pilgrimages to Lourdes and describing a lamp test at the all his adult life. He contracts. She helped develop a network of Compostella; her love of music and drama General Electric Company of joined the BBC when sales agents which, by the time she retired in permitted frequent trips to Gyndebourne and Great Britain, Hirst Research Centre in North West London. he was 19 and went 1989, was earning the BBC some £2.5m the Globe Theatre. She also learned Italian for on to work for the a year. The 60-strong department she left was visits to Italy. Blessed with abundant energy, Overseas Service in broadcasting, directly and through Sheila devoted time to charitable causes: the Bush House for 33 years – as presenter, studio rebroadcasting, around 4,000 hours of radio Monday Club, St Vincent de Paul, even learning manager, announcer, and producer of English by and television programmes a year. sign language to help the Deaf Group in Radio, teaching English over the air to She was respected and popular. Peter Horsham. Hardworking, non-judgemental, thousands, if not millions of overseas listeners. Menzies remembers ‘…her jaunty, light generous to a fault, with a mischievous sense He was at the centre of a small repertory touch management style’. Kathy Flower of humour, Sheila was much loved and is company of actors who remember him with presented the immensely popular TV series sadly missed. warmth. He became, as one colleague said, Follow Me in China: ‘I adored Barbara and feel Maggie Partington Smith

PROSPERO APRIL 2013 12

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Pensions have never been so important. Holiday villa in Andalucia with own pool The strength of your association lies in from £300 per week. the strength of its membership. Email: [email protected] The committee can best work to safeguard Tel: 01409 241 763 BBC retirement incomes if you join your Richmond, Swaledale. One bedroom former colleagues in BBCPA. apartment overlooking castle. Sleeps 2/3. Individual annual subscription £10.00 Walking, restaurants, Georgian theatre. Joint annual subscription £15.00 Tel: 01748 822863. Email: Life membership (over 80) £50.00 [email protected] JOIN NOW AND YOUR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION Two porcupines from London Zoo face the WILL APPLY TO THE YEAR FROM MAY 2013 Dordogne farmhouse. All comforts. (CHEQUES PAYABLE TO BBCPENSIONERSʼASSOCIATION) television camera at AP. Hill-top village, secluded garden, Please complete the slip below or visit the website: magnificent unspoilt views. 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