The newspaper for retired BBC Pension Scheme members • December 2017 • Issue 6 PROSPERO REMEMBERING MICHAEL BOND PAGE 7

PENSION SCHEME | PENSIONS PENSIONERS’ LIAISON MEETING 2018

This year’s PLM at the Council Chamber, Broadcasting House, was attended by over 60 BBC pensioners, who heard from two trustees and members from the Pension Executive who oversee the management of the BBC Pension Scheme (the Scheme).

t was an engaging and interactive meeting where The floor was then opened up to questions, and the updates were provided in relation to the Scheme’s BBC pensioners asked an array of questions covering Ifunding, investments and service to members and everything from investments and data security, to PIE provided an open forum for pensioners, where pertinent (pension increase exchange) and obituaries in Prospero. and relevant questions were addressed to the speakers. One pensioner questioned the Scheme’s investment in The session was introduced by Bill Matthews, chair of companies that ‘avoid UK tax’ (the single largest the Trustees, who gave an introduction and looked at corporate investment being Amazon, for example), the highlights from the Scheme year – which included while another asked whether the Scheme was the completion of the 2016 actuarial valuation. contributing to the decline of the high streets by raising rents for retailers. Phil from the investments team ‘The annual valuation is a huge effort that we carry out answered: ‘We’re not here to be moral arbiters, we’re on a three-yearly basis, where we assess how much the here to get the best returns. These companies all obey Scheme is worth and how much it needs to pay out to the laws that are applicable to them.’ members. It’s a full 18 months of effort, where we have complicated discussions about actuarial assumptions – Transfers out and of course we have to involve the sponsor, the Another pensioner asked whether the Scheme was employer, because between us (i.e. the Trustees and the promoting transfers out – which would ultimately save Scheme MNT Rostam Kilgour. BBC) we have to make good the deficit over an the Scheme money by reducing its liabilities. Ian appropriate period of time. That involves obtaining responded: ‘A lot of schemes are reported to be common agreement of some of the factors, and requires the Scheme’s assets have increased from £9.3 billion to struggling to cope with transfer requests from the employer to look at what it can afford. It would be a record £15.8 billion, and investment returns over the members. However, we are not and have not seen a very simplistic to say ‘Write us a cheque for £1.6 billion’ last 12-month, 3-year and 5-year periods have exceeded significant increase in transfer requests, and we are but that’s not really feasible, so we’re very pleased that the benchmarks set by the Trustees. ‘It’s been a certainly not promoting it. The increase in transfers is after a long period of negotiations we have got to a point remarkable time to have been an investor,’ he said. driven by the change in legislation that gives people where we have a funding plan, requiring, on average, Most of the Scheme’s investments have increased in more freedom and choice over how to use their pension payment from the BBC of c£195 million a year.’ value significantly. savings. Anyone in our Scheme whose transfer value is Uncertain times valued at £30,000 or more is legally required to take ‘We have faced some uncertain times from an regulated financial advice, and we won’t agree to a investment perspective over recent years – Europe was transfer unless we are satisfied that advice has been It would be very simplistic about to break apart, there were stories of low sought. There is certainly no incentive or to say ‘Write us a cheque economic growth, low productivity and challenging encouragement from the Scheme.’ for £1.6 billion’. times – and in the most recent years we’ve had the US Details on the 2018 PLM will be published in the presidency and EU referendum which could have been Summary Report issued to all members in Summer disruptive, but as you can see, 2016/17 has been one of 2018, so please do look out for it if you are interested Bill said that the in-house investment team have done a the finest years on record for the Scheme and we made in attending. fantastic job with the Scheme’s investments to help £3 billion in the course of one year.’ bring down the deficit, but there are challenging times The average five-year return of 12.8% is, said Phil, much ahead regarding future growth rates. He then better than we would have expected – kind of unheard myPension Online PENSION introduced Ian Cutter by saying it was a big bold strike of over that period of time – but as to the future, TRUST LTD for regional accents, him having a Scottish accent, then Age profile of users we’ll have to see what happens but we could be at a Ian on next with a Welsh accent. turning point. Scheme survey The fourth and final speaker was Rostam Kilgour, the Ian, who heads up the Pension & Benefits Centre in most recently appointed Member Nominated Trustee Cardiff, spoke about the Scheme’s renewed focus on (MNT), who was elected by the Scheme’s active member communications, with the launch in the members. He spoke about his reasons for standing as an summer of a new brand for the Scheme and the roll-out MNT and his experiences of being a trustee since taking of myPension Online, the new member self-service up this role around 18 months ago. ‘I arrived just as the website. He also gave notice that the Scheme would be latest valuation was getting under way, so it’s been a conducting its biennial customer survey next year. very busy period. I knew I would be putting myself Ian showed an interesting slide (recreated on the right) forward for what would be a challenging role. that showed the age profile of members using Common link myPension Online. While people often think that the The slide shown by Ian Cutter in his talk. ‘Being a Trustee means that people have put their trust older generation are less likely to go online, the slide in me,’ he said. ‘Normally we trust experts to look after showed that the vast majority of myPension Online things for us, yet for something as important as a users were in the 60-75 age group. Remember, you can register for myPension Online pension you are asked to put your trust in people like at bbc.co.uk/mypension. If you have lost your Ian encouraged everyone to return the customer survey me who are not experts. registration details, please call the Service Line when it is sent out next year. ‘It really does help us to ‘However, I think we provide something different, on 029 2032 2811. tailor our service to members, and we will be providing because we share a common link with members – it online and also as a paper copy for those who prefer the link being that we have all worked for the BBC. it in that format.’ So, when we sit on the board and are given complex The next speaker was Phil Gillman, the Scheme’s financial information, we try to ask the questions that pensions investment manager. Over the last five years, we think members will want answered.’

2 WIN PROSPERO £10 Prospero is provided free of charge to retired Scheme members, or to their spouses and dependants. Christmas Crospero by Jim Palm Prospero provides a source of news on former colleagues, developments at the BBC and pension 1 Complete the square by using the clues; these apply • only to words running across. Then take these words issues, plus classified adverts. It is available online at 2 3 in numerical order and extract the letters indicated by bbc.co.uk/mypension • • a dot. If your answers are correct, these letters will 4 5 To advertise in Prospero, please see page 12. give you a Christmas ruler. • • 6 7 Please send your answers in an envelope marked Please send your editorial contributions, or • • comments/feedback, to: 8 9 Crospero to: The Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, • • • Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ 9 by Monday 15 January 2018. The winner gets a Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ • £10 voucher. Email: [email protected] 11 10 • • 1. Indian city (9); 2. Scottish island (4); 3. Irish county Please make sure that any digital pictures you send 11 12 (4); 4. Record (4); 5. Sports brand (4); 6. Eastern are scanned at 300dpi. Please also note that the • • capital (5); 7. Not active (5); 8. Droop (3); 9. Brief halt 14 13 14 maximum word count for obituaries is 350 words. (7, 4); 10. Fish (3); 11. Male voice (5); 12. Fixed point (5); • • • 15 16 13. Slender (4); 14. Down with him! (1,3); 15. Winged • • (4); 16. Summit (4); 17. Made harder (9). 17 Contents •

Letters 4-5

Mystery Sudoku Memories 6-7 - From pictures to papers to books Complete the grid so that every row, column and F I V M - ITMA revisited 3x3 box contains the letters EFGILMORV in some - Remembering Michael Bond order. One row or column contains a five or more M O V E letter word, title or name with a BBC connection. O M G F I Solve the sudoku to discover what it is and send your answer to: The Editor, Prospero, I R BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Life after Auntie 8 Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ V E I R O - Bush House reunion by Monday 15 January 2018. WIN - Analogue Man The winner gets a £10 voucher. £10 R F O V - Falklands presentation Puzzle courtesy of Neil Somerville.

The sudoku winner in October was L R O M Mrs Jean Mara, who correctly identified E the BBC connection was Today. Back at the BBC 9

- Sooty Ungloved – a new documentary - BBC Best Employer award REUNIONS

BBC Radio Brighton 50th ‘They’ll be very welcome, along with everyone else, Obituaries 10-11 No formal invitations to BBC Radio Brighton’s 50th anytime after noon on the Sunday.’ celebration lunch in February will be sent, according For more information, call John on 01273 478070 to one of the station’s original producers, John Henty, or Neil Coppendale on 01273 596363. who still lives in the editorial area. Odds and ends 12 ‘We’re holding this informal lunch at Donatello’s Light Entertainment Television reunion - The original selfie guy restaurant in Brighton on Sunday, February 11th,’ Open to all who have worked in and for Light - Caption competition John told Prospero. ‘It’s a popular venue and will Entertainment Television. An opportunity to meet up - Classifieds comfortably accommodate everyone who turns with former colleagues. To be held at Club W1 at - Contacts up unannounced!’ Wogan House (formerly BBC Club at Western House), 99 Great Portland Street W1A 1AA on Wednesday That could include the likes of Desmond Lynam, 17 January 2018, from noon onwards. Kate Adie, Jeremy Paxman, Gavin Hewitt and Annie Nightingale. ‘They all kick-started their RSVP Tony Newman (email: [email protected]) careers at Marlborough Place,’ added John. or Lesley Begley (email: [email protected]) The next issue of Prospero will appear in February 2018. The copy deadline is Wednesday 3 January 2018. Radio Scotland reminder As mentioned in the last of edition of Prospero, Mike Shaw is looking for old photographs relating to the first 40 years of Radio Scotland. These might have been taken at a special event or a regular broadcast, whether studio or OB. You can contact him at: [email protected]

PROSPERO DECEMBER 2017 | 3 | LETTERS

Cricket Remembering DEBRA (and fixing her up too) Further to Clare Elstow’s letter, as a former telecine engineer I too remember DEBRA very well! It was indeed a forerunner of the commercial DVASC system, and worked on the same basic principle. I believe that it had been developed as a by-product of BBC Research Department’s design of a digital noise reduction system. Strangely for the BBC, I don’t think its name was actually an acronym, it was simply a nickname, although many people tried to make one up of course!

Like all similar systems then and now, it had to be carefully adjusted to avoid unwanted artefacts in the picture, and the removal of small fast moving objects was one of the main things that had to be avoided. Flying squash balls and golf balls were a prime example, and flying birds would vanish from the sky if you weren’t careful, as well as people’s fingers disappearing if they moved their hands too quickly! Unfortunately, compared with the later DVASC system, Gordon Swindlehurst’s article on ‘Cricket, The LSM was made by a firm in Brussels DEBRA had very little scope for adjustment. It had just one switch control, which Lovely Cricket’ in Prospero bemoans the so I telephoned them and asked for help. selected different sizes of blemish for it to react to. Much more fine tuning was fact that he was not there when cricket I had a surreal conversation with the LSM (and is) possible with DVASC and other later software-based systems. used to be on the BBC. Well I was there engineer for a while and it became DEBRA was an amazing device for its time though, and could work an apparent – for many, many matches. obvious that he had no idea what a cricket match was so I got him over on miracle cleaning up blemishes on static film material. You just had to be I was a VT Editor in BBC Tel OB’s at the Eurostar to Waterloo and he joined extremely careful with it! Kendal Avenue in charge of the mobile us. I bought him the famous tea towel VT truck LMVT4. I attach a pic showing On another unrelated point, there is one error I must mention in Nigel Taylor’s that explains the rules of cricket, ie us in action at the Oval in 1996. On my entertaining article about the use of video tape, and I loved the obviously very ‘When one side is in the other side is out’ left is the PA Gary Disley and on my right posed picture of the 1” edit pair, featuring what looks very like my former etc just to get him started. Eventually he is my colleague Stuart Allison, with two colleague Malcolm Cowan at the ‘Editrace’ panel! The machine that is ‘a film explained that when he wrote the further chaps behind the photographer. camera pointing at a television monitor’ is most certainly not a telecine! Telecine software it was for a football match so We were busy! There was a second VT is the reverse process, scanning film to produce a television signal. Nigel means the machine worked on time of day but truck parked alongside which covered of course what was called in the BBC a ‘film recorder’. not any specific day as he had never other cameras like the two cameras in I also agree completely with the letter from another former colleague, Ross heard of a sport that carried on for each cricket stump. Archer. Having huge black lines top and bottom even on a widescreen TV when several days. After the day’s play had showing an entire series actually made for television is pretentious nonsense. We were just changing from doing action finished, we took him to a selection of replays on videotape to a new-fangled good English pubs and got him onto the Dave Hawley computer – the LSM or Live Slow Motion. last Eurostar back home. The rewritten The problem with videotape was you had software worked much better. I WAS IN TK Maintenance in the 90s and clearing up various broken equipment to remember where you had stopped Nigel Taylor’s story of wiping 2” when I came upon DEBRA. Although invented in the Research Department, they recording to wind back for the replay videotapes is absolutely true. We had decided we had to repair it, giving us the original manual to do so. I spent many otherwise you ran off the end with small bulk erasers on our 2” mobile VT hours going through the circuits until I realised one I.C. had been incorrectly instant abuse from the director and trucks. You had to use them with care or designated, subtracting instead of adding or vice versa. hilarity from your colleagues. Plus the you got a very low frequency bump in Now working I am sure there was a control to vary the size of the dirt or other fact you had to buy the beers that the audio track which would then cause which it eliminated. evening. Hence the expression, ‘You are distortion on the new recording. Our only as good as your last slo mo’. friends in Manchester sometimes took After I was made redundant I was told it went wrong again and with nobody to recycling a step too far for reasons of care for it the Beeb went out and bought two commercial units. The LSM was a computer that never stopped recording so you could get back economy. I was recording the Darts In response to the letter from Ross Archer, I still view on a 4:3 set and some on cue for the replay instantly. A great World Championship at Frimley using channels automatically switch up the present format. But the BBC decided on idea we thought and at first all went well. their tapes. On one tape I kept getting a the main channels to stop this so I have to delay the signal and zoom up to get a However, on day 2 of the five-day Test zinging noise but couldn’t work out why. watchable picture. When the further widescreen comes on more zoom is needed Match it started doing very strange I watched carefully and was horrified to if I should ever bother to watch those programmes. things. I cued up a wicket but when I find that the zinging was caused by old Keith G Palmer played it in, instead of a wicket it was cut edits spliced together passing the someone hitting a Six! spinning heads! The whole tape could fall apart at any moment. I got this tape off Mortified at my mistake, I apologised but the machine asap and flung it out of the was not sure what I had done wrong. door into the lake to make sure it would All went well for a while with me double never be used again. Saturday Club sounds checking before each replay until a similar thing happened again. More abuse Unfortunately the lake was quite frozen, My letter is a follow-up to the article ‘Jimmy Grant and the Saturday Club’ in Prospero from the director, the commentator and and the spool sat in the middle looking at October 2017. PA. My shift changed and another editor me for the rest of the OB. Saturday Club was a great programme concept but oh! those dreadful BBC sound had a go. Eventually the same thing Ian Rutter mixes in the 1960s! The difference between the few records that were allowed to be happened to him so my reputation was played (because of restricted ‘needletime’) and the terrible BBC mixes meant that I not completely trashed. gave up listening on Saturday mornings.

Sorry to say this, but those BBC studio managers (whose talents were more suited to Music While You Work or Sing Something Simple) had no idea when it came to mixing BBC Oxbridge bias pop music. Bands and singers that were capable of producing a good, rich sound I noticed that in Radio Times, when talking about the Today programme reaching were reduced to ‘dead’ vocals, a lack of bass and a ‘thin’ overall sound. Of course, the 60, John Humphrys said that: ‘When I joined, it was almost essential that you’d SMs had to monitor levels using Peak Programme Meters (‘4 peaking 6’) which didn’t been to Oxford or Cambridge’. Well, I can remember in the 1980s seeing a notice help, but a good pair of ears can make up for that. on the 5th floor of BH saying: ‘It’s not true that to work here you should have Maybe the mixes got better in later years, but by then I had stopped listening. been to Oxbridge. Just Cambridge!’

Ray Liffen It was only half meant as a joke!

Anon

4 Tacoleston Mast My late husband, Graham Barrell, was in Summer Festival Improving charge of the Tacoleston Mast, I believe The article on Motspur Park brought back memories of both Summer Festivals from its erection. and Bonfire Nights as well as section annual dinners. reception Whilst doing some local history I have a lovely, framed, coloured Its closure was a sad time – but I heard recently that it is destined for great things: research recently, I was amused to photograph of the mast and would like Crossrail 2 sidings and maintenance depot. I wonder if I’ll live to see it with come across this letter, which was to donate this... who might like it? Crossrail 2 now having a 2033 opening, according to a recent newspaper report. sent to our local newspaper in 1924. Valerie Barrell Charles Hope The writer suggests that the BBC If you know someone who might was having to ‘take steps’ to deal appreciate this photograph, please get with interference caused to radio in touch with Prospero and we will pass reception by ‘oscillation’ or ‘howling’ your details on to Valerie. Looking for BBC German from poorly adjusted wireless sets. Service veterans I can remember as a boy making one I would like to contact retired staff who worked for (or remember listening to) the of this early type of radio receiver BBC German Service. (TRF or tuned radio frequency), for listening to Radio Luxembourg. This I am an academic researcher in the German Department at Warwick University, also used the ‘reaction’ technique to currently leading a project on the history of the German radio service from its improve reception. beginnings in 1938 to its closure in 1999. Although there are rich archival holdings on the subject, I am aware that these only tell a part of the story, and it would be I hope I wasn’t upsetting wonderful to speak to anyone involved in the day-to-day running of the service. the neighbours!

If you would be interested in sharing your memories and expertise on this project, Patrick O’Neill please get in touch by email ([email protected]). For further information on the project, please see the website: broadcastingnations.weebly.com

Emily Oliver

Seeking Richard Wade Al Read I have been attempting to renew contact with an old friend, Richard Wade, Peter Charlton’s letter about Al Read whom I knew back in the 60s. He used to write for programmes such as Today brought back many happy memories. and I believe he was an editor on Tomorrow’s World. Together with my future wife we spent He and his then wife Peggy used to stay with me at Upnor on my barge the summer season at the Winter Gardens ‘Wouldham Court’ while they renovated a charming sailing boat named Morecambe ushering people to their seats Geraldine on which they made a voyage crossing the channel and on through and selling ice creams and programmes. the French waterways to the Med. Later he became a glider instructor saying I remember Al Read didn’t complete the ‘it was like sailing in three dimensions’. I believe he did a story in the 1970s on season as he fell ill and was replaced by Brunel’s ‘Great Iron Ship’? Max Bygraves. Actually we weren’t too Hopefully this is enough information to help track him down. He must be in his upset as we had much bigger houses and eighties. I would love to make contact again and catch up over those years. we were on sales commission! Peter Fingers crossed and here’s hoping. remembers and uses his jokes. They were obviously memorable as I also still use Russell Polden one of his quips today... When visiting If you can help Russell, please contact Prospero and we will pass on your details. a friend in hospital Al was asked how he looked. ‘He had colour... green, but it’s colour.’

Tim Burrell

No Ross Archer, you are not alone I have been on the verge of writing for months about the practice of broadcasting some programmes in 16:9 format and I am glad you have beaten me to it.

I could understand during that period when we were moving from the old 4:3 sets to the modern widescreen models that there was no right answer. Picture formats were always going to be right for some and wrong for others. I can also understand when films originally made for the cinema are broadcast.

Now the widescreen sets are pretty much universal, however, there can be no excuse for making programmes specifically for television in any other format. Particularly as so many people have spent money buying HD sets, it seems ridiculous wasting those extra pixels on black bands.

This artistic vanity leaves us with two choices. Put up with a picture smaller than it needs to be in one dimension. Or use the facility of most televisions to modify the format, either distorting the shape to fill the screen or zooming in to maintain the proportions but losing the sides.

It seems to me this practice comes from the same roots as the often reported sound problems with mumbled speech. Producers are satisfying their own creativity with no regard to the viewers paying for their work.

Oh, I have just thought of a third option. Change channels to find a programme where the producer put the audience first. Let the ratings do the talking!

Mervyn Gamage

PROSPERO DECEMBER 2017 | 5 | MEMORIES FROM PICTURES TO PAPERS TO BOOKS Some fond recollections of Neil Somerville

I replied, ‘I work with a lot of pioneering and even when applying for I too became busy with my own writing dirty pictures!’ his position, John Reith later recalled he activities and in the late 1980s began what ‘hadn’t the remotest idea as to what was to become a major series of books, The pictures were indexed according to broadcasting was.’ And with broadcasting Your Chinese Horoscope. This subject subject and based on the first three in its infancy, I remember seeing was of deep interest to me and one letters. This meant that pictures showing instructions given to new artists from which I found endlessly fascinating and funerals were always filed under ‘fun.’ 1925: ‘No gags on Scotsmen, Welshmen, illuminating. I wrote the series for 30 When I was at the library, I researched clergymen, drink or medical matters. Do years, with it culminating in Your Chinese pictures for Nationwide, the Radio Times, not sneeze at the microphone.’ Another Horoscope for Each and Every Year. Listener and many other publications, memorable incident happened on Good More recently I have turned my including for volumes of The History of Friday in 1930. Listeners were advised, attention to furry feline friends and Broadcasting in the United Kingdom. ‘There is no news’, and piano music was have just written Cat Wisdom: I was at the library for just over two played instead. 60 Great Lessons You Can Learn from a years and from pictures, progressed to The archives are full of such gems and I Cat. I have always been fond of cats and papers, taking a position at the Written spent over 20 years at the Centre helping feel we can learn much from them, Archive Centre in Caversham. The Centre broadcasters and authors with their including being more patient, in stands in the magnificent grounds of research. With all the facts available, observing more as well as the importance Caversham Park, which was not only a when the board game Trivial Pursuit of quiet persistence. delightful place to work, but the work became popular and trivia facts were all Cats are also a calming presence and worked for the BBC for 25 years and itself was fascinating. these years are full of memory, both the rage, I compiled a trivia column for over the years several BBC premises have Ipersonal and also in recalling the the Radio Times, which led to the Radio had a resident cat. Mac proudly patrolled BBC’s rich heritage and history. Times Radio and Television Trivia Quiz the corridors of the BBC Monitoring Unit ‘I work with a lot of Book. The title was a mouthful but the for many years and Broadcasting House My first position was as a researcher in dirty pictures!’ book was popular and led to my also had its own cat. Maybe this was the Radio Times Hulton Picture Library, compiling a more general BBC puzzle decided upon as a necessity to avoid a based in Marylebone High Street. When I The Centre holds the BBC’s written book. Even today I still compile puzzles repeat of what happened in May 1925. was there, the library had a collection of history, from when it started as the and if you struggle with the Prospero Then 2LO, the London Broadcasting six million pictures, many of which came Station, went off air for 19 minutes due to British Broadcasting Company with Sudoku, yours truly is to blame! from the Picture Post collection. The a mouse having ventured between the a staff of four to more recent times. pictures were stored in cardboard folders During my years at the BBC I also terminals of a high-capacity condenser. The paperwork and letters held there and kept in filing cabinets. This was long developed my own personal interests. Cat or no cat, such things would never are incredible, with one of the earliest before the days of digitisation and, I enjoy psychological mysteries and once happen today! coming from a milkman who wrote because we were always handling the presented a show, ‘Mysteries of the Mind’ that if the British Broadcasting Company Cat Wisdom: 60 Great Lessons cardboard folders, the job was to the BBC Club in London. With my love did not pay its bill, it would be getting You Can Learn from a Cat by unexpectedly dusty and every day I went of writing, I also started a Written Archives no more milk. Neil Somerville is published home in a rather grubby state. Shortly Centre newsletter which, with the advent by Harper Thorsons. after I joined the library, my grandmother The early days of the fledgling of Producer Choice, helped promote and asked me what I did and without thinking broadcasting company were very publicise what the Centre held.

whose vehicles are on the road ITMA REVISITED twenty-four hours out of twenty-four. Hardy will have plenty to say about the A funny thing happened on my way to Iceland. conditions of his work, the interesting folk he has met, experiences he has had, and There I was on the good ship ‘Saga BBC in Manchester. His talks on home the contrasting pleasures and difficulties Sapphire’ doing one of my regular safety were broadcast on the BBC Home of driving in peacetime and during war. talks about the ‘Good Old Days’ in the Service, mainly in Children’s Hour, but he George told me that he had inherited a BBC, when ‘wireless’ was king and few also contributed to several other people had heard of television. After I magazine programmes at that time. vast amount of his uncle’s paperwork and had rambled on about the had brought it with him on the cruise to This is the only entry I could find online, entertainment provided by the likes of Iceland so that he could sort through it this in the Genome project. Tommy Handley, Big Hearted Arthur all. Would I be interested in seeing it? Askey and Max Miller, a very pleasant BBC Home Service 9.30: There were numerous BBC scripts and throughout the war to be entertained old gentleman, George Hudston, came MEN ON THE JOB-7 correspondence all neatly typed but the A Talk by Edmund Hardy, lorry driver. In by Tommy and his team, including up to chat to me about those days one that interested me most was the one peacetime one of the most hard-working Dorothy Summers as Mrs Mopp (‘Can I during the war when everyone in the attached photograph. It’s an sections of the community, and in do you now Sir?’) and Jack Train listened to the BBC. original script for ITMA dated 5th and wartime one of the most necessary, the playing Colonel Humphrey Chinstrap It turned out that his uncle was a 6th January 1949 but best of all it had lorry drivers command the thanks and and his famous catchphrase ‘I don’t tanker driver and part-time been signed by Tommy himself. respect of everyone. Edmund Hardy has mind if I do’. broadcaster during the war years, been on the road since shortly after the What is really interesting is that it must To me the end of that series was like named Edmund Hardy. last war when he started the job as a have been the very last edition as all the losing a close group of friends. Edmund came from Warrington where driver’s mate – the way in which all real records show that Tommy died on 9 I wonder does anyone else share such he worked for the Mid Cheshire Oil lorry drivers begin their careers. Although, January 1949. I was only 12 at that time happy memories of radio stars from Company, a very responsible job as he will tell you this morning, he soon but I can clearly remember bursting into days gone by? during the war years when oil and learned how to drive a lorry, it took him a tears when I heard the announcement of petrol was strictly rationed, but he very long time to acquire that fine road- his death on the radio. As a family we had Johnny Beerling sought light relief by working for the sense which is characteristic of the men always gathered around the radio Controller of Radio 1 (1985 - 1993)

6 REMEMBERING MICHAEL BOND There were many tributes in the National Press to Michael Bond, creator of Paddington, who died in June age 91. Brian Hawkins relates the story of his unique friendship with him.

’m sure that Michael’s mother, pictured As a boy, Michael watched cinema below with her son on the beach in newsreels showing the arrival of Jewish ISandown on the Isle of Wight in the early children from Austria escaping persecution 1930s, and his father, who took the from the Nazis, during that period of respite photograph, would never have imagined between two World Wars. This was to make In his spare time he wrote the Paddington months before he died. It was during this that their boy would write 150 or so books an indelible impression on Michael, and stories about the bear from darkest Peru period that Paddington and Michael rose and sell over 35 million copies. years later made a significant contribution seeking refuge in this country, as Michael to the dizzy heights of being on the cover to his literary career. had remembered the Jewish children from of Prospero. Born in Newbury in 1926, Michael left school Europe doing some 30 or so years before. It wasn’t just Paddington that occupied at 14. He became an office boy in a These books went on to be loved by young Michael; amongst other literary pursuits solicitor’s office before getting a job at and old alike, the world over, and were there were books about his creation, the a BBC wartime transmitter at Reading. eventually translated into 40 languages. French detective Monsieur Pamplemousse. War service in the Royal Air Force followed, As the writing progressed he took the bold Michael had a great love for France. He and when the first seeds of a writing career step in 1966 of leaving the BBC to become a his wife Sue had a flat in Paris and for many were sown when a short story he wrote freelance writer. After which I lost all touch years spent a week every month there. was published. with him... One of the last letters I wrote to him was After demobilisation he returned to work just after the Paris massacre of November One Saturday morning some 40 years later, at the BBC, eventually becoming a studio 2015. I was concerned that he might have I was listening to Today on Radio 4 when cameraman at Lime Grove. It was during this been in Paris at that time. His reply John Humphreys interviewed Michael Bond, time that Paddington came into existence, reassured me he hadn’t been, but he said he who was about to attend, accompanied by being the name he gave a small teddy bear was suffering from a back problem. He Paddington, a garden party at Buckingham that he’d bought from Selfridges for his wife. enclosed a copy of the seaside snapshot Palace. In a light-hearted manner it was At the time Michael was working on a shown in this article, on the reverse of which revealed that the guests were forbidden to variety of live and recorded programmes he’d written about the massacre ‘What a bring any food into the event, which was such as Dixon of Dock Green, That Was the dreadful business! Who knows where it going to present a bit of a problem because, Week that Was, Face to Face and Monitor will all end – or when?’ as all followers of Paddington Bear will in that golden age of television. It was then know, under that hat of his there is always a I was privileged to have corresponded with that I got to know him. marmalade sandwich just in case! Michael occasionally during recent years. The legacy of his contribution to children’s Being a bit a fan of Paddington I was literature has been considerable. sympathetic to this situation, which As all followers of Paddington Bear will know, Paddington will live on to give pleasure to encouraged me to drop a line to Michael, old and young alike. under that hat of his there is always a marmalade care of his publisher. This resulted in our sandwich just in case! keeping in touch by letter up until a few Brian Hawkins

PROSPERO DECEMBER 2017 | 7 | LIFE AFTER AUNTIE BUSH HOUSE REUNION

veryone who ever worked at Bush John knew his audience. His address over most days by the then Managing House for the External Services started with a marvellous wallow in Director, Gerry Mansell, and the Club Eknew the secret. It was by far the nostalgia for the years gone by, followed lunchers, with the then Deputy MD, nicest place to work in the BBC. It didn’t by an equally amusing and well-received Austen Kark, usually present. quite say at reception: ‘Egos must be jaunt through some of his views of the The grouping was fluid. Anyone could deposited in the Cloakroom’ but that current BBC, which could probably be join any group, enter any conversation, was the general impression. So, five years best summed up as: ‘Why do we need to and be listened to; even a very new, very on from the Bush House closure, it was watch W1A on the television when most overawed, young sub-editor like myself. hardly a surprise that more than 150 of us have lived it for decades?’ The whole ethos of the place was against people turned up at the BBC Club at Who brought us together? The one the back-biting, back-stabbing, greasy Broadcasting House for the second person whom everyone knew in Bush pole-climbing of so many media outlets. annual Bush Reunion. Guest of honour, Sir John Tusa. House: Sister Wong Lai-kuen. Not It wasn’t perfect. There were feuds, From News, from the language services, surprisingly, most of the people in A nominal £5 admission charge covered cliques and petty jealousies but they from SMs and the engineers, Current World Service travelled abroad, often the cost of hiring the Club, and left a rarely came to the fore. The prime focus Affairs, Talks and Features. From the to some of the more esoteric corners of healthy £330 to be passed on to the was just on providing the best possible admin and support staff, from the world. So who did they go to for charity Crisis at Christmas. product we could between us all for the Presentation, from Computer Support. vaccinations, emergency medical supplies benefit of the listeners. On a tiny budget. Why was Bush House so special? It was So many old friends got together again and general advice? The long-serving I can honestly say that in more than 30 so large and varied in every way, but at on a Saturday in October. Sister Wong. She was the Occupational years at Bush, I could count the people I the same time with so little thought to Health Department. actively disliked on the fingers of one Guest of honour was, not surprisingly, our age, creed or culture. When I first arrived hand. Where else could you say that? old boss, Sir John Tusa. He, of course, was With help from a former Newsroom there in 1973, there were two main himself one of the refugees who arrived Manager, Jess Macfarlane, we were groups: The Canteen lunchers, presided Peter Nettleship in increasing numbers in later years from contacted by email, by Facebook, by Sister the Wild West of White City to discover, Wong’s contacts in the various widespread I suspect, that the grass actually was and unofficial Bush retired staff support greener on the other side, far from the systems, (otherwise known as the drinking, Falklands presentation madding crowd. And untrampled by quite lunching and walking groups). Other so many marauding elephants. volunteers helped on the day. to BBC veteran

Former BBC Latin America Correspondent Harold Briley has been presented with a picture of a rare Falkland Islands view to mark his retirement after 20 years as a founder member of the Shackleton Scholarship Fund (SSF).

Analogue Man

When Radio Brighton veteran, John Henty, moved to Lewes, East Sussex, in 1987, he created, in the garage of his new home, a sound studio complete with a state-of-the-art MBI desk. The print of an 1821 painting of Stanley awarded for scientific and other Harbour was presented to him by research in the South Atlantic by Here he produced programmes for over seven years, sponsored by British former Falkland Islands Governor eminent academics, and other Telecom, which were distributed fortnightly on audio cassette to every David Tatham, chairman and originator scholarships have funded visits by UK hospital radio station. of the Scholarship Fund which experts in the arts, music and sports ‘Nice ‘n’ Easy’, as it was known, contained, among many other things, conversations commemorates the achievements and other pursuits in quality of life with famous celebrities from actor Charlton Heston to the Rt. Hon. Denis Healey. of the Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest initiatives imparting knowledge For the past year, John, with a broadcasting colleague, Kevin Cramer, has been Shackleton and his son, Lord to Islanders. Shackleton, politician and statesman, working on an ambitious project to digitise 176 hours of these programmes. It is the latest of several pictures a friend of Harold’s since his time That represents over seven days of uninterrupted broadcasting, 24 hours a day. presented to Harold for his invasion as a BBC political correspondent. Their effort has been supported by The Keep, an archive based near Brighton, where broadcasts by Islanders. He maintained all the interviews, in digital format, will now be retained and made available to visitors. Lord Shackleton asked Harold to his links with the Falklands, editing a accompany him on his post-invasion news magazine for them for several David Myers, systems officer, archives and records, told John, ‘We are currently 1982 mission to update his economic years. He is an honorary life member developing a digital delivery and discovery system for The Keep. At this moment we reforms which have brought of the Falkland Islands Association do not have methods to access sound archive over the internet via our website.’ unprecedented prosperity, exploiting Stanley Committee and of the Falkland However, he assured John that he and his colleagues are working towards this commercial fishing, agriculture, wildlife Social Club entitling him to free drinks ultimate goal and in the meantime, Prospero readers can listen exclusively to tourism and oil exploration. for life 24 hours a day as he was also presented with a front door key! the full Denis Healey programme simply by inputting spreaker.com/user/goldfish/ More than 100 SSF scholarships worth 117-nice-and-easy. According to John, Denis was on very good form and it was many thousands of pounds have been a typically jolly encounter!

8 | BACK AT THE BBC IZZY WHIZZY...LET’S GET BUSY!

Television’s longest serving performer visited Salford’s Quay House for a special documentary screening celebrating fifty years since the last show was made at BBC North. It’s Sooty! Ariel Networker Catherine Trewavas was there. Christmas Radio Times Club members can collect eff Smart, a BBC News picture their Christmas and New Year double edition of the Radio Times editor based at Salford, has from BBC Club W1 in Wogan (formerly produced a two-part documentary J Western) House from the week series called Sooty Ungloved all about commencing 18 December. There will the adventures of the nation’s favourite be a dedicated desk for collections little yellow bear. every morning during this week to In a special event, BBC North staff speed things up. Why not combine viewed the first half of the documentary this with a morning coffee and mince series before being paid a visit by the pie or pastry? bear himself! Lottery With over 65 years in the entertainment BBC Club Extra is proud to announce the return of THE BIG ONE! Our business, Sooty is an icon of £10,000 jackpot is back in December. children’s television. To be in with a chance of winning, join Three and a half years ago, Jeff decided via the website: [email protected], to make the documentary series, as the select Club Extra, Lottery and click subject matter is something he has cared ‘join the Lottery’, or call the club on about since childhood. Matthew Corbett and his father Harry with Soo, Sweep and Sooty (1977). 020 8752 6666. Minimum entry is £5 per month. When he was five, he appeared on The show transferred to Manchester in story settings, such as a post office, school, The Sooty Show with his brother Events 1956, and was the first children’s show cobblers and bank – to name but a few. and in the late 1980s he worked on Retired Club members continue to made outside London by BBC North, at benefit from a range of trips and events. the show – then made by Thames January 2018 will mark the 100th the new studio on Dickenson Road. In November there was a chocolate Television. He also wrote an episode anniversary of Harry Corbertt’s birth workshop, and also a tour of the of the programme. Over time, simple routines evolved into and Jeff Smart hopes this could spark more complex comedy sketches and Sooty a wider celebration of his contribution Beefeater Gin Distillery. Looking ahead Blackpool magician gained many different occupations and to entertainment. to 2018, we have arranged a talk and The documentary tells the story of the tour of the Museum of Brands, Corbett family, particularly Harry’s Packaging and Advertising in January, childhood and adolescence. Jeff Smart on the background of the documentary with trips to the British Library, Magic Circle and Postal Railway Museum I’ve made the documentary off my own back over the past three years. Last He was a young man who longed to planned for later in 2018. become a professional musician but due October we had a charity premiere in Sooty’s hometown of Guiseley, Yorkshire, to being partially deaf, turned his which generated huge media interest. Courses In January the next term of language attention to magic and puppetry, The documentary has unearthed many new discoveries, such as the real origins of classes will be available to book. This creating what would become a Sooty’s name, and the fact that Sooty presented the first TV Christmas appeal for will include a British Sign Language much-loved character. Children in Need. course as well as French, German, On 19 July 1948, the bear which was to Also we find out why Sweep squeaks instead of barks, and why the introduction of Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Arabic. become Sooty was sold to Harry Corbett the girl character Soo, caused so much controversy, that the BBC Director-General We also hope to run a guitar course by a Blackpool magician. himself (Hugh Carleton Greene) had to step in to resolve it. for beginners. If you want to be included on the language or guitar Harry Corbett’s Sooty act was born and Many new facts and stories have come to light, which I’ve presented in a legitimate information list, please email the the bear first appeared courtesy of the and historically accurate way. Club at [email protected] BBC in 1952, appearing on a TV talent For instance, for a scene involving the Manchester studios (knocked down in 1974), show in Manchester. BBC Drama Club I managed to get hold of the original studio cameras that were used to make the After the amazing success of their Regular appearances on BBC children’s actual BBC Sooty Shows themselves. original play Austen Empowered last shows followed, including SS Saturday year, the Drama Club is deciding on its We also got permission to film scenes at what was Harry Corbett’s home during the Special and Whirligig, culminating next project and is holding social events 50s and 60s, so I very much feel that we are doing justice to the story of a British in his very own show The Sooty Show and arranging workshops for talented cultural icon. in 1955. people wanting to shine both on stage and behind the scenes. For more information or to get involved please 2017 Best Employers for Race Listing contact [email protected]

The BBC is one of the 66 employers and the only broadcaster and media organisation who made the 2017 Best Employers for Race Listing.

Employers demonstrated that they in employment in the UK. 12% of these which demonstrates our commitment are performing above the national workers were from a BAME (Black, to diversity and how far we are on The Club would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and average through a survey which Asian, Minority Ethnic) background. our journey. a Happy New Year. consisted of 31 questions under This figure mirrors the percentage There’s still much to do to make the big the following themes: Leadership; of BAME people aged 16-64 in changes we have committed to by 2020. Responsibility and Accountability; employment in the UK. It’s vital that we do all of this, because Progresssion; Development, Tunde Ogungbesan, Head of in today’s competitive market, diversity BBC Club Broadcast Centre, BC2 B3, Promotion and Recruitment. Diversity and Inclusion said: ‘It’s really and inclusion in our organisation and 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TP 020 8752 6666 The survey represented over 1.1 million encouraging that the BBC has been output are vital to the reinvention of [email protected] workers equating to 3.6% of all people listed as one of the best employers, the BBC.’

PROSPERO DECEMBER 2017 | 9 9 | OBITUARIES

Christine played a major part in many great Head Draughtsman documentary series that contributed to the BBC’s Ron Bloomfield (Training) reputation: All Our Working Lives; Out of the Dolls Ron was a loyal friend and colleague. He studied House; Nippon; Pandora’s Box for Adam Curtis; People’s medicine at Cambridge but never practised. He joined John Mitchell passed away Century with Peter Pagnamenta. Credited as archive the BBC as a general trainee and spent all his working suddenly on 3 June 2017 in producer marked a giant leap forward for the film life in Further Education, Television. Eastbourne, at the age of research community: Days That Shook The World; 84. He was born in Hastings Peter Jarvis, who knew him extremely well, writes: Now the War is Over; An Ocean Apart; 40 Minutes; but grew up in Malmesbury, ‘I knew Ron from almost his first day at BBC Radio Time Watch; The Vera Lynn Story. where he attended the until the Villiers House reunion last year. In this long Grammar School followed by Through lecturing and training, Christine spread the acquaintance I can recall many anecdotes concerning his an engineering apprenticeship word about the value of archive footage and its proper picaresque progress through life. He was fundamentally at E.K.Cole. He joined the BBC in 1955, initially in the use. As a result she was much admired by her colleagues a Widmerpool personified. His overwhelming desire Equipment Department based in Clapham, later moving in the television industry and by those who provided the to be taken seriously, in whatever context, stood in to Chiswick. film she used. contrast to his complete obliviousness to the flippancy which greeted his successive obsessions. Ron was a He had always shown a natural aptitude for leadership Christine gave generously of her time – on the board serial autodidact, regularly seeking reassurance from his and organisation, also in training and encouraging junior of the Federation of Commercial Archives and Libraries associates for his latest passionate interest.’ staff, instilling into them his own high standards. When (FOCAL), and as president of the International Engineering Personnel Department set up a new training Association of Media Historians from 1996 to 2004. Ron was something of a bon vivant and an ambitious scheme for young draughtsmen and –women, John Christine was honoured by FOCAL International with cook. Marion Allinson adds: ‘He shared his abundant was the obvious choice to lead it and he was appointed the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. table with friends and colleagues alike. He was a Head Draughtsman (Training) in 1979. He flourished in Francophile who enjoyed all the arts.’ Our thoughts go out to Graham, Georgina, Jack and this role. He had great empathy with young people and all her family at this sad time. She added: ‘He was kind without guile. And cared was able to encourage and support them as individuals about things. He was an honest producer, who became whilst imparting his knowledge and experience with a Sue Malden, chair of FOCAL International passionate about the subject matter of the programmes quiet, good-humoured authority, making learning and he produced.’ the workplace fun. It was during this period that we met, when I was the personnel manager in EPD responsible Ron also edited some quality publications. In the case of Making Toys he lavished so much time and effort on its for recruiting trainees. We formed a very happy A lady of style and many fine illustrations, including drawings, diagrams and relationship, lasting into our retirement up to the time sound balance photographs, that I had to remind him that our prime of his death. Patience Pratt (nee Sheffield) function was to make television programmes! John’s most obvious characteristics were his lovely was born on 20 April 1926 to Marion again: ‘After we both left the BBC Ron and I smile, his sense of humour and his beautiful head of hair Leo and Dorothy Sheffield, both worked together for BBC Television Training at the which he always kept. His generosity was legendary: of whom were in the D’Oyly University of Leeds, as part of a course that gave the no-one in John’s company would be allowed to pull out Carte Opera Company, and she students professional, industry-standard training, a wallet. followed her passion for theatre into amateur productions where followed by a six-month production attachment with the No account of John would be complete without mention her talents and elegant, blonde BBC, and later Channel 4, as part of a BA in Broadcasting of his life-long love of literature and poetry. A particular looks drew much admiration. Studies. Ron was a rigorous instructor. The students, lover of the 20th Century writers, he was thrilled to have somewhat bemused and in awe of it all, rather liked him. attended Philip Larkin’s Memorial Service in Westminster Patience began her career at the BBC in Radio Features I remember Ron, stout and determined, waltzing round a Abbey in 1986, where his name was listed amongst and then onto the Radio Drama Department. She film camera with a piece of taut string, one end between literary greats such as Anthony Powell and Kingsley subsequently rose to the position of Senior Studio his teeth, the other between finger and thumb, trying to Amis. John never left the house without a book in his Manager and, throughout her career, continued to love explain the principle of crossing the line!’ pocket, even on shopping trips to avert boredom! He and excel at her job, being a favourite with both actors They don’t make ‘em quite like that any more. Ron will was also a lover of art, music, theatre and ballet, much and producers. be missed. enjoying his visits to Glyndebourne and Covent Garden. In the early 60s, Patience met and married Peter John was a quiet man of gentle manners, unpretentious, Pratt, D’oyly Carte actor and principal singer. She had Sheila Innes modest and caring. He will be very much missed by all sadly lost touch with her brother who had emigrated who knew and loved him. to Australia in 1949 but in 1982, she was contacted, Dorothy May via the BBC, by his son Tony, who had been trying Inspirational engineer to trace her for some time. It resulted in a wonderful Ralph Barrett was born on reunion between aunt and nephew and another niece 22 November 1922 in London. in America. Following her retirement from the BBC, Archive producer Patience and Peter enjoyed trips to both countries During the war he worked Christine Whittaker died on 16 August 2017 after a brave where they strengthened their newly found connections. for the Special Operations battle with Parkinson’s disease and later, cancer. Executive, developing mobile Peter died in 1995, but although devastated, she transmitters and receivers. As a linguist, her first job at the BBC was in the World worked hard to fill her life with activities and people. Service broadcasting in French to Canada. Transferring Tragically, in 2009, a life-changing road accident left On 22 July 1944 he started to Television she became a factual researcher for current her wheelchair bound. However, she was determined to working for the BBC as an affairs 24 Hours; finally moving to documentaries with manage her own life and her beloved reunited family electrical engineer in the TV Engineering Department. Eddie Mirzeoff. continued to visit her, bringing great joy, especially on During his 38 years of employment, Ralph approached the occasion of her 90th birthday last year. Her death She began researching a series about events in any task using his sound engineering knowledge with an just before Christmas came as an awful shock; she had WW2 – the attack on the Tirpitz and the Norwegian open mind. He strongly believed that everything can be survived so much that she had seemed indestructible. resistance raid on the Nazi Heavy Water Plant, which explained and achieved if one followed the right way required her to locate archive film to illustrate the As a Drama Studio Manager, Patience had been the of science. stories. This became her great professional passion perfect role model. She had an excellent imagination After his retirement in 1982, Ralph acted as a consultant, and expertise. and judgement of sound balance; a firm control of maintained his interest in the progress of broadcasting the studio which she retained even when her beloved For many years Christine was the only film researcher and technology, built and demonstrated apparatus Peter was in the cast. No favouritism there! She stayed on BBC staff. The ‘doyenne’ of British film researchers and thoroughly prepared for the numerous lectures he calm in a crisis but also had a wicked sense of humour – the late Jane Mercer, former Chair of FOCAL presented to usually packed halls. His name appeared which often saved our sanity. She was always generous, International – crowned her. Her career is described regularly on the lists of public lectures scheduled sharing her experience and tricks of the trade. in an interview for the British Entertainment History by the Institute of Engineering and Technology, the Patience was a dear, loyal friend and I hope I did Project, historyproject.org.uk. As Will Wyatt Royal Institution, GEAC Marconi Research Centre in her training justice. said, ‘Christine Whitaker invented the role of Chelmsford and The Institute of Physics, on subjects like: archive producer.’ Carol McShane (Sheward) ‘Popov v. Marconi – The Centenary of Radio’, and 10 ‘The wireless used on the Titanic and the clandestine Local Radio was lucky to inherit Geoff’s talents in 1970 radios used in prisoner of war camps during World War II’. From YiT to OB when he returned to his native North Staffordshire and joined Radio Stoke as Programme Organiser. His music Like most people who survived WW2, Ralph valued Engineering Manager and light entertainment skills were vital in a time when and, in his own way, enjoyed life. He appreciated the Ron Chown was born in presenter-led music and speech sequence programmes company of those who shared his interest in technical Southwark in October 1926 and increased dramatically the hours of output. In the word of matters, and took pleasure playing or teaching guitar enjoyed an exceedingly long one of his star recruits, Bruno Brookes, ‘he was a general, and singing old time songs at the Players Theatre career at the BBC. BBC through and through, tough with a big heart and in London. Joining the BBC as a ‘Youth in staunch support for his troops’. Never without his wide I will never forget how Ralph delighted those attending Training’ in 1942 (on a salary smile and trademark striped shirt and tie, Geoff had a our 2013 Christmas lunch by singing with passion, of 27s 6d per week), he was whiff of the impresario about him. He knew that with its at the top of his voice in perfect French, ‘Lili Marlene’. subsequently called up for huge audience (second only to Radio 1), Radio Stoke was We rewarded him with a round of applause and raised National Service and joined the Beds and Herts Regiment a force of real influence and could make things happen in a glass to him as we all agreed that for Ralph the glass stationed in Alexandria in Scotland, before moving on to the community. was always half full; and indeed he advanced in age with Hamburg in Germany with BFO where he first met his After loyally serving David Harding and Sandra Chalmers, a light heart, confidence and self respect. bride-to-be. Geoff was promoted to Manager in 1983. He was to Ralph Barrett was not a philanthropist, yet he intended Returning home in 1948 he moved across to TV (never retire in 1985 but even in his final months his love of to donate numerous sets from his laboratory, which having seen a television but sensing the potential) at the the BBC and his home territory shone through, as he were part of the fabric of his life, to an institution of his Palace of Arts in Wembley. He then went to Alexandra did everything in his power to make the Stoke Garden choice to motivate and inspire future aspiring engineers Palace before moving back to Wembley where his career Festival a symbol of regeneration for the Potteries and to to continue the good work of their predecessors – and flourished with the OBs. Ron worked at many significant ensure the BBC gave it decent coverage. what better legacy can one leave? Outside Broadcast locations, including Ascot, Wimbledon, Owen Bentley Windsor Castle, Biggin Hill and Farnborough, along with Rodica Mager numerous sporting, religious and entertainment settings.

He was pleased to progress his career to OB Engineering Alan Ward Manager, and thoroughly excelled in the challenges Pioneer of social frequently demanded by the variety of locations. Having Alan was born in 1931 in action television been brought up on equipment such as the Roving Birmingham where he was Eye, he often commented how the digital age had educated. Wartime evacuation Ritchie Cogan was an Irish socialist who was a thorn completely changed the industry beyond anything he for a year took him to in the side of BBC management; yet he was also could comprehend. Monmouth, schooling here one of the pioneers of social action television – he learnt music theory. He had in a big way. He finally retired in 1985 after 42 years in broadcasting always wanted to join the (40 with the BBC), moving from Mill Hill in North West In 1984 he devised Crimewatch, presented by Nick Ross BBC but this was not possible London to Winslow in Buckinghamshire where he expended and Sue Cook. He enlisted the police to bring to the until he completed National Service. The RAF gave him his energy on various charity and voluntary roles. studio unsolved crimes. These were re-enacted on film, Wireless Mechanics training and he later went to St Athan. the public were asked to help and a battery of police With immense pride in the corporation and a strong Civvy street, there was no available post in BBC manned phones to take calls, live on air. sense of community, he formed and ran the ‘Telobians’ Birmingham but in London he found an open door at club for retired BBC Engineers (primarily around an In 1985 he produced Drugwatch, presented by Nick Ross Aeolian Hall in Variety, training on shows like Take It annual luncheon and talk), attracting attendances in and Esther Rantzen. This presented a ground-breaking From Here, Hancock’s Half Hour and Educating Archie – excess of 100 at its height. He will be remembered survey into drug abuse and published the first directory oh yes, ventriloquism had arrived on Radio! He did the for his extremely positive outlook on life along with a of help organisations. Thinking that Lady Di would usual SMs course and here at Aeolian he met secretary demonstrable sense of humour. get publicity he contacted, yes, Jimmy Saville. Saville Rita and subsequently they married. At home his father agreed to deliver her to the studio provided nobody Ron passed away on 4 October 2017 after a short battle was seriously ill, so the BBC transferred them both knew in advance, from the Director General downwards: with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Joan, to Birmingham. They settled and made their home in and he did. their children Gill and Chris, grandchildren and a great Alvechurch and raised three children, Heather, William granddaughter. and Robert. In 1986 he continued the genre with Childwatch, presented by Esther Rantzen and Sue Cook to deter Chris Chown (Ron’s son) Alan became Birmingham’s SSM and managed 13 child abuse. Childline (the phone-in help service) was staff. He never liked the job and yearned to return to launched on air. operations. With the amalgamation (to which he was strongly opposed) of Radio and TV sound when Pebble As for his subversive side, he was a leading rebel Geoff Lawrence Mill opened, the SSM role was replaced by a new Audio in the row over Real Lives, The Edge of the Union Back in the 50s, the Northern Manager. Alan thus returned to his beloved radio studios (1985). Just after Thatcher’s famous warning about Dance Orchestra was on a high. and OBs. not giving terrorists the ‘oxygen of publicity’, And, although its musicians BBC TV made a documentary about two Northern excelled, Geoff Lawrence (who With programme expansion in Pebble Mill, he was Irish paramilitaries (one Protestant, one Catholic, has died aged 91) should take permanently busy. He taught one unshakeable target to Martin McGuinness) who were also elected councillors, his share of the honours. his juniors, which was ‘we must make all programmes to a fact often forgotten. The Home Secretary, Leon the highest standards’. Brittan, announced that transmission would not be I was his junior and often watched SM Geoff creating the All regions did audio experiments to suit local in the national interest so the BBC Governors dropped requirements. The Midlands was no exception – he the programme, an unprecedented decision. Ritchie most vibrant sound – embellishing the reputation the NDO deserved. It was here he met his vivacious wife Pat pioneered, with help from enthusiastic engineers, the first Cogan secreted away the tape under his girlfriend’s two Regional Choral Evensong stereo transmissions from (later to have Julie and Richard). bed and arranged its showing at the ICA. After a Gloucester Cathedral. BBC-wide strike, the programme was broadcast, By 1960 he was a fully-fledged light entertainment He loved working on Brass Bands and a multitude of with minor changes. producer with many of the great showbiz names under his regional annual music festivals. His greatest satisfaction was belt – Ken Dodd, Mike Yarwood, Les Dawson and Joseph After he left the BBC in 1991, Ritchie developed the working with the CBSO under conductor Simon Rattle. One World Broadcasting Trust (now One World Media), Locke. And (a real coup) Gracie Fields at the Batley Variety which supports media programmes about Club. But it was as producer of Blackpool Night that he Occasionally plagued with back strain, he finally retired, moving to the New Forest, where he was especially happy. the developing world. Its awards, presented by took his pick of Britain’s top talent, impressing his artistes with his professionalism and good humour. Jon Snow, are prestigious and competitive. Rita died several years before Alan but he continued working many hours on recorded material for the CBSO In 1994 he married Heike Wessels. They settled in Geoff also became a prolific documentary maker – his History of Piers was full of unashamed nostalgia, laced archives. His children were with him when he died at Cologne with their son Robin where he died on with the smell of winkles and salt air. home. Our sincere condolences go out to them. 23 September aged 75. Michael Barton David Payne & Louise Wilcox Hugh Purcell

PROSPERO DECEMBER 2017 | 11 | ODDS & ENDS CONTACTS

The original selfie guy Visiting Scheme Benevolent Fund Available to BBC pensioners over 70, This is funded by voluntary From sports stars to comedy geniuses, British royalty to the queen of pop, Adam those recently bereaved, and anyone contributions from the BBC and its Cooper has taken around 300 ‘selfies’ with celebrities since the mid-80s, during his in poor health, the scheme is a method purpose is to protect the welfare of career with the BBC. of keeping in touch and operates staff, pensioners and their families. throughout the UK. Visitors are BBC Grants are made at the discretion of ‘No one else was taking selfies at the time, pensioners themselves. If you want to the Trustees. They may provide so hardly anyone refused to have their be visited, receive a phone call or meet assistance in cases of unforeseen picture taken with me. I didn’t get my up somewhere mutually convenient, financial hardship, for which help photo taken with the Spice Girls though call 029 2032 2811. The contact is the from other sources is not available. – I think they were relaxed about it, but same if you would like to become Tel: 029 2032 2811. their minders weren’t happy. a visitor. Prospero Society ‘Peter Alliss once took my photos to a Queries Prospero Society is the only section printer to see if they would be interested For benefit and pension payroll queries, of the BBC Club run by and for retired in doing a book, but that was a long call the Service Line on 029 2032 2811 BBC staff and their spouses. Its aim before selfies became a thing and they or email [email protected]. is to enable BBC pensioners to meet couldn’t see the point of it. But I always on a social basis for theatre visits, dam worked as an OB technician Prospero get a lot of interest when I show my luncheons, coach outings etc. on the Pro-Celeb golf programme To delete a name from the distribution selfies, with people saying I should put in the 80s, hosted by Peter Alliss, list, ring the Service Line on Prospero Society is supported by A them into a book – so watch this space!’ which featured two-man teams comprising 029 2032 2811. Prospero is provided BBC Club funds so as to make events a golfing ‘pro’ and a celebrity and that’s free of charge to retired BBC Scheme affordable. If you would like an where his selfies started, standing on the members only. Prospero is also application form, please contact: tee at Gleneagles and Turnbury. available on audio disc for those Gayner Leach, BBC Club, BC2 B3 with sight impairment. To register, ‘I remember wanting a job where I met Broadcast Centre, 201 Wood Lane, please ring the Service Line. people and I certainly got one,’ says London W12 7TP Alternatively, it is also available Adam. ‘I would approach the people and Tel: 020 8752 6666 online at bbc.co.uk/mypension, ask them, ‘Can I take my picture with Email: [email protected] you?’ and it meant you could have a chat under ‘Documents’. BBCPA with them. This was a nice part about BBC Club The BBCPA was founded in 1988 to taking selfies.’ The BBC Club in London has a retired promote and safeguard the interests membership costing £3 per month or Over the years, Adam took selfies with of BBC pensioners. It is independent £36 per year. Members can also add many of the big sports stars of the of the BBC. For details of how to friends and family to their membership day – Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, join, see the panel on page 5 for a small additional cost. Regional Seve Ballesteros, Boris Becker, Martina or download a membership form clubs may have different arrangements. Navratilova, Lester Piggott – and also at bbcpa.org.uk. many famous actors, singers and Please call the BBC Club London TV personalities. office on 020 8752 6666 or email [email protected] for details or to join.

Allan Leonard Giles A member of the public has found some records that belong to ex-BBC employee, Allan Leonard Giles, which they wish to try and reunite with his family. CLASSIFIEDS If you know any details of how to contact Mr Giles’ family please contact [email protected] for further information. Majorca. Stunning townhouse. Pedestrianised beautiful old town Alcudia. Close to Back in the day, Adam used a 35mm beaches. Ex-BBC owned. Sleeps 12. Caption competition compact camera to snap the stars. That 20% discount for BBC. meant he wouldn’t know until he had www.cangrandealcudia.com The winner of a £10 shopping voucher is Andrew Godfrey, for his caption developed the film what the photos were suggestion: Eric and Ernie are given the viewing figures for their first programme Venice, Giudecca. like. His favourite photo is the one with since moving to ITV. The runner-up this time was Peter Ward: Ernie: I’m bored. Beautiful apartment in quiet, private Peter Alliss (above), where they were Stuck on the sofa, all afternoon. Eric: Who left the top off the superglue? photobombed by a curious Sean Connery! courtyard, sleeps 5, fully equipped. Post your entry to Prospero by Monday 15 January 2018. Or, you can ‘He did it spontaneously,’ remembers Experience the real Venice. email your entry to [email protected], with with ‘caption competition 6’ Adam. ‘We tried to recreate it later but it Tel: 07513 455655 in the subject line. Please include your BBC pension number. Good luck! didn’t work the same.’ Email: maggieharwood1@ btinternet.com These days he uses an iPhone. But he’s Menorca. never had to use a ‘selfie stick’. ‘My father Picture shows Only Fools and was 6ft6 and I seem to have inherited his Stunning detached villa in Horses Christmas Special, 1987 very long arms,’ says Adam. Es Castell with private pool. Close amenities. Sleeps 2-7. He’s taken his picture with Kylie Minogue Brochure: 01621 741810. Website: twice in one week – first at a Royal Variety www.menorcaholidayvilla.co.uk performance and then at a Smash Hits event at Docklands. She recognised him WIN Prospero Classifieds, BBC Pension the second time and was happy to have and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting £10 a second photo. House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ. Eric and Ernie are ‘I did have to ask Martina Navratilova Please enclose a cheque made given the viewing payable to: BBC Central Directorate. to take her sunglasses off,’ said Adam, figures for their first ‘as I once took a photo with Jimmy Rate: £6 for 20 words. In a programme since covering letter please include Connors wearing sunglasses and no-one your pension number. moving to ITV recognised him!’

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