The pension deficit: a roadmap to recovery 6-7

August 2009 Number 6 SHARE DELIGHT Page 7

With highlights from Ariel Watching the waste-line: the BBC's green campaign page 9 Photograph Olivia Woodhouse News 20 candidates for Trust election Twenty names have come forward for the next few weeks election forms will be sent personal details and a brief manifesto from role of pensioner elected trustee on the out to all pensioners by Electoral Reform each candidate. BBC Pension Trust. The current term in Services. Accompanying the ballot papers Members will have until September 4 to office expires at the end of the year. In the will be an explanation of the process, plus submit their votes. BBCPA Your stories built tour into Memoryshare The BBC’s memories site for past and The idea, as Robert explained to members details present staff and contributors has been of the Pensioners’ Association recently, is to By David Allen merged into a BBC-wide memories project use memories to reinforce bonds with the Every autumn members of the BBC with a view to capturing the nation’s history. audience. Pensioners’ Association Committee hold The BBC’s head of history projects ‘We want to put history back in the PROSPERO three regional meetings to give retired staff Robert Seatter says the aim is to build a brand. We have this fantastic legacy and August 2009 who can’t reach London for the Association’s body of memories that is comprehensive we’re not making the most of it. With AGMs a chance to catch up. and valued. So contributions from Hugh Memoryshare we can tap into what I call These are opportunities to find out what Burnett ( Face to Face ), Roger Wilmut (Mrs our place in the national memory. So it’s we know about the state of the pension fund Thatcher interviewed at World Service), about really engaging with audiences, and and a range of pension or BBC related Dick Buckby (local radio) and others, what the BBC has meant to all our Prospero is provided free to issues, and we are glad to hear of things generated by the BBC’s heritage site, are audiences.’ which may concern or delight you about now part of an enormous and growing • Robert Seatter is planning a history retired BBC employees. It can retirement. resource, searchable by anyone. seminar this autumn focusing on the BBC also be sent to spouses or The gatherings are informal and we wel - Click on http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna in World War 2. Historians and come members and non members. Where /memoryshare/ and you can read mem- broadcasters will be taking part, and he is dependants who want to keep possible meetings are on BBC premises but ories, research events and link to context particularly keen to hear from ex-staff who where there’s no suitable room (as this year material relating to any date back to were at the BBC before and during the war in touch with the BBC. It in Norwich and Edinburgh) we try to find January 1 1900. If you register you can years. Email robert.seatter@bbc.co.uk, or includes news about former somewhere agreeable nearby. contribute your own memories and use the phone 0208 008 5513. These are good occasions to meet old service to store and share your accounts of Claire Bolt at Ariel (0208 752 7445) colleagues, pension issues, colleagues over tea and biscuits. So do feel any aspect of your life. You can also post would also like to hear from veterans for a and developments at the free to come along. The venues are: comments on other people’s contributions. BBC-at-war feature. • Edinburgh – October 8, 2.15pm, The BBC. Prospero includes Tun, Jackson’s entry, EH8 8AE (off Holyrood Road). The BBC shares a classified advertisements. To building with Scottish Enterprise. We are Club votes for dry afternoons advertise in Prospero or the meeting in the Scottish Enterprise Meeting The BBC London Club is to call time on afternoon, and bar opening times could still Room. Contact BBC Scotland (Catherine alcohol sales between 2.30pm and 5pm to be extended for special events. BBC Staff magazine, Ariel, Cameron 0131 557 5888) bring opening times more in line with busi - • The Club in London has taken the first • Cardiff – October 15, 2.15pm, BBC ness hours. steps towards incorporation into a company see page 11. Club meeting room Llandaff, CF5 2YQ. Members agreed to the move, following a limited by guarantee. The move is to Phone 02920 322000. request from the BBC, at their recent AGM. remove personal financial liability from club • Norwich – October 22, 2.15pm, The Currently, alcohol is on sale from midday trustees. Subscription information for Music Room in the Assembly Rooms NR2 through to 11pm most days in bars at The idea received initial support at the 1RQ (across the road from BH Norwich). Television Centre, White City, Bush House, AGM. Members (including retired Ariel is on page 12 Phone 01603626402 W1 and Elstree. members) are invited to vote on the issue For queries about the meetings call me on Those premises will continue serving tea, at an extraordinary general meeting on 02089481982. Alternatively, contact Nick coffee, soft drinks and snacks in the September 23, 6pm, sixth floor TVC. Whines (membership secretary) by e-mail at [email protected] Calling Prospero Doreen Forsyth As Prospero went to press, engineers were tinkering to restore Prospero’s voicemail Doreen Forsyth has died after a long illness, line (0207 765 1414). Readers who left messages for Prospero after the July issue aged 78. She was producer of Woman’s Hour appeared are advised to call again. (The connection was broken after contractors and latterly the Week’s Good Cause in a BBC Siemens changed the way messages are left and accessed on BBC extensions.) career spanning 40 years. Editorial contributions CROSPERO 141 1 2 Devised and compiled by Jim Palm • • 3 4 Write to Robin Reynolds Complete the square using the clues; these apply only to words • • The Editor, Prospero running across. Then take these words in numerical order and 5 6 BBC Pension & Benefits Centre extract the letters indicated by a dot. If your answers are correct, these letters will spell out the names of two transmitters. • • Broadcasting House 7 8 9 Cardiff, CF5 2YQ Please send your answers in an envelope marked Crospero to The • • • Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting Tel: 020 7765 1414 House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ by August 19. 10 [email protected] • Clues: 1. Work surface (4); 2. They catch the wind (5); 3. Chemise 11 (5); 4. Tree (3); 5. Heir (3); 6. Birmingham suburb (5); 7. Chop down Please make sure that any digital • (3); 8. Eastern sash (3); 9. Decade (3); 10. Neckwear (3); 11. Small 12 pictures you send are scanned measurements (11); 12. Suitable (3); 13. Cereal (3); 14. Completion (3); 15. And so on (3); 16. Mouthlike opening (5); 17. Mimic (3); 18. • at 250 dpi Cooked dish (3); 19. Underground worker (5); 20. Famous racer (5); 13 14 15 Design & production editor: Ann Ramsbottom 21. Valley (4). • • • 16 17 Solution to Crospero No. 140: Algae; Old, Spa; Lido; Spray; Ems; Sepoy; Oke; Urn; Gnu; Sign; Adam; Dad; Rom; Gym; Below; • • Mixed Sources Lei; Besom; Toby; Vau; Sen; Ether. 18 19 Product group from well-managed forests, controlled sources and • • recycled wood or fiber WWW.fsc.org Cert no. SA-COC-1468 The performers were Gladys Young and Mary Wimbush 20 21 c 1996 Forest Stewardship Council The winner of Crospero 140 is Mr Tom Watts of South Gloucester. • •

2 • • August • 2009 News Spotlight on visitors as six new volunteers sign up

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BBC 1968-1982. Worked in BBC local radio BBC 1970-1999. Worked in Radio all through BBC 1979-2007. Worked BBC 1976-1989. Worked Started in personnel, for more than 30 years, Photographic Manager her career, starting in in Radio throughout, in Engineering Designs moved into production, starting at Radio Durham, working in Graphic CAMP and finishing in starting as a studio department at Western ended up on Tomorrow’s and finishing at Radio Design. Trained as a docs, with a spell in manager and finishing as House, W1, on Ceefax, World and Horizon . Now Merseyside. stress manager, and set continuing education along a producer in Current Nicam 3, RDS, an occasional invigilator at Patch: Merseyside. up his own business the way. Still freelancing for Affairs. microprocessors and real two London universities. consultancy providing Radio 4. Patch: London E1-16 & computers. Patch: Wandsworth and advice and training. Patch: London SW19 and WC1/2 Patch: South-west Essex Southfields, London Patch: South East London SW20. (Romford and district) Bush veterans recall the last days of the Soviets Welfare on the agenda Bridget was the Around 130 of the BBC’s 180 Volunteer Visitors gather in Cardiff at the end of the month for their annual two-day conference. The visitors – all ex-staff whose prime heroine of Latvia responsibility is to keep in touch with ageing and vulnerable former The power of the BBC behind the Iron Organised with the Open University’s power, because they had no credibility.’ employees on their patch, will hear Curtain was evident the day Latvia’s Tuning In Project and World Service head The seminar was recorded by students from specialists on a number of issues assembly voted for independence from the of Governance and Corporate Affairs Hugh from the Open University, it will feed into including state benefits for the elderly Soviet Union. Saxby, it brought together reporters, editors their study of the World Service’s role in and equity release (e.g. borrowing Bridget Kendall was the World Service and diplomats. communicating with diasporas. against the value of your property). reporter on the spot, and she had first use of The seminar covered the editorial processes Alban Webb says individual interviews will Speakers include Jean Goodeve from the one international telephone line out of around a shift in events so significant that follow, and the material will supplement the University of the Third Age, Steve the assembly. people struggled to understand it. World Service’s plans to mark its departure Trigg of South Wales Police (on She handed over to the next ‘The West, the military and Mrs Thatcher from Bush House in 2012. protecting the vulnerable in society), correspondent, and skirted the crow waiting weren’t altogether pleased,’ recalled It will also feed into the BBC’s and Geoff Jones, the BBC Pension on the riverbank outside, trying to guess broadcaster, historian and diplomat Chris Memoryshare project (see opposite). and the Scheme’s pensioner-elected Trustee. how many had gathered in expectation. Cvic. BBC oral history project. They fell silent as an official appeared, Andrew Taussig, one-time European stood on a podium, and told them that Services controller, was with Lech Walesa, Latvia was independent at last. the Solidarity leader in Poland, where BBC PENSIONERS’ ASSOCIATION He shouted excitedly: ‘And we know it’s government authority was withering. true – we just heard it on the BBC!’ ‘The police were outside,’ said Andrew, a strong association for a safe pension It was just one of the stories that emerged ‘and we wondered what would happen. from historian Alban Webb’s seminar on But Walesa said they would join him if BBCPA has been working for over 20 years to how World Service responded as the Soviet they could. protect and safeguard your BBC Pension Union crumbled at the end of the 1980s. ‘There was in fact pity for the people in Why not join us? Your support is vital to ensure our voice is heard. Just fill in the form below or visit our web site: www.bbcpa.org.uk Individual Annual Subscription £10.00 Joint Annual Subscription £15.00 Life Membership (over 80) £50.00

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First Name Surname 1989 and all that: broadcasters, diplomats and historians at the World Service seminar Address Question mark over Ariel Andrew Harvey, the editor of Ariel , has joined the ranks of the retired after eight years at the BBC. He leaves his deputy Postcode Date of birth editors, Sally Hillier and Cathy Loughran, in charge while Internal Communications considers the future of the Tel Number e-mail publication in a world of electronic communication (prompting the external press to speculate that the day of the printed Ariel may be numbered). But in his final issue Andrew drew comfort from a survey commissioned by Internal Communications which said 86 percent of the people who responded gave Ariel their BBCPA is an independent organisation which operates approval. to support the interests of BBC Pensioners August • 2009 • •3 Letters This issue … The state of comedy; digital misinformation; an Ally Pally pioneer; the tribulations of ITV... Flak for land mines and lavatory laughs I can live with ‘hearing loss’ (Tony remains with me especially because of the McFarlane), and ‘digital delay’ (Tom Burke) support you all gave when my husband died bothers me not. What really depresses me in 1984. This is I believe what gives you deeply is the unfunny state of BBC TV your youth, Geoff Marshall Taylor, Fiona ‘comedy’. Shaw, Jack Chatterly, Colin Smith and of Sad enough that both Taking The Flak course Nick Whines. (BBC Two) and Getting On (BBC Four) on Because of my recently diagnosed MS I the same night appeared to be obsessed with haven’t been able to come and view the bowel movements but worse – far worse – plaque yet, but I’m so glad it’s been put in they sought cheap laughs from ‘war-torn’ place. Good idea, Peter Ward! Africa and a women’s geriatric ward. Pam Fenton (nee Jenkin) Believe me please, I do have a great sense Jim with of humour but I fail to see how land-mines Talking blowing up dogs, hostage-taking and Newspaper Rough with the smooth aggressive boy soldiers on one channel and founder- I recall that in and about 1958 it was incontinent old ladies, jokes about assisted members Stella generally agreed that the ITV licence to suicide in Zurich and an 87-year old dying Murdoch and broadcast was almost a licence to print alongside her uncut birthday cake on the Joan Tucker. money. I believe that at that time, for one other can possibly be construed as comedy – Photo courtesy TV channel ITV consumed a larger portion black or otherwise. of Wharfedale of the GNP than did the BBC for two TV Jo Brand (sadly) as co-writer can take Newspapers channels and four radio services. I do not some of the blame I guess for Getting On recall anybody suggesting that a slice of ITV but the excellent Martin Jarvis must surely In memory of the soundest engineer profits should be given to the BBC! question his ‘comedic’ return to our screens? ITV must learn to take the rough with the Finally – did I say ‘cheap’ laughs ? Please Jim Bradley and his wife Silvia wished that any money donated to his memory should be smooth. In any case: who says we need tell me – in these difficult times – what were given to the local Otley and District Talking Newspaper. On behalf of this charity, I would competition in local or any other news the total production costs for a Taking The like to express our warmest thanks for the generosity of all his friends, as we were given services? Personally I am not aware of any Flak unit on location in Kenya? £1000, a tribute to Jim’s helpful and kindly character. great difference between them. They are John Henty Maybe not everyone knows what a TN does. The aim is quite straight forward. It’s to both equally wasteful (e.g. two news provide the local news from printed words into audio format so that the blind and presenters). partially sighted, or anyone who cannot read small print, can hear it and so keep in Jack Boydle Set-top concerns touch with local affairs. I have read in Prospero that as an old-age Jim [pictured above with Stella Murdoch and Joan Tucker] joined us in 1995 when the pensioner I can get help with the switchover organisation needed to expand, as the number of our listeners was increasing, and our Hearing in decline to digital television. I have no idea how it all equipment was getting out of date. Who better than Jim to put us right? An experienced Tony Macfarlane ( Prospero , July) is correct works, and would be grateful for help to and much-admired retired BBC engineer, he chose a quality recorder, excellent in saying that a steady deterioration with change over. microphones, efficient duplicators and a mixer well suited to our needs so that we age in all our faculties is quite normal. At the moment I have a perfectly good began to get feedback from the listeners that our tapes were the best and easiest to Unfortunately for many of us this decline is Philips TV. I also have a video machine listen to. Jim was always encouraging and helpful; as amateurs we needed a patient greater than the norm. attached, and a DVD player, mostly for the guide to produce good results, and he could make it enjoyable. So if any of your readers As for hearing loss or impairment (take benefit of the grandchildren. are seeking an interesting activity in their retirement, do contact your local TN. They your pick of the words), well over ten I live on the Oxfordshire side of the should be very happy to have technical and broadcasting skills on tap. million of us come within the scope of the Thames, opposite Pangbourne, Berkshire. Stella M. Murdoch Disability Discrimination Act, and the Elizabeth Napier-Munn (See obituary, page 10) figure set to rise as the disco generation ages. Surely such a significant chunk of the See David Cox letter below. The London and audience deserves consideration. Also for Meridian area transmitters will be switched off allowance their TV sets or video recorders, and have those with visual impairment sound in 2012. The transmitter serving Oxford will Mobility supplement managed to connect up and use their own becomes more important. (For the record, be switched off a year earlier. Digitaluk will be sending useful information Freeview boxes with no problems. we do prefer to say we have a disability You are eligible for the Switchover Help to every household before changeover in their A system which saves scarce and valuable rather than that we are disabled.) Scheme if: region, and in their leaflet are details of the radio spectrum can, in my view, only be As a humble engineer, I would dare •You are aged 75 or over Switchover Help Scheme for the elderly and welcomed. Any criticism needs to be venture to say there is also an artistic aspect • You have lived in a care home for six disabled. reserved for the use it’s put to – in other to TV sound. When I was laying sound months or more For more information call 0800 408 5900 – words the programming and other content. tracks for TV the golden rule was that music • You are registered blind or partially sighted Ed David Cox should not compete with dialogue. Music • You get (or could get): should be appropriate, enhance the pictures Disability living allowance, or and help set the atmosphere or mood. Attendance or constant attendance Wrong signals Pioneering women Currently much ‘music’ is constant both I was surprised to see the letter from Rivers I read the excellent obituary for Catherine in time and level, a dimension has been lost. Carew (Welcome digital?) in the May/June Bunney ( Prospero , July). What was for a long time regarded as good issue published with no editorial comment. I too was a transmitter engineer with the practice is no longer observed. Why? His views on the effects of technology are BBC, joining in 1944. I have memories of a Baldness,Tony? Not me, guv. I’m just a bit just that, but the statements about digital six-week induction course at Maida Vale, taller than my hair. TV are misleading and potentially worrying and then going to Droitwich transmitter to Ray Burgess to some TV owners. be trained by Charlie Buckle. After passing The changeover only replaces one system my exams (on D-Day, 1944) I was posted to with another one, which can carry a few Brookmans Park, where I worked on night more channels. In particular, as has been oft shift with no proper street lighting and repeated, no television set needs to be doodle-bugs dropping around. replaced for the switchover. I was sent to Redruth in Cornwall for a Research A decoder box does need to be added. couple of months, and then back to Most sets have a SCART connector, in Brookmast Park as a TAF (1). which case the cheap boxes, now just over On the notice board one day I saw a slip I’m a research assistant working with the £10, will work. For very old sets without a of paper saying Alexandra Palace was Open University’s Tuning In project Cricketers reunited SCART socket which are still around there reopening. As I only live two miles away I (http://www.open.ac.uk/socialsciences/ Re the cricket picture in the July issue are boxes at around £25 with a UHF or RF applied and was very lucky to be selected. diasporas/) which is looking at the of Prospero , three of those pictured output. These will work with any set which My claim to fame is that I was the vision history of the BBC World Service. I’m (plus one,) are still in touch with each has gone on working since 405 line TV shut mixer who faded the control to re-open researching the role of the BBC other, namely, myself, Roger Blyth, down! television at Ally Pally after the war. coverage of events in South Africa Ronnie Moore and Rodney Norville Video recorders won’t work with their own Beryl Hockley during the period of the Anti-Apartheid (who with Anne, is in touch with Les tuners, but can record from the decoder movement (1959-2009), and would be Robertson still). If they, or anyone else (aka set-top box) output, again using the very interested to talk to ex-broadcasters in the picture or who played in that SCART connector. If the digital TV box has Forever young working in either the domestic or era, would like to get in touch, I would a timer then timed recordings of more than It was truly amazing to see how youthful my external services during this time about be pleased to hear from them. one channel are still possible. former bosses were/are looking (‘The Best their experiences. Lloyd Stickells I have a number of relatives in their 80s Days of Their Lives’, Prospero May/June). Kate Ribet [email protected] living in the South West region, which has I’ve not been able to retain such a glow, but [email protected] now changed over. They haven’t replaced the warmth of those times in School Radio 4 • • August • 2009 Letters ...the impact of high earners on the fund; and keeping up with the RPI Contacts Visiting Scheme Letters With pensions a talking point in the letters column, and in the wake If you would like a visit or information on of the BBC Pension Scheme Annual Report, Prospero invited how to become a volunteer visitor, please ring 0845 712 5529. You will be charged Extra readers to send in their questions and observations only as a local call. Queries Tony Newman: BBC a level of stability that is not available For benefit and pension payroll queries, From an outsider’s point of view it to other employers. call the Service Line on 029 2032 2811. would appear that the management of See interview the corporation are taking the biggest 2. Selling the pension fund’s equities Prospero slice of the pension funds due largely to when prices in the marketplace are low To add, or delete a name from the their inflated salaries. Pages 6-7 is not an attractive proposition, but distribution list ring the service line (number Given that managers seem to breed those equities still represent the same above). Prospero is provided free of more managers and continue share of the respective businesses, charge to retired BBC employees. On unchecked to give themselves above whatever their market value. In better request, we will also send it to spouses inflation pay rises, I would like to put times, the income from the assets (e.g. or dependants who want to keep in touch forward the following proposals. interest, dividends, property income) is with the BBC. Prospero is also available 1.Top managers drafted in from the presumably ploughed-back into the on audio tape for those with sight outside with no BBC history should not fund to grow the assets. What are the impairment. be allowed to join the pension fund until prospects for using the income, or To register please ring the Service Line after five years service. They should some of it, towards payment of on 029 2032 2811 pay the contributions from the first day pensions? Are not the assets acquired of joining the BBC, and if they leave with the objective of providing such BBC Club before the five year term their income under these circumstances, The BBC Club in London has a retired contributions should be returned with rather than being sold? category membership costing £24 a year the appropriate interest. for members; and £36 a year for family 2. A ceiling should be put on what top As Jeremy Peat, chair of the Pension Trust, membership. Pre-1997 life members are earners can receive in pensions. When revision month is unimportant because says (see interview, page 6) key to the health not affected. Regional clubs may have this figure is reached they should be over time it balances out is of the scheme is its ability to provide benefits different arrangements. given a choice. They could continue questionable. through the downturn without selling income Please call BBC Club London paying contributions to the Trust which Back in the eighties, when times earning assets. Income is greater than administration office on 020 8752 66 66 or would then invest the monies were ‘affluent’ and the fund was outgoings at present, and we expect that to email [email protected]. accordingly. But the investments would overflowing, the BBC gave staff and continue for some time. be subject to the vagaries of the itself holiday breaks, reduced Benevolent Fund markets (eg. like stocks and shares), subscription percentages and also 3. Ultimately, with pensioners living This is funded by voluntary contributions with no commitment by the Trust to improved pension conditions for longer and longer, the only way to keep from the BBC and its purpose is to protect produce results. Or they could start a future pensioners. the fund solvent may be to reduce the the welfare of staff, pensioners and their new pension scheme as it were from This caused an outcry with existing cost of pensions in payment, or families. Grants are made at the discretion scratch. pensioners and several London substantially increase the of the trustees. They may provide assis - meetings were arranged. contributions. Closing the final salary tance in cases of unforeseen financial The largest slice (over 50%) of the scheme’s I attended these and warned the BBC scheme and replacing it with a money- hardship, for which help from other current liabilities relate to pensions already in might regret its generosity when purchase scheme will presumably sources is not available. payment. markets went into decline. It took eventually reduce this cost (but it Like all eligible BBC employees, senior longer than feared but it did materialise places more of the burden of providing Prospero Society managers may join the scheme on the same eventually. for their old age upon the scheme’s Prospero Society is the only section of the accrual rate and definition of pensionable During my involvement I examined contributors). If the pension scheme BBC Club run by and for retired BBC staff salary as other members. both the BBC and state pensions over depends upon this change to balance and their spouses. Its aims are to enable For members who joined the scheme after a period of ten years because the the books, can it survive long enough BBC pensioners to meet on a social basis 31 May 1989, pensionable salary is subject to percentage improvement, based late in to see off those of us who are for theatre visits, luncheons, coach outings a cap (£123,600 p.a. for 2009/10) and as a the year, seemed regularly lower than benefiting (or are about to benefit) from etc. Prospero is supported by BBC Club consequence not all of salary (where it exceeds for any other month of the year. the final salary scheme? funds so as to make events affordable. to cap) counts towards pension. Selecting a ten year period at random, The only conditions (apart from paying a the appreciation of the State and BBC Pensioners should not worry about their small annual subscription) are that you pension was worse than if any earlier pension. The scheme is well placed to ride out must be a BBC pensioner and a member Arthur Lincoln: month had been chosen. Cynically one the current storm. Also, benefits cannot be of the BBC Club. Write for an application It would appear that some of us BBC could only conclude that the then RPI reduced once they are in payment. form to: Graham Snaith, 67 Newberries Pensioners were given an answer to our calculations were being deliberately Over recent years the BBC and current Avenue, Radlett, Herts. WD7 7EL, worries over our BBC pensions in manipulated. members have increased their contributions to telephone: 01923 855177 Prospero (May/June issue, page 3) I contacted the Inland Revenue and the scheme. The BBC has also set aside extra mobile: 07736 169612 email: under the headline ‘We’re in deficit-but enquired if there was any reason why funds and is looking at structures that might [email protected] your pension is safe’. It was a relief to BBC increases could not be locked to a offer the scheme security over some BBC read that and the news item. in which it fairer monthly average for the year. assets. BBC products was said by a contributor that the 0.9% They assured me there was no BBC retired staff are entitled to a 30% increase was ‘insulting’. objection. Anne Stevens: discount off the RRP of most products In normal circumstances this may well This information with a ten year Further to Antony Carter’s letter (‘The in the BBC TV Centre shop. There is a have been the case, but in the current chart, was sent to the Trustees and right time’, July Prospero ), why does postage charge of £2.95 per order financial crisis, it seems to me, that is several were interested, but after the pension increase settlement figure (not per item). Pensioners must quote the best that could have been offered. exchanging letters with me the matter have to be a fixed month? I would their BBC pension number when I fully realise that it may be naïve to was quietly closed without any suggest that the average over 12 ordering. Contact: BBC Shop, suggest that we may have to accept a explanation. months would be a fairer method of Audience Foyer, Television Centre, period of, perhaps, two years without Had the annual monthly average been calculating the settlement. Wood Lane, London W12 7RJ. Tel an increase in order to save the scheme used BBC pensions would have 020 8225 8230. and help to move from the deficit improved above today’s rate and By having a fixed and defined period of Email [email protected]. situation as explained in the May/June certainly would not have been measuring the annual percentage of the Other ways to order (quoting your pen - issue. subjected to the miserly 0.9% increase increase in the RPI over the year ending 31 sion number when ordering): Whatever the situation I strongly last April. December, monthly peaks and troughs are By phone: 08700 777 001 8.30am- believe that all concerned – that is the averaged out over time. 6pm weekdays. By post: BBC Shop, PO Corporation, those in charge of the Neil Gilchrist: Box 308, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8LW. BBC Pension Scheme and the BBC 1. How wise is it to rely on financial Basil Cottrill: Email: [email protected]. Pensioners’ Association should make it support from the BBC, when it seems Why does the chairman talk of reducing Or visit BBC Shops in Eastbourne, plain to the media that the retired to be permanently strapped for cash risk by reducing equities? If you buy Brighton, Leicester, Birmingham or members of staff do not receive gold- and when its use of the licence fee is low (if not done this is due to fear), sell Liverpool. UK postage £2.45 for plated final salary pensions! continually under scrutiny? high (if not done this is due to greed) telephone, post and email orders. It is grossly unfair of the media-press and set limits, this reduces risk. Overseas: £4.50 for one item and £2 for to continually state everyone who Whilst there is currently plenty of debate I am 72 and have been buying since each additional product for telephone, receives a final salary pension has taking place about the role and scale of the March with limits set to buy more or post and email orders. something gold plated. BBC going forward, we believe the BBC will sell! continue for the foreseeable future and its BBC PA Cliff Whittingham: covenant and support for the scheme remains • Answers provided by James Hacker, For details of how to join the Pensioners’ Geoff Jones’s statement that the annual strong. The charter and licence fee give the BBC Pensions and Benefits Association, see panel on page 3.

August • 2009 • • 5 Spotlight on the Fund Life after Auntie

Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust Fund Applications are invited for grants from PENSION DEFICIT: the Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust Fund, which exists to help those HOME HELP engaged in broadcasting or an associated activity, now or in the past, as well as their children and dependants. The Trustees, in their discretion, will Sharing provides the consider giving assistance towards educational costs in small ways, such as perfect solution for travelling expenses, school outfits, books A roadmap to recovery and additions to educational awards. Other grants are made to help relieve James and Noreen sickness or continuing hardship not Jeremy Peat doesn’t beat about the covered by aid from other sources. These bush. In a long career in high finance, the include giving assistance to families or one-time Treasury adviser has never seen elderly people facing economic problems, things so bad. What’s important, the chair of the BBC Pension disability or serious medical conditions, ‘And for two reasons. One, the scale of such as those requiring special care. the economic decline at the back end of The income of the Fund is limited. So 2008 and the early part of 2009 was much Trust tells Prospero, is not what’s happened so that help can be given where it is most greater than in recent recessions. And two, needed, applicants must be prepared to the crisis is global. So no one is immune.’ far; it’s where we go from here give, in confidence, full information about Not least our pension fund, for many the circumstances supporting their years one of the best performing schemes applications. around, and now showing a deficit of more Those wishing to apply this year should than £470 million. But there’s an write for an application form to; BBC encouraging glimmer in the tunnel. Pension & Benefits Centre, Broadcasting ‘I was at a Bank of England briefing House, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ. Returning it no recently,’ says Jeremy. ‘They’re saying later than 31 July. Applications are there are gentle signs of a modest Ewa Gajda with Noreen and James Grout considered annually in September, and in recovery. By which they mean the rate of Photo: Olivia Woodhouse no circumstances can continuing help decline is slowing. I agree, but what over a number of years be promised. matters is what happens next’ ormer BBC training manager Noreen ‘It works for us because Ewa is so And if the experts are right, and if we Grout and her actor husband James are wonderful,’ enthuses Noreen, whom many reach the end of the recession, and the Fflying the flag for a new formula for readers will remember as the administrator start of what Jeremy sees as an living, designed to take the burden out of responsible for colour training ahead of the Classifieds inevitably long and slow recovery period maintaining a house. BBC Two launch in 1967. ‘She’s so in the next year, then assets will grow in Rather than move into a flat or sheltered energetic around the house and the garden Seaview, Isle of Wight . Wanting to get value and the BBC Pension Fund will BBC has said it is prepared to set aside Others include steps to ensure clarity accommodation, the elderly couple are that we have to remind her to stop away for a break? Pleasant ETB 4* emerge relatively unscathed. more money to help meet ongoing The fact that we’re cash positive enables us to look at where there may be conflicts of interest. sharing their home of nearly thirty years working.’ Studio Annexe, sleeps 2 comfortably. But he stresses that the Trust is not commitments, and it has accepted the The BBC will no longer automatically with a younger person. It has surprised them that the scheme, Near Beach and Village. For details simply crossing its fingers and hoping. It’s principle of supporting the scheme with the longer-term management of assets. We believe we appoint members of the Executive The deal, arranged through Wiltshire which is carefully regulated, has had little contact [email protected] working harder than ever to keep abreast assets as necessary.’ should be picking equities we’re confident will Board. County Council, is that the lodger puts in take-up, and they’re offering advice to or Tel 01983 812180. of trends and to ensure it takes good So how likely are we to need that ‘Zarin Patel [chief financial officer] ten hours a week at the house in return for anyone who thinks such an arrangement Lagos, Algarve , small townhouse advice, and it has changed the way it degree of support? perform over five, ten, twenty years. So this is not a remains a highly valuable chair of the her accommodation – an upstairs suite at the might work for them. within ancient city, two bedrooms, roof- works. ‘There’s no crystal ball. I simply don’t Investment Committee,’ he explains, ‘but couple’s historic home in Malmesbury. ‘Of course you have to have the right terrace, 5 minutes to beach. From It’s also keeping a constant eye on the know. I hope that by March 2010 equity short-term game. the new director of BBC People will not It’s not a vast property, but behind the chemistry,’ admits Noreen, ‘and we’ve been £150pw. 07956 181613 state of the fund. The Pensions Regulator markets will have recovered. But I won’t be a trustee. Helen Boaden replaced terraced front stands a 16th century five- very lucky with Ewa. But I don’t know why [email protected] requires the Trust to conduct a full put a probability on it. I’m enough of an include broadcast executives, staff- are getting the best advice.’ Mark Byford who stood down after six bedroom house with a 200ft garden. it’s not been more popular. It really is a god - Pembrokeshire Coast: Two bedroom economist to know that I don’t know elected trustees and the pensioner- To that end Jeremy attends such years, and Andy Griffee is the most James (famous as John Thaw’s boss in send and everyone’s a winner.’ cottage with panoramic sea views. One enough to be sure what’s going to happen. elected trustee, who don’t necessarily briefings as that held by the Bank of recent appointee. Neither are members Morse ) has experienced loss of both vision It’s a view echoed by Ewa, who came to minute from beach and coastal path. There’s no crystal ball... The Bank of England forecast gives me a have experience in pensions or finance. England recently; he keeps a continuous of the Executive Board.’ and mobility, and it was evident that sooner Britain in 2005, and worked in midwifery Tel: 020 8449 7816; or contact I hope that by March degree of confidence, but there’s a wide ‘As it happens we’re very fortunate in the watch on the economic scene and he What advice does Jeremy offer to or later they would have to make other before earning the nursing ‘pin-number’ that [email protected] band of uncertainty around that. calibre of the people who have put oversees the David Hume Institute, a those retired staff concerned about their arrangements. licences her for theatre work at the Royal Mallorca, Alcudia Bay; Studio 2010 equity markets will ‘But I would say to our pensioners that themselves forward, or been put forward,’ think-tank specialising in economics and financial position in the present But they hadn’t anticipated that one United hospital in Bath. apartment (2+2), Swimming pool, tennis, there’s reason to feel less twitchy and he says. ‘They may not be experts in the the law. downturn? solution would keep them in their home. She was interviewed by scheme co- close sandy beaches, riding, golf, have recovered uncertain than I suspect some of them do.’ field, but they do have two critical So he’s confident that the Trustees are ‘Do what I do,’ he says. ‘Take advice. They heard about the county’s homesharing ordinator Susan Verity at County Hall – as waterpark and family entertainment. Tel. Key to the health of the BBC scheme is requirements: one, the time and energy in a position to make the right decisions. Everybody has to take their own scheme through a local newspaper. The idea were James and Noreen – before they were 01494 673802 valuation of assets against commitments its ability to provide benefits through the that the job requires; and two, the ability to To those who question the scheme’s decisions about their personal finances.’ is to put people who need accommodation introduced. Brittany, Dinan. Delightful medieval at least every three years. The next such downturn without selling income-earning learn, understand, analyse and question. choice of fund managers, he points out with people who have more ‘Would I recommend it? It’s different with riverside town with many restaurants. valuation is due next year. But the scheme shares and other fund assets. We have very professional back-up, both that the value of the fund has fallen only If you want specific financial advice you accommodation than they need. different houses and different people,’ she Attractive apartment in old merchant’s is also required to conduct interim annual ‘Income is greater than outgoings at inside the BBC, in people like Peter 18% at a time when the equities markets need to speak to an independent In the case of James and Noreen, both in says. ‘But I feel very lucky because they are house; quiet, central. Beaches, walks valuations. For the full valuation the present, and we can expect that to be Dunscombe [head of pension have fallen 30%. financial adviser. A panel of their early 80s, the solution was 37-year-old such nice people. I am learning, and I love close. Near St Malo channel port and Trustees review the assumptions – for the case for a while ahead. investments], Sandra Phillips [scheme In pursuit of the best advice, the Board independent financial advisers has Ewa Gajda, a nurse from Poland. doing the garden. I lived in a city in Poland, Dinard airport (Ryanair). Sleeps 2, example, about life expectancy – against ‘Over the past two or three years we’ve has restructured its committees, and two been selected by the Trustees and the ‘We’re simply trading what we have – so I am learning a lot.’ double or twin. From £185pw. 020 8995 which the valuation is made. moved to reduce somewhat the independent professionals will shortly BBC. accommodation – for what we need, which Readers wishing to talk to James and Noreen 8543 [email protected] ‘We’ve just had the results of the percentage of our holdings in equities I would say to our join the Investment Committee. • AWD Moneyextra: 0845 300 4513 is help around the place,’ explains James, about their experience should contact the Volunteer in West London. Use your interim valuation for 2008. We’re and increase our holding in bonds. So ‘These are people with experience in • Origen: 01252 557002 whose career stretches back to the days of editor of Prospero – phone 020 7765 5141 skills to publicise undiscovered Arts and currently conducting the interim valuation we’ve moved from having 70% of our pensioners that there’s the field. Heavy hitters, strong-minded, • LEBC Group: 0117 906 5530 live television drama from Alexandra Palace. or email [email protected] Crafts home. For more details phone for 2009. The results, which are likely to assets in shares in 2000 to having 52% reason to feel less straight-talking people who have spent More information about financial advice 020 8748 2639, or email show further deterioration, will be in shares by the beginning of 2009. 20 or 30 years in the field.’ is available from the Financial Services [email protected] published next year. But in 2011 we will ‘But it’s a difficult judgement to make twitchy and uncertain This is one of the governance changes Authority at: be looking at the 2010 full valuation, the because over time we expect the referred to in the Annual Summary Report. moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk one we are required to react to under the equities to give a higher return. than I suspect some of About homesharing regulations. ‘What really matters is what happens The idea, which has had wide take-up in it is always part of the arrangement and How to advertise ‘But rather than wait, we’re starting to longer term. The fact that we’re cash them do the United States, is promoted by the can affect the way the service is look at ways we can ameliorate matters. positive enables us to look at the longer- UK charity NAAPS. It’s still relatively new provided and received. In Homeshare Prospero Classifieds, Already the employer [the BBC] has term management of assets. We believe secretary] and Jan Killick [head of Asking the tough questions in the UK, but a number of schemes are both the householder and the BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, agreed to set aside extra funds, and in we should be picking equities we’re Pensions]. running (see below). homesharer are gaining from the Broadcasting House, addition it will look at structures that confident will perform over five, ten, twenty ‘The Trustees are finding it is a huge Angela Catley, of NAAPS, is the arrangement, and feel valued and Cardiff, CF5 2YQ might offer the pension scheme security years. So this is not a short-term game.’ responsibility, and they’re taking it Nominations for the pensioner-elected trustee on the BBC Pension Trust have recognised expert, and she explains that respected for what they are over some BBC assets.’ He’s conscious of the burden carried by immensely seriously. We have to look at closed. Retired staff will have to choose their representative from 20 homesharing works because it offers an contributing.’ Please enclose a cheque made payable Other employers have followed this the Trustees through the most difficult every scenario, and different scenarios candidates (see page 2) to sit on the board when the present term ends in ‘equal’ arrangement. At its simplest, it is At present there are homeshare to: BBC Central Directorates. model – including Tesco, John Lewis and time in the fund’s history. When he came imply different policies. So we must be December. ‘a way of helping people with different schemes in a number of southern Rate: £5 for 20 words Marks and Spencer. In most cases it has to the board shortly after he joined the flexible, we must review regularly, we So what should they be looking for? sets of needs to help each other’. counties and cities in England. Visit involved signing a valuable property over Governors in 2005, he was told that must have good advisors, and all the ‘We want people who have time they can commit to this role,’ says the ‘Many housing and/or support services NAAPS at In a covering letter please include your to the pension fund for a period. chairing the Pension Trustee Board was time we must look to the long term. chairman. ‘They don’t have to be specialists, but they must be capable of inadvertently place the user of the http://www.naaps.co.uk/en/homeshare/ pension number ‘But we’re at a very preliminary stage. ‘a bit of an add-on’. ‘But we are all given good instruction and getting to grips with quite complex issues. They have to be people who ask services in the position of “recipient” and for details. Readers without internet The BBC has made it clear that it will ‘But of course it’s turned out to be training. And it is continuous training. the difficult questions, and who help others to come to the right decisions. It the people who provide that service in access should contact the editor of To advertise in Ariel, contact: Ten Alps support the scheme, and with a revenue somewhat more than that now.’ We’re getting outsiders in to talk to us is an onerous responsibility that people should take seriously. But they will the powerful position of “provider”,’ she Prospero. Write to Prospero Editor, Care Publishing Ltd, Tel: 020 7878 2314 stream of £3.5 billion, it is in a better The job is even more daunting for the about these alternative scenarios all the get a degree of satisfaction out of it if they do it well.’ says. ‘However hard people try and of BBC Pension & Benefits, position to do so than many PLCs. The lay-members of the Pension Board. They time, and we reassure ourselves that we minimise this obvious power imbalance Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ

6 • • • August • 2009 August • 2009 • • 7 Back at the BBC Back at the BBC Could this People Simon Pattern , managing editor of be me? Radio Humberside, is acting head of regional and local programmes for East TVC listing may hit sale plans Yorkshire and Lincolnshire after the John Simpson on the new sudden departure of David Lloyd, after comedy Taking The Flak less than a month in charge, for a job in A grade II listing for Television Centre’s commercial radio. Is the BBC’s appalling chief foreign iconic ring – popularly known as the editor David Bradburn, as played by ‘doughnut’ – and Studio 1 has raised Craig Oliver , formerly editor of BBC Martin Jarvis in the excellent new BBC questions about the future of the building, One news programmes, is deputy head Two comedy series Taking The Flak , me? which is due to be sold. of the multimedia newsroom. Former Of course he is; though fortunately for The heritage listing will restrict the Watching the waste-line deputy Mary Hockaday is now head of those who have to live and work with changes that can be made, but the BBC says the newsroom after Peter Horrocks me, he’s also half a dozen other people. it is too early to know whether this will The good news is that waste levels ‘I know there are creative moved to World Service. In fact, the originator and co-writer of affect the eventual sale price. are down, recycling is up and concerns about low energy lighting the series, Tira Shubart, with whom I While the property downturn has put carbon emissions from BBC and they wouldn’t be bright enough Amy Coyte , most recently chief lived and travelled for ten years in the original plans to dispose of the site on hold, transport are on the slide. Ups and downs or stable enough to light TC1, for executive of the Bat Conservation Trust, 1980s and 90s, discussed various the intention is still to vacate and sell TVC The bad news is that efficiencies instance, but they’re perfectly ok has been appointed director of the BBC models for Bradburn, and all the terrible after 2012, when many people will have have only managed to shave 1.5 for low ceiling studios like in news.’ Wildlife Fund. It’s a post newly created correspondent behaviour she and I had moved to Salford and into the redeveloped percent off energy consumption in Making progress Wider use of rechargeable by the grant-making charity, set up in seen on our wanderings. BH in central London. the last year – as new activity batteries is another priority, and 2007 on the back of the BBC’s Saving (In the first episode, one of our standing The grade II status for the doughnut and including the work on digital • Waste down by 11% Simmonds will work with the Planet Earth. jokes, the way news correspondents use Studio 1 was granted by the department of switchover and the launch of BBC • Recycling up to 51% Energy Saving Trust to develop an Wales as a unit of measurement, found a Arabic and BBC Persian put industry standard carbon calculator Peter Sissons is to quit newsreading culture in recognition of ’architectural and • Transport carbon emissions down 6% way in. The ghastly local BBC stringer in historical special interest’. pressure on net use – and water for tv, radio and online production. after a 45-year journalistic career. The East Africa says on camera that the Other parts of the west London site, consumption remained static. • Flights between London and Manchester Spend-to-save investment 66-year-old, currently on the BBC country where he’s based is ‘38 times the including the other seven studios, the A year after the BBC set itself down 31% schemes to update building control News Channel, plans to write his size of Wales’) scenery block and the famous canteen, do ambitious green targets, including • 50% more video conferencing systems can’t come soon enough memoirs. Sadly, I recognised all sorts of things not qualify. cutting energy use by 20 percent, • 3000 printers disposed of for staff in older buildings who have about myself in David Bradburn. For the The BBC HQ opened in 1960, and Caroline Thomson, chief operating • Automatic shutdown of non critical pcs been sweating in Manchester and Pat Younge , who told last year’s record, though, I don’t go round winning features include the entrance hall, officer, admits it’s a mixed picture. chilling in London recently. Edinburgh TV festival ‘there’s more hoovering up receipts. with its John Piper mosaic; the central drum ‘It’s encouraging to see what we’ve Replacement of inefficient boilers chance of a black man being in charge But the pomposity? The with its mosaic tiles; the Huxley-Jones managed to do on waste and Could do better at White City alone will deliver of the White House than there is of a self-importance? The irritability? All gilded sculpture of Helios and the recycling, through people changing energy savings of 25-30 percent black man being in charge at White true, alas, though getting older helps. full-height glazing of the stair and original their behaviour, and I’m cheered by • Energy use only down 1.5 percent when work is completed this City,’ is returning from Discovery in the So does having a three-year-old son. clock . gains like doing away with 3000 • No change in water consumption autumn, says utilities manager US to head Vision Productions in David Bradburn and I have something superfluous printers,’ she told Ariel. Gavin Sturrock. succession to Peter Salmon. • Building control systems in need else in common: we’re almost the last ‘But our energy targets in particular The recent reinstatement of the survivors of a breed of monster which Coining with dinosaurs look tough. You soon realise how of overhaul Media Centre’s rainwater Ben Preston , executive editor at The once roamed the world, dominating its The Walking With Dinosaurs Arena ungreen an activity broadcasting • Bigger push on green programme making harvesting system will cut water Independent, is the new editor of Radio environment through sheer will power and Spectacular began its European tour in really is.’ use in the year ahead, although the Times , and takes over from Gill Hudson aggression. Now, though, most of the Glasgow recently, and is stomping its way That’s why the year ahead will see planned move away from water this summer. He has held various senior old-school television news across the UK until the end of August. more resources directed at finding dispensers and polystyrene cups to positions on national newspapers, correspondents have retired or headed The live action show may be bad news for ways to make the business of taps and mugs will in itself including The Times , where he spent for the safety and better pay of the studio. cash-strapped parents, but is good news for making and broadcasting generate extra use. eight years as deputy editor and a year Tira Shubart was one of the best news BBC Worldwide, which has seen £11m in programmes more energy efficient. London-Manchester flights have as editor. producers I’ve worked with. ticket sales from the 20-city prehistoric Charles Simmonds, a director in been cut by a third in 2008-09 but Understandably, her counterpart in extravaganza. news, who led pilot work last year maintaining that trend will be another Lucy Lumsden , controller of comedy Taking The Flak , gets off much more It is the first time in Europe for the on environmentally sustainable challenge in the run up and after the commissioning, will leave this autumn to lightly than the appalling Bradburn and innovative arena tour, featuring life-size production, will investigate wider move to Salford, Thomson says. become head of comedy at Sky – a role the dreadful but equally well-drawn animatronic dinosaurs operated by hidden use of low energy lighting in studios tungsten lighting produces light, while it ‘Video conferencing – encouraged for that will reunite her with Stuart Murphy, correspondent of the BBC World puppeteers, which has grossed more than where the saving wouldn’t affect generates almost 40 times the carbon all the user groups related to BBC North former controller of BBC Three. Service, Margaret. £84m since starting in Australia in 2007. broadcast quality. emissions of the low energy alternative. – has increased, as you’d expect with So does the thoughtful, philosophical Walking With Dinosaurs is the latest in a Simmonds says the impact of Over a number of years, tungsten costs improved facilities, but it’s also about Owena Griffiths is the new editor of cameraman, Jack. (The real-life series of BBC programmes that have made replacement – even with initial seven times as much as LED good habits. As ever, the impact of CBBC’s Newsround . She moves from cameraman who filmed the series is the the leap to a live format, with Top Gear and investment – could be enormous. spotlighting to run, including outlay on individuals’ behaviour cannot be the role of assistant editor on the Today famous Darren Conway, who usually Strictly Come Dancing, both currently taking Only five percent of energy used by air conditioning. over-estimated.’ programme. works for BBC News, and his quality tour bookings. shines through.) The BBC’s original six 30-minute episodes Independent producer Eileen Satire is always better when everyone is of Walking With Dinosaurs , in 1999, cost art world as a result of an offhand remark. From then on, expenses of the executive (users in the US, for example, would see the communication skills and my confidence to launch a new BBC project, provisionally Herlihy, currently an executive producer ludicrous or a swine. The people who £2m a minute to make, which is still Back in January, Nick and his copresenter board and the top 100 below that level will ads whether they were looking at the increased,’ he said. entitled Digital Revolution , which will with IWC, has been appointed BBC deserve it most get royally shafted in recognised in the Guinness Book of Records as Suzanne Virdee reported on a local artist who be published quarterly in what Caroline international or UK version). Prison radio goes back to 1938, at the examine the web’s impact on all our lives. Scotland’s new head of entertainment Taking The Flak , and very satisfying it is. the most expensive documentary series on had started painting after being made Thomson, the BBC’s chief operating officer, There were also issues relating to some state penitentiary, Huntsville, Texas. It Digital Revolution will provide an online and events. I look forward to the rest of the series. television. redundant on his 60th birthday. Nick calls ‘a step-change in the information we video content being available only in the wasn’t until 1994 that it caught on in forum for discussion about the web, with I’ll be wincing as I laugh, though. remarked that the paintings were disclose to the public’. UK. Website editor Steve Herrmann says Britain – at Feltham young offenders contributors’ ideas feeding into a BBC Two Roving reporter Gavin Hewitt has ‘Lowry-esque’. Among the more intriguing details that these many permutations ‘were institution. series on the internet next year. been appointed Europe editor. He will Stepping aside A frenzy ensued, with artist Sid Kirkham released recently was a claim by Radio 4 impractical as well as expensive’, and were The Prison Radio Association was created take over in the autumn when Mark As widely predicted, Arlene Phillips is selling more than £60,000 worth of controller Mark Damazer in 2006 for holding back development. in 2006 and Electric Radio Brixton, a mix Mardell starts his new role as North TALKING making way for Alesha Dixon on the paintings in two weeks. The painter has £1175.80 to pay for pensions advice. Now new technology is being used to of music and chat, was launched within the Sugar concern America correspondent, replacing judging panel for Strictly Come Dancing . been swamped ever since. The BBC explained that it was a one-off determine a user’s location, selecting the walls of HMP Brixton, in 2007. The BBC Trust has asked BBC One to Justin Webb, who is joining Today . POINTS Ballerina Darcey Bussell will appear as guest ‘I’m absolutely clueless about art,’ admits allowance of £1000 plus VAT for 15 senior appropriate site automatically. Herrmann think again about scheduling the next series judge towards the end of the run. Nick, whose ‘collection’ at home includes managers whose pensions totalled more stresses that the same content is still of The Apprentice in the run-up to a general CBBC controller Anne Gilchrist is Phillips is to join The One Show which has only pictures of football, cricket or family. than £1.5m, after government changes to available on both sites. Fools are back election, now that its star Alan Sugar is a to join the in-house comedy a long association with Strictly. Recently Sid appeared back on Midlands regulation affecting that category of The Trotter family, stars of Only Fools And Labour peer and Gordon Brown’s enterprise department on attachment for a year Brick lane Even so, her departure from the Saturday Today and unveiled a painting in honour of pension. Horses , will return in a new 90-minute champion. as creative and business director. She Nick‘y Campbell’s right; let’s n’ot get a night flagship show after six years has patron Nick, who is also chairman of Luton Captive listening comedy-drama to be shown next year. Even though it said earlier there was no will work across the UK, including with downer on Salford. He says, ‘It’s not generated controversy, with some critics and Town and a supporter of 51 years. Not It’s not every day that a prison inmate is Written by John Sullivan and produced conflict or breach of guidelines in Sugar’s Comedy North in Manchester. Damian Helmand Province’ ( Ariel , June 30). fans accusing the BBC of ‘ageism’ and surprisingly, the artwork, set in the 1950s, Website shake-up lined up to speak at a media conference, but jointly by his company Shazam Productions dual role, it feels that ‘sensitivity’ will Kavanagh, head of planning and Carl Johnston (July 7) replies that, asking why Len Goodman hasn’t been includes Luton shirts hanging on a washing Visitors to the BBC website now have no that’s what happened at the Radio Festival and BBC comedy, the special will look back increase around an election. scheduling for daytime and an ‘Clearly he has never been to Ordsall’ replaced. line. choice whether they view the international in Nottingham recently. at life with the Trotters during the 1960s. executive producer on programmes (which neighbours the Quays). Let’s BBC One controller Jay Hunt says the or UK versions. Previously, all users had the Identified only as Tis, he was let out of such as Escape to the Country and have some balance, please. As a new line-up of judges is part of a revised option of viewing either version by clicking nick for the day to talk about his Terror book blocked Hospital Heroes, takes over from her former resident of Salford Quays, I format, which will involve further changes, Still counting the cost a button at the top of the homepage. Now experiences at Electric Radio Brixton, which The future is random Publication of The Terrorist Hunters , by as controller of CBBC. drove through Ordsall many, many to be announced later. The BBC has released details of expense everyone in the UK gets the UK site, and won Sony gold for listener participation. Tim Berners-Lee, credited with creating the former BBC home affairs correspondent times and only had a brick thrown at claims by senior staff over the last three everyone else, the international site – there Sentenced to four years for drug-related worldwide web, told BBC staff: ‘The Margaret Gilmore and Andy Hayman, Jemma Rodgers , an independent my car once. It’s a much improved years. is no option to switch. offences, Tis explained how thrilled he had concept of a [tv] channel will soon be ex-head of UK counter-terrorism, has been producer of comedies such as The area of late and very safe, except on But is it art? This was in response to a Freedom of So why the change? The main reason is been, on being transferred to Brixton prison history … the future of video on the web blocked following an injunction from the League Of Gentlemen, Pulling Special bonfire night. If you have ever doubted the power of the Information request, and now the advertising: the website carries ads from Pentonville, to find that it had its own will allow random access to everything that attorney general. The book gives an account and Wedding Belles , has been Steve Blears critic (or television), do so no more. Nick Corporation is to publish salaries and internationally but not in the UK. This radio station, and provided training in has ever been broadcast.’ of the terrorist threat to the UK in the past appointed executive editor to lead sbj, Radio 5 Live planning Owen, a presenter on Midlands Today , has expenses of its top 50 earners and top 50 necessitated four versions of the site – radio. He was at White City Media Centre to five years. Reasons for the injunction could comedy from BBC Scotland. stumbled his way into the fickle and prickly decision makers as a matter of course. international and UK, with and without ads ‘This improved my vocabulary and my mark the 20th anniversary of his idea, and not be given for legal reasons. 8 • • August • 2009 August • 2009 • • 9 Obituaries Obituaries Engineer Meticulous and unflappable TV craftsman A steadying influence in Northern Ireland’s troubled times Paul Newitt died on March 21, seven at his job, with an unflappable approach to three months before his death he would Normon Langley was born in Cardiff and Troubles. Events were followed closely on Tomorrow’s Farm , filming all over Europe, View . The signature tune sung by Noel weeks after he moved from his home in every assignment. adapt things to make them easier for him served in the RAF before joining the BBC in the local evening news programme Scene and in Canada, Tenerife and Israel. Coward was played at his funeral service. Eastbourne to a nursing home in Horsham, He enjoyed a long and happy retirement to use, and with a visual aid he was able to Cardiff as a scene hand. He then moved to Around Six , the atmosphere often tense He produced many multi camera Normon planned his programmes who lived West Sussex. He was 93. with his wife Edith, who died ten years write his signature and send birthday and Manchester as an assistant floor manager and harassed, but in the studio Normon’s programmes and made a special meticulously, always putting contributors at He worked for BBC television news for earlier. His character was unchanged, Christmas cards to his family. working on Top of the Pops, Juke Box presence was a steadying influence. documentary in Saudia Arabia, Making the their ease. 20 years, starting as a sound recordist in despite the deterioration of his sight to He was an amazing man who will be Jury, The Good Old Days, It’s a Knockout, Lighter shows were Date with Derek and Desert Bloom . His last big documentary, Normon is survived by his wife Yvonne, 1955. He was promoted to cameraman in virtually complete blindness at his death. sadly missed by his daughters, Judith and Pinky and Perky, Harry Worth, Ken Dodd the James Young series. Growing for Freedom , took him to Russia, sons Ian and Nicholas, daughters-in-law 1963. He retired in July 1975. Without complaint, however, he carried Christine and two grandchildren, Lynne and the Simon Dee Show . He became a director then producer in Hungary and Poland. Christine and Pamela and grandchildren his dream His colleagues at that time will remember on with DIY jobs, gardening and making and Craig. In 1969 Normon transferred to Belfast as the BBC Farming Unit, on programmes Normon also enjoyed the gardening side, Philip, Christopher and Carla. him as reliable, meticulous and competent things, pursuits he loved. Even until two or Judith Shannon (Paul’s daughter) a floor manager, at the beginning of the including Land ’n Larder, Farm View and particularly the very popular A Room with a Gwen Gibson ‘Kind, caring, can do’ is the way Mark Byford, deputy director general, then a 20 year old just starting out on his BBC career, remembers Jim Bradley . It’s a sentiment shared widely by friends and colleagues from Jim’s own Mill stalwart who encouraged youth long television engineering career –a Camerman with career that began in the 1960s in Bryan Forham did his National Service in programmes and would often let his SSA had thoughts of a new challenge. London and ended in Leeds the Royal Air Force, and like many other mix many shows. This provided Thus in early 1973 he became audio in 1991. BBC recruits he trained at RAF Yatesbury. invaluable training for talented manager at the newly opened Pebble Jim’s fascination with the way things This radio and radar school provided an youngsters. Mill, which was to be his last working work began early at Chigwell School excellent platform for a lot of future Colleague Len Shorey recalls that he base. He spent twelve and a half years at where, in his mid teens, he built his broadcasting staff at a time of significant met Bryan in the 1950s in Lime Grove the Mill shaping and expanding the audio own fully-practical television set. a talent for expansion. and that his style of supervision was to department. The extraordinary efficiency Jim, determined to join the BBC, was Colleague and good friend Jack Clayton designate part of his workload to his SSA of the unit in the late 1970s produced too young when he left school, so he recalls that Bryan, who joined the BBC in each week, again confirming his phenomenal TV drama each week – plus served his engineering apprenticeship the early 1950s, was in charge of Crew 9 commitment to a strong training regime. of course the five-days-a-week live with the General Post Office. In 1962, in 1957, which included very strong Len remembers him as a pioneer of turmoil of Pebble Mill at One . his ambition was realised, as he began members such as Chris Holcombe, sound development, trying new He was enormously respected at his BBC career at Lime Grove Studios, ‘Chick’ Anthony, Dickie Chamberlain and techniques to improve the quality sound Pebble Mill and the news of his death first as a technical assistant and then being in the Colin Dixon. Crew 9 had a very good output. On one occasion he attached saddened many friends when it was as an engineer in telecine. Jim firmly reputation and their programme mix mics to ‘dancing’ sax players for a live announced at one of the monthly believed it was having made the included Hancock’s comedies, Dig This performance in the 1960s. meetings of retired staff. television set at school that got him and Six Five Special . The first Grandstand from Lime Grove Bryan died while on holiday in Spain the job. It was on this show that Bryan met Studio H was mixed by Bryan with all the several months ago. Our heartfelt He returned to Leeds in 1965, where Isabel Logan, whom he married many expected complexities of the day in sympathy goes out to his wife Isabel. he had been born before the war, to years later after he retired in mid 1980s. evidence. Compiled by David Payne, Jack Clayton and work as an education engineer in right place Bryan got bored with series format He had a short attachment to Sport, but Len Shorey Schools Broadcasting. When the BBC decided to open a television station in Leeds, Jim was in Mike Viney was unassuming, hard-working, building, but all next day Mike kept a vigil the helicopter Mike directed the pilot on privilege to work with. But most of all it is founder member of Cardiff CAMRA, and it wine bar we could put the world to rights, amateurish nature of its subject. He was his element, doing the complicated uncomplaining in the direst of outside the Cortes as the siege went on. half-a-dozen runs to film the chaos in the her sense of fun and her laugh that we miss. wasn’t long before he introduced me to Saturday morning it was much the same. also a gifted photographer and an engineering work needed to set it up circumstances – there were plenty of those When the plotters finally surrendered after jungle below. Chris Bellinger what I should be drinking in the BBC club! Cecilia did her stint on Top of the Pops accomplished cabinet-maker. and get it on the air. on the road with BBC TV News – and a a successful broadcast appeal by King Juan Mike’s pictures were truly remarkable and He also introduced me to the whirring, when Kylie Minogue was endlessly at A waspish distain for authority inspired Not one to sit still, Jim took courses very fine cameraman. Carlos urging Army generals not to join the won a plethora of awards from the Monte hissing, clattering world of the Quadruplex number one. She hated it because all day him to forge a convincing VIP pass to the in lighting and camera work and, at the Proof of that was in 1983 when he won coup attempt, Mike was able to re-enter the Carlo Golden Nymph for news coverage to Union man in Wales videotape machine which inspired me to long she hummed ‘I could be so lucky…’ BBC car park and he retained a fund of end of the 1970s, he became a senior the Royal Television Society’s prestigious building and retrieve the camera and the the RTS News Cameraman of the Year. Mike Nutt joined as a technical assistant in find out more and ultimately led to me and we suffered too. anecdotes about the chaotic nature of TV in television engineer. News Cameraman of the Year Award. film that he’d hidden underneath a leather- Christopher Morris 1968, working in operations and being responsible in later years for the After the BBC Cecilia moved to the 1950s – tales of BBC staff freelancing At that time he lit much of the studio There are two major stories I recall in bound chair. maintenance in the early years. After maintenance of more modern machines. Cambridge to work as a picture researcher for the new ITV companies using output from BBC Leeds. The post later particular when Mike excelled back in the Mike’s historic film has since been shown spending periods in telecine and VT and then We will all miss him as will his wife Anne for a Cambridge academic, and to care for Corporation facilities under the noses of changed to operations manager, which eighties. all around the world and is testament to the Saturday star achieving his Engineer status, he moved on to and children Laura and James. her ailing mother. management. further widened his responsibilities. In the first, we’d been filming in Bilbao, night when supporters of the dead Spanish There aren’t many middle-aged mums who his desired role in TV operations. Cecilia is sorely missed. Our clever, funny Jack enjoyed a long retirement in Ealing On leaving the BBC in 1991 Jim northern Spain, where the West German dictator, General Francisco Franco, were are able to successfully combine bringing up I first met him in 1978 on TV OBs and still and quite unique friend. with Maureen, who survives him together became a BBC pensioner visitor and consul had been kidnapped by ETA Basque doomed in the only real attempt of the past three delightful children with putting clearly remember how he made me feel High-flying designer Dick Coles, Debbie Brodie and Cecilia’s with their son Michael. His Humanist funeral with his wife, Sylvia, maintained his terrorists. With the story stalled waiting for 25 years to overthrow Spain’s fledgling groups like Take That and The Spice Girls on welcome as part of the crew and helped me Cecilia Brereton, a designer at Television brother Piers at Mortlake on June 10 included some of his relationship with the BBC and made the diplomat’s release, I convinced Rick democracy. the road to international stardom – but find my way around the system. In 1994 he Centre in the 1980s, has died far too young favourite songs from musical theatre. new ones with older, former Thompson, then foreign editor, to let us Surprisingly, perhaps, Mike won no awards Cathy Gilbey did. moved to electronic maintenance and fulfilled at the age of 61. Bevan Jones employees. Rebuilding a l6mm telecine drive to Madrid ostensibly to report the for his brilliant coverage under fire that night. Working as a freelance radio journalist in an essential role dealing with safety issues and She was a talented designer, an avid reader Swingometer creator machine, with his former colleague and opening of a new parliamentary session but But he did two years later, on assignment in the 1970s Cathy was invited to work on a acceptance of equipment and office and wonderful company. Controversial and John (Jack) McWatt , who has died aged 93 friend Stan Robinson, became a in reality for a night out in the Spanish Africa when almost two million immigrants new tv show, Noel Edmonds’ Multi- technology. He also took an active role on the much loved, her talent was only rivalled by after a long illness, was responsible for Forces to farming passion. And they got it back to full capital before returning to London. were expelled from Nigeria. Coloured Swap Shop . She realised that this union committee to the benefit of us all. her fierce intellect. much of the visual style of BBC television Roger Hudson was a farmer in France, working order. Somehow we managed to bluff our way into On that occasion with sound recordist was what she really wanted to do. Throughout his career, as many have As a student she wanted to study art output in the 1960s and 1970s. where he died in May. He was also a skillful Jim cared deeply about the BBC – the Cortes, Spain’s parliament, when we Dougie Dalgleish we found ourselves She worked for more than 22 years commented, his cheerful, thoughtful, caring history, but no such course was available, so As the Corporation’s cartographer, he broadcaster and stalwart of the British not just about the programmes he arrived that evening. And, half-an-hour later surrounded by hundreds of thousands of producing various incarnations of the demeanour was a credit to him and a great she chose to read history at Lady Margaret created maps for the screen in an era that Forces Broadcasting Service. worked on – but about the people who after filming politicians in the chamber and starving and thirst-crazed refugees in a groundbreaking Saturday morning, live help to his colleagues. Mike battled against Hall, Oxford. relied on craft skills and imagination rather Born and bred in Sussex, Roger cut his were his colleagues, and he took a real boring parliamentary procedures, we prepared jungle clearing in the tiny West African state children’s show – Saturday Super-Store, poor health for several years but still It was at university that she became than technology. broadcasting teeth in radio in New Zealand. delight in watching people flourish. to leave. of Benin. They were trapped, barred from Going Live! and Live and Kicking. remained positive and cheerful throughout. involved with theatre, which led her on to a Born in Glasgow in 1915, Jack’s When he returned to the UK in the early Helen Thomas, head of BBC Suddenly, though, we heard angry crossing the border into Togo and then Saturday morning became a mightily He passed away in March a few months career in film and television design. childhood was harsh and left him with a 1970s, he freelanced for Radio 4, World Yorkshire, says that ‘Jim’s outstanding shouting in the corridor outside, and home to Ghana. competitive part of the schedule and one of after completing 40 years service. He will be After university she worked at the newly Celtic austerity of temperament. Yet he was Service and COI. ability to spot potential in people and gun-toting Civil Guards burst in. Ours was Mike filmed the panic and pandemonium Cathy’s roles as producer was to secure the greatly missed by all his friends and founded Roundhouse Theatre, and also also stage-struck, perhaps through a family He married Valerie, and discovered that a then to develop that potential has seen a grandstand view of history in the making. that threatened to engulf us. People were best possible guests. colleagues. trained as a secretary in case she needed work. connection with the 1930s stage and film staff job in British Forces Broadcasting people go on to enjoy very successful And Mike, the only TV cameraman present, trampled to death as we awaited a crisis Other Saturday shows came and went, but Peter Full She didn’t need to. She joined the BBC as star Jack Buchanan. offered more security. careers both here in Yorkshire and filmed it all. meeting between the presidents of Benin due in large part to the influence and a temporary design assistant. Her abilities After war service with the RAF, he found When the marriage ended, Roger elsewhere in the BBC’. ‘What’s happening,’ he asked. and Togo. respect Cathy enjoyed with agents, record Phil Balaam (BECTU) adds: Mike’s were recognised. She shot through the ranks work as a set-builder for local theatres, remained with BFBS, becoming station Jim’s spirit remained undiminished ‘I think it’s a coup,’ I replied as the guards We feared for our lives as a helicopter companies and within the music business, involvement with BECTU goes back to the and became a designer in record time. The where he met his wife, Maureen, a young manager, western Europe, BFBS Radio and after his stroke in 2007, and although opened fire, the bullets ricocheting off the eventually clattered into view over the palm we were able to rule the roost in ratings for start of his BBC career. He joined the Cardiff then head of Design said that she was ‘head teacher moonlighting as a make-up artist. SSVC Television before retiring in the late he would never regain his marble ceiling. trees with the flamboyant President of Togo all of those years. committee in the early nineties to co-ordinate and shoulders above the others’. They moved south and he joined the BBC 1990s. independence, he never lost his Mike left the film camera running on the on board – Gnassingbe Eyadema, later to Exclusive followed exclusive. Her amazing the union’s health and safety liaison with Her screen credits include Northanger Abbey, in the 1950s where he was able to use his He found contentment when he met Liz courage or unique smile. tripod as he and sound recordist Steve become the longest serving leader in African ability to spot potential hits became almost BBC Wales. He was instrumental in setting The Ballroom of Romance, Molière, Oranges love of theatre and his self-taught practical whom he married in 1987 and freelanced as ‘Mr Twinkle was such good fun’ says Morris dived for cover behind a pillar. But it history. legendary. The list of those who owed their up the systems and meetings that made BBC are Not the Only Fruit, The Rector’s Wife and a skills to enliven a medium with few ground an announcer and newsreader at the World one of his colleagues, ‘always game wasn’t long before the pistol-waving leader ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could get some big break to Cathy is a long one, and in 1995 Wales health and safety procedures some of later jolly travelogue, Oliver’s Travels. rules. Service until he moved to Spain, then to for a laugh and one of the best bosses of the attack, Col. Antonio Tejero, spotted pictures from the helicopter,’ Mike she was given the music industry Woman of the best in the BBC. She brought an innovative style to her He worked on the epic 1964 series The France. we ever had at the Beeb.’ the BBC crew and ordered his men: ‘Get surmised. the Year lifetime achievement award. One of my great memories of Mike is his design and earned many award Great War , making maps of exemplary Those who knew him will miss a The final words go to Mark Byford: the camera!’ We were the only white faces in the steamy In recent years Cathy had been suffering wicked sense of humour. In one of our last nominations. clarity, and produced the first weather remarkable bon vivant, a clever raconteur ‘We will all miss him deeply, but I will For the next two hours along with the entire jungle heat. The president, waving a fly from cancer, the seriousness of which she conversations he was joking with me about Cecilia developed a technique where she charts – still on display at Television Centre. and all round ball of energy. never forget his rock-solid support and Spanish Cabinet and more than 300 MPs we swatter, strode menacingly towards us and kept from many of those around her. She his own future and it brought home to me could hold a cigarette between her little and He created the much-lampooned His was also an accomplished musician that smiley face as ever bumbling were held hostage at gunpoint before our then in perfect English asked: ‘Would you fought it with determination – the same his courage . middle fingers so that the others were free Swingometer, a graphic concept developed and brilliant jazz guitarist. down the corridor saying “Get a grip unexpected release just in time for an like a ride in my helicopter? There are some determination she used to fight for the best to hold a pencil. Sometimes she had a but not fundamentally changed in today’s He was devoted to his two children and Biff!” Lovely Jim.’ exclusive scoop on the Nine O’Clock News. amazing scenes with all those people stranded for any programme she worked on. John M Meredith adds: I met Mike after cigarette in the other hand as well! election coverage. His title sequence for Liz’s daughter. He lived life to the full, and Marion Allinson No pictures that night as we were not in the jungle below.’ Her sense of fairness and unfailing quest completing 12 weeks engineering training Friends will remember that she loved a gin Dad’s Army is an enduring achievement, an like a French farmer, he died quietly in bed. allowed to take any equipment out of the We needed no second bidding. And from to put the audience first made her a joy and at Woodnorton. Unknown to me he was a and not too much tonic. Friday nights in the animated map wittily reflecting the Rodney Smith 10 • • August • 2009 August • 2009 • • 11 Memories Look East Looks

Above: Behind the scenes – the gallery in times past at BBC East. Left: The destinctive frontage of the old BBC building at All Saints Back Green, Norwich. Below: Memories are shared at the BBC East reunion lunch

By John Lewis by Joan Mansfield, secretary to The BBC East reunion lunch on David Bryson, the East Anglia June 17 attracted a record representative in the 1950s, and attendance as we celebrated fifty later to regional television years of television broad manager Johnny Johnston. casting from the Norwich studios. Ex national weather forecaster given almost nine hundred years of Amongst the one hundred and Graham Parker moved to the combined service to BBC East. RELCs’ reunion eighteen guests were Roger and Norwich branch of the Met Office Local television retailer Roy The next lunch-date for the BBC Vivienne Maynard from Sydney, in the 1980s, and soon joined the Snelling who started his business RELC is on Tuesday September Australia, who met while working Look East team to provide local shortly before the Norwich studios 8 at the Miramar Hotel in at the station and had flown over weather reports. He recalled: opened, donated a celebratory cake Bournemouth. Any retired BBC especially for the event. ‘Walking into that glorious BBC (iced with an image of the person who has been in the During the day a computer slide building at All Saints Green was a Tacolneston transmitter), and the broadcasting-chain is invited to show of photographs covering the great experience – the chandeliers Eastern Daily Press devoted a whole join us for lunch and to meet five decades was projected onto a and the beautiful staircase. The page to the event. with other colleagues. large screen, and after lunch former whole feeling of the building and • For information about future Contact lunch organiser Russell Look East presenter Ian Masters gave staff was friendliness and team - BBC East reunions contact John Horne on 01590 624389 or a brief history of the station. The work.’ His words brought instant Lewis on 01603 715850 or email email [email protected] pioneer years were well remembered applause from the guests who had [email protected]

long-forgotten BBC film A bearded Tony about the construction and Buyers (right) with The next issue will Avoyage of the Mayflower II John and Tony his TV crew along - appear in October has a new audience, thanks to side Mayflower II in the efforts of two BBC Plymouth the 1980s veterans. Producer John Irving’s refloat the programme, The Mayflower Sails Again , documented the work of shipwrights at Brixham in 1956 Mayflower film as they constructed a replica of the 1620 Mayflower that carried the Pilgrim Fathers to America. for the local news The new Mayflower sailed to the programme at the US in 52 days, to become an same time – exhibit at the Plimoth Plantation, including a piece a living museum commemorating about the Lord the early settlers. Mayor of Plymouth John had forgotten about the visiting the film until Tony Buyers, a BBC Mayflower replica.’ producer of a more recent His curiosity generation, contacted him about about the ship was film, and it ended up in a remote Plimoth’s plans to mark the 50th stirred when his BBC archive. I didn’t see it again anniversary of the voyage in 2007. cameraman, Colin until Tony gave me a DVD copy.’ Tony, who in retirement has Rowe, told him the Following his talk, the Plimoth ARIEL SUBSCRIPTIONS been studying the history of South story of the reconstruction – at the anniversary ceremonies at Planation asked to use the film West broadcasting, became which Colin happened to know Plimoth, south of Boston. in its exhibit, and after much to- interested in the project when he because he had filmed a piece ‘Making the film was ing and fro-ing between John, UK: 6 months £26 went to the US with a BBC for BBC news when the replica fascinating experience,’ he the BBC and BBC Worldwide, 1 year £50 television crew back in the 1980s. was launched. recalls. ‘We had great arrangements were made. The Overseas: 6 months £36 ‘We were covering a One thing led to another, and cooperation from the shipyard exhibit is now supplemented by 1 year £60 transatlantic yacht race, but John Irving was invited to speak and its employees. The film was John’s story of how the two knocked off a few feature items about the reconstruction project shot on 35mm black and white Mayflowers were built. Please phone 01709 768 199

12 • • August 2009