The newspaper for BBC pensioners – with highlights from Ariel online

Life in the sticks From politics to Hill Sticks – Page 9

October 2013 • Issue 5

live aid, Staying on 2013 visitor bbC style the road conference Page 7 Page 9 Page 10

NEWS • MEMoriES • ClaSSifiE d S • Your lE ttE r S • o bituariES • CroS PEro 02 baCk at thE bbC

BBC bosses incompetent on Trust seeks pay-offs, says Margaret Hodge audience views on BBC news There was ‘gross incompetence’ in the way the BBC handled large pay-offs to outgoing Audiences are to be asked what they executives, the chairwoman of the Commons spending watchdog has said. think of the BBC’s news and current affairs output. argaret Hodge, who questioned Mrs Hodge said that under Mr Byford’s Patten’s claims not to have known about The BBC Trust has opened a public seven senior BBC figures during contract he could have been paid off them were ‘damaging, unfair and consultation to gather views on everything a Public Accounts Committee with £500,000. misleading statements’. from Newsnight to Newsbeat, with the focus (PAC)hearing last month, said But Mr Thompson said he was paid almost In reply, Lord Patten said he took the charge on their quality and distinctiveness. Mit was an ‘unedifying experience’ watching twice that because the Corporation wanted of misleading the committee ‘very strongly’ It’s part of a service review, announced them ‘try to avoid responsibility’. him to be ‘fully focused’ on his job in the and insisted he had been told settlements for in February, that will cover network The issue of redundancy payments at final months of his tenure. Mr Byford and former marketing boss Sharon news and current affairs for UK audiences the BBC came to light after director general Asked by Mrs Hodge if the BBC had ‘lost Baylay were ‘contractual payments’ agreed (World Service and Global News are not George Entwistle received £450,000 when the plot’, Mr Thompson replied: ‘I do not before his appointment. included) across TV, radio and online. he resigned last November, having spent think we lost the plot.’ ‘I’m in the position in which I’m Among the content to be considered 54 days in the job. BBC HR director Lucy Adams told the accused of having misled the committee on will be the bulletins, Today, the News The figure amounted to one year’s salary committee the Corporation was trying to something I didn’t know and couldn’t have Channel, BBC Parliament and news rather than the six months he was entitled ‘get people out of the door’ with minimal been expected to know,’ he added. programmes on 5 live and the Asian to under the terms of his contract. Chairman disruption and no risk of legal action so it Ms Adams said she suggested a cap to the Network, as well as current affairs strands of the BBC Trust, Chris Patten, issued a was ‘occasionally’ necessary to pay more than executive board before Mr Byford’s package like Panorama, Question Time and This World. letter explaining the Trust’s decision, saying was contractually required. was agreed, but it had decided it would be ‘No part of the BBC is more important the amount was ‘justified and necessary’. In July, Lord Patten told the PAC he was ‘inappropriate to introduce the cap at to its audiences than its journalism,’ The National Audit Office (NAO) then ‘shocked and dismayed’ by the scale of pay- that time’. said BBC trustee Richard Ayre. ‘Now the asked if it could investigate Mr Entwistle’s offs and said that should Mr Thompson be Following the hearing, former BBC Trust is going to ask in detail what those severance pay, but the BBC said a called before MPs he would be as interested chairman Lord Grade said the Corporation audiences expect of the BBC, what they broader look at severance packages was as they were to hear why the Trust had not ‘suffers more and more from a lack of appreciate most, and where they think more appropriate. known about them. understanding the value of money’. we could give them an even more Around the same time, it was disclosed that But ahead of his appearance before the ‘The cheque comes in every April, distinctive service. redundancy payments at the Corporation had committee, Mr Thompson sent a letter to £3.5 billion, and if you don’t have to earn ‘In a world where people can choose doubled to £58m between 2010 and 2011. the PAC saying he had emails which showed the money and you’ve got that quantity of their news when and where they want The figures came to light as part of a Freedom Trust members had approved the payments. money it’s very hard to keep a grip on the it, and from a huge range of sources, of Information request by The Telegraph. Earlier, Mr Thompson told MPs that Lord reality of the value of money.’ we want to understand how best the The biggest pay-off was awarded to BBC can retain their trust and confidence Mark Byford, the former deputy director so that it remains clearly their number general, whose severance package amounted The biggest severance payments included: one choice.’ to nearly £1m. • Mark Byford, deputy director general, 32 years of service - £949,000 The review, which will also include During questioning, former BBC director • Jana Bennett, executive director, 33 years - £687,333 audience research, comes in the wake of general Mark Thompson defended Mark • Departmental director, 25 years - £866,300 last December’s Pollard Review which Byford’s package as ‘value for money’, saying • Caroline Thomson, chief operating officer, 17 years - £680,400 highlighted the ‘seriously flawed’ decision he had been under ‘ferocious pressure’ from • Controller, 31 years - £476,700 by Newsnight to drop an investigation into the BBC Trust to make savings by cutting • George Entwistle, director general, 23 years - £470,300 claims of abuse by Jimmy Savile. senior staff. • Departmental director, 2 years - £394,500 Newsnight subsequently came under fire for He accused Lord Patten, its chairman, • Controller, 26 years - £381,600 wrongly implicating Lord McAlpine as a of making ‘unfair and untrue’ claims not • Roly Keating, departmental director, 29 years - £376,000 (money returned minus tax) paedophile, which led to the BBC paying to have known about Mr Byford’s payment, • Project director, 19 years - £356,200 £185,000 plus costs in libel damages. saying he believed he had the Trust’s • Head of department, 33 years - £347,900 But Ayre insisted that the review was ‘full support’. not triggered by these past failings, nor will it revisit them. ‘Colleagues at the Trust took the decision to conduct it last summer, when News to lose 75 more posts by 2015 the Corporation was basking in the Olympic afterglow – that was before the News staff were told last month where the cannot guarantee that will always be team will be down an assistant editor. events of last autumn about which much cuts would fall in the second phase of possible,’ said James Harding, director of At 5 live, overnight programming will take has been written. It is not a response to Delivering Quality First. news and current affairs. the hit, while Phil Williams’ late night anything,’ he said. Up to 75 posts will close across BBC In Newsgathering the Moscow bureau chief programme will lose its dedicated business The Trust does want to hear how News and the English Regions in the 2014/15 post is to close, with the team to be managed presenter as part of business unit cuts. audiences get their BBC news and whether financial year. These include the loss of 19 from a newly formed Europe and Former News also says it will save the equivalent the Corporation can deal with changing posts in the newsroom, 17.5 in Soviet Union bureau in Brussels. A senior of two posts by cutting back on taxis; it viewing habits and new technology. Newsgathering and five at Radio 5 live. manager role will also go.The News Channel wants to stop those staff on night shifts that The review is expected to conclude ‘I am determined that, where we can, we will lose a presenter and three journalists, with officially finish at 7am from taking taxis home in spring 2014. will avoid compulsory redundancies, but we online closing four posts. The Six and Ten if they are able to leave work earlier.

Please send your editorial contributions, or comments/feedback, to: Prospero, BBC Pension and Prospero is provided free of charge to retired BBC Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ. employees, or to their spouses and dependants. Email: prospero@bbc.co.uk Prospero provides a source of news on former Please make sure that any digital pictures you send are colleagues, developments at the BBC and pension scanned at 300 dpi. issues, plus classified adverts. To advertise in Prospero, please see page 12. The next issue of Prospero will appear in December To view Ariel online, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/ariel. 2013. The copy deadline is Friday 1 November.

PROSPERO OCTOBER 2013 baCk at thE bbC 03 What price a safe pair of hands? By Andrew Harvey, former Editor of Ariel

The levels of executive pay and bonuses caused a lot of disgruntlement when I was at the BBC and I’d be surprised if the subject doesn’t still ignite canteen conversation.

Ministers would not be talking of the BBC’s annus horribilis.

deputy director general in 2004. Most In my view, it is a near certainty that had notably, he piloted the BBC through the Byford still been in his post, most, if not all, storm that followed the Hutton report and of the recent damaging events would have the departure of chairman Gavyn Davies and been avoided. He would have been consulted director general Greg Dyke. about contentious stories. He would have known what was in the pipeline. He would Non-job have stepped in early. Ministers would not be His pay rose with promotion and his pension talking of the BBC’s annus horribilis. swelled accordingly. He once told me that Such was the general feeling of resentment and across the media. The scale of his salary he had never asked for a pay rise and had Always vulnerable at the scale of high salaries and pension pots and the terms of his £1m settlement have accepted what he was offered without When costs must be slashed and savings for those at the top that in the last year that become a kind of shorthand for cushy jobs negotiation. By the time he left two years made, someone in Byford’s position in any I was editor of Ariel, the paper ran several and lax management. ago he was pushing half a million a year and, organisation becomes vulnerable. As a high- pieces on the subject, some time before the Watching the BBC as an outsider now, to raise the temperature of indignation still profile casualty, his removal sent a signal topic became a cause for press and politicians it has been uncomfortable to observe the further, there was a feeling among plenty of across the BBC that job cuts went right up to to get steamed up about. Jimmy Savile imbroglio, the rise and demise staff that his was something of a non-job. the executive board. That was four years ago and, while the of George Entwistle, the damages paid That, of course, was not fair then and In theory, a redundancy policy makes focus has shifted from generous pay to hefty out to Lord McAlpine following child it’s not fair now. As well as being deputy good financial sense. Pay out now and get pay-offs, the whole system of salaries at one abuse allegations – and now the senior DG, Mark Byford was head of journalism, your money back later. In practice it doesn’t end through to redundancies at the other managers saga. a wide-ranging brief that only someone always work out that way. has clearly retained its ability to cause It is hard to feel sympathy for people with his breadth of experience could Removing Mark Byford’s salary from the shock and annoyance. leaving the BBC with six, let alone seven- make meaningful. books may have felt like wise accounting, figure compensation but, taking the case of It was a role that involved meetings and but for the BBC, always in the spotlight of Symbol of excess Mark Byford in particular, I have felt there is liaison and planning and co-ordination public opinion and with a gold standard One man, Mark Byford, has become the a side to his story that hasn’t been heard. and talking to people. Not the sexy stuff reputation for its journalism to protect, the symbol of BBC ‘excess’ and the target for He spent 32 years at the BBC and held a of broadcasting but the thoroughness remuneration for his safe pair of hands now most of the criticism voiced in parliament sequence of high-level jobs before becoming of administration. looks like money well spent.

CROSP ERO 175 devised and compiled by Jim Palm

1 2 3 Complete the word square by using the clues: these apply only to words running across. Then take these words in numerical order and extract in each case – as far as possible – 4 5 6 the letter indicated by a dot. If your answers are correct, these will spell out three places associated with BBC programmes. Note however that with one of them there are no dots 7 8 9 to help you – the choice of letters is yours...

10 11 12 devised and compiled by Jim Palm Please send your answers in an envelope marked Crospero to The Editor, Prospero,

13 14 15 BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ. by Friday 1 November 2015. The winner will receive a £10 voucher. 16 17 18 CLUES 19 20 1. Thick wire (5); 2. Thick cord! (4); 3. Rower (3); 4. Wander (4); 5. Fish (4); 6. Enemy (3); 7. Period of work (5); 8. Valley (4); 9. Youngster (3); 10. Poem (3); 11. Typeface (4); 12. Space (4); 21 22 13. Anger (3); 14. Male (3); 15. Sailor (3); 16. Argument (4); 17. Tasty dish (3); 18. Curly cabbage (4); 19. Jug (4); 20. Negative (3); 21. Artist (4); 22. Sour tasting (4); 23. Vessel (3); 24. Lanky (4); 23 24 25. Furrows (4); 26. Pinch (3); 27. Major river (4); 28. Past (3); 29. Inducement (3); 30. Bird of crow family (3); 31. Segment (4); 32. Smile (4); 33. Delve (3); 34. Fish eggs (3); 25 26 27 35. Desecrate (4); 36. Ear appendages (5); 37. Rodent (3); 38. Mates (4); 39. Fleece (4); 40. Inlet (3); 41. Happiness (4); 42. Hellenic (5). 28 29 30

31 32 33 Solutions to Crospero 174: Wand, Cider, DNA, Pod, Moa, Sip, Ole, HAL, Pleat, Amp, Ass, Constitutes, One, Ram, Vegan, Eli, Mae, Ado, Pan, ITN, Mat, Stage, Teme. The film was the Windmill 34 35 36 and the music Pastoral Montage. The winner of Crospero 174 was Miss K Tugwell, Southsea.

37 38 39

40 41 42

PROSPERO OCTOBER 2013 04 lEttErS Baby Briers What became of TTU?

Early in 1965 I was attached to the Sound While reading the Memories page in with Equity, repeat fees, permissions for Supervisor at BBC TV Centre making The Prospero, I came across John Priest’s most music used etc, and the despatch of the Marriage Lines, from London Television OBs. interesting account of televising the programmes in cans by air, accompanied During the morning rehearsal the official Coronation in America in 1953, in which by details on footage, content, running time recording of a baby crying, which was by the he mentions the Television Transcription and music. famous radio actress Marjorie Westbury was Unit (TTU). I remember some of the titles sent off: played, but Richard Briers did not like it. I worked as secretary to Roger Greenwood many episodes of David Attenborough’s At lunchtime I went home (we lived in 1955 at the TTU and after he left, to Peter Zoo Quest, Peter Scott’s Look series, the in Shepherds Bush) and brought back a Tyrrell. This was a commercial enterprise, Buried Treasure history programmes, Talks, Children watching Andy Pandy. recording I had made of our son crying at formed in 1952 to be the distributors Sports OBs, Panorama interviews, Show six weeks and twelve weeks. Richard Briers of films and telerecordings on 16mm Place (Cathedrals), Watch with Mother liked it. and 35mm film to overseas broadcasting programmes, all episodes of Maria Bird’s Centre where according to Peter Tyrrell it That recording with a little adjustment organisations such as America (NBC), Andy Pandy and the Flower Pot Men. Maria Bird became part of BBC Enterprises. After we was used for baby ‘Helen’. I believe that this Australia (ABC), Canada (CBC) and Japan, came to see us when we were still at the lost touch, I did not discover how it all was the first time a REAL baby’s sound had most European television corporations Langham opposite Broadcasting House progressed; I think videotape was introduced been used on any BBC broadcast! and what were termed ‘non-theatric’ (before we moved to Bush House), to between 1958 and 1960 as a means of The recording was used on Kipling organisations like the British Council, COI, oversee my writing precis of each episode transcription, maybe a replacement for and Dr Finlay’s Casebook and possibly other India House, WHO, United Nations and the to accompany the films. She was a most telerecordings. The programmes are probably programmes. My son is now a big man odd Embassy. charming person but hated the cigarette all on DVDs now. with his own business. By 1955 we were exporting many smoke in the small office – everyone I would very much like to know, if John Cox hundreds of films and telerecordings seemed to smoke in those days! possible, what became of the original per year. John Priest joined the TTU at Bush House Television Transcription Unit. I am enjoying Our remit was to arrange any cutting still being managed by Peter Tyrrell, so we reading Prospero online although obviously or editing at Lime Grove, headed by film worked together for a while, and after I left I am not on a BBC pension! Here we go editor Neil Fowler, copyright, agreements the BBC, the Unit was moved to Television Morvyth Seely (nee St George) with The Beatles As always I sat down to read the current edition of Prospero as soon as it landed on my doormat and was particularly interested to read my old friend and colleague Brian Friday Night Is Seaside Night Willey’s item on his contact with The Beatles. As the junior producer in Light I was most interested in John Meloy’s article One ironic Seaside Night occasion sticks in I always enjoy getting my Prospero which Entertainment Department, in Manchester, it about FNIMN – particularly from my own my memory. We were to broadcast from the brings back some happy memories. I was one of my tasks to organise and record association with it as presenter of several Lees Cliff Hall in Folkestone on the night was myself a secretary in Aeolian Hall for audition sessions in 1962. of its Summer Seasons when it was known that Richard Dimbleby was introducing a 12 years, where I was very happy. Being During one session on either the 5th or as Friday Night Is Seaside Night. Prior to that I programme successfully using the Eurovision secretary to Dennis Main Wilson working 6th of January, a very nervous foursome, was the programme’s announcer whenever link for the first time. We, on the other hand, on the first Opportunity Knocks with Hughie comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, it visited the BBC Midland Region, where seemed unable to get a line from the Lees Green. After that the George Mitchell George Harrison and Pete Best, otherwise I began my announcing career, and it was Cliff Hall to the local exchange to work at all! Glee Club and then the first of The Goon Show known as ‘The Beatles’ presented themselves. produced by the redoubtable John Tylee. Incidentally, dear Sidney Torch also wrote – great fun but quite exhausting! I then I was immediately impressed by their music FNIMN’s signature tune over which we became secretary to Paul Fenoulhet whom and their performance and booked them to presenters were carried along as we reached the I married, and I am pleased to say I had appear in the programme Here We Go With words ‘…Friday Night Is Music/Seaside Night’. many happy years with dear Paul. The NDO (The Northern Dance Orchestra); Tony Raymont I am now 85 but still look back on those one of the programmes broadcast in a happy days and lovely friends I made in nightly series under the generic title of I FOUND THE article by John Meloy Light Entertainment in Aeolian Hall. ‘Teenagers Turn’. most interesting. However, I would like to With my best wishes and I shall continue The Beatles subsequently appeared mention that the photo shown was not the to enjoy getting my Prospero! in the programme on four more occasions, BBC Concert Orchestra as stated. It was in Dorothy Fenoulhet by which time their popularity had reached fact a BBC copyright photo dated 8.1.57 as the heights. follows: Ten girl members of the BBC variety Yes Dorothy, you’re right – unfortunately we used a Sadly since then I have lost touch with the and revue orchestras. Caught in an off-duty photo of the Revue Orchestra that had been supplied surviving members, but like to think that I moment are ten girl members with their for another article which didn’t make it into the had a hand in bringing ‘The Fab Four’ to the respective conductors – Paul Fenoulhet and August issue (but which does appear on page 6 knowledge of the great listening public. Harry Rabinowitz. of this issue). We would like to apologise to Joan Peter Pilbeam Tony Raymont with Vilem Tausky, long-time I have an original photo which I treasure Morris, who provided the photograph, John Meloy, conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra on and I thought you would be interested to and indeed anyone else who spotted it and was one of the FNIMN programmes. have these details. confused by our mistake! Hilly service ‘Good news, BBC Radio Solent has expanded into West Dorset to cover the extremes of the hilly areas of West Dorset’. So said page 12 of BH visitor August’s Prospero. Forwards and backwards Unfortunately there is no service to the restrictions hilly areas of West Dorset from the Bincombe I write regarding the coverage of Wimbledon 2013 by the BBC who have It was once possible for ex-staff members Hill transmitter. The low power Bincombe the sole broadcasting rights. I am 75 years and have played tennis since to access TV Centre and Bush House in Hill transmitter is only receivable in I was 10 years of age, and I follow coverage all year. order to reach the BBC Club premises Dorchester and a small area around. Wimbledon was broadcast on BBC2 but halfway through a match therein. Sadly, the new Broadcasting House A much more powerful transmitter would would switch to the red button, which if you are not watching at the has no Club within, hence its prohibitive be required to cover West Dorset. This could time you will not know, and even I am unable to sit and watch all day visitor policy. be sited at Stockland Hill. everyday. They also switched from BBC2 to BBC1 and back again. In 2015 it will have been 50 years since Surprisingly, there is a very good signal As the main provider why can they not devote all of BBC2 to I joined the BBC as a current recordings from BBC Radio Somerset in West Dorset coverage for the two weeks so that one can record and not miss library clerk, and it would be so gratifying – perhaps they should carry the Dorset specific matches. to make a retrospective visit, perhaps at the breakfast programme. Joan Wood invitation of an existing staff member. Terry Beswarick Barry Mitchell

PROSPERO OCTOBER 2013 lEttErS 05

The Lamplighters CONTACTS Garth Jeffery (Prospero, August 2013) may be interested in these photos taken in News Visiting Scheme Telecine at Alexandra Palace in the early If you would like a visit or information on 1960s. They are stills taken from an 8mm how to become a volunteer visitor, please movie that I shot on 400 ISO film and are ring the Service Line on 029 2032 2811. therefore rather poor quality, but they might Queries be worth publishing in Prospero. For benefit and pension payroll queries, TK Control Desk shows the row of six BAF Bays. TK Control Desk. call the Service Line on 029 2032 2811 control positions with two of the operators or email [email protected] and the four sepmag bays in the background. Prospero TK Control Position shows a close-up of To add or delete a name from the distribution one of the operational panels. 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London administration office on 020 8752 6666 or email [email protected] correction The picture of Richard Briers and Prunella Just think, benevolent fund My thanks to Jim Palm (last month’s Scales on the cover of the August edition had you This is funded by voluntary contributions Prospero) for drawing my attention to the said so much about all our yesterdays that worked in the from the BBC and its purpose is to protect fact that there was a previous series of it deserves a response. coal industry, the welfare of staff, pensioners and their families. Grants are made at the discretion Just William prior to 1952. As retired staff, most of us who take there were no of the Trustees. They may provide In fact there were four series – the first Prospero have 20, 30, 40 years – or more – doubt many assistance in cases of unforeseen financial one in 1945, the second in l946, the third of BBC service behind us, and, no doubt, satisfactions that hardship, for which help from other sources in 1947, and the last in l948. Then there was like those who spent parallel careers in balanced all the is not available. Telephone: 029 2032 3772 a gap of four years before the next series in the more usual walks of life, we look forward hard work you no doubt took on, but the Prospero Society l952. The first radio William was played by to the regular stimulus of nostalgia to be picture would be one of Lord Robens, or Prospero Society is the only section of the John Clark who played the part for two years found in the pages of retired staff magazines. perhaps of the pithead baths – before they BBC Club run by and for retired BBC staff from 1945. 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PROSPERO OCTOBER 2013 06 MEMoriES Reithian memories Brian Willey discovers a story of Sir John Reith, as seen through the eyes of bandleader, Jack Payne.

This being his first sight of the great man Despite such criticism Payne was obviously he was caught by surprise and stammered a a great admirer of Reith and felt that as a DG reply something like ‘Very well, thank you, he did a grand job of work. Well, a fine DG sir’, having been rather overwhelmed by he might have been, but a fine broadcaster Jack Payne and Johnny Brandon. Reith’s height – all six feet six inches of him! he was not, and I was most amused to read ‘When are you coming to have a chat with that on one occasion, during a General the Corporation’s feathers. But it would seem me?’ he went on, and Jack Payne made some Election, Reith insisted on announcing that, when the final programme with His rather flat jest that he would be delighted to the results himself as they came in. The BBC Dance Orchestra actually took place, come and see him in his office on condition telephone in the announcers’ room grew hot all was forgiven. Sir John Reith attended that he hadn’t been summoned there for a with inquiries from listeners far and wide, the studio, not only to bid Payne farewell telling off. all asking: ‘Who Is the fellow with the Scots but to address the many Press representatives voice that we can’t understand?’ Such was present to say how proud he was of what the stream of protest that a young announcer Payne had done for the Corporation and, Sir John Reith. had the unenviable task of telling his DG if at any time he wanted to return, he, Who is the fellow with that listeners were complaining about him Reith, would personally see he got his speaking indistinctly and too fast. job back. Jack Payne was sure that Reith y history of the BBC Dance the Scots voice that we In Payne’s words, Reith, having often would never retract a promise and was Orchestra (Prospero, April criticised announcers’ accents, humbly quite confident that, if he had sought 2013) prompted a friend can’t understand? took his medicine, but this story is reinstatement at any time, Reith would to acquaint me with an documented elsewhere with an entirely have been as good as his word. Mautobiography of the orchestra’s founder different twist that Reith adamantly refused I find it most hard to believe, but there it and first conductor, Jack Payne. He never did go to the office, but often saw to relinquish the microphone and the is, clearly stated in Jack Payne’s own words. Written in the mid-1940s long after he Reith striding about the Savoy Hill building, furious young announcer stormed out of the However, Jack had no intention of returning, had left the Corporation, the book titled when he would always stop to chat. He also building. The following day, the poor chap he knew exactly where he was going. Having Signature Tune contains a chapter dealing came to the studio occasionally when the was replaced! become enormously popular via his radio with radio’s pioneers and reveals a unique orchestra was playing, and sometimes to Back in late 1931 at the end of a BBC appearances, it was now to be personal glimpse of the BBC’s creator and first director rehearsals. When he did, there were usually Dance Orchestra broadcast, Jack Payne, appearances, on stage during countrywide general, Sir John Reith. one or more notabilities with him who without any prior notice, had audaciously and European tours, and finally on film, I know so little about our legendary often paid visits of curiosity to the home announced his resignation which, at the starring in Say it with Music. lord and master that I found Jack Payne’s of broadcasting – perhaps the Postmaster time, produced an outcry from many Fortunately that Reithian promise was observations most intriguing. General, Members of Parliament, or one of thousands of listeners and certainly ruffled never put to the test. He states that most staff members the Corporation’s Governors. But however regarded Reith with awe; to some he was important these big-wigs were, however a monster while others thought of him as apprehensive Reith may have been about the a great personality, strong, just, and with possible outcomes of their visits, he would an evangelic passion. To Jack Payne he always have a talk with him before ushering appeared as the embodiment of all the finest his distinguished visitors away. things which the great public service of Jack Payne had soon formed an opinion broadcasting was to become – and he was that, although Reith had a genius for longing to meet him. organisation, he spent too much time His first encounter with Reith apparently and money on administration and not enough came quite casually. They were passing on the on the programmes themselves and, having stairs and Payne wasn’t even aware that Reith spent long years selecting an enormous staff knew who he was. ‘Hello Payne,’ he called, and departmenting them, the Corporation Jack Payne and the BBC Dance Orchestra. ‘How are you getting on?’ was becoming top-heavy with administrators. Revue Orchestra memories Joan Morris sent in this photo, along with her reminiscences of the BBC Revue Orchestra.

I joined the BBC Revue Orchestra in June I suggested to Ann Esplin, the orchestral 1956. I was delighted to get this job and manager, that we should have a shorter lunch thought I was very lucky, as this was the hour as one has to travel in the evening ‘rush kind of music I liked most playing. Up till hour’ as well as the morning ‘rush hour’. At then there had been no women in the first I think Ann thought I was cheeky, ‘telling Revue Orchestra, and variety orchestras, her what to do’, but later she came to the Ten girl members of the BBC Variety and Revue Orchestras. and I have enclosed a photograph of the conclusion that a shorter break in the middle new additions to the said orchestras. of the day was quite a good idea. I was fortunate to be in the Revue The sessions involved about two hours orchestra as usual, explained the unfortunate A deputy ‘wag’ imitated the sound I made, Orchestra as we did most of the of rehearsals, after which we had a break accident, to my embarrassment. and I was shattered, so I gave my notice in entertainment shows, with comedians, before coming back later to record the I enjoyed my job with the orchestra for and retired early as I felt I just wasn’t doing and these programmes were repeated, music on tape, which took about 40 minutes, many years when, suddenly I was ‘struck the job to the best of my past ability. on tape, for which the musicians got an non-stop. down’ with depression. My doctor referred me Some years later I was given a drug called extra fee! Once, during a recording session, my to a psychiatrist and she put me on medication Stelazine and found that my vibrato had We worked in Aeolian Hall, New Bond sister, who was knitting a jersey, accidently called Largactil. At first I felt much better, but returned; to my great joy. Street, and frequently had long lunch dropped one of her metal knitting needles onto after about 10 days I was suddenly ‘struck And now in my ‘old age’ I look back at my breaks, in which I used to go ‘window the wooden floor, making a loud clatter. The down’ again, this time because my natural life and realise that the years I worked for the shopping’ and the men went to the pub in engineer who was recording the programme vibrato in the left hand had disappeared, BBC were the happiest days of my life, so I Jermyn Street. The result was that I was called out rather irately ‘What was that?’ and I was not producing the good sound wish the Corporation everlasting life! tired, and they were a bit ‘so-so’! Harry Rabinowitz, who was conducting the on the violin as I had done previously. Joan Morris (nee Adams)

PROSPERO OCTOBER 2013 MEMoriES 07 The original ‘Live Aid’ David Cropper, a member of the BBC Concert Orchestra for 33 years, was looking through some old papers recently when he found this account of a charity concert staged in 1985 by the orchestra to raise money for Ethiopian famine relief. The concert was organised by David, and he hopes the following will be interesting to the many Prospero readers who were involved.

ll of us in the BBC Concert date and would be prepared to appear with Anthony Phillips of the Royal Festival Hall some members of the Golders Green house Orchestra were greatly moved us if I could arrange the four extra days of then rang and promised to find another date, staff arrived at the Hippodrome at 6am by the harrowing pictures free accommodation to extend their stay. finally selecting 10 March 1985 which had a on the morning of the concert to give televised in October 1984 of This I managed after consultation with the free evening because of an afternoon concert assistance. By the time I arrived at the Festival theA Ethiopian famine. Holiday Inn at Swiss Cottage so, with only 16 being held there. We agreed to rehearse in Hall at 8.30am the staff there were well A few days later I was talking to Diana days until the date of the concert, I started to the morning and perform that night. The ball advanced with setting up the stage to house and Jan in our orchestral office about the arrange for adaptation of the Group’s music, had started to roll again – and this time it the 80-piece orchestra, the choir of 16, a situation when it struck me that putting on a the appropriate sound system and the start was third time lucky. I ended up with offers grand piano and the electronic gear needed concert could well raise some money for the of publicity. It was only when I rang the to perform from The Nolans, Joan Savage, by the pop group, still leaving sufficient cause. I rang Oxfam, who were delighted, London agent subsequently to check some Don Lusher, Alfred Marks and the Stephen space for the Nolan girls to perform their and said ‘If you give us a concert hall, we’ll details that I was told there had been a mix Hill Singers plus, of course, Stanley Black. dance routines. At last all the lighting was give you a show’. They rang back two hours up on dates and The Three Degrees would completed and at 10am everything was ready later to say we could have the Wembley not be able to appear after all. It was now for the rehearsal to begin. Conference Centre on 25 November 1984. too late to organise a replacement and the Everything went smoothly and we had a A check was made with the Concert ‘un-booking’ started. The ball had started to roll chance to try out various lighting effects – Orchestra management to find the schedule Oxfam then tried to find another venue which invariably cause some discomfort to on that day and ascertain whether it could on another date, a difficult task when the again – and this time it the players. Fortunately there were no real be changed if necessary. This done, I then London halls are booked so far in advance. complaints and we were able to complete the went to the members of the orchestra It was during their quest that the GLC heard was third time lucky. rehearsal with seconds to spare. with the proposition. They all said an about our wish to put on a show and, via Because of the Festival Hall’s afternoon enthusiastic ‘yes’. the Radio 2 Management, offered us the concert, we now had to de-rig and I have The next priority was to find a conductor Royal Festival Hall on 30 December 1984, This sort of show requires a certain never seen a stage cleared so quickly. We who was respected by the orchestra and a date just five weeks distant. Once again amount of staging, so Stanley approached finished the rehearsal at 1pm and the concert popular with the public. Stanley Black was the BBC freed us and I started my round of Sydney Samuelson, the producer of the platform was empty at 1.15pm. By 1.30pm it the obvious choice as he worked with us ringing the theatrical agents again. Eventually Filmharmonic concerts televised by ITV. was set up for the afternoon performance! frequently and was admired by all for his I received a reply from the great American He, too, was most willing to offer his When this finished at 5.15pm the stage expertise, professionalism and ability in singer, Tony Bennett, who said he would be services and the three of us spent many was set up once again for our requirements. writing superb arrangements. I rang Stanley willing to appear. I temporarily relaxed, only hours swapping ideas and finalising the Our porters and the Festival Hall staff were who offered his services without hesitation. to be told a week later that his American programme, etc. absolutely amazing in their efficiency and we It is a difficult enough job to find the agents wouldn’t allow it. The Nolans normally perform with their were most grateful for their superb help. right performer to appear on a specific day During the course of the next 70-odd group but, for this occasion, I felt there The evening performance went very well when you are paying their fee, but it is calls, the Nolan Sisters agreed to perform should be more orchestral arrangements indeed. Alfred Marks was a master of the ad doubly difficult when ringing agents to ask – and then had to reluctantly decline as and these were most generously provided lib and the performances by The Nolans, John for stars to perform for nothing. I don’t want they had promised to appear in a charity by Peter Knight, Alyn Ainsworth and Tony Savage and Don Lusher were very well received. to give the impression that either agents concert for the Daily Mirror and could not Halligan, one of our deputy bass players. The orchestra and chorus were in excellent or stars were uniformly unwilling to help be released. The BBC was extremely supportive form and the show was enjoyed by all. (many would have liked to but had prior Once more the arrangements had to be throughout, giving us on-air publicity to During the evening we held a raffle of commitments), yet the task was not easy. wound down and the news broken yet again to boost ticket sales and allowing an extra a colour television set donated by Laskys. After over 50 unsuccessful approaches to a very disappointed orchestra. With only three rehearsal for us at our studio. Rod Dunk, our Willing helpers were roped in from friends agents and artistes, I was lucky to find that weeks to go before performance, there would Orchestral Chairman, approached the porters and relations and we collected over £650 for the singing group, The Three Degrees, would have been insufficient time for publicity and of the BBC Symphony and Radio orchestras the Save The Children Fund. Altogether the be in London from the States around that printing – let alone locating a suitable star. for their help in moving instruments and evening had netted over £8,000. Pork pies and pigeons – remembering Pebble Mill David Norris recalls Pebble Mill’s dramas – and a problem with the mother on ‘The Brothers’.

I read with interest the article about drama belt, not only as a camera assistant but also expecting it to still be there, but it had gone... at Pebble Mill (Prospero, April 2013). operating, on a number of scenes under the On one drama the set was a pork pie I started with the BBC 40 years ago, on watchful eye of cameraman Keith Salmon, factory, including all the rollers and various 31 March 1973. On that day I travelled to who had recently moved from Telly Centre. pieces of plant. At the end of the recording Wood Norton to start, the next day, my Keith was a great mentor, both very we were all told to take as many pork pies as professional and friendly. three-month trainee course to become a we wished, and there were many and some The brothers. television camera assistant. My first station One week on one of the dramas the set were huge! They were very good, with proper was Pebble Mill. This was such a light and was various rooftops. I don’t know if the story jelly inside, but there are only so many pork airy building, with floor to ceiling glass, and was about a pigeon fancier, but we had about pies you can eat, especially at 10pm! She’s been rushed to hospital, it’s quite so modern. And it has to be remembered 30 pigeons in the studio, and the AFMs were Other dramas were serials. One was Spy serious. (Another dramatic pause.) I’m that for a television show (Pebble Mill at trying to guide them into the back of shot. Trap (which viewers don’t seem to remember) afraid she can’t… sh*t!’ As you can imagine One) to be produced in a foyer was cutting From what I remember they were quite and The Brothers (which some do remember). the whole studio fell apart. edge! It was the summer when I arrived and co-operative. However the problem came at The Brothers was about a transport firm The staff at Pebble Mill were all friendly more often than not captions were done in the end of recording when they had to be called Hammond Transport and the and so forward thinking, and a very happy the Birmingham sunshine on caption stands captured. Most were caught quite swiftly domineering mother (Jean Anderson) and time was spent there. It’s now such an on the bridge that linked the foyer to the whilst we were putting the cameras and her sons and daughter (Gabby Drake). I well awful thought that this wonderful Network front garden. For a new camera assistant cables to bed, but there was one that flew up remember the head brother was always Production Centre has been razed to interested in anything television, this was onto the top of the saturated lighting grid. It forgetting his lines. In one scene the story the ground. truly great! was nice and warm up there and it didn’t was that the mother had been rushed into I have a YouTube channel with a few The mention of Second City Firsts and want to come down. When we left the studio, hospital and he had gathered the rest of television clips on, including Pebble Mill Play for Today dramas brought back a few the owner et al were still trying to coax it the family together to tell them. He said: at One opening titles. To see them search memories as I have a few of these under my down. The following day I looked in, half ‘It’s about mother. (Dramatic pause.) for UNHBAN.

PROSPERO OCTOBER 2013 08 lifE aftEr auNtiE Pensioners’ Association launches ambitious Memory Bank project During the miners’ strike in 1974, when the Heath government introduced the three-day week, an MONEY MATTERS assistant film editor remembers delivering a can of film to a film processing company containing a cutting copy of the Money Programme. It was a film about the strike. He remembers also clutching When is the right a vital piece of government-sanctioned paper officially giving permission to the neg-cutters to ‘use time to invest? electricity on that day’ so that the programme could go out on time. Every investor would like to know when it is the right time to invest. In an ideal t was a matter of ‘broadcasting carries sharing of, new and different perspectives on world, investing money into any stock on’, which was also the message on the those stories. This will benefit not only those market would occur when that market front page of one of the two versions of who contribute to Memory Bank but it will is at its lowest so that, as the market the Radio Times prepared in the first week of also enhance the archive itself.’ improves, the investment would ISeptember 1939 – one in case of war, the other grow simultaneously. if it was averted. Both of these stories reflect Members-only The difficulty for any investor is predicting aspects of the BBC’s history worth preserving. The plan is eventually to allow anyone who whether a market has peaked, whether it One is in an official record – the Radio Times; has worked for the BBC to contribute to the will rise still further or, conversely, whether the other is only in the memory of one of our Memory Bank. However, for the moment, it has bottomed out or indeed may fall members and it could easily be lost. only members of the Pensioners’ Association even further. To preserve memories like this the BBC can contribute, through the closed members- So should we stop trying to predict the Pensioners’ Association has just launched only area on our website. We are aware market and adopt a different approach? its Memory Bank initiative. It is a way of that to open up access to others outside History shows us that it’s not timing the capturing the unofficial history of the BBC: the Association too soon would involve markets which is important, but rather time a permanent, Wikipedia-like online database authenticating who they are and there are also a bell went off inside one of the boxes, in the markets. which (to use the jargon) makes use of legal liability issues that we need to resolve. sounding just like a telephone. One of them If we look back at the performance of ‘crowd sourcing’ the contributions of the opened the box, picked up the receiver, the FTSE All-Share Index (which is the many people who have worked for the listened then said, to the utter astonishment aggregation of the FTSE 100 Index, the Corporation, and at any time. of the other passengers: ‘It’s for you, Bert’. FTSE 250 Index and the FTSE Small Cap Professor Jean Seaton the BBC’s official The Memory Bank is A great joke 40 years before mobiles Index), we will see some truly outstanding historian, writes: ‘The Memory Bank is a were invented!’ returns during the period from 1974 to simple, magnificent and important idea a simple, magnificent Transcribing this kind of story requires 1987. Although there was a 70% fall and process. Those who worked at the BBC volunteers or paid effort and more money between April 1972 and November 1974, know more than anybody else and can add and important idea… than the Association can spare. It’s a big just one year later (from November 1974 immeasurably to our understanding of the challenge but one we believe could be really to November 1975) the index had gained BBC’s history. Alongside the catastrophes, worthwhile if our initial, controlled phase 128% and, from November 1974 to near misses, skin-of-the-teeth successes, the proves successful. The BBC is strapped for November 1979, over 244%. divas and technological gremlins, of course Tony’s team has scanned and digitised the cash, so we are hoping to raise funds If investors had not entered the market the carefulness of many of the decisions is whole of every edition of the Radio Times from elsewhere. until November 1975 i.e. they had missed where public service values actually exist.’ from 1923. The data from billings is soon the first year of the recovery, performance to be made available in searchable form, Mental wellbeing would have been only 50.97% positive in Online form though copyright problems prevent the One of the reasons the Association is the remaining four years. With advice from BBC R&D and working actual images of the Radio Times being freely keen to encourage our members to The difference in performance with ex-BBC technologists, the Association available as yet. However, the billings data contribute is that there is sound research outlined above demonstrates how has developed its own online form which will enable people to search and link entries evidence that reminiscence is good for difficult it is to judge when to invest – can be filled in by individuals who have in the Memory Bank directly to the level mental wellbeing and memory retention. and, more particularly, when to take worked for the Corporation to capture of a single programme. There’s perhaps It promotes recall. At the British Science profits. What then should be our strategy? as little or as much autobiographical nothing like reading an old billing with Festival researchers revealed that a half-hour There are two keys to long-term success information about their careers and your name on it to trigger memories of that chat boosted recall by 12 per cent. when investing in the market. The first is recollections as they want to enter. The transmission. And as the BBC slowly opens Re-reading Radio Times billings and to invest on a regular basis e.g. monthly, information will be published and appear on up its programme archive to online access, dredging up stories may have a similar spreading the purchase price of units and the internet rather like a Wikipedia entry. we can fill in much missing information effect on triggering the memory and we averaging out the rises and falls in the The online form is easy to fill in and can and tell stories which might well enrich the hope that contributing to the Memory market. This is commonly known as be retrieved and added to or edited by the viewing or listening experience or fascinate Bank will have a beneficial effect as well ‘pound cost averaging’. individual as often as he or she wishes. It and intrigue future historians. as helping individuals say ‘Here I was; The second key is to avoid second allows a career to be broken into sections Part of the Memory Bank project is aimed I did this…’ guessing when to invest. If you have and will link to any programmes or projects at older retired staff who are unable to use We are conscious that this is an ambitious capital which you need to invest to they have worked on. the internet. For several years, the Association plan and it is not easy to achieve. The generate either growth or income, or both, One important supporter of the Memory has been encouraging people (whether or software may need modification. It’s very then take a medium to long-term view Bank project has been Tony Ageh, Controller not they are members of the Association) difficult to get these things right as big (minimum five years) and hold your nerve of Archive Development. Tony spearheaded to write in with their memories. One of government database projects have proved. when markets become volatile. As long not only the BBC iPlayer but also more our major aims is to find ways – through Everything depends on individuals feeling as you have sufficient time in the market, recently the ‘Genome’ Project – the complete volunteers or paid help – to capture these they’d like to contribute something to the generally your capital will provide you with digitising of the Radio Times. It was Tony who reminiscences, whether these are on paper, permanent record and creating a little bit better returns than you will achieve by championed the idea that everyone who audio or video. We are particularly keen of history for themselves. remaining in deposit-based investments, has worked for the BBC in any capacity – in to reach older members and to attach or It also depends on people knowing especially at the present time when interest catering, engineering, tech ops, finance, as transcribe their memories somehow into the about the project. We’re grateful to Prospero rates are likely to remain low for the an artist or in production – should eventually permanent electronic database. for drawing attention to the Memory foreseeable future. have a separate ‘page’ in the unofficial history. From the 1950s, here’s one we transcribed Bank project. If you are a member of the Remember that time in the market Tony writes: ‘The BBC’s archive isn’t just a earlier: ‘Another unforgettable experience Pensioners’ Association please get online is much more important than timing priceless collection of programmes; it’s a was being sent to trail the kings of Spot- at www.bbcpa.org.uk and begin to create the market. story of our nation, the people, the places Effects, who had a magical hideaway behind your record. If you are not, why not join the and the events that shaped the past century. the magnificent marquetry lifts in the Association? Meanwhile, watch this space, Roger Hatherell Lansdown Place Financial The great thing about the Memory Bank Langham. Having helped them load a few send us in an anecdote or two on paper Management Limited initiative is that it will not only record the hooters and Heath Robinson gadgets for or by email ([email protected]) 0845 30 50 222 details of those who contributed to that a light entertainment show, we set off for George Auckland, member of the BBCPA Committee story; it will also capture, and enable the Aeolian on the tube. Once we’d sat down David Allen, Chairman, BBC Pensioners’ Association

PROSPERO OCTOBER 2013 lifE aftMErEMoriES auNtiE 09 Life in the sticks

t’s odd what people do in the afterlife, This year in July he took a stall at the Forde but Peter Hill, who was once a political Abbey Charity Fair – for the first time – to correspondent at Westminster, devotes parade his wares. He took a small vice with himself to his hobby of stickmaking. him (‘All my vices are small,’ says Peter) and IIn South Somerset, where he has lived in was able to adjust the sticks to length for retirement for some years, he is fortunate in customers before adding a ferrule on each having both a long hazel hedge, and a friend stick he sold. who runs a deer farm. ‘I probably won’t do it again,’ says Peter, He cuts the hazel ‘shanks’ each winter, ‘as it involves a lot of setting up and I am and seasons them for two years; and he not very commercial. But at least my takings gets his antlers from a deer sanctuary were three times the cost of the pitch.’ near Crewkerne. A craft centre at Martock For several years Peter was a beater in provides him with exotic African hardwoods winter at the Forde Abbey shoots, where like ebony for the ‘spacers’ and the tips of sticks were an essential requirement, though the thumbsticks, which he cuts to various not the finished kind that he makes. ‘Beating lengths to suit walkers of different heights. is a strenuous activity, often in dense He sells many of the sticks through garden woodland and in cold and rainy weather,’ and hardware shops in Ilminster, and even he says, ‘but it is a great way to keep through a fossil shop in Lyme Regis. oneself fit.’ Staying on the road As you get older, driving can become more of an issue and there are various regulations to consider. Here is a guide to staying safe on the road in ‘old age’.

have an accident where your condition may reassessed. Equally, you might yourself The car adaptations assessment lets you have been a factor and you haven’t declared decide that an assessment might be of benefit try different types of adaptations to see if they it, you could be prosecuted and your for your peace of mind. suit you. These could include hand controls to insurance might not cover you. With a medical condition or disability that use instead of foot pedals, switches to press What happens when You must declare if you suffer from: makes it more difficult to drive, you may instead of more complicated controls such as I reach 70? • dementia be able to carry on driving with the help of for windscreen wipers, or pedal extensions. Driving gives us tremendous freedom and • diabetes if insulin-treated appropriate vehicle adaptations to your car. independence and that can be hard to give • Parkinson’s A Mobility Centre is able to advise on the What about the Blue Badge up. Your driver’s licence expires when you • epilepsy best options for your particular situation. scheme? turn 70, but you don’t have to stop driving • a chronic neurological condition such To find a centre, contact the Forum for This allows you to park nearer to your then. You simply have to apply to the DVLA as multiple sclerosis Mobility Centres on 0800 559 3636 or visit destination if you or your passenger has (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) • a condition that affects both eyes or total www.mobility-centres.org.uk. severe mobility problems by giving you every three years to renew it at no charge. loss of sight in one eye. The DVLA can refer you to a Mobility exemption from some parking restrictions The DVLA will send you a D46P form three You may need to declare some other Centre for an assessment and pay for it, but and access to designated parking spaces. months before your 70th birthday. conditions such as if you’ve had a stroke, there could be a long wait, so it’s often easier The scheme is managed by local authorities. If your driving licence is a paper licence, depending on how the condition affects to refer yourself and pay for the assessment. In England, Blue Badge holders are fill in the D46P form and enclose your you. You can visit www.gov.uk/health- Costs vary between centres. allowed to park for free at on-street parking current licence, a passport-type photo and conditions-and-driving to see the full list If the assessment indicates that your meters and in Pay and Display places, or an original document showing proof of your of medical conditions and disabilities you condition makes it unsafe to drive, the on single or double yellow lines for up to identity (such as your passport). must declare, or read the DVLA’s D100 DVLA can tell you to stop driving until your three hours, except where there is a ban You can also renew your licence online Driving Licences booklet. condition improves. You would then have to on loading/unloading. But always check at www.gov.uk. When you register you’ll Once you’ve informed the DVLA about a reapply for your licence if and when you can with the local authority in the area you’re be given a user ID code and instructions on medical condition, it might make a decision drive safely again. You’ll be given a medical travelling to find out what the local rules are. how to renew your licence. based on the information you’ve given, explanation and this may state when you Contact your local council or download When applying by either method, you’ll or contact your GP or consultant (with should reapply. You are advised to talk to ‘The Blue Badge scheme: Rights and be asked to mention any medical conditions your permission), or arrange for a locally your GP before reapplying for your licence. responsibilities in England’ leaflet from you have and to confirm you can meet the appointed doctor or specialist to examine www.gov.uk. (Equivalent leaflets are eyesight standards for driving. If you need you or ask you to take a driving assessment What happens at a Mobility available from the Welsh and Scottish glasses to drive, the code 01 will be added to or eyesight test. Centre assessment? government websites.) the back of your photocard licence. You should be able to carry on driving The staff at the Mobility Centre will talk to If you drive other vehicles, such as a if your condition doesn’t stop you you to find out what concerns you, your How will I know when I should campervan or a minibus, the rules around driving safely, though you may need doctor or your family members. They then stop driving? licences are different and were changed in some help to adjust or to make adaptations assess your driving ability. Driving assessors This is always a tough decision to make, 1997, so you should contact the DVLA to to your car. are not trying to catch you out, but trying to but if you think your driving ability has find out if your licence is still valid. In some cases you might be issued with help you keep driving if possible. deteriorated or your reactions aren’t as a driving licence for one, two or three years The driving ability assessment includes sharp as they were, you should consider How do I declare medical and then reviewed again. The DVLA can issue a physical assessment (checking limb stopping. If your driving is no longer safe, conditions? a licence stating that special controls must movement and ability to operate the pedals you are putting yourself in danger, as well as If you’ve developed a medical condition or be fitted to your car so you can drive with and other controls), a cognitive assessment pedestrians, passengers and other drivers. disability that could affect your driving, you your disability. to test your reactions, and a visual assessment If family members think you should need to inform the DVLA even if you are not If DVLA’s medical enquiries show you aren’t to check your eyesight. stop driving, ask them to explain why yet due to renew your licence. This is also the fit to drive, it may tell you to stop driving. They also look at your posture and and listen carefully and objectively to the case if your condition has worsened since strength at the wheel and decide whether answers. They will probably have your best your licence was issued. What if my driving ability any adaptations could help you get in and interests at heart. Ask for a second opinion It’s a legal obligation for you to declare needs to be assessed? out of your car and drive more easily. from someone you trust such as your GP, or certain conditions and this won’t necessarily If you’ve developed a medical condition, After the assessment, they go over perhaps get an assessment of your driving as mean you’ll lose your licence. If you you may need to have your driving ability everything and help you plan any changes. described above.

PROSPERO OCTOBER 2013 10 ViSitiNg SChEME Real deal for BBC volunteer visitors This time last year, Prospero reported on the ‘virtual tour’ of New Broadcasting House given to attendees at the 2012 BBC Volunteer Visiting Scheme conference. This year, it was the real deal!

n the first day of the conference, visitors who attended were The visitors gather on taken around New Broadcasting the stage of the House (NBH), in one of six Radio Theatre, New Otours arranged for them. The next day, Broadcasting House. Club alive – keeping you they gathered in NBH’s Radio Theatre for in tip-top shape the formal conference, which included informative addresses by the BBC Pension Our Club Alive gyms are exclusively for Scheme’s new CEO, Joy Moore, State Benefits BBC Club members, and have dedicated consultant Brian Hogarth, and finally a teams that can provide you with all the representative from Alzheimer’s Research UK. information and help you need. From The conference was formally opened offering simple tips such as how to use by Joy, who pointed out that she had in the various pieces of exercise equipment, fact opened the very first Volunteer Visitor through to structured classes and even full conference back in 1994, when she was State benefits Laura explained that dementia is an personal training sessions focussed on your the BBC Pension Scheme’s deputy head Joy was followed by Brian Hogarth, a regular ‘umbrella’ term, used to describe a physical condition and goals, our team is of pensions. face at these conferences, who updated the collection of symptoms brought on by ready when you are. Amazingly, there were some visitors visitors on the latest State benefits news. diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s. A few words from our gym manager, at the 2013 conference who had been at The latest reform, which includes the Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of Marvin: ‘Our gyms are a fantastic place for that very first one…. ‘What an amazing introduction of Personal Independence dementia, accounting for around two-thirds all ages and abilities, not just bodybuilders achievement,’ said Joy, who went on to Payment, Universal Credit and benefit caps, of cases. The second most common cause and marathon runners! It is especially thank the visitors for their hard work, on among other things, is, he said, ‘the biggest of dementia is ‘vascular dementia’, caused important later in life to ensure that you are behalf of the Trustees and Bill Matthews, change to the system that I’ve seen in my by damage to blood vessels in the brain keeping active. By taking just one hour out the chairman of the Trustees. 30 years of working in this field’. (eg, following a stroke). of your week, you can help to prevent a ‘I think it’s brilliant that as a pension Brian was keen to ensure the visitors ‘Quite commonly, people can have mixed whole range of easily avoidable conditions scheme we provide this volunteer visiting understood which non-means-tested benefits dementias – signs of both Alzheimer’s and – and you’ll feel better for it too!’ scheme,’ she said. are still available to pensioners. A little-known vascular dementia. This can make research ‘This is the first time the conference has benefit is a bereavement grant. A bereavement into the causes of different types of dementia Here are a few ideas that you can been here in Broadcasting House, the first allowance (the old ‘widow’s pension’ now very difficult.’ try yourself: conference since my role was created, and I available to both men and women) is payable Laura gave a fascinating insight into the Cycling feel very privileged to be the first CEO of the for a year to people under State Pension Age if work of the scientists and the different Cycling has experienced a massive growth in pension scheme – in a funny sort of way it their spouse dies. There are also circumstances areas they are researching into the causes popularity since the Olympics. A 20-minute feels like life has turned full circle.’ where people may not qualify for bereavement of dementia. Scientists know that during cycle, three times a week will get your blood Joy gave an overview of her new role as allowance but may get a one-off bereavement Alzheimer’s, two abnormal proteins build pumping and your muscles activated. Why CEO, which she took up in January after a payment, worth £2,000 tax free. in the brain. They form clumps called either not combine it with a trip to the shops or visit 10-year absence from the BBC, during which Attendance Allowance is another non- ‘plaques’ or ‘tangles’. These plaques and a friend? she worked for a large utility company. means-tested benefit that is not claimed by tangles interfere with how brain cells work Walking ‘Running a pension scheme is rather like enough people. Attendance Allowance is paid and communicate with each other. The It may sound like the obvious choice, but running a business. The Trustees don’t do to the person who needs the care, whether plaques are usually first seen in the area of the these days we walk far less than we used to. pensions stuff day in day out – they have or not they actually get care. It is worth £53 brain that makes new memories. But there are If you’re in the London area, our Rambling other jobs too – and they decided it was or £79.15 a week, depending on the level of many others things going on too, including Club offers regular walks in some fantastic important to have a person who was quite care you require. This is paid on top of your changes in the brain’s metabolism and sites – perfect! independent of the BBC to look after their State pension and is tax free. changes in immune cells, so the scientists interests, and drive forward the strategic Carer’s Allowance is a benefit to the are trying to piece everything together to resistance machines responsibilities that they have. It’s a trend that person providing the care – but therein lies see how they contribute to the disease. If you would prefer to join the BBC Club is becoming more common in large pension an anomaly that Brian called ‘an overlapping The conference was closed by Cheryl gyms, then resistance machines may be for schemes like ours.’ benefit’. If someone provides care (for Miles, the BBC Volunteer Visiting Scheme you. These focus on controlled, repeated Joy reports directly to Bill Matthews, and example, to a spouse), but receives some Co-ordinator, who thanked all the speakers movements against an adjustable weight her key role is to liaise between the Trustees other State benefit (eg, the State pension), for giving up their time to keep the resistance, that allows you to focus on and the BBC, as the sponsor to the Scheme, then in some cases the other benefit cancels visitors informed on what was happening specific body areas. Great for keeping your as well as advisers and other stakeholders. out the Carer’s Allowance. in the BBC and wider world of life muscles working and your joints moving. ‘We are in the throes of the latest after work. Yoga and pilates valuation, where my role is to make sure Dementia research At BBC Club Western House (99 Great the whole process stays on track and that The last speaker of the day was Dr Laura Portland Street, W1A 1AA), we offer both the multitude of parties involved all work Phipps, from Alzheimer’s Research UK. yoga and pilates classes. These classes are together as a team to help the Trustees reach This charity supports scientists carrying out BBC Volunteer focussed on controlled and structured an outcome that obviously protects the research into the causes of dementia, looking movements that offer gentle core strength members’ interests whilst at the same time for methods of diagnosis and moving Visiting Scheme exercise, while building and maintaining not compromising the BBC’s relationship towards more effective treatments. The Scheme covers people who are: flexibility. For more information on classes, with the licence fee payer.’ It is estimated that there are between • Aged 70 or over, or who left the BBC visit our website at www.bbcclub.com/alive 700,000 and 800,000 people in the UK on health grounds, or with some form of dementia, which means • Known to be in difficulties (irrespective for more info on the bbC Club there are about 25 million people who know of age), or gyms at Media Village W12 and someone with dementia. • Known to have been bereaved recently. Western house W1, please visit ‘The estimated cost of dementia to the UK The visitors are active BBC pensioners www.bbcclub.com/alive, or economy is £323 billion a year, of which who provide a social contact to these alternatively call 0208 752 6666 around two-thirds is met by unpaid carers,’ pensioners, either through visits or and talk to a member of Club staff. said Laura. ‘Twelve times more is spent on telephone calls. However, it’s up to the cancer research than on dementia research. pensioners themselves to decide if they That sustained investment in cancer research want to be visited. has delivered real results, with more and There’s a new contact telephone more people surviving a cancer diagnosis number for the Scheme: 029 2032 2811. If you are interested in becoming a visitor, Jill Laikin, Derek Eaton, Carol Fisk, than ever before. We believe that with similar got a question or comment? or would just like to get in touch with your Neil Roy and Judith Cook enjoy their sustained investment we could make that Email us at [email protected] tour of New Broadcasting House. local visitor, please do call. progress in the field of dementia too.’ or call 020 8752 6666.

PROSPERO OCTOBER 2013 obituariES 11 pure film to a mix of film and electronic times his irreverent humour kept everyone army knife, the crew knew they were in a Long-time economics shooting and editing. In the later part of going. His ear for scandalous management safe pair of hands. correspondent his career he became picture manager gossip must have been unmatched! Likewise, He developed a rare form of terminal with responsibilities for both location and his instinct for quotable facts and memorable cancer in recent months. He faced this with Dominick Harrod, the BBC’s economics studio production. punchlines. As he’d say after a dazzling recital amazing resolve, saying that it was the quality correspondent/editor for more than But all of this was perhaps a rehearsal of detail, ‘I rest my case!’ of his life with his wife, family and friends 20 years, died in hospital in Norwich, for his activities after retirement. Settling When he finally retired from the BBC in that was important and not the quantity of never recovering from a fall near his permanently in Dartmouth, he was one of 1992 he was immediately in demand. In years. He died in the Countess of Chester country home in Blakeney. He was 72. the founding members of the Dart River addition to many commercials and serials hospital, but not before he had told one of Patrol, using many of the skills gained in his for Lynda la Plante such as Trial and Retribution, the hospital’s managers face to face that they first career to ensure the efficient running he worked on A Dance to the Music of Time in should not close the hospital ward he was on. of the volunteers involved in patrolling the 1997 for Channel 4 and then as a freelancer His funeral and celebration of his life river and harbour estuary and ensuring safe for more BBC productions, one show after took place in Chester Cathedral on passage day in day out. another, saying after each it was time to Wednesday 14 August – 20 years to the In any spare time remaining, he could be retire and relax. He finally retired for a day when Sharon and Jim were married. found on a remote Devon headland looking second (or was it a third?) time in 2008. He will be sadly missed by his family, out to sea as a volunteer coastguard – in ‘I worked for nearly 50 years with never friends and the TV industry. fact you could say that the sea was in Mike’s one day’s illness,’ he reflected. Ironically, Edward Pugh blood, a love that was perhaps fostered by barely a year after he’d finally stopped He joined the BBC in 1971 from the the time he spent in BBC Bristol before working, he was struck by the first of a series Daily Telegraph. His record is impressive, leaving for the landlocked Midlands. of major conditions. Not that this prevented Radio London interviewing every ruling Prime Minister In a touching Humanist committal, one him from indulging those hobbies he’d and Chancellor and covering 15 economic sports editor of the poignant farewells came from the postponed for so long, chief of which were summits around the world. Dartmouth harbour master: ‘See you later engineering models and period cars. His Norman de Mesquita died on 25 July 2013 He thoroughly enjoyed explaining the m’dear. Safe passage.’ knowledge of classic post-war vehicles down aged 81. He joined BBC Radio London in Budget Day proposals live not on the Radio Mike leaves a partner Jackie and to minuscule details was well known. 1970 and was sports editor there for many 4 special, but to Jimmy Young’s Radio 2 three daughters. He made sure these latter years were not years and also regularly broadcast on listeners. He was so popular and professional, Tony Selby wasted. He bought a metal lathe, sheets London’s amateur dramatic groups. the programme continued to employ him of elevations and plans, and manufactured Although he pursued other careers prior to after he left the Corporation in 1993. As a miniature engines for model ships which joining the BBC, it was his passion for sport senior BH newsroom editor put it ‘he was a ‘King of the Classics’ were always in demand for their precision. which led to his career in radio. He went to correspondent with truly expert insights’. Michael (Mike) Preece was one of the Always an enthusiast, Mike and his his first ice hockey match in 1946 and this led Although regarded as a ‘toff’ (his leading TV production buyers for some generation of buyers set the standard that to him becoming an announcer for ice hockey background and ancestry well covered in 35 years, starting in the days when Dick others have struggled to follow. and snooker as well as for cricket and tennis national press obituaries), he got on well Levin was Head of Design. Oliver Bayldon matches around the UK. He wrote regularly with colleagues and kept in touch with many Mike was a character, wry and dynamic, on cricket, football and ice hockey and of us. He had a rather undeserved reputation with an astonishing memory for details and a regularly followed ice hockey games at home for meanness, which was not borne out by great range of anecdotes, and yet it all began Brilliant first and abroad. He was known for his role in the lavish lunches he gave at the Garrick by chance. In 1958, between situations, he making ice hockey more popular in the UK. Club, which became his second home after had taken a temporary job in the BBC TV assistant director He regularly covered Middlesex CC for the sudden tragic death of his wife, Christina, property department, worked hard, loved Jim Capper died peacefully on 31 July 2013 Radio London and Wisden and was in 1995. Several of us lunched with him challenge and stayed. He quickly discovered aged 61. renowned in the Lord’s press box for his there and elsewhere over the past 20 years. his metier as a buyer and prospered. sense of humour and mimicry. I introduced him to Sir Mervyn King at His CV reads like a litany of BBC drama Among his radio colleagues he was known Lord’s last cricket season where the pair over 35 years. He specialised in the great for his assertive and somewhat brash style engaged in animated conversation in the Dickens serials, starting with David Copperfield and didn’t suffer fools gladly. pavilion. Whether it was about cricket for Stephen Bundy in 1965, then Dombey In his later years he suffered an illness that (doubtful), finance, economics or politics, & Sons, Pickwick Papers and Great Expectations, affected his speech, especially unfortunate in we will never know. plus a long list of classic serials that reads someone who had spent so much of his life A memory of Dominick, for which I am like a guide to literature, ranging from The as a broadcaster and announcer. especially grateful, occurred at the Ottawa Three Musketeers and Jane Eyre, to Little Women, Ann Kaye summit in 1981. Local technicians were on Middlemarch, Julius Caesar, Kenilworth and Anna of strike, but an executive of the Canadian the Five Towns, to quote just a few. The list is Dan Zerdin, who met Norman when they were both ‘struggling actors’, added these memories: broadcasters, trained as an SM, volunteered seemingly endless, hence his nickname ‘King Norman de Mesquita, who died on to put Today on the air, fronted by the late of the Classics’. Jim had a long and illustrious career as a first John Timpson. I was producer/editor and assistant director and location manager. He 25 July of a heart attack at the age of 81, was Period drama was only one strand in his probably best known as a first-class cricket Dom came along every evening their time to was brilliant at his job – being organised, work. After moving from Television Centre commentator whose authoritative voice take part in the programme, but probably effective, personable, with a wonderful sense London to Pebble Mill, Birmingham, in enlivened BBC Radio London’s sports output more importantly to act as a ‘goffer’ – fetching 1975, he worked on many more series of humour. With Jim, you knew that the job running orders etc from machines several for several years. and serials with such designers as Michael would be done, but it was often completed Actually, cricket was not his first love; it corridors away and brewing coffee. He never Edwards, Ian Fisher and Gavin Davies, and with a sense of fun and joy. hesitated or questioned those menial tasks and was drama and the stage. When he left school directors like Ken Loach, Jack Gold and Ken He joined the BBC in 1978, working at he took drama lessons and had a small part was rewarded with his – and Timpson’s – Russell. Whatever anyone’s problem Mike BBC TV Centre firstly as an AFM and then in Hue and Cry, the first of the Ealing favourite tipple – Scotch at the end of each always had an answer. 1st AD. He worked mainly in Drama on comedies and a rather bigger part in Life programme, particularly the final night. Everything was a challenge. His attention Bergerac, Lovejoy, Tenko, Dr Who, All Creatures With Father, a popular American play being Cheers – Dom! to detail was legendary, no matter how Great & Small, When the Boat Comes In and produced by Britain’s top repertory company Alan (Badger) Ashton obscure the request… those five 1940 A Horseman Riding By. at the Theatre Royal, Windsor. ambulances, the 19th Century Gregorian In 1990, on The Sharp End, he met his future In the play he was one of four sons in a Pebble Mill film brass telescope or French bracket clock wife Sharon. They married in 1993 and in family in which everyone had red hair. with anchor escarpment, that set of due course welcomed two children Alice Naturally ginger himself, Norman watched his Regency pharmacy jars, that street-full of and Jasper. They moved to Chester in 1996 fellow cast members being fitted for auburn unit manager wigs with a certain smugness and was Victorian carriages, modern operating and for a time he was location manager Mike Aldridge died suddenly on 3 July in extremely miffed when told he would have to theatre or Jacobean manuscript. He always and acting production manager at Coronation Dartmouth after a short illness. He was be bewigged as well because his natural hair Street. His future 1st AD work included 72 years old. knew whom to call, their phone numbers, looked washed-out under stage lights. Mike will be fondly remembered by many addresses and staff, thanks to seemingly work on Corrie, The Grimleys, Emmerdale, But acting jobs were hard to come by and resource and production staff principally in total recall. Offhand he’d remember names Eastenders, Holby City, Casualty, Byker Grove Norman threw his energies into forming his role as film unit manager at Pebble Mill. In and production dates, cast lists, and budgets and Grange Hill. amateur drama groups and satisfied his this capacity he was always a great ambassador going back many years and quote people’s I had the delight of working with him dramatic urgings by directing. for the unit, with enthusiasm and commitment careers in great detail. He had an astonishing on a four-part German Schools drama series He was a regular first-nighter, too, and forging strong links with programme makers catalogue mind and never seemed fazed. using a German/English crew. Jim’s efficient few West End productions opened without especially in the field of drama. A consummate professional, he hated and workmanlike style made it happen on Norman’s presence up in the gods. Then Mike was a great and early innovator, mediocrity and battled for high quality, schedule. Armed with his Leatherman and came cricket writing and a successful creatively adapting the role of the unit from whatever the odds. Even in the most difficult bum-bag holding mobile phone and Swiss broadcasting career.

PROSPERO OCTOBER 2013 12 aNd fiNallY

Can you help? Reunions C LASSIFIEDS

TechOps 21 and 22, 1965 frizzy hair heading backwards, an RAF-style Television Recording (TVC) fuerteventura, Canary islands. Neil Dormand wants to arrange a 50th moustache and an inveterate pipe smoker. Christmas Lunch Quality one-bedroom apartment with reunion for people who attended Technical I’d like to be able to track down a copy of This year’s lunch will be held at balconies and private roof terrace. Operations Courses 21 and 22 Television, the publication, or a copy of the caricature, so Glenmore House, Surbiton, on Thursday, Stunning beaches and lagoons in 1965. if anyone can help me with the publication title 5 December 2013. nearby. £295pw. He says: ‘Nearly everyone on those or ISBN number, I would be most grateful. More than 100 gathered for last year’s Tel: 01428 653127 courses joined the BBC on 20 January I’ve bought used copies of Voice event, which was mercifully spared the 1965 for an induction course held in the for the World (ISBN 0563201037) and BBC disruption of previous years caused by bordeaux, St Emilion. Langham. Due to the high number recruited, TV Presents – a 50th Anniversary Celebration the weather. Detached house, French countryside, sleeps approximately 80, the intake was split into (ISBN 094635829X and it’s neither of those. Details will be sent to those who the two courses. One was held immediately Your help would be much appreciated. are on our mailing list, but if you are 4/5. Private pools/gardens. Fully equipped, and the second three months later, both at Tony Parkinson interested in coming along, please near amenities/tourist attractions. Wood Norton. call Roger Martin (01380 812118) Tel: 02392 354320. ‘I am expecting to hold the reunion on the If you can help Tony, please call or Nick Martin (020 8641 1387) or by Email: [email protected] 50th anniversary, 20 January 2015, venue him on 07764 784050 or email email to [email protected] yet to be decided.’ [email protected] Full details of the gathering also altea, Spain. Anyone who attended the courses who available on our website: Beachfront apartment with jacuzzi, has not yet been contacted by Neil can get Tony Feaver www.40sand50sreunion.co.uk two bedrooms, air-conditioned, in touch with him, using this email address: Nick McDonald is currently researching his underfloor heating. Contact Sandra. [email protected] family history but needs information about BBC Transport Email: [email protected] his father, Anthony Feaver, who died in 1955 Group Reunion Mobile: 0034 663657411 John Arthur Gregory and worked for the BBC from the end of BBC Transport Group Kendall Avenue John Arthur Gregory worked for the BBC the war until his death. staff are invited to come for a drink and Venice, giudecca. (at Broadcasting House I think) for about He worked in the Third Programme chat at the Royal British Legion Club Beautiful apartment in quiet private 35 years as an engineer, retiring in the 1980s. and was the conductor of the Ariel Choral on Ruislip High Street from 8pm on courtyard, sleeps 5, fully equipped. Unfortunately John died in May this year, Society for several years, responsible for Saturday, 7 December 2013. and I was talking to his widow recently. She conducting several concerts in the BBC For further information please contact Experience the real Venice. has a photo of John taken when he started Club during the early 1950s. Paul McArdle on 07957 592 326 or email Tel: 01260 227262 (apparently all staff were photographed), and He worked in Bristol at the end of the [email protected] Email: [email protected] a BBC publication celebrating 50 years of… war, but moved to London when he married (something) at the BBC, produced just before Nick’s mother in 1946, but Nick says he Near Morgat, brittany. he retired, which contained a caricature of knows little of his father’s time at the BBC. Characterful old house, 5 bedrooms on John. She felt these two images bracketed Perhaps someone with a long memory will peaceful Crozon peninsula, large garden, his time there. She has lent her copy of the be able to help him fill in the gaps! sea views, all-year walks. book to someone, but can’t recall who and If you can help, please email Nick at Email: [email protected] has therefore lost track of it. [email protected] or get in touch John was of singular appearance and with the Prospero team (our contact details richmond, Swaledale. a gift for the caricaturist: high forehead, are on page 2). CAPTION One bedroom apartment overlooking castle. Sleeps 2/3. Walking, restaurants, competiton Georgian theatre. Tel: 01748 822863. Email: BBCPA regional meetings [email protected] The BBC Pensioners’ Association regional Please feel free to come along this year. The winner of meetings are held every October, in BBC The dates and venues are as follows: August’s caption bargain in brittany. centres whenever possible. They are usually Thursday 10 October: Glasgow competition was 4/5 bed house with large garden, cider lively and we’re happy for members and 2.15pm Viewing Theatre, BBC, John Van Dyken, orchard. Fully modernised. Tranquil but prospective members to come along. 40 Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G51 1DA with ‘And that my convenient location. Must sell, health The idea is for some of the committee to (contact Carol Knight: carol.knight dear is the quickest reasons. €150,000 only! meet people in regions away from London @bbc.co.uk; 0141 4226000) route to the Lime Details: http://bit.ly/1doNII9 Grove canteen.’ who cannot get to our AGM. We exchange Thursday 17 October: Norwich or telephone 0033 296251662. information about pensions and air concerns 2.15pm Kent Room, The Assembly House, Thanks also to John Dean (‘It’s my plan for a large hadron collider but I may be and gossip about a range of issues, including Theatre Street, Norwich, NR2 1RQ Part-time secretary wanted a little ahead of my time’) and Ken Laing current views on the BBC. And there’s a bit of (contact Karen Warner: admin@assembly in london NW2. Please apply (‘I think the weather graphics might need hospitality afterwards. housenorwich.co.uk; 01603 626402) to [email protected] Last year, in Brighton, Salford and Cardiff, Thursday 24 October: Southampton a reset’). groups of anonymous, mainly grey-headed 2.15pm Hospitality Suite, BBC South, house rent/swap. SW Spain. people converged – as usual – on canteens and 10 Havelock Road, Southampton, SO14 7PU Three double bed, three bath. Pueblo reception areas ahead of the meetings, looking (contact Cathy McKayuge: cathy.mckayuge like gathering Saga tour groups, eyeing each @bbc.co.uk; 02380 226201) Blanco, north of Ronda. Prefer M4 corridor. other up before the start of a holiday. David Allen, Chairman, BBCPA Email: [email protected] Having made this observation we tried a new technique – it was simple but effective. The BBC has offered members of the BBC York. We simply asked what people did at the Pensioners’ Association the opportunity to Three-bedroom Victorian house close to BBC when they were there and predictably join one of the organised tours of the major City centre and station. Ideal location for out came a fascinating range of views and BBC buildings: London Broadcasting House, visiting all Yorkshire attractions. Three-night experiences and everyone felt at home. Salford Quays, Pacific Quay in Glasgow, BH minimum stay. Tel: +44 7737537629 My old Controller turned up in Cardiff and Mailbox Birmingham. These are Email: [email protected] Brighton, which was a pleasant but slightly normally available to the public at £13 or so disconcerting surprise. In Salford, in the a head. Picture shows a judo display by the Brian Redhead Room, we had a number of If you would like to join a tour and bring Budokwai Club. LG Hunt illustrating a people who’d worked on the floor of Top up to two guests free of charge, irrespective throat hold on his opponent R Brown. Prospero Classifieds, bbC Pension and of The Pops in the Jimmy Savile era and so of which BBC Centre you choose to visit, benefits Centre, broadcasting house, the current concerns being addressed by the ring 0370 901 1227. Choose the ‘tours’ Send your entries to our usual address, or Cardiff Cf5 2YQ. Dame Janet Smith enquiry became a talking option then hold on to speak to an agent email them to [email protected], with Please enclose a cheque made payable to: point and I revealed I’d worked with him and quote ‘Retired Staff Offer’. To find out ‘caption competition 5’ in the subject line, bbC Central directorate. myself once at the old Oxford Road studio what’s on offer, look at www.bbc.co.uk/ by Friday 1 November. The best entry will Rate: £6 for 20 words. In a covering letter and had given evidence. showsandtours/tours receive a £10 voucher. please include your pension number.

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