Make It Count in the Midlands for Final

photograph 27·04·10 Week 17 explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ariel : ELLIOTT FRANKS : ELLIOTT a THE BBC NEWSPAPER

publicity assistant Mauro ◆Silva adjusts violinist Nicola Benedetti’s mic, while publicity colleague Madeleine Castell helps presenter Katie Derham with her dress during a Royal Albert Hall photoshoot to launch the BBC Proms 2010. Page 4

poised for the proms ◆ Make it count in ◆ Creating chemistry ◆ Pat Younge talks the Midlands for final with ‘buddy’ scheme tough on trust and leaders’debate Page 3 for scientists Pages 8-9 press leaks Page 10

> NEWS 2-4 WEEK AT WORK 7 MAIL 11 JOBS 14 FOREIGN REPORT 15 GREEN ROOM 16 < 216 News aa 00·00·08 27·04·10 NEWS BITES a Working Lunch axed The 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi will be broadcast live and exclusively on the BBC following Room 2316, White City an agreement with the organising 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS for future savings committee for the event, which takes place between October 020 8008 4228 3-14. Coverage will be available Editor by Cathy Loughran amount, and aim to meet with the unions af- on tv, radio, online, iPlayer, Candida Watson 02-84222 ter the election.’ But he admitted redundancies mobile and new media outlets. Deputy editor The 14-strong team behind Working Lunch are a possibility. Cathy Loughran 02-27360 spent the weekend digesting the news that the The audience for the BBC Two lunchtime Jo Brand, Harry Enfield, Eddie Chief writer programme will come off air permanently this show started to fall after 2001, with 450,000 (8 Izzard and Catherine Tate are Sally Hillier 02-26877 summer, to be replaced by a UK-focused edition percent share) in 2002/3 dropping to an average among 50 performers and directors Planning manager of BBC World News show GMT with George Ala- of below 300,000 (4.3 percent share) this year. who have signed a public letter Clare Bolt 02-24622 giah. Some of the savings made by cancelling the raising concerns about the BBC’s Broadcast Journalists A year and a half after its relaunch, the programme will come back to the business unit future. The letter, published in the BBC Two daily business magazine, whose audi- to launch new weekend business programming Observer, criticises the ‘cavalier Claire Barrett 02-27368 ence has stabilised following a gradual decline, on Radio 5Live and the News Channel. A new attitude’ shown by opposition Adam Bambury 02-27410 has been axed. Head of newsgathering Fran Money Watch season starting in the summer is parties to BBC independence and Lisette Johnston 02-27630 Unsworth said it was ‘a very difficult decision’. also part of the revamp. urges people to ‘think about the Rumeana Jahangir 01 -43756 It was ‘an extremely hard [decision] for eve- Business Unit editor Jeremy Hillman said; consequences of their vote’ on May 6. AV Manager ryone on the team who has worked so creatively ‘This has been a hard decision to make, not Peter Roach 02-24622 and passionately on the programme’, she said. least because of the impact on a creative and A collaborative series between Digital Design Executives ‘The decision is no reflection on them but re- dedicated team who have worked hard to target Newsnight, the Norwegian David Murray 02-27380 flects the continuing requirement to meet our a difficult to reach and under-served audience Broadcasting Corporation, the Gary Lonergan 02-84229 delivering creative future savings plan.’ for news. I am confident though that the chang- Guardian newspaper and Dutch Team assistant Unsworth hoped that the eight to nine peo- es we are making, including new weekend pro- paper de Volkskrant has won the Graeme Allister 02-84228 ple on the editorial team could be redeployed, gramming, will continue to deliver high quali- Daniel Pearl Award for outstanding avoiding any job losses when the programme ty money and business news with real impact.’ international investigative closes this July. Working Lunch producer Carolyn Rice told journalism. The series looked Guest contributors this week The equivalent of 5.7 craft posts in the news- Ariel: ‘The biggest shame is what the audience at toxic waste dumping in West room studio group, graphics and editing are will lose. There is Moneybox on radio, but no Africa, and the award was given lucie mclean Hot Shoeing it also likely to be affected, said Nigel Charters, one else does what we do in business on tv for a in memory of Wall Street Journal to external communications in managing editor, television news. very loyal audience that includes lots of retired reporter Daniel Pearl who was killed Manchester. Page 14 ‘We will look at shifts, overtime and rota people who don’t consume business output on- by Pakistani militants in 2002. patterns first to see how we can reduce by that line or anywhere else.’ Lorna Gordon on Iceland’s BBC Archive has released a phlegmatic response to the volcano new collection telling the story on the doorstep. Page 15 of the Swingometer. Launched No time for trail say Who fans in 1959, the device provides a simple way of showing changes in An apology has been issued to Doctor Who voter support from one party to Ariel mail viewers after thousands complained when another. visit: bbc.co.uk/archive. Candida. [email protected] an animated Graham Norton appeared on Ariel online explore.gateway.bbc.uk/ariel screen during the highly-charged climax of The BBC Performing Arts Fund, BBC Jobs 0370 333 1330 Saturday’s episode. which helps aspiring musicians Jobs textphone 028 9032 8478 The Doctor was making an emotional and other artists, has passed the BBC Jobs John Clarke 02-27143 speech in the cliff-hanger ending of The Time £3m donation mark (£3,017,332). Room 2120, White City, London W12 7TS of Angels when a brightly-coloured trailer for Since starting in 2003, the fund Over the Rainbow, which Norton hosts, was su- has supported many individuals Advertise in Ariel perimposed on the screen for several seconds, and groups through various Ten Alps Media 020 7878 2313 partially obscuring actor Matt Smith’s mouth. schemes including The Education www.bbcarielads.com On Sunday the BBC said: ‘We apologise for Bursary, Training in Musical Printing the timing of Saturday night’s trail.’ Audience Theatre, Instruments and Garnett Dickinson Group services have since received over 5000 com- Equipment Awards, and Urban Rotherham 01709 768000 plaints about the blunder, which many corre- Newswipe’s Charlie Brooker quipped, ‘I hope Music and Choral Ambition. spondents feel ruined the ending of the show. they trail the news with an animated George Subscribe to Ariel Fans were also quick to register their dis- Alagiah in the final scene ofOver The Rainbow.’ Mick Brookes, the leader of Six months: £26, £36, £40 pleasure online. A ‘livid’ Ashes to Ashes creator It is not the first time Norton has been in the National Association of Head Twelve months: £50, £60, £68 Matthew Graham issued the request on Twitter, trouble with Doctor Who fans. When the series Teachers, was the guest speaker (prices for UK, Europe, rest of world ‘Please BBC - you’re not a US network, you’re so returned in 2005 after a 16-year break, a techni- at a meeting of the BBC Schools respectively) much better than they are. Don’t cheapen your- cal error caused his voice to leak over the first- Forum last week. The Forum was Cheques to: Garnett Dickinson Print, self. The public know what’s up next.’ episode’s tense opening scenes. set up by BBC Learning and BBC Brookfields Way, Manvers, Outreach to bring together people Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 5DL from various BBC departments that Tel 01709 768199 have direct contact with schools. INFORMATION IN AN EMERGENCY Golf coverage ‘did not mislead’ Telephone 0800 0688 159 Sports news correspondent did visit the National in a per- Telegraph itself has caused Ceefax Page 159www.bbc.co.uk/159 James Pearce has dismissed as sonal capacity. confusion by ‘packaging up’ Ariel is produced by Internal ‘nonsense’ a press story sug- ‘Once it was confirmed that Pearce’s tv reporting with his A thanksgiving service for Communications for people at the BBC gesting he misled people with Tiger Woods was playing, none blog and Twitter comments. Jean Laughton, who worked his coverage of the recent US of the broadcasters was able to In a blog Pearce wrote: ‘I on Gardeners’ World, will be golf Masters. get accreditation,’ Pearce ex- have always dreamed of com- held on May 10 at 2.30pm (after ‘I’m annoyed because it plains. ‘My brief was to get ing to Augusta. This year I have cremation, family only) at Knowle looks as though my integrity some colour pieces around finally made it.’ Parish Church, Kenilworth Road, is being called into question,’ the event– like reporting from This was a reference to a Knowle, Warwickshire, B93 OLN. he has told Ariel. outside the White House with- couple of visits he made to The Daily Telegraph claimed out going inside.’ the National course during his A memorial event for former PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY OF ARIEL he had ‘given the impression’ But he ‘was at pains’ not to Augusta trip, paying for him- BBC executive Bob Phillis, jointly he was reporting live from the mislead viewers by claiming self as a golf fan and ordinary organised by BBC/The Guardian/ Augusta National, home of the he was live from the Masters. member of the public. ITV, will take place on May 13 at US Masters. In fact, because he ‘The presenters in the Lon- This, though, says the BBC, 11am at St Martin’s in the Fields, was not accredited to the tour- don studio had been briefed was a ‘different incident’ from Trafalgar Square3. For tickets, nament Pearce reported from that this was the case,’ says his tv reporting around the email [email protected] a nearby course, although he the BBC, which believes the Masters tournament.

> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< a 27·04·10 Election News 3 Feel free to chip in, 5 live tells audience ‘Excluded’ SNP goes to court

The Scottish National Party is to mount a court action over its and Plaid Cym- ru’s exclusion from the BBC leaders’ de- bate on Thursday. The party was due to lodge the nec- essary papers at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Tuesday morning (April 27) after raising £50,000 to fund the le- gal challenge. The move follows rejection by the BBC Trust of a joint appeal by the SNP and Plaid. The two parties went to the Trust after Mark Thompson rejected their original complaint about their ex- clusion from the final debate. Among other things, the parties claimed that BBC management was in breach of its obligation to be impartial, and that its decision risked misleading audiences in Scotland and Wales.

n The Lib Dem leader stole a small midweek audience lead on the leader of the opposition when Dermot O’Leary interviewed both on BBC Three. Dermot A well known fan of audience in the run up to polling day, giving age of audience involvement, shire for the Conservatives; Tom Meets…David Cameron drew 191,300 (0.9 interaction, Victoria Derbyshire audiences the chance to discuss including at last week’s event in Brake (Lib Dem); deputy leader of percent share) and Dermot Meets…Nick moderates a live debate on im- key election issues with politi- Luton, where panelists facing the the BNP Simon Darby; and Gerard Clegg attracted 220,400 (one percent migration in Luton – one of four cians. In contrast to the historic tv questions were immigration min- Batten (UKIP). The final debate on share). OBs that Radio 5 live is mounting debates, there has been no short- ister Phil Woolas; James Broken- crime is in Leeds on May 3. n The reverse happened with Jere- my Paxman’s encounters on BBC One. Paxman Interviews: David Cameron last Fri- day got an audience of 2.34m (10.7 per- cent share), compared with his previous Nick Clegg interview, which got 2.21m (9.4 percent share). Last but not least n Radio 1’s Newsbeat has been giv- ing first time voters a chance to quiz by Sally Hillier with the venue, before debates. ‘It was incredi- cation teams. the party leaders in an election special returning in the evening. bly useful, particularly in Daniel Pearl points out hosted by Tulip Muzumdar. Nick Clegg ‘It’s hugely exciting – With ITV opting for a terms of seeing how they that, until a couple of weeks and Gordon Brown have both faced the like a Cup Final,’ says Dan- simple studio set for the handled the audience,’ she ago, the Prime Ministeri- young panel and it’s David Cameron’s iel Pearl, who is produc- first leaders’ debate, and says. al Debates were unchart- turn on April 27. ing Thursday’s final Prime Sky for a smaller, more in- Questions submitted by ed territory. He is thrilled n Twelve major regional tv debates Ministerial Debate. timate design for the sec- the audience will be whit- that the three leaders ‘en- across the English regions this Tues- The programme will ond, the BBC set will have tled down by the produc- gaged so well’ with the first day night (April 27) will see big hit- come from the Midlands a different look again. tion team, according to rel- two, and that they generat- ters from all the main parties answer- where Pearl and his team And although the for- evance and topicality. ed so much follow-up inter- ing questions from the public. Each are finalising their prepa- mat is the same for all experience and authority. As well as looking af- est. ‘It was also very grati- chaired by a senior political editor or rations. There is a main re- three debates, Thursday’s Having said that, both ITV ter the audience, the BBC fying to see them getting presenter, highlights include the BBC hearsal on Wednesday and programme will be ‘recog- and Sky did extremely good must also provide space such large audiences.’ East Midlands debate, where Ken Clarke technical run-throughs nisably BBC’, believes Sue productions.’ and facilities (such as wi- Is he expecting even and Margaret Beckett are on the pan- on Thursday, when Gor- Inglish, head of political Along with Ric Bailey, fi connections) for a huge more viewers on Thurs- el in Nottingham, and BBC South’s don Brown, David Cam- programming. chief adviser, Editorial Pol- press contingent – around day? ‘I don’t know. We’re event in Reading, featuring Michael eron and Nick Clegg will ‘In part that’s to do with icy, Inglish was invited to 300 journalists have asked up against Coronation Street, Gove, Chris Huhne, Caroline Lucas and put in an early appearance it being presented by Dav- ‘look around’ when ITV for accreditation – and the and it’s just too difficult to Nigel Farage. to familiarise themselves id Dimbleby, with all his and Sky produced their political parties’ communi- predict.’

Does the decision on May 6 matter to ers, gauging opinions of the UK’s Arab n a panel of four ethnic Albanians n BBC Chinese online forum gave BBC audiences in China and the Arab and Islamic communities. On election talk about the economy, emigration people a chance to question a panel of How world, India and Albania, Uzbekistan day, presenter Tony El Khoury will an- and foreign policy on BBC Albanian; the UK’s first ethnic Chinese candidates; and Kenya? chor a multimedia broadcast, talking to n as the Burmese government plans n the influence of the Indian diaspo- World Service teams have been hit- the main parties and audiences, with its first general election in 20 years, ra in certain constituencies is in the fo- the rest ting the trail to ask the questions most young British Arabs sharing their views BBC Burmese is targeting the country’s cus of BBC Hindi. relevant to their 188m listeners and via webcam. young people, reporting on the UK par- It is easy to underestimate interna- viewers as well as throw light on Brit- Representatives of the main parties liamentary system and whether voters tional interest in a British election, says ish-style democracy. have been quizzed by Russian-speaking go for policies or personality; Global News director Peter Horrocks. of the BBC Persian TV has set off on its own online users on BBC Russian multimedia n head of African news and current ‘Just as we look at how the elec- Great British Election Road-Trip 2010, output. And the BBC Uzbek for Afghani- affairs Joseph Warungu is doing a series tions in America or India or Afghani- producing a series of short films in stan team will broadcast from Wootton of reports for World Service and Radio stan mark a direct change in direction world which the presenter, Pooneh Ghoddoo- Bassett, discussing the UK as a military 4’s The World This Weekend on how the for those countries and their place in si, and her team are investigating some power and asking why Afghanistan plays British ‘do’ elections; the world, so people around the world of the big issues at the ballot box. such a minor role in the UK election. nBBC Swahili is featuring Britons of want to discuss and debate the impact BBC Arabic correspondents are also Among other coverage from the lan- African descent who are campaigning our votes may have on their lives,’ he sees it on the road with the three party lead- guage services: for parliamentary and civic seats; told Ariel.

4 News a 27·04·10 BBC North From Mahler will create to Broadway ‘energy’ DG tells staff ... it must be Salford should be a beacon for the Proms the BBC he says by Sally Hillier dience and that ambition remains ‘It’s one of the biggest things that at the heart of the Proms today,’ I’ve ever been in involved with in the Once again there is something for Roger Wright, controller, Radio whole of my 30-year career at the everyone in the BBC Proms, with Three and director of the Proms, BBC,’ said Mark Thompson after his the works of the classical mas- explained at last week’s launch of visit last week to the BBC’s future base ters Mahler, Wagner, Chopin and the 2010 season. at Salford. ‘The buildings are ahead Beethoven sharing the limelight Extensive coverage on Radio 3 of schedule, we’re well under budget with the Broadway hits of Stephen will be complemented by more and, particularly on a sunny day, it Sondheim (Sweeney Todd, A Little than 25 concert relays on televi- looks stunning.’ Night Music) and Oscar Hammer- sion. Five major London departments stein (Oklahoma!, The King and I). Katie Derham, an accomplished and all Manchester units will transfer Even Jamie Callum will make amateur pianist, becomes the face to the MediaCityUK site by Decem- an appearance, playing with the of the tv coverage, introducing ber 2011 although the schedule of Heritage Orchestra. nine concerts on BBC Two and BBC when each section moves is still being The 116th season will get off HD, including the First and Last worked out. Further programme and to a stirring start on July 16 with Nights and every Saturday night. staff moves will be revealed this sum- Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, involv- BBC Four will have concerts eve- mer. ing more than 500 musicians, cul- ry Thursday and Friday, with addi- ‘You are going to continue to see minating on September 11 with tional behind-the-scenes footage a traffic of programmes and parts of the familiar Last Night strains of and insights from the musicians. the BBC up to Salford,’ Thompson told Elgar and Parry. The Doctor Who Prom, a follow- Manchester staff at a question and an- For the first time in history, up to the Time Lord’s Proms de- swer session. ‘I want to carry on turn- there will be another Last Night – but in 2008, will be shown on BBC ing up the volume.’ a recreation on September 5 of the Three. Last Night of the Proms 1910, as Other returning features in- part of a day-long tribute to Hen- clude the Children’s Prom and ry Wood, founder/conductor of the participatory events for families as Proms. part of Proms Plus. ‘Henry Wood believed in mak- • Tickets will go on sale online, ing the best-quality classical music by telephone and in person at 8am available to the widest possible au- on May 4. Preparing for the Proms press launch on the steps of the Albert Hall BBC film ready to dance right out of the screen

More than 10,000 applications versity and George Sampson, who have been submitted in the last three also appeared on the reality TV show. months for at least 500 new jobs at Iconic actress Charlotte Rampling BBC North. plays the Royal Dance School’s ballet ‘We’re going to have hundreds of mistress. new colleagues - many of them young, Langan said the film represents a many of them coming into broadcast- ‘very fresh, pioneering project with ing for the first time,’ said the direc- new talent and diverse people’. tor general. ‘I think that’s going to be ‘Dance seemed to be a par- a shock of energy into this part of the ticularly apt subject for 3D be- BBC.’ cause of the way movement is cap- He said the lessons learnt from Sal- tured in the film. I think it ford and Glasgow’s Pacific Quay could is similar to be applied to a future media village in the world of Shepherds Bush. s p o r t where 3D has been In a reply to a question on work- used, and it is a technology that has force diversity - especially after the been improving very quickly.’ she ex- proposed closure of Asian Network plained. ‘The film should work in 2D and the Today editor’s comments that because of the story and the quality more women were on TV news be- of talent that is there, and the 3D is cause they were ‘slightly easier jobs’ by Lisette Johnston UK industry it will make interesting change for rehearsal space. an embellishment of that. - Thompson said that the corpora- viewing. As befits a teen film StreetDance ‘It is a very aspirational film rath- tion should be open to all talents. He Britain’s first 3D movie, a BBC Developed by the BBC with Verti- has drama, a clash of cultures and er than social realism and I hope it’s added: ’I believe BBC North should be co-production, launches next month. go films, the movie follows the strug- romance - with plenty of dancing in entertaining and will unleash the in- a beacon to the rest of the BBC. It’s StreetDance 3D is aimed squarely at gles of an urban dance crew as they between. The film’s producers had ner 12-year-old in you. I’m really ex- incredibly important that reflecting the teen market, and packed with try to get into the UK Street Dance spotted Britain’s Got Talent’s Flaw- cited about how people will react.’ the whole of the UK isn’t just about movement. Christine Langan, crea- Championships. In a typical chalk less (who play UK champion act The A preview screening for BBC staff geography…it’s about women as well tive director of BBC films, says while and cheese scenario the crew find Surge) before Simon Cowell ever set on April 27 is already fully booked, as men, non-white as well as white, it might not be to everyone’s taste, they must work with ballet dancers eyes on them. Other acts making an and the film is on general release different faiths being reflected and as a pioneering piece of work for the from the Royal Dance School in ex- appearance include dance crew Di- across the UK from May 21. respected.’ a 27·04·10 Features 5 All about Amelia With diverse BBC PHOTOGRAPHs: talent at their heart, two new productions – one a drama, the other a comedy – are sure to make their mark

by Claire Barrett

Producer Eleanor Greene doesn’t favour the easy option – just the best one. It didn’t matter that the writer of BBC One’s new four-part ‘family thriller’ lived in Sydney and that ear- ly script development work had to be conducted across time zones. While an acute shortage of young, deaf ac- tresses didn’t stop her casting one in the lead role. Australian writer Fiona Seres pitched her idea for The Silence to Greene back in the summer of 2007. The producer, who had already ‘bought in to Fiona as a writer’, was Amelia (Genevieve Barr) and Jim (Douglas Henshall) star in The Silence intrigued by her central character – 18 year-old Amelia Edwards who, courtesy of a cochlear implant, is ex- which give her around 60 percent periencing the alien hearing world hearing. ‘She hates not using them,’ for the first time. says Walsh, ‘while Amelia is more com- Risky subject matter but The pair batted the concept from fortable in the non-hearing world.’ one side of the world to the other On set, however, Barr was stripped via email and skype. ‘The best times of the aids and relied on lip reading to talk were eight in the morning or to locate her cues. ‘It was very easy we think it will work eight in the evening,’ says Greene. to forget about Genevieve’s disabili- ‘We stuck to the system, set strict ty,’ admits Walsh who went through deadlines for each other and had the each scene with her star, ensuring by Lisette Johnston dotes about the genuine difficulties will to make it work.’ she understood the intent. ‘She has of being a little person. It impacts on A plotline emerged, in which Ame- a photographic memory and knew The long and short of it is…BBC his life in ways we could never imag- lia witnesses the murder of a police- all her lines, she was working with a Two’s new comedy pilot from Ricky ine.’ woman and becomes embroiled in a stellar cast [including Douglas Hen- Gervais and Stephen Merchant is The writers add: ‘Warwick plays murky investigation led by her detec- shall and Dervla Kirwan] but kept only funny because the lead charac- an ego driven man who thinks he tive uncle, with whose family she is ter is calling the shots. should be top dog in a world that staying. And after episode one was Life’s Too Short is a rare take on doesn’t agree. He has a short man penned – and a BBC commission se- There are the tall world from the perspective complex in every sense and the com- cured – Seres moved her family from of well known dwarf actor Warwick edy comes from Warwick getting eve- sunny Sydney to London where devel- Davis – viewers will have seen him in rything he deserves.’ opment could continue in the same almost no fantasy filmWillow, Star Wars and Har- The project will be executive pro- place and at the same time. ry Potter – who approached the writ- duced by Ricky Gervais and Stephen With director Dearhbla Walsh now known ing duo with the idea while working Merchant, with Mark Freeland. on board the Company Pictures pro- with them on Extras. Michelle Farr, who co-produced duction, the casting process began. young deaf Shot on single camera, the 30 alongside Charlie Hanson, said the ‘Ideally, we wanted to cast a deaf ac- minute pilot follows a fictional ver- fact Davis himself came up with the tress,’ says Walsh. ‘It was a lofty and actresses in sion of Davis in his day to day life, concept helped ensure the humour admirable ambition, but there are similar to the concept behind US in Life’s Too Short is authentic, if unu- almost no known young deaf actress- show Curb Your Enthusiasm. True to sual: ‘This is risky subject matter but es working in England.’ England form, Gervais and Merchant will it is treated in such a way by Ricky The casting director trawled deaf also appear in cameo roles. and Stephen that it is not offensive. schools for talent, advertised among up, and she never asked to be treated ‘It is single camera but it’s not a ‘The comedy looks at the world the deaf community and auditioned differently. She’s in practically every fake documentary, so probably more from Warwick’s angle. It’s a great anyone with potential. ‘Genevieve scene, but no allowances were made like Extras in style. As with our previ- diversity show; Warwick is a fantas- [Barr] stood out,’ says Greene of the 23 – it was all about the story.’ ous tv work, hopefully the perform- tic comedy actor and it is about him year-old former teacher whose only Greene concedes it was a gamble ances will be low-key and naturalis- being fantastic, regardless of being previous credit was for a Channel to choose an untested deaf actress to tic,’ the pair said, in a slightly surreal short.’ Four comedy pilot. ‘Not only as the carry four hours of primetime tv, but joint comment. She adds: ‘He wants us to laugh most talented but as the most able to adds that Barr is an ‘extraordinary ‘We’ve been working with War- at the situations he finds himself in, cope with the amount of screen time person’. ‘Before this she was teaching wick and aside from being a great ac- like not being able to get to a cash and number of lines.’ in a tough inner London mainstream tor he’s also very charming on screen machine, and to play with people’s Profoundly deaf, Barr has used school. She’s a strong, confident per- and has a natural comic instinct. He Looking at the world from a different reactions.’ hearing aids since the age of four son and a talented actress.’ has been telling us hilarious anec- angle: actor Warwick Davis

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STC356_ARIEL_1904 v2.indd 1 14/04/2010 12:32 a 27·04·10 week@work Features 7 BBC ARCHIVE Fact of life TRADE u If you missed Mrs Cole on Radio 1’s Live Lounge last SECRETS month, her performances of her song Parachute, and a cover of Fireflies by Owl City have been the station’s most u Turning drama green popular video of all time. The X Factor judge sang barefoot, a la Sandy Shaw, and also chatted BBC One’s in-house drama Five with Fearne Cotton about the success Daughters left the faintest of foot- of her solo career, touring with Black prints. Charles Simmonds from Envi- Eyed Peas, and about Girls Aloud re- ronmentally Sustainable Productions leasing more material. explains how the production team In total, Cheryl’s interview and cut the carbon. performance on the show on March 23 had a reach of Wood used for the set build was all 950,000, with 1 FSC (Forestry Stewardship Coun- 201,000 tuning in cil) certified. Peter Snow Since its national debut in 1959, for the live stream The catering company worked made the the Swingometer has become an and 603,000 com- 2along sustainable principles: food Swingometer integral feature of the BBC’s tel- bined for the three waste was sent for composting, meals his own over evised election night broadcast. videos on demand were prepared using the most energy successive This collection can be found by and 159,000 for efficient methods and no disposable election visiting bbc.co.uk/archive. High- the audio interview crockery or cutlery was used. This nights lights include the moment in on demand. cost an extra 20p a head each day, the 1970 election when an extra but this was more than offset by sav- section had to be painted on to ings made through reduced transport, cope with an unexpected swing, waste and stationery (see below). u As the nation prepares to the Swingometer in action dur- The BBC overnight van and reg- go to the polls a new online col- ing the dramatic 1979 and 1997 3istered post was used instead lection from BBC Archive tells elections and clips of Peter Snow of motorcycle couriers for rushes, the story of that iconic pollster at the helm of the high-tech scripts and so on. Where couriers favourite, the Swingometer. Swingometer. were used, the cycling rather than motorised kind were booked wher- Speak easy ever possible. Crew were issued with one re- Resource of the week u It’s been the most talked about news story of late, but if you 4usable water bottle each to last have been avoiding using the name of the Icelandic volcano, the them for the duration of the entire u The 5 live Election Story with live video streams, inter- Pronunciation Unit tells us this is how to say it so you can drop it shoot; this alone saved some four bin web app launched on April 6, views and debates it also pulls in into conversation. bags of disposable bottles and cups reflecting election-based con- conversation with the audience Eyjafjallajökull pronounced: each day. tent covered by 5 live during the via Twitter, Facebook, blogs and AY-uh-fyat-luh-YOE-kuuwtl(-uh) campaign. A word cloud greets texts, so that users will be able (-ay as in say, -uh as a in ago, -fy as in few, -oe as in French coeur, you when you start, indicat- to see how much chat and dis- -uu as in book, -tl as in atlas, stressed syllables in upper case) ing the most covered topics so cussion there has been about a you can search by date. Along particular issue on 5 live.

BBC IN ACTION

At the end of the shoot the set was 5stored for re-use; diverting it from landfill and saving some £1500 in dis- posal costs. Paper use was reduced to a mini- 6mum by printing double-sided and two pages to a sheet right up to the final script stage. Small script changes were not issued to all crew, but only to those who needed to know about changes. Pool production vehicles were 7used to minimise car miles while petrol consumption was monitored John Ryan, Managing (in a friendly way!). The production editor of Radio Man- was mostly based in Bristol but when chester, in London, a production Oyster card Kirsty Styles, UCLAN was used by the runner to get around. student; Steve Rawl- Purchased props were sold in aid ing Oonagh Jac- 8of the Haiti earthquake fund with quest, web/mobile the remainder being given to charity producer, Adam Mc- shops. Clean UCLAN student Where possible the lighting de- covering Procession 9partment used recycled light bulbs. Jules Hussey, the line produc- 10 er, was tirelessly innovative and vigilant when it came to intro- ducing and following these initiatives It was a long, cold wait, but wall to interview champion daf- this year’s Cornwall Spring Flow- Churchfield and Tim Hubbard through. A senior member of the team once the spring flowers were fodil breeder Ron Scamp (pic- er Show at Boconnoc. (pictured) all broadcast live from to replicate this role is a must on a out, it was time for Radio Corn- tured left) among the blooms at Presenters Pam Spriggs, James the show. production aspiring to reach these standards. 8 Feature Feature 9

u First boil your urine: Michael Mosley recreates the search for MARRIAGE the philosopher’s stone Brain training OF MINDS is the answer? IS PURE Take a walk… ALCHEMY Take one scientist, mix with a curious media type, and stand well back. Adam Bambury investigates an experimental approach to knowledge sharing and a new way to tell the story of science

A buddy scheme for scientists. It ed, but nobody had to come,’ Shil- useful to bounce ideas off her and may sound like a support network linglaw assures) the other half to get access to a fantastic contacts for those lab jockeys who find made up of scientists, and mem- book. It’s led to some really storm- themselves too enthralled by parti- bers of research councils and other ing future VT ideas.’ cles to work on their personalities, technically-minded bodies. As well as finding someone who but is in fact a scheme launched During the morning of pres- shares her taste in music, project last year by the BBC to aid com- entations and talk, people chose executive in learning campaigns munication between scientifical- their buddies – contacts from the Louise Wordsworth says the topic ly-minded programme makers and opposing sector with whom they of conversation with her buddy Dr people in the science and research would keep in touch over the next Maggie Aderin-Pocock (see right) communities. year. ‘We kicked it off, but the idea ranged from ‘public engagement Now six months in, and despite in science’ to ‘project manage- – or perhaps because of – being an ment issues’. The friendship also There’s much more to this story informal scheme left largely to its had some less business-like ben- Science in theory voluntary participants after an in- ‘I was efits: ‘In Maggie I recognise a kin- The thought of modern life with- traits and, often, a lot of luck. It was used to carry out an exper- itial kick-off meeting, it has begun dred spirit when it comes to mak- and practice: out science may seem absurd but, ‘We wanted to find a new way iment by German alchemist Hennig to bear fruit in the form of a series sceptical at ing the most of life’s opportunities says series producer Aidan Laver- of coming at the story of science,’ Brand, a man looking for the mys- of ventures set to benefit both sci- and not letting perceived obsta- ty, it didn’t have to be this way. explains Laverty. ‘It’s the idea that terious philosopher’s stone which Put to the test: Bang Goes the entists and media types alike. But first, it felt cles stand in the way,’ says Words- RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES ‘Science has gone from a slight- science doesn’t just emerge from would turn base metals into gold. Theory presenters Yan Wong, why did they need to make friends worth. ‘I feel we have encouraged ly fringe activity 400 years ago, to moments where bath-tubs over- For some reason, he decided hu- Jem Stansfield, Liz Bonnin in the first place? each other and kept each other on probably the most important hu- flow, where individuals just wake man urine was the place to start: and Dallas Campbell ‘Though programme makers like a bit of a this path.’ u A collaboration with Anthony Cleaver of Engineering UK, man force that now is shaping our up and a light bulb comes on over ‘Brand used 50 gallons of it, boiled throughout the BBC have constant The informality of the rela- a statutory body designed to promote awareness of British planet,’ he argues. Just how and their heads. To understand the down after being left to putrify for a formal contact with scientists and PR wash’ tionship, which allows it room engineering, led to the Bang Goes the Theory Roadshow being why this happened is the central history of science you have to un- few days,’ explains researcher Alice They may be colourful, they and 60 participated, making this The second group (the non-rea- research institutes, there’s quite to develop as the par- part of the organisation’s Big Bang Fair in April. The event was question being answered by new derstand the fabric from which Jones. ‘We had plans to get elephant may be fun, but they don’t make the largest ever scientific study soning group) played games that a lot of misunderstanding in the Dermot Caulfield ticipants choose, is attended by 10,000 people. BBC Two series The Story of Science. it’s cut, which is a mixture of the urine from a zoo but we realised it you any cleverer. That was the of computer-based brain train- trained short-term memory, at- sector,’ explains Kim Shillinglaw, what makes being Far from only featuring people great forces of history, voyages of would take weeks to boil it all down verdict pronounced on brain- ing. The test was developed by tention, visuospatial processing commissioning editor for science was then that we would get peo- buddies work. ‘The u A day of workshops around plant sciences where scien- in lab coats who call themselves discovery, technology, and people – that’s how long it took him.’ In the training computer games by a scientists from the Medical Re- and mathematical abilities, while and natural history, who is respon- ple to meet, to chat, to swap bud- scheme is organ- tists and programme makers on specific projects can meet ‘scientists’, the programme at- getting their hands dirty doing end they only boiled down a small groundbreaking scientific study search Council and the Alzhe- the control group were given sible for all in-house and independ- dies, have a drink. We wanted to ic and open-ended. and exchange cutting edge filming techniques around botany. tempts to trace an identifiable lin- amount. ‘It absolutely stank, it was devised and launched by the BBC imer’s Society, in collaboration web-browsing tasks that didn’t ent commissions in these genres get away from the idea of anything We always said we’d It’s happening next month, and is a result of Jill Fullerton Smith, eage leading from the precision so disgusting. We had to keep it in and published in Nature, one of with the BBC’s mass participation test any specific cognitive skills. across BBC One, Two and Four. ‘We too formal,’ says Shillinglaw. do it for a year and who runs the Scotland science base, getting to know the Bio- mathematics of Ancient Egypt to Social forces, the fume cupboard,’ laughs Jones. the world’s most influential sci- experiments website, Lab UK. don’t always understand what’s She was partnered with Fiona then there would be technology and Biological Sciences Research Council. the mystical chemistry of the Me- Brand never managed to turn entific journals. Clive Ballard, director of Alzhe- uAt the beginning of the trial, all driving scientists’ worries and con- Fox, director of the Science Media a mesh of better con- dieval alchemists to the subatomic lead into gold, but he did acciden- The experiment, launched on imer’s Society, welcomed the three groups of participants car- cerns. I think we sometimes forget Centre which promotes the views tacts. It doesn’t need u Kim Shillinglaw is currently in discussion demolition derby currently taking personality tally extract phosphorous from the BBC One’s Bang Goes The Theory research, saying it showed ‘stay- ried out benchmarking tests differ- how little people outside the BBC of the scientific community to the any tending. It’s with the Wellcome Foundation about the sci- place in Cern’s Large Hadron Collid- urine. No easy task even today, and a last year, showed that while six ing active by taking a walk for ex- ent from the brain training games. and the media understand about national news media. Thanks to designed to ence organisation funding a possible place- er. While the individuals involved and luck all discovery that was used in the devel- weeks of practising a specific set ample is a better use of our time’. These tests measured reasoning, the ways we work, and how much Fox, she says she now has ‘a much be real-world ment scheme for scientists to work at the may have had different aims and opment of the first ‘friction match- of online brain training games ‘The next question is whether verbal short-term memory, spatial they want to understand.’ better sense of the current issues rather than a BBC. ideologies, the show argues that played a part es’ (that ignite when struck) cen- made participants better at play- brain training can help maintain working memory and paired asso- She had been thinking about floating around contemporary sci- corporate ini- they were all, in their own way, sci- turies later. It’s just these kinds of ing those specific games, they your brain as you get older,’ he ciates learning. ways to open a dialogue between ence’. In return, Shillinglaw has tiative, which uAstrophysicist Maggie Aderin- entists – ones who made discover- quirky but true tales that the team didn’t noticeably improve their said. the two groups when she heard encouraged BBC programme mak- I like’. Pocock so impressed programme mak- ies that have reached through his- practical experiments. Somewhere were looking for while making the ‘brain power’ in a way that could See the full results at www. uThe tests were repeated by from Lord Drayson, the science ers to get involved in the Science ers at the initial scheme meeting with tory to inspire their successors. in that nexus, combined with bril- series, and they were helped by be transferred to other everyday bbc.co.uk/labuk all participants at the end of six minister at the government’s de- Media Centre’s weekly press brief- a presentation on the life of a scientist Each of the six programmes in liant minds, is the moment when three university science academics thinking tasks. weeks, to measure whether the partment for business innovation ings which discuss science matters that she got asked back. Since then she’s the series focuses on a single ques- scientific discoveries emerged.’ who acted as consultants on the pro- ‘In true Bang Goes The Theory The Experiment: different types of brain training and skills, that scientists found the currently on the news radar. been on the BBC website and Desert Is- tion that scientists through the Presenter Michael Mosley, a duction. experimental fashion, we set out tasks (or, in the case of the control BBC difficult to approach. The two But it seems the organiser isn’t Kim Shillinglaw: land Discs, is currently covering the NERC ages have grappled with, ranging former doctor and the face of sci- ‘I think we’d have made a very to gather real, scientific evidence uAll participants were ran- group, browsing the web) had any parties put their heads together to the only satisfied customer. Talk- ‘We don’t always space satellite for Blue Peter, and is in dis- from ‘What is out there?’ to ‘Can ence on The One Show, certainly got different series if we hadn’t had that would answer the ques- domly assigned to one of three transfer effect to other cognitive create a BBC-hosted event where ing with other BBC buddies yield- understand cussions to present a show for BBC Two. we have unlimited power?’ The his hands dirty as he followed in the them on board,’ agrees assistant tion of whether these games brain training groups. skills. the two professions could come to- ed some positive responses, even if what’s driving ‘The BBC can often seem a bit impenetra- series seeks to show not a succes- footsteps of science’s greats. In one of producer Naomi Law. ‘We’ve got are worth our money. And now gether to share their experiences. some were initially unsure. ‘I was scientists’ ble,’ says Maggie, who is paired with Louise sion of geniuses who have been many examples of the team re-creat- loads of new angles on people that we have our answer,’ said Dallas uIn the first experimental uThe results showed no sta- This led to the initial buddy sceptical at first, it felt a bit of a PR worries and Wordsworth. ‘But when you have informal randomly touched by the hand of ing scientific discoveries for viewers, you might have heard of, and new Campbell, Bang Goes The Theory group (the reasoning group), par- tistically meaningful difference in scheme meeting, in November last wash,’ admits Bang Goes the The- concerns’ contact on the inside you begin to realise greatness, but rather that great they decided to set up a working al- characters that you haven’t heard presenter. ticipants played games that em- the before and after benchmark- year. There were 60 attendees, half ory editor Dermot Caulfield. how it works, and that it’s full of normal discoveries are a product of the chemist’s laboratory in the middle of of before.’ More than 11,000 healthy phasised their reasoning, plan- ing tests of the three different science programme makers from ‘But when I met my buddy people!’ social forces at work during the the chemistry department at Univer- The Story of Science, BBC Two, adults between the ages of 18 ning and problem solving skills. groups. within the BBC, (‘They were invit- we hit it off. I found it really time, plus individual personality sity College London. April 27 10 Opinion/Analysis a 27·04·10 How do you control the BBC? I WILL FIRE ANYONE I FIND Cut back on its income LEAKING TO THE PRESS Pat Younge is M photograph: back with a bang, AR K B A

setting the bar high SSE for tv production TT and multiplatform thinking. He tells Cathy Loughran he wants to cut red tape and the leaks that he says threaten creativity

JANA BENNETT didn’t hire Pat Younge to run in-house television produc- tion for a quiet life. Four months into the job as chief creative officer, he doesn’t disappoint. He is already waging ‘war’ on leak- ing to the press, has blasted BBC bu- reaucracy and warned that Vision Productions has some catching up to do in the multiplatform world. Next up is a hard look at the make up of his teams to ensure he has the right mix of staff, freelance and fixed Making multiplatform ‘business as usual’, reviewing his workforce mix and staying one step ahead on talent succession are all in Pat Younge’s in-tray term contracts. And in the week that Adrian Chiles announced he’s off to the days when tv production had ‘a a range of new commissions to come. we the right shape and size in order meet diversity targets to be sacked, he ITV, talent succession planning is large standing army of staff’, instead Under Katie Taylor – the first woman to be successful?’ now views class as the big ‘unspoken’ clearly on Younge’s mind. of the mixed ecology that now exists. to lead the in-house department, and That issue could also be at the root barrier and wants to work with the un- The former head of programmes He says he is working with director Younge’s first appointment – enter- of situations where people find them- ions to increase diversity, particularly and planning for BBC Sport – newly of BBC People Lucy Adams and col- tainment and events would ‘surprise selves acting up in a post for long pe- in craft areas. returned from five years in the US, leagues in journalism to hurry along some people in 2011’, he predicts. riods, he suggests. He is philosophical about losing his where he transformed the fortunes a more focused approach: ‘We can’t On the BBC’s network supply strat- Travel Channel Media’s former pres- old friend Adrian Chiles to ITV: ‘He was of the Travel Channel – is also look- afford to waste the effort these things egy, he says the logic and the long ident and general manager aspires to coming to the end of his contract. We ing forward to announcing some ‘big currently take,’ he says. term benefits are inarguable, but con- the US perception of a multiplatform made him a compelling offer, he decid- new comedy signings’, on the heels Younge was one of the original ar- cedes that ‘the impact on morale in world as ‘everyday’: ‘Multiplatform ed to turn it down, and although I’m of Gervais and Merchant’s latest pilot chitects of the Wocc (window of crea- London has been significant’: ‘One of is business as usual’ is already an in- not sure Adrian’s a morning person, I for BBC Two (see page 5). tive competition), in which indies last the things I’m looking at is the over- house slogan. wish him well.’ And across his genre teams, he has year just won the balance of compet- all creative health of the London base Training pilots, to bring whole pro- He has begun a talent review, ‘more been telling people he expects them itive commissions over in-house. He and its role within the whole network duction teams up to speed in multi- off screen than on screen’: ‘If Tom to be ‘best in class’, so the challenge expects his teams to do as well, if not economy.’ platform working, will be launched in Archer (controller, factual production) of the strategy review, and its focus better this year but says: ‘I’d be wor- A snapshot of figures for Decem- Bristol and London next month. And gets knocked down by a bus tomorrow, on quality, is a welcome one. ried if the figures were the same in ber, when Strictly was at its height, from the autumn, APS (automated pro- I want to know who the three leading In February, Younge used the first every genre, every year. The fact that showed that in London production a gramme support) online pages will go internal and external candidates are of his weekly intranet blogs to at- the figures move around, sometimes third of people were on the staff, the live as soon as a programme is commis- for that job?’ tack what he says are persistent press violently, proves that you’ve got genu- rest a mixture of fixed term contracts sioned, he says. Young didn’t feature in last week’s leaks that threaten the climate of ine competition.’ and freelancers: ‘When we had 60 An outspoken diversity champion, list of executive expenses, but fresh trust that’s needed for creative risk He cites the live edition of EastEnd- percent of people on staff, that was who at the 2008 Ed- inburgh tv from the US commercial sector, he taking. ‘If creative teams are going ers, the 500th edition of Casualty, Won- clearly too high. The question for me festival famous- ly called is candid about the effect of the now to perform at the highest level they ders of the Solar System, Lambing Live and is whether 30 percent is too low. Are for managers who didn’t quarterly disclosures: ‘I knew that was have to have an implicit and explicit Seven Ages of Britain as key in-house suc- the deal before I took this job, and I expression of trust,’ he argues. cesses in his first quarter in charge. think it’s something we should do as ‘The way you get to big ideas is to ‘In-house production is and should be long as we can justify the sums. have the off-the-wall ideas which can the heartbeat of the BBC. I think that’s ‘In-house ‘But it does mean we may struggle be beyond the pale, but as you dial sometimes forgotten.’ to recruit high fliers from places like back in from those, you can get to the Surveying his inheritance, the the US. They won’t put up with that de- great ideas which can be real game former current affairs producer is up- production is gree of scrutiny of what is ultimately changers. In an environment where beat. Factual is ‘on a roll’, from The One their private lives.’ there is no trust, people don’t come Show to a revamped Antiques Roadshow the heartbeat One senior colleague was berated forward with those ideas.’ and Countryfile. Drama is also ‘in a very at her school parents evening about And he warns: ‘If I find out any- strong position’, with detective series of the BBC. It’s her taxi bills, he reveals. Another was one has leaked to the press I will fire Luther on air next week and the most The year’s home grown cut out of their parents’ wills when them. I don’t want anyone to be un- recent Five Days doing well in the rat- sometimes successes include Wonders their salary was revealed. der any misapprehension.’ ings. Comedy, Younge says, has ‘just of the Solar System with ‘The impact of this on individuals On BBC business support systems, turned a corner’, with The Thick of It Professor Brian Cox should not be underestimated.’ he Younge feels they’re more geared to and Psychoville back for next year and forgotten’ says.

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This is the page that everybody reads. Please email [email protected] You can also contribute to the mail page directly from the Ariel Online home page mail n If the remit of Doctor Who is to edu- expense, and the remainder is paid by cate as well as inform, then I’m sure the employee. Such a journey would many children learnt a new phrase Why on earth did the Doctor let Dorothy in? surely not have exceeded the £323 a on Saturday night. Who decided to put a DOG promoting Over Please can we have a written guarantee that night Mr Wright claimed for his hotel. WTF?! is the email shortform the Rainbow over the closing moments of Doc- rollover graphics will not be used again over It’s a shame when the excesses of a which, I’m sure, many grown-up few besmirch the reputation of us all. viewers screamed in unison as an tor Who? It ruined the dramatic tension of the any episode of Doctor Who? Hugh Milbourn animated Graham Norton appeared cliffhanger and spoilt my enjoyment of a terrif- The BBC is not treating its flagship primetime producer, Newsnight on screen just as the tension built to- ic episode. It was also unnecessary as OTR was show with the respect it deserves. As it’s elec- wards the cliffhanger ending of this promoted mere seconds later over the closing tion time, here is my ‘manifesto for change’: week’s episode of Doctor Who. credits. reschedule Doctor Who at 7pm and keep it Tap into history What the good Doctor was saying It was interesting to read Gordon I have no idea – such was the over- The issue of the DOG timing isn’t the point – there, no on screen graphics and remix the Conway’s letter asking why we insist whelming distraction of the pres’ there should not be any graphics rolling over sound asap – dialogue is being drowned out by on carting bottles of drinking water strap informing us that Over the Rain- any programme at any time. We get enough the incidental music. around the country (April 20). But bow was on next. trailing in between programmes – a crass rollo- Vote for Who! not as interesting as it was to read Surely the purpose of presenta- the reply from Workplace who say tion devices like this is to enhance ver doesn’t encourage anyone to stay watching Daniel Edwards that modern and refurbished build- the viewers’ enjoyment of BBC One the channel. CBBC ings will use mains water for drink- on a Saturday evening, not ruin it? ing – bottled water only to be used Since I have no idea what the Doc- where pipework can’t be fitted. tor was saying and all sense of dra- Calling the pot black rise in high strength cannabis varie- weapon she is On the face of it that’s very sensi- matic climax was ruined, might I I have watched, somewhat with hor- ties, branded Skunk. Presenter Ricky holding is not a ble. Unfortunately Gordon happens suggest that next week BBC One run ror, the misconceptions portrayed by Haywood Williams interviewed foil, it’s a sabre. to work at the newly built Egton both Weeping Angels episodes back the BBC Three documentary Canna- young users who were articulate, Also, her expres- Wing on the newly refurbished to back and dispense with the bis: Britain’s Secret Farms. well informed and thoughtful in sion seems to Broadcasting House site. Judging by Andrew Lloyd Webber advert The presenter clearly stated the their contributions. show the typi- the number of water coolers around altogether? aim of the programme was to find It never set out to examine the cal victory cry of here, pipes can’t be fitted. Rob Shergold out the true impact of the UK’s arguments for and against legalising the sabreur, so My home was built in 1931 and senior designer, BBC News skunk-smoking habit. Except that the drug. Also, as you acknowledge, I doubt she was came complete with plumbing. But most of his interviews were done the documentary rightly says there’s being ‘foiled’ in that’s nothing! There are suggestions n The deliberate spoiling of the at- with the police, who simply apply very little we do know about the ef- the metaphorical sense either! that the Romans managed to have a mosphere carefully built up by the the law, and with parents, who were fects of cannabis on the brain. Erin O’Neill archives researcher, written water supply 2000 years ago… makers of one of the BBC’s flagship unchallenged in their belief that The point is made repeatedly in archives centre, I&A Has the BBC just discovered run- programmes, purely to advertise a their children degraded into horri- the programme that there are many ning water in the last few months? programme that has already been ble individuals because of weed. people who do smoke, who don’t see How new does a BBC building have heavily trailed beforehand and was In contrast, all the pro-legalisa- it as a problem and who don’t feel Standing room only to be to be fitted with plumbing? trailed again during the closing cred- tion advocates were portrayed as they suffer as a result, without dodg- Amongst the £173,527 claimed by And what chaos is going to be caused its, is inexcusable and shows con- Peter Pan-like individuals in search ing the issue that there ARE stud- BBC executives over a three month when someone hears about Edison’s tempt for those millions of viewers of excessive giggling, without any ies that indicate people who have period was an expense claim of over Electric Light Bulb? who had been watching Doctor Who, airtime being given to the benefits of smoked cannabis have an increased three and a half thousand pounds James Hodgson as well as for the potential audience cannabis – and there are many – to risk of going on to develop psychotic for hotel stays by Radio 3 controller engineer, BBC Arabic and Persian for Over the Rainbow who are being cancer patients and people suffering symptoms. Roger Wright. treated as too stupid to realise that from depression. When making a programme on The BBC spokesman defends the n Gordon Conway bemoans the bot- their programme is about to start. The documentary rightly says this subject matter for a young audi- claims explaining that Mr Wright tled water/tap water situation and This growing tendency to litter there’s very little we do know about ence the challenge is not to patronise does not live in London, and had to states the need for ‘proper canteen the screen needs to be curtailed, the effects of cannabis on the brain, nor skate over the potential dangers attend the late night Proms. facilities for shift staff out-of-hours’. and the whole promotional policy but was perfectly OK at singling out of drug taking, but to produce a re- Unless I am mistaken, Radio 3 is Here in the News Centre, those reviewed, before even worse horrors THC as the cause of numerous prob- sponsible, entertaining and infor- based in London and Mr Wright’s drinking water taps which were sup- are inflicted. lems in British society. mation rich programme that allows proper place of work is surely only plying water of a ‘good standard’ Viewers can consult electronic It seems, in other words, that the them to make up their own minds. a few miles from the Royal Albert were summarily removed and the programme guides or listings maga- programme makers bought into gov- Hall. My understanding is that, hav- pipework plastered over by Work- zines themselves. And if, horror of ernment propaganda, and from the ing chosen to take a London-based place a few years back without so horrors, they decide to watch anoth- start asked the wrong question: ‘why Fighting talk job, BBC employees (and employees of much as a ‘by your leave’. er channel, isn’t that their right? is the drug bad?’ as opposed to ‘is As a former competitive fencer who most other companies for that mat- And don’t get me started on the The BBC needs to concentrate on the drug really bad?’ was subjected to years of ‘hammer ter) are expected to meet the cost of out-of-hours deal. Everyone knows core values, restore promotion to its Mattia Cabitza and nails’ jokes from people who all their accommodation and travel to that provision of anything is organ- rightful place, and show some guts World Service Newsroom thought they were being original, I and from work. ised by Monday-to-Friday staff, and in leading the way in providing a sol- must protest with regard to the cap- If the argument is that the event as such we who work out-of-hours id, grown-up and unpatronising serv- Samantha Anstiss, commissioning tion given for the picture of Olga ended late then I and many of my col- are of no moment whatever to senior ice to its customers. exec producer, factual, formats and Kharian last week (Ariel, April 20). leagues in BBC News regularly take managers of the BBC. Andrew Martin documentaries, replies: The pro- This fencer would not have been late night taxis home. The first 40 Simon Calkin, broadcast systems engi- preservation assistant, tv intake, I&A gramme documented the significant ‘foiled again’, as stated, because the miles of that journey is at the BBC’s neer, technology operations, FM&T

tor and could give detailed briefings ple overseas and was at pains that meals, in a flamboyant waistcoat, OBITUARY quite often to the amusement of his stories were as balanced, accurate enjoying a drink, a cigarette, a good colleagues. I became an expert on and interesting as possible – at- chat, a good laugh and good com- DAVID ROCHESTER dog passports after David had man- tributes that made World Service pany. David was a fluent German speak- aged to untangle the bureaucracy essential listening and made David World Service News head Andrew er who developed a fascination for and get one. sorely missed when he took early re- Whitehead described David as ‘a very the country after a school trip. He That attention to detail was also tirement because of his health five serious-minded and talented jour- worked in Cologne for Deutschland- a feature of his work, particularly on years ago. nalist, a generous colleague, a good funk in the seventies and, such was the European desk during the Cold But David had other enthusi- friend who shared our common his skill, he became one of the few War era and then as Europe opened asms – particularly his pride in wife commitment to provide impartial, non native German speakers who up after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Rosemary and daughter Alana. He authoritative news to our audienc- was allowed to broadcast for the BBC which David witnessed. also had a great sense of humour, es around the world. We all remem- German service which he joined in House newsroom and helped forge He brought that huge spirit of often self deprecating, which pro- ber him with huge affection and es- 1979. closer links between the department hope back with him. Indeed David vided many laughs in the newsroom teem’. In the early eighties he brought and the European language services. embodied the spirit of World Serv- and BBC Club. I’ll always remember Indeed we do. his extensive knowledge to the Bush David was a great communica- ice. He knew what it meant to peo- him at one of our team’s Christmas Nigel Margerison 12 Classified 020 7878 2313 a 27.04.10 a 27.04.10 www.bbcarielads.com Classified 13

:WHJPV\ZHUKZ[`SPZOZLSMJVU[HPULK )LH\[PM\SILKYVVT.LVYNPHU :WHJPV\ZZL]LU[O[VWMSVVYMSH[in *`WY\ZILKYVVT;VWHaOV\ZL near 7HYPZ Beautiful spacious apartment AHR`U[OVZ.YLLJL Beautiful country +HTPHU:LNHS7YVWLY[`9LUV]H[PVUZ :HWWOPYL+LJVYH[VYZ 020 8239 1148 or FOR RENT 4HYSL`IVUL>(near BBC). Z[\KPVMSH[PUJLU[YHS3VUKVU (5 minutes PROPERTY [V^UOV\ZLPU/LIKLU)YPKNL with Archway, London. South facing balcony, picturesque village of Khirokitia with steps from Canal St Martin, Place villas in peaceful garden. 3 minute walk Quality renovations and extensions see website for details Two-room study/bedroom suite for Kings Cross/Bloomsbury). Furnished. 3 bedroom annex. £750,000.00 http:// 3V]LS`ILKMSH[ULHY*OLSZLH panoramic views of city. Near Northern mountain views. Telephone 07712 131586 Republique. Contemporary, well to quiet beach, shop and tavern. Also carried out by reliable, tidy and friendly www.decoratorsouthlondon.com

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Mick (0797) 1549456 garden in idyllic riverside town close monthly rent from 1 June. zakynthos.com request contact Damian Telephone students only dating and friendship Inexpensive, flexible. :WHJPV\ZVULILKYVVTMSH[ Near minutes to W12 door-to-door, 40 minutes ownership/property-sales-details/ pool). No weekend stays. Highly to Med. Sleeps 4 to 18 in 3 cottages. Email [email protected] 020 727 7575 or 07961 357119 or email website in the UK Telephone 020 8840 1071. Email Perivale tube station (Central line), Tesco to W1. Well maintained with picturesque )LH\[PM\S4\Z^LSS/PSSILKYVVTMSH[ Mallard-House-SW6-2BF-2-bed :\UU`ILKMSH[PU*OVYS[VU recommended. £545pcm telephone Website www.manzara.co.uk us at [email protected] [email protected] and Ealing Golf course. Completely courtyard garden. Great transport, near with 100ft southwest garden. Share of 4HUJOLZ[LY 4 miles from Medicacity/ Robert on 020 7262 6308 9LTV[LS\_\Y`:JV[[PZOPK`SSPU redecorated. Private lockup garage. Willesden Junction, North Acton and A40. freehold. In catchment for top schools. City Centre. Brilliant transport links, bars, +HY[TV\[O+L]VU:[`SPZOvery well WANTED .\LZ[UV]LSPZ[MVY`V\YIVVRNYV\W& ;OLL]LY`[OPUNNHYKLUJVTWHU` *HWL;V^U beautiful, affordable £277pw. Please call 07928 711780 NW10 6UB. Telephone Ian 07968 241922 £520k. Alison 07846 879661 (`YZOPYLOPSSZ Aga, log fire, endless restaurants, independent shops. Ideal equipped townhouse very centrally walks from front door. Sleeps 6 adults Email [email protected]  Design, Landscaping, Construction 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom house in Hout 3\_\Y`ILKMSH[MVYZHSL>H[MVYK for relocation/second property. Secure located. Perfect for walkers and sailors. and Maintenance. BBC references 4VUKH`[V-YPKH`Lovely room with TPU\[LJVTT\[L[V4HUJOLZ[LY + 4 children. Website www:http. Bay. 18km from Stadium, £700pw. :[YLH[OHTMSH[ZOHYLsingle furnished )YPNO[JVU]LUPLU[:OLWOLYK»Z)\ZO Less than 30 minutes to TVC by train. parking, 2nd floor, balcony. £110k Sleeps 7. Some availability July/August. =PU`SYLJVYKZ^HU[LKContact Tony 9LHSTLHSZVU^OLLSZ a personal available, all work guaranteed. West ensuite, patio and own entrance. detached modern house, 5 bedrooms, theowlhouse-scotland.co.uk Phone: +44 1458 274 248 http:// room in newly decorated Edwardian flat. maisonnette. 2 double bedrooms, £186,000. Contact 07813 609646 (75% shared equity) or £150k Website www.dartmouthhaven.co.uk 01484 845999. Email sales@vtmusic. service delivering freshly cooked home London Based. Telephone John Shepherds Bush. £550pcm inclusive. 4 bathrooms, gym, heated pool, capetowngetaway.blogspot.com All mod-cons and close to shops and 2 bathrooms ensuite. Spacious kitchen/ (100% ownership). Website co.uk food to your door for family meals to Barrett on 07764 306322. Website Email [email protected] outbuildings, 2 acres, no chain, transport links. Suit non-smoking female diner and large reception. £299,950. www.chorltonparkflats.co.uk ,_WSVYL[OLNSVYPV\Z*V[Z^VSKZ parties. Call Corinne on www.theeverythinggardencompany. Telephone 07770 843346 £849,950, Telephone 01457 867374 :OPYLI\YUL7HYR*SP[OLYVL3HUJZ *OPZ^PJRSingle room to let. In shared professional. £450pcm or £300pcm Enquiries 07949 026242 email [email protected] Stay in luxury B&B. 07765 083154/ 020 8960 0086. com Email [email protected] 4HPKH=HSL> :7 Room to let ))3)Your perfect country retreat house with garden. £400’spm. No bills. 5-PUZI\Y`7HYRSpacious 1 bed Monday to Friday bills incl. Call Anna Website www.westhillhouse.net Website www.realmealsonwheels.co.uk in family house. Kitchen, bathroom, beautiful Forest Of Bowland and the SERVICES Telephone 07774 692864 Victorian flat in quiet leafy street close to 07961 336458 ,_LJ\[P]L(WHY[TLU[.YLLUX\HY[LY ILKYVVTOV\ZLMVYZHSL2 miles from doors to patio. Suit pied-à-terre. Stunning Yorkshire Dales exciting Crouch End. Large sunny lounge/dining *LU[YHS4HUJOLZ[LY 2 x bed/2 x bath- -HU[HZ[PJSHYNL+L]VUMHTPS` Mediacity. 2 reception rooms and newly £105pw inc. Telephone HOLIDAYS new development. Holiday and ,Bright, airy furnished double room area. £900pcm Available 23 May. :[\UUPUNZ[\KPVMSH[PU=PJ[VYPHU shower/balcony/parking/corner view. MHYTOV\ZLsleeps 8/10 beautiful ([H_YL[\YU[VJVTWSL[L& Let us help! fitted Moben kitchen, 2 bathrooms, 020 7289 3082. Available 9 May. Residential properties for sale on our with great views, close to Columbia Telephone 07903 262075 conversion, just 3 minutes walk from £249,000. Telephone 07738 967999 location, pets welcome, hot tub, garden For all taxation and accounting services secure south facing back garden. Ideally award winning caravan parks high Road, Shoreditch, Broadway Market Email [email protected] Ealing Broadway. Furnished, wood floors, (UKHS\JPH:WHPUVillanueva-del- stream and pond. Close to beaches, contact Anthony Wells and Co, Chatered located for schools/bars/restaurants in standard modern designs. Open each etc. Sharing friendly, tidy well-equipped shared large garden. £850pcm Contact /\NLILH\[PM\SYVVT^P[OIHSJVU`PU Rosario. Holiday house with wonderful walking, local pub 1 mile. Email Accountants . For free Consultation call the popular Chorlton area of Manchester. day Website www.shireburnepark. flat with one other. Easy for Central line. 5L^ZWHJPV\ZSPNO[Z[\KPVHWHY[TLU[ [email protected] or 07760 161699 5V[[PUN/PSSMSH[ Share facilities 1 mostly 5PJL-YHUJLCentral apartment, period mountain views from large terrace. From [email protected] Alan Wells on 020 8455 7733. Email £279,950. Contact Jon on 07834 601098 co.uk. Telephone 01200 423422 £595pcm incl. Stephen on 07788 744492 *VSSLNL9VHK2LUZHS9PZL Must be absent female. Details: building sleeps 2. Telephone £260pw. Sleeps 4.Many local activities [email protected] Website www.crowtreespark.co.uk seen. 36sqm Garden, front yard, separate >HU[LKShort let one/two bed weekly or ILKOV\ZLMVYZHSLin Ashton-Under- [email protected] or 07770 463152 07855 206177 including horse-riding, mountain-biking, /HWW`/VTL:^HWJVTThe exciting Telephone 01729 840278 ,HZ[:OLLU:>ILKYVVTMSH[ office. All mod cons. £1,000pcm monthly rental asap. London. Lyne, Greater Manchester. For Full details walking, climbing, photography and and inexpensive way to travel the world! Website www.threerivers.co.uk Newly decorated. Good shops bus/rail 2 minutes walk to Bakerloo/overground Email [email protected] contact Kings Residential on 0845 4349540 0TTHJ\SH[LILK[V^UOV\ZL 5VY[O>LZ[ Luxury 2 bed/bathroom eating tapas! Good availability May/June/ Website http://www.happyhomeswap.com Telephone 01200 423523 transport. £910pcm. Telephone + buses. Contact Ben 07960 081653/ Telephone 07811 344998 MVYZHSL Salford, Manchester 7. Two spacious apartment with parking. July. Malaga 35 minutes. Visit Seville/ 0IPaHnew availability bargain 6 bedroom 07976 6957 07970 069687 (SKLYSL`,KNL*OLZOPYLLuxury 3 bed 2 ensuite, bathroom, parking for 3 cars Situated in countryside (SK14) 10 miles Cordoba/Granada (Alhambra) and the hilltop house pool views. Telephone >LSSHWWVPU[LKVUL[^VILKYVVTWHY[ bath penthouse style apartment situated plus garage £165,000. Email from Manchester, great transport links. coast. Website www.rosariohouse.co.uk 0ZSLVM>PNO[*V[[HNL by marina on 5V[[PUN/PSS Large stylish, furnished, 1 Alderley Edge 3, minutes from the [email protected] £185k. Telephone 07824 472893 01993 831021 or 00 34 6995 38402 :V\[O,HZ[:WHPU Comfortable bedroom flat available Monday-Friday M\YUPZOLKMSH[ 10 minutes from Wood Telephone 07769 701803 River Medina. Sleeps 4/5. Lane TVC. Would suite couple or sharers station 10 minutes from airport excellent two-bedroomed villa. Beaches/ Email [email protected] only, short term. VAT invoicing, rent schools and good local shops. Spacious )LHJOOV\ZLMLH[\YLKPU*VHZ[ 0[HS`3L4HYJOL Large quiet farmhouse Golf nearby. Shared Pool. Website negotiable. For more information email preferred professional. £1,200pcm with pool. Sleeps 11. Available July 3-10, References required Contact. Richard and excellent value property used as a THNHaPUL Beach 100 yards. Sleeps 6. www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/ 3V]LS`KV\ISLILKYVVT> 230pw [email protected] or call second home. Available to view from Winchelsea Beach, East Sussex. Email 30 August. £500pw. Email penelope. mazarron/66124 07703 498436 Wood. Telephone 07802 636609 or [email protected] including all bills, wireless, all furnished, [email protected] 22 April. Price £349,950 Telephone [email protected] wonderful Victorian flat. Garden. 0161 980 5463 after 20 April. Telephone 07880 702959 >LSZOIVYKLYZZLSMJH[LYPUNOLH]LU 0[HS`3L4HYJOL Restored 200yr old Telephone 07551 315980 :HSMVYK8\H`ZHUK*P[`*LU[YL Mobile France (0033) 67477 5694 17th C Hall. Great walking, Pubs, Vintage >ILKNHYKLUMSH[£250pw incl )LH\[PM\SZLJS\KLK;\ZJHUMHYTOV\ZL farmhouse. Rural setting. Pool. Sleeps apartments to let. Contact Manlets car trips. Website www.nash-hall.co.uk council tax, TV, water. Spacious lounge, )LH\[PM\SILKKL[HJOLK.LVYNPHU (sleeps 8). Private pool. Breathtaking 8+. 50 minutes airport. Residential Lettings. Manlets.com Telephone 01544 267359 4HPKH=HSL> :7Room to let in bathroom ensuite shower. TVC 10 OV\ZL with large garden, original views. Website www.montate.co.uk Website www.villagelsi.com Telephone 0161 238 8978 family house. Kitchen, bathroom, minutes walk. Gerald 020 8743 6083 features, close to schools/shops, half doors to patio. Suit pied-à-terre. hour commute from Manchester/Salford. *HUULZ Chic apartment five minutes 5LLK[V,ZJHWL&Spanish holiday >VYRPUN/VSPKH`PU)HSPteaching £105pw incl. Telephone :WHJPV\ZILK:OLWOLYK»Z)\ZO10 >TPU\[LZ;=*Quiet room in calm £499,950, Call to view 07968 947414 from Croisette and beaches. Pool, huge cottage, quiet location, Website English pronunciation skills via radio and 020 7289 3082. Available May 9. minute walk TVC. £1,300pcm. Email flat on quiet street. Weeknights only. Low http://housenetwork.co.uk/my_site. balcony, sleeps four. From £400pw. www.spanishcottage.webeden.co.uk acting. 1 month minimum stay. Website [email protected] rent, all inclusive. David 07890 837093 asp?id=primhousegs&house=1 Email [email protected] Telephone 00 346 9107 4431 www.media-courses.com/bali

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14 Jobs See Attachment  Northern                     routes                          Lucie McLean, senior         development producer                       for Mobile, is on          attachment with the        BBC North external                       communications team         in Manchester          The Hot Shoes logo may be a pair of sparkly red              shoes, but so far my placement in Manchester has      involved many pairs of footwear.          Early on, I donned a pair of steel toecapped       boots for a visit to the MediaCityUK site to see the     amazing progress that has been made there. But       the pair of shoes I really needed was trainers, as a        lot of running around was involved.           The BBC North communications team is seri-     ously busy, with plenty going on.                                                                                                                        Lucie McLean, with one of the new friends        she has met on her attachment                  It is raising awareness of the Salford project     across the whole of the north of England, arranging      visits and events to highlight the opportunities that        the new centre will bring to people in the region.      At the Salford Business awards, for example, BBC                 North’s head of HR Ken Lee gave the keynote speech.    I met opinion formers in Leeds before heading    to Sheffield, where we set up interactive kit so that            people at the local football derby could try their       hand at reading the news and weather.     But the highlight was the launch of the down-      loadable Doctor Who adventure game: three of the     new Daleks arrived at Sheffield railway station         to meet the public and we took journalists and         school children to try out the new game. It was a            long and busy day, but the coverage as a result was     fantastic.     My placement has given me a chance to get to      know Manchester better as well as some of the    surrounding towns and cities. I’ve also met some         great people at Oxford Road and I’ve learned a lot           about the BBC North project.     It has also given me ideas about how we can make better use of the digital and creative talent     in the north to make even better products in FM&T when we move to Salford.   Exciting times lie ahead.             Been anywhere nice? Send your attachment stories to Clare Bolt

     

14 OCTOBER 08 ARIEL a 27·04·10 What am I doing here 15 Jeyapragash Nallusany Presenter/Translator, BBC Tamil, World Service foreign How can people get the Tamil You studied law, so why go into teachers and friends encouraged While at university you also took report service? the media? me to continue. In the second quite a demanding job… We’re available on FM, short Since I was a child I’ve had a pas- year I managed to get a scholars- In 2004, when I was 21, I was wave and online, but we’ve only sion for news, history and po- hip from some charities, which selected to be a producer and just started broadcasting on FM litics, and reading about them meant I could stay in Colom- presenter at News First on MTV, again in Sri Lanka. Last year BBC in books and newspapers. I was bo. Then I got accepted into the a prominent Sri Lankan news management ended the FM con- writing bits for papers when university there to study law. provider. It was a lot of respon- tract with the Sri Lankan Broa- I was 14 or 15 – the media is a sibility for me and I was new dcasting Corporation becau- great way to express my ideas. Your family must have been to the field, so at first it was a LORNA se we weren’t being allowed to proud struggle but I did learn a lot. As GORDON broadcast freely, and we went Is that something that runs in the Yes, but I lost my mother in 2002 head of the Tamil news service, to short wave only. The FM con- family? before I was selected for univer- I was responsible for the whole scotland correspondent tract was reinstated on April 15. I am from a family of labour- sity, and she never knew I got bulletin for five years. All the Our biggest audience is in the ers, and am the first in my ex- picked. Though she was sure I Sri Lankans knew me becau- reflects on a hot story north eastern part of Sri Lan- tended family to go to universi- would be chosen, it was a great se they’d see me every day – I It was not your normal in-flight ka, the traditional home for ty and break out from that role. tragedy for me that she never was often on six or seven days a announcement. The captain told us, as we the Tamils. We also have a My parents worked on rubber heard the news. My parents wor- week. At first my family couldn’t began our descent into Keflavik airport, that large audience in south In- and tea estates, and struggled ked hard for a small amount of watch me, though – we didn’t we could, if we were interested, see a volcan- dia, but Tamil people live all to put me through school. Even pay but she always encouraged get a tv at home until 2008. ic ash cloud out of the windows on the right over the world. The BBC’s Ta- though my sister got past the me and never asked me to go hand side. It was, she said, a big grey cloud mil service began in the 1940s. state examinations, she stop- to work or give up my studies. How do you find the UK? reaching 25,000 feet into the air. It’s a very traditional country. All Once we had landed it was only an hour’s Because Tamils live across the the systems in Sri Lanka were in- drive out of Reykjavik until the plume of ash world is it hard to find a focus for troduced by the British – educati- became visible on the horizon. your reports? CV on, transportation, laws... The pe- Although Iceland’s capital was more or less It is. Tamils have more than 2000 Education: Masters in international law and world ople are very polite and helpful unaffected by the eruption, the closer we got years of history – a separate and compared with other countries. to Eyjafjallajökull volcano the more its im- exclusive literature, language economy at the University of East London pact could be felt. A series of roadblocks was and ethnic identity. But because First job: Teaching in private tuition centres and There must be some downsides? manned by the country’s civil defence force, our main audience is in Sri Lan- individual classes while working in a call centre The tea. You can’t beat Sri Lan- comprising (because Iceland doesn’t have an ka, the news is usually based on Being both producer and presenter of kan tea, it’s the best in the world. army) well-trained volunteers who politely Sri Lankan issues. The civil war Career highlight: I can’t find any good teas here, discouraged all but the most intrepid to jour- and ethnic problems there have the Tamil news bulletin on Sri Lankan tv and I’ve tried many – Twinings, ney on. Then there were the measures people dominated our news bulletins. PG Tips.... It’s not strong enough living close to the eruption had employed to and the taste and smell is dif- stop the dust ruining equipment. In one village What do you do? ferent, so I normally have we found petrol I have to translate copy from ped studying and started wor- coffee instead. But pumps wrapped in the newsrooms, then present it. king to support our family from my girlfriend in Sri I had trouble cling fling. I also do dispatches – packages the age of 16. She is why I could Lanka has sent The Icelandic taken from our own sources or manage to study – my family me some tea in coping with people are a hardy BBC sources. We’ll do interviews couldn’t afford for us both to go. a parcel, so I lot: I saw several with the authorities and the peo- Despite these challenges I ma- drink that Iceland’s wandering about in ple. As well as speaking Tamil, I naged to get the best results in every day tee-shirt and jeans. have some knowledge of Sinha- my school in both O-level and A- when I’m bitterly Yet though I’d just la, the majority language in Sri level. For my A-levels I got into a at home. been through Scot- Lanka. This means I can commu- college in Colombo, the capital – cold winds land’s worst winter nicate with the Sinhalese autho- a very big thing where I’m from. Interview for decades, and rities as well as the Tamil people. It was a struggle, though. For by Adam was wearing thermals and a thick jacket, I had the first year I travelled to and Bambury trouble coping with the bitterly cold winds. You’re from Sri Lanka, so I sup- from the capital by bus because Perhaps this toughness has encouraged pose you’ve experienced the is- I couldn’t afford to stay there. their dry sense of humour. I asked one vol- sues there first hand? canologist what he thought of the journalist I was born in 1983, the same How long did that take? who persuaded a helicopter pilot to drop him year the civil war began. The Three hours each way – I’d and his cameraman on the top of the volcanic war ended last year with the wake up at 4.30, take the crater. I questioned whether he too would be military victory of the govern- bus at 5, and school would venturing to the top to get additional seismic ment over the Tamil Tigers [a start at 8am. It was a readings. His reply was curt and to the point. separatist militant organisati- difficult time, and at ‘What good is a dead volcanologist?’ on fighting for an independent one point I almost Iceland appeared a remarkably open soci- Tamil state]. Now it’s the after- decided to stop my ety, with one official volunteering the informa- math, and a reconciliation pro- studies because my tion that we’d just missed the president, but if cess is under way, but the poli- parents had be- we hurried we’d catch him outside a particular tical issues remain. It has been come sick from house a few minutes down the road. 27 years of war but 50 years of the hardship of The president, when we met, pointed to the struggle for a political solution. their jobs, but my eruption as evidence of the power of Mother Nature. I suppose he was right. The soundtrack to our time there was the constant boom of exploding gas and magma alongside the dra- ma of the plume of steam and ash itself. On the days that flights were grounded, it I am from a family of labourers and was a chance to reflect on the relationship be- tween man and nature. The irony was that for the first in my extended family to go the seven days we were in Iceland, the prevail- ing winds were blowing the ash away from the to university. My parents couldn’t country’s major airports. It was only on the day we left that Keflavik afford for both my sister and I to go airport shut. Our scheduled flight sneaked away three hours early, just before the run- way closed, because of concerns about vol- cano dust.

> CONTACT CLARE BOLT to suggest a colleague for this feature 16 a 27·04·10 green room ▲ THE ARIELAT0R WE HEAR THAT. . . A weekly take on life at the BBC: He may deal with the hard men of hip-hop on ▲ who’s up, who’s down, who’s off a daily basis in his Radio 1 and 1Xtra shows, but Tim Westwood (right) revealed a softer side ▲ when volunteering at Hackney City Farm last week as part of the stations’ week-long Local ▲ Hero campaign. As well as clean- ing out mess from the don- ▲ key shed and collecting eggs from chickens, Tim fed a baby lamb ▲ – an experience UPSIDE The audio activists at the BBC’s Save which seems to ▲ Our Sounds initiative, committed to building have prompted an online audio map of the world to preserve something of a ▲ ‘endangered’ sounds from extinction, are up revelation in the for a prestigious Webby award for best use of self-styled Big ▲ social media. Anyone keen to support them Dawg. ‘I’ve just against the combined might of the internet’s held a three and half ▲ hippest creative agencies can vote at tinyurl. week old lamb,’ he com/sosvotx. As a thank you, the team have enthused to Fearne Cot- put some of their favourite sounds – from San ton in a Radio 1 interview. ▲ Franciscan cable car bells to rowdy Tanzanian ‘I’m one of these guys who don’t hippos – up as downloadable ring tones, which pick up babies or nothing so I was holding ▲ can be downloaded at tinyurl.com/rintons. this little lamb and it was resting its head and it was bleating, and it made me feel really differ- ▲ DOWNSIDE Adrian Chiles’s sensational ently about things.’ Understand that! defection to ITV last week had newspaper ▼ commentators gasping to have their say on emmy vs the The increased scrutiny generated by his re- the One Show host. Parody pub landlord Al cent tv appearances must be stressful for Lib ▼ Murray lamented Chiles’s departure in The Dem leader Nick Clegg, but if it all gets too much Sun, calling him ‘the safest pair of hands in BBC Ukrainian have shown that he at least has the BBC’, and noting that ‘if he came round, all volcano an East European holiday home to retreat to. It’s ▼ your dvds would end up back in their boxes Stranded in Cannes after the Mip the show’s interactive nature, they not your usual bungalow either, more like a three and in alphabetical order’. However, the char- tv conference due to the volcanic decided not to keep it stashed in the hundred year old mansion in a 45 hectare park. ▼ acteristics that so endeared Chiles to Murray ash, events co-ordinator Holly Hin- bottom of a suitcase during the trip. The station’s interview with Ukrainian museum were not looked upon as favourably by other mers (pictured) and her companions ‘The Virtual Revolution was all about director Valentina Honchar revealed that the ▼ writers – a Telegraph piece by decided to take matters into their the web audience being involved in estate has fallen into disrepair since its owners Rowan Pelling entitled ‘Hol- own hands and drive back to the UK making the series, so as we carried it the Zakrevsky family – Clegg’s paternal ances- ▼ lywood wasn’t ready for in a hire car. A drastic measure per- overseas we tweeted and texted and tors – left the Ukraine after the 1917 revolution. Eeyore’ recoiled with horror haps, but they had also been charged took pics of everyone who helped Sounds like the place could do with a duck island ▼ at the thought of showbiz with delivering a precious cargo... and interacted with us along the way,’ or two… types being interviewed by The gang, which also included mul- explains Holly. ‘It was quite a road trip the low-key brummie. tiplatform commissioning execs Nick which hopefully put a smile on peo- ▼ Either way, we hope new Cohen and Martin Trickey and Tom ple’s faces, as in everyday life who Friday night presenter Dolan from digital agency Cimex, had gets the opportunity to see an Emmy ▼ Chris Evans pays his in their possession an Emmy, award- or even hold it?’ The award is now respects to the outgo- ed to BBC Two’s Virtual Revolution at safely with its rightful owners, who ▼ ing host by also grow- a ceremony at Cannes. Inspired by hopefully gave it a good scrub. ing an inappropriate ▼ beard. EARWIGGING CLOSE ENCOUNTER OVERHEARD AT THE BBC Early morning at Sheffield railway sta- ‘There have been talks commuters in South tion. There to promote of stricter ticket con- …I just wanted to look at Yorkshire had more the new Doctor Who trols at Sheffield sta- to worry about than computer game, it was tion,’ says Dan, ‘but your carrot. It gives me where their next coffee the first time the ‘new this was a whole new happiness... was coming from last look’ Daleks had made level of enforcement; week when they were a public appearance if you’d didn’t have a …She was very PR pretty... confronted by a horde since being revealed in peak time ticket that Win Kojak box sets of marauding Daleks the latest series. was it – exterminate!’ ...Don’t make me come and Plucky BBC Sheffield But what of the most Who loves ya baby? Telly Savalas is back as put it in your ear... bj Dan John- pressing question – lollipop chewing detective Theo Kojak, with the son (pictured) are the new Daleks as dvd release of the second and third seasons ...It’s not very sexy being at a crematorium, was on hand scary as the old? Dan of the classic crime drama. The show follows to gauge the wasn’t so sure: ‘No- incorruptible NYPD lieutenant Kojak as he dons is it?... ‘stunned’ body seemed ready his trademark trilby and hits the gritty streets of ...Hello, can you fix my printer please? I’ve populace’s to admit that the new 1970s New York in pursuit of the city’s toughest reaction to pastel shade colour criminals. Released on April 26, each six dvd box rung Rolls Royce? Sorry, I’ve dialled the the invad- scheme makes them set costs £34.99 and contains around 20 hours wrong number... ing mas- look more like Teletub- of fast-talking fun. ter race. bies than terrifying We have three sets of each season box set to ...I thought I just wanted to be friends with enemies of the Time give away, courtesy of Mediumrare Entertain- Lord,’ he confided. ment. To enter to win one of each, tell us: how Peppa Pig, but now I think I might want We still don’t fancy many episodes were made of Kojak? more... our chances... Email ariel.competitions by May 4.

> IF YOU HAVE A STORY FOR THE GREEN ROOM, CONTACT ADAM BAMBURY