How the Ascension Scanner appeal: got its What do you name - remember Back page of life on the island? - Page 6

March 2010 Number 2 A rough guider’s take on early flight Page 3

With highlights from Ariel

Nigel’s last stand over that Good Friday... Centre pages News The honorary islander

Life for former BBC press officer Chris Bates (left) took an unexpected turn after he retired. He went to work for the Royal Norwegian Embassy in London, where he discovered that there are strong ties between Norway and the island of Tristan da Cunha. As a result he became friends with islanders and, ultimately, an unpaid representative of the government of Tristan. Such representatives are vital for a community for whom travel to other parts of the world can take months. Thus, after similar conferences on Reunion Island and in the Cayman Islands, he found himself on neighbouring Ascension Island to discuss the threat facing the Tristan Albatross and other species. ‘So I've had to learn rapidly about the issues with the help of organisations such as the RSPB, the Joint Nature Conservation Council and other bodies, and the conservation departments on Ascension, St. Helena, Falklands, South Georgia, Gibraltar, Turks and Caicos etc’ Chris, pictured with Ascension Heritage Society volunteer Roy Haley, adds: ‘My old Stanley Gibbons stamp catalogues come in PROSPERO very handy!’ March 2010 • See 1966 and all that – centre pages

Prospero is provided free to Alert over errors in retired BBC employees. It can also be sent to spouses or dependants who want to keep pensioner tax codes in touch with the BBC. It Pensioners have been warned to look out for includes news about former mistakes in the millions of tax code notices being sent to them by HM Revenue & Review of working age limit colleagues, pension issues, Customs (HMRC). People should be allowed to work beyond the age of 65 and with more flexible and developments at the The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group hours, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has said. The commission wants (LITRG) says at least seven different errors ministers to scrap the retirement age, saying it is out of date and discriminates BBC. Prospero includes have already come to light with pensioners’ against people who want to carry on working. new coding notices. The commission's deputy chairman Lady Prosser said it made good business classified advertisements. To As a result, HMRC is advising people who sense in a recession to recruit and retain older talent. advertise in Prospero or the think they may be affected to check with The government has promised a review of the law. their tax office if a code seems to be wrong, BBC Staff magazine, Ariel, or ring 0845 3000 627, so it can be correct - codes are right,’ said an HMRC spokesman. claimants of incapacity benefit, and the ed before April 6. According to the LITRG, among the mis - newer employment and support allowance, see page 11. The codes determine how much of a pen - takes that are affecting some pensioners' tax have been added to codes issued for sources sioner’s income is taxed each year. codes are: of income which have now stopped The mistakes could lead, at worst, to peo - • coding notices for pensioners who still • the blind person’s allowance has been Subscription information for ple paying £108 extra tax per month, while have some employment, or income from omitted. some may not pay enough tax. non-state pensions, may not have included People who rely exclusively on the state Ariel is on page 12 HMRC has already explained that mistakes their state pension – which could lead to a pension for their income are in the self- are emerging because a new computer sys - big underpayment of tax. assessment system and are not sent coding tem, introduced last year, is bringing people’s • the married couple’s allowance, where notices at all, so they are not affected. tax and national insurance records together one pensioner is aged 76 or over, has not The Revenue has already advised people to for the first time. been included check with their tax office to let them know In the process it is trying to reconcile dif - • personal allowances have been incorrect if a code seems to be wrong, or ring 0845 ferent sets of data about past and present or left out altogether 3000 627, so it can be corrected before 6 employment, which may not match each • the figure on the notice for ‘other income’ April 2010. other. has been incorrect • Pensioners worried about their tax can ‘We accept and very much regret that • An ‘0T’ code has been given incorrectly, consult the LITRG via their website errors have occurred in some of the notices indicating no allowance should be given (http://www.litrg.org.uk/) or call 0845 601 that have been issued but the majority of • codes issued for the first time to 3321.

Editorial contributions CROSPERO 146 1 Devised and compiled by Jim Palm • 2 3 Write to Robin Reynolds Complete the square using the clues; these apply only to words The Editor, Prospero running across. Then take these words in numerical order and • • 4 BBC Pension & Benefits Centre extract the letters indicated by a dot. If your answers are correct, 5 these letters will spell out the name of a BBC programme of • • Broadcasting House yesteryear. 6 7 Cardiff, CF5 2YQ Please send your answers in an envelope marked Crospero to The • • Tel: 020 7765 1414 Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting [email protected] House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ by March 19. 8 9 Clues: 1. Act of conveying away (9); 2. Song of triumph (5); 3. • Please make sure that any digital Actress Oberon (5); 4. Skidded (4); 5. Blindfold (4); 6. Shouts (5); 7. • pictures you send are scanned Unhearing (4); 8. Nose-related (5); 9. Love of fine arts (5); 10. Hacks at 250 dpi (4); 11. Fidelity (5); 12. Journey (4); 13. Northern river (4); 14. Headpiece (5); 15. Words man (5); 16. Star-shaped (9); Note: You 10 11 Design & production editor: Ann Ramsbottom may also care to fill in the two incomplete down words; the first is a • 1983 Barbara Streisand film, and the second a Gounod opera. • Solution to Crospero No. 145 : ham; donated; low; pal; root; 12 13 beds; meter; asset; air; minim; onion; pun; crawl; eager; alee; twal; • • Mixed Sources far; lob; streets; led. Product group from well-managed 14 15 forests, controlled sources and The actor was Howard Marion Crawford recycled wood or fiber • • WWW.fsc.org Cert no. SA-COC-1468 c 1996 Forest Stewardship Council The winner of Crospero 145 is Miss K D Tugwell of Southsea. 16 •

2 • • March • 2010 News Presenter sues over ageism Miriam O’Reilly, the former Countryfile definition exposes every imperfection, and the oldest women still on screen at the BBC. presenter pursuing compensation over that was how my ageing female face would It was said in a way that implied I should alleged age and sex discrimination, says she be perceived by the BBC – as imperfect, not feel grateful that I was still allowed to be a was told: ‘You’ll have to be careful about young, glossy and flawless.’ presenter... those wrinkles when high definition comes She added: ‘Remarks like this were made ‘And yet, how very different it is for men. in.’ to women of my age all the time, and I Male presenters are never questioned... they On another occasion a cameraman believe they tell you everything you need to are seen as having dignity and gravitas.’ produced a can of black dye to spray her know about the culture at the BBC, where The BBC said it would be ‘vigorously hair. ageism and sexism are endemic.’ defending’ the case. A spokeswoman said: Miriam, aged 52, was one of four women She cited the experience of a fellow ‘Any suggestion that the presenters of in their 40s and 50s told in 2008 that they presenter, also in her 50s, told to have a Countryfile were replaced on the grounds of were being dropped from the rural affairs makeover and lose weight, and remarks age is absolute nonsense. programme. Former Watchdog host Julia made about her own hair. ‘Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury were Bradbury, 36, and Matt Baker, 32, were ‘The way my hair falls means that when chosen based on their proven successful among the new presenters on the revamped the wind blows it looks as if I have white track record as presenters and their extensive programme. roots, as my scalp shows through.’ rural knowledge and keen interest in In an interview in the Daily Mail , Miriam When the cameraman offered her the hair countryside issues.’ acknowledges that the comment about high dye she was ‘mortified’. She added: ‘Kirsty Wark, Maxine definition was ‘a light remark’. ‘Another time, a director laughingly said I Mawhinney and Martha Kearney regularly ‘But we both knew what he meant. High was a rare breed and that I must be one of feature on BBC television.’ Don takes RELCs meet off on a Sir Michael Sir Michael Lyons, chairman of the BBC Trust, will be taking part in a recorded inter - new view and discussion on all topics of the BBC as seen through the eyes and ears of the RELC’s vice president Paul Gouldstone at adventure the next ‘lunch’ on Wednesday April 21 at the seaside Miramar Hotel in Bournemouth. Retired cameraman Don Groom It starts at midday. is back in the groove after being The last lunch date, in January, was post - invited to document an poned because of the travelling conditions ambitious aviation project in on icy roads. Manchester. ‘However we have rebooked an extra sum - Don, a long-standing member mer lunch for Thursday July 8,’ says Paul, of the Rough Guide crew before ‘when we hope for a really hot summer day his retirement in 1989, has in all respects.’ joined a group of retired aero He adds: ‘W e look forward to seeing enthusiasts attempting to another large turnout in April with a broad recreate the first flight of the first spectrum of BBC retired people – from all all-British aircraft. of you who have been connected with the In 1909 Alliot Verdon Roe, broadcasting chain.’ inspired by the Wright brothers Contact lunch organiser Russell Horne at in America, designed, built and [email protected] or phone or flew his own Triplane. He 01590 624389, or email Paul Gouldstone reached an altitude of around 20 on paul@jasmin cottage.fsnet.co.uk feet, and flew for 300 yards. The achievement was followed by the launch problem, as Don’s filmed record of the so with some new tapes I was ready for of his company, and the birth of British project shows, is the motor. How Verdon action.’ Cy Grant dies aviation. Roe got into the air with a tiny He has produced a series of DVDs of West Indian-born Cy Grant, best known for Now 20 volunteers, ex-employees of nine-horsepower engine remains a the project at its various stages, from the his calypso commentary on current events in AVRO/BAE Systems in the north east, mystery to the modern aviators. twisting of the poplar wood propellor to regular appearances on the Tonight pro - have taken up a challenge from Eric For the unsuspecting Don, roped in the assembly of the body sections. gramme, has died aged 90. Verdon Roe, grandson of the pioneering after a game of golf with one of the ‘What I don’t know about wing warping In addition to his achievements as an aviator. group, the project posed challenges of its and the incidence of the propellor...’ actor, singer and broadcaster, he had the rare Their replica, a glued wooden frame own for a rusty television pro. But it remains a work in progress while distinction of being a black RAF navigator covered in artificial fabric, has been much ‘In my BBC days I would go onto an the engineers tinker with the engine and in World War 2. admired – so much so that it has a place assignment with an assistant, an wait for the right conditions to attempt He was also a barrister and author of a in Manchester’s Museum of Science and electrician and a sound recordist,’ he another take-off. number of books, campaigning throughout Industry. confessed. ‘Now I was alone. But the old Will it fly? Will it crash? his life on black issues and the white atti - But stage two of the project – getting it camera came to life, the microphone Don points out that the original Triplane tudes to Britain’s indigenous black commu - to fly – is proving more difficult. The worked, the tripod was still steady, and did both. nity. Poetry quest Joyce Reed, former BBC Manchester music BBC cuts red tape for freelancers production secretary who became an award- winning writer, is running a poetry compe - Pensioners still freelancing at the BBC will interest, are emailed to freelancers, who can to people who then have to sign and post tition to support charity. be relieved to learn that a simplified now benefit from a new web-based them back, along with relevant compliance Following a similar competition for short- engagement and payment processing system application called Supplier Self Service. forms. But there have been problems with story writers last year, she is inviting poets in is being introduced. Piloted by people on EastEnders , Supplier delays and rejected claims, often because of two categories – free verse, and humorous – It does away with time consuming Self Service enables users quickly to see and trivial mistakes made by freelancers to enter. paperwork and is completely online, making consent to terms and conditions, check the supplying information. For details go to her website at things speedier and easier, promises director status of purchase orders, convert those POs ‘We’ve listened to feedback and responded www.marplewriting.org.uk, or write for an of BBC People Lucy Adams. into invoices and receive rapid payment with an improved system that cuts the entry form, enclosing SAE, to Marple The move is in response to complaints by (normally within three days). process [from booking someone, receiving Poetry competition, PO Box 143, Marple bookers and freelancers about complex ‘Visibility’ is a key feature of the system – their e-signed contract and paying their (LDO), Stockport, SK6 9AD. procedures and slow processing times. ie being able to check what is happening at invoice] from 18 to 9 working days,’ says The competition closes on June 2, but Bookers, whose requests to hire people can a glance and track progress on a secure Paul Fiander, head of freelance contracting. early entries would be appreciated. involve initiating up to six pages of webpage, so avoiding the frustration that ‘We’ve taken freelance contracting off the documentation, now need to complete only inevitably results when booking details and naughty step, if you like.’ one, fast loading online portal page. payment are seemingly ‘lost in the system’. The postal system is not being totally Ally Pally reunion All contracts and associated Until now, the BBC’s Freelancer abandoned, he adds, as it is still available to The 2010 Alexandra Palace Reunion lunch documentation, such as forms covering Contracting Team (FCT) has relied heavily those without online access. is planned for Tuesday June 1. Notices and health and safety and declarations of on manual processing, with contracts posted The system was launched last month. more information will follow. March • 2010 • •3 Letters Letters Contacts This issue … A family snap at Motspur Park; the admirable Farquharson; putting the record straight; the new Broadcasting House project; and Club cover for travellers Visiting Scheme If you would like a visit or information on how to become a volunteer visitor, please ring 0845 712 5529. You will be charged Mystery of the missing carol service only as a local call. I received an e-mail from one of your The confusion and distress arises when Wembley in 1924. Queries readers, Brian Elliott (ex-BBC-TV). He was people with common names are included in The BBC broadcast the speech but was For benefit and pension payroll queries, responding to a piece I had written in the Picture this... the list. Which Joe Bloggs has died? What I unable, in those early days, to record it and call the Service Line on 029 2032 2811. Sunday Times in December about why the Imagine my surprise, on opening meant to convey is that it is impractical for it was thought, for many years, that no one Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols did not go Prospero, seeing a photograph on me or for the staff at BBC Pensions and else had recorded it either. But it later Prospero out in 1930. Page 5 with Christine Cooke and Benefits to research and clarify the identities transpired that an engineer working for the To add, or delete a name from the When the service should have gone out, Jimmy Doyle on horseback at the of up to 100 individuals for each issue – ed firm that installed the sound equipment at distribution list ring the service line (number on Christmas Eve 1930 on what was then Summer Festival in 1961. We are Wembley DID record it unofficially, and it above). Prospero is provided free of the National Programme (which later also in the picture, carrying our now resides in the archives. It was featured charge to retired BBC employees. On became the Home Service, and then Radio first daughter Amanda in a Names to faces in the Royal Family Album which was request, we will also send it to spouses 4), a concert by the Bournemouth carry-cot. The fascinating piece about RH Wood released by BBC Records in 1986. or dependants who want to keep in touch Symphony Orchestra went out instead, My husband David Webber was at (Prospero , February) unfortunately contains Jim Palm with the BBC. Prospero is also available preceding The Children’s Hour and ‘Haydn Avenue House for 30 years with several errors. Monday Night at Eight , which on audio tape for those with sight pianoforte sonatas’. The service was back the Equipment Department. Our began life as Monday Night at Seven , was Similar points about the captions made by impairment. following year, 1931, when Radio Times said daughter Amanda started in stores compered not by Richard Murdoch but by a number of other readers. To register please ring the Service Line simply: ‘This is a welcome reappearance of and finished up, 12 years later, at Ronald Waldman, who co-produced the on 029 2032 2811 the Christmas Eve Carol Service from Television Centre, in News and show with Harry S. Pepper. It was Waldman King’s College ...’ Current Affairs. who looked so smart in his RAF uniform! In the bag the pyramids of the Maya puzzle ours. BBC Club In 2008 there was a Radio 4 documentary Rosemary Webber The reference to 1994 and Glenn Miller For many years I have had the Benefits The shock of the old And look what happened to the Maya. The BBC Club in London has a retired about the service, marking the 80th should of course read 1944, and there is Alliance (Travellers Protection Services Ltd) It was fascinating to see in your recent Dick Gilling category membership costing £24 a year anniversary of the first broadcast and the travel insurance through my BBC Club issue that the new BH will have a for members; and £36 a year for family 90th of its creation. There was no mention reference to Maurice Farquharson, who had was written for for Ariel readers, to most of membership. Although I have not had any ‘gullwing roof’. membership. Pre-1997 life members are of 1930. Indeed, Radio 4 seems as much in joined the BBC in Reith’s day. He became whom the name would have meant nothing. problems with this insurance, my partner's This was a style popular among modish They come in 90s... not affected. Regional clubs may have the dark as anyone else. director of the Secretariat in 1940 and Jean has studied the Briggs volumes. She has luggage was missing on arrival in Athens last architects here in Australia in the late Who on earth made the bizarre different arrangements. I have been in contact with the archivist at served as the BBC’s Secretary from 1957 also been working with Alban Webb on the August, and we tried to phone the numbers 1960s. I live under one, which we have at calculation that 90 London buses could Please call BBC Club London King’s, Dr Patricia McGuire, who says their to 1963. Suez Crisis and its aftermath, and is familiar listed on the policy document on numerous last made pretty watertight after several fit into the redeveloped BH? Or do they administration office on 020 8752 66 66 or records show that Arthur Mann, who ran This distinguished servant of the with Mr Farquharson and his contribution occasions without any response. It concerns years. The problem inherent in this design know something we don’t? email [email protected]. music at the college and helped organise the Corporation lived on for thirty years after to the BBC – ed me that we could have been phoning about is that while a conventional pitched roof Courtenay Tordoff 1928 and 1929 broadcasts, died in his retirement; a discerning collector of something more serious than a lost bag. directs the rainfall outside the house, the Benevolent Fund November 1929 after fixing the 1929 one modern art, he made several important On return to the UK, it took three or four gullwing, known here incidentally as the Graham Stark of Bovis Lend Lease This is funded by voluntary contributions and that his successor, Boris Ord, perhaps bequests to public galleries, including a Speak of the dead requests and more than six weeks for a claim ‘butterfly’ roof, directs the rain inside, thus explains: from the BBC and its purpose is to protect didn’t feel up to organizing it in his first year Mark Gertler to the Scottish National In your response to the letter headed Sad something very wrong with the caption to form to arrive, and despite supplying negating the usual purpose of a roof. This The newsroom is 971sq m with a clear the welfare of staff, pensioners and their in the post or may have wanted a change; Gallery of Modern Art and Stanley Tidings (Prospero, February), you state ‘so the photo purporting to show G. Larkby requested documentation, the claim has still seems to be a courageous design height of 9.45m. We were referring to the families. Grants are made at the discretion but that is their conjecture, not definite fact. Spencer’s The Woolshop to the Tate. the potential for confusion and distress is and Leslie Mitchell. I knew Geoff Larkby in not been settled. decision, perhaps resembling the sale of Routemaster, recognised worldwide as of the trustees. They may provide assis - They don’t have any documents to prove it. There are many references to Farquharson considerable’ if 100 or more deceased were later years and I don’t think it is him. In any I wonder if the Club still recommends this IT systems etc. to Siemens. the classic London bus, the dimensions tance in cases of unforeseen financial Brian suggested approaching you, just in in Asa Briggs’s five volumes. ‘His services to named in the magazine. I don’t understand. case, why would an engineer have insurance, or has another policy to If memory serves, BH was remodelled of which are 8.38m long by 2.44 wide by hardship, for which help from other case there might be a retired member of the BBC were of incalculable value,’ Briggs How this could be so? I would like to see headphones and a lip mic. recommend? under John Birt’s inspired leadership, 4.38 high. So 45 buses would fill the sources is not available. BBC staff somewhere who knows about wrote. ‘Nor did they end with his more names mentioned (even if it is just a Isn’t it John Snagge with Brian Johnston? Valerie Simmonds and was again remodelled when his area at one level, and there would be this? retirement. He set a standard which has list) in this section and shorter obituaries of They would both have been very much reign ended. There seem to be new sufficient room for another 45 buses to Prospero Society Paul Donovan inspired all his successors.’ those who do get mentioned. Having involved in an OB like the 1947 Royal Amanda Head at the BBC Club tells me buildings for the BBC everywhere, not go on top. Prospero Society is the only section of the Professor Seaton was appointed to succeed worked in Birmingham for the BBC for a Wedding. their ‘cashback’ website features a number of least in the evidently unloved Salford. Our fact file quotes ‘it would be BBC Club run by and for retired BBC staff Lord Briggs as the BBC’s Official Historian considerable time I rarely see mention of ex On a more positive note, yes, Me and My travel insurance providers, but not, at Does this herald ‘genre-specific possible to fit 90 London buses within and their spouses. Its aims are to enable A guy from history in 2003. She seems to be reading herself in Birmingham staff. I am sorry to say that Girl was indeed staged at the Victoria present, TPS. Meanwhile TPS have settled multimedia clusters’ – or the translation the central double height space of the BBC pensioners to meet on a social basis Jean Seaton’s article about Guy Burgess in rather slowly. most of the content of Prospero means Palace, where it opened in December 1937, the claim. Lisa Holdsworth at TPS says the of the Corporation into the proprietor of newsroom between lower ground floor for theatre visits, luncheons, coach outings your December issue makes mention of ‘a Ian McIntyre nothing to me. But it was ever thus and there is an interesting story connected delay was due to the ‘slow return of the gigantic architectural follies whose and second floor’. etc. Prospero is supported by BBC Club Mr Faquharson’. concerning Birmingham! to the speech made by George V at the customer’s file’ from their archive function will puzzle future generations as And it would. funds so as to make events affordable. The name is misspelt, but this is a In fairness to Jean , the piece in question Ann Stephens opening of the British Empire Exhibition at company – ed . The only conditions (apart from paying a small annual subscription) are that you must be a BBC pensioner and a member BBC PENSIONERS’ ASSOCIATION of the BBC Club. Write for an application MMOONNEEYY MMAATTTTEERRSS form to: Graham Snaith, 67 Newberries a strong association for a safe pension WHERE are Avenue, Radlett, Herts. WD7 7EL, By Roger Hatherell same percentage as originally borrowed. telephone: 01923 855177 BBCPA has been working for over 20 years to you NOW? We all know that our home is Your estate (beneficiaries) will receive mobile: 07736 169612 email: protect and safeguard your BBC Pension probably our most valuable asset the remainder of the proceeds. [email protected] Why not join us? and we may wish to benefit from Equity release involves borrowing Technical Operations some of the wealth we have built against or selling part of your home so it BBC products Your support is vital to ensure our voice is heard. up in our home. Equity Release is Cashing is important to seek professional BBC retired staff are entitled to a 30% Just fill in the form below or visit our web site: I want to contact fellow members of the a way of releasing some of this independent advice from someone who discount off the RRP of most products BBC Technical Operations course value without having to sell up. fully understands the process and in the BBC TV Centre shop. There is a www.bbcpa.org.uk number TO 32 at Wood Norton on Most plans can provide you with understands your needs. By releasing postage charge of £2.95 per order Individual Annual Subscription £10.00 September 15 1969 for a reunion. an income, lump sum or a mixture equity in your home, your entitlement to (not per item). Pensioners must quote Joint Annual Subscription £15.00 Names I can remember are: Nick of both. state benefits could be affected and their BBC pension number when Life Membership (over 80) £50.00 Rodger, Steve Rogers, Jim Gray, Geoff The two most common in your downsizing to a smaller property may be ordering. Contact: BBC Shop, Sarbutt, Martyn Gillman, Kenny Mutch, schemes are lifetime mortgage a better solution. Audience Foyer, Television Centre, I would like to make a donation £ Crawford Telfer, Peter Eveson, Dick schemes and home reversion This article is aimed at people aged Wood Lane, London W12 7RJ. Tel Mulligan, Ed Harrison, Robin Lobb, plans. over 55 who own their own home. 020 8225 8230. David Cross, Paul Brooks, Geoff A lifetime mortgage allows you Email tvc.shop@bbc.co.uk. Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms) Pension Number Broadhurst, John Jetten, Alan Moffat, to take out a loan secured on the • For more Other ways to order (quoting your pen - Kenny Allen, Neil Planner and Pete value of your property. The loan biggest information contact sion number when ordering): First Name Surname Caldwell. I am already in contact with amount accrues a fixed rate of Roger at the LEBC By phone: 08700 777 001 8.30am- Graham Reed, Terry Reeve, Richard interest which ‘rolls up’ each year, Group Limited on 6pm weekdays. By post: BBC Shop, PO Address Walder, Dave Jervis, Frank Considine, or alternatively the interest can be 01179065530 or Box 308, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8LW. Brian Curtis, Keith Bradshaw, but there repaid on a monthly basis. The visit our website: Email: [email protected]. were a couple of others whose names I full amount plus interest is then www.lebc- Or visit BBC Shops in Eastbourne, can’t remember. repaid when the home is sold or asset group.com Brighton, Leicester, Birmingham or Postcode Date of birth Photos at http://www.tech- on death. However, if you live for For Equity Liverpool. UK postage £2.45 for ops.co.uk/eveson_to32_large.jpg and on a long time or house prices fall there may age and with most plans you can property until you die or sell the Release we can be telephone, post and email orders. Tel Number e-mail Bernie Newman’s Tech Ops site be no equity left in your home for your increase the loan at a later date if the property. The amount you receive paid a fee, usually Overseas: £4.50 for one item and £2 for (http://www.tech-ops.co.uk/page111.html) heirs. value of your property has risen. depends on a number of things, £300 plus VAT or each additional product for telephone, Please make cheques payable to BBC Pensioners’ Association. may jog memories. Most lenders provide a no-negative- The other most commonly used including your age, sex and life by commission. post and email orders. Please return the form and cheque to: BBCPA, PO Box 230, Alton, GU34 9AR If you were on that course, or know equity guarantee, so the amount repaid scheme is a home reversion plan. This expectancy. Older people can expect to someone who was, please get in touch. will never exceed the value of your plan allows you to sell all or a receive more than younger people. Equity Release refers to Home BBC PA Dave Howell property. The typical loan amount percentage of your property for a cash Unless you have sold the whole property Reversion Plans and Lifetime Mortgages. For details of how to join the Pensioners’ BBCPA is an independent organisation which operates 01582 764302 07764 335802 available can be anything from 18%-50% sum in exchange for a lifetime lease. at outset, when you die or sell the To understand the features and risks ask Association, see panel on page 3. to support the interests of BBC Pensioners E-m [email protected] of your property value depending on your This guarantees your right to live in the property the company will receive the for a personalised illustration.

4 • • March • 2010 March • 2010 • • 5 Life after Auntie Life after Auntie

Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust Fund But synod stops short of censuring the BBC over Good Friday Applications are invited for grants from the Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust Fund, which exists to help those engaged It was the most supported private additional opportunities on BBC Three and member’s motion in more than a decade, Four? And whereas then ITV still had weekly Oldies on in broadcasting or an associated activity, now or in the past, as well as their and it took up most of an afternoon at the live worship, popular Christian programmes children and dependants. recent Church of England synod, presided for children as well as documentaries, last The Trustees, in their discretion, will over by the Archibishop of Canterbury. year it failed even to recognise the consider giving assistance towards It was all about the decline of religious significance of Easter Day. BBC Television educational costs in small ways, such as How Nigel broadcasting, and the man stirring it up, did not mark Good Friday 2009.’ travelling expenses, school outfits, books BBC radio veteran and lay preacher Nigel He also asked: ‘Why is television so and additions to educational awards. Holmes, pointed to BBC Television’s failure different in its editorial judgement from the the air Other grants are made to help relieve to recognise Good Friday last year. newspapers and magazines? The Times sickness or continuing hardship not His motion, which drew 171 signatures, devoted a four-page supplement to covered by aid from other sources. These challenged the BBC and Ofcom to explain Christianity each day last Holy Week.’ With the help of a National Lottery grant, two include giving assistance to families or why the television service, ‘once exemplary But one speaker pointed out that living a elderly people facing economic problems, in its coverage of religious and ethical issues, Christian life did not make good radio or retired hands are making their mark with a disability or serious medical conditions, now marginalizes the few such programmes television: ‘It’s not broadcast material. But community radio show for Brighton’s elderly such as those requiring special care. rattled which remain and completely ignored the it is the gospel.’ The income of the Fund is limited. So Christian significance of Good Friday 2009’. Others cautioned the synod against that help can be given where it is most In the event the proposition was turning the BBC into a scapegoat, or Early January, the snow needed, applicants must be prepared to redrafted by the sponsoring bishop, giving it ‘a good kicking’. lingers in the side streets give, in confidence, full information about Bishop of Manchester Nigel McCulloch, ‘I want to ask not what the BBC can do but the shopping area in the circumstances supporting their who tabled a more general motion for us, but what we can do for it,’ said Brighton is clear. applications. expressing concern at the decline of Christina Rees, another lay member. Using a small hand held Those wishing to apply this year should religion on television generally. For Nigel, a founder member of the team digital recorder an write for an application form to; BBC It also called on mainstream broadcasters that launched Radio Derby in 1968 and an interviewer is asking older the cage ‘to nurture and develop the expertise to award-winning programme maker people how they have Pension & Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ. Returning it no create and commission high quality religious (including Andrew Cross and Sandford St. coped with the weather. later than 31 July. Applications are content across the full range of their output, Martin awards for religious output), it was Through one of those considered annually in September, and in ‘There seem to be ever particularly material that imaginatively marks a draining but satisfying last day after 25 flukes all interviewers have no circumstances can continuing help major festivals and portrays acts of worship’. years as a lay member of synod. experienced he also over a number of years be promised. fewer programmes After much discussion – televised on ‘It started in a unique way with a car stumbles on a homeless BBC Parliament – the motion was passed taking me to Television Centre for Today . person who will be which celebrate faith unopposed. Amazingly I got the 8.15 slot as there was spending his night on a 020 8752 6666 In contrast to Nigel’s background paper no major political interview. After five car park floor. in the way that natural setting out his case, the debate was minutes from Afghanistan just after the Job complete, the concilliatory rather than confrontational. news, Aaqil Ahmed [the BBC’s head of material is taken to a Making At Home This Morning : Lottery history programmes Nigel argued: ‘Almost ten years ago I religion and ethics] and I faced Jim compact, state of the art Bob Gunnell (left) and Richard Davis moved a motion in the General Synod on Noughtie and the interview ran for 8’30. studio in a sheltered winners rejoice in the living religious broadcasting which was passed ‘I was then driven to Church House, housing block where working with a Department, on through the Schedule Unit Congratulations to by 370-0. I had discovered that whilst Westminster, for a live 3’ into the BBC colleague it eventually forms part of a 55 in Bush House to leave the Corporation in Donald Steel, Kirsty world and gardening total output on BBC One and Two in the News channel with Torin Douglas. minute programme for older listeners, one of the BBC’s sell-offs. Mullan, Barrie Hawes, previous ten years had increased by a half, ‘After the debate there were further radio broadcast 4 times on a local community Bob says: ‘Coverage of the activities, Ross Ford, Grahame Whatling, Ellen programmes aim to religious output had declined by a third. At and television interviews. It left me radio station with a new edition every interests and concerns of older people in the Giles, Rose Daniel, Alexander Booker, that time, though, there were still 26 wondering how prominent politicians fortnight. city was poor so when the elected Older Phyllis Lippiatt, Helene Clochard and encourage religious/moral/ethical documentaries handle that kind of pressure day after day.’ Two BBC pensioners at work. The People’s Council spotted a group about to Dan Yeadon. produced each year in the Everyman /Heart He was supported with advice from two interviewer was Bob Gunnell, founder set up a community radio station we felt it horticulture’ of the Matter strand by the Religious other former BBC staff, Andrew Barr, once manager of one of the first local radio should carry a programme for older people. Broadcasting Department. A few years head of religion and education at BBC stations, BBC Radio Brighton. The ‘Working with the local Pensioners Forum Get golfing before there had been 48 per year. Scotland, and John Forrest, for 17 years a engineer/presenter was Richard Davis who and Age Concern and with help from the city Come to the club’s open golf day, Nigel Holmes ‘How many are there now even with the producer on Songs of Praise. started as the second engineer on Radio council staff, Grey Matters Productions was March 26, at Hendon Golf Club. £30 Brighton then progressed through Designs formed as a registered community interest includes 2 rounds of golf, breakfast and company. Using whatever equipment we lunch. could lay our hands on we had a 30 minute For details contact Colin Kane – programme on the air on the first day of [email protected] RadioReverb [97.2VHF] in 2007.’ The small group, which included some people from hospital radio, could not Cinema discount continue without proper facilities. An Off peak cinema tickets only £5.75 – application was made for a grant from the Valid all day Monday to Thursday at all 1966 and all that... National Lottery’s Big Lottery Fund, and Vue Cinemas (including Westfield W12). they received £9,000. Not valid at Vue West End and not for With the permission of residents and help Gold Class or Premiere. Buy tickets at Appeal to BBC veterans to tell the story of transmitter ops on Ascension of the council an unused room was made BBC Club sites available in a sheltered housing block. By Chris Bates international telecommunications hub, The society has five sites, one being The test equipment, a BBC flag and assorted Richard faced the task of buying portable Ascension Island – it’s one of Britain’s few participating in the Apollo man-on-the- Gallery (or museum) where original electrical and electronic components recording equipment and designing and Dental deal Overseas Territories, part of the same moon project, providing links for the telecommunications and artefacts, papers such as transmitting valves. building the recording studio. ‘It was 10% discount on private treatment at political grouping as Saint Helena and Falklands war, and hosting a NASA and photos linked to the BBC are on display. But I was asked to appeal to Prospero satisfying to take on the project from White City Dental clinic, based in White Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic, at tracking station. The museum attempts to cover the readers to see if more can be obtained – scratch, with my BBC experience put to City, Room 1423. They offer NHS and 7 56’S, 14 22’W, some 750 miles north Into all this came the BBC, opening its whole history of the island, but Pete artefacts, information, interpretation and good use. I also assemble the programme on private dental treatments, plus: west of Saint Helena, covering an area of Atlantic Relay Station in 1966 for short- Johnson of the Heritage Society says the so on. computer and present it. Making At Home • help and advice about giving up 34 square miles. wave broadcasts to Africa and South BBC section in the museum is very small The Ascension Archives contain more this Morning means I am able to use the smoking Behind that somewhat bald statement lies America and at the same time developing and ‘does not reflect the importance of than 3,000 photographs, of which maybe equipment instead of just building it. • a range of cosmetic treatments to an extraordinary history of involvement with education, social facilities and housing with the BBC’s contribution to the island’. 2,000 or so are from the post-1960s ‘The programme goes on to a memory enhance facial appearance, ranging the BBC and one which the islanders and Cable and Wireless and other users of the Pete points out that the 1960s were a period. The Heritage Society would like South Atlantic islands of St. Helena and comprehensive BBC display would stick, and is then loaded onto Reverb’s from teeth whitening to anti wrinkle their Heritage Society are keen to keep alive island’s facilities. So roads, the school at period of considerable change for the island. the help of retired BBC staff who were Tristan da Cunha, sea swell and high- certainly make the museum more Myriad computer play out system which treatments such as Botox and and enhance in their excellent museum in the village of Two Boats, charter flights, The BBC introduced central electricity based on Ascension to identify and date rolling waves can frustrate passengers representative of the history of the island. puts it on the air at the agreed times.’ Restylane, as well as invisible braces to the capital, Georgetown. even the hospital – all were developed by generating and a reliable water system. many of these. wishing to disembark. ‘Even so, visitor numbers are limited to The programme contains interviews, straighten teeth. Ascension Island was not permanently this consortium known as the London Indeed, before the Corporation’s arrival, It is hoping to source help from retired There are some tourists who go big between five and 30 a week in the two features, discussions, together with suitable To book call 020 8752 4953 or go to inhabited until 1815, when Napoleon was Users’ Committee in which the BBC played island folk lore says the only flush toilets on BBC staff on expanding the display, and game fishing, or who come to see the hours the museum is normally open on music. There is a team of around ten www.whitecitydental.com exiled in St. Helena and the British put a a major part. Some of the teachers and Ascension were in the American facilities. ensuring that Ascension-linked items are green turtles lay their eggs on island Saturdays. It is of course a voluntary volunteers who work on it, aged between 60 garrison on Ascension and another on support staff were recruited directly by the Not only did the Corporation improve the not thrown out when people clear the loft beaches each spring. And there are organisation and everyone involved has a and 80-plus. Bob said: ‘We pay £10 a Tristan, 2150 miles further south, to BBC (through advertisements in Ariel) and plumbing, but the BBC staff improved the or upon death. They could, for instance, temporary workers on the island – full time job, so more help, especially from programme to the station which does not Refurbishments prevent any rescue by the French. were BBC staff. island’s social life, by co-operating with be bequeathed to the society in a will. people on stopovers to and from the retired BBC staff, would be welcome.’ carry commercials. This, plus the nominal TVC has reopened after a makeover In 1899, what was then The Eastern Now people working on the island (there’s staff from other organisations to start One former BBC Ascension worker, Al Falklands by RAF flights or the Royal Pete Johnson can be contacted at charge for the studio, etc is now covered by including the gym. Work is ongoing at Telegraph Company laid a submarine no indigenous population – everyone is a activities such as the island’s newspaper Ingle, revisited in 1998 with his wife and Mail Ship St. Helena (which provides [email protected] or by post a grant from the City Council. the White City premises, which will telegraph cable from South Africa to the contract worker or a relative of one) have and a dramatic society. donated some relics to the museum. passenger, freight and mail services to through the Ascension Island Heritage ‘So many community stations seem to reopen in the spring. Meanwhile its UK via Saint Helena and Ascension. formed the Ascension Island Heritage Display items in the museum include an The museum is for islanders and visitors the UK, Saint Helena and Cape Town). Society, Georgetown, Ascension Island, devote their time to music. True community business as usual in the White City Other cables followed from South Society, and they want to reflect the BBC’s open-reel tape recorder for local alike. Ascension is an occasional calling Pete explains: ‘If a cruise ship stops, we South Atlantic Ocean ASCN 12ZZ. radio should use more programmes made by gym. America, so the island became an part in the story. broadcasting, a receiver and two pieces of place for cruise liners, but like the other try to open specially. A more Website: http://www.heritage.org.ac wider range of specialist groups as we did in the early days of BBC local radio.’ 6 • • • March • 2010 March • 2010 • • 7 Back at the BBC Back at the BBC ‘Serious mistakes’ on BH redevelopment The BBC has been criticised by the National Audit Office as spending on its new line digitally – we won’t Broadcasting House development goes £100 have to send out the million over budget tapes.’ The Audit Office report says the project, Goodbye During the move the which was due for completion in 2008, has archive will remain told ‘go for suffered from ‘weak governance’ ‘operationally live’,with BBC Trustee Jeremy Peat admitted that people kept up to date with licence fee payers had been ‘let down’. He progress made with a admitted that ‘serious mistakes’ had been ‘traffic light’themed older made in the early part of the Broadcasting to three-part poster campaign House project. (pictured). ‘We’re going to The report was commissioned by the BBC have processes whereby listeners’ Trust, which is in place to ensure that value for we can intercept the money is delivered. It looked at the BBC’s migration and get it to a Radio 2 is distinct from other stations management of three major estates projects: customer if it’s broadcast and its current audience is suitably the redevelopment of Broadcasting House in Windmill critical,’ Peter says. mature. London, the construction of Pacific Quay in Back at Windmill Road, These were among the conclusions of Glasgow and the Corporation’s forthcoming staff have mixed feelings the BBC Trust in its review of the move to Salford Quays. about leaving a place service published this week. The corporation is spending £2bn over a where they’ve worked for The trust learned that the huge and long term period on its new facilities. The decades and where a loyal Radio 2 listenership felt, new broadcasting centre at Pacific Quay in Road... sense of community has overwhelmingly, that the network Glasgow went over budget by £62m and Keeping it reel: Paul Doherty in the vaults of Windmill Road. The move will be completed in early 2011 inevitably developed. offered distinctive content – particularly faced a year’s delay, while the BBC’s Salford The Perivale premises are in music,news and current affairs – that centre is set to be completed around £76m The BBC Archive is moving home after 41 movable hand-cranked shelving.Workers can’t hold the temperature and it can’t a very different proposition. Outside the it couldn’t get easily elsewhere. under budget. years. It’s only a four mile jaunt to the with trolleys and lists spin them back and hold the humidity levels for any of the new ‘I&A Archive Centre’ resembles an It did recommend, however, that The BBC is expected to carry out an immi - new premises, but with around 100 staff, forth to open a gap big enough to walk content. Consequently material aircraft hanger: inside it is spacious, clean Radio 2 was bolder in its non-music nent check on all its projects in the wake of four million valuable pieces of media on into and find the piece of media that has deteriorates faster, we have to preserve it and 21st century – three things that, for programming – particularly in peaktime the Audit Office report. myriad fragile formats and a vast array of been requested – anything from audio of quicker, and spend more and more all its creaky charm, Windmill Road for which, it suggested, non-peak Peat said ‘There is still considerable room antiquated machinery to play them on, a rock band to clips of a famous figure money just to get it ticking over.’ definitely isn’t. comedy and arts could be repackaged for improvement, and consequently we will this is more than just a change ofscenery. urgently required by News. An alternative location to Windmill Road Different media will be stored in different or more imaginative social action follow up the National Audit Office’s recom - It currently lives off Windmill Road in Above them lurk occasional rain traps – has been sought for ‘a long time’ and the vaults, each sealed and temperature campaigns delivered. mendations vigorously and as a matter of Brentford on a trading estate hidden plastic tarpaulins attached to the inside availability of suitable premises in nearby controlled to ensure optimum conditions The trust also found that Radio 2’s urgency.’ behind a row of terraced houses. At first roof with pipes leading to assorted Perivale means it will finally become for whatever is inside. One vault contains audience largely fell within its remit – 82 The report recommended that for future solely dedicated to film storage, facilities buckets on the floor. The roof was reality. motorised racks which span two floors percent are over 35 – but urged the projects ‘proposals submitted by manage - had to be expanded to contain the designed to open in case of fire, and The interior of the new premises has and glide effortlessly along the rails at the network to guard against any fall in the ment are reliable and subject to effective burgeoning and increasingly multi-format occasionally rain makes its way in been purpose built to I&A’s needs, and press of a touch sensitive button. average age of listeners, currently challenge by the BBC Trust’. archive. through the cracks. ‘We’re in the lap of the current byword is digital. Fire extinguishing comes from internally standing at 50. It also revealed that the Broadcasting Within its huge, dimly lit storage rooms the gods here as the buildings aren’t ‘It’s about new technology, new ways of released nitrogen gas. There had been an increase in House project based around the existing lurk rack after rack of media, from huge sealed properly,’ says Paul Doherty, a working, and getting hold of content There is still free space here – a novelty listeners under 35, but this trend had building in central London faced problems film canisters to brittle shellac senior media manager at Information more quickly. We’re going to have better for the team. A vault is to be left empty, to stabilised, said David Liddiment who from the outset after a dispute with the gramophone records in yellowing paper &Archives, who is organising the move line connectivity and digital storage,’ says provide room for storage systems still to led the review. ‘The trust has asked developer cost £45m to resolve. cases dating back to the turn of the ‘Windmill Road is wholly unfit for the controller of I&A Sarah Hayes. ‘We’ll have come. Radio 2 management to minimise The Pacific Quay project, which cost century. stuff that’s inside it,’ confirms services more content that’s digital, so of our 4000 Whatever esoteric new storage formats audience appeal to under 35s,’ he said. £188m, ran into delays and was part-funded To save space, these racks are on manager Peter Skinner, ‘It’s too damp,it loans a percentage will be sent down the the future holds, it seems I&A will be The network has also been told to by unused contingency money. protect its declining number of listeners It had been originally budgeted at £126m. over 65 and over 75. But the report added that the BBC’s man - The trust had sympathy with agement of the three major projects has sub - ered to death his sick lover. Gosling was at the use of eye tracker technology in inter - study of the effect on journalists and other commercial radio’s complaint over the sequently improved. TALKING arrested and then released on bail after ques - preting responses to digital media. media professionals of covering traumatic cost of Radio 2. While high costs were tioning by Nottinghamshire Police for a day The graduate will do user testing with chil - events. Researchers from the University of consistent with some of the station’s AUNTIE AND HER PAST POINTS and a half on suspicion of murder. The 70 dren, evaluate results and establish good London will contact news people at more ambitious programming, the trust Pressure on expenses Jean Seaton, the BBC’s official correcting myths also matters. year old filmmaker was bailed until a date in practice guidelines which will be shared with random; participation is voluntary and acknowledged, it felt there was The latest expenses claims of the BBC’s 107 historian, on why she thinks the BBC history is especially important ‘We’ve learned the hard way that April. the wider BBC and the rest of the industry. nobody outside the project (including the potential for savings in talent and top decision-makers have provoked an out - Corporation’s history is so important because the Corporation (like many other outsourcing everything is not the The inevitable media storm that broke The eye tracker device measures eye move - BBC) will have access to the responses. production costs. cry from commentators and politicians. The institutions perhaps) faces recurrent solution,’ says chief technology officer, around Gosling, after he admitted in the ment, enabling a picture to be established of ‘Some points made by commercial claims include a £600 taxi ride and business Anybody you meet is – in the end – the problems. Is it too big? How does one John‘ Linwood. Shame it took’ so long BBC East documentary to the mercy killing what it is drawn to first, how long it spends radio stations we have taken on board; class flights to Korea. Revelations that 382 identity forged out of what they are and justify the licence fee? (It was never for management to come to this of an unnamed young man suffering from on each element, what it finds most absorb - Oscar nominations others we have chosen not to,’ BBC staff earn more than £100,000 – infor - what has happened to them. There is rational, no one would invent it now, but conclusion; it’s been self evident to Aids and in ‘terrible, terrible pain’, appears to ing and what it ignores. Armando Iannucci’s In The Loop is among Liddiment said. It was important not to mation contained in last July’s Annual DNA and there is life. It is just the same it works). How do you protect the talent? those who do the work for some have taken the veteran filmmaker by sur - It’s the first time the BBC has secured a five Oscar nominations for BBC Films. The ignore R2’s ‘huge public support’. Report – has further fuelled the flames. with institutions and particularly so with What is news? Who nobbles whom? considerable time. prise. Knowledge Transfer Partnership award, and others are An Education , nominated for best Digital sister station 6 Music was also It’s also been disclosed that the BBC spent something as large in everyone else’s life Who is in charge? How is it Nick Serpell He had not expected his graveyard revela - the BBC is matching the £36,744 figure. picture, best adapted screenplay and best examined in the review.6 Music was £229m on talent last year, including £54m as the BBC. accountable? NEC broadcasting rep, NUJ tion to ‘cause many ripples’, his lawyer ‘It has taken over a year and numerous actress, and Bright Star, nominated for best also deemed distinctive by its listeners, on its highest-paid stars (on £150k or more). Battling with young politicians and Indeed, in my darker moments recently Digby Johnson said. application forms,’ explains children’s pro - costume design. In addition, BBC One’s but there just weren’t enough of them The total talent bill represented 6.5 percent activists (and actually with the new I have observed that BBC history is In a recent report on the Today Some commentators have questioned duction innovation exec Fiona Macbeth, commission of the Wallace and Gromit film with reach at 1 percent of adults. of the licence fee with the top earners claim - Calvinists of the web who often seem to cyclical, but with terminal possibilities. programme, it was suggested that dog whether the frail-looking 70 year old should who has led the project with Sam Chadwick A Matter Of Loaf And Death is nominated in There was clearly a job to do, said the ing 1.55 percent of licence fee income. think that a utopian world has just been What should I investigate? What stories ownership equates to the same carbon have been allowed to tell his story in the in R&D. the short film (animated) category. trust, in raising awareness of the Defending the payments to top talent, arrived at that makes everything in the should I pursue? Who should I talk to? footprint as a family sized car. May I Inside Out film, recorded last December, ‘[This project] will help us design content station, being clearer about its mission Caroline Thomson, the BBC’s chief operat - past irrelevant), it is particularly hard to How can the next generation of history suggest that the canine in question be In a statement, the BBC maintained that it for children more effectively, share what we and broadening its appeal, particularly ing officer said licence payers expected the get them to recognise the power of the and policy actually use the BBC’s alumni hoisted onto the roof rack and broadcast Gosling’s revelation ‘for reasons of learn with developers and save time.’ Paddle power among older listeners. corporation to hire quality performers, who BBC in their lives because like the air – the people who have worked for the ‘plumbed’ into the fuel intake of the journalistic integrity’, adding: ‘We believe we Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton has The 6 Music service licence has now were at the heart of programmes and ‘added they breathe it has formed and sustained thing – better? car engine. The flatus produced would, have handled the report sensitively and passed the half-way mark in her grueling been amended so that it refers to the credibility, expertise and creativity of them in ways they just take for granted. So many stories, such a storehouse of I expect, propel the car not only down appropriately.’ Making a killing attempt to paddle the length of the Amazon specifically to ‘a service that celebrates the BBC’. So getting the BBC history into the wit and endeavour and wisdom. That is the road but into the very future of The presenter had been kept fully The live denouement of EastEnders Who in a kayak. She has tripled the previous the alternative spirit in popular music’. Culture select committee member Philip bloodstream matters. the next challenge: to set a net for carbon neutral technology. informed about representation of his story Killed Archie plot was watched by 16.6m record for the longest solo journey by kayak, The review had been an ‘insightful Davies was one critic renewing calls for the Hanging onto experience and stories and useful exchange. Nick Young and understood that a revelation of this people at its peak, almost 60 percent of the clocking up more than a thousand miles in and illuminating process which has BBC to reveal individual artists’ salaries, so nature could have a number of conse - audience for the slot. That makes the show three weeks. She also set a record for the allowed us to identify elements that we that ‘the public can decide whether our quences, the BBC said. ‘We were under no the most-watched programme of the year so longest distance in 24 hours in a kayak by a need to improve’, said Bob Shennan, licence fee is being well spent or not’. And He argued that such disclosure would be attracted much comment – as did Huggers’ Explaining the cab fare, the BBC said it legal obligation to refer the matter to the far on any tv channel, a record previously woman by paddling 75 miles of the river in controller of both networks. Philip Hensher, writing in the Independent , ‘deleterious… and would put prices up’. £627 single taxi fare in the US. He and reflected typical day rates for the hire of a car police in these circumstances.’ held by the New Year’s Day episode, featur - just one day. Plans were in train to build bridges labelled the BBC’s talent costs ‘fantasy As for the expenses of BBC senior staff, the Thompson travelled to the Far East to meet with driver, thereby maximising working ing the Masood wedding. And BBC Three between Radio 2 peaktime and evening money…not fuelled by market demands, figures for July to September 2009 were with technology organisations and interna - time en route. got a record audience for a non terrestrial schedules: ‘We also remain committed when the BBC constitutes most of the mar - £188,284 – up £13,000 on the previous tional broadcasters. Eye test channel with 4.3m people turning on Wogan’s run to our target demographic of over-35s ket’. quarter. A BBC spokesperson said: ‘In line with In a unique optical experiment a psychology EastEnders Live: The Aftermath. Rajar figures show that Terry Wogan went and will work hard to keep our older When the director-general Mark In particular, business flights to Korea and BBC expenses policy, given that the flight Questions for Gosling graduate will join BBC Children’s this spring out on a high, his final Radio 2 morning listeners entertained and informed,’ Thompson appeared before the Public Japan by was long haul and they were working imme - Nottingham’s Inside Out team has been co- on an 18 month project with Salford shows attracting 8.1 million listeners a Shennan added. Accounts Committee, he was again chal - Thompson (£5616) and Future Media and diately when they landed, they travelled operating with police, following Ray University. Trauma study week – equalling his best ever figures. He lenged about revealing individual stars’ pay. Technology director Erik Huggers (£7514) business class.’ Gosling’s on-air admission that he smoth - The part government-funded role will look BBC News is taking part in an independent beat Radio 1 rival Chris Moyles by almost 8 • • March • 2010 March • 2010 • • 9 Obituaries Obituaries Death of Ballerina who introduced the Bolshoi to millions Classifieds Elba island Beautiful private apartment in Porto Azzurro,overlooking the sea. Sleeps Margaret Dale was a dancer with Sadler’s acting as story-teller for Goldilocks and the of dancers interested in the potential of the the productions she adapted for the screen major documentaries on aspects of dance 5-6 All inclusive rates Wells Ballet before becoming a producer of Three Bears .’ new medium. were Coppélia , Giselle and Petrouchka all including several for Omnibus, among them Tel:01260227262 or email a rugby [email protected] dance programmes for the BBC. She had a close shave while on tour with a She made a number of important featuring Nadia Nerina, Ninette de Valois’ features on Dame Ninette de Valois, Born in Newcastle in 1922, she studied company that included Margot Fonteyn and recordings of the Bolshoi, indeed according ballets Checkmate and The Rake’s Progress Nureyev and Léonide Massine. Seaview, Isle of Wight . Wanting to get with Nellie Potts at Sadler’s Wells School Frederick Ashton. They were in Holland to BBC statistics, a staggering nine and a and Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal Margaret left the BBC in 1976 to teach away for a break? Pleasant ETB 4* Studio before joining the Sadler’s Wells Ballet in when the Germans invaded. half million people tuned in to watch Music Gardée , Les Rendezvous , The Dream and and undertake research, spending Annexe, sleeps 2 comfortably. Near legend 1939. She made her debut as the Child in ‘The company fled to the coast and at Ten: Swan Lake Act II . Monotones . She was also producer of considerable time in Canada where she was Beach and Village. For details contact Ninette de Valois’s ballet The Emperor’s New managed to get on one of the last ships to This figure is even more remarkable when innovative made-for-screen ballets most appointed Chair of York University’s [email protected] or The night before the Rugby World Cup Clothes . leave,’ says Tony. ‘Bombing had started it is appreciated that it then equalled almost notably Peter Darrell’s The House Party Department of Dance. Tel 01983 812180. final of 1991 at Twickenham, four of us She told her pension visitor Tony Byers around them. The scores and scenery were half the adult viewing public who had access (1964) Bob Lockyer, former executive producer Dunoon, Argyll , Spacious house(sleeps went out for a meal in a restaurant in that she danced for BBC Television before abandoned.’ to a television. In her first decade as a producer and for dance programmes, said of Margaret 8) & cottage(for 4) directly on sea-front, Richmond. Bill McLaren had insisted the war at Ally Pally. In 1954 Margaret Dale began working In 1961 Margaret signed a contract to director she focused on presenting and Dale: ‘She was one in a long line of with large garden, private parking, & on an early evening start and an early ‘She recalled running down the corridor with the BBC where she presented a wide record nine ballets performed by The creating ballets, aiming to express ‘as much television producers who, brought ballet to panoramic sea views. All modern finish because he had a big day ahead, between two studios and also climbing on range of dance companies while they were Royal Ballet over three years, enabling her of the feeling of the stage production as is the small screen, and she certainly had a comforts. STB 3-star. Discounts for longer commentating on England-Australia. to Mr Middelton’s knee [Mr Middleton was visiting London and from 1957 recorded to document one of the most exciting possible on the small screen’. During her major role in the popularization of ballet in stays. See www.lyallcliff.co.uk or tel 01369 As the evening progressed and the the tv gardener of his day]. I believe he was established ballets in the studio with a group periods in that company’s history. Among second decade she also made a series of Britain.’ 702041. restaurant got busier, more and more Pembrokeshire Coast: Two bedroom people in town for the final recognised cottage with panoramic sea views. One that Bill was there, and one by one they minute from beach and coastal path. came over for an autograph. The Tel: 020 8449 7816; or contact autographs became chats, the chats [email protected] became conversations, and almost like Happy times at Harwood House Brittany, Dinan. Delightful medieval a roll-on roll-off ferry, a string of total Care and riverside town with many restaurants. strangers ended up sitting down for Bill Farrow, who sadly passed away in August at Attractive apartment in old merchant’s dinner with us. the age of 84, worked in P&ID at Harwood house; quiet, central. Beaches, walks The original occupants of the table, House 1949 to 1977. close. Near St Malo channel port and myself included, just sat back and He was a head draughtsman involved in TV Dinard airport (Ryanair). Sleeps 2, watched as Bill chatted about rugby, mast design, setting setting up the studies at double or twin. From £185pw. 020 8995 rugby and more rugby. It was a subject Pebble Mill, and the introduction of colour. 8543 [email protected] he simply never tired of. He was much strong He was very conscientious and popular and Spain: near MARBELLA/PUERTO later to bed than he’d anticipated. enjoyed life at the BBC – as this photograph BANUS. Lovely villa,pools,sleeps 6- When Bill talked rugby, he spoke with from a Christmas party at the BBC Club bears 8,walk to beach. Contact understanding and passion, and he witness. [email protected] Visit spoke about it the same way with a Bill was very family orientated. He had 5 http://web.me.com/drskelly/robertsvillas seasoned All Black and a member of children and 11 grandchildren. for details. 02089524369/07768285337 the Old Alleynians 4th XV. He was Anne Jolly (daughter) Menorca: Detached villa with private astonishingly even-handed with leadership pool, sleeps 2-7. From £498 p.w. For everyone, full of such genuine goodwill • Bill is pictured in the centre – but who are his brochure/prices 01621 741810 or visit that in an almost evangelical way, you colleagues? Write to www.menorcaholidayvilla.co.uk felt spiritually uplifted having spent time [email protected], or c/o BBC Rambler’s retreat, Niton, I.O.W. in his company. Pensions and Benefits Centre, Cardiff CF5 2YQ Holiday chalet set in peaceful and private The Rugby World Cup in South Africa landscaped gardens at the southern tip in 1995 meant spending hours just in the visual arts of the Island. Sleeps two; double bed. listening to tales of life as a teacher, as Ideal base for walkers - coastal path a player, of bygone days in his beloved Brian Tregidden lost his fight with cancer The priority now was on cost effectiveness His skills attracted the attention of Leicester daughter Linda and son David, and their the Complete Shakespeare . There was an enthusiasm and warmth passes our entrance. 01372 462732 or Borders, of commentaries far and wide, in November. He fought the disease with and managerial responsibility. Having City FC, and he was offered a trial. He took families He directed the first serial shot entirely on about the way he conducted business which www.cottageguide.co.uk/ramblersretreat all told with no edge and not a hint of unyielding courage and the strength of proven his ability to deal with this task mother’s advice, and settled for a ‘proper Bill Jones and Cedric Rich location with a two-camera OB unit, The made him a popular member of the team. Does anyone out there have self-glorification. character that he displayed throughout his Brian was invited to take over as head of job’! Mayor of Casterbridge . He leaves a wife, Doreen, and four children. serviceable Ferrograph or studer and/or Words like ‘great’, ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ life and career. graphic design, which was also facing Alan joined the BBC as a youth in Though known as an actors’ director, he Bob Gunnell able to dub quarter inch tape to disc? are bandied about far too regularly As a teenager he attended Willesden difficulties arising from new accounting training at a low-powered radio transmitter Empathy with actors was technically astute and used cameras Will pay reasonable rates, to revive these days but Bill fully justified all School of Art where he was given a systems and the advent of computer near Exeter. He later worked in the Bristol Listing David Giles ’s tv directing credits, with boldness and subtlety; for instance a treasured memories. three. He’d been an integral part of the thorough training in fine art and figure generated graphics which he recognised as a control room, before moving to a similar impressive as they are, in no way conveys seven minute handheld tracking shot with Roving Eye pioneer Jim Latham 01778 440025 BBC’s most glorious years as a sports drawing under the guidance of the head of true child of electronics and a valuable tool position in London. the warmth, intelligence and charm of the Alan Bates and Anna Massey quarrelling as Ronald Knox sadly passed away on [email protected] broadcaster, and for almost half a painting Bill Brooker ARA, ‘a great teacher’ which advanced the scope of television Like many of a similar age, he was called man himself. Henchard and his mistress. December 19 after a long fight against can - who became a lifelong friend. graphic design. Brian turned things around up for National Service, in his case in the Actors loved to work for him; many of his An OB unit was used again for the cer Brian and his wife Judy were students and consolidated his reputation as a valued RAF. After completion he returned to BBC colleagues – script editors, designers, location scenes in one of David’s favourite He started at the BBC palace of the arts at How to advertise together, and they recalled their time at member of the Corporation’s staff. London control room duties, before costume, make-up and production staff – productions, The Barchester Chronicles , Wembley in 1955 as a rigger driver for the Prospero Classifieds, Willesden with much affection. Brian retired in 1994 and accepted an transferring to the recently formed television became lifelong friends, as did writers such starring Donald Pleasence and Nigel outside broadcast department, which later BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Brian joined Television design department invitation from Telezig, a TV station in New outside broadcast unit in Bristol in 1957. as Alan Plater and producers including Hawthorne and giving Alan Rickman his moved to Kendal Avenue. Broadcasting House, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ in 1964 – where he established his York, to be their guest creative director for Whilst in London he played for the BBC David Reid ( The Strauss Family ) and first major screen role as Mr Slope. He was known by friends as Collie or Please enclose a cheque made payable to: reputation as a perceptive designer of light arts programmes and graphic design. Club first eleven at centre-forward and was Richard Bates ( The Darling Buds of May ). Later tv credits include Hetty Wainthropp Colin, as there were already two Ronalds BBC Central Directorates. entertainment and music and arts We were friends for 45 years, having been presented with the Club’s Dormer Trophy as David’s first BBC directing was on the Investigates and A Murder Has Been working at the time, and the nickname was Rate: £5 for 20 words productions. colleagues in television design and, in our sportsman of the year. Over a period of only black and white soap Compact , but he Announced (Miss Marple, with Joan taken from the author Collie Knox. In a covering letter please include your Brian created sparkling designs for Music retirement, as members of the prestigious 15 games in the AFA league he scored 43 became well known for directing the lion’s Hickson). In 1957 he became rigger supervisor with pension number for You , The Black & White Minstrels , the Artists Society and Langham Sketching goals. Hardly surprising that he was invited share of The Forsyte Saga (with Eric Porter, David continued to work in the theatre, OBs. He was the first to drive and work the To advertise in Ariel, contact: Ten Alps Eurovision Song Contest , The Dave Allen Club where Brian’s immense talent and fine to play for the Wimbledon Dons! where his career began, doing new work Roving Eye vehicle giving live coverage from Publishing Ltd, Tel: 020 7878 2313 Show , Cilla Black and Morecambe and Wise , draughtsmanship was a source of constant In Bristol Alan was soon promoted to such as Smoking With Lulu (at the Yorkshire a moving platform, and was later the first to among many others. admiration. sound supervisor as television expanded. Playhouse, transferred to the Soho Poly) and drive the CRE Citroen car which followed He relished designing for the drama series Brian devoted his life to art and design. This expansion eventually resulted in Bristol The Quiz (with David Bradley) usually with the race horses from the start and then Warship – his National Service was with the He has left us with a legacy of beautiful becoming a network production centre with his regular theatre designer and partner, around the track. Royal Navy – and he always took much drawings and the memory of a kind and radio and television operations combining, Kenneth Mellor. During his service on the road he managed Changing pleasure in everything to do with the sea compassionate man. increasing the range of programmes that Marcia Wheeler and Betty Willingale to cover most of the major horse racing your and ships. On behalf of his friends and colleagues in Alan was responsible for as a sound events, Songs of Praise all around the country, century he embodied rugby union to Because of the quality of his designs and design group and ‘The Langham’, and in supervisor and later to a greater extent as an the first Pot Black snooker programme and address? the watching world. his knowledge and interest in the visual arts, gratitude for a lifetime of affectionate engineering manager. These included studio Brighton organiser the live Christmas Day message by the I was walking the dog in Richmond Brian was sought for arts related friendship, we send sincerest condolences to and location drama, sport of all Jim Parr , who died on January 3 aged 85, Queen at Buckingham Palace. He was also Park when my phone went with the programmes, a choice confirmed by his Judy, son Jan and daughter Emma. descriptions, Going for a Song , One Man and was a member of the BBC Radio Brighton the unit supervisor for the England- news of Bill’s death. Other nearby dog- imaginative setting for Kafka’s Clifford and Barbara Hatts His Dog , church services, Songs of Praise and team for 10 years. Germany World Cup at Wembley in 1966. Send details to: walkers must have wondered why this Metamorphosis and for his work for Full many more. Starting as a freelance contributor in 1973, After spending 12 years on the road grown man started shedding a few House , a showcase of all that was dynamic His participation in sport continued with he initially concentrated on the arts Ronald changed jobs to become transport Prospero tears. But as the news became public, I and controversial in the visual arts and On top of his game golf, as a very competitive member of [understandably because he came to us after supervisor at Kendal Avenue, looking after Care of BBC Pension started receiving text messages from literature. We are sad to report the sudden death of Henbury Golf Club. In 1969, with a Maggie Tyzack and Susan Hampshire). He working with the Ulster Orchestra and the all the OB trucks, television film vehicles contemporaries at university and He was appointed senior designer, with Alan Hitchcock on Friday November 13. colleague, he won for the third consecutive directed all 12 episodes of The First Northern Ireland Arts Council]. and crews. and Benefits Centre, beyond. All hugely upset, many saying responsibility for a group of design staff – a At his funeral his many friends, colleagues year the Will’s Press Golf Tournament. Churchills (with John Neville and Susan It was a measure of his production skills Just before retirement in 1988 he was Broadcasting House, they’d cried too. role to which he brought care and strong and neighbours overflowed the chapel at After 44 years Alan retired from the BBC Hampshire, who won an Emmy). that he soon took over as the station’s awarded the British Empire Medal for serv - Bill was that important to so many of leadership. Bristol Crematorium. to enjoy time with his close family. Other BBC credits include serials such as education producer working with the town’s ices to the television industry. Cardiff, us. The soundtrack of the game, and In 1977 at the peak of his career, at a time Alan was a Devonian, growing up in Tragically, Alan was predeceased by his Sense and Sensibility , Resurrection , Vanity colleges and schools. The family are grateful for the cards and CF5 2YQ the soundtrack of part of our youth. of change in operational methods at Exmouth. Always keen on sport, he played youngest daughter Jo and by his wife Fair and Mansfield Park ; plays include The But he had more to offer and was later best wishes they received from his old John Inverdale Television Centre, Brian was invited to football for local clubs, scoring many goals Marjorie, only months before his death. Winslow Boy , The Recruiting Officer , When appointed programme organiser, responsible friends. become head of visual effects. in his favoured position of centre-forward. We extend our deepest sympathy to We Are Married and five history plays for for the day-to-day running of the station. Gary Knox (son) 10 • • March • 2010 March • 2010 • • 11 Memories The first Tel OB Prompted by recent correspondence in Prospero, John Trenouth explains how the scanner got its name

BBC staff have always Baird staff involved in referred to television these experiments were Outside Broadcast trucks later employed by the as ‘Scanners’ despite the BBC and they used the fact that very few people term ‘Scanner 1’ to have any idea where the describe the EMI mobile name came from. television control room There have been a used for the 1937 number of reasons put Coronation. The name forward over the years, stuck and we’ve used it including a statement that ever since. the name derived from the Before leaving the similarity of mobile radar subject of the 30 line trucks (with their attendant broadcasts, because they scanner assemblies) used were on medium wave, towards the end of WWII. they could be received all However, the real reason for over the country. Usable the name dates back to the pictures were even early 1930s. received across Europe In 1928 John Logie Baird and in North Africa. demonstrated ‘daylight This compares very television’ from the rooftop favourably with the of his studio in Long Acre. official range of 25 miles For the first time he was from the Alexandra Palace able to produce images transmitter when 405 line from outside the studio and BBC television started in realised that the ability to 1936. For those readers of broadcast live pictures from a technical bent, the any location, an ‘outside maximum theoretical broadcast’, was vital to the bandwidth required for future of television. 30 line transmission is 13 His camera was very The Baird scanner at the 1932 Derby KHz, which reduces to different to the electronic just under 10KHz by versions which would be in regular the same time, one for picture and shoulder shots) and the inability to applying the Kell factor. However use within the next ten years. It one for sound. By the time the 30- pan the scanner to follow the race it’s unlikely that Baird’s video was a mechanical drum with 30 line service closed down (September meant that all viewers saw was the amplifiers at the time could cope mirrors around its edge and 1935) there were around three blur of the horses flashing past the with more than 6 KHz – which rotated at a high speed. thousand receivers and ‘lookers-in’ finish line. was about the bandwidth of the Baird didn’t call it a camera. He (the term ‘viewer’ had not yet been The following year he was back 2LO transmitter. The domestic he preferred the term ‘scanner’. As adopted) with an improved system which radio set used to receive the 30 line the heavy metal drum rotated, the In 1931 Baird fitted the scanner contained not one, but three signals probably had even less mirrors mounted on it scanned the inside an old caravan and parked it mirror drums. The centre drum bandwidth. Even so, the pictures scene being televised. The scanner in the street outside to continue produced the picture for the were surprisingly good. was bulky, heavy and quite his experiments. television broadcast, whilst the Following the recent interest delicate. It also could only be Seeing the horses going up and three drums combined to produce among Prospero readerws in old moved very slowly when it was down Long Acre on their way to a much wider ‘zone’ picture on the Scanners, I can confirm that the running, so panning and tilting Covent Garden market gave him screen of the Metropole cinema in National Media Museum have two were out of the question. the idea to try to televise the Victoria – a sort of television examples, a CMCR2 with EMI Regular 30-line television Derby. version of 3-strip Cinerama. 2001 cameras and a CMCR5 with broadcasts started in 1929, using The heavy wooden caravan was More importantly for the viewers Philips LDK25 cameras. the BBC’s 2LO transmitter on the towed behind an ancient De Soto at home, the scanner was arranged There are at least five more in The next issue will roof of Selfridges late in the automobile and parked alongside to look through a large mirror private ownership, some of which appear in April evening when the radio service the winning post at Epsom. The mounted on the inside of the have been lovingly restored. The closed for the day. The pictures Post Office laid temporary land caravan door. As the door was oldest UK made example still in were sent by post office line from lines back to Long Acre and special swung open, the scanner panned near original (working) condition Baird’s Long Acre studio. dispensation was given to use the across the scene. So it was now is in the collection of the National Initially the broadcasts comprised London National wavelength of possible to follow the action at the Museum of Australia. It’s a 1952 two minutes of picture followed by the BBC for half an hour to cover end of the race and it was, for its Pye vehicle fitted with Pye Mk III two minutes of sound, then another the race. day, a great success. cameras. two minutes of picture and so on... This, the UKs first outside Of course by now, everyone It was not until the following year broadcast, was not a huge success, started referring to the whole John Trenouth is former senior that the new Brookmans Park mainly because the 30-line picture caravan as the ‘scanner’ – especially curator of Television at the National transmitter opened, thus allowing was tall and narrow (the 3:7 aspect as the caravan door was a vital part Museum of Photography, Film & him access to two transmitters at ratio was chosen for head & of the apparatus. A number of the Television. Soaping it up... EastEnders fans visiting the National celebration of all things soap right up Media Museum in Bradford have had to New Year’s Day 2011. That’s a very the chance to shoot a scene from special anniversary – 60 years since their favourite soap as part of the launch of The Archers .As for ARIEL SUBSCRIPTIONS activities marking the 25th EastEnders ,it celebrated its 25th on anniversary of the show. EastEnders February 19 with a live episode in artefacts and photographs feature in which the killer of Archie Mitchell was UK: 6 months £26 the museum’s year-long celebration exposed. For devotees there’s a Prop 1 year £50 of broadcast soaps. This year also Quiz: what role did this ornament Overseas: 6 months £36 sees Corrie turn 50 and Hollyoaks play? And why were there two of 1 year £60 turn 15. Robert Seatter, manager of them – a plaster one and a rubber BBC History, will be taking this one? Please phone 01709 768 199

12 • • March 2010