22·09·09 Week 38 explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ariel THE BBC NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPH:MICHAEL DONNE PHOTOGRAPH:MICHAEL

BBC UNDER FIRE AS BROADCASTERS EYE UNCERTAIN FUTURE a Pages 2 and 10

Brighton rocks COMPETITIVE in the extreme: Vassos Alexander ◆reports for 5 live sports extra from the weekend’s White Air ‘09 festival in Brighton. Off air, the usually grounded broadcaster tried out some extreme sports for himself. Page 4

> NEWS 2-4 WEEK AT WORK 8-9 OPINION 10 MAIL 11 JOBS 14 GREEN ROOM 16 < 162 News aa 00·00·08 22·09·09 a RTS CAMBRIDGE CONVENTION GETS RATHER UNCOMFORTABLE Room 2316, White City 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS 020 8008 4228 Managing Editor Stephen James-Yeoman 02-84222 Deputy editors No laughing Sally Hillier 02-26877 matter: Cathy Loughran 02-27360 former Features editor culture Clare Bolt 02-27445 secretary Senior Broadcast Journalist 02-27630 James Stephen Hawkes Purnell Reporters and Mark Laura Scarrott 02-84224 Thompson Peggy Walker 01-43940 share a light- Production editor hearted Claire Barrett 02-27368 moment during an Art editor otherwise Ken Sinyard 02-84229 serious Ariel online discussion Alex Goodey 02-27410 chaired Business co-ordinator by media Silvana Romana 02-84228 consultant Ariel mail Steve Hewlett [email protected] Ariel online explore.gateway.bbc.uk/ariel

Guest contributors this week Happy families? Not exactly RIC BAILEY, chief political advisor, gives his tips on how to stay ◆ As a former BBC journalist, Ben Bradshaw knows you is not in keeping with the tradition of political ‘If you start to have a BBC that is contracting, it has impartial – timely advice given how to whip up a good story and his pronounce- independence on which the whole of British public bad consequences in terms of the people you the start of the party political ments at the Royal Television Society’s Cambridge service broadcasting is based.’ attract,’ he believed. And he was ‘always worried’ by conference season, Pages 8-9 convention turned the event on its head almost people who urged it to cease its output for young au- before it had started. ◆ With the issue now at the heart of the discussions diences ‘because they think that’s not public service’. RICHARD PATTINSON, producer, What had been intended as a timely debate in Cambridge, shadow culture secretary Jeremy But then he added: ‘Radio 2 is slightly more argu- on whistlestop world tour, Page 15 about the future of the industry amid the economic Hunt couldn’t resist joining in, although ‘it sticks in able. Sometimes it steps over into areas that could be downturn and the rapid development of new tech- the guts to defend Ben Bradshaw’. considered commercial, and I have sympathy with nologies instead became pretty much a conference There was ‘a problem’, Hunt believed, with the commercial operators who say ‘Radio 2 is killing us’.’ BBC Jobs 0370 333 1330 about BBC governance. current governance arrangements – offering as an Jobs textphone 028 9032 8478 In his curtain-raising address, the culture secre- example the controversy over the scheduling clash ◆ Purnell’s big concern was of the BBC becom- BBC Jobs John Clarke 02-27143 tary said he thought that the corporation had ‘prob- between Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor. ing too dominant. ‘For it to succeed, and for public Room 2120, White City, London W12 7TS ably reached the limits of reasonable expansion’, ‘Thousands of people are angry and they should service obligations to be met, it needs competition.’ Advertise in Ariel that it was time its accounts were opened up to the be able to complain to a body outside the BBC.’ With Channel 4 struggling, he questioned whether Ten Alps Publishing 020 7878 2314 National Audit Offi ce and – most controversially – Former culture secretary James Purnell said he the broadcaster could keep going without help. claimed that the BBC Trust was ‘not sustainable’ in ‘Channel 4 needs money,’ he stated, explaining that www.bbcarielads.com favoured setting up a public service broadcasting the long term. trust, to oversee not just the BBC but the activities of there might be only a short window of opportunity Printing ‘I know of no other area of public life where… the other psb providers. ‘to save public service broadcasting plurality’ and Garnett Dickinson Group same body is both regulator and cheerleader,’ he he was worried about the window being missed. Rotherham 01709 768000 declared. ◆ On a more positive note for the BBC, Purnell said he Subscribe to Ariel did not believe that the corporation was too big. ◆ Outgoing Channel 4 chairman Luke Johnson con- ◆ Six months: £26, £36, £40 At least the title of the convention, Riding Out the sidered it wrong that so much of the government’s Storm, still held good as fi rst Michael Lyons then interest and attention in the future of public service Twelve months: £50, £60, £68 Mark Thompson sailed into battle with Bradshaw. broadcasting was focused on one broadcaster – the (prices for UK, Europe, rest of world Ben Bradshaw Lyons pointed out that the trust, of which he is chair- BBC. ‘Is that diversity? Is that plurality?’ he asked. respectively) man, was set up by Labour’s own Tessa Jowell with punches home Describing the corporation as ‘the most effective Cheques to: Garnett Dickinson Print, a brief to be the ‘eyes, ears, and voice’ of licence fee lobbying organisation in Britain’, Johnson claimed it Brookfi elds Way, Manvers, payers. While he was more than happy for it to be in keynote wielded too much power with politicians , some of Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 5DL judged on its track record, he was dismayed to learn whom , he claimed, were ‘afraid’ of it. Tel 01709 768199 that it might be dispensed with altogether. address As for who should follow Andy Duncan as Channel INFORMATION IN AN EMERGENCY Thompson found parts of Bradshaw’s 4 chief exec, Johnson said it should be someone with speech ‘frankly puzzling’, and urged him ‘a profound understanding of the digital universe’. Telephone 0800 0688 159 to direct his criticism at his colleagues in Ceefax Page 159 www.bbc.co.uk/159 the present cabinet who ‘invented the ◆ There was of course a lot of talk about digital – Ariel is produced by Internal trust, approved it and enshrined it in a largely revolving around what should happen to the Communications for people at the BBC charter which still has well over seven so-called digital surplus – the money expected to be years to run’. left over from the digital switchover help scheme. Furthermore, the charter devised by The money was agreed on top of the current the Labour government ‘tells the BBC licence fee and Bradshaw was scathing about the trust to be independent, to consult idea of returning the surplus to licence fee pay- with the public, to be guardians of the ers rather than using it to help ITV regional news. PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY OF ARIEL licence fee’, explained Thompson, who ‘Michael Lyons comes up with his £5.50 give away,’ thought the real problem for Labour was he scoffed, to which Lyons quickly retorted: ‘It that its brainchild had done exactly as it had been would not be a give away, but a give back.’ told. ‘The trouble with independent governing As Purnell noted: ‘This all feels a bit like a family bodies is that they can be – well, independent. row.’ It kind of summed up the two-day event. ‘To threaten them with imminent or creeping abolition when they take a different view from In a changing world we must change too, Page 10

> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< a 22·09·09 News 3

‘With kidnapping an ever present threat A story that the UN refuses to sanction any live has to be told broadcasting’

bouts. ‘It was a case of keep moving… it’s the speed at which things change that sets Somalia apart,’ Thomson ex- plained. Plans to fl y in to Wajid had to be changed at the last minute after gunmen raided its UN compound. There was another narrow escape when their Belet Weyne base was at- tacked shortly after Thomson had left to visit a refugee camp. They re- turned during a lull in the fi ghting to pick up some stranded UN person- nel, but were forced to make a rap- id getaway when news of further mi- litia threat came through. ‘And this was supposed to be a stable place…’ Thomson spoke to many of the country’s refugees who had been driv- en from their homes by bombs and bullets. Like Fatima Esman (pictured), whom he met in the Abudwaq camp near the Ethiopian border. Her home in Mogadishu had been shelled, two of her six children had been killed and she had been robbed on her jour- ney to a camp where drought and food shortages posed new threats. by Claire Barrett from Somalia – a country riven by was just too dangerous to drive more but she wanted to get the message Her story was featured in one of four There was no arrivals lounge, no pass- internal confl ict that has claimed than a few kilometres at a time.’ out from this country that so much Today specials last week. port control, no customs, no tarmac, 18,000 lives in the last two years – on He is one of few international of the world has turned its back on, ‘This was life at its most extreme,’ even. A dirt strip and a coterie of gun- what was, literally, a fl ying visit. ‘It journalists to enter Somalia – where that funding was short and food aid continued Thomson, who had pro- men, barrels fortuitously pointed was a two and a half hour fl ight into BBC producer Kate Peyton was shot was running out.’ tracted consultation with the BBC’s away from the landing aircraft, was Belet Weyne in central Somalia and, dead in 2005 – and was accompany- With kidnapping an ever present high risk team before he travelled. ‘I all that greeted Mike Thomson on from there, the planes just got small- ing the UN’s deputy country director threat and anti-western sentiment wanted to get across a sense of this arriving in what the UN says is ‘the er and smaller,’ he told Ariel. ‘We Denise Brown. ‘Nobody else would riding high, the UN refused to sanc- chaos, this grief – it wasn’t about the world’s most dangerous country’. were buffeted around so much – the take me there,’ said Thomson. ‘Eve- tion any live broadcasting which detail. I felt a real sense of responsi- The Today correspondent is back only time I’ve ever got air sick – but it ryone said it was too dangerous, might alert militia to their wherea- bility to the Somali people.’ Debating with the BNP – that’s impartiality, not shock value by Cathy Loughran on the show – nor who his fellow panel- off on the night.’ As 30th anniversary seasons go, Question lists might be. ‘We are in discussions with Both he and presenter for the last 16 Time’s promises to be pretty explosive, and the parties over dates and venues – there’s years David Dimbleby are surer of why the not just because the BNP’s Nick Griffi n is quite a lot to factor in – but in many ways programme works and endures. Its secret in the line-up. it will be like any other programme, need- is that it’s simple, not gimmicky, Dimble- There’ll be the now traditional grill- ing to balance panellists and the make- by says: ‘Because it is driven by events that ing by the audience of the party leaders, up of the audience,’ says Gavin Allen, BBC matter, it never goes stale’. in the run up to the general election. And executive on the programme, produced by Allen adds: ‘It’s an incredibly simple, who knows where the next MPs expenses Mentorn Oxford. Victorian-style town hall debate – albeit scandal will come from, providing electric ‘I wouldn’t want to play down the im- with a very adept chair. It says, here are exchanges, across the Question Time fl oor, pact [of having the BNP leader on the the people you elected, you ask the ques- between voters and politicians. panel], but it was an editorial deci- tions. I love it that there are no whizzy The programme returns this Thurs- sion, not done for the shock val- graphics and no VT – a lesson to us all.’ day, a day before the anniversary of the ue. The same standards apply to There have been innovations over re- very fi rst broadcast in 1979, when Robin parties like the Greens and UKIP, cent years. The debate now also happens Day was in the chair to referee questions once they reach a threshold of via text, Twitter and email; there’s the to Michael Foot, Conservative Teddy Tay- support. The BNP has now reached annual Schools Question Time, produced by lor and the Archbishop of Liverpool Derek that threshold and so there’s a average shot up during the MPs expenses teenagers; and a broader range of panel- Worlock. Confl ict in Northern Ireland and responsibility to impartiality.’ David scandal, peaking at 3.8m for a primetime lists, from Will Young and Jarvis Cocker corporal punishment in schools was on So will we see, as has been reported, Dimbleby, special on the subject at 9pm. The bar- to the chief executive of McDonalds. Carol the agenda. a Cabinet minister on the panel? ‘There in the chair for racking of Margaret Becket and Menzies Vordeman is booked for the new series. This week, deputy Labour leader Harriet is a big debate in the Labour party about QT’s 30th year. Campbell, whose expense claims had been ‘That’s less about trying to attract a Harman will be on the panel in Bourne- sharing a platform with the British Na- Inset, Gavin reported in the Daily Telegraph, has younger audience than recognising that mouth, where the Lib Dem conference tional Party, but although Gordon Brown Allen already gone down in the QT annals. everyone is interested in politics,’ Al- is under way. Brighton next, followed by has said there will be no problem debat- ‘There was a hell of a strength of feel- len says. Upcoming venues include Hull, Manchester, to hit the Labour and Con- ing with Griffi n, no names have been con- ing on that one, and it surprised MPs and Wootton Bassett and Llandudno. Bids are servative conferences respectively. fi rmed,’ Allen says. news journalists,’ Allen says. in for the party leaders but Mentorn Ox- It’s London on October 15, but although In its 30th year, David Dimbleby’s Ques- ‘We can land on a topic that is fascinat- ford’s remarkably small, eight-strong core that’s where Nick Griffi n is set to appear, tion Time averages audiences of 2.5m at ing to the Westminster village but which team under editor Ed Harvard will con- there’s no confi rmation yet of whether 10.35pm, attracting a slightly younger au- falls fl at with the audience. Not this one. tinue negotiating for guests and juggling that will be the date for the BNP’s debut dience than is the norm for politics. That It’s hard to predict the issue that will take audience mix, as close to the wire as ever.

4 News a 22·09·09

NEWS BITES

Tighter controls on BBCW Little Dorrit won more Emmy awards than any other by Cathy Loughran response to any conflicts of interest that have mercial operations, which pointed to a more programme or series. The BBC actually arisen. narrowly focused Worldwide that would con- One adaptation collected prizes Jana Bennett is to step down from the board of The Worldwide board will also shrink, from centrate on core BBC business. for direction, art direction, BBC Worldwide as the BBC Trust tightens con- 16 members to between 8-12; all transactions The chairman agreed with Mark Thompson screenwriting, casting, costumes and trols over the way the commercial arm is run. above £30m will need trust approval (it was pre- that it was right to question whether the BBC cinematography, also picking up From October 1, no member of BBC Vision viously £50m); and the next Worldwide chair- now needed to own 100 percent of Worldwide, the award for best mini-series. will be eligible to sit on the Worldwide board, man, succeeding Etienne de Villiers who leaves but he stressed that the trust ‘won’t contem- to prevent ‘conflicts of interest’ between- pub at the end of the month, will be a BBC non-ex- plate any loss of direct control over BBC rights Simon Mayo was finally confirmed lic and commercial activity. Similarly, World- ecutive director – strengthening the role of the created as a result of investment from the as Chris Evans’s replacement on wide’s chief executive officer John Smith will public service arm as company shareholder. licence fee payer’. Radio 2 drivetime from January. cease to be a member of the BBC executive. Michael Lyons said the changes were in In an email, John Smith said: ‘These changes The Radio 5 live afternoon host Contrary to some press reports, the direc- response to ‘concerns raised by commercial ....strengthen our governance structure and give will continue to present his cult tor of BBC Vision has not been ‘forced’ to step competitors and others’ and in line with initial greater confidence in the separation between film reviews with Mark Kermode. down, the trust says, nor are the changes in findings of the trust’s ongoing review of com- the BBC’s public service and Worldwide.’ Ofcom has announced that from

pho December online video demand

t services such as the iPlayer and o COVER STORY gra TV channels Channel 4’s 4OD will be regulated Changes on O JEFF ph: but will not be subject to the broadcasting code. It follows a new sponsorship 5 live VERS/BBC under review EU directive. Regulatory duties will be handed to the Association Deals like the controversial spon- The BBC Trust this week launches its for Television on Demand and the sorship by Robinsons of the Sports goes to biggest ever service review, look- Advertising Standards Agency. Personality of the Year event and ing at the performances of BBC support for Proms in the Park by One, BBC Two, BBC Four and the Pat Connor is to be BBC North’s National Savings & Investment are extremes red button. first head of a thing of the past. It is the first time the trust has development New guidance, just published, reviewed the main two channels. and events, confirms that there will be no fur- Radio 5 live sports extra The assessment will cover all con- in a role that ther commercial sponsorship of broadcast live from Europe’s tent, including news, sport and will deliver BBC on-air events and tighter rules biggest extreme sports programmes from the nations and collaborative on non-commercial sponsorship. and music festival at the regions, but not children’s output, ideas across The BBC called a halt to com- weekend. The White Air ‘09 which was reviewed separately. the division. mercial sponsorship last July festival in Brighton featured Licence fee payers’ views will be The former after the BBC Trust backed com- highdiving, kitesurfing and fed in during a 12-week consulta- leader of plaints by ITV and RadioCentre scubadiving with presenter tion period and the final report BBC Vision’s central development that the 2007 Sports Personality of Vassos Alexander (pictured) published next spring/summer. team, The Culture Show series the Year programme had breached turning his hand to some lesser known sports such as surfing on brushes, Staff can learn more at a brief- producer and Radio 1’s first creative editorial guidelines. This year’s and thundercat racing. Reporter Charlie Webster also gave bocking ing in room B551, TVC on Septem- executive will work directly to Peter SPOTY will be broadcast from Shef- (spring loaded stilts) a go. ‘We don’t usually cover extreme sports,’ ex- ber 25, from 2-3pm. Salmon, director of BBC North. field Arena in December, without plains producer Graham McMillan. ‘A lot of the sports were very visual Questions can be emailed to the aid of a sponsor. so instead of commentating on them we provided a beginners’ guide.’ the review team at engagement. EastEnders will celebrate its While programmes them- [email protected] 25th anniversary in February selves can never be sponsored, with a live episode. Diederick non-commercial sponsorship Santer, exec producer, says: ‘It’s of BBC on-air events like Cardiff a big test for every member of Singer of the World – supported Dog fighting investigation ‘Passion and the production and hopefully by Cardiff council – will still be a big treat for the audience.’ It allowed. On-air concerts, award will air on Friday February 19. ceremonies, events connected with results in conviction potential’ new talent schemes can all con- The BBC Scottish Symphony tinue to attract non-commercial A woman at the centre of one of an RSPCA investigation after an The journalism trainee scheme Orchestra will perform a 1926 sponsors, although news and cur- Europe’s largest dog-fighting gangs undercover operation by Steve has launched its search for 15 tal- soundtrack by Edmund Meisel rent affairs events are off limits. has been convicted thanks to a BBC Ibinson, a former SAS soldier, ented new recruits on September 27 to accompany a All proposed sponsorship arrange- Northern Ireland Spotlight and Pan- whose work was featured in a Pano- Last year more than 2500 peo- screening of Sergei Eisenstein’s ments have to demonstrate clear orama investigation. rama programme. ple applied to join the scheme classic piece of silent cinema public value and must be approved Claire Parker, from Kexby in The investigation was one of which places people in news- The Battleship Potemkin. It by editorial policy. Lincolnshire, had a pit dug in her the biggest undertaken by Spotlight rooms across the UK. Trainees will be the climax of Glasgow’s The BBC’s sponsorship garage where illegal dogs fought and led to the first 60 minute Pan- spend three months online, three Merchant City Festival. website has now closed. for up to an hour, as bets were orama special commission for BBC months in local radio then six Richard Tait, who chairs the placed on which would emerge Northern Ireland. months in tv and elsewhere. Z-Cars creator Troy Kennedy trust’s editorial standards com- alive. Spotlight’s The Pitbull Sting won Scheme director Claire Pross- Martin has died of liver cancer, mittee, said that sponsorship Five more people will be sen- the 2008 RTS award for best region- er said: ‘We’re looking for people aged 77. He started working still had a place at the BBC, mak- tenced this week, and face up to al current affairs programme and full of story ideas and thoughts on for the BBC in 1958. ing possible important events six months in prison, and fines of Panorama’s Dogfighting Undercov- how we serve harder to reach au- for licence payers, but producers up to £20,000 each. er earned BBC NI current affairs its diences. It’s more about passion Ceefax, the text information had to be clear about the rules. The convictions were part of first Bafta nomination. and potential than experience.’ service, celebrates its 35th anniversary on September 23. Developed by BBC R&D engineers, the service is being phased out as Sunrise to sunset...my one day fast part of Digital Switchover and will disappear completely by 2012. Asian Network presenter Tommy ‘I found out that the reason for forced down a banana and a glass Inderpreet Sahota, who pro- Sandhu has recorded an audio fasting is to find time to self- re of juice. duced the diary, also took part in A Software problem on the diary of his day of fasting dur- flect. It’s about dedicating your be- Listening to music isn’t recom- the fast for moral support. BBC Desktop has left some users ing the holy month of Ramadan. ing to God, being focused, and try- mended during Ramadan – not an Sandhu’s diary is part of a three unable to access the Ariel pdf. To Although not Muslim, he decid- ing to be a better person,’ he says. ideal situation for a radio present- hour special on the Asian Net- fix this, go to Start > All Programs ed to take part in the one-day fast, Although he did not partici- er. ‘I drove up from London to Bir- work on September 22, which also > BBC Services > PDF Reader. The from sunrise to sunset, to try to pate in morning prayers, Sandhu mingham without the radio on be- includes a session recorded at Ma- software should then correctly gain an understanding of the sig- still woke around 4am, took time cause I wanted to stay focused,’ he ida Vale with Islam’s biggest rock install. If you still have problems, nificance of Ramadan and Eid to contemplate the day ahead, and explains. star, Sami Yousaf. contact IT Servicedesk on 0440. a 22·09·09 Features 5 PHOTOGRAPH: ANNA GORDON ANNA PHOTOGRAPH:

Walford’s fi nest: back row shows trainees Liz Gill, Alex Kalymnios, Lance Knee Shaw and Rebecca Gatward with director Clive Arnold, centre

Directing EastEnders is so complex that special training is needed, reports Laura Scarrott NEWStandfi rst in here that SHOOTING goes across the photo but avoiding the mentors STARS white shoes tytytytytytyt There are some newcomers to Albert Square – a fast-paced environment,’ he says. Series pro- strange,’ he recalls. ‘But it was exciting fi lming Trainee and former theatre director Rebecca but you won’t see them on screen. Behind the ducer Lorraine Newman nods. ‘A lot of people in the Queen Vic and being reminded of all the Gatward said that the experience taught her cameras they’re making sure that when Brad- want to work on the show, but we can’t take famous scenes that have played out there.’ about the technical aspects of directing for tv. ley hands Stacey her decree nisi in the launder- them on without experience. ‘ The pace also proved challenging: ‘You have ‘It appealed to me because it makes it like the- ette, it will be as sensitively shot as the fi nalé of With few freelance drama directors to plan each scene in advance, almost visualis- atre – you don’t have to interrupt the fl ow of Silent Witness. equipped to shoot multi-camera, Newman ing in your head exactly what shot you’ll cut to the action. I learnt how to get what I want tech- From adultery to arson, the EastEnders team approached Vision Production and asked them when,’ he says. ‘It means the shoot is a lot faster nically, but also how to interact with a crew.’ produces 120 minutes of drama each week and to set up a training course specifi cally focused – you write the shots down on the script, then She hopes to build on these skills when she can have as many as 12 episodes shooting con- on EastEnders. More than 50 directors applied: it’s down to the vision mixer to edit it.’ returns to fi lm a block with the other trainees, currently. For that reason, each scene is fi lmed Arnold and Newman whittled them down to this time for real. with four different cameras, so that shots are four, who were taught to script and plan scenes ‘I’d like to do single camera drama, but it def- obtained in a single take without having to using four cameras before heading off to ‘It’s like theatre – initely helps to have multi-camera experience,’ start and stop the action – reducing the time it Elstree’s famous square. she says. ‘If shooting schedules get tighter it’s takes to edit the footage. From Dot’s engagement and the moment you don’t have to likely that more productions will adopt it.’ The result, says director Clive Arnold, is that Peggy regained ownership of The Vic, the train- Directors who took part in the last multi- EastEnders is produced four times faster than ees re-shot ‘testing’ old scenes using extras – camera training scheme in 2006 have gone on most other drama. ‘Shooting multi-camera is an experience which unsettled director Lance interrupt the fl ow to work on soaps like Doctors and Emmerdale. If a very specifi c skill, but because it’s so much Kneeshaw: ‘We were so familiar with the actors you’re interested in honing your multi-camera quicker our directors have to be able to cope in who actually play the characters it was a bit of the action’ skills, contact the BBC Academy. AT FIVE FOOT ONE, MARIA FITS THE BILL Station IN A FIRST FOR BBC LINCOLN- the tallest copper on the beat ago the idea started nag- the police has a similar swap: SHIRE a member of the team and it was only when po- ging away at me again, but it appeal. I’m also looking for- Maria has stepped down to join the lice height restrictions were wasn’t until the end of 2007 ward to the physical chal- Horner police force. After 14 years eased that she could apply. that I logged on to the Lin- lenge.’ with the BBC, programme sbj ‘My ambition as a child colnshire Constabulary web- But won’t her height be a Maria Horner has left to fulfi l was to join the police, but I site, saw they were recruiting disadvantage in certain situ- a childhood dream. On Octo- thought I just wouldn’t be and decided to apply. ations? ‘Possibly, yes, but the ber 5 she will begin training tall enough and I focused on ‘I’ve loved going out and training will help with that with the Lincolnshire Con- my art studies instead,’ she about with my BBC job, talk- and in any case police work stabulary. says. ing to people and seeing dif- is about using your brain At 5 ft 1ins she won’t be ‘Then about four years ferent places – and joining more than anything.’

6 Features a 22·09·09 photograph

Musical maverick: producer Philip Tagney allen : mark at the Maida Vale party cutting edge HUGH GARRY UGC is window on future talent

I recently found myself on a panel at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam to discuss user generated content and how – with a bit more open-mindedness – it could bring broadcasters to the forefront of the digital revolution. French journalist Gary Smith invited me after seeing Shoot The Summer, a film I made last year with point of view footage from mobile phones I’d handed out to audiences at music festivals. My fellow panelists were online UGC champions Martin Rogard from Daily Motion and Gilles Babinet from the Eyeka website. Rogard’s site avoids the phrase ‘user generated content’ altogether because it had become what he calls a dirty phrase – synony- mous with videos of cats on skateboards. His view was that there is an abundance of quality Harmony at the content on Daily Motion worthy of broadcast on traditional broadcast channels. In order to feature the most creative con- tent, they launched the MotionMaker program – an initiative intended to give recognition to creative users by allowing them to upload musical crossroads longer videos, HD videos and have a better chance of getting them on the homepage. Eyeka is an online platform that crowd- Late Junction has always steered away from the mainstream, so it wasn’t surprising sources user generated content for brands to to hear an obscure instrument or two at its 10th birthday party, Adam Bambury writes use within marketing campaigns. By leverag- ing a community of 50,000 film makers and photographers, Eyeka enables brands such Max de Wardener crouches in front of a Tagney. ‘But saying it’s both that and some- ent artists are brought together to make new as Coca-Cola, HP, Canon, L’Oréal, Orange and collection of large glass jars hanging from thing for the programme is much more ser- music together – have proved fruitful and will Sony Ericsson to generate marketing cam- blue twine, gently hitting them with sticks. endipitous, and I don’t think I could tell continue, while plans are being mooted to paigns designed to engage users. You only His is the latest performance in an evening you that. It’s partly to do with context and expand the programme’s presence at festivals have to watch this brilliant Coke Zero advert – that has also seen a pianist who climbs into juxtaposition as well as feeling and mood. with late night dj sets from the presenters tinyurl.com/garyUGC – from 21 year old stu- the piano to play it from the inside, a man Maybe if we could completely pin it down Back in the studio de Wardener has fin- dent Khidai to realise that hidden in among all with a 22-string guitar and two ‘Norwegian on a piece of paper then we’d kill the spirit ished with his glass jars (aka ‘cloud-chamber those cats on skateboards is true talent wait- hillbillies’. Welcome to the tenth anniversary of Late Junction, because it has to have some bowls’), and the Norwegian duo end the night ing to be discovered. of Radio 3’s Late Junction. mysteriousness to it.’ with a raunchy tango played on accordion. I admitted in Amsterdam how surprised I The one-off studio concert at Maida Vale, The track listing is a 50-50 collaboration Somehow, it all makes perfect sense. was to be still talking about my film a year hosted by Verity Sharp and Fiona Talkington between producer and presenter, each start- after it had been made. Naively I assumed that – who have been presenting Late Junction since ing with a pile of records. ‘We mix and match,’ Ariel view, Page 10 soon after making it there would be so many its inception on September 13 1999 – will be says Tagney. ‘An interesting fermentation goes user generated films out there thatShoot the broadcast later that evening. Its eclectic bill is on when you put the two lots of ideas together.’ Summer would become unremarkable quite typical of a show known for sonic juxtaposi- With five rotating producers, plus Sharp, Talk- Inspired: accordionist quickly. That’s clearly not the case. tions which ignore all consideration of geog- ington and new presenter Max Reinhardt, it Stian Carstensen For me the great missed opportunity is less raphy, era or genre in the quest for musical becomes clear how the programme manages in not harnessing the content being made by enlightenment. Tuning in can yield anything to have reach without sacrificing quality. ‘the people formerly known as the audience’, from ancient Sufi devotional song and field- Such wilful eclecticism is always going to but the missed chance to discover new talent. recordings of birds to a retrospective of have its detractors on a station perhaps best I’d bet my last penny that a future Jonathan Chicago post-rock act Tortoise. known for more conservative programming: Ross or the next Chris Moyles will be using It sounds like a recipe for a less than cohe- ‘We do get the occasional indignant ‘I was UGC spaces such as YouTube and Daily Motion sive programme, yet somehow it works, cre- trying to get to sleep, I can’t listen to that!’’ to express their creativity at this very moment. ating a unique feel that’s unmistakably Late chuckles Tagney. But Radio 3 does have a long By doing more projects like Shoot The Sum- Junction – a fact attested to by emails from fans history of observing beyond the mainstream mer and the brilliant new Chart Jackers (http:// around the globe and an atypical listener- and conservative restrictions of genre, from www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mwyfl) we ship for Radio 3, drawn in from other musical the prog-rock odysseys of Sounds Interesting could find ourselves in a great position to dis- orbits. But how do you choose tunes for some- in the 70s, to much-loved experimental show cover that talent at a very early stage. thing which knows no normal boundaries? Mixing It which ended in 2007. Hugh Garry is senior content producer, ‘The ultimate thing is ‘god, that’s a good Looking to the future, the recent Collabo- audio and music piece of music’,’ explains producer Philip rations sessions – where two ostensibly differ- a 22·09·09 Features 7 PHOTOGRAPH: KELVIN BOYES / PRESS EYE EYE / PRESS BOYES KELVIN PHOTOGRAPH: capture the castle With Merlin back for a second series, Lucy Keeler catches up with the designers who put the magic into medieval

Texting times: actors Angel Coulby (Gwen); Bradley James (Arthur); Luke Neal (Sir Geraint); Anthony Head (Uther) and Kate McGrath (Morgana)

THEY’RE MORE KING’S ROAD than wasn’t going to be a period drama. and more detailed than if he had the end,’ he says. ‘The second series Camelot, but Colin Morgan’s Vivi- ‘We didn’t want to slavishly adhere recreated an historically accurate was all about being more ambitious enne Westwood boots certainly to any particular era – we wanted to medieval castle. There are lavish cur- than we were fi rst time round. And don’t look out of place on the set be more relaxed about it,’ he says. tains, huge carved mahogany chairs we certainly achieved that.’ of Merlin. But it wasn’t just the cos- All the exterior shots were fi lmed and tables, reams of parchment, and But what will happen to the set tumes that caught our eye when we at Château de Pierrefonds in France, four poster beds you could curl up in now that shooting has wrapped? visited the Merlin set. which set the architectural style for for weeks. ‘It’ll stay up in the warehouse for The crew spent the summer the rest of the set. The interiors, how- In between sourcing props from the moment, possibly going into shooting in a vast warehouse just ever, allowed Roberts a little more battle re-enactment groups, and Outside shot: Chateau de Pierrefonds storage... it all depends on whether outside Cardiff, which is doubling artistic licence. Inspired by the Pre- panicking over custom-built furni- they decide to go for a third series.’ as the interior of a medieval castle. Raphaelites’ idealised portrayal of ture, Roberts also had to oversee the set yet: it had to be high enough to Producer, and creator of Merlin, Production designer Dominic Rob- medieval life, he added Indian and construction of the tiltyard. At over fi ll the long shots. Julian Murphy can’t guarantee it. erts, whose team constructed it, says Turkish ‘twists’ of his own, creating three metres high and 40 metres ‘It was exhausting and incredi- ‘That’s not my decision,’ he smiles. it was decided early on that Merlin interiors which are richer in texture long, this was the most ambitious bly challenging, but we got there in Merlin, Saturdays on BBC One SECRET HISTORIES: RADIO 4 DELVES UNDER THE COVERS by Sue Llewellyn ants giving evidence in a trial.’ But how to bring with his housekeeper but tortured by guilt. them to life? The very personal details reveal vivid and vibrant IF YOU’VE EVER WONDERED what your ancestors ‘I thought of it like a quilt,’ says Burke, ‘with personalities some of whom, concerned by their got up to behind closed doors, then a new Radio 4 each piece very different, but sewn together. We salacious revelations, even pleaded with the recip- series could provide a few clues to some very inti- found hugely talented actors to breathe life into ient to ‘please burn this letter that no mortal eyes mate secrets. There are men behaving badly, adul- the words and we began to wonder if there were may read it’. Vickery is delighted with the result tery in the parlour, servants running amok, bur- any songs that might illustrate our themes. It was and says: ‘Voices that have echoed in my head for glars, bashful bachelors, witches and wedding extraordinary what we found.’ years will now be heard by thousands of people.’ nights...their stories will all be told for the fi rst Many of the songs she found to accompany the Vickery and two research assistants have been time in A History of Private Life. stories had never been recorded before. Composed collecting both private documents and public It was a fascination with the way people lived in the 18th and 19th centuries, their messages transcripts of court records, hitherto silent voices their day-to-day lives and their secret struggles turned out to be surprisingly modern. Burke’s that she says are all the more poignant for fi nding that prompted historian Amanda Vickery to delve favourite, The Housewife’s Lament, describes one little things like locks of hair in letters. into accounts of domestic life in Britain. early 19th century woman’s life poignantly as ‘a She says that writing the history of people’s pri- ‘I’ve spent 20 years in the archives never-ending struggle with dirt’. vate lives was not as easy as one might think. Nor- chiselling out little nuggets of infor- The team added its own, custom made sound mal domestic life, as we all know, is pretty mun- mation and I realised early on that I’d effects: ‘We had endless trouble trying to get dane and therefore rarely put into words. But, says far rather read love letters than acts of exactly the right sound of a creaking chair and Vickery: ‘You’ve really got to know what you’re parliament,’ she says. rustling clothes,’ Burke says, recalling how she looking for and it’s actually moments of crisis Almost all the stories broadcast in translated one rather risqué account of what the that deliver the details.’ the programme are fi rst hand accounts servant saw through the keyhole. A History of Private Life will take a different theme taken from letters and diaries. ‘Some The series takes in everything from death, adul- every week, moving from the 16th to the 20th cen- are fantastically juicy, some very funny tery and burglary to love and longing. There are tury; from a Tudor mansion to a modern bedsit. and others very dark or sad,’ says pro- diaries of anxious young men like London bach- Starting on September 28 the programme will go ducer Elizabeth Burke. ‘They’re easy to elor Dudley Ryder, desperate to marry but worried out on Radio 4 at 3.45pm every weekday, with re- dramatise, because you have multiple What the historian saw: about bad breath and impotence, and the private peats in an omnibus edition on Fridays at 9pm. viewpoints – like when you have serv- Amanda Vickery angst of a Lincolnshire widower having an affair Listen to A Housewife’s Lament at Ariel Online 8 BBC IN ACTION week@work WHAT WE WATCHED THIS SUMMER

There weren’t many new timeslot). It had an average audience Joanna Scanlon of 7.9m while the long-running cop show bbqs in the end - but and Jo Brand lost 2m. the patchy weather in BBC Four’s Meanwhile BBC Three recorded its best Getting On two weeks ever. The Adult Season brought meant tv ratings held 18.5m individual viewers to the channel with Underage and Pregnant attracting the up, say Audiences biggest audience (0.9m). BBC Four sea- sons War Beneath the Skin and Grey Expecta- RUMOURS THAT AUDIENCES had tions also attracted larger than usual audi- abandoned tv this summer were put ences. Beneath the Skin’s Spanish Flu: The to rest by BBC Two’s performance. Forgotten Fallen attracted 0.64m while Ex- The channel increased its peak hours peak hours share. of the ten Saturdays over the summer, but pectations’ Getting On broke the record for share from 8.9 percent last summer to But BBC One, like ITV1, didn’t fare as audiences varied: 5.8m stayed in to watch comedy on the channel, managing 0.86m. 9.7 percent. This was spearheaded by well. The channel’s all hours share was Casualty but only 2.9m tuned in to Totally All eyes now turn to the ratings war its entertainment slate, with Top Gear down two points from last year to 20.5 Saturday. between BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing achieving it biggest ever average share percent (ITV1 averaged 15.8 percent). The star of BBC One’s summer sched- and ITV1’s The X Factor. The latter won the (29 percent). Dragons’ Den, Mock the Week, Saturday nights were particularly quiet ule was Torchwood which was stripped battle last weekend attracting an average Ask any eight year-old what they want Shooting Stars and factual title Coast also for the big two – that is until The X Factor over one week. It had an average 6.5m audience of 9.3m (38 percent share) on to do when they grow up and it’s likely received good ratings. Five was the only returned towards the end of August. BBC viewers and AIs in the 90s. New Tricks also Saturday compared to Strictly’s 7.7m (32.9 that fi ghting monsters will appear some- other terrestrial channel to increase its One trumped ITV1 in the ratings in seven performed well against The Bill (now in a percent share). More at audiencesportal. where on the list. Last week they were able to do just that when a workshop run

CALL TO ACTION IF YOU’VE HAD AN OFFICE-RELATED SHAMELESS PLUG injury, you may be able to help the team behind a new Safety At Work Jemma McCann, brand executive English regions, TVC website. After completing a Masters in design, I now work as a Training and Development is looking graphic artist and designer outside of the BBC. My freelance for three people who, before joining projects are really varied, from logos and traditional brand the BBC, experienced offi ce related identities, to websites and products. injuries at work – anything from RSI to I’m currently developing a range of products for the Tate back pain, slips or trips. Modern to support an exhibition they’re running on the art- Volunteers should be prepared to ist Van Doesburg. It includes jewellery, textiles and clothing have their stories used to help raise and will be available from February. awareness of health and safety issues. I’m also about to exhibit some limited edition prints at The team is looking for people who are a gallery called Art and Escape in North London and will be willing to talk openly about their experi- starting work on a project for the Royal Shakespeare Com- ence and any impact it had on them. pany next month. Email Nick Welch to volunteer jemmafrances.co.uk

COMING UP CHANGING PLACES Controller of BBC Two Janice Hadlow and controller of drama commissioning Ben ANDREA WATSON, Stephenson have commissioned a 90-minute media manager for drama set against the backdrop of Charles news and current and Diana’s wedding. ROYAL WEDDING will affairs in Manchester, be made by Tiger Aspect and exec produced moves to Entertainment by Juliette Howell. Filming in Wales, it is and Comedy North. expected to tx next year. DAVID WORMSTONE, currently media A new three-part series called A CENTURY OF FATHERHOOD manager for regional will interview men from different generations about news, replaces her. their roles in their children’s lives. Commissioned by Radio Bristol producer controller of BBC Four Richard Klein and in-house SOPHIE WOODCOCK commissioning editor Martin Davidson and made begins a three month by Testimony Films, it is expected to tx next year. attachment as a trainee network news producer Wallace and Gromit will return to BBC One next for television. JOHN year in WALLACE AND GROMIT’S WORLD OF BENNETT begins a six INVENTION. The duo will introduce documentary month attachment as a footage of scientifi c breakthroughs. Made by sports bj. He currently Aardman Animations it will be exec produced by produces the Breakfast Alison Kirkham. It was commissioned by controller programme. of BBC One Jay Hunt and commissioning editor for factual Jo Ball.

IF YOU HAVE A SUGGESTION FOR WHO OR WHAT SHOULD BE IN WEEK@WORK PLEASE EMAIL CLARE BOLT BBC IN ACTION 9

blogbites

The political detail Has George Osborne been reading Stephanomics? I suspect the answer is no. But if you read yesterday’s post there will have been little to surprise you in the shadow chancellor’s speech this morning on the Conservative Strategy for Recovery. As predicted, Osborne made a full-frontal assault on the idea that tightening the budget as early as next year would tank the economy. In fact, he said, cleaning up the public finances could actually support growth – for all the reasons I went through yesterday. He even quoted Goldman Sachs in his support. Stephanie Flanders, economics editor http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ stephaniefl anders/

Monday’s quote of the day ‘We are dependent on the museum to tell us whether any carcass that may emerge from the loch is a haddock, or a previously unknown creature from the deep’ – bookmaker William Hill on its Nessie deal with Natural History Museum. Presumably, it shouldn’t be too hard to tell the difference. For more than 20 years, William Hill has been paying the museum a retainer to showcase Ask any eight year-old what they want Nessie’s remains in return for verifying her by Learning and CBBC marketing pitched to do when they grow up and it’s likely audience. ‘We chose these programmes existence. Documents recording the 1987 up at London’s Thames Festival and invit- was incredible,’ adds Comely. ‘We esti- that fi ghting monsters will appear some- because they refl ect the diversity of pro- deal – worth £1000 a year – have been ed 6-12 year-olds to act out and produce mate we had 30,000 people come to see where on the list. Last week they were gramming on offer,’ explains See Me on released. scenes from The Sarah Jane Adventures, the London tour.’ able to do just that when a workshop run CBBC project manager Grace Comely. ‘The Magazine Monitor Blast Lab and Tracy Beaker in front of a live See Me on CBBC will be in Birmingham on number of people wanting to get involved bbc.co.uk/blogs/magazinemonitor/2009/ October 31/November 1. Celebrity guests... Things we learned on last night’s show: TRADE SECRETS Lawrence Dallaglio the rugby player sang on Tina Turner’s We Don’t Need Another Hero, Bruce Hornsby played on I Can’t Make You Love Me, Elton John played piano on Get It On, Luther Vandross was David Bowie’s backing singer, Paul McCartney played HOW TO BE IMPARTIAL carrot and celery sticks for the Superfurry Animals, Kate Bush sang with Big Country, Glen Campbell was Frank Sinatra’s session 1. ADJUSTING THE RADAR: man, Shawn Colvin did the backing vocals Liberal Most people know that during on Luka, and Bob Holness definitely did not With the Lib Democrat Party the formal election period – the do the sax solo on Baker Street. Talk about leader Nick month or so before polling day public service broadcasting. Phew... Dem conference Clegg during in full swing – special election guidelines a question Bryan Burnett, Radio Scotland presenter operate which are aimed at and answer bbc.co.uk/blogs/bryanburnett/ and a general helping programme-makers session at the achieve appropriate balance and party’s annual Lloyds: Mind the GAPS election only impartiality during the campaign conference in Lloyds has put out a statement today that itself. But due impartiality means Bournemouth it is still exploring alternatives to making eight months we always have to take account any use at all of the ‘Government Asset away, chief of the current political context Protection Scheme’ (which apparently is – and that means that in some in the run-up to the election you different in Scotland, Wales and now known as ‘GAPS’ - presumably because political advisor instances, we should now be need to be aware of not favouring Northern Ireland. But in the run- it is supposed to fill the ‘gaps’ or gaping beginning to ‘adjust the radar’. one side or the other. If you rarely up to the election, taking account holes in its balance sheet). Ric Bailey shares feature politics or politicians and of the different structures Robert Peston, business editor his tips for 2. FAIRNESS TO CANDIDATES: want to – call me (the guidelines and inter-party relationships bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ Making sure we’re not being say it’s a must). becomes even more important robertpeston/ broadcasting unfair to individual candidates for impartiality. impartial is central as an election looms. 4. POTENTIAL GOVERNMENTS: Good Reception Some get more attention than Parties of government and 6. NEW YEAR: For now, we should I’ve decided to spend less time breaking coverage others – and proper editorial parties of opposition are normally be upping our awareness of bread with my colleagues in Glasgow and coverage of high profi le playing different roles. The these impartiality issues. After more time supping soup with the audience. characters – celebrity candidates, former tend to set the agenda Christmas, though, it’ll all notch This has become a lot easier thanks to the anti-sleaze candidates – is fi ne, and aim to do things; the latter up. The election period will be improvements that have been made to the so long as in doing so, we’re not can usually only aspire and say weeks away. If you’re planning reception foyer at Pacific Quay. I tell you, it’s being unfair to other candidates things. Now, though, we should now for then, be aware – virtually a far cry from Queen Margaret Drive where in those constituencies. begin to think of both as future all politics will by then be defi ned uniformed security guards used to patrol potential governments. Subtly by the general election. the pavement outside and confront curious 3. DESERT ISLAND POLITICIANS: and appropriately, in terms of onlookers. ‘Move along,’ they would say, Prominent slots for politicians tone, prominence and scrutiny, 7. GET IN TOUCH: Most things will ‘there’s nothing to see here’. Not exactly the on programmes not ostensibly the perspective shifts. be fi ne – don’t be frightened into best slogan the BBC ever gave out. about politics and not even not mentioning politics….just ask Jeff Zycinski, head of Radio Scotland discussing much politics? That’s 5. NATIONS: It’s always yourself more questions about bbc.co.uk/blogs/jeffzycinski/ fi ne normally – a revealing way important for UK-wide output how to make sure what you’re of relating them – but especially to remember that politics is doing is fair. 10 Opinion/Analysis a 22·09·09 The world has changed and aview we have to change with it

SALLY At the heart of Jame Murdo- ient new ways of giving the pub- HILLIER ch’s speech is a simple propo- Defining what public space the lic access to existing content, sition: that only an unregulat- BBC continues to occupy, post rather than representing expan- ed free market can guarantee sions into fresh content areas. If in doubt, ask editorial independence, choice But we have to accept that and quality and that there is no 2012, will drive its strategic review, to many in commercial media space between this market and we seem relatively bigger and the audience the state. Mark Thompson told the RTS stronger than ever. Therefore, Media properties are either it is inevitable that questions HIS COMMENTS ABOUT THE BBC TRUST aside, commercial and therefore truly about the BBC and our services there was something else Ben Bradshaw said last free, or they are state-sponsored, come to the fore. That’s one of week that should have set alarm bells ringing. state-controlled and therefore the reasons why, back in June, Looking ahead to when work starts on the next not just paternalistic, but au- the BBC Trust and I decided that BBC charter, he listed some questions he thought thoritarian. You have to choose this autumn was the right time should be asked: ‘Do we as a nation still value – and in James’s view…Britain to look ahead to the post-switch- public service broadcasting? Do we want the BBC has made the wrong choice. over world of 2012 and beyond to survive and, if so, what do we want it to do and In this country we have a dif- and to develop a clear strategy how do we want to pay for it?’ ferent tradition – not just the for what kind of BBC could best The usual stuff, in other words. Tellingly, the culture BBC and the other psbs, but our serve the public, and best sup- secretary added: ‘The public needs to be heard in universities, our museums and port the media sector. this discussion… a proper national conversation.’ galleries, many of our orches- This sounds suspiciously like a call for yet another tras, the RSC, the National The- Need for broader debate big consultation exercise. Enough already! The atre, our great national parks. The review will be both rad- industry is awash with reviews, reports and In fact, so much of our col- ical and open-minded. Ben consultations. Ofcom alone has launched more lective cultural and social life Bradshaw wondered wheth- than 100 in recent months, according to Jeremy exists not in James’s bi-polar uni- er the BBC might have reached Hunt, while the BBC has just embarked on a verse of market and state, but in the limits of expansion. Don’t strategic review of its own – albeit from a fairly a third space. Public space. assume that we’ll dismiss that radical starting point. Then there are the endless notion out of hand or erect seminars, festivals and conferences, where the No pay zone around news defensive barriers against it. De- same subjects keep popping up: funding, psb, Wherever it can be – and certain- fining the public space the BBC plurality, the challenges of digital technology. ly in the case of the BBC – public should occupy and being explic- Outgoing Channel 4 boss Andy Duncan nailed the space is free at the point of use. it about where space must be groundhog day feel of it all when he pointed out at And the more people who use it left for others will be the thread the RTS Cambridge convention: ‘We’re having the the better. through the whole review. same debate we had two years ago.’ In the case of the BBC, there’s The review will throw up dif- Another point made at Cambridge was that there another important character- ficult choices. Over the past 20 are only about 60 legislative days left until the istic. There’s no demand curve years, we’ve been able to use general election. If the Tories win, we know they and no exclusion. You can’t buy productivity gains – enhanced have ideas of their own. Cue consultation. a better service from the BBC no during some of the period by a Sally Hillier is deputy editor of Ariel matter how wealthy you are. licence fee which grew in real Public space is shared space. terms – to opt for what you That’s why we will never erect could call a ‘both-and’ strategy: a pay zone around our news. maintaining, indeed sometimes Critical junction That’s why we will fight tooth being able to increase invest- WHEN LATE JUNCTION FIRST HIT the airwaves and nail to preserve our broad ment in existing linear services, in 1999, experimental music on BBC radio was in a public remit – from Strictly to A sombre-faced Thompson hears Bradshaw’s views in Cambridge and launching new digital ones. healthy state. John Peel plied his esoteric trade in the Poetry Season. But in a period where not just a populist time slot over on Radio 1, while at Radio And public space is independ- Convergence has become an eve- the licence fee, but the wider 3 Mixing It’s intrepid presenters panned for gold in ent space. The public believe in ‘We will ryday reality and the businesses public finances and the revenues the murky waters of the avant-garde. the editorial independence of which once regarded themselves available to commercial media, Fast forward ten years and the only place for the BBC and they trust us. James as being in a quite different mar- are constrained, and after years ambient, post-rock, and other exciting but called his speech The Absence of fight tooth ket from the BBC – newspapers, of squeezing efficiencies out of indefinable fusions of genre is Late Junction, itself Trust, arguing that we have a sys- for instance – now believe them- the system, ‘both-and’ must and now three days instead of four and starting an tem that doesn’t trust the public and nail to selves to be direct competitors. will give way to ‘either-or’. And hour later at 11.15 so only the truly dedicated (or to make free choices and which You’ve heard me argue that that means choices. unemployed) can last the entire session. therefore is a system which the preserve our James Murdoch’s diagnosis of It was encouraging to hear A shame, because this defiantly un-commercial public themselves cannot have the ills of British media misses Ben say that the government still programme is exactly the kind of licence fee- any trust in. the point. That does not mean has an open mind on top-slicing. justifying show that the BBC can do so well. A Again we need a reality broad public that every question about how I hear that work is being con- welcome shot in the arm of a vibrant global scene, check. As the ICM poll suggest- the BBC fits alongside the rest of ducted on spectrum tax, which it is a bastion against playlists, demographics, ed the other week, public pride remit’ British media is illegitimate or a I believe is a credible and deliv- hype and obsession with the ‘new’ – the polar and trust in the BBC has grown, partisan attack on psb. erable alternative. But I would opposite of typical commercial radio. not diminished, over the past launched Creative Future. But, The world has changed and also suggest that the govern- Sure this is high minded stuff but, crucially, it’s five years. The BBC is more trust- in those years, the world has so the BBC must consider how ment thinks more imaginative- also accessible: if you loathe one track you still ed in Sky homes than Sky is. changed almost beyond recog- it changes, too. Five years ago, ly about what kind of local and might love the next. This, coupled with a playful, So much of the current dis- nition. Digital take-up and the we said that ‘the BBC should be regional alternative it wants to intuitive approach to the playlist makes it the ideal course is based on the assump- public’s use of digital services as small as its mission allows’ support. Is a replication of the introduction to a station whose output can seem tion that support for the BBC, has exceeded almost everyone’s and in absolute terms it is small- current ITV provision – close to impenetrable to the classically uninitiated. the licence fee and for other expectations. But the effect of er. Thousands of jobs have gone a mirror-image of the BBC serv- It was good to see Late Junction celebrated last forms of public service broad- that – and of the downturn – on and whole former divisions – ice – really what this country week. I hope it lasts another ten years without casting, is in decline. It isn’t. many incumbent media busi- technology, play out, OBs – have needs, post-switchover? being shunted to the schedule margins or being Public support is strong and get- nesses has been devastating. been sold. The high-water mark Like Ben, I believe we need a forced to compromise musical integrity in the ting stronger. Inevitably, that has meant a of new linear service launch- better, broader, more positive quest for a bigger audience, thus destroying what The BBC works precisely be- steady increase in the number es and content investment was debate. Both within and beyond made it so good in the first place. cause it has never stood still. of those who worry about the passed some years ago. New ini- our strategy review it’s a debate Adam Bambury is an Ariel reporter It’s only three years since we BBC’s scope and market impact. tiatives like iPlayer offer conven- we will enter with enthusiasm.

> IF YOU HAVE A VIEW ABOUT THE TOPICS ON THIS PAGE, PLEASE EMAIL ariel mailbox a 22.09.09 11

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

Yellow brick road block Can anyone shed any light on the I see the BBC Trust has ordered an spam filter’s erratic performance? end to sponsorship of on-air events. I We should never turn a blind eye to reality Does it need a pill to perk it up? If so, presume they came to this decision I find BBC London reporter Anna O’Neill’s sug- O’Neill is crucial. It’s our journalists’ respon- I could tell it where to get one – at a because it looks like just one long bargain price too... advert for a particular product or gestion that we should consider under-report- sibility to provide clear, accurate reportage to James Clarke company. ing youth violence to protect ‘impressionable perhaps allay people’s fears and help inform sbj, news interactive Does this mean that the BBC youngsters’ frankly frightening (September 18). change. will be cancelling the annual The solution to this and similar societal diffi- Are we incapable of doing this? I think not. Is Julia Harris, head of information Andrew Lloyd Webber advertising security, replies: The BBC is working culties is not to put fingers in the ears of our censoring ourselves and the audience from campaign for productions he is asso- with Siemens to launch a new, ciated with, disguised as talent pro- audience, but to inform and educate people as reality the solution, as Ms O’Neill suggests? My improved anti-spam solution by the grammes? to the reality of the problem. goodness, certainly not. end of the month. With the new sys- Alan Caswell To that end, the role of journalists such a Ms Jimmy Smallwood, 5 live Interactive tem, all email addresses will be auto- senior media assistant (tv intake), I&A matically opted in. It is anticipated that about 90-95 percent of all spam move, you have no programme. You number of high profile organisations Manilow will be joining the BBC will be caught by the filters. Stroke of hope wouldn’t move a black community for deaf people, and for learning Concert Orchestra tonight at the Spam is constantly evolving and My mother programme from Brixton to white and promoting BSL makes it ideally BBC Prom in the Park.’ the techniques used by the spam- hadn’t been able middle-class Surrey. placed to make See Hear. Even if the presenters don’t know, mers to fool spam filters is changing to say much for Opportunities for deaf British The move will provide new oppor- what are researchers for? constantly. The spam filter providers two weeks after Sign Language users in the BBC are tunities for people with hearing dif- David Wythe, sub principal horn, BBC have to react to this but it takes time her stroke. We’d rare with few departments interested ficulties in the Midlands that they Concert Orchestra for them to catch up. only heard odd in investing in deaf staff or taking otherwise wouldn’t have had. words and phases them on board. Those who have had We will continue to make the pro- like ‘dry mouth’. placements elsewhere in the BBC duction with a combination of both Spam shirkers Talk big But the first real have almost always not been deaf and hearing staff, as London Has the spam filter gone part-time? I think Dominic Casciani may have sign of recovery retained and have had to return to factual does currently. There will be Not too long ago it did such a ster- misinterpreted the message around came last week when she spoke a See Hear. Talent managers have no no redundancies in London continu- ling job in shielding me from offers the new policy regarding car hire whole sentence; ‘Could I tape Strictly understanding of what it is like to be ing contract staff. of luxury watches and the slimming (September 15). It will still be possible Come Dancing for her?’ deaf in a large hearing corporation benefits of acai berries that I would to hire cars larger than 1600cc in the With pleasure! She’ll have the whole – supplying the deaf person with an have argued it deserved UPA2. But future; but a reason will have to be given series ready when she comes home. interpreter is not the answer. The Night to remember these days my colleagues and I can for why a larger size car is needed. Rob Bayly glass ceiling exists and is exacerbated by As a member of one of the BBC barely move for invitations to join The intention here is to help director, BBC Bristol features and docs poor understanding and poor qual- orchestras I sometimes wonder for casinos and attempts to make it reduce the overall CO2 emissions ity interpreters. our future when even our colleagues easier for us to please our ladies. produced as a result of our car hire This move is for the sake of a cannot get the basics right. The filter is obviously still turning activities and to help us understand Hear reason move and does not accommodate BBC Breakfast. Saturday September up for work sometimes – just today some of the reasons behind why Why is See Hear, the deaf magazine the deaf staff’s specialist needs. 12: ‘The London Symphony it tells me it prevented Delmar Stin- larger cars are required. show, moving to Birmingham next Linda Richards Orchestra will be performing at the son informing me of an ‘ideal solu- We understand there are occa- year? See Hear relies on London – as freelance interpreter Last Night of the Proms.’ tion for men who feel inadequate’. sions when, in fact, a larger size of the biggest deaf community in the No. The Last Night is always per- But already this morning it has car can be more environmentally UK – for many of its stories as well as Nick Patten, head of Birmingham and formed by the BBC Symphony failed to weed out Mabel Vigil’s offer friendly than a smaller sized car – its referrals to government and other Manchester factual, replies: See Hear Orchestra. of 86 percent off a blue pill which given the right driving conditions – spokespeople. is transferring to Birmingham as part Later in the same programme: will give me the ‘unstoppable desire however this judgment will still be The deaf staff are the nucleus of the BBC’s commitment to moving ‘Barry Manilow will be performing which girls like so much’ and the made by the booker/driver of the car. of See Hear, collecting the stories flagship titles to regional and national at the Prom in the Park tonight.’ charmingly-titled ‘Song about testi- John O’Donnell category manager/road from their contacts. If they don’t bases. Birmingham’s proximity to a It should have been: ‘Barry cles’ from Gilbert Ketch. transport, procurement

‘Barron’s Tiananmen, which of course I contracts, scenic facilities and as Later in her on his knees, wanted to do with every atom in my assistant to the head of programmes, BBC career Penny OBITUARY old boy. I need body, I would get big footed royally, resources and engineering. became a produc- you to get out not least by Brian himself. He was Penny was a huge motorcycling tion manager on BRIAN BARRON there, Honkers, right, of course. fan, soon joining the BBC Club the Future Now Brian Barron was a real foreign corre- then Pekkers... Brian Barron was the best sort of motorcycle section and becoming its project, working spondent, the kind we all wanted to ok?’ reporter, in the best traditions of the secretary. She enjoyed many rideouts with a small team be. I was in awe of him when I joined While I was BBC. He would get out to the story to and social events with the group. in White City to the BBC 25 years ago. I thought he in the air flying see for himself, then find the words She was also a keen horse-rider and look after multi- was a very cool guy, a legend. That to Hong Kong to tell it. He made our competition a member of the BBC Riding Club; platform training feeling never wore off. that evening at ITN nervous. never shying away from the fast lane and large events. Brian seemed to have been on all the Chinese It is a tragedy is that he didn’t – be it horses or motorbikes. Penny blossomed the big stories. There was Africa and authorities sent troops in to Tianan- have many long years ahead with Penny took a break in the early in this role and really came into her the Falklands and the 1991 Gulf War, men Square. At the BBC office in the Angie and Fleur to enjoy his life and nineties to spend time with her baby own organising events involving all and Cairo, Hong Kong, Washington, Cable and Wireless building in Hong every now and then turn on the tv daughter Alice, and when she was departments of the BBC and a host New York and Rome. I remembered Kong it became clear very quickly and watch with wry amusement the ready to return to work she did so as of other companies. him reporting from Vietnam, where that Barron was far from being on efforts of those who tried to emulate a course co-ordinator for tv opera- All of those who had the pleasure he stayed on in Saigon with Eric his knees. He was heading straight his brilliant career. tions training at Elstree. She regular- of working with her were impressed Thirer, as great a cameraman as he back to Peking, as the BBC called the Jeremy Bowen ly set up shoots, worked with actors by her dedication to her role, her was a correspondent, to watch the Chinese capital in those days. and crews on location and organised warmth and her generosity of spirit; North Vietnamese Army’s final vic- If he was disappointed about not all tv training activity. She rapidly no matter how busy she was, she tory. That took guts, of which Brian being there he didn’t show it, and he PENNY VERNHAM endeared herself to the television always had time to help other had plenty. had time to console a young reporter Our friend and colleague Penny Ver- training team and was a mainstay of people. He had energy too. After many who perhaps naively had thought he nham has been tragically killed in a the Elstree ‘family’, much loved by Penny was a stalwart of the BBC; weeks in China, reporting on the pro was about to replace the great man. motorcycle accident while on holi- all those who knew her. Her great committed to its principles and democracy demonstrations in 1989, Brian told me that I was better off day in America. subject knowledge, enthusiasm and always prepared to give 100 percent he went back to Hong Kong for a staying in Hong Kong for a few days, Penny joined the BBC in 1975 as sense of humour, together with her to any project she was involved in. short rest. One morning the foreign because I would have my own story a clerk in publicity based at Queens passion for cakes, are all things by She will be very sadly missed. editor John Mahoney rang me. there, and if I had gone straight to House. She went on to work in artists which she will be remembered. Andy Wilson

12 Classified 020 7878 2314 a 22.09.09

B&B London/Bucks/ Edgware Road. Lovely one bed flat in Shepherd’s Bush. Ideal for family relocating *366)28 Bristol homes inexpensive, £1,250pcm. Zone 1. Queen’s Park. £250pw. Beautiful three bedroom to Media City and available flexible. Telephone Spacious, clean, bright, Close to Brondesbury Park Edwardian family home, immediately with no chain. 1 bed flat NW10 4AS. 020 8840 1071. Email decorated flat. station. Telephone recently modernised A large 5 bedroom house in Split over two levels of home_rentals@btinternet. 1 bedroom. Call Ewa 07768 270960 throughout. Perfect for TVC. semi rural location in Victorian converted semi. com telephone 07976 210353 £450pw. Email matthew. Cheshire and only 25 miles Spacious/fully furnished Luxury 2 bed furnished [email protected] from Manchester. Price with quaint roof terrace, B&B London/Bucks/ Flatmate wanted apartment Manchester £399,950 for full details email all mod cons and brand Bristol. Telephone (non-smoker) to share with Macintosh Mills M1, for Short term room to let [email protected] new boiler and cooker. 020 8840 1071 one other. Large double Monday to Friday or short in garden flat, W3. or 07768 805345 £700pcm exclusive. bedroom available in a term lets. Central MCR. £650pcm incl. Email Wanted 3 bedroom house Tim 07956 276170 BBC house share. two bed split level first floor Photos available. Monday [email protected] in west London. Up to Perivale tube nearby. flat with period features to Friday £800pcm or or ring 07525 429028 2 bed furnished £350,000. Telephone 12 minutes White City. located in Pennard Road, day and weekend rates 07980 555891 maisonette in Hendon. Bedroom overlooking Shepherd’s Bush, close to available. Phone Ray 12 minutes from King’s Stunning two/three garden, WC ensuite. all amenities and facilities 07836 266123 bedroom garden flat. Cross. £760pcm not £365pcm. Telephone with excellent transport ,30-(%=7 including bills. Contact Lisa London N7. Two minutes 01895 634610 links. Hammersmith and Monday to Friday let walk from tube (Piccadilly on 07931 384242 City, Central line tubes, Stamford Brook. Beautiful line) and on major bus Beach house featured in overland station and BBC ensuite room (double), Bassett Road W10. routes. £1,500pcm. Coast magazine. Beach 2 double room flat, just less than 5 minutes walk quiet, comfortable house, Spacious, light 1st floor Available end of September 100 yards. Sleeps 6. refurbished, massive living away. Flat comprises leafy area, next to tennis two double bedroom. call 020 8789 7899 Winchelsea Beach, room, triple height ceilings, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, club. Easy access M4 and £360pw from September. East Sussex. Email floor to ceiling living room kitchen and large sunny M40, N/S. £550pcm. Bills Semi furnished. Contact [email protected]. windows. £345pw. living room. £575pcm included. Telephone Very nice, large room to 07860 956723 Telephone 07880 702959 W14 8BB. 15 minutes to plus bills. Contact Anne on 07740 598099 let in East Dulwich. Zone TVC. Telephone 2 with good transport to 07796 264652 Central Florida, gated 07958 901551 Bright open plan one central London and Bush Notting Hill top floor community, three bedrooms, bedroom furnished flat House. Family house duplex one minute walk sleeps six close to Disney, Accommodation. to rent in Maida Hill. Immaculate 2 bedroom with elderly cat and large Electric Cinema. Large golf, big communal pool and Shepherd’s Bush. 10 minutes from Maida ground floor flat in garden but children now double bedroom, terrace, tennis on site special rates Great double room, ensuite Vale and Westbourne Ealing. £1,250pcm excl all grown up so some rooms balcony, fantastic views. email [email protected] bathroom. Storage space. bills. Available September. let. £90pw inclusive. Park tubes. £220pw. From October. £390pw. Share kitchen sitting/ Call Terry Treadwell. Telephone 07843 435199 Telephone 020 7639 5598 Email [email protected] Telephone 07810 808150 Dorset. Thatched cottage. dining room. Immediately Telephone 01923 855036 Sleeps four. Near Lulworth available. £650pm NW5 peaceful 1 bed, W5 Piccadilly/Central Cove. Website inclusive. Telephone Kensal Green. Lovely www.snailsplace.co.uk 020 8740 4746. Email Chiswick. Lovely 1 bed furnished garden flat. stylish open plan house flat. 2 minutes tube. 2 bed garden flat. Newly Overdale Road big room [email protected] Non-smoking couple/ North Devon. Just £820pcm. Telephone decorated. Available end pine floor leafy views person. £265pw. Telephone available. Stone cottage in 07775 782210. September. £340pw. storage gorgeous garden Acton Central W3 6BG. 01570 421027. Email Croyde. In village centre. Available now. Telephone 07971 878472 easy going landlord. Newly decorated self gardenflatnw5@yahoo. Close to beaches. Sleeps £575 inclusive. contained furnished studio. co.uk 4 plus mattress for child. Kensal Green. 2 bed flat. From November Open plan fitted kitchen. Chiswick single room to www.cottageincroyde.co.uk Ensuite shower room with let in shared house with Period features, neutral Queen’s Park lovely, (minimum 3 months). fully tiled shower, basin garden. £400pcm inclusive decor. £300pw. Call Bunty quiet 2 bed, cottage style [email protected] Remote, luxury, Scottish WC. Suit N/S professional call 07774 692864 07941 882525. http:// house, south facing garden, idyll in Ayrshire hills. Aga, person. Available 1 October. www.facebook.com/album. ideal for W1 and W12. W12. Single room, log fire, endless walks from £125pw excl. Telephone php?aid=101428&id=6566 front door. Sleeps 6 adults Double room for rent. £400pw. Email upmarket house. 01435 830605 66761&l=7d4f414bf5 Rent [email protected] £525pcm includes bills. + 4 children. www:http. £100pw. 5 minutes BBC. theowlhouse-scotland.co.uk Telephone 07944 403809 Negotiable. Email Acton Lane W3. Bright rachel.lingens@btconnect. Large, attractive room Richmond Hill “Alberts” Spain. Restored house in 1 bed garden flat. Good available Monday/Friday. 2 bedroom cottage. com transport links. £950pcm Ealing flatshare. Double gorgeous, white washed Ealing Broadway. Furnished Unfurnished. F/F kitchen. town, near beautiful excl bills. Telephone room in tidy Victorian £400pcm incl bills. Email 10 minutes BR/tube. N/S. 07734 000756 property. £520pcm beaches, south of Cadiz, [email protected] or £1,050pcm. Please call 4634)68= Andalucia. Website inclusive. Telephone telephone 07799 426723 020 8876 3892 (eves) Acton Town single room in 07803 896092 www.vejerhouse.net non-smoking flat. Monday/ for info/pics. Friday. £250pcm or all Room to let in lovely Notting Hill mews house. week £350pcm incl all Large spacious light 4 bed, 2 bath, &)(%2( bills. Telephone Ealing W13 Spacious Five minutes from Notting detached, large &6)%/*%78 2 bedroom masionette to Hill Gate tube. Ideal for TVC 07590 803626 furnished studio flat rent 1 minute BBC and conservatory. in quiet house near or Central London. £150pw. On most prestigious Westfield. £300pw. Call Call 07976 365241 Acton W3/Chiswick. shops/transport. Suit 07922 017373 road. Sale, Cheshire. Luxury B&B perfectly Spacious modern furnished non-smoking female. Close to primary/ positioned to visit the studio flat incl parking. Available now for approx Room to let in Maida grammar schools, M6, prettiest of the Cotswolds £750pcm excl bills. 6 months. £600pcm Lovely 2 bedroom garden Vale. Suit pied à terre or M62, M61, M60, villages and within an 10 minutes to BBC inclusive. Telephone flat in First Avenue W3. attachée. Family house. 30 minutes from Salford hour’s drive of Bath, White City. Call Cecilie 020 8998 0334 £1,200pcm plus bills. Call Kitchen. Bathroom. Media City. £650,000. Blenheim Palace and 07799 027987 or email Ian 07860 663563 or email £105pw incl. Telephone Details 07774 158807 Stonehenge. See website [email protected] [email protected] 020 7289 3082 www.westhillhouse.net

To place a classified ad in Ariel please telephone 020 7878 2314 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, you may post your ad to: Ariel Classified Ads, Ten Alps Publishing Ltd, 9 Savoy Street, London WC2E 7HR To place an ad online go to www.bbcarielads.com a 22.09.09 www.bbcarielads.com Classified 13

B&B London/Bucks/ Edgware Road. Lovely one bed flat in Shepherd’s Bush. Ideal for family relocating Camilla. Transcription IBS, fatigue, migraine, Manchester. Highly *366)28 Bristol homes inexpensive, £1,250pcm. Zone 1. Queen’s Park. £250pw. Beautiful three bedroom to Media City and available 4)6732%0 service. Website stress, other health recommended joiner, flexible. Telephone Spacious, clean, bright, Close to Brondesbury Park Edwardian family home, immediately with no chain. www.transcription4uin problems? Visit flooring specialist. 1 bed flat NW10 4AS. 020 8840 1071. Email decorated flat. station. Telephone recently modernised A large 5 bedroom house in Best ever networking london.com, please call www.ibs-solutions.co.uk or Amtico, Karndean, 8SEHZIVXMWI Split over two levels of home_rentals@btinternet. 1 bedroom. Call Ewa 07768 270960 throughout. Perfect for TVC. semi rural location in party for unattached 020 8977 4078 www.nutritionalmedicine. laminate, real wood creatives. Website Victorian converted semi. com telephone 07976 210353 £450pw. Email matthew. Cheshire and only 25 miles org.uk, or call Michael flooring. All aspects of [email protected] from Manchester. Price www.mediamingles.com joinery work undertaken, Spacious/fully furnished Luxury 2 bed furnished Franklin or Annie McRae MR%VMIPIQEMP B&B London/Bucks/ £399,950 for full details email Damian Segal windows, doors, with quaint roof terrace, Flatmate wanted apartment Manchester Property Renovations. telephone 0845 456 0944. all mod cons and brand Bristol. Telephone (non-smoker) to share with Macintosh Mills M1, for Short term room to let [email protected] decking, Mark Owen, 020 8840 1071 or 07768 805345 7)6:-')7 Quality renovations, Runner up in CAM Awards 0161 371 7773/ ERKIPEPE[VIRGI$XIREPTW new boiler and cooker. one other. Large double Monday to Friday or short in garden flat, W3. extensions, wood 2009 for Outstanding £700pcm exclusive. bedroom available in a term lets. Central MCR. £650pcm incl. Email 07786 267275. Email Wanted 3 bedroom house flooring laid and restored Practice markowen3870@ TYFPMWLMRKGSQ Tim 07956 276170 BBC house share. two bed split level first floor Photos available. Monday [email protected] A tax return to complete? in west London. Up to tiling, plumbing and googlemail.com. Perivale tube nearby. flat with period features to Friday £800pcm or or ring 07525 429028 Let us help! For all taxation £350,000. Telephone electrics carried out by References available email 2 bed furnished 12 minutes White City. located in Pennard Road, day and weekend rates and accounting services 07980 555891 reliable, tidy and friendly [email protected] SVXIPITLSRISR maisonette in Hendon. Bedroom overlooking Shepherd’s Bush, close to available. Phone Ray contact Anthony, Wells & 12 minutes from King’s Stunning two/three professionals. garden, WC ensuite. all amenities and facilities 07836 266123 bedroom garden flat. Co, Chartered Accountants, Free estimates. Cross. £760pcm not £365pcm. Telephone with excellent transport ,30-(%=7 Room 4502, White City Release your spine!  including bills. Contact Lisa London N7. Two minutes References on request. 01895 634610 links. Hammersmith and Monday to Friday let walk from tube (Piccadilly (and London N2). For free Contact Damian Hatha yoga in on 07931 384242 City, Central line tubes, Stamford Brook. Beautiful initial consultation call Alan Islington. Website line) and on major bus Beach house featured in 020 7727 7575 or overland station and BBC ensuite room (double), Wells on 020 8455 7733. www.yogawithaude.co.uk Bassett Road W10. routes. £1,500pcm. Coast magazine. Beach 07961 357119 2 double room flat, just less than 5 minutes walk quiet, comfortable house, Email [email protected] Spacious, light 1st floor Available end of September 100 yards. Sleeps 6. refurbished, massive living away. Flat comprises leafy area, next to tennis two double bedroom. call 020 8789 7899 Winchelsea Beach, Skillset archive film room, triple height ceilings, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, club. Easy access M4 and £360pw from September. East Sussex. Email handling course. floor to ceiling living room kitchen and large sunny M40, N/S. £550pcm. Bills Semi furnished. Contact [email protected]. Intensive, hands on archive windows. £345pw. living room. £575pcm included. Telephone Very nice, large room to 07860 956723 Telephone 07880 702959 skills, learn to manage, W14 8BB. 15 minutes to plus bills. Contact Anne on 07740 598099 let in East Dulwich. Zone assess and exploit film TVC. Telephone 2 with good transport to 07796 264652 Central Florida, gated archives, for details. 07958 901551 Bright open plan one central London and Bush Notting Hill top floor community, three bedrooms, Email caroline@ bedroom furnished flat House. Family house duplex one minute walk sleeps six close to Disney, huntleyarchives.com Accommodation. to rent in Maida Hill. Immaculate 2 bedroom with elderly cat and large Electric Cinema. Large golf, big communal pool and Shepherd’s Bush. 10 minutes from Maida ground floor flat in garden but children now double bedroom, terrace, tennis on site special rates Great double room, ensuite Vale and Westbourne Ealing. £1,250pcm excl all grown up so some rooms balcony, fantastic views. email [email protected] bathroom. Storage space. bills. Available September. let. £90pw inclusive. Park tubes. £220pw. From October. £390pw. Share kitchen sitting/ Call Terry Treadwell. Telephone 07843 435199 Telephone 020 7639 5598 Email [email protected] Telephone 07810 808150 Dorset. Thatched cottage. dining room. Immediately Telephone 01923 855036 Sleeps four. Near Lulworth available. £650pm NW5 peaceful 1 bed, W5 Piccadilly/Central Cove. Website inclusive. Telephone Kensal Green. Lovely www.snailsplace.co.uk 020 8740 4746. Email Chiswick. Lovely 1 bed furnished garden flat. stylish open plan house flat. 2 minutes tube. 2 bed garden flat. Newly Overdale Road big room [email protected] Non-smoking couple/ North Devon. Just £820pcm. Telephone decorated. Available end pine floor leafy views person. £265pw. Telephone available. Stone cottage in 07775 782210. September. £340pw. storage gorgeous garden Acton Central W3 6BG. 01570 421027. Email Croyde. In village centre. Available now. Telephone 07971 878472 easy going landlord. Newly decorated self gardenflatnw5@yahoo. Close to beaches. Sleeps £575 inclusive. contained furnished studio. co.uk 4 plus mattress for child. Kensal Green. 2 bed flat. From November Open plan fitted kitchen. Chiswick single room to www.cottageincroyde.co.uk Ensuite shower room with let in shared house with Period features, neutral Queen’s Park lovely, (minimum 3 months). fully tiled shower, basin garden. £400pcm inclusive decor. £300pw. Call Bunty quiet 2 bed, cottage style [email protected] Remote, luxury, Scottish WC. Suit N/S professional call 07774 692864 07941 882525. http:// house, south facing garden, idyll in Ayrshire hills. Aga, person. Available 1 October. www.facebook.com/album. ideal for W1 and W12. W12. Single room, log fire, endless walks from £125pw excl. Telephone php?aid=101428&id=6566 front door. Sleeps 6 adults Double room for rent. £400pw. Email upmarket house. 01435 830605 66761&l=7d4f414bf5 Rent [email protected] £525pcm includes bills. + 4 children. www:http. £100pw. 5 minutes BBC. theowlhouse-scotland.co.uk Telephone 07944 403809 Negotiable. Email Acton Lane W3. Bright rachel.lingens@btconnect. Large, attractive room Richmond Hill “Alberts” Spain. Restored house in 1 bed garden flat. Good available Monday/Friday. 2 bedroom cottage. com transport links. £950pcm Ealing flatshare. Double gorgeous, white washed Ealing Broadway. Furnished Unfurnished. F/F kitchen. town, near beautiful excl bills. Telephone room in tidy Victorian £400pcm incl bills. Email 10 minutes BR/tube. N/S. 07734 000756 property. £520pcm beaches, south of Cadiz, [email protected] or £1,050pcm. Please call 4634)68= Andalucia. Website inclusive. Telephone telephone 07799 426723 020 8876 3892 (eves) Acton Town single room in 07803 896092 www.vejerhouse.net non-smoking flat. Monday/ for info/pics. Friday. £250pcm or all Room to let in lovely Notting Hill mews house. week £350pcm incl all Large spacious light 4 bed, 2 bath, &)(%2( bills. Telephone Ealing W13 Spacious Five minutes from Notting detached, large &6)%/*%78 2 bedroom masionette to Hill Gate tube. Ideal for TVC 07590 803626 furnished studio flat rent 1 minute BBC and conservatory. in quiet house near or Central London. £150pw. On most prestigious Westfield. £300pw. Call Call 07976 365241 Acton W3/Chiswick. shops/transport. Suit 07922 017373 road. Sale, Cheshire. Luxury B&B perfectly Spacious modern furnished non-smoking female. Close to primary/ positioned to visit the studio flat incl parking. Available now for approx Room to let in Maida grammar schools, M6, prettiest of the Cotswolds £750pcm excl bills. 6 months. £600pcm Lovely 2 bedroom garden Vale. Suit pied à terre or M62, M61, M60, villages and within an 10 minutes to BBC inclusive. Telephone flat in First Avenue W3. attachée. Family house. 30 minutes from Salford hour’s drive of Bath, White City. Call Cecilie 020 8998 0334 £1,200pcm plus bills. Call Kitchen. Bathroom. Media City. £650,000. Blenheim Palace and 07799 027987 or email Ian 07860 663563 or email £105pw incl. Telephone Details 07774 158807 Stonehenge. See website [email protected] [email protected] 020 7289 3082 www.westhillhouse.net

To place a classified ad in Ariel please telephone 020 7878 2314 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, you may post your ad to: Ariel Classified Ads, Ten Alps Publishing Ltd, 9 Savoy Street, London WC2E 7HR To place an ad online go to www.bbcarielads.com  

a 22.09.09 14 Jobs See Attachment 

             It’s news                               to me                   Josephine Wildridge              has gone from TV              Licensing to the hectic                    multimedia newsroom             I ALWAYS SAY you don’t know busy until you’ve        worked in news. Exposure to such a high-pres-         sured area, with constantly changing deadlines,          has made me understand the division and the peo-      ple who work here in a new way. And I’ve come to      realise that a PA’s priorities are never going to be           the same as those of an editor.            I joined news on a year-long attachment as per-        sonal assistant to the head of television news. I’d       started off at the BBC in the nations and regions HQ      in the brand new Media Centre. I was new to Lon-       don, new to the BBC and everything was exciting.          I wanted to further my experience so I moved to             TV Licensing – it was important to know and under-    stand about the licence fee, I reasoned – but I also                               You                 never           know                where           things                    will lead                    wanted to work in an output department and see     how that money was spent. I didn’t know if I would         always be living in London, and you have to do    these things before the opportunity passes.    My attachment came in a year of great change          for BBC news, as it morphed from separate televi-          sion, radio and online departments into a multi-       media newsroom – the biggest in the world. Pro-      fessionally, that threw up some big challenges.      We grew to more than 1000 people – and I had to        get to know them while also helping to organise          events that would help them to get to know each          other, like the New Year New Newsroom party. I have    developed and become a better PA as a result – from      improving my vocabulary and grammar to gaining      confi dence in organising events for large numbers        of people.            I was made permanent in the job after eight       months. The person for whom I was covering was     made permanent in her attachment. Sometimes        these things have a way of working out.       I have also discovered a new hobby – writing.         This has been encouraged by successive newsroom           bosses (Peter Horrocks and Mary Hockaday). I feel      very lucky. You never know where things will lead.     I love working for the BBC. I love telling people I     work here, and I am so proud, especially now that I          work in news. I always ask people if they watch the               news and seriously mean it when I say that they’re missing out if they don’t. It’s fascinating and BBC news is the best in the world.

  Been anywhere nice?   Send your attachment stories to Clare Bolt              

    

14 OCTOBER 08 ARIEL a 22·09·09 What am I doing here 15 PHOTOGRAPH: PHIL WITCOMBE PHIL PHOTOGRAPH: EMMA MASEY foreign VJ AND PRESENTER report LOOK NORTH, HULL

RICHARD PATTINSON The fi rst time PRODUCER’S WHIRLWIND TRIP mum was back at work ‘THAT’S THE CRAZIEST SCHEDULE I’ve ever heard,’ said Sanjay, who was helping put six weeks together my whistle stop tour of the globe after giving for Aftershock, the BBC World News season about the state of the markets after a year birth. Editing of recession. Sao Paulo was my fi rst stop – via at sea, in force Madrid. If the city’s traffi c-choked roads nine gales were any guide to how the economy was doing, Brazil was doing ok. I left the mad- was easy ness to visit a sugar factory in upstate Sao after that Paulo. Sugar cane can be turned into either sugar or ethanol, Brazil’s major car fuel, and producers can choose to make more or less of each depending on prices. With sugar prices at record highs, that means a lot more sugar next year. You’ve been doing some fi lming had to get as much material as top news story one day, and a and could never say no to a job. Next stop, Houston. ‘It’s a full fl ight with at sea recently then? possible for the documentary, colourful feature the next. Some I never knew what was around just the middle seats in rows of fi ves avail- Yes, around the Clipper race. It but I also had to provide radio weeks I’m reporting, some weeks the corner. I waited for a staff able.’ Not good news. ‘I can give you one with gives amateur sailors the chance reports and lives for Radio Hum- I’m presenting. The week before job at the BBC for 17 years. more leg room.’ Better news, but the check- to sail around the world. There berside and also make and edit I went out on the boat I was in in guy failed to are ten 68 foot yachts and I went a fi lm on board for Look North a cosy studio presenting lunch- Where else have you worked? add: ‘It’s right in on board the Hull and Humber and a live for them from the sat- times and lates. I love that I nev- I was a consumer reporter for Swathes front of a giant yacht. All the boats set off on ellite phone. er know what I’ll be doing next. network. I worked on a Watch- glowing screen the race from Hull earlier this dog spin off called The Big Dinner, of Detroit that doesn’t month and they fi nish here too, How did you manage to edit at What stories stand out for you? Short Change on CBBC, Working switch off.’ Never around July next year. sea? For Look North in Hull, and in Lunch, Breakfast news and sport, lie virtually mind sleep, I kept going below deck to edit, and Leeds, I’ve put the Children in and Midlands Today. My most sig- doing any work Why else did the Clipper race then, when I felt sick, I’d go back Need fi lms together. That was nifi cant job was as a vj on the derelict on board was a interest you? up again to take my mind off it. very satisfying. In most cases I BBC local tv pilot. challenge. My The Hull and Humber is the set the fi lms up, fi lmed them, laptop battery barely lasted two hours. And only boat to have ambassadors Were your sea legs up to the and produced them myself. How did you feel when the there were no plug sockets in economy. on board – young people from challenge? They went in the regional opt- BBC local pilot failed to get The buzz in Houston was about recover- deprived backgrounds repre- I learnt to sail about fi ve years outs of the main programme. approval? ing oil prices and the growing demand for senting their city. One of the ago. I’ve taken part in various One of them was a sailing story I was disappointed. I did some natural gas. The US needs to start using gas boys I interviewed couldn’t even race weeks including Antigua about disabled children getting of my best stories on it and we instead of coal if it’s to cut CO2 emissions. spell his own name to me, but and Cowes week, but before this out onto the water in dinghies. had a lot of freedom to be crea- The contrast between Houston and my they were amazing on the boat. story I hadn’t been on a boat for tive and do stories that wouldn’t third stop was jaw-dropping. Thanks to the They’ve all got a place on one of about three years. What was your maternity leave normally be covered. The au- energy boom, Houston’s now the fourth the round the world legs of the like? diences wanted it, but I under- biggest city in the States – something race. Why was that? I was on a short term contract, stand the competition element Detroit could once claim. But Detroit’s pop- Partly because I was having but also freelancing so I only for local newspapers. ulation is down a quarter since the 80s, and How did you end up getting my son, Alfi e, but also because took six weeks off after hav- swathes of the city lie virtually derelict. involved? I’d been working for Midlands ing my son. I couldn’t afford to You’ve had quite a varied career Next up, Tokyo. If Detroit seemed broken, I was asked to cover it because Today which is rather land- take months off. I started work- outside the BBC too? Tokyo looked brand new. Whether it was the I have some sailing experience locked. It was good to get back ing again by making corporate My fi rst tv job was as a continu- relaxing order of everything, or the delicious myself. I spent two days on the on the water again. fi lms for websites. Then I was ity presenter on the children’s food, I began to feel human again. Unem- boat in training around the offered a few months cover at channel Nickelodeon. I was also ployment is at record levels, and the Japa- Solent, and then a time trial What are your days at Look Leeds, and then went for the job at Reuters for two years as an nese have just thrown out pretty much the up from Ramsgate to Grimsby. I North usually like? at Look North in Hull which is a equities correspondent. Then only post war government they’ve ever had - gathered footage for a half hour There is never a typical day. I’m staff contract. I became an ITV/BBC yo-yo, on but it didn’t feel like a country on the edge. documentary called A World assigned to being the North Lin- short term contracts. In Detroit and Tokyo it had been unsea- Away and ended up with more colnshire vj but I could be sent How do you feel about short sonably cool. That couldn’t be said of my than 20 camera tapes full. I got anywhere in East Yorkshire or term contracts? How did you meet your fi nal stop – Dubai. But its economy’s in the up early one morning and put Lincolnshire. I can be doing a I worked myself into the ground husband? deep freeze. Property prices have halved my camera in a wet weather bag On an internet dating website. in the past year. Even so there’s optimism and got some fantastic footage. I It all happened quite quickly. among some that the worst may be over. was the camera director, which We met in early spring, were Others, though, argue it is more wishful I’m very proud of. Seeing the CV married by the end of the sum- thinking than anything grounded in reality. fi nished programme made all mer and had Alfi e at Christ- The great lesson of my sleep-deprived that worthwhile. Degree: BACommunications Media at Goldsmiths mas time. I like telling the story fortnight is the uncertainty that has First Job: Saturday assistant at Waitrose to people who are my age and infected just about every market around What was that race like? Career landmarks: Working on the BBC local tv project, think they’re too old for that to the globe. As the cliche goes, if there’s one Some of it was frightening. It and as a consumer reporter happen to them. Your life really thing markets hate, it’s uncertainty. No lasted for 36 hours and for most Family: Married to James, with a 20 month-old son, can change in a minute. uncertainty as far as I’m concerned though of it we were in severe gale force Alfi e. – I’m laying off the fl ying for a while. nine winds in the North Sea. I Interview by Peggy Walker

> CONTACT peggy walker to suggest a colleague for this feature 16 a 22·09·09 green room ▲ THE ARIELAT0R WE HEAR THAT. . . A weekly take on life at the BBC: MARK THOMPSON has been airing his dirty ▲ who’s up, who’s down, who’s off laundry in the Royal Television Society maga- zine, Television. It seems the dg has been having ▲ a bit of trouble at home: ‘My relationship with the cat has begun to deteriorate,’ he wrote. ‘He’s ▲ gone off Top Gear and the fi rst thing he did when I got back from holiday was to bite me on the ▲ hand.’ Why all this feline negativity? Thomp- son suspects foul play: ‘My wife says that it is the trauma of being separated from the family. I ▲ think that he’s been talking to Ben Bradshaw.’

▲ UPSIDE Going up the arielator, but falling rap- ‘BOYLE IS ‘edging closer’ to Porno,’ ran a recent idly towards the earth, is North West Tonight headline on the BBC news website. SuBo (Susan

▲ presenter Ranvir Singh (left) who has done SPIKE OF LAND Boyle) fans should remain calm – the story was a 10,000 foot tandem skydive for charity. She in fact referring to how director Danny Boyle ▲ was accompanied by, although not strapped may make a fi lm version of the sequel to Irvine to, Coronation Street actress Tupele Dorgu Welsh’s novel Trainspotting, which is called ▲ for the jump at Lancaster Airfi eld in an unusual Porno. Obviously. example of cross-channel co-operation. ‘It was really surreal,’ says Ranvir. ‘One minute you’re HAS SAFETY teamed up with the environment ▲ sat there, and the next you’re jumping out of a team in an attempt both to eradicate swine fl u plane! I just wanted to stay up.’ and develop a free ▲ new water source DOWNSIDE – one that would ▲ An ignominious on air chess defeat for withstand The Radio Derby managing editor Simon Guardian’s most ▼ Cornes at the hands of 12 year-old guest rigorous FOI re- Emma Bentley. ‘Big boss’ Cornes was the sta- MAKING TEA quests? A myste- ▼ tion’s last hope after ba ‘Dancing’ Glenn Jones rious new poster and journalist Ross Birkenshaw were both (pictured, right) ▼ soundly beaten by the child chess prodigy in appears to say so, AT THE BBC though its subse- quent disappear- ▼ EARS PRICKED in the Green Room on initials are common in popular song, ance suggests the listening to the new Jamie T album, probably because they’re easy to campaign didn’t ▼ which references that most lowly, but rhyme, but two cases stand out: indie quite take off… much sought after, production post. kids Franz Ferdinand get the literary ▼ ‘If I look down I’m a goner, I’ll end up prize for their masterful evocation of THE PERILS of the working for the BBC as a runner,’ raps Terry Wogan in The Dark of the Mat- press junket – hun- ▼ the urban troubadour desperately in inée (‘So I’m on BBC Two now, telling gry hacks sniffi ng for a story amid nervous PR Castro Dies, as if he’s trying to avoid a Terry Wogan how I made it and / What people – took an interesting turn at a Merlin set under four moves. He might have lasted long- fate worse than death. The Clash es- I made is unclear now, but his defer- visit which added a bunch of child journalists ▼ est but Simon admits it was only his slowness poused a similar sentiment 32 years ence is and his laughter is’), while the into the mix. But the presence of the youngsters of play that prolonged the game, although earlier in Career Opportunities with most bizarre award goes to hip-hop didn’t stop a journalist from Gay Times persist- ▼ breakfast presenter Shane O’Connor’s advice the question ‘do you wanna make tea act N.E.R.D who end Jump by scream- ing in a risqué line of questioning that would to ‘make good use of the horsey’ [the knight, at the BBC?’ – just one uninspiring ing ‘Astronaut suits by the BBC! / As- have had even seasoned Camelot court physi- ▼ in case you’re wondering] was deemed less job choice available to young people tronaut suits by the BBC!’ for 30 sec- cian Gaius blushing… than helpful. ‘Emma is clearly going on to at the time, suggesting internships onds. Is there something the props ▼ great things but I’ve decided to take up ludo,’ aren’t such a new thing. The three department isn’t telling us? said Simon. Win a Teletubbies dance dvd EARWIGGING NEWS HOUND THE TELETUBBIES’ comeback continues OVERHEARD AT THE BBC WE LIKE DOGS at the rescue puppy Lara, shows Andy’s dedica- with the release of Green Room, and judg- a border collie/Ger- tion to his beloved pet ‘Ready Steady Dance’ …Can I just have a moment to ing by this photo sent man shepherd cross by providing it with the on dvd. A collection read my press release – in by proud pooch and she’s very grateful fi nest news and views of some of the fab I’ve forgotten what I think owner and Radio Not- to Ariel in helping her around, the small mat- four’s funkiest mo- tingham breakfast with house training,’ he ter of waste disposal ments, it’s sure to about this… show presenter Andy writes. Obviously us- an unfortunate side get any young chil- Whittaker, they like us ing the staff newspa- issue. It isn’t the fi rst dren busting a move. …I took her to Jessops but too. ‘This is my new per to line Lara’s pen recycling wheeze to In one of three dvd they chopped her head off… emerge from eco- extras the Teletub- minded staff keen to bies are featured in …We can cut it with dancing gorillas… keep their copies of a brand new light, as the paper useful once for the fi rst time ever …They’re all chilling in the doughnut, they are out of date - they appear in ani- sequins and all!… one member of the PA mated form. For your network recently re- chance to win one of fi ve copies …I couldn’t say that I’ve never sponded to a question of ‘Ready Steady Dance’, just answer this ques- about the existence of tion: How does Noo-Noo help the Teletubbies? licked a chicken… BBC wrapping paper A) BY making Tubby-custard …I shouldn’t go on holiday – it gives me the with the answer ‘cop- B) BY cleaning ies of Ariel’. Last week’s C) BY telling the time energy to be even more grumpy… Ariel, of course. EMAIL ARIEL competitions by September 28.

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