The newspaper for BBC pensioners – with highlights from Ariel online Auntie Geraldine A pottery, a producer and the early days of the BBC – Page 8

February 2012 • Issue 1

World Service to pilot radio Amateur staff advertising Stalin’s daughter orchestra Page 2 Page 7 Page 12

NEWS • Memories • Classifieds • Your letters • Obituaries • CrosPERO 02 Back at the BBC World service to pilot Birmingham staff to go on strike Birmingham staff were set to go on strike in January over plans radio advertising to move staff from the Mailbox to Bristol and Salford. Nearly 49% of BECTU members working in She added that the votes showed ‘how angry Vision, Audio & Music and Information & members are that the BBC will not withdraw For the first time in its 90-year history, the Archives took part in the ballot, with 87% of the dates for programme moves or engage in them voting for strike action and 97% voting meaningful consultation.’ for action short of strike. ‘The ballot result sends a clear message BBC is set to carry adverts in its radio In October’s DQF announcement, Mark to Mark Thompson that he must halt these Thompson said that Birmingham Factual unwise plans to allow for proper consultation broadcasts through a World Service pilot output for Vision and Radio 4 would move and negotiations.’ mainly to Bristol, where a bigger centre for The DQF document said a smaller property for English-speaking audiences in Berlin. documentary and features will work with estate, partly achieved by an exit from the Cardiff. Radio 2’s specialist music output at West London base, would save around £47m The proposed year-long trial is revealed in – would be reported back to the Trust in a the Mailbox, including The Organist Entertains annually by 2016/17. However Murray the minutes of the BBC Trust’s November year’s time. and Big Band Special, will relocate to Salford. said: ‘The BBC has not been upfront about meeting, and follows the target for BBC World World Service is not speculating on how Birmingham staff reacted with anger to the future of the Mailbox. There’s a lack of Service to raise £3m in commercial revenue much of the £3m target income the two the proposals, holding regular demos outside transparency about the big picture.’ by 2013, set last year in the Government’s advertising schemes are likely to raise, in their offices. Although DQF plans said in-house factual Comprehensive Spending Review. their bid to offset the Government’s cutback Bectu rep Anna Murray said that, output such as Countryfile would relocate The plan is to insert paid-for advertising to grant-in-aid funding which cut total compared with other BBC relocation projects, from the Midlands, the strategy outlines that in World Service English output on the Berlin budgets by 16%. the corporation had ‘failed to engage in network drama, including Doctors and The Archers, FM frequency – currently serving a small but ‘While it could make a difference, this meaningful negotiations’ with Birmingham will continue in Birmingham alongside the sophisticated audience within the city. would only contribute a small proportion staff over the reasons behind the move and the BBC’s local and regional output. But Bectu A second proposal is for limited towards our overall funding,’ a spokesman migration schedule. ‘It has been pretty much have expressed concerns that the dramas will advertising on three World Service language said. ‘We are adopting a careful and measured “the programmes are moving from August”.’ become relatively isolated and unsustainable. websites – BBC Arabic, Russian and Spanish – approach, with these proposals deliberately following the lead of the BBC’s international- contained so we can assess how they work in facing website bbc.com, which already practice. carries advertising. ‘The BBC has a track record of managing Babcock gains But as BBC trustees point out, the Berlin commercial activity through BBC World FM idea would ‘extend advertising to BBC News TV and the international BBC.com radio broadcasts for the first time, albeit in a website, and the BBC’s reputation for World Service contract very limited way’. providing impartial and independent news will always take precedence over wider The engineering support organisation Babcock will continue Protests by journalists commercial goals.’ to provide transmission and distribution services to the BBC In 2006 the move to put commercial adverts World Service also has some commercial on sections of the BBC News website visible income through co-productions and its World Service for another 10 years. to overseas readers sparked protests from content rebroadcast by partner stations, the NUJ and BBC staff, including prominent including in the US, is surrounded by ads. The new contract, which comes into the World Service on radio and BBC journalists and editors. The BBC Trust discussions in November operation on 1 April, is worth around World TV. The results of the Berlin and website pilots also covered the impact on audiences and the £200m. Nigel Fry, BBC Global News head of – which, like any commercial activity still potential for more cuts to services and jobs if Babcock has already been providing distribution, said the new contract provided needs approval from the Foreign Secretary the new proposals did not go ahead. technical support to the World Service for ‘clarity of costs over the coming years and the last 15 years. significant savings’. Under the new terms, the company will: He added: ‘Importantly, these savings • coordinate and schedule all shortwave will not affect the quality of service that our O’Reilly leaves BBC to run charity broadcasts including more than 180,000 global audience expects.’ transmission hours in the first year The partnership between World Service A year after she successfully sued the BBC Earth, Woman’s Hour and Farming Today, • operate and maintain the BBC’s six high- and Babcock won two BBC Global for ageism, Crimewatch Roadshow presenter O’Reilly always said she wanted to return power sites and a power station to enable News Reith Awards in 2009-10 for Miriam O’Reilly is to leave the Corporation. to the BBC and came back to work on the global coverage, including across Africa support services. The former Countryfile presenter, who took Crimewatch spin-off last year. and Asia which are key BBC target areas The engineering company has an order the BBC to an employment tribunal at the end On her latest decision she commented: • monitor high frequency broadcast book of around £12bn with 27,000 staff of 2010 after she and other female presenters ‘I have had a rewarding time at the BBC over performance to ensure high standards of worldwide working in defence, transport in their 40s and 50s were dropped from the the last year but am now choosing to move audio quality and telecommunications, as well as energy BBC One Show when it moved to a peak on and work on other projects for a while • manage satellite network contracts and education. time slot, is to set up a support network for including my charity, Women’s and support of satellite distribution Bryan Coombes, communications director women facing discrimination at work. Equality Network.’ systems, including 1,300 receivers at Babcock, said the firm was ‘committed to The BBC apologised for her treatment, The BBC said: ‘We would like to thank in 128 countries finding the right solutions to the challenges following the tribunal ruling that O’Reilly had Miriam for her work on BBC television • maintain the World Service’s FM Relay the broadcaster faces over the next 10 years.’ suffered ageism and victimisation, but not and radio and we wish her well in her new network at 150+ sites across the world. He added: ‘We will achieve this through sexism as she had claimed. challenges but hope that there will be Outside the UK, the BBC reaches a weekly offering innovative ideas that drive A former journalist and presenter on BBC opportunities to work together again in audience of 166 million people through efficiencies over the life of the contract.’ Radio 4’s environmental show Costing The the future.’

Prospero is provided free of charge to retired BBC Editorial contributions: Write to: Prospero, employees, or to their spouses and dependants. BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Prospero provides a source of news on former Cardiff CF5 2YQ. Email: [email protected] colleagues, developments at the BBC and pension Please make sure that any digital pictures you send are issues, plus classified adverts. scanned at 300 dpi. To advertise in Prospero, please see page 12. To view Ariel online, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/ariel. The next issue of Prospero will appear in March 2012.

PROSPERO FEBRUARY 2012 Back at the BBC 03 Career Average Benefits 2011 How did you (CAB 2011) window now closed come to join

Following the BBC’s changes to its pension arrangements, active the BBC? Scheme members have had until 31 December 2011 to make a The BBCPA has just launched a project which is a first step towards creating a decision about how their future pension builds up. staff history of the British Broadcasting Corporation and would very much like • To remain in the current section of the and the pension they had built up to date to invite all Prospero readers to take part. Scheme with a 1% p.a. limit on future would rise broadly in line with inflation. To start with, we want to you to write pensionable salary increases They then join CAB 2011 where they build about how you came to join the BBC. • To join the new career average benefits up benefits each year for their remaining Was it a lifelong ambition? Were you arrangement called CAB 2011 by time at the BBC. These benefits are based on head-hunted? Or did you just need a job? 31 December 2011 a percentage of their pensionable salary each Did you join straight from school, or • To join LifePlan – the BBC’s defined year and there is no 1% limit on increases university or the armed forces, or had you contribution plan now or at anytime in the in pensionable salary, either because of any already had a substantial career elsewhere? future. general pay rise or promotion. Did you have an interview, some kind Around 8,000 members have elected to join Pensioners’ benefits are unaffected by of test, a formal BBC board with a lot of CAB 2011 for future pension build up. As a the changes. grave men in dark suits or did a friend of result they will become a ‘deferred’ member a friend fix something up for you? What did your first job involve? What sort of training did you get? Were you in Cuts at top an office, a studio, a control room or a BBC considers archive fees workshop? And what about your first boss and your colleagues? Were they friendly achieved and helpful or cool and off-putting? for viewers The BBC has exceeded its target of A couple of months into your new job, cutting senior manager numbers and pay. how did you feel about your decision to The BBC is considering whether to charge people who want By December 2011 there were 24% join the BBC? to watch or listen to archive programmes (outside the iPlayer fewer senior staff than in August 2009 – There is certainly a lot to write about. a reduction of 156. The pay bill at higher We have already received some interesting catch-up window), as more of its back catalogue becomes grades has been reduced by £21m, a fall reasons for applying to the BBC: available through digitisation. of almost 27% over the same period. An enthusiasm for crystal sets, The BBC Executive had originally experience developing guided missiles, proposed making the cuts by July 2013, the lure of the glamour, it sounded The idea is one of a number of options being but that was brought forward to the end of just the right job for my brother, it was looked at in order to recoup the expensive 2011 in agreement with the Trust. The target a choice between that and dentistry, cost of transferring many decades of BBC was to reduce headcount by 20% and the because of the Eurovision Song Contest, content onto the internet. senior management pay bill by a quarter. because of a school master, because of the As outlined in the DQF plans, the BBC These targets were subsequently brought man who owned the radio shop, because intends to provide ‘permanent access forward to the end of 2011. ITV had pinched all their staff and anyone wherever possible’ and is working ‘to put the Lucy Adams, director of Business could get in, to prove the BBC didn’t take BBC’s rich back-catalogue online by a mix of Operations said: ‘The reductions we people like me. public and commercial means’. have achieved reflect our commitment to What we are looking for is detail and Any system of ‘micro-payments’, i.e. a Any such ideas would need to be developed ensuring we are delivering value for money anecdote. Some Prospero readers will have small fee per programme, could only be in conjunction with the industry and with in difficult economic times. We will continue joined the BBC 60 years ago and more. implemented after a BBC Trust consultation rights-holders.’ to keep a close eye on these costs reducing There is so much that happened in the and discussions with indie programme- However, a member of the Taxpayers’ them still further where we can.’ past that today’s BBC staff couldn’t even makers and the wider industry. Alliance expressed concern about a ‘two-tier BBC Chairman Lord Patten has said dream of. It should be recorded. A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We never stop licence’, telling The Sun that, ‘Audiences pay he’d like senior manager numbers to come So with plenty of winter still to come future-gazing at the BBC and there are always through their licence. It doesn’t seem fair to down to no more than 1% of the total and long evenings to get through, why a number of new ideas under discussion. charge them twice.’ workforce by 2015 at the latest. not have a go. When you sit down to write, you will be surprised how much you can remember and you may find it fun. No matter what job you did at the Crospero 163 devised and compiled by Jim Palm BBC we do want to hear from you. We all helped to build the BBC. Now it’s time to 1 2 Complete the square by using the clues; these apply only to words tell our part of the story. running across. Then take these words in numerical order and You can email your account to 3 4 extract the letters indicated by a dot. If your answers are correct, [email protected] or use the these letters will spell out the name of a BBC classic of yesteryear. online form on the Association’s website at www.bbcpa.org.uk where you can find 5 6 Please send your answers in an envelope marked Crospero to The a lot more information about the project Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting 7 8 9 and the Association. House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ by Friday, 10 February 2012. Or you can post your account to 10 CLUES ‘Working at the BBC’, FREEPOST 1. Those people! (4); 2. Scottish town (5); 3. Speedily (5); RSLK_CGKR_XEAG, PO BOX 230, Alton, 11 4. Musical note (3); 5. Society miss (3); 6. Bandleader Oscar (5); Hampshire GU34 9AR. 7. Born (3); 8. Animals’ lair (3); 9. Spirit (3); 10. Japanese drama (3); Make sure you include your name as 12 11. Buchan novel (11); 12. Greek letter (3); 13. In equal quantities (3); you were known at the BBC and your 14. Domesticated creature (3); 15. Town of books (3); 16. Get up (5); contact details, including email if you 17. Rocker’s enemy (3); 18. Insect (3); 19. Scots landowner (5); 13 14 15 have one. We would like to have your 20. Imperfections (5); 21. Beat with whip (4). account by the end of March because, if 16 17 the response is good, we will introduce Solutions to Crospero 162: Cinematic; Human; Bures; Band; Ebon; Texas; a new topic later in the year. 18 19 Lento; NAAFI; Dross; Hever; Basal; Dive; Agar; Helen; Lints; Nestlings Prospero will include a selection of (down – Tench and Ousel). The festive fantasy was The Box of Delights. responses to the project later in the year. 20 21 The winner of Crospero 162 was Richard Cox. Nick Whines, BBCPA Secretary

PROSPERO FEBRUARY 2012 04 letters

children to whom he would tell a story and hard floor behind the actors – and amazingly, Working in sing a song. he said, it worked! CONTACTS This generally meant him finding the On the musical side, he took time to Woodlands children sat around waiting for him to monitor my first efforts at balancing the Visiting Scheme arrive, and as a very amateur filmmaker I NDO and, together with Jim Pope, gave me If you would like a visit or information on found this rather static. I foolishly suggested the confidence to handle the complexities how to become a volunteer visitor, please to the producer that perhaps sometimes he of capturing the band’s unique sound. From ring 0845 712 5529. You will be charged at could tell the story while walking along. my Manchester apprenticeship I moved back the local rate. My presumption got short shrift from the to London as a pop music producer in those Queries producer and I was told this was not how heady days of the ‘60s, and from there to For benefit and pension payroll queries, call it is done, so it is now particularly galling Radio Leicester which later sponsored its the Service Line on 029 2032 2811. to me that practically every reporter and own big band. presenter has to be walking along doing Thanks Jack, we all owe you so much. Prospero their piece to camera. Being 20 years ahead Roger Eames To add or delete a name from the distribution list, ring the Service Line (number above). of time is no consolation when you find that Prospero is provided free of charge to retired you are more interested in what is going to BBC employees. On request, we will also appear in shot next, or what that bemused A plea for Ariel send it to spouses or dependants who want The letter headed Gulag North in the person is thinking as they are passed by Rodica Mager addressed the following letter to Mark to keep in touch with the BBC. Prospero is December issue ends with the words ‘why someone apparently talking to themselves – Thompson and sent a copy to Prospero: also available on audio disc for those with here in Salford?’ My immediate thought and that you then realise you have ignored Please please please could you reconsider sight impairment. was ‘why not?’ what the presenter was saying. the idea to end the print edition of the To register, please ring the Service Line The answer is the widespread conviction Roy Bradshaw weekly Ariel. on 029 2032 2811. that anyone with aspirations for an When I heard and read about the idea to BBC Club interesting and worthwhile career must, end the print-edition of Ariel, my eyes went The BBC Club in London has a retired of course, go to London. Successive The origins straight to the row of books on my bookshelf category membership costing £30 a year governments and the BBC have long given lip and locked on Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit for members and £39 a year for family service to decentralisation but done precious of Prospero 451; I shivered at the thought that his membership. Pre-1997 life members are little about it. It is self-sustaining idiocy. The oracular utterances would become a reality not affected. Regional clubs may have more that people from the whole of the UK in our lives. different arrangements. are sucked into the black hole of London, You might regard my request (as a retired Please call BBC Club London from which there is no escape before death member of staff) from you as insignificant, administration office on 020 8752 6666 or email [email protected]. or retirement, the more that companies will but I believe I am among hundreds of other keep their headquarters and senior staff former employees who still follow with Benevolent Fund there. And vice versa. devotion, loyalty and interest the BBC’s This is funded by voluntary contributions Twenty-five years ago I was living in progress, who read publications like A World in from the BBC and its purpose is to protect South Buckinghamshire. My nearest Your Ear, or Jeremy Paxman’s Empire: What Ruling the welfare of staff, pensioners and their families. Grants are made at the discretion neighbours were from Yorkshire, Cheshire, the World Did to the British, and are also aware of the Trustees. They may provide Durham and even Finland. All of us had of your own ‘Give an hour…’ to online assistance in cases of unforeseen financial started our working lives elsewhere but all customers who come up on the screen as hardship, for which help from other sources had ended up commuting into London. virtual reality. is not available. Telephone: 029 2032 3772. My BBC career started in 1953 on a I base my request on a strong personal John Birt Prospero Society transmitter station in Dorset from where conviction that, when technology is used Prospero Society is the only section of the I moved via Research Department in Surrey to enrich the diversity of the media it is BBC Club run by and for retired BBC staff and Lime Grove Studios to an office in There’s an irony for Prospero readers in the laudable, but when it aims to eliminate and their spouses. Its aim is to enable BBC Henry Wood House, W1, shared with two news that Ariel has been published as a other forms of trusted ways of human pensioners to meet on a social basis for Yorkshiremen, a Kentishman and maybe magazine for the last time. John Birt, when communication, it commits a hubris. theatre visits, luncheons, coach outings etc. even a token Londoner. Director General, created Prospero because he Written and printed materials have served Prospero is supported by BBC Club funds I have to agree with your correspondent, was fed up with former BBC staff writing humanity since antiquity and later, through so as to make events affordable. Alfred Barber, on one point. I would not letters critical of his policies to Ariel. Their the contribution made by eminent people The only conditions (apart from paying wish to live in Salford Quays. But then, I views would henceforth not be seen by like J Guttenberg and W Caxton, brought a small annual subscription) are that you would not wish to live in Woodlands where people still working in the Corporation. I was progress and enlightened people’s lives. must be a BBC pensioner and a member of I had my final BBC resting place. A place best on the Executive of the NUJ at the time and To hold and read printed books or papers the BBC Club. For an application form write described, in estate agents’ jargon, as ‘located learned this from BBC Personnel. Whatever the is a basic right and need of any human being. to: Graham Snaith, 67 Newberries Avenue, Radlett, Herts WD7 7EL. on the site of an ancient scrapyard twixt reason for Ariel going just online, it will surely I hope you will find a minute in your Telephone: 01923 855177 prison and railway line’. I did not live there mean dissenting staff get less of an audience busy schedule to think again what can be Mobile: 07736 169612 of course. I travelled in for 16 miles, a much within the BBC in the future. Long may Prospero done – there must be a way, if there is a will. Email: [email protected] shorter distance than many of my colleagues. continue in print. Rodica Mager Anyone based at Salford Quays, prepared to Trevor Goodchild BBC products travel these distances, could live in the Peak BBC retired staff are entitled to a 30% District National Park. Or much closer, if they Sprinklers to discount off the RRP of most products like the bright lights, in central Manchester. We owe Jack in the BBC TV Centre shop. There is a the rescue postage charge of £2.95 per order Even Blackpool would be a possibility! I was delighted to see the photo and article (not per item). Pensioners must quote Salford Quays, still being developed, on Jack Hollinshead in the December issue. Reading the letter ‘Corrections and their BBC pension number when ordering. already has the Lowry complex with a When I arrived in Manchester as a newly recollections – Holme Moss’, November Contact: BBC Shop, Audience Foyer, restaurant, art galleries and one of the finest trained studio manager in 1963 I was made 2011 Prospero, reminded me of an ‘open day’ Television Centre, Wood Lane, London theatres in England only a stone’s throw to feel at home, encouraged and helped by when I was stationed at Daventry (1958- W12 7RJ. Telephone: 020 8225 8230 away from the BBC building. Woodlands, Jack as the senior man in the office. 62). I had to show a party of firemen and Email: [email protected] as I recall it, had a pub and a corner shop. His warmth and kindness, advice, and their wives around the third programme Other ways to order (quoting your Bill Rhodes willingness to share his own experience with transmitter. I knew little about that as I was pension number when ordering): By phone: the ‘new boys’ are facets of his character I one of the few who operated the short- 08700 777 001 8.30am-6pm weekdays. remember to this day. Likewise his stories wave ‘senders’ (transmitters) in the main By post: BBC Shop, PO Box 308, Why can’t they of the old days and how things used to be transmission halls. Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8LW. Email: [email protected]. done. I remember him telling me about his Talking to people who, understandably, Or visit BBC Shops in Eastbourne, stand still? initiatives and experiments with sound FX knew nothing about transmitters, I tried to Brighton, Leicester, Birmingham or More than 20 years ago when PSC (portable before recordings were available. be mildly ‘technical’. I was met with staring Liverpool. UK postage £2.45 for telephone, single camera) first came around, I was Once in a radio drama he had to simulate blank faces and silence. Then I drew their post and email orders. Overseas: £4.50 for sent as a sound recordist to record a series the sound of a train passing from one end attention to the automatic sprinkler system. one item and £2 for each additional product of programmes that was based on the idea of the station platform to the other; Jack told The decibel level shot up from zero to for telephone, post and email orders. of a young troubadour walking along the me he found an old acoustic screen with iron near full-scale as the men babbled with coastline and meeting up with groups of wheels which he trundled across the studio excited enthusiasm. BBC PA After that I needed only to say thank you For details of how to join the Pensioners’ Please send your letters to: The Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Association, see panel on page 5. and goodbye. Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ or email [email protected] Geoff Mitchell

PROSPERO FEBRUARY 2012 LETTERS 05

The year that made the day, which documents the I heard the strains of Eleanor Rigby. This was When I questioned the logic of Producer Will live music preplanning (especially with the authorities, then followed by the entire Revolver album, Choice I was told I had been in the BBC who were not certain about allowing still under the test card, before the start of too long and should embrace these new survive DQF? live coverage in the Abbey at all) right the day’s TX. Even as a schoolboy, I realised ideas. There must be grains of truth in There will, I am sure, be a lot of comment through all the details of the camera and it was most unlikely that the BBC had the one’s views, built up in the combined on the proposals for DQF, reported in your radio positions and some wonderful ‘off rights to do this, and have always imagined years at the BBC, above all, from the last issue. My own concerns, as always, are screen’ photographs. that someone in NC1 (or was it NC2?) had Prospero readership. about the treatment of live music. Pete Simpkin been so impressed with their purchase that There are stories that one hears: As far as can be seen at the moment, morning, that they had unilaterally decided • Can it be true that News cameramen the main thrust of BBC Radio’s live music to discard the scheduled disc and share their are being sent out with a sheet of output will be the Proms; and quite properly A lovely cuppa copy of Revolver with the rest of the UK. questions so that an interview is done so since no other organisation could so Ah, a lovely cuppa in the BBC Club! What I’ve not tracked the incident down on on the cheap? One cameraman being successfully mount a flagship music festival more could a Young-at-Heart want after a Google, presumably because only a few used for vision, sound and a on this scale. tiring morning shuffling round the rose bed hundred people heard it, remembered it or non-existent journalist? The rest, however, is disturbing. Budgets in carpet slippers? A nice game of bingo, realised its significance. So, and with little • Are the endless repeating of menus shared with TV, fewer lunchtime concerts, perhaps? Nothing too demanding – we don’t prospect of getting their wrists slapped at on programmes that add time and not the BBC Orchestras and music groups want to wear out the few functioning brain this late stage, does some BBC pensioner information to a weakly structured again under threat: it all adds up to less cells we Youngies have left, now do we? You want to own up to this minor act of anarchy, programme because the production and less live music on the air. Could part must excuse me now, dear, while I finish or cast some light on the incident? team do not have the funds to of the problem be that the only live music knitting this box of breakfast cereal. You just Mike Steed do otherwise? considered viable needs to be big and loud, carry on painting your nails. [email protected] • How can the BBC outsource its and therefore expensive? JC continuity and presentation departments In my day, (yes, that old phrase again) and thereby in effect lose a BBC there were a number of programmes which More than pub talk editorial voice? featured duos, trios or small ensembles, Members of merit Mindful of the recent letters to Prospero, there • Are interviewer’s questions not being providing listener appeal at lower cost and With regards to the letters from may be a case for a new feature section. heard on the News because of a lack of a showcase for up and coming talent at the correspondents Mr Chesneau and Mr Woolf, I Whenever one retired BBC employee training, money or the lack of people to same time. Those that come easily to mind heartily agree with the sentiments expressed. meets another retired BBC employee, the wire up the microphones? include the 9am Daily Recital, Music at ‘Young At Heart’ is indeed both conversation inevitably turns to the way it has • How can this, or that? Night and, on a more established level, patronising and derogatory. What is the BBC gone to the dogs, it’s not the way it was in our • Did you know that…? The Thursday Concert. Club thinking of? Incidentally, the Club day and why are they always going on about Many readers of Prospero, if not all, have an Our universities and music institutes is wrong when they write that they ‘have money when they pay Thompson so much. ear to the groundswell and many readers continue to turn out legions of highly had no other negative feedback’. I have This could be described as just pub have some useful direct knowledge of the talented, enthusiastic, sensitive and emailed them time and time again to stop logic, pub talk, but we shouldn’t dismiss it. systems and structures that actually worked surprisingly mature young players, and sending me their communications with this Often a gut reaction to a wrong sometimes and made for the finest broadcaster in tapping these resources would appear ridiculous heading. hides a real truth in how we might have the world. We have more than competent to be a good start towards reviving They have requested a few suggestions; conducted ourselves were we the ones giving expertise in programme making that many these programmes. here are the few which also do not include advice or making the decisions. The current at the present BBC might or might not want This, I feel, would show a stronger ‘retirement’ – another label which sticks in banking crisis is a case in point. It seemed to hear, but with the hope that it may do commitment to live music by the BBC my throat – namely: to us non-experts that the euphoria then of some good. and provide more valuable material than • Life-long Club members 100% mortgages and banks offering loans So, with the above in mind, perhaps we imported programmes from abroad. • Loyal Club members everywhere couldn’t be sustained. Well, should share and respond to some of the Asa Briggs, in his History of the BBC, quotes • Members of merit it couldn’t! things we hear with perhaps the hope of a Sir William Haley’s belief that radio ‘has a I shall be sending yet another email to the The BBC today may dismiss our self- reply. It may, at least, be a way of reminding duty towards the art of music’. It would Club with these suggestions; let us hope this righteousness and indignation at some the present day BBC of an alternative to be nice to think that DQF could reflect this time, the lesson goes home! of the horror stories we hear. They might some of the things they are doing and principle in its present day plans. John Harman describe what we relate as unfounded and might or might not want to hear. It might John Meloy ill-informed or, if we are near the knuckle do some good. Don’t gamble with of the truth, not knowing the whole picture. Albert Barber Coronation our pension correction I was concerned when the BBC News I think John Priest has some of the channel reported that the Government were information a little blurred in his excellent asking pension trustees to invest their pots article in Prospero regarding how the of money into stocks and shares to assist Americans saw the Coronation in 1953. them solve their debts, I do not accept the Any relays of motorcyclists picking up idea that my salary contributions, for more film from along the route would have been than 30 years, would be used for gambling working for film companies making cinema purposes. Just remember what happened to quality versions of the event. The films he Equity Life! I sincerely hope that the BBC refers to were the complete broadcast as pension trustees will not take part in this seen through the electronic cameras (no Government’s proposal. film) and mixed into a complete programme Peter S Pearson as shown live. This was ‘telerecorded’ by pointing special film cameras at high quality TV monitors, and it was this film Own up to this act which was rush processed, assembled onto spools and flown by a chain of helicopters of anarchy from AP to Heathrow from where three I’ve long wondered if there’s someone from Canberra bombers took off in sequence TVC Network Continuity who’s been hiding at 1.30pm, 3.15pm and 6.30pm and flew a guilty secret for 45 years. It would have to Montreal where Canadian TV put them been on 8 August 1966, in that pre-Radio 1 straight on air and showed them ‘as live’ era when the BBC’s playing of pop records, complete programmes with the subsequent even on the Light Programme, was not just instalments being delivered by the later restricted, but virtually banned. Canberras. The pictures were then TV-linked I had spent most of that morning playing to the States where they were also seen at Revolver, the legendary Beatles LP released the same time. that day, on my home radiogram. Around As a youngster would-be-engineer, I lunchtime I switched on the TV to see if followed such matters closely and still the day’s broadcasting had started (this was have the excellent BBC hardback book 1966!) But when the test card came up, published later in the year under the title instead of the bland copyright-free musak,

PROSPERO FEBRUARY 2012 06 MLIFemE oriAFTesER AUNTIE Fright night BBC pensioner Mary Surrey, 88, had her wits about her Money matters when, one night in February last year, she saw a hooded man in her bedroom, dressed in black. Have you lost They later told her that the burglar had tried Officers found his fingerprints on the your assets? the front door first, but when he found it window. He was a window cleaner who had In the UK it is estimated that there are dead-bolted he had gone around to the back previously broken a community order for billions of pounds in dormant bank and Mary had just finished listening to the World of the house, where he managed to prise two stealing, and broken bail. building society accounts, National Savings Service at around 1am and had switched panes from a louvre window leading into the Mary attended court late last year in order and Premium Bonds which have not been off her light, when she heard ‘an almighty garden room and climb in. to get a better understanding of what might claimed as prizes. Insurance companies crash’. This was the burglar knocking over a ‘The police assumed he had targeted have driven him to commit the crime. ‘I also have millions of pounds in unclaimed pile of books. She saw him in the doorway my house because he thought it was wanted to see the man,’ she said. ‘He wasn’t a savings policies. – in profile, and just for a moment, so she empty,’ she told Prospero. ‘I don’t have a car, thug, just a man who was a bit weak and had If you think you may have money in lost couldn’t later identify him. although sometimes my neighbours park hard circumstances in the past.’ accounts, then you can still pursue it many ‘I shot bolt upright in bed and shouted,’ their car on my drive. That night, however, The accused pleaded guilty and was years after and be reunited with your she said later. ‘It was like a roar.’ they hadn’t.’ sentenced to three years and four months. lost funds. Her shouts drove the burglar away, and Mary thought it must have been a ‘skinny Mary, who worked at Radio Solent for The first step is to consider all the when she was sure he was gone, she picked teenager’ who had broken in – how else to 12 years, realises that she was extremely savings plans that you might have had, up the phone and dialled 999. Mary was explain the fact he had squeezed in through lucky to have escaped with only a broken both as a child, perhaps started by advised by the operator to keep the line open such a small space, so she was amazed to window. ‘I have now put bars on the louvre friends or relatives, and then as an adult. until she heard the police at the door. discover it was a 36-year-old man. windows so there is no way in.’ Particularly if you have moved address a few times, and in the case of women, changed your name, it may be that the institutions with whom you have accounts Don’t let it happen to you have not been able to trace you. The British Bankers’ Association, Although Mary’s experience was door leading to the inside sticking out of the letter box is an Building Societies Association and National unwelcome, statistics shows that older • Keep your ladder and garden tools locked invitation to break in Savings have a combined website, people are in fact less likely to be attacked away as they can be very useful for the • If you have a garden it is a good idea to www.mylostaccount.org.uk, which or robbed than people in any other age opportunist burglar mow your lawn before you travel enables you to make a single claim online. group. Nevertheless, there are a few simple • Always keep your keys in a safe place. • Don’t close curtains or blinds as they In the case of many building societies precautions you can take to minimise your The first places that a burglar will look are a giveaway, especially during the and insurance companies, they may well chances of being targeted by criminals: for your door key are under the mat, in a day. You could plug a lamp into a have changed name or merged with others. flower pot or on a piece of string through time switch which will automatically If you need help in tracing the current Locking up the letter box turn it on in the evenings whilst name, most IFA firms would be able to Most break-ins are not the work of • Never leave any keys in the locks or lying you’re away help you. In addition, the Association professional burglars. Many are carried out around the house • However, don’t switch on the lamp in a of British Insurers also offers help with by opportunist thieves who get into your • If you’re out for the evening, leave a front room which passersby can see into when this at www.abi.org.uk, or telephone home through an open or insecure door room light on (not the hall) and perhaps the light is on 0207 600 3333. or window. put the radio on too. Draw the curtains • If possible, ask a friend or neighbour to If you think you may have owned shares, When you go out: leaving a small gap at the top so you can keep an eye on your home for you through a share saving scheme at work • Be sure to lock all the outside doors and see the light from outside. An opportunist • When you travel, remember not to or having been gifted them by a relative, check that all the windows are closed thief may think there is someone in display your home address on the outside the Registrars of those shares will be the • Many burglaries happen during the the house. of your luggage. starting point for you to find out how to afternoon, so even if you are just popping claim their value. A number of the main out for a few minutes during the day If you are going away Reproduced with permission of AgeUK. You Registrars, such as Capita, Computershare always lock up fully before you go on holiday: can read their Staying Safe factsheet on their and Equiniti, offer share-tracing services. • Remember to lock garage windows and • Remember to cancel milk, newspapers and website: www.ageuk.co.uk/homeandcare, In the case of pensions, the Government doors when you leave, particularly if your other deliveries. To a burglar a dozen milk or you can order any of their free set up some years ago a pensions tracing garage is attached to your house with a bottles on the doorstep or a newspaper publications by calling 0800 169 65 65. service www.pension-tracing-service.com, telephone 0845 230 2928. If you wish to avoid losing track of your accounts and savings, or wish to prepare A final salute to Tel OBs ManchesterBy Jerry Clegg your family for dealing with your estate after your death, then it is a good idea to keep Steve Harris, the in the yard to have a look-see and reminisce After the programme, the scanner stayed in a record of all your accounts and dates of owner and restorer of about times gone by. Amazingly, after all the yard overnight and the following day when they mature or might pay out. the ‘heritage’ scanner these years, a number of authentic original became the last technical vehicle to leave the An asset management service which North 3/CMCR9, spare parts were produced from the building former Manchester OB base on Saturday, enables you to keep track of your savings, achieved one of his as the day wore on! 26 November 2011. updating these from time to time, can long-term objectives Steve, a former TV lighting director, drove The next item on the calendar for North be a very useful legacy to leave to your at the end of the scanner himself, from his base near 3 is a full external re-spray before its loved ones, as it saves them the distress November, when he Queensferry, a distance of about 44 miles, appearance at various steam and vintage of having to work through a mountain of brought his restored one of his longest trips so far. Fortunately, vehicle rallies in the summer. There will be paperwork when they may not be in the 1969 colour OB unit the weather was kind and the old girl ran lots of veteran steam traction engines and best frame of mind to deal with this. Most back to New Broadcasting House, Manchester very well after a recent tune-up, otherwise restored lorries and buses on show, but only reputable independent financial advisers on the final day of operations there before the winter journey might have been difficult. one former BBC mobile control room! will offer this service to their clients to the BBC’s move to Media City in Salford. Wipers and demisters have improved ensure that you do not lose track of your North 3, which was one of three of these considerably since those far-off days when savings and that your beneficiaries are able units based at NBH in the early ‘80s, was the BBC had nine of these units in the early to obtain the full benefit of savings and featured several times in the final edition days of colour TV. investments. of North West Tonight from the Oxford Road North West Tonight Senior Correspondent, Dave Kay Ingram is Director of Financial Headquarters of BBC North. Guest, appeared in the show in front of North Planning at LEBC Group Ltd, which is an It had been almost 30 years since North 3 3 and also in the Production Gallery, where appointed representative of Tenet connect had last been parked in the transport yard at he did an interview with Steve. Later he did Ltd. Email: [email protected]. NBH and a number of interested staff, some a final piece to camera in the vision control of whom had worked on the unit, came out room before handing back to Studio B.

PROSPERO FEBRUARY 2012 MMEMemoriORIesES 07 The BBC’s first television studio outside London By Trevor Hill For someone who was to produce one of the very first television programmes from the former Mancunian Film Studios – and to have had the honour to be appointed Chairman of Planning for New Broadcasting House in the 1970s – I am indeed saddened that Manchester will no longer be the home of BBC broadcasts. Happy New Year to one and all! Here at the Club we hope you had a truly designer besides director. As for announcers, I enjoyed working fantastic festive season and you are all Fortunately in the Cheshire village where regularly with Mary Malcolm at Lime looking forward to an epic 2012. I lived was a helpful farmer, and so total Grove, but surely the time had now come Young at Heart – Retired members design costs for a now televised ‘Barn Dance’ for teenagers to announce on television, as As a result of feedback we have received were precisely twelve shillings and sixpence Geoffrey Wheeler, Brian Martin and Judith from you, we will no longer be using the – the price of TWO bales of straw and Chalmers had done for me on radio. Judith name Young at Heart to describe our including delivery. first announced our Saturday ‘Out of School’ retired members. All references to Young Strewn across the floor, a ‘Barn’ on Children’s Hour with a 14-year-old Joyce at Heart will be removed and replaced with atmosphere was immediately created – as the Palin as pianist, and a 16-year-old Peter Retired members. photo of that even surely indicates. Luckily, Maxwell Davies as our resident composer. This year the Club is looking to increase our it was back in 1952 that I had auditioned And so Judith was now to make her very first Retired member offering. In order to do this a chap named Harry Corbett, so now I screen appearance from Dickenson Road. we need your help. We want to know what considered that all the BBC’s Dickenson Road Such was to be followed by her regular you want so that we are organising events studio required was a clean Sweep – and appearance in Children’s Television Club, along and activities that you want to attend. We which it also got! with Wilfrid and Mabel Pickles. want to make it a super social year for retired members in the Clubs and gyms. Judith Chalmers Fortunately, the owners of Alnwick Castle When Owen Reed took over at Lime Grove, were watching that day and so my Barn he wanted this feature on a daily basis and, as Talk to us, tell us what you want! Having to travel down from Manchester Dances later appeared in far more illustrious a result of the flag that flew aboard The Royal Contact Amanda Head to Lime Grove, London, on a regular basis surroundings, and thanks also to North’s Iris paddle-steamer that Sunday, 7 May 1956 (Email: [email protected]; to produce for Children’s Television, it was Outside Broadcasting Unit. on the River Mersey – the day Judith launched Tel: 0208 752 6539). a great relief when in 1954 the former And then when my wife, scriptwriter our Club, the series later transferred to London Membership Methodist Church – bought in 1947 by Film Margaret Potter and I had seen two pigs in a and also, with my agreement, Owen was to Membership for retired BBC employees Studios (Manchester) Ltd – now became the holiday sandshow at Heysham head, and it re-title the series as Blue Peter. Such is confirmed costs just £2.50 per month or £30 a year first BBC Television studio in the regions. was she who suggested to the Dalibors that in Owen Read’s obituary. and includes a wide range of discounts: On setting foot inside a distinctly the name ‘Perky’ might be more appropriate How very fortunate were I and others to be • in the Club sites, on wine, draught beers dishevelled building, it occurred to me this than the billed name ‘Porky’; all Margaret working for the BBC in those truly formative and food would be an ideal setting for my radio ‘Barn and I now required were friends to pull a years when, controller or fireman, we were a • on special events run in the Clubs and Dances’. With such as the talented Tommy few strings in order to get them the first of FAMILY in broadcasting and were to greatly off site Mottram and others sorting out required the three series which she was to write and benefit from the creative and constructive • on online purchases lighting, I now undertook the task of studio which I was to produce. talents of many others amongst us. • and last but no means least your FREE weekly Radio Times (which covers the value of your membership alone). Register at www.bbcclub.com/ Stalin’s L Darkin sent in membership/registration to join. If you are already a member you can collect this recollection your new Club card from any of the Club daughter sites on your next visit. Your new Club card about CMCR9: will give you access to the discounts in the Peter Fraenkel, Controller BBC Seeing the piece in Prospero about CMCR9 Club sites and gyms and will be required rolled back the years when it was when logging in to view or book anything online or to collect your . European Services (1979-1986), resident with us in Birmingham. Radio Times sent us this amusing memory: The unit was upgraded during the time Retired members’ lunch spent with us. For example, it operated A perfect occasion to get together is our with five Philips cameras (a feature in weekly ‘Retired members’ meal where you Svetlana Alliluyeva came to the BBC Russian much demand by programme makers). can enjoy a two-course meal and a lovely Service some time in the 1970s enquiring CMCR9, I believe, was the only BBC OB cuppa for a mere £5. The lunch is held at whether we had a job for her, possibly as unit without CSO (colour separation Club West One (next to Western House a translator. overlay) – we installed this. We burnt Radio 2). For more details please refer to She spoke excellent English. We had the midnight oil updating its Design the calendar on our website. no vacancy at the time but the Russian Department vision mixing equipment Email: [email protected] Programme Organiser (Mary Seton-Watson) in order to comply with stringent Tel: 020 776 50971. and I (then head of the East European sound and then – like ripples in a pond – all timing requirements. Offers & discounts Services) took her to lunch to discuss churches of Moscow. From there the joyous I recall the 48V (4x12V) batteries - 10% discount on all Nigel Wilson possible freelance contributions. ringing ‘Christ has arisen’ would spread ‘all were replaced whilst in our possession. Photography workshop courses. She spoke about her childhood in the over Holy Russia.’ Originally intended to start diesel engines, - Post sale bargain hunting? The Club Kremlin. Her maternal grandmother, who Svetlana said she had never heard that bell. they never did! Due to their unusual use, has arranged a number of discounts of had looked after her, was sworn to secrecy All her childhood she had wished she could a battery supplier suggested as up to 30% in some of your favourite so she did not learn about her mother’s hear it just once. replacement high lead content batteries. shops in Westfield. suicide until years later. The grandmother I said: ‘Would you come on air at midnight As for the diesel engine, its lifetime Logon to http://www.bbcclub.com/extra/ did, however, make a deep impression on on Easter Sunday and tell this story again?’ would be less as the workload was offers to find out how to redeem these her: Once she pointed to one of the Kremlin ‘Gladly,’ she said, ‘but on no account must somewhat light, in spite of the vehicle’s offers and many more. churches – I think it was the Cathedral of you mention who I am.’ total weight being just below the the Assumption – and told Svetlana that ‘Madam,’ I replied, ‘the story would lose maximum allowed for four-wheel usage. before the revolution at midnight between its entire point.’ It’s with much fondness to know this Easter Saturday and Sunday, one bell of this ‘You are just like all the other journalists,’ piece of hardware is living up to Got a question or comment? church would be rung. A moment later the she said. ‘You just want to exploit my name.’ its description. Email us at [email protected] other Kremlin churches would take up the We never got her on the air! or call 020 875 26666.

PROSPERO FEBRUARY 2012 08 MEMORIES

in London to arrange a job interview for Evangeline with ‘Mrs Fitzgerald’, in charge of Children’s Hour and Women’s Half Hour at the BBC, who needed a secretarial assistant. ‘She had been in Fleet Street before, she had a certain experience in Fleet Street,’ Evangeline recalled. JE: And what year are we talking about? EB: 1923. Evangeline had been there a week when Mrs Fitzgerald came in and told her to announce the Women’s Half Hour because the announcer hasn’t come. ‘So there was I, switching on saying: “This is 2LO calling the British Isles”.’ Evangeline recalled that the BBC was located at Savoy Hill. The main office, on the first floor, was a huge room with a few glass divisions. It eventually became Studio 2, which took the orchestra. ‘Because when I got there, there was only No.1 Studio, two-foot walls in blue and gold, and this great big microphone, and a red light which switched on when you were on the air. But there was no control in the room, we My wondrous wireless girl controlled ourselves, and somebody would sit at the side table and more or less conduct you if necessary.’ When Prospero contacted John Ecclestone, Head of the Network Production Centre, Manchester JE: And what sort of atmosphere was there in the place? It was described by somebody as a sort of village (1977-83) about the MBE he has just received for his work for the National Trust, little did we know that atmosphere – everyone knew each other and it was the story would link back to the earliest days of the BBC. John writes: very friendly... Mr Reith EB: Oh no, no. I wouldn’t have said we knew each other Evangeline Bingham nee Curtis was born in at all. Everybody was in great awe of Mr Reith. No, Way back in 1993 I had a phone call from Dharamsala, in the Punjab. ‘My father was in “After the war I we all rather kept to our own sections as far as I know. Michael Ford, sometime LE radio producer the siege of Ladysmith at the time, so there Later we did have certain sporting activities because I did in Birmingham. In his retirement, Michael was my poor mother with my two brothers decided I must earn play tennis for them and hockey, so one had occasional was recording people’s memories as a and two sisters, and this wretched child!’ gatherings like that. About once a year there was a party volunteer for the National Trust. He was In 1905, all the records of her birth my own living.” with a dance. The first birthday Outside Broadcast was due to make a recording at Little Moreton were destroyed in the great Dharamsala in the Savoy. Marconi was there, and I sang in the BBC Hall in Cheshire when he realised I lived earthquake, and in 1907 she and her siblings Beauty Chorus, conducted by Stanford Robinson. nearer to ‘the crooked house’ than he did. were sent to boarding school in Kent. how aware were you that this strange thing JE: And that was broadcast was it? That was the first of the 650 or so ‘After the war I decided I must earn called the wireless, or radio, existed, or were EB: Oh yes, the whole thing was broadcast, it was National Trust recordings I have been my own living – I couldn’t sponge off the you not aware?’ the first Outside Broadcast. Then later we had the first involved in. family any longer – so I trained at secretarial Evangeline answered: ‘Hardly aware, I Outside Broadcast from the Zoo, and Uncle Peter and I Round about the year 2000, Jeremy Milln college. I got one or two smaller jobs and certainly never had a set or anything of that went down beforehand to recce the place and watch the of the National Trust became interested then I got this gorgeous job at the BBC.’ sort. We saw these aerials and things but sea lions and talk to the keepers and things. And then in the Middleport Pottery at Burslem in At this point in the interview, John asked didn’t know what it was all about.’ Peter wrote the script and we broadcast it from No. 1 Staffordshire. It had fallen on hard times her: ‘When you were at secretarial college, Then a chance encounter led her flatmate Studio in London with Peter conducting, but with the and the new owners, Rosemary and Tony Dorling, were determined to rebuild its products and reputation. Jeremy tried to persuade the National Trust to acquire it and run it. In the meanwhile I was lucky enough to make recordings with the people who were still working there, some of whose memories of the factory and the Potteries went back many years. Then one day Tony Dorling said: ‘You must record Evangeline Bingham. She is a relation of ours who has invested in the Pottery, and I think she once worked for the BBC.’ It turned out that Mrs Bingham had joined the British Broadcasting Company in 1923 and became known on air as Children’s Hour’s ‘Auntie Geraldine’. When I went to her home to make the recording in April 2000, I discovered that ‘Auntie’, born in India in 1899 (sic), was blind. But that did not prevent her making us tea. Then we recorded her memories of Children’s Hour, John Reith and 2LO. So when Prospero contacted me, Roger Dowling, formerly Head of Engineering at the BBC in Manchester (and who is also a National Trust sound archivist), said: ‘Why not tell Prospero about Auntie Geraldine?’ Why not? From the days of 2LO So here goes!

PROSPERO FEBRUARY 2012 MEMORIES 09 microphone in the Zoo, so when a sea lion went in I was signalled (because I was doing the Cockney mother taking her ghastly child round the Zoo!), and when a sea lion Middleport went in the water I went [cockney accent] ‘Henry, look, do you see, he made a terrific splash, didn’t he?’ You see! (laughs) – and that was that – you had to be conducted, Pottery – update you had to wait for the sound to be heard before In June 2011, The Prince’s Regeneration you spoke. acquired the site at Middleport Pottery to save it from possible closure and to embark on an ambitious conservation “We had a most and regeneration project. The Grade II* Listed site will be restored and developed fearful long birthday over the next two years – the project will save and create local jobs, preserve list to do – and all the traditional techniques and restore the buildings to create a hub of traditional unpronouncable Welsh craftsmanship that residents and visitors names were a bit can enjoy. of a problem.”

EB: Of course in those early days, you see, we had to make all our noises for ourselves – there were no nice recordings. There was the beginnings of the sound effects department, I forget the name of the chap who had it. And all we could get were coconuts for horses hooves, a sheet of children – 64,000 in 1924. ‘They wrote in there was a sort of clash, as it were, between how much iron for thunder, a sieve with shot in for the seashore and for their birthdays of course – we had a most the BBC should entertain and how much the BBC a wind machine, and these were dumped in the studio for fearful long birthday list to do – and all the should educate? us and we had to work them ourselves. unpronounceable Welsh names were a bit EB: One knew that was more or less going on but life JE: And if I told you I was still doing of a problem!’ was too full doing one’s job and just living anyway to be that in 1956 – in exactly the same way you described. The birthday letters weren’t replied to, bothered about that. EB: Well! That is fascinating! but if anything needed a reply Evangeline JE: No one agonised over that in Children’s JE: Now you mentioned Mr Reith. You met him and would do it. She had a couple of secretaries Programmes? knew him? from the typing pool that she could draft in EB: No, certainly not. EB: I don’t think I can say yes to either. I doubt if I to help. JE: Just as a final thing, I wanted to ask you, the ever spoke to him unless to say ‘good morning’ if he passed JE: Did the range of Children’s Programmes grow or reaction of people to broadcasting at the time, and to me in the passage. And when he became Sir John Reith he were you doing a very wide range from the start? yourselves in broadcasting, I think this was a bit of was very pleased with himself! No, one never met him or EB: It grew I suppose because we got more people a humorous thing from Radio Times at Christmas in spoke to him. writing for it – but we set the tone right away from the 1923: ‘You’ve set my valves a throbbing, My headpiece is JE: What did the staff think of him? start. Peter and I used to take auditions and we turned a whirl, So turn your earpiece to me, love, My wondrous EB: Everyone was more or less a bit scared of him. down people with impure vowels, because at that stage wireless girl’. we wanted them to speak properly. We thought we had EB: (laughs) Oh lovely! Becoming Auntie Geraldine a mission to improve the whole standard of life for JE: Was that in anyway typical of the times? Evangeline recalled how she came to be everybody, and people’s appreciation – we were feeling very EB: I should think quite likely. I may say I used to get Auntie Geraldine… ‘Uncle Peter [Cecil altruistic! (laughs). letters from a gentleman on Carlton Club paper asking Hodges, who was in charge of Children’s JE: So you wouldn’t have taken anyone with a me out to dinner and sending me enormous bouquets of Hour at that time] decided to haul me into regional accent? red roses. I used to write back thanking him and saying the programme, and Evangeline doesn’t EB: Not unless it suited any particular part. We just the flowers were beautiful and that we had sent them to broadcast well; Auntie Evangeline doesn’t wanted the best of everything. I believe it was said that it Great Ormond Street. And I was very popular with the sound right, and so he just said be Auntie was more difficult to get on Children’s Hour than clergy. They used to send me all sorts of presents and write Geraldine so Auntie Geraldine I remained.’ any other programme. loving notes to me. They thought I was a nice girl – and She received thousands of letters from JE: Were you conscious that in the BBC at the time they were right! (laughs)

When listening to one of John Ecclestone’s John confesses that the ‘Auntie Geraldine’ When John was a television production National Trust tapes, one is struck by the interview was among his most memorable, assistant in Birmingham in the ‘60s, they ease with which he interviews his subjects in light of the 27 years he spent working produced a weekly TV opt out just for the and teases out the memories of times past. for the BBC, and also because ‘one was Midland Region, called SCAN, produced Last year, John – a former head of the talking about a period of time that not many by Edmund Marshall from the Gosta Green Network Production Centre in Manchester people can remember. She was doubly, studios (home of Top of the Pops and – found himself the recipient of an MBE trebly, fascinating as a person.’ Gardener’s World amongst others). in the Birthday Honours, for his work There is a wide variety of work, but ‘Someone, probably Edmund, had the as a volunteer sound archivist for the what John enjoys most is sound recording. brilliant idea of having the cartoonist ‘Larry’ National Trust. ‘When I joined the BBC in the 1950s, a do the closing titles,’ remembers John. ‘Every Not many people know that, as well as non-engineer was not allowed within a mile transmission day Larry would come into the preserving ‘old’ properties, the Trust records of a recording machine, and so for the past studio and draw the closing captions, each of the personal recollections of people who can 17 years I’ve really enjoyed myself working which was relevant to one of the film stories remember the very circumstances that made off those frustrations! To have been able to or studio items in that week’s programme. the property special. contribute to the nation’s archives at the One of the captions is of me apparently ‘It has been a wonderful experience same time has been a rare privilege, and shouting instructions through a megaphone to meet and talk to Lords of the Manor, I hope that others who retire from the as if to a rowing crew. What story could that chambermaids, gardeners, cooks – you BBC will think about volunteering for the have been?’ name it – so many people associated not National Trust.’ Do any of our readers remember? just with stately homes, but with the Edge John was unfortunately not well enough at Alderley, the Beatles’ homes, the Mill at to travel to Buckingham Palace to receive his Quarry Bank and the Birmingham Back award, but was delighted with the alternative “Someone, probably Edmund, had the brilliant to Backs.’ arrangement – to have about a dozen or John has been involved one way or so of his family, friends and National Trust idea of having the cartoonist ‘Larry’ do the another in over 650 interviews, at over 60 colleagues watch him receive it at one of his National Trust properties from Oxford favourite National Trust properties, Quarry closing titles.” to Keswick. Bank Mill.

PROSPERO FEBRUARY 2012 10 obituaries enquire about vacancies. Her timing was She worked for three different managers, all Billie was born in Manchester in 1917 Pioneer of local fortuitous because the Corporation had only of whom trusted, appreciated and respected and as a schoolgirl sang in the famous radio education recently begun employing female engineers. her. She was diplomatic, sensitive and had a 1929 recording of Purcell’s Nymphs and Audrey worked in Variety on the Light fine judgment in difficult situations. Barbara Shepherds by the Manchester School Choirs programming Programme, where she also produced sound absorbed the pressures of her job and and the Halle Orchestra. Geoff Coates, an early pioneer of education effects for various drama series and shows enjoyed it. She protected and filtered access She will be remembered for her programming in local radio, died peacefully, such as It’s That Man Again. to the managers. Her instinct and intuition remarkable style, which was unconventional after a long illness, on 29 November 2011. was rarely shown to be wrong. She also had and dashing, and for her spirit of adventure, Geoff’s early career was neither in a huge local knowledge of the local area and touring Ireland with a horse-drawn caravan broadcasting or education. Born and raised its diverse communities. She was able to put or sailing to remote destinations on Russian in Newcastle upon Tyne, he first worked as anyone at their ease, whoever they might be, cargo boats. She was always a pleasure to a clerk in the Town Hall, then as a clerk in and showed kindness to everyone. Barbara work with; her empathy made her quick Lloyd’s Bank. He was a volunteer during the was loved by all. to grasp the nature of a programme and to war, trained in Canada and served with the RAF in the UK. After the war, he returned to An attaché, who later applied for a recognise the technical demands made on the bank and married Dulcie in 1949. permanent vacancy, recalls: ‘I’d already junior colleagues. The turning point in Geoff’s career came become part of the ‘family’ and poor Barbara, After retirement Billie created a beautiful about in 1960. He was working at Lloyd’s as the one giving the shorthand tests, stuck garden at her home in Essendon. We would Carlisle branch when the fledgling Border to the rules absolutely rigidly. But after about find her there, digging and weeding, in all TV advertised for a part-time continuity the fourth or fifth attempt, bless her, she put weathers, well into her late eighties. We shall presenter. Geoff applied and turned up for an the transcript in the open drawer next to miss her – a kind and generous friend and a interview straight from his day’s work at the me, smiled and left for a few minutes on true original. bank. He was surprised to find that all of the ‘urgent business!’’ Mary Haydon and Julia Brooke other applicants had their agents with them, but it was Geoff who got the job. As he was From sea to TVC still doing the day job, he was amused to find Geoff Botterill died on 31 October 2011, that suddenly the longest queues at the bank shortly before his 87th birthday. were at his till. In 1951, she gave birth to her son Mark by His BBC career began in 1960 and until Some years later, back in Northumberland first husband Michael Roberts, and spent his retirement in 1986 he worked as a film and with two teenagers to support, Geoff the next 10 years predominantly based at editor and chief film editor at Television and Dulcie took the brave step of both giving Bush House but also shuttling between at Centre and Ealing. up their jobs to train as teachers. Geoff Broadcasting House and Maida Vale. Geoff’s early ambition was to join the would attend college during the day and into In 1964 – three years after marrying her Royal Navy; however, his eagerness to go the evening, and then work as a continuity second husband, announcer Allan Newman to sea persuaded him to join the Merchant announcer at Tyne Tees TV. On graduating, he – Audrey left the BBC to concentrate on her Navy, whose recruitment age was lower. started work as a geography teacher at his role as a mother to her growing family. He celebrated his 16th birthday at sea. In old school. Tyne Tees weren’t finished with After an eight-year career break, Audrey 1941, family circumstances forced him to take him yet, however, and they persuaded him to worked for many years in a primary school a brief period out of the Navy, during which return as head of continuity. in Essex and then set up her own business, Cakes for Occasions. Her elaborate, intricate time he took a job as an assistant projectionist Geoff’s move to the BBC came in 1970 creations won her a good reputation and at Lime Grove Studios. It was to be the genesis when he joined the staff of BBC Radio clients including the London livery halls of his eventual career. When he left he was Durham as an education producer. and a former Lord Mayor, whose daughter’s given an invitation to return when the war By 1974, as commercial radio was coming Barbara was a committed Christian and the wedding cake she iced and was the focal was over. He did not forget the offer. into being, Geoff was invited to join the driving force within her life was her family. point of the reception, held at the Mansion In 1942 he re-joined the Navy, serving board of North-East Broadcasting and helped Our sympathies go to her beloved husband House. on the highly dangerous Atlantic convoys to steer the bid which won the franchise for Stan, her two children Richard and Judith She also became a popular speaker at and seeing more of the world than most Metro Radio, the region’s first commercial and her six grandchildren. Barbara was 81 meetings of groups such as the Women’s could ever dream of doing. With customary radio station. when she died. Institute on the subject of creating sound understatement, he once described that A return to teaching followed and Geoff Liz Clinton effects for radio, where she held audiences period of his life as character forming. retired from Slatyford School in 1983. spellbound with her astonishingly accurate In 1946 he returned to Lime Grove and He continued to work after retirement, impersonations of crying babies or Spirit of adventure was soon working as an assistant in the contributing to the weekly religious squawking chickens, and descriptions of the Dorothy Moody known to her BBC film cutting rooms. For the next 14 years affairs programme Soundings on BBC Radio inventive ways sound effects were achieved. colleagues as Billie, joined the Corporation he worked extensively in the feature Newcastle, and I had the great privilege of Audrey Newman died only nine weeks early in World War Two, having answered film industry. working with Geoff again on the station’s after Allan, her husband of nearly 50 years, an advertisement for people with ‘basic During his 26 years at the BBC he education programme, Digest. and is survived by her three children – Mark, qualifications in science’. It wasn’t until she worked on a vast range of programmes, The whole team found Geoff a pleasure to Kate and Louise – and five grandchildren. got the job that she realised she would be including Z Cars, Blue Peter, Not Only But Also, work with. His charm and enthusiasm were Louise Nevin and Kate Quarry working for the BBC. Porridge, Likely Lads and many other infectious and he had a seemingly effortless She started as a programme engineer in dramas and documentaries. way of putting everyone at ease. He was a the World Service, working with people like Geoff was a consummate professional. devoted family man and deeply loved by Radio Leeds JB Priestley, George Orwell and Kim Philby. He acquired his technical knowledge and his his family. secretarial stalwart When the King of Norway took refuge craft from some of the most renowned and Virtue Jones, with contributions from the Coates family Radio Leeds has lost one of its kindest in England, the BBC arranged for him to respected film editors in the industry. and most loved former members of staff broadcast a rallying cry to his people. Billie Geoff was passionate about training Female sound with the death of Barbara Jones. Born was chosen to do the recording at the younger editing staff. He gave selflessly of his in 1930 she came from a generation that BBC’s Monitoring Station at Caversham. time, his patience and experience to support effects engineer consisted of highly skilled professional She immediately splashed out with her the formal film training schemes operated Audrey Newman (née Payne), who joined women who gave in a way that those of precious clothing coupons, bought a by the BBC. the Corporation in 1944 and spent 20 us who came later did not. length of material and made herself a long As a colleague and friend, Geoff was years working as a programme engineer, Her working life started at the Yorkshire frock appropriate to the occasion. After the known as a kind, gentle and generous man, specialising in sound-effects production, has Bank. She left there to raise a family. recording, Billie was instructed to guard the well respected for his personal integrity, died at the age of 84. When she returned to work it was with discs with her life, so she took them back sociability and sense of fun. Having discovered that, at 17, she was too Radio Leeds, where she spent 20 years, until to her digs and stowed them under her bed. His marriage to Moya spanned 48 happy young to train as an occupational therapist, her retirement, in various secretarial roles, Consternation in the studio next morning years. His family was his pride and joy. Audrey decided that a career with the BBC including station manager’s secretary, a post when the discs were nowhere to be seen, We extend our deepest sympathy and was a suitable alternative and so telephoned that exercised both her powers of tact and until Billie appeared with them tucked under condolences to them all. (an unorthodox approach at that time) to discretion to the full. her arm! Roger Waugh

PROSPERO FEBRUARY 2012 obituaries 11 I was a TA on the same shift and so we met Broadcasting Commission, The Year of the John moved to Southampton where, during West Country political first in October 1944. Just before the war Green Centre was a beautiful and unusual film the ‘70s he became editor (features), journalist and ended I was called up and joined the Royal which Barry subsequently published producing a large variety of excellent Signals. After the war, Sylvia was moved as a book. programmes – typical was one in 1976 broadcaster to Bush House Control Room, then to In 1978 he accompanied the Royal entitled Spitfire – 40 years on, which has been LK (Leslie) Way CBE has died at the age Recordings as a clerk and then to Overseas Geographical Society’s expedition to repeated on the network more than once. of 95 in a care home near High Wycombe, Services as a bookings assistant at 200 Mulu, Sarawak. Some of the scientists and In 1981 he was appointed regional Buckinghamshire. Oxford Street. naturalists went on to form the Rainforest television manager for BBC North East and From about 1950 until his retirement Sylvia and I kept in touch, and after I was Club of which Barry was a proud member. Cumbria, based in Newcastle. John was a in 1981, LK Way (that was his professional demobbed I retrained as a junior programme Also an active member of the city’s Kelvin BBC man through and through and he ran by-line) wrote and presented The West at engineer and was fortunate enough to be Players Theatre Company, Barry loved theatre a very happy ship. He was quick to praise Westminster – on the then BBC West of England sent to 200 and so we met again. We married and acting: in a powerful performance as other people’s work, to encourage them to Home Service, from Bristol. It was a weekly in November 1950 and had two sons: Judge Brack in Hedda Gabler he showed us the do better, very rarely mentioning his own look back at parliamentary news as it affected Andrew, who works for the BBC, and Charlie, other career he might have led. But his love success. I don’t think I ever heard him say an the West of England region; it started out who lives in Australia. of broadcasting always came first. ill word about anyone. as a 10-minute read-through, but in later We both retired from the BBC in 1983 Barry made The Rotten World About Us in John also had to manage, over five years, years added a five-minute interview with and travelled widely – so we did not waste 1979, his words accompanying stunning the move into a new broadcasting centre, a politician. At the time it was one of the our retirement together and I have many macro photography. The broadcaster Trevor a £10 million development. He did it with longest-running programmes on BBC happy memories to look back on. Philpott wrote: ‘I would have given my right great skill and no fuss and he retired from local radio. I was at her bedside when she died in arm to have written that script.’ Newcastle in 1987. His full-time job was as parliamentary, Hillingdon Hospital, together with our In 1983, he turned to full-time writing After his retirement he helped to raise half then lobby correspondent of the Plymouth sons. Charlie’s flight from Australia landed and narrating, thereby giving ‘voice to the a million pounds for ‘Bede’s World’, now a Western Morning News, which he had joined in at 5.20am and he got to the hospital half an wild animals and plants that can’t speak for tourist attraction in Jarrow. He acted as media the Exeter office after leaving school in about hour before Sylvia passed away. The nurses themselves’. In so doing, he enhanced over consultant for Tyne and Wear Development 1934. He moved to London after the war said: ‘Don’t worry, she’ll wait for him to get 200 programmes from the BBC Natural Corporation, and chaired the RTS North East where he served in the Royal Artillery. He here.’And so it proved. History Unit in Bristol and almost 50 Centre, becoming a Fellow of the Society in leaves a widow (his second wife Ann), May she rest in peace. independent programmes. 1992. He became Deputy Chairman of the four children, six grandchildren, and four Joe Latham Barry is survived by his partner and former BBC Newcastle Polytechnic, later the University great-grandchildren. assistant Sheila Fullom. Barry Ernest Paine, writer, of Northumbria and was awarded an Michael Way Natural World producer narrator and film-maker, born in Ilford, Essex, in Honorary Fellowship. 1937 and educated at Wanstead High School; John believed in the NHS, and, with his Family life at the BBC died 10 October 2011. membership of the North East Ambulance Peter Jones Trust, became very involved. In the last decade Sylvia Latham passed away on 9 December he had to call upon the NHS far too often 2011 at the age of 88. himself but he could never be a passive patient. Sylvia joined the BBC just after her 21st From Norwich He knew every detail of his medication. When birthday in August 1944. When she was to Newcastle John went to see a consultant it was a tight call ‘called up’, she was given a choice of three jobs: work in a jam factory, carriage cleaner There are not many BBC employees who who was the better informed. at Old Oak Common GWR or join BBC do 40 years’ service and still retire early. John made light of his own illnesses and Engineering (she had studied electricity Such a man was John Frost who died bore them bravely. He died quietly in his sleep and magnetism at school). After due on 6 November 2011. In the ‘50s, John, just before his 82nd birthday. The efficiency consideration (!) Sylvia joined the BBC as a having started just after the war in overseas of that would have pleased him. He always trainee technical assistant (F) and found to audience research, worked in radio news as gave wonderful love and support to his her surprise that she was told to report to the a producer. In the ‘60s he was in Norwich wife Joy, children Peter and Tina and his five Weymouth Steam Laundry. almost from the start of regional television grandchildren. He will continue to influence news there. It was where he learnt his trade – them and us for many years to come. directing and editing film and studio. Keith Clement

Barry Paine (1937-2011) arrived in Bristol in 1962, after gaining a degree in zoology and oceanography from Bangor University and starting his career in radio in London. When John Boorman, Head of Films at BBC Bristol, saw the 16mm film Barry had made in the rock pools near Bangor, he encouraged him to apply for the first regional film traineeship. Making the move to television, Barry began working on Animal Magic and the Gerald Durrell series, Catch Me a Colobus. By 1965 Barry was working as an assistant producer on Life In the Animal World presented by Desmond Morris. In 1967 She soon discovered on arrival there David Attenborough commissioned the that round the back was a small bit of first episodes of The World About Us – later to BBC territory which housed the H-Group become the Natural World – a series that Barry transmitter. This was shortly after D-Day and worked on as producer for the following Weymouth was full of American troops on 28 years. their way to France. Doughnuts were delivered His worldwide filming trips would when the GIs discovered where the girls’ digs sometimes have only a few days’ notice were but Sylvia was soon sent on the A1/ as in 1973, when he responded to an B1 course at Maida Vale and Droitwich. In extraordinary phenomenon, the blooming, October 1944 she was posted to the Washford after years of drought, of the Simpson Desert Transmitting Station in Somerset and joined in the heart of Australia. One of the BBC’s Wilf Seeley’s shift as a TA (F) II. first co-productions with the Australian

PROSPERO FEBRUARY 2012 12 MUSIC & more

BBC staff orchestra seeks talented amateurs Classifieds

me as strange since the BBC Club seems Time to be... Is your retirement what you to offer everything else, from rambling to expected? Do you want more? Life coaching theatre going.’ with Lynda Sanders. Email: [email protected] Satisfaction and enjoyment Tel: 07879 810046 Nepil, who plays the violin, has recruited two conductors to lead the musicians. Sam Richmond, Swaledale. One-bedroom Draper conducted her university orchestra, apartment overlooking castle. Sleeps 2/3. the Oxford Philharmonia, and has been Walking, restaurants, Georgian theatre. professionally trained at the Royal College of Tel: 01748 822863 Music. Mike Fage, a former BBC Presentation Email: [email protected] exec, studied conducting in the Czech Republic and met Nepil at a Czech class. Seaview, Isle of Wight. Wanting to get away Nepil hopes the orchestra will offer both for a break? Pleasant ETB 4* studio annexe, Flautists, violinists and French horn players The ambition is for the orchestra – which, musical satisfaction and enjoyment. sleeps two comfortably. Near beach and village. are among musicians wanted for a new if formed, will become part of the BBC Club ‘I hope it will promote friendships among For details email: [email protected] amateur staff orchestra – with retired staff Music Group – to rehearse once a week and BBC people from various departments and Tel: 01983 812180 welcome to join as well. to play the core classical repertoire. build in forces, repertoire and quality,’ she If you play an orchestral instrument, Hannah Nepil, a music journalist who says. ‘Who knows – perhaps eventually we’ll Menorca. Detached holiday villa with private you are invited to a taster session for the has worked on Radio 3 programmes, had get to play Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand!’ pool. Sleeps 2-7. Near Es Castell, amenities proposed orchestra in London’s Maida Vale the idea to create the new ensemble after Those who are interested in being part and beaches. on 12 February. spotting a gap in BBC Club activities. of the orchestra – even if they cannot For brochure, tel: 01621 741810 Led by professional conductors, the ‘The BBC must be full of talented make the taster session – should contact www.menorcaholidayvilla.co.uk session – aimed at those who play around instrumentalists of every sort who would Hannah Nepil at [email protected] Grade 8 level or equivalent – will take place love to all play together but have no or call 07751693888 with details of which in the BBC studios between 2-6pm. opportunity,’ she reasons. ‘This strikes instrument they play. Venice, Giudecca. Beautiful apartment in quiet private courtyard, sleeps 5, fully equipped. Experience the real Venice. Tel: 01260 227262 Sale of Email: [email protected] Salcombe, Devon. Family holiday cottage, Television Centre spectacular views, sleeps 6, three minutes to wonderful beaches, National Trust walks, Maureen Coulson sent in these photos of boating, great restaurants. TVC in response to the letter by D Blake Email: [email protected] in October’s Prospero, and writes: Registry Staff of three accompanied by a Turkey, Beldibi, Marmaris. Ground floor large removal van containing hundreds of apartment, sleeps 4-6 people. Small residential files transferred from Alexandra Palace to complex with communal pools. Local shops the Ground Floor Scenery Block TV Centre and supermarket within walking distance. in December 1953. Frequent local bus to beach and town centre. Along with us on this floor at that time Brochure available. were Guest Producers offices, Incoming Tel: 01736 364472 Mail and Teleprinters. Email: [email protected] We were all having to work to the Above: Canteen Scenery Block. L-R: sounds of workmen demolishing the Maureen Coulson, Joan Stephens, unknown Scottish Highlands. Two high quality self- and unknown. remnants of White City Stadium. catering cottages. Peace, convenient location, Registry soon expanded, as the photos Right: Fire Escape Steps, Scenery Block. great views. Discount for ex-BBC staff. taken of ‘The Girls’ on the Scenery Block L-R: Mary Wright, Pat Greenslade, Brenda www.alcaigcottages.co.uk Fire Escape shows, along with a ‘tea break’ Flynn and Brenda Farquarson. in the early canteen. Prospero Classifieds, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ. Please enclose a cheque made payable to: Searching for Seasons in the Sun BBC Central Directorate. Rate: £5 for 20 words. In a covering letter Ariel online ran this heart-warming story from Teesside, by John Foster, presenter, BBC Tees. please include your pension number.

I didn’t realise it at the time, but the email been contacted by someone with old tapes. This was the song Adrian was aching to We teamed up with producer Andy Smythe at from a former BBC Tees presenter which The following day, Adrian was on the line hear. So we searched for it. But the surviving Inside Out and managed to get Adrian back to landed in my inbox in 2007 marked the start again, as we played those old tracks. No-one members of Rivers Invitation drew a blank. Middlesbrough – without letting him know of a five-year quest. in the studio, or the audience, knew this was Polydor Records did too. the real reason why. When we played him the Stan Laundon now runs a website which the first time he’d heard his dad sing. He was Weeks turned into months. Every year a song, the tears flowed. We even brought his lists, among other things, the great Teesside in tears. I was close to it myself. lead came along which turned into a dead dad’s best mates, the band members, back bands of the 1960s. He’d been contacted by But there was one song we couldn’t find, end. I was at a local football game when a together to meet him. He told me ‘nothing a Teessider called Adrian Ludley, who’d long the one with the biggest, perhaps saddest, steward came over to me and asked ‘if I’d else tops this in my life.’ since emigrated to California. story attached. It was Seasons in the Sun, one found that song?’. This was three years after In my 21 years on air, this story is the one Adrian’s dad was the lead singer of Rivers of the 30 biggest tracks of all time. we first interviewed Adrian. I’m most proud of. Invitation, one of the bands listed on Stan’s It was a huge hit for Terry Jacks in the Early 2011: an email arrived from a It’s an example of the great human tales site – but there was a tragic twist. Alan Ludley 70s, but long before he smashed his way to former band member. The subject? Eureka… that BBC local radio can unearth, and the died in a car accident when his son was just number one around the world it had been Found! All this time it had been inside a rusty life-changing effects it can have. Despite a baby. It meant Adrian was desperate for any recorded by six lads from Middlesbrough, tin in the back of his cupboard. tough times, it also shows why two connection to his dad, especially the chance and it should have been the making of them. Adrian’s lifetime quest for the song threatened institutions – a local radio to hear his music, so we invited him onto Instead, because of the tragic death of was at an end. So wouldn’t it be great for afternoon show and Inside Out – offer BBC Tees and he appealed for the help of lead singer Alan Ludley before it could be the Afternoon Show to bring him home to so much to our audiences. our listeners. Incredibly, within an hour we’d released, they never got that chance. Teesside and reveal all?

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