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June 2011 • Issue 4

Yes, Prime Lord Patten Minister back takes the helm Sounds better? on stage Page 2 Page 7 Page 12

NEWS • Life after Auntie • Classifieds • Your letters • Obituaries • CrosPERO 02 update from the bbc Patten takes helm at BBC Trust On 3 May, Lord Patten began his appointment as chairman of the BBC Trust – with an interesting first day spent taking questions from staff in a ringmain session.

Quality First) should be all about and I hope we’ll be able to discuss options with the Executive during the summer.’ 2011 pay offer It is also apparent that the new chairman is ready and willing to deal with the – an update repercussions of the less popular decisions to be taken, and those which will not always Further to requests by the unions for all be accepted gladly by the licence fee payer. staff in bands 2-11 to be awarded a pay ‘I hope we won’t be talking about closing increase which is ‘substantially above services but, whatever we are talking about inflation’, the BBC has offered a 2% doing, if the Trust and the Executive are increase – which falls far short of the agreed it is the best way of using the money Retail Prices Index (RPI) figures on which then we have to stand by the consequences. If it is intended to be based (5.2% as at that involves answering thousands of emails, April 2011). or dealing with political aggro, then that’s In an all-staff email, Lucy Adams, going to happen.’ director of Business Operations, said, One example of such an unpopular ‘We are facing a very difficult financial message to be delivered is the World Service, position…across the economy as a whole which he refers to as ‘a hugely important pay inflation is running below RPI and we part of Britain’s relations with the rest of need to demonstrate value for money to the world.’ Concerned about the delivery of licence fee payers. In that context our pay Lord Patten this message to the British, at a time when award must be affordable and realistic.’ programmes they enjoy may be axed, Patten The joint unions will now consult Speaking of his new role, Patten explained of the governance of the organisation. His states, ‘If we want good and effective services members and aim to issue ballot forms that he wanted to be the Trust chairman plans include a passion to ‘make clearer that round the world, we will have to explain to on the pay offer next week, without because the BBC is the ‘best broadcasting the Trust’s role is strategic, make clearer the licence fee payer why he or she should be recommendation. organisation in the world, and part of the the relationship between the trustees and paying for, say, short wave services to peasant Secretary of BECTU Gerry Morrissey national DNA’. He added, ‘It has the finest the non-executive directors, clarify where farmers in Indian villages where there is told Ariel, ‘It’s disappointing that BBC radio and tv journalism globally, it has necessary the relationship with Ofcom and no electricity.’ staff may have to endure a third year of produced for decades some of the best speed up the way we deal with editorial Talking further on the issue of unpopular below inflation pay, but the joint unions programmes and it has services which I can’t complaints.’ He stressed that this did not messages, the topic of executive pay have decided to issue a neutral ballot imagine any other country providing.’ mean that governance should remain an arose during a recent slot on Radio 4’s because the big issue here is what’s going Giving an interview with Ariel Editor ongoing issue; rather that it should be Today programme, when Patten told John to happen in coming months. The BBC Candida Watson, Patten was quick to outline addressed, to add value to the organisation, Humphrys, ‘We do not need to pay 50% initially asked for a two-year deal and his commitment as chairman to keep the and focus on what it should do, rather than more to an individual than then we do to run we refused because there are so many BBC truly independent and impartial from what it should not. the Proms. There are some individuals that unknowns at the moment. political influences – a question which was In terms of the purpose of the BBC Trust, are worth millions but I don’t think there are ‘Feedback from members is that the raised during the staff question and answer Patten was keen to define this clearly, too, many of them.’ bigger picture concerns the degree of job session. On this subject, he responded, ‘I saying, ‘The Trust’s role is to be a guardian When asked by Watson how he expects security they have, and what volumes of can’t deny my past, and wouldn’t want to do of the BBC’s independence, to elaborate a the BBC to look at the end of his four- work they will be asked to undertake. That so. I’m an old-fashioned, moderate Tory…I strategy with the Executive and then try to year tenure, the chairman painted a bright information won’t be known until the would be a complete moron if I tried to ensure it’s being implemented…We have to picture of an ever-improving organisation, summer or early autumn.’ secure this job, which I wanted very badly, look at what we require as the Trust of the meeting needs and rising to challenges. ‘I and then didn’t defend the integrity and BBC so that we can spring clean and reduce, hope it will be still producing cracking good impartiality and independence of the BBC.’ as far as we can without too much risk, the programmes and still celebrating the best, Of the questions posed to Lord Patten obligations we place on the Executive.’ most accurate and brave journalism. I hope on his first day in the role, he shared his Throughout the interview, Watson noted it will be more flexible and faster on its feet, comments on possible improvements to that Patten was keen to sing the praises of the combining self-confidence in what it’s doing the organisation. When asked by the chair BBC’s output, despite his evident awareness with a bit of generosity of spirit and humility of the session whether there was ‘one thing of how difficult it is to maintain quality when dealing with other people. I think it’s a he would change’, Patten responded in the while taking steps to cut the necessary 20% great organisation, not perfect and, like all of affirmative, saying that he hoped to close from budgets. On the cuts, Patten said, us, could do better. the gap between high public approval of ‘Across the board, the BBC, if it’s to have the BBC output and the lower public opinion of resources to produce greater quality, will have ‘All of us could do better, but it’s how the corporation runs itself. In addition either to limit some of the things it takes for important for all of us to see where to taking questions, he sketched out his granted at the moment, or step back from and when.’ plan for immediate action with a review doing them. That is what DQF (Delivering

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PROSPERO JUNE 2011 03 Interference Foiled by Faraday Graham Hare writes of an on-location alternative to the ‘cocoa tin’, described in March and April’s issue of Prospero. In his interesting dialogue would have to be abandoned, and sure it was well stuck down and making a article in Prospero another location sought, unless a solution good electrical contact with the bare wire. Money matters (March), Tony could be devised. For protection we stuck another sheet of Byers recalled ‘What we need,’ said my assistant, Fablon over the kitchen foil, making a kind New kid on the block the Plymouth TV Chris Lovelock, ‘is a Faraday cage.’ of space blanket with a tail of lighting flex Michael Faraday studio dubbed ‘A what?’ said I. hanging out of it. We wrapped the recorder On 31 March the Government published the ‘cocoa ‘A Faraday cage – to completely screen in this screening blanket, bared an inch or draft regulations concerning the long tin’. Cladding a studio in copper mesh to the Nagra.’ two of the other end of the flex, twisted awaited replacement to the Child Trust eliminate electrical interference created a ‘How on earth are we going to do that?’ the bare copper wire around the loop in Fund (CTF) – the Junior ISA. huge Faraday cage, named after the 19th I asked. the end of a skewer and stuck it firmly into Available from 1 November, Junior ISAs century physicist, Michael Faraday who ‘We could try wrapping it in kitchen foil’, the ground. will allow parents and grandparents, in invented it. he suggested. To my surprise it worked. No fact any adult with an interest in a child’s My connection with a Faraday cage was Leaving the rest of the unit to mute more interference – we were able to financial future to contribute up to £3,000 rather more modest. In 1973 I was the sound filming and an early lunch, Chris and I continue filming. each year. This could be appealing for recordist on the first series of Last of the Summer drove to a hardware shop in Holmfirth When I returned to Ealing, and much those who have already maximised their Wine. We were filming on the moors above where we purchased several feet of ‘Fablon’ to the amusement of the administrative own annual ISA allowance, currently Holmfirth, a mile or so away from the aerial self-adhesive clear plastic sheet, a roll of assistant, Joan Birch, I claimed for these £10,680. For grandparents in particular, this mast of the powerful BBC transmitter at ‘Bacofoil’, three yards of lighting flex and articles on the Film Department petty could be a useful means to move money Holme Moss. Filming was going well until a card of four stainless steel kebab skewers. cash account and for many years kept the out of the estate, reducing any inheritance the transmitter opened up with colour test Back on location we spread a large square of screening blanket carefully folded in my tax liability. The final rules should be known transmissions for the benefit of the retail Fablon, adhesive side up, on the bonnet of equipment case, but I never had occasion to by late July. TV trade. The signal swamped my Nagra our car, then stripped a couple of feet of the use it again. As with the ‘grown up’ version, the tape recorder with massive interference insulation from the lighting flex and stuck I still have the skewers – though nowadays Junior ISA will be able to invest in a mix of that effectively precluded any further sound the bare wire to the plastic sheet. We covered used to spear a baked potato rather than as cash and / or stock and shares and any recording. The filming of several pages of the plastic sheet with kitchen foil, making earthing rods for a Faraday cage. growth in value will be free of income and capital gains tax, however, the proceeds will not be available until the child turns 18. Junior ISAs will be available to anyone Grace Wyndham Goldie BBC cuts under 18 who was born prior to the introduction of CTFs (before September 2002), or born after their withdrawal on (BBC) Trust Fund property by 30% 2 January 2011. For those already holding Applications are invited for grants from The income of the Fund is limited. In a CTF it will not be possible to switch into a the Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust order that help can be given where it is Junior ISA; however, we anticipate the CTF Fund, which exists to help those engaged most needed, applicants must be prepared annual contribution limit being increased in broadcasting or an associated activity, to give, in confidence, full information from £1,200 to match the £3,000 limit now or in the past, as well as their children about the circumstances supporting offered by the Junior ISA. and dependants. their applications. The Junior ISA could provide a The Trustees, in their discretion, Those wishing to apply this year should significant step up for children whose family will consider giving assistance towards write for an application form to; BBC and friends get together for their benefit. educational costs in small ways, such as Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting Final values are subject to growth rates travelling expenses, school outfits, books House, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ. Application forms but just to give you an idea, assuming an and additions to educational awards. Other should then be returned no later than average of 5% per annum (net of charges), grants are made to help relieve sickness or 31 July. Applications are considered annually that £3,000 invested each year could leave continuing hardship not covered by aid in September, and in no circumstances can the beneficiary with a fund of over £80,000, from other sources. These include giving continuing help over a number of years which could be put towards university assistance to families or elderly people facing be promised. tuition fees or perhaps used as a deposit economic problems, disability or serious for a first home – assuming of course one medical conditions, such as those requiring (Sandra Phillips) expects such responsible spending by the child in question! special care. Chair of the Trustees Cartoon supplied by Albert Barber

Crospero 157 devised and compiled by Jim Palm

1 2 Complete the square by using the clues; these apply only to words running across. Then take these words in numerical order and 3 4 extract the letters indicated by a dot. If your answers are correct, these letters will spell out the name of a popular BBC programme. 5 6 On the whole, setting up a Junior ISA is Please send your answers in an envelope marked Crospero to The a good idea for making small savings, but 7 Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting it is not the only option available to those House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ by Friday, 17 June 2011. wanting to save for a child’s future. As 8 9 independent financial advisers, AWD Chase CLUES de Vere can help you make an informed 10 1. Earth shake (6), 2. Rubbish (4), 3. Mineral (3), 4. Departed (4), decision about the best strategy to choose. 5. More meticulous (6), 6. Bird (4), 7. Netting (4), 8. ‘Gunge’ (6), For a free initial consultation call us on 11 12 9. Object (4), 10. Seek forgiveness (5), 11. Measurement (4), 0845 140 4014. 12. Parts of helmets (6), 13. At that time (4), 14. Burrower (4), 13 15. Begin again (5), 16. Pronoun (4), 17. Tree (3), 18. Trots along (4), 19. Merciless (6). Matt Truran is an independent financial 14 15 adviser with AWD Chase de Vere. AWD Solutions to Crospero 156: SUPER, ATOP, EAST, TABOR, RADIO, Chase de Vere is one of a panel of

16 17 SPITE, ERODE, SUP, DROOP, OSIER, EWE, PANIC, ESTOP, APORT, independent financial advisers selected DIARY, PERI, TREE, SKATE. The success was ‘Upstairs Downstairs’. by the BBC. AWD Chase de Vere Limited 18 19 is authorised and regulated by the The winner was Mr H Kuttner Financial Services Authority.

PROSPERO JUNE 2011 04 letters CONTACTS The British War Cabinet Poetry Please Following Barry Paines’s splendid tribute to Ken Savidge in the March edition and Peter Visiting Scheme Page’s letter in April’s, (Remembering the If you would like a visit or information on how to become a volunteer visitor, please Singing Savidge), I’ve recently discovered ring 0845 712 5529. You will be charged work of the ‘Poet Savidge’ and an Ode only as a local call. written in 1976 by Ken Savidge and Peter West (a former chief engineer of the West Queries Region) to Betjeman who always had a For benefit and pension payroll queries, call fascination for the technical jargon used the Service Line on 029 2032 2811. in television. Prospero Ode to the Laureate on the Occasion To add or delete a name from the distribution of his 70th Birthday list, ring the Service Line (number above). by P West and K Savidge Prospero is provided free of charge to retired Recollections of RH Wood Light’s abode, Celestial Scanner, BBC employees. On request, we will also See the bench ends gleaming bright send it to spouses or dependants who want I was interested to read, in March’s Prospero, have to listen on my phone, both of us taking As with bashers, pups and 2ks to keep in touch with the BBC. Prospero is Paul Gouldstone’s recollections of RH Wood, notes of requirements and comparing for Jack adjusts the Molish light also available on audio disc for those with Engineer in Charge of BBC Radio Outside accuracy afterwards. ‘Check your focus - tilt down Teddy - sight impairment. Broadcasts in London during World War Two. Pre-war, the Royal Family would have Can the Artiste see his cue? To register, please ring the Service Line I was his secretary for the second half of been at Sandringham at Christmas, but in While Eric Benn, Ken Savidge, Geraldine on 029 2032 2811. the war until I left in 1947, which included war time broadcasts would have come from Manning, Ray Burgess, Bill Jones, Alan BBC Club such events as the D Day Invasion, the VE Windsor Castle, others from the Palace. Hitchcock and Ted Bragg The BBC Club in London has a retired celebrations and the first meeting of the UN, So, in his years as Engineer in Charge prepare themselves to tape Take Two. category membership costing £30 a year which took place in Central Hall, Westminster. of Outside Broadcasts, RH was there for This ode appears in ‘Betjeman: the bonus for members and £39 a year for family RH was one of the earliest employees of the Edward VIII’s abdication speech and for of laughter’, by Bevis Hillier, published membership. Pre-1997 life members are original British Broadcasting Company in all those made by King George VI; also for by John Murray in 2004. I hope it brings not affected. Regional clubs may have Savoy Hill under Sir John Reith. Appointed Neville Chamberlain’s announcement of the back memories, in particular those days of different arrangements. Engineer in Charge of the newly formed declaration of war on Sept 3 1939, Winston Television Outside Broadcasts in the 1970s. Please call BBC Club London Outside Broadcasting Dept, he became known Churchill’s speeches and Clement Attlee’s Brian Hawkins, Winford, North Somerset. administration office on 020 8752 6666 or to King George V, when he opened the Empire when he became PM. email [email protected]. Exhibition in, I believe, 1932. When it was For all his years of service, the King gave Benevolent Fund discussed that the King should make the first RH the membership of the Victorian Order in This is funded by voluntary contributions Christmas message in 1934, Sir John took RH a private audience. Idiotic Victorian from the BBC and its purpose is to protect with him to the Palace. The King had taken a RH headed a team of four – himself, the welfare of staff, pensioners and their liking to the young Yorkshireman and ordered HJ Gregory, S Fleming and AJ Scott Dack Notions families. Grants are made at the discretion that on all occasions when he spoke from then and he and any one of these would attend What a magnificent building Bush House of the Trustees. They may provide on, the Palace would contact RH directly and all occasions. is...and beautifully captured in the superb assistance in cases of unforeseen financial he would pass requirements up to EG Chadder, When Clement Attlee made his first photo on the front of the April Prospero. hardship, for which help from other sources his senior, who would notify others. broadcast as PM, he had Ernest Bevin, his I am proud to say that I did a few minor is not available. Telephone: 029 2032 3772. This procedure was then adopted by Foreign Minister, with him and afterwards installations there in my early days with Prospero Society Downing St. It was therefore practice for he called for tea and sandwiches and sat with SCPD some years ago. Prospero Society is the only section of the me to take a call from Sir Alan Lascelles, RH and AJ Scott Dack, discussing the events What spoils it for me is the utter BBC Club run by and for retired BBC staff the King’s Private Secretary, when the King of the war. pretentious, non-sensical tosh of presenting and their spouses. Its aim is to enable BBC wished to speak, or from John Colville, RH’s prize possession, which sat on the name of the building as BVSH HOVSE pensioners to meet on a social basis for Winston Churchill’s Private Secretary. I would a bookcase in our office, was a specially – based on some idiotic Victorian notion to theatre visits, luncheons, coach outings etc. designed oak housing bearing a plaque saying do with their interpretation of the Grecian Prospero is supported by BBC Club funds it had been used to house the microphone so as to make events affordable. and Roman alphabets. used by Edward VIII when he abdicated; there It’s on the same level as a cafe calling The only conditions (apart from paying a are many photos showing the King with the small annual subscription) are that you must be itself YE OLDE TEA SHOPPE (old and shop oak housing on the desk before him. a BBC pensioner and a member of the BBC were never so spelt). Club. For an application form write to: Graham I have many happy memories of my time In Edgware there is a chapel with Snaith, 67 Newberries Avenue, Radlett, Herts as RH’s secretary and of other members its headstone above the door engraved WD7 7EL. Telephone: 01923 855177 of Outside Broadcasts – Michael Standing, ‘TRVTH’. I take it they mean ‘truth’ – thus Mobile: 07736 169612 Raymond Glendenning, John Ellison, negating the very idea of what, in one Email: [email protected] Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, Bryan Johnston, single word, they are trying to convey. Neville Chamberlain even Gilbert Harding for a while. Barry Renaud BBC products Marion Holledge (nee Davey) BBC retired staff are entitled to a 30% discount off the RRP of most products in the BBC TV Centre shop. There is a postage charge of £2.95 per order Origins of the Dr. Who ‘howl-round’ (not per item). Pensioners must quote their BBC pension number when ordering. Ben Palmer’s autobiography - Ben at the Beeb In his memoir Ben gives credit to Norman long attachment to E.T.D in 1965/67 so Contact: BBC Shop, Audience Foyer, goes into this at some length. He explains Taylor for using the effect on some shows, our involvement was probably sometime Television Centre, Wood Lane, London that Norman Taylor asked him to explore including the first title sequence of Dr. Who. in 1964/65. W12 7RJ. Telephone: 020 8225 8230. some of the interesting effects that resulted Ben adds that he was further directly involved The effects had been put through a film Email: [email protected]. from a camera looking at its own output on a in later caption sequences for Dr.Who. colourisation process and were very effective. Other ways to order (quoting your picture monitor. Trevor Gibbs R Glew pension number when ordering): By phone: To this end, while I was the studio 08700 777 001 8.30am-6pm weekdays. engineer at Riverside Studio 2, Ben requested More Howling With reference to the letters in Prospero By post: BBC Shop, PO Box 308, the use of our spare camera to do some Just a note to add to the history of the use on the Dr. Who ‘howl-round’. Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8LW. Email: experiments. Camera and monitor were of video howl-round. Sometime in the early I had then just modernised the electronics [email protected]. quickly set up, and the resulting experiments 1960s, Ben Palmer and myself spent a few of the Marconi Film Recorders and moved Or visit BBC Shops in Eastbourne, were immediately exciting, and effects could hours one Saturday afternoon providing such them down to Lime Grove. Ben Palmer (no Brighton, Leicester, Birmingham or easily be varied. effects for Stanley Donen - the producer of relation) my boss previously came down and Liverpool. UK postage £2.45 for telephone, post and email orders. Overseas: £4.50 for I remember contributing the thought Arabesque, a film starring Gregory Peck and we recorded various howl-rounds which I one item and £2 for each additional product that the Marconi Mk 3 camera had a Sophia Loren. thought he had organised. for telephone, post and email orders. scan reverse capability, and that added He wanted something different as a However according to my maintenance a striking additional element to the backing for the film’s credits. This was in log of the period this would have been in BBC PA effects. Ben used his contacts to make an monochrome of course and recorded on 1976 or thereabouts. For details of how to join the Pensioners’ immediate ad hoc recording for the an Ampex machine in Tel. Rec. (from Tc2). Keith G Palmer Association, see panel on page 5. purpose of demonstration. I subsequently saw the film whilst on a Film Recording 1958-1987

PROSPERO JUNE 2011 05

I am not a scientist (else perhaps I would Musical Memories have shot myself out of sheer frustration!), I was extremely sad to read of Alan Owen’s but I AM an adult. Music Levels death in your last issue. The infectious Lloyd Silverthorne joy that he had, in all forms of musical New Problem. Old Solution? Craft Managers posts (Sound Managers) expression, made studio life an immensely Recently I demonstrated for my Cine Club were established, to watch a range of enjoyable experience. Touching a technique used by the BBC during the programmes at home and if there were I worked alongside him as balance war to communicate with the Resistance in hearing problems then to give advice to the engineer for several years as he commuted Recollection France. They sent coded messages within Supervisor concerned. from London as producer for the then NILO, their normal Home Service broadcasts but the Artists being used in plays came mainly and you were never far from the unexpected Germans tried jamming the transmission by with Repertory theatre training where there when he gave vent to his powerful and broadcasting a noise on the same wavelength. was a tradition of ensuring that all words often acerbic commentary on the musical The BBC retaliated by broadcasting the were audible in all parts of the theatre. The shortcomings of some hapless individual. messages simultaneously on two separate fashion of using music in abundance also was One of the most painful examples was the frequencies. Where the messages were minimal. These last two aspects made the occasional regional requirement to record identical on both transmitters, the jamming Sound Supervisor’s job less problematic and the local (Northen Irish) flute bands and I signals were different, being generated contributed to sympathetic listening at home. will never forget his explosive exasperation separately. The resistance only required In 1979, Craft Manager posts were as he screamed over the talkback ‘for ****’s two receivers, each tuned to a different unceremoniously ‘decreased’. Since then sake TUNE the bloody things!’ We enjoyed I opened my Prospero today, as usual at the transmission and set some distance apart. there has been a gradual lowering of in the late 60s a good run of shows live Obituaries first, and became very depressed The message could be heard from between standards. With outsourcing, the hiring of on R2 with Bill Davies conducting and on with three ex-colleagues from Tel OB’s and the receivers. commercial dubbing theatres became the various keyboards. an acquaintance reported. For my demo I recorded a message on norm. Their Mixers steered balances towards Both of them were first rate composers Continuing reading on another page, I one track, added two tracks of white noise what they were accustomed to – the high and arrangers which guaranteed a highly found the item on the BBC RFC reunion, and set them all to mono/centre. I adjusted volume needs of the cinema, where a wide professional level of cooperation and ‘Touch Rugby’ and it immediately cheered the volume of the message so that there dynamic range of speech can be tolerated presentation. me up to see I am still one of the lads, was something that was discernible but and high levels of music acceptable. Not so Alan was also extremely generous to those although 80 next birthday. Perhaps it unintelligible. I played half the message like the domestic situation. he knew and trusted - he gave us free access deserves a mention that in the team photo this then panned the two white noise tracks Today I think the problem is out of control to his home in Majorca on several occasions. with the lads is: Charles Curran, in white, left and right and you could clearly hear and the debate should now move on from Although we lost touch after the 70s I still (before he was DG), a regular ref for the my message (provided you were sitting in ‘what is wrong’ to ‘what to do about it’. retain the affection his memory leaves with club and the Club President, Harry Hill roughly the optimum listening position.) John Eden-Eadon me, and thank him for being such a good centre with Ron Symes, A/BBC Club Now, I guess most broadcasts today are friend over the early part of my career. Secretary, on the right. mixed in Stereo with the operator sitting in No-one is Listening or Caring Don Hartridge I did not go on a Guernsey tour but the optimum position equidistant between I have just finished watching The Grand did go to Paris, organised by Roger Chase, two monitor speakers. Most domestic National. The noise that accompanied the when we played EDF and as we stood in environments don’t match this. This could race was the most objectionable, mindless Science on the TV line before the match, they played ‘God Save be a contributory factor when it comes din that I have had to suffer to date. Brian Cox is one of the best, but let’s leave the Queen’ at half speed. A second match to complaints about speech and music I think the Prospero editor should say music levels aside for the moment. was against Supreme HQ Allied Powers in on television. this correspondence is closed (after printing Science programmes on Radio 4 (on at Europe (Shape). Roy Bradshaw mine, of course!) as no one is listening 9.00 pm most evenings, like Material World, Another tour was to Holland with games or caring. They just do what they think is Costing the Earth etc) tend to have more real against Delft University and Netherlands Television sound fashionably great. science in them in five minutes than most TV Shell. Great days of ‘Course Rugby’ gone Re: The continuing correspondence about Geoff Higgs science programmes have in an hour. Even forever in these days of Leagues and Merit sound levels and the application of music Editor’s note: Thank you for the suggestion! Melvyn Bragg’s In Our Time deals with science Tables but keep supporting the reunions on a range of programmes. I think it is Please note that we have received an enormous issues in a far more adult and interesting organised by Leigh Dyer and Peter Osbourne. appropriate to put this into some sort of number of letters on this subject, and in order to way than Horizon or many other so called TV Alan Woolford historical context. print as many as we would like, we have had to cut some of them considerably. ‘science’ programmes ever do. In the 1950s, training courses were Once on TV, there seems to be an set up for potential Sound Supervisors. irresistible temptation seriously to dumb- Pronounced down, endlessly repeat a point, and fill the programme with huge amounts of irrelevant Displeasure ‘arty farty’ shots and padding. Presenters then Oh how I sympathise with Mr Trevor travel all over the world on spurious excuses Hill about the way that announcers and to ‘illustrate a point’ – something radio contributors speak these days. doesn’t even need to attempt. I am only at the ripe old age of 70 but Of course, wild life programmes are the do remember when such people spoke exception, and are almost always beautifully ‘The Queen’s English’. It makes me so cross made. Brian Cox’s programmes are far better these days that people say ‘Aventure’ and not than most, but still lack the density of real ‘aDventure’ and ‘sickth’ instead of ‘siXth’. science that Radio 4 achieves. If it can be Also when contributors, and sometimes even done on radio, then why not on TV? newscasters intersperse their sentences with It was no surprise to me, when talking to ‘you know’ – no, we DON’T know, that is a member of a TV science team a few years the point of the interview, some people can ago, to be told that she had not studied any only say two or three words without putting science since the age of 14! Thank goodness in a ‘you know’! It is so infuriating. the BBC doesn’t treat great literature in the As also is the use of split infinitives! same patronising way that it treats most Sometimes I do not know truly what they science on TV. mean! Another thing is the use of the word ‘is’. ‘Is’ is the present tense but it is used to say that someone will take over the programme in the future – at 2pm they might say ‘So-and- so IS here at 4 o’clock’. It would be no more trouble to say the correct ‘will be’. I quite agree that it is time someone took such people in hand and gave them a few grammar lessons as well as speech lessons. Every good wish to Mr Hill, keep up the good work. Valerie Allen (BBC Widow)

Melvyn Bragg

PROSPERO JUNE 2011 06 LIFE AFTER AUNTIE

Keith Partridge films in an Alaskan Moulin ‘Death as in Dying?’ Pity the much-derided health and safety profession, so often criticized for interfering. How are they meant to respond when the risk assessment associated with a particular project identifies the main hazard as: ‘Death’?

he unfortunate person assigned to caves threatened to sweep the crew down to footage for a BBC documentary and award- ascent. Graham has since changed tack check the above risk assessment certain death through a dark chasm; barnacle winning website when he became the to spend five years researching the worst resorted to ringing back to enquire: fishermen in Spain leapt off slippery rocks as first British mountaineer to ascend Everest disaster on Everest, publishing A Day to Die ‘Is that death as in dying?’ Thanks waves crashed at the base of cliffs. from both north and south routes in 1999. For this year which breaks new ground in Tto astonishing skills and judgment, the When attempting this feat, he added to revealing the facts behind the event, most answer so far from the trio of ‘extreme Touching the Void the challenge by seeking to film his climb. popularly known through the international filmmakers’ who led a white knuckle ride of There were mountains too, of course. This can mean ascending the same section best seller Into Thin Air. Michelle – now a Royal Television Society event at Newcastle’s An active volcano was almost a throwaway several times, to place the camera then working with the Sage software company Northumbria University on 4 April this year, line. Keith was lead mountain cameraman walk to it. ‘The buttons were the size of – was delighted to meet him and discuss has been ‘no’. on the award-winning Touching the Void, peas – very hard when you’re wearing huge his new revelations. She took along a photo But death was the very evident risk facing shooting high in the Andean slopes that down gloves.’ from their last meeting when they finished a multitude of hair-raising adventures had proved almost impossible to climb and This RTS event reunited Graham with the content for the BBC website which went described by the three, and a large audience survive. He followed that with The Beckoning Michelle Nicol, the journalist who posted on to win a BT award for its educational saw clips and stills and heard stories where it Silence where work started by being dropped that breaking news story of his dual Everest content. ‘It was great to meet up again with seemed just seconds or inches away… by helicopter onto a tiny ledge. On the The event brought together for the first face of the Eiger. time nearly a dozen people – on stage and in In that film the climber and author Joe the audience – often separated by thousands Simpson says, ‘It can all go wrong in an of miles but who at formative stages in instant.’ The presentations all revealed the their careers had exchanged vital support personal and professional qualities that not and experience through the BBC based only hold those risks at bay but also combine in Newcastle. with storytelling skills to share amazing moments with audiences around the world. Expert Speakers And Keith had one other solution to what Keith Partridge, who has since gone on to sometime appeared insuperable difficulties – become one of the world’s best adventure gaffer tape. cameramen, had a chance to meet again Keith was also set to be a vital person in the person who gave him his first job aged passing on skills to a very different adventure just 18 – Garth Jeffrey, who was Head of video recorder. He had just two days in Reunited in Newcastle after adventures around the world: Resources at the BBC in the North East. Northumberland to train a world class Graham Ratcliffe, Richard Else and Keith Partridge Keith, whose desire for adventure has mountaineer in how to be a solo camera taken him far and wide over the last thirty operator in the most testing of conditions. years, displayed a portfolio of pictures which “It was great to meet up again…and it was so was breathtaking in range: hump-backed Reunited whales surfaced, jaws akimbo, just feet away; That man was author and mountaineer interesting to listen to such inspirational stories.” turbulent streams deep below ground in Graham Ratcliffe, who shot exclusive

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Graham and it was so interesting to listen to such inspirational stories.’ ‘I could not have achieved even this Sounds better? without those two days of training, overseen by Keith,’ said Graham, ‘on the wild In the same edition of Prospero as the latest batch of complaints windswept crags of Northumberland in mid- about unintelligible speech in television programmes, there was February some 13 years ago. It was good to see him again, and to hear how his career a short report about BBC Vision’s TV audibility project. behind the camera under extreme conditions This ‘BBC initiative’ was in fact the BBC’s are now on its newly launched College of had gone from strength to strength. contribution to a project begun some three Production website – and will remain there ‘I was equally delighted to see Michelle years ago by myself and Peter Menneer, a indefinitely; it has written to PACT to enlist again. It was a pleasure to reflect back on former Head of Audience Research, who that body’s help in relaying the message to the climb, and on the very successful way, felt it about time there was some audience independent producers; and it is promoting through television, the internet and radio research specifically aimed at establishing the its best practice material with Skillset, the that Michelle and all the others working for extent to which viewers found it difficult to industry training body. the BBC had reported the Everest expedition, understand what was being said in television now all those years ago.’ programmes – and the nature of the difficulty. Sound Standards Having failed to obtain grant foundation In spite of the BBC’s stated intention to spread A Day to Die For finance for the project, the BBC came forward the word to the wider industry community, While preparing his book, Graham with the offer of its online audience panel; and however, I am not aware of any approaches coincidentally got back into contact with with the financial help of Channel 4, Widex to the other major broadcasters – although Olwyn Hocking, the former Head of (a major hearing aid manufacturer), and a Channel 4 is obviously aware of the findings Regional and Local Programmes who had private donor, a complementary diary-based through its involvement in the project. And commissioned his Everest material. TOP: Richard Else pictured second right (in red top) with some of the team, filming on the West Coast of survey was organised to cover the over-65s Skillset Academy members apart, the BBC will ‘Graham sent out a general message a Scotland en route to The Great Climb OB. who do not use the internet. A number of not be doing anything to draw the findings, couple of years’ back to his email contacts list BOTTOM: The two climbers reach the top! RNID members also took part in a further or its best practice material, to the attention notifying a change of address to France,’ said complementary survey. Voice of the Listener of universities and other production training Olwyn. ‘I simply sent back good wishes and and Viewer enthusiastically held a banner for organisations; and it has declined to seek an asked what he was up to – and he mentioned The Great Climb this research. amendment to the terms of trade between the he was researching a book. My work after The production which prompted the ‘death broadcasters and independent producers. On leaving the BBC included proofreading and as in dying?’ query, and which formed the Pre-production Problems the other hand, if the broadcasters chose to editing, and I’ve always read mountaineering main part of the RTS event, was The Great David Walker, a sound specialist and a former enforce the existing technical requirements, books, so I offered to help.’ Climb – the world’s first HD OB of a live head of engineering resources at the BBC, some of the current problems would not exist: Another BBC person was then a crucial climb, made by Richard for BBC Scotland. and Louise Wilcox, an experienced senior the present clause covering sound quality next step in reaching publication. The Two climbers were tackling the UK’s biggest audio supervisor, both subsequently joined includes requirements that… reporter on Graham’s regional documentary overhang – 600 feet high and with a the project and were deeply involved in was Alastair Leithead, now BBC Far East projection of more than 40 degrees. analysing the programmes which had caused • sound must be recorded with appropriately Correspondent. ‘On a visit back to the North The broadcast lasted five hours and 30 the most widespread problems among placed microphones, giving minimum East, Al mentioned he was writing a book, minutes; the challenge was heightened by viewers. Background music and background background noise and without so I asked if he could recommend Graham rain greasing the rocks in the last hour. The noise were common problems but others peak distortion; to his agent.’ This led to a commission from top was reached in the last minute! included unfamiliar accents and dialects, Mainstream Publishing and A Day to Die For A complex rig included a new pole cam, mumbling and poor diction, and people • audio levels must be appropriate to the was published in February this year. invented for the shoot – involving five tons talking too fast. Perhaps the most important scene portrayed and dynamic range of equipment flown in by helicopter over lesson was that a very large proportion of must not be excessive. They must be Adventure Filmmaker eleven trips and put together on location on the problems arose at the pre-production suitable for the whole range of domestic The third presenter at the RTS event was the Isle of Harris. stage (for example, with a poor choice of listening situations. Producer and Filmmaker Richard Else, location) and in production, where all too who has been a longstanding supporter Incredible Challenges often experienced sound professionals The BBC has said that it will repeat in developing Keith’s international camera Teamwork between acknowledged experts were either not involved at all, or were not the survey among its online audience work. Together they pioneered the use of was at the heart of the achievement. ‘There’s consulted. Even so, it is hard to understand, panel in about a year’s time. Meanwhile, DVCAM in network broadcast work, and have a set of people you work with who you can for example, how anyone can decide that a I can only urge, as I did in the pages of tried out many new techniques to capture trust,’ said Richard. He took 60 people. ‘If personal microphone should be concealed Prospero a couple of years ago, that adventure footage. there had been one person missing, it would under clothing! we all take the trouble to complain – to Richard also played a crucial role in the not have happened.’ Anyway, what matters now, of course, the individual producer as well as the career of the event organizer, Mark Murray. Other difficulties were keeping tape and is whether the survey’s findings lead to a broadcaster responsible – whenever ‘He gave me my first job in TV – a series batteries working with temperatures well sustained, widespread improvement. The presented with a programme in which the on Wainwright for the BBC’ Mark told the below zero, the risk of frostbite and the BBC is briefing its senior commissioning speech is unintelligible. From now on, such audience. Since then Mark has gone on to hazards caused by oxygen deprivation. The and production staff; the Training Academy programmes will be falling short of the BBC’s win many awards including most recently audience shared the experience of cresting has produced clips of ‘best practice’ which declared standards. an RTS trophy for Are you Having a Laugh? the summit – then heard that the shot which Editor’s note: this subject continues to animate – TV and Disability with his new company Graham was sure was just five minutes Prospero readers (see letters pages) and we Northern Upstart. long (as he was in a hurry to descend) was BBC RELICS calling thank you all for your correspondence. However, Their shared interest in mountaineering revealed when viewed back at the BBC in we have received so many letters it is likely that and media brought Mark and Olwyn Newcastle to last for 25 minutes. The BBC RELC is the group of retired many correspondents will be disappointed. We together to arrange the RTS event. ‘It was In a question-and-answer session during engineers, programme, secretarial and apologise for this, but space in the magazine a gripping report about the deaths of the event, Keith was asked whether he was management staff in film, television and radio. is limited. Pete Boardman and Joe Tasker on Everest by sometimes frustrated that the audience Our next Summer Lunch is on Wednesday reporter Alistair Macdonald, when I worked would not realise what he had accomplished 29 June at the Miramar Hotel on the sea front in the BBC newsroom in Manchester in to achieve the footage they were watching. at Bournemouth. This is the rescheduled 1982, which first sparked my fascination His answer spoke for all three in saying that lunch from last Christmas time when snow BBC Pebble Mill with people who take on extreme but was irrelevant – the media gatherer should and ice deleted the day for us all. exhilarating conditions to test themselves be invisible. The June menu looks very appetising, with Reunion against such ultimate challenges,’ said Special thanks were made to event poached ‘Darne of Salmon’ heading the list. There will be a Camera Department Olwyn. ‘It seems amazing that over the next organizer RTS committee member Mark Reservations can still be made by Reunion on Wednesday 3 August 2011, thirty years, this interest can make our paths Murray for bringing together such a contacting Russell Horne on 01590 from 12.00pm onwards. cross so often.’ fascinating group of speakers. 624389 up to Tuesday 21 June 2011. We look forward to meeting up with any The reunion will be held at Ye Olde of you who would like to see old or new Saracen’s Head, Balsall Common, West Midlands, CV7 7AS. All former Pebble Mill For more details of recent work, check their websites: colleagues who have been connected with the BBC over the years. Bars are open staff are very welcome. Richard Else: www.mountain-media.co.uk / www.tripleecho.co.uk For more details, please contact Graham Ratcliffe: www.adaytodiefor.co.uk from 10.00. Paul Gouldstone, Vice-President RELC Keith Salmon. Tel: 01564 776747 or Keith Partridge: www.adventurecamera.co.uk email [email protected] Or follow Michelle Nicol’s blog: http://thescribbler.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/a-voice-of-inspiration/. [email protected]

PROSPERO JUNE 2011 08 memories Joan Gilman Was It Really Only Forty Years Ago? – an update subsequent reorganisation. Salford Quays to some extent now seeks to redress that geographical imbalance. The trainee scheme, however, continued to prosper and evolved into the Journalist Training Scheme, now part of the BBC Academy. Since then hundreds of individuals have gone through its doors producing many well-known radio and television journalists and the odd senior management figure. Joan Ratcliffe (nee Gilman) working in the Telediphones Department Famous Five Barnaby Mason went on to serve ultimately In the April issue of Prospero, we featured a as World Service Diplomatic Correspondent, photograph, sent in by James Gilman, of his late sister Colin Parkes held senior editorial positions Joan working at the old Telediphones Department at in both commercial radio and the BBC, Broadcasting House. James asked if anyone associated Tom Ross edited the original Top Gear for with that department in the past would like to get in five years and introduced viewers to the touch with news or other recollections. In this issue, phenomenon that is Jeremy Clarkson. James provides us with an update. Five former News Trainees gathered together, journalists were encouraged to do unheard of David Davies combined sport and politics ‘Your article about my late sister in the for the first time in forty years, at a London things like edit their own reel to reel audio successfully in a number of guises as a April issue elicited an email from a lady restaurant on the exact anniversary of the tape and work across radio and television - reporter, correspondent and presenter before whose mother worked in Telediphones day they first met. The five were the April in both news and current affairs. The same becoming Executive Director of the Football at the BBC in the 1940s. This was 1971 intake of the former News Trainee government report also brought major Association and Karolyn Shindler had a unfortunately before my sister’s time, but scheme. That far-sighted initiative began in changes such as the creation of Radios 1, varied career in Current Affairs and has just it shows at least that the Section was in 1970 in part as a result of the controversial 2, 3 and 4, instead of the Home Service, completed a biography of the pioneering existence for some years. Broadcasting in the Seventies report aimed at Third and Light Programmes, and the Victorian fossil-hunter Dorothea Bate. ‘My sister’s modernising the BBC. establishment of major production centres in The sixth trainee of that intake badly future husband Under the guidance of stalwarts like Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester. Sadly, wanted to be there. Sadly, Brian Hanrahan Gordon Ratcliffe Geoffrey Hollingsworth, Eric Stadlen, John the network production centres in England died just before Christmas. – known to his Mackinnon and Peter Dorling, trainee were all but swept away 25 years later in a contemporaries as ‘Doc’ – worked as a typist in this department, where he first met my Memories, memories… sister. A few years Gordon ‘Doc’ Ratcliffe ago I met Michael Aspel at an edition Pensioners building archive of life at the BBC of the Antiques Road Show. He recalled ‘Doc’ Former staff will be asked to recall their pour champagne, or the end of the ban on the otherwise unwritten history of an Ratcliffe with great affection, telling me of most memorable moments of working at women wearing trousers. organisation we all love and which is so how they both used to dress up as Daleks the BBC as the next step towards creating ‘We are keen to hear more about all important to the nation feels the right thing and scare the wits out of the children at a permanent archive. It is being pioneered our members’ experiences,’ said BBCPA to do – especially at the present when the annual BBC Staff children’s parties! by the BBC Pensioners’ Association to chairman David Allen, ‘from engineers, ‘crowd sourcing’ and social networking ‘During the Second World War my encourage members to share stories programme makers, technicians, technologies makes it possible. mother, Doris Gilman, worked for and anecdotes as part of a joint project administrative staff, secretaries, receptionists ‘The clever (and difficult) thing is to American Naval Intelligence at Bush House. with the BBC to begin to capture their – anyone with stories to tell.’ structure the information so that it’s When D Day was on the horizon, the experiences and their part in the history of There was almost unanimous support for accessible and attractively presented Admiral for whom she worked invited her the corporation. the project at the annual meeting, but two over time. That’s why we’re so excited to take a temporary commission with the Support for the project was endorsed members objected on the grounds that it was to be working with Roly Keating’s team. American WAVES (their equivalent to our by an overwhelming majority at the not the business of the association, whose But the project could take years to WRNS) and join him on his battleship off association’s recent annual general job was to look after pensioners’ interests. really take off as more and more ex-staff the Normandy beach-heads. My mother meeting, and it was agreed that the David Allen told Prospero, ‘We do not take eventually contribute. died in 1994, and I wonder if any of executive committee should be able to this objection lightly but as our membership ‘Meanwhile, we are particularly aware your readers might have worked at Bush spend a modest amount from association secretary, Nick Whines, pointed out at the that stories from older members of the House for the BBC during this period, and funds to help establish a pilot for the time, we are only at an exploratory stage association may disappear forever if we might know anything about the American memory bank in co-operation with and collaboration in the scheme is in don’t find a way to collect them quickly. presence there at the time? the BBC. members’ interests because it helps them We are also aware of a range of ex-BBC ‘Since writing to Prospero I’ve looked up At the meeting, the BBC’s Director of to feel their careers and contributions will be staff websites which already exist and we the word ‘telediphone’ in every dictionary Archive Content, Roly Keating, outlined remembered – we hope for ever. try to link to them on our website.’ I’ve come across and have found no the long-term archive plans – the Genome Roly Keating’s address and more reference to it anywhere. These were project – of which BBCPA’s pilot would play Older stories could disappear information about the project is on the recording / transcription devices in which a part. The BBC is beginning to digitise ‘We are feeling our way with this. Collecting association’s website, www.bbcpa.org.uk the typist, by operating the stop / start the Radio Times – one of the spines of switch with their foot, could listen in on the BBC’s history. The vision is that the headphones to the recorded messages and BBC should not only continue to be in type out a transcription of these. Someone the business of day-to-day broadcasting must have invented them. Were they in use but should deliver a library of content and Mrs Isabelle Lamont (Hellyer anywhere other than the BBC, and when ) information about that content to the public did they fall out of use? whose licence fees had paid for it. – Appeal for Information Prospero invites readers to contribute to any Prospero would like to hear from anyone who has any information regarding Mrs Isabelle of James’ questions, whether it be memories Bubbly stories of Joan and Gordon Ratcliffe, the American Mason Edgecombe Lamont (formerly Hellyer), who worked for the BBC during the 50s wartime presence at Bush House, the To jump-start its side of the project, and 60s. Telediphones Department at Broadcasting the association is building on its earlier It is thought that she may have worked in the Central Services Group Department in House or the mystery of where, when and exploratory survey of members which London and the West Region in Southampton. by whom these machines might have been yielded more than 500 replies. They included If anyone can assist at all it would be extremely helpful. Please contact Jeff Webley invented! Please write to Prospero at the usual stories and memories which until that time address, or contact James directly via email – if you have any information – [email protected] or telephone 029 2032 2603. [email protected] had never been recorded. For example, how until the 70s secretaries were taught how to

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Producer Denys Jones 020 8752 6666 Creating waves beside the sea: Julia Brooke (formerly Julia Monro) has written to Prospero to record the death, on the past meets the present 5 February, of the pop and magazine radio producer Denys Jones. The memory plays tricks, or so they say, so the local newspaper Julia worked with Denys on many of his programmes, which included Pick of the Pops reporter sent to cover a reunion celebrating 50 years of BBC with presenter Alan Freeman, and has sent in television from studios in Plymouth appeared somewhat taken two photos of Denys, published in the News of aback on hearing Kate Adie once sat in a bath in a bikini to the World on Sunday 12 December 1967. They were taken to accompany an article about the Lottery Winners report on a Westcountry drought. daily record request programme Housewives Congratulations to April’s lucky winners. Choice on the BBC Light Programme, which Louise Panton, Fiona Forouzanian, Denys produced. Peter Treadaway, Robert Conduct, Jason Bryan, Anna Jones, John Strivens, Derek Heape, Rose Howell, John O’Leary and Terence Cousin. To be in with a chance of winning next month – email [email protected] or log on to your account on the BBC Club website.

Young At Heart BBC Club’s next retired members lunch day is Tuesday 7 June at Club West One. As always we will be serving up some tasty treats. Enjoy a main, desert and a cup of tea all for just £5. For more details please contact [email protected]. Back row from left: John Francis, Kate Adie, Chris Rogers, Chris Denham, Victoria Graham (current Young at Heart is a monthly event that presenter), Joe Pengelly, Sheila Tracy, Hugh Scully, John Tanton. Front row: Craig Rich, Juliet Morris, Justin Leigh (current presenter), Chris Slade falls on the first Tuesday of the month.

There was surprise too when Hugh Scully As past and present staff mingled in the Scotland’s Personal Hotels recalled ringing the BBC’s London newsroom club bar, John Tanton recalled the excitement Exclusive offers for BBC Club members. after the Torrey Canyon ran aground to be of the pioneering days, when the new We have negotiated some special short told it wasn’t a big enough story for national. programme quickly built up a rapport with ‘Denys is in the middle of the top photo in break offers with Scotland’s Personal Hotels, Angela Rippon confessed her father was local audiences, recording high appreciation the cubicle (of one of the Egton House studios a selection of independent hotels across her earliest critic; he told her to relax and try figures. He provided a link to even further – I think Egton 1)’, writes Julia, ‘during a live Scotland ranging from deluxe country house imagining she was talking to him, advice she back, to the BBC’s first regional television broadcast of Housewives Choice with myself and hotels to country pubs with rooms. followed from then on. news service in 1957 when he was one of another studio manager, who may have been Log on to the Save on the BBC Club page As lunchtime turned to afternoon, the a team of four launching the West’s version Stuart Forsythe. In the studio photo Denys is for details of how to get your special offer. tide of such memories kept flowing among from Bristol. He remembered, too, an early second from left with the presenter Kenneth the 120 or so former staff and freelances ‘green’ BBC – wartime frugality carrying Wolstenholme, myself, and the other studio Europcar gathered at the Waterfront Restaurant in on through to the 60s – with George the manager. (Kenneth was only one of many 15% discount for UK rentals and up to Plymouth, alongside the steps where the Plymouth gardener, whose bonfire once sent guest presenters of the programme).’ 10% discount for international hire. BBC and the nation once watched as smoke into the studio, taking produce from Whether you need a car or van, at Sir Francis Chichester stepped ashore after his walled kitchen garden to the canteen to home or away, Europcar has what you sailing round the world. be cooked for lunch. Information please need. Europcar locations can be found A celebration film provided a reminder that I am a Birkbeck University MA student doing in all major airports, railway stations, and Spotlight on Memories in the south of England only London has a a research project on films on television and large towns and cities and with more than That evening, as the regional news longer unbroken association with the BBC I’m looking to speak to anyone who worked 3,800 locations in over 80 countries you programme Spotlight broadcast its own trip than Plymouth. Old footage showed the in television in the 60s / 70s / 80s who was can be assured that we’re never far away. down memory lane, Sheila Tracy recalled ‘Hullo’ men arriving to open the 5PY wireless specifically involved in the planning, buying Log on to the Save on the BBC Club an early broadcast when she posed a last- relay station in 1924. There was no footage, and broadcasting of films (either technically, page for details of how to get your minute question from her producer to a however, of one of the BBC’s less successful creatively or administratively). special offer. naval chief, who promptly blew his top on air, links. The Waterfront is near the site chosen I’m interested in anything and everything demanding the source of her information and for the finish of Nationwide’s very own yacht to do with the subject of films on television Bush House Chess Evening starting a top level row between Whitehall and race. Back then, as the clock ticked down from the 60s to the 90s, from technical Checkmate! Join our Chess Club. First the BBC. And 60s newsreader Joe Pengelly to the allotted time, presenters and OB crew questions such as: Were films transferred Tuesday of every month at Club Bush looked back to the days before autocue when found not a sail in sight; they had forgotten to videotape before broadcast? Were they House, Centre Block, Lower Ground Floor. script changes involved area news editor yachts have destinations, not ETAs. The wind, often cut (for time or content) and if so, how? Please contact [email protected] John Tanton crawling under the camera lens like memory, can play tricks too. Were new prints of films always struck for for more information. to reach up and swap pieces of paper over. television showings? How were widescreen / CinemaScope films accommodated? 30% off Kathmandu Gear Also, I have questions related to the Since 1987, Kathmandu has been planning and buying of films, such as: How designing, making and selling clothing A Great Singer were films selected for purchase? Was there and equipment for travel and adventure. John Meloy, formerly of the Music Division and R2, tells Prospero readers about a talented a quota to be fulfilled for British and foreign Kathmandu has a quality range of clothing singer, friend and work colleague, with whom he formed a singing partnership. films? What kind of budget was set aside and equipment to help you live the dream. Terms & conditions: Discount applies ‘I was saddened to hear that Geoff Timms We broadcast several times and he had for film buying and how did this change over the years? What kind of pressure was to full price Kathmandu items only. Offer had died. We were friends for many years a certain notoriety among the church- includes free annual membership to and only lost touch after the amalgamation going fraternity which led to the pair of there to increase or decrease the number of films shown? Summit Club which offers 20% off full of departments into Radios 1,2,3 and 4 led us appearing as guest soloists, mostly in price Kathmandu products, and 5% off us in different directions. Keith Wilson’s the south. If anyone feels they can help me with these and other questions, please get in touch with full priced non-Kathmandu products. Not obituary was an accurate portrait of a Every Easter we would be booked as a available in conjunction with any other pleasant, amiable and helpful man, and pair for either Maunder’s Olivet to Calvary or me at [email protected] Julian Upton offer. Excludes clearance products, gift especially so in his emphasis on Geoff’s Stainer’s Crucifixion. Our rendition of the duet vouchers and seconds. enthusiasm for singing. So thou liftest thy divine compassion from the latter Editor’s note: If anyone is interested in following Locations: Westfield London Shopping this up, please don’t reply to Prospero, but ‘He and I were together in the Ariel Choral seldom left a dry eye in the house! Centre and five other stores in London, Society and later in the St Martin’s Singers, His voice was a rich, warm bass-baritone contact Julian direct on the email address above. For those of you not online, please write to Bristol and Brighton. Just show your Club who were directed by W D Kennedy Bell, and very even throughout the range, and he Prospero at the usual address and we will try to Card to redeem this offer. Overseas Religious Programmes Organiser. was always a splendid, musicianly singer.’ get an address for Julian for you.

PROSPERO JUNE 2011 10 obituaries Over the following years Peter worked on the years in Manchester he worked on an Perhaps her greatest talent amongst so All Creatures Great many British films including Green Grow the eclectic mix of shows from Dear Ladies with many was for friendship, she never failed to and Small Composer Rushes, The Colditz Story, The Cockleshell Heroes, Hinge and Bracket to Red Dwarf which became go the extra mile for her friends. Fire Down Below and Robin Hood. a cult classic and for which he will probably Edward Barnes, Former Head of Children’s Born in Plaistow, Peter joined the BBC Film Department be best remembered. (There was a touching Programmes London in 1925, in 1958 and during his time as a appreciation on the Red Dwarf website.) Johnny Pearson BBC cameraman photographed many Paul was a most sociable and affable was a professional prestigious productions such as Ken person who had a wonderful range of A Superb Team Player musician for most Russell’s Dance of the Severn Veils, War and Peace, contacts who were also friends, whether they Barbara Cannell, of his working life Count Dracula, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and were artists, inventors, car buffs, designers, who died from but really came Oppenheimer. He also worked on numerous sculptors or eccentrics. Work was not so bronchial into his own Music and Arts documentaries and important that it got in the way of enjoying pneumonia on during the pop Light Entertainment shows including life, he always knew of a ‘splendid little March 12 at the era of the 1960s the Two Ronnies, Ripping Yarns and The Shirley pub’ or a ‘most enjoyable little restaurant’ age of 82, made a and 70s. In 1965, Bassey Show. wherever he was travelling in the country. major contribution producer Johnnie Stewart invited him to be After his retirement in 1989 Peter He was noted for his kindness and support, to some of the BBC music director of the newly formed Top renewed his passion for painting and especially to his assistants and younger documentaries of of the Pops Orchestra, and for the next drawing and exhibited and sold many designers and was always generous with the latter half of the 15 years he was at the heart of the most paintings. He will be sadly missed by his genuine practical advice. twentieth century. exciting and watched pop music show wife, Audrey and daughters Kate and Sue. Paul will be greatly missed by many and As unit manager on America with Alistair on television. John Daly we extend sympathy to his wife Jenni and his Cooke in 1972 and The Long Search with These years also proved to be very prolific son Dominic. Ronald Eyre in 1978, she enabled producers for Johnny. Apart from his weekly Top of the Pops Duncan Wheeler and John Hughes and directors to realise their aspirations as and various other TV commitments, including Sad Farewell to Pilot film-makers: without Barbara’s foresight, series with Dusty Springfield, he was writing Geoff Claxton patience, tact and quick thinking, they would and recording with his own Johnny Pearson died on Sunday Children’s Programmer not have been able to see the transformation Orchestra and in 1972, scored a chart hit with 13 March whilst of their imaginative dreams into stylish and Sleepy Shores, the theme from the television attempting a forced with an Instant Rapport original television documentaries with such series Owen MD. landing near Rosemary Gill (17 December 1930 – apparent ease. In the production office and Johnny showed musical talent from an Swansea in the 22 February 2011) on location, Barbara showed that she was early age and studied with Solomon at the light plane that he was one of the always aware of the needs of others and able London Academy of Music but his true love shared with other original team who to help restore loss of confidence, reassure was jazz, and after the war he became a pilots. A holder of took over and re- bruised self-regard and renew communal founding member of the Malcolm Mitchell a pilot’s licence shaped Blue Peter in enthusiasm for a creative project. Trio. After leaving the Trio to pursue a solo for over 50 years, 1963. Biddy Baxter The only child of an architect and his career he turned his talents to radio and by flying was a major part of his life. and I had begun schoolteacher wife, Barbara grew up in 1960 was conducting the Romance in Rhythm Originally from Norfolk, he transferred to the process, but Coventry, where she worked as an assistant Orchestra. Recording contracts followed but BBC Wales from London in the 1960s, first Biddy was called stage manager at the repertory theatre before it was his association with Pye Records working in TV Operations. Soon afterwards for jury service coming to London and joining the BBC producer John Schroeder and Sounds Orchestral he moved to Electronic Maintenance as a in 1963 and where she worked in Presentation, Drama which put him firmly on the map in the supervisor. He retired in 1997. Rosemary, who was working as an Assistant Documentaries and Arts Features as the public eye and later, his theme music for All Highly regarded by friends and colleagues, Floor Manager was brought in to help. She medium adapted to major changes, such as Creatures Great and Small and the ITV News at Ten he was a brilliant, immensely resourceful stayed for 10 years, becoming a producer the beginning of BBC2 and the early days heard by millions of viewers every night of engineer who freely shared his knowledge. when the programmes went bi-weekly in of colour. the week. Quiet and unassuming, he passed on his 1965. Barbara’s friends and colleagues will Johnny Pearson died on 20 March after enthusiasm to us all. He was rarely defeated, The early 60s was a time of crisis in remember a superb team player, who had a long illness. He will be sadly missed by but if he had to declare an item unfixable, children’s programmes, and Blue Peter was time for everyone from the least confident his wife Alex and all of his friends, but his you would hear the unforgettable phrase: combined with programmes for women young trainee to the most demanding melodies will live on. ‘in the bin, squire’. called ‘Family Programmes’. This made contributor or producer. She had strong Kate Greer He was a maintenance supervisor in Cardiff Rosemary, Biddy and I determined to make opinions but she never let them disturb Broadway when colour first came to Wales. a programme that would be worthy of the the harmony of her relationships with Behind the Lens The continuity vision mixer was unreliable neglected audience we served. Rosemary’s other people; her loyalty, integrity, good and Geoff performed minor miracles between contribution was immense. She had a highly humour and generosity will be sadly missed. Peter Hall sadly junctions to repair it. individual, quirky view of life and a very Although Barbara endured considerable pain passed away on Geoff was unflappable in a crisis. In 1973 peculiar sense of humour which was evident towards the end of her life, she continued to 23 March after a we were sent to give maintenance support in everything she did. enjoy conversation, bridge, foreign travel, the long battle with to CMCR 1, which was being used for the In 1976 Rosemary was asked to produce theatre and cinema. Parkinson’s Disease. first broadcast on the day of the wedding of Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, which was based David Heycock Peter was a film Princess Anne. Just before transmission the on a notion of hers that children enjoyed cameraman based generator voltage went high and most of swapping things. There was fierce opposition at BBC Television the fuses blew. The side door of the scanner to the programme from some branches of Methodist Minister and Film Studios Ealing opened and Geoff started throwing the racks the BBC at the beginning, with fears that from 1958 until Local Radio Pioneer who engineers out one by one until he could get the BBC high standards of presentation and his retirement access to the vision mixer. Geoff’s action photography were about to be eroded. Under in 1989. Retired Three Times saved the OB. Rosemary’s optimistic leadership however, Peter was unique in many ways; with his With the death of We all have fond memories of Geoff, a the programme ran for six years, becoming a style, his wit and his artistry, everyone who Rev. Frank Pagden unique, much admired, colleague and friend; much-loved institution. had the pleasure of working alongside him the BBC has lost it was a privilege to have known him. We As children, Rosemary and her sister Hazel could not help but be inspired by the way a local radio send our condolences to his wife Edna and had loved playing ‘shop’. So Saturday Superstore he mixed his professionalism with a sense of pioneer and the his brother Malcolm. with Store manager Mike Reid became the new fun. I had the honour of working with Peter Methodist church Roger Farmer with the help of BBC colleagues. Saturday morning show. Bill Cotton, Controller as his camera assistant in the early eighties a fine minister and (A longer version of this obituary can be found of BBC1, was amazed that such a strange and and will always be grateful for the experience popular preacher. at: www.bbceng.info/) bizarre notion should have worked so well and the knowledge he very generously from its very first transmission. When Radio passed on. Rosemary was always able to strike up an Leeds opened in After studying painting and drawing at instant rapport with children. One of her 1968 Frank became The ‘Red Dwarf’ Look a member of a small team appointed by the Art School, Peter, in 1946, entered the Paul Montague died after a short illness on prized possessions was a huge Edwardian Film Industry via the camera maintenance doll’s house which children adored. Leeds Council of Churches to work with the 10 January, aged 78. He had an extensive and station. They soon became known as ‘The department at Pinewood studios. It was distinguished career as a Production Designer Rosemary made all the miniature furniture God Squad’ and produced a weekly broadcast not long before he was taken on by at BBC Manchester. and props herself. She was a collector called God Willing. Cinematographer, Guy Green as clapper He was the most consummate draughtsman. of Staffordshire china and a painter of Frank had got the radio bug and joined boy on Great Expectations followed by There are freehand architectural sketches he landscapes, her friends and their dogs. Her Radio Leeds full time, first as a full-time Oliver Twist, both films directed by the made in Italy, as a student, which are almost own much loved dog Flora pre-deceased her freelance and then as a staff producer. Since he great David Lean. photographic in their beautiful detail. Over by two days.

PROSPERO JUNE 2011 11 was now full-time, he was able to nurture learning curve. His attention to detail to the Festival. In this role she met and looked after satisfaction in fixing complex foreign trips God Willing and extend its team until it became script, the casting, the sound effects etc - all of staff at every level and from every corner of within the tightest of budgets. a live 45 minute magazine using all five of this had an enormous and formative influence the organisation (and beyond) who were And we all have heart stopping memories the station’s studio locations. The programmes on those of us who were lucky enough to work working at or simply visiting the world- of transmission Tuesdays when everything kept coming: Dial a Hymn, for which he created with him. We are all poorer for his passing. famous arts event. And, yes, if you ordered had gone catastrophically wrong and the first the Hymn Bank, proved so popular that it ran to René Basilico tickets you ordered them from her and her third of the programme was going out live two editions on a Sunday, and numerous other phenomenal efficiency did the rest, though as the second two thirds were being edited in series and one offs. woe betide the staffer who failed to provide separate pieces. Grown men cried in panic, Amongst other things, he covered the Cable TV Pioneer her with a programme number! but not Lindsay. Her sharp mathematical brain enthronement of the Archbishop of York and After a major Mike Shaw worked out the most complicated timings in masterminded a Come and Sing Messiah event at stroke, Gordon her head and with calm precision she always Leeds Town Hall, which was later released Edmund Waters, got us on air. on cassette. retired Chief John Kirby She cared about the BBC. She cared about He was also required to contribute to the Engineer of – a Real Techie the programme. And she cared very much rest of the station output. One memorable the Canadian about us. All those awards for File on 4’s example being the discovery of a snail at Broadcasting After a brief flirtation with the Post Office, journalism are as much hers as ours. Leeds Museum which had a shell that curled Corporation, John Kirby joined the Transmission Like every BBC tribe, File on 4 draws the other way round to all other known passed away Department in London in 1954. His rapid together at the important moments. This is species. It was broadcast on 1 April and it peacefully in his rise from probationary technical operations one. It’s difficult to believe that such a vital, fooled many people into thinking it was a 95th year, in his assistant at Brookmans Park to assistant witty, fearless woman should die before hoax, but it wasn’t. newly adopted home of Halifax. engineer-in-charge at Thrumster in less than she could fully enjoy her retirement. Dave After 18 years, Frank decided to take early Gordon was born in Southall, Middlesex. 10 years was a measure of his abilities and Stanford got Lindsay exactly right – ‘she was retirement and returned to the ministry, He joined the BBC in their fledgling television enthusiasm. He and his colleagues were an original who spoke her mind and didn’t becoming minister at Grove Methodist studios at Alexandra Palace in 1938. Upon the particularly welcomed at Rosemarkie on give a stuff about authority. But her heart was Church in Horsforth. Later, he retired for outbreak of the Second World War, Gordon the Black Isle in NE Scotland, as their arrival as big as her persona. Bigger. Much bigger’. a second time only to be called back into was commissioned into the Royal Navy. With brought TV to the area for the first time. As We mourn her and our thoughts are with service when the new minister and his wife a brief two week interlude in 1941 to marry team leader, and later transmitter manager, her beloved husband Tom. were sadly killed in a car crash. Even when Joan Seignior and enjoy a brief honeymoon, John was instrumental in establishing Helen Boaden, Director, BBC News he retired a third time he found he was still he spent the early war years in Britain and maintenance bases at Brookmans Park, in demand as a guest preacher. the final two in Ceylon working on anti- Thrumster, Manningtree, Sandy Heath and Frank died on 10 March after a short submarine devices. At the conclusion of Hannington. He was a key player in bringing Memories of Paul illness, leaving a widow, Gladys, three hostilities, he was discharged with the rank the 405 line TV service to parts of East Anglia. Kriwaczek (1937-2011) grown-up children and seven grandchildren. of Lieutenant Commander. Despite retiring through ill health in Nigel Fell He returned to the BBC television service 1986, John went on to share his considerable I first got to know Paul Kriwaczek in the in 1946 but, by 1952, television expansion knowledge of transmitters and micro- early 1970s in Further Education TV at seemed far too slow. In November of 1952 processors with students and engineers Villiers House in Ealing. I learned much from Great Influence of with his wife, Joan and young son, Graham, through the training section at Sutton Coldfield. him and marvelled at his knowledge across Gordon emigrated to Canada, to serve as the With his engineering background, John was so many fields. The second way I got to know Passionate Musician Chief Engineer at the first cable television a real ‘techie’. He loved to know how things him was in so-called departmental ‘Offers John Fawcett Wilson (1927-2011) was service in the world at Rediffusion in Montréal. worked and often took them apart to find out Meetings’. I was always glad to see Paul at one of the most creative and innovative In 1953, he joined the Canadian – not always with successful consequences! such sessions as he consistently approached radio producers in the second half of the Broadcasting Corporation’s Engineering He owned all the technical gadgets of his day, matters seriously and thoughtfully. He Twentieth Century. In his 50 years at the BBC Headquarters in Montréal, and was from a reel-to-reel tape recorder, to an SLR was always encouraging to younger, less he produced programmes of astonishing responsible for the planning, design, and camera with slide projector. Long before the experienced staff. diversity – interviews, music, comedy and installation of radio and television studios internet was born, he owned one of the first For many years I was chair of the ABS drama. He covered the whole gamut of from St. John’s NL to Vancouver, BC. He BBC Acorn computers. (now BECTU) Union branch. Paul was always radio broadcasting including a memorable traveled to every province (except PEI) in In his mid-thirties ‘Mr Parkinson came a good attender at meetings and gave full interview with Artur Rubinstein, the national this capacity spending considerable time in along’, as John put it, and he spent his last support to colleagues with sensible suggestions amateur choir competition, Let the People Halifax, Winnipeg, and Vancouver during the eight and a half years as a resident of Mali for resolving disputes or improving matters. sing, avant-garde comedy with Lines from my early to mid 50s as CBC television stations Jenkins care home in Walsall. But he never His union involvement reflected his strong Grandfather’s Forehead; no less then 100 episodes were first established across the country. lost his spirit or sense of humour. He was a sense of the importance of individual freedom. of Jim Eldridge’s ground-breaking school He retired in 1977 and he and Joan settled regular contributor to residents’ meetings, I left Education in 1982 and would bump docu-drama King Street Junior and the dramatic in Brockville, ON, where they spent a long and pursued a one-man campaign to have into Paul from time to time. I was nevertheless adaptations of Graham Greene and John Le and happy retirement until Joan’s passing in hot meals served on hot plates. He eventually amazed some 16 years later when he contacted Carré which so irritated Drama Dept, coming May of 2010. Gordon then moved to Halifax won the concession – but only for himself. me out of the blue. He had read in the press as they did from Light Ent. to live near his only son, Graham, and his John, who was 77, will be greatly missed that my job as Head of Community & Disability John’s lifelong passion was music. In wife, Louise who survive him. by his daughters Caroline and Rosemary, and Programmes was disappearing and wondered 1951 he joined the Royal Academy of Music, ‘Grandpa’ will also be sorely missed by by his grandsons David and Mark. if I’d like to represent the BBC one last time studying piano and composition. When he granddaughter Laura (Adrian) and great- Nick Willmot in a prestigious TV studio debate in Sweden. left the Academy, in 1956, he taught music granddaughters Amelia and Sloane. I jumped at the idea, especially when he said at Gresham’s School before joining the Music Simon Vaughan, Archivist for and on behalf of ‘There Was Only Ever he’d also be taking part. The debate was about Dept of Chappells, in New Bond Street. Alexandra Palace Television Society the future of telecommunications and he To everything he did at the BBC, John One Person In Charge’ had been asked by the producers to suggest brought authenticity. If a piece called for someone else from the BBC. Thinking I was German or Turkish or even Paraguayan Long Service of Lindsay Alker was Unit Manager for all the leaving, Paul had acted out of kindness and characters, John would somehow find Editors of File on 4. Or should that be the respect and it was a lovely gesture. Germans, Turks or Paraguayans to play them. Unsung Heroine other way round? We might come and go Over the last 10 years I would most On one memorable occasion, when Haitians The remarkable with our editorial ambitions, our strategic frequently see Paul at Villiers House Reunion were a bit thin on the ground, John had a Miss Catherine aims and our delusions of leadership. But lunches. I was always impressed with how cast of very macho West Indians coached in Smith of the BBC there was only ever one person in charge of much he was doing with his life and I was the Haitian dialect by a delightful young lady in Edinburgh File on 4 and that was Lindsay. saddened when I heard about his cancer. Like who was probably the only person on the has died at 83. She could be formidable, sometimes even everyone, I was astonished by his tremendous planet to have a PhD in that subject. Catherine worked frightening. But she was also unsentimentally courage and determination as he somehow John rarely, if ever, used incidental music, as a secretary at the kind. Robin Lustig remembered how ‘She managed to finish yet another book, on if only because it interrupted the reality of BBC for 41 years, made me feel safe when I was a very raw and Babylon. He managed to see it through to the moment. Music for the beginning and one of the great inexperienced radio person’. She did the same publication before he died. The last time I saw end of a programme was always specially unsung heroines for me and many others now working in all him was at the Reunion last year. commissioned, usually from the better of the service. parts of BBC News. Paul was a good and generous-spirited man practitioners of the art – Max Harris, Jim Such was her ability and reputation, Her reliability and professionalism were who certainly enriched my life in many ways Parker, et al – but once, in a moment of pure that following her official retirement she legendary. Long before the advent of the over 40 years. I will miss him greatly, as I’m inspiration, he talked the great Paco Peña returned for many years to the BBC’s former mobile phone she tenaciously tracked the sure so many others will too. into both composing and playing the music premises at Queen Street to be the Duty progress of a team through jungles and desert Giles Oakley for Monsignor Quixote. and Planning Administrator for the whole helping them set up interviews ahead and get Working with John was always an upward of the BBC at the Edinburgh International back on time. She took immense proprietorial

PROSPERO JUNE 2011 12 Horrid Go-Ahead Boy by John Tidmarsh Classifieds

Published by Book Guild Publishing £16.99, Reviewed by David Edwards Venice, Giudecca apartment, sleeps 5. Fully equipped, very quiet, vaporetto to St Mark’s. In this Younger, whom John groups with Gerald visit the troubled production of one of his Tel: 01260 227262 entertaining Mansell, Austin Kark and John Tusa – ‘three plays, John had the temerity to ask the great Email: [email protected] and sometimes of the best’. The unloved Director General man for an interview. ‘Coward, savouring waspish of the BBC, John Birt, was an ‘ally’ of Sir each word, said, ‘Horrid go-ahead boy.’ John Somerset holiday flat. Near coast and Exmoor autobiography Christopher Bland, and together they never did get his interview. National Park. Sleeps 2. Affordable rates. – with its self- proposed absorbing World Service within Always a stickler for precise language – as Tel: 01643 704778; www.cottageexmoor.co.uk deprecating and domestic radio and television. John clearly all good journalists are – John says he was eye-catching has no time for Birt and his cohorts of angered by the BBC’s then Deputy Director of Seaview, Isle of Wight. Wanting to get away title – John management consultants – people he calls ‘a News, Mark Damazer, saying the BBC should for a break? Pleasant ETB 4* studio annexe, sleeps two comfortably. Near beach and village. Tidmarsh recalls bunch of charlatans.’ not describe the 9/11 attackers of the Twin For details contact studioannexe@btinternet. his many years But there were many happier times. Towers in New York Times as ‘terrorists’. com or tel 01983 812180 as a prominent Live interviews always carry a frisson of John could not agree with Damazer’s view broadcaster. unpredictability which John relished. He that use of the word could downgrade the Lake District. Historic watermill, secluded in Much of his recalls the delightful lyricist Sammy Cahn, BBCs status as an impartial broadcaster. Later, woods and fields, sleeps 6, beautiful all year for career, more than 30 years, was spent as a winner of four Oscars. For his Outlook when Damazer became Head of Radio 4, a walking, climbing and sailing. presenter of Outlook on the BBC World Service interview Cahn rewrote some words to the colleague described him as ‘one of the BBC’s Tel: 020 7387 6654; and his achievements were marked by the tune It’s Magic, ending with ‘I don’t have to leading intellectuals.’ John cannot resist Email: [email protected] award of an OBE. say the payment I’ll take away is tragic.’ A adding his own incredulous exclamation Lagos, Algarve. Small townhouse, John first picked up a microphone as a reminder, perhaps, of John’s first journalism mark to that quote. 2 bedrooms, roof terrace, near beach, from National Service radio operator in the RAF. as a cub reporter on the Western Daily Press Many BBC pensioners will nod in £150pw. Also large apartment. Contact From then it was a classic case of per ardua in Bristol. He received ‘the princely sum of agreement when John writes: ‘I am sad to say 07956 181613; [email protected] ad astra. £1.10s a week, plus five shillings for In Town I would no longer want to work for the BBC. The index of his book is indeed star- Expenses...no questions asked’. Honesty and accuracy...with no need to look Paphos. A/C studio apartment, sleeps 2/3, studded; from Julie Andrews by way of He was ‘rescued’ by the legendary Frank over our shoulder, fearful in case we offend spectacular balcony view, from £95pw. Carl Bernstein, Ronnie Biggs, Noel Coward, Gillard, then head of BBC West Region in someone. Those are the standards of the BBC Amenities adjacent. Taxi/car hire arranged. Audrey Hepburn, David Niven and many, Bristol. His four years there, writes John, World Service as I remember them.’ Tel: 01455 635759; www.cyprusapartments.net many more. The last name, Sam Younger, were ‘some of the most enjoyable in a career This is a well-produced book, with eight leads us to one of John’s stinging stories. that would last, uninterrupted for nearly pages of photographs and a CD copy of Brittany, Dinan. Delightful medieval riverside town with many restaurants. Attractive In the mid nineties, as now, the BBC 50 years.’ And it was there that the young John’s interview with Alastair Cooke to mark apartment in old merchant’s house; quiet, World Service was enduring a financial broadcaster found the title for his memoirs. the 50th anniversary of his radio classic central. Beaches, walks close. Near St Malo crisis. Managing Director at the time was Sent to interview Noel Coward, in town to Letter from America. channel port and Dinard airport (Ryanair). Sleeps 2, double or twin. From £190pw. Phone: 020 8995 8543 Email: [email protected]

Award-Winning Comedy Returns to the West End Niton, Isle of Wight. Holiday chalet for 2 in peaceful and secluded landscaped gardens. comes the answer, ‘make him a governor Starring Simon Williams (Upstairs, Downstairs, Ideal base for walkers. Tel: 01372 462732 of the BBC.’ Holby City etc) as the urbane Sir Humphrey www.ramblersretreatatniton.co.uk For a limited season at the Apollo Theatre and Richard McCabe (Wallander, Spooks etc) from July 6, audiences can enjoy comedy as the Prime Minister Jim Hacker, the stage West Dorset. Recently renovated 3-bedroom of that quality on stage. Sir Antony Jay and production concerns the problems of a cottage with gardens, in quiet village close to co-writer Jonathan Lynn recently reunited government facing financial problems. Beaminster and Lyme Bay coast. to create the stage production, which has Sir Antony explains how Yes, Prime Minister Tel 0118 341566 received rave reviews since opening at the remains as familiar as ever by saying, Chichester Festival Theatre and continuing its ‘When we were writing the series, we had (Price cut) Provence. Traditional 3-bedroom villa (sleeps 6) with pool. Near enchanting run at the Gielgud Theatre. Having played to to keep our day jobs, meaning we wrote medieval village. From £500 per week. Email: sell-out audiences, the popular production when we could – often quite a while before [email protected] for brochure returns to the Apollo. transmission. It was difficult to keep up with Sir Antony Jay was formerly founding the constantly changing specifics of politics, North Devon. Comfortable warm modernised editor of the Tonight programme and head so we had to write about the unchanging, cottage for two with excellent views, walking and of Television Talk Shows at the BBC. After a consistent things.’ touring. Details: www.devonmillcottage.co.uk or career spent in the politics department in The TV series attracted considerable contact [email protected] the 1950s and 60s it is tempting to wonder popularity in over 80 countries, including how much of his experience informed his Russia and India and next year the stage Time to be...... Is your retirement what you depiction of Whitehall machinations in the production will head to Australia. expected? Do you want more? Life coaching with Lynda Sanders. E-mail: lyndacoaching@ pages of the Yes, Prime Minister scripts. For further information on the Yes, Prime gmail.com Tel 07879 810046 ‘From my time at the BBC I got insight Minister stage production at the Apollo, please into how bureaucracy works,’ says Sir see below. Bude, Cornwall – FOR SALE. 10-year old, Antony, who is hoping to attend some of the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, 4 bed (1 en-suite), detached house in quiet Apollo performances. ‘I could see how Sir London, W1D 7EZ cul-de-sac. Bathroom, through lounge/dining Humphrey was able to shift responsibility Box Office: 0844 482 9671 room, largish kitchen, downstairs toilet, garage, for the good and the bad, and how the www.yesprimeminister.co.uk small garden, not overlooked. Easy walk to ‘Make him something important’ says Sir actions of bureaucrats could reflect on other Tickets from £20 shops, beaches etc. No chain. OIRO £275,000 Tel: 01288 359541 Humphrey Appleby in an episode of the senior people. In many ways, I became the classic TV comedy Yes, Prime Minister. ‘What’s custodian of Sir Humphrey’s soul, whereas Dordogne. Farmhouse in peaceful hamlet with he interested in? Television?’ ‘He hasn’t even Jonathan was the custodian of Jim Hacker’s. magnificent views from garden. Ideal walking, got a set,’ responds PM Jim Hacker. ‘Fine,’ He had a more political background.’ swimming nearby, all comforts. Sleeps 4. Bargain. Contact 07788 940660, [email protected] Prospero’s Book Club – Thank You Prospero is delighted with the response to its recent call for book reviewers. Many of you Prospero Classifieds, BBC Pension and have taken the time to get in touch and send us your details and we thank you for that. We Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, are building quite a database of people interested in reviewing books, and you can see one Cardiff, CF5 2YQ of our first reviews on this page, written by David Edwards. Please enclose a cheque made payable to: Once we have your details on file, if we receive a book that we think you might like to BBC Central Directorate. review, you will be invited to do so. There is no obligation at all, but you may find your review Rate: £5 for 20 words. In a covering letter printed in these pages! Antony Jay, Editor of Tonight, 1962 please include your pension number.

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