The newspaper for retired BBC Pension Scheme members • August 2018 • Issue 4 PROSPERO

FIONA BRUCE ON ANTIQUES ROADSHOW PENSION PAGE 2 SCHEME | BACK AT THE BBC

Old Masters, Chippendale pieces and ‘YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT Roman statues – the top trumps of antiques. A few years back I also loved going to Bletchley Park where secret code breaking took place during the Second WILL TURN UP’ World War using, amongst other things, the German enigma machine. At the time, the buildings were pretty run down, rather unloved and little changed since Filming for the 41st series of BBC One’s Antiques the war – but it was hugely atmospheric. Roadshow is well and truly under way. Believe it or not, Since then, it’s been given funding and is now open to the public. this is ’s 11th year presenting the show. Here Another favourite was Hopetoun House just outside . Part of the filming she shares some of her thoughts and highlights to date… involved going to the top of the nearby Forth Bridge in a high wind. I’m not sure all the crew enjoyed it, but I certainly did! What is it like working on Antiques Is there a story that has particularly newly discovered son. As the man told Roadshow and were you a fan before stuck with you? me this story he was moved to tears – You’ve been known to help out on you began presenting it? The man who brought along a set of GI and who can blame him? reception on the valuation days I used to watch Antiques Roadshow as a medals from the Second World War. – what’s the oddest thing that you’ve Are you surprised that people still have child when I lived at home. I would sit with seen brought along? His story began with finding a cache of treasures that they know nothing about? my parents on nights and we love letters written to his mother by an I always help out on reception, as it’s You’d think that after 40 years of would watch it together. We enjoyed it American GI who’d had an affair with her great fun. It’s the first chance I get to see Antiques Roadshow somehow people very much. I came back to it when I had while his father was away serving in the what our visitors have brought along and would run out of things to show us, run my own home and was a regular viewer Second World War. to hear their stories. You never know out of things to tell us – but I’m happy to before I got the dream job of presenting it. what will turn up. The letters revealed that his mother had report that this is not the case! If you work in television, to find yourself One year a man brought an attaché case a baby with this man and it became Thousands of people come along and we on a programme that the nation has and plonked it down on our reception apparent to him that he was that child. still find the most remarkable objects. taken to its heart, is a rare privilege. table. I thought it might contain some As you can imagine, it was a huge shock We never know what is going to turn up Antiques Roadshow is a star in the BBC’s exciting documents or letters of historical and very distressing. Everything he had and that is the great joy of the firmament and I count myself very lucky importance – but no. Inside was his known and believed about his childhood programme and we will see everybody to be a part of it. collection of loo chains. turned out to be based on a lie. As his who comes along. What do you enjoy most about the day parents had died recently, he couldn’t ask When I asked him why on earth he would It is amazing that there are wonderful of the recording? them about it and his aunt told him she want to collect them, he said he really items still out there and that the show, I’m not an antiques expert so I don’t value was sworn to secrecy. enjoyed watching the programme, which has been going 40 years, has not items on the day, but I do know what thought he should start a collection of his He tracked down the GI’s family in Virginia unearthed everything there is to unearth items make a good story and how to tell own, wanted it to be out of the ordinary who welcomed him with open arms and – it’s really quite surprising. People still it. So much of what you see on the – and loo chains were cheap! filled in the gaps. They told him that his bring along things that are just Roadshow is about the story behind the father had agreed to forgive the infidelity extraordinary and it’s a great pleasure item and the story of the owner – our and bring the baby up as his own – and to see them and hear their stories. dream combination is a great story, indeed loved him as such all his life – and Antiques Roadshow The programme has changed a lot over a great owner, and great value. the American GI decided reluctantly to comes to MCUK the years, most of the filming now takes We are never short of people who bring stay away to prevent making a delicate place outdoors. What venues have stood If you live in the North-West or along things that may not necessarily situation even more difficult. out for you? nearby, you’ll have an opportunity have great monetary value but tell a story The GIs’ descendants knew all about the I’ve been so lucky to go to some of the to attend a recording of Antiques that can be incredibly poignant, very baby being brought up in Britain and most wonderful places in the UK. Roadshow when it visits BBC amusing or reveal something about were thrilled to meet him at last. It was a MediaCity, Salford on Thursday ourselves or history that we may not have Last year for our 40th anniversary series very moving experience for all of them. 30 August (9.30am-5pm). No ticket thought of before; I enjoy that part of the we visited Castle Howard, which I’ve required. Just turn up – no tickets Roadshow enormously. Some of the most The man came to the Roadshow with his always wanted to see and it was just or booking. It should be fun – with moving stories stick in my mind, many of American GI father’s war medals, which as fabulous as I thought it would be. a special Blue Peter moment too! which I will never forget. the family had decided should go to his It had the finest collection of paintings, 2 YOUR ‘PEN’-FRIEND PROSPERO Prospero is provided free of charge to retired Scheme IS ON ITS WAY members, or to their spouses and dependants. Prospero provides a source of news on former Sometime this week you can expect to receive a colleagues, developments at the BBC and pension leaflet summarising the easy steps to registering for issues, plus classified adverts. It is available online at myPension online – as well as your branded BBC Pension .co.uk/mypension Scheme pen with built-in stylus. The soft-touch stylus To advertise in Prospero, please see page 12. lets you navigate or make notes on your tablet or screen. Each pen features a little BBC Pension Friend – Please send your editorial contributions, the character that is becoming synonymous with our or comments/feedback, to: pensions brand. Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, , CF5 2YQ Remember, once you’ve signed up for myPension online, you will be able to: Email: [email protected]

• view and print your payslips Please make sure that any digital pictures you send This summer, the Pension and Benefits Centre has are scanned at 300dpi. Please also note that the • view and print your annual P60 and pension embarked on an exciting campaign to encourage Scheme maximum word count for obituaries is 350 words. members to register for myPension online, our secure increase letter member self-service area. • nominate a dependant or change an We are sending targeted communications to our three existing nomination main member groups: those people who are still • update your contact details Contents employed by the BBC and are paying into the Scheme; those members who no longer pay into the Scheme but • update your bank details. have yet to take their pension from the Scheme; and Go to bbc.co.uk/mypension to find out more. Letters 4-5 people like you, who are in receipt of a BBC pension.

Life after Auntie 6-7 BBC publishes Annual Report 2017/18 - Scottish Variety & Radio Orchestras The BBC published its Annual Report and Accounts team committed to a big idea – and worked tirelessly - Suspension of Disbelief for the 2017/18 financial year on 11 July. In an email to for years to make it happen. all staff, director-general Tony Hall said: ‘There’s much ‘I’d also like to thank everyone involved in running our to celebrate – 12 new language services, a successful finances. Our track record on efficiencies is second to first year for BBC Studios before merging with BBC none – and the amount we’re spending on overheads Memories 8 Worldwide, our best ever year for iPlayer, our biggest is at industry leading levels at just 6%.’ investment in children’s services in a generation, and - Good old Harry Rogers the biggest transformation of our local and national Tony also talked about the culture of the BBC and services too. the work it has been doing on career progression. ‘What’s really stood out for me this year has been ‘The Annual Report includes a table showing where the sheer professionalism and dignity of our teams things stand based on everything we know about pay Back at the BBC 9 today. I hope you’ll take a look. You can see the extent in the wake of the most terrible terrorist attacks in - BBC North Open Day to which things are changing. In 2016/17 only 25% of Manchester and – and, of course, our response - Studios move to the appalling events at Grenfell Tower. our top earners were women. That now stands at 40%. That’s progress and I want to be at 50% by the end of ‘I’d like to pay tribute to our programme makers too. 2020 – if not before. What the figures also show is that They’ve shown how we can have an impact for good. nearly 20% of those top earners are from BAME The drama Three Girls about sex abuse in Rochdale backgrounds – that’s 5% ahead of our target.’ Obituaries 10-11 opened the nation’s eyes to the dangers of grooming. And Blue Planet II moved us all. The full Report is available at Government policy changed. Global corporations bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/howwework/ took action. And all because our natural history reports/ara Odds and ends 12 - A County Durham dream - Caption competition - Classifieds Mystery Sudoku E H N

Complete the grid so that every row, column and B J E R T I O 3x3 box contains the letters BEHIJNORT in some order. One row or column contains a five or more T B R Prospero 2018 letter word, title or name with a BBC connection. The next issue of Prospero will appear Solve the Sudoku to discover what it is and send R in October 2018. The copy deadline your answer to: The Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension is Friday 7 September 2018. and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff B T E J CF5 2YQ by Friday 7 September 2018. I The winner gets a £10 voucher. Many thanks to Neil Somerville for providing this puzzle. E N I

The Sudoku winner in June was B N H E R T O WIN Cheryl Wilson, who correctly identified £10 the BBC connection was Robin Day. J I R

PROSPERO AUGUST 2018 | 3 | LETTERS

Rooting out the BBC leaving book – looking back How many of you have one of these She graduated with a First Class Honours My career with the BBC started in 1983 subversives tucked into a bookshelf and not looked Degree in Graphic Design a week ago as a BBC Radio Journalist; I started on Paul Reynolds’ piece on BBC vetting at it since you left a job you loved at – so I am a very proud mum, whose a short three-month trial as one of the brought back memories of my the BBC? sadness about leaving a job she loved first six taken on from outside Fleet appointment to the somewhat sensitive (which meant she never looked back), Street or Oxbridge as an experiment. post of News Editor is now replaced with thankfulness and June Kelly is the only one of us still back in the much troubled Seventies. appreciation of some of the wonderful working at the Beeb! As an outsider from Ulster Television, things that were said. I moved into the TV newsroom the I have no doubt the procedure was set Here are a couple of following year and worked as a in motion after my board in BH . designs from producer on the Today programme I was to receive no fewer than three the book and a – where I was the back office producer calls from the personnel people telling picture of Harriet when Margaret Thatcher rang in me my candidature was still under with my dog! unexpectedly asking to correct active consideration. My daughter Harriet has been studying something she’d heard on graphics at Bournemouth Arts the programme. Two months after the board I found University and decided to do a myself in the Europa Hotel at a I had been taking hoax calls from Forgotten Hero piece about me. celebration lunch with the admiral Rik Mayall and others of Not the Nine Controller Northern Ireland, the late Sir She took quotes she found in the above O’Clock News fame pretending to be Richard Francis. A senior Government book and turned them into graphics, politicians, so it was a good thing I had Information Officer of the day, the late bound them in a book and also my wits about me and recognised the Tom Roberts – well known for a wicked designed an installation to display real Prime Minister was on the phone! sense of humour – popped over to offer them. She got a First for the project Diane Roberts congratulations. He then turned to Dick and it was submitted to an international and said: ‘Amazing you should appoint a panel of judges who decided to give Thanks Diane. Does anyone else have a Provo!’ Dick laughed, nervously. her membership of the International leaving book from the BBC? If you do, Society of Typographic Designers. why not get it out, dust it off and let us Robin Walsh This means that she can now use the know if it stirs up any memories of your letters ISTD after her name. time at the BBC. I HAVE FIRST-HAND experience of the highly undesirable consequences of ending vetting at the BBC World Service, The Voyage of Charles Darwin Mike Broadbent as a result of the 1985 Observer story. I read with interest your issue June 2018 copy on the voyage of Charles I’m afraid a subbing error has given me Beginning in 1988 the Russian Service, Darwin – remembering the Beagle and the people involved in the BBC credit for all the obit for Mike Broadbent where I was working at the time, started production 40 years ago. in the June edition, whereas I contributed hiring Soviet journalists, (the previous only half of one paragraph. practice being to hire staff from among As it happens I now work part-time for English Heritage at Down House, home of Charles recent émigrés from all walks of life). Darwin in Kent – where we exhibit the Beagle replica and chronicle its voyage, with many Something I and my superseded fellow artefacts from the life of Charles Darwin. It is open every day this summer 10-6pm. obituarist did not mention was Mike’s Thus the Russian Service employed a dogged devotion to Luton Town FC. commentator from Radio Moscow’s I would like to contact the producer Charles Ralling, as I’m sure his story of the 40 years’ The value to us on the ONE desk was English-language department celebration should be re-told again, perhaps to our newer staff and volunteers. not only a way of winding up our editor broadcasting to Britain, a journalist who Elizabeth Logan after a poor result of a weekend, but that had been a correspondent in the Middle travelling to away games meant Mike East for a leading Soviet newspaper, brought back a sense of the concerns of another broadcaster from Radio Moscow the wider world – the Britain outside what and the TASS correspondent in one of the REUNIONS could often be the bubble of London W12. African countries.

Andrew Maywood If these individuals were vetted at all, Yorkshire Region Annual Reunion/ We would like to apologise for the then a very poor job indeed was done, oversight – the bulk of the obituary was ignoring the basic fact of these people’s Pensioners’ Lunch provided by Tony Crabb. professional past and their dubious allegiance. It is hard to say who was Thursday 9 August, 12.30pm for 1.00pm, once again at the popular venue, the responsible for hiring them, probably at Dower House Hotel, Knaresborough. To’ing and Head of Russian Service level in the final Catch up with your former colleagues at this superb venue and enjoy excellent analysis. But the fact remains that pretty food and excellent company. Also help continue the celebrations of Look North’s from’ing soon these recruits were allowed to be in 50th anniversary year! Like Phil Hinchcliffe (June, Prospero), positions to make editorial decisions I wince at the misuse of words, but, at the Please pass on this information to those you think may not know about the event. whereby increasingly they were choosing risk of being labelled pedantic, something Look forward to seeing you there! to interview ‘experts’ inside the USSR that grates even more, is the use of ‘to’ to (and later Russia) for the flagship current Please email Sue Pagdin for details ([email protected]) or call her on 0113 261 2613 express a difference when ‘from’ should affairs programme called London View. or 07889 344 163. be used. This would often result in subtly It has become common to say ‘this is changing the nature of the programme, different (or distinct) to that’ rather than diminishing its distinctly British Radio London reunion ‘different (or distinct) from’. perspective on world affairs. Closeness is implied by ‘to’ whereas ‘from’ So let’s not lose a sense of perspective BBC Radio London Reunion, Thursday 4 October suggests a separation so that ‘similar to’ in condemning vetting! If you worked at Radio London in Marylebone High Street – or even Hanover brings the compared items together while Diran Meghreblian Square – come along and meet some of your former colleagues at our reunion on ‘different from’ spaces them apart, as in Twickenham Thursday 4 October. ‘a tablet is similar to a computer’ but ‘a book is different from a cheese sandwich’. Please get in touch with Ann Kaye if you would like more details: [email protected] Oh for education! Derek Williams 4 Northern Ireland Light Orchestra Happy Birthday Jack On 25 May 2018 our grandad John Curtis – a request (known as Jack) turned 90! If you were a member of the Northern Ireland Light Orchestra, or otherwise involved in their radio programmes in any capacity, please get in touch with me. He was a sound man and reflects fondly on his adventures with the BBC, one being his I need more information, permissions, and possibly recordings from those associated time spent on the TV series, It Ain’t Half Hot with the NI Orchestra, so I can decide whether or not to add a double CD of the Mum (pictured on the right). Orchestra to my other regional big band recordings.

Jack spent his birthday visiting his brother Ian Reed and a family day out to Hever Castle with Archivist of the Regional Light Orchestras and Big Bands 16 family members, including his 3-week-old Email: [email protected] great-granddaughter!

Picture courtesy Brian Reynolds London charity looking for sound engineers We want your letters and stories! Wandsworth Talking News (WTN) is an audio newspaper specialising in local Prospero is a great way to let your former work colleagues know what you’re news and information. WTN is part of the Talking News Federation and is up to in retirement – or to share memories working for the Corporation. currently recorded at Balham Resource Centre, which is part of the Thomas Don’t worry if your spelling’s not great or if you don’t have a computer. Pocklington Trust, a charity for people with sight loss. We’re happy to tidy up your text – or interview you over the phone if you can’t put pen to paper for whatever reason. For over 20 years WTN has ensured that blind and partially-sighted people living in Wandsworth can access local news and information and have done so Let us know your ideas and we will make it happen! Just write to Prospero, successfully thanks to the continued commitment of those involved – all of whom BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ have been volunteers. or email [email protected]

There are currently 22 active volunteers, the majority of whom are readers and who have been volunteering with WTN for anything from a few months to 20 years.

We are currently recruiting sound engineers to record and edit each issue.

The sound engineering process is fairly simple for For more information please visit our website: anyone with good IT skills. pocklington-trust.org.uk If you have previous sound To find out about our current roles, engineering experience or please email: would like to gain some [email protected] experience in this area, please get in touch – we or contact Karice on 07815 543 884. would love to hear from you.

Radio drama request – Martin Esslin? I am a PhD researcher looking for memories regarding radio drama production during the 1970s. I am interested in the Radio Drama Department under Martin Esslin and other departments that produced radio fiction.

I am interested in approaches to the dramaturgical process, dealing with actors, writers, producers and general experiences in production. I am also interested in those with links to theatre.

I recognise that this was a period of experimentation and reinvigoration, but also a challenging time. Specific recollections of conversations and directives from management may not be possible, so anecdotes, prevailing moods and feelings during the 1970s would be helpful.

Philip Shakeshaft Lecturer in Media

Email: [email protected] PROSPERO AUGUST 2018 | 5 | LIFE AFTER AUNTIE WORKING IN A VACUUM Ian Reed, the archivist of the BBC’s regional Big Bands, explains how the latest double CD celebrating the BBC’s Big Band heritage came into being, with a little help from Prospero – and how it is clear, 10 CDs later, that each region developed their own unique style.

spent virtually all my BBC career in Manchester and That was really something of an understatement! whereas and Scotland’s mixes were much Leeds. Both were great places to work, where the What arrived were superb arrangements and stereo warmer, with more use of echo. In Scotland’s case, a large Ihighest broadcast standards of vision and audio were sound balances of the SRO, many of which found their string section giving a wonderful depth to the sound. set. It really was a privilege to work there amongst so way into the new CD set, called ‘Sònraichte’. Making these CDs has really opened my ears to the lovely many talented and artistic colleagues. Sònraichte is Scottish gaelic for ‘Unique or unusual sounds that each region was able to produce, and how On retirement, I got to thinking how isolated we quality’ and celebrates the great musicianship, production sound mixing techniques evolved differently in each. really were, producing output for network and our and technical skills of our Scottish colleagues. I am also in awe of the skills involved in producing sound regional contributions. balances that would be very difficult today, even in our We seemed to be in a vacuum and somewhat unaware digital audio world, but which have nevertheless stood of what advances might be being made in London and the test of time, with sounds as fresh as when the other regions. When you are working very hard, you really Making these CDs has really recordings were made, some 30-plus years ago. have little time to worry what other regions are doing. opened my ears to the lovely I would like to thank my many audio colleagues who My retirement job is unpaid archivist of the BBC’s sounds that each region was have supplied excellent recordings from which the CDs regional Big Bands, producing double albums of them, have been made, proving beyond a doubt that analogue with the relevant permissions, for all to enjoy. able to produce is still alive and well!

I am ably assisted by the other members of the ‘NDO There are possibly two more double albums planned and Project’, including Peter Pilbeam and Rod Cotter, who Prior to this, I had never heard music from the Scottish I would like to hear from anyone in Northern Ireland who have a wealth of band knowledge between them. orchestras, because before Freeview, when the bands worked with the orchestras there in any capacity. We are so pleased that our CD sales, and were at their peak in the Seventies, we were well out of range of the transmitters broadcasting for Scotland. additional donations, have raised over £5,000 for All BBC pensioners will receive a 15% discount of Their appearances on Radio 2 were also very limited. music-based charities. the retail price – just email us for details. This will be The latest album featuring the Scottish Variety and Now on our 10th double album celebrating our regional a limited edition, only available via the NDO project. Big Band heritage, it is clear that each of the regions Radio Orchestras was proving difficult, with little in the Website www.northerndanceorchestra.org.uk way of late recordings, until ex Glasgow Senior Sound evolved their own style: Manchester used quite a close Supervisor Keith Waugh contacted me via Prospero, balance, maybe due to the fact that the NDO and NRO Email [email protected] to say that he had some. had no custom-designed studio, just a draughty theatre,

A potted history of the Scottish Variety and Radio Orchestras

Until the mid-Thirties, Glasgow had the Scottish conductors were regularly drafted in to conduct He set about establishing his own repertoire, Studio Orchestra under the direction of Guy Daines. the orchestra when he was unable to do so. which included film music and the lighter classics. One major change was the name of the orchestra. Available records would suggest that after this time, Michael Collins was appointed conductor of the Iain recommended to the BBC that the orchestra while the orchestra still gave the occasional orchestra early in 1955. During his tenure of office, should be renamed the BBC Scottish Radio programme of Scottish dance music, it had actually standards of performance improved and the orchestra Orchestra – so this it became in January 1967. become simply a section of the BBC Scottish gradually regained their high profile programmes. Orchestra – which still exists today as the BBC However, he was only destined to stay for just over a year. Iain remained conductor of the orchestra until 1972 when, as part of a revamp of their orchestras, Scottish Symphony Orchestra. After several months during which Arthur Anton and the BBC completely changed the structure of the Jack Leon shared the conducting, the BBC were able to It was late in 1940 that the BBC decided to form the orchestra, creating what was to be known as secure the services of the latter, an accomplished Scottish Variety Orchestra under the direction of ‘The New Scottish Radio Orchestra’ under the musician whose own orchestra was one of the most Ronnie Munro, whose experience had hitherto been direction of Brian Fahey. polished on the air. The 24-piece BBC Scottish Variety primarily in the dance band world. Orchestra was essentially a theatre orchestra, similar in The ‘New’ in the orchestra’s title was subsequently When Munro’s contract as conductor of the Scottish size and instrumentation to Jack Leon’s former orchestra dropped, and the band became ‘The BBC Scottish Variety Orchestra expired in 1944, he was replaced by in London and in common with many theatre orchestras Radio Orchestra’ again until it was disbanded. Kemlo Stephen. Under Kemlo the dance band element used a couple of saxophones. These not only added a In 1980 the BBC announced its intention to disband of the orchestra was toned down and the emphasis certain fullness to the orchestra’s sound, but could be most of the lighter orchestras, as well as the Scottish was on straight light music. used very effectively in show selections or medleys of Symphony Orchestra, but to save the Scottish Radio popular tunes. Unfortunately, the BBC took a different At the end of the war the orchestra’s title was Orchestra. Strike action followed which seriously view and dispensed with the saxes. amended to BBC Scottish Variety Orchestra. disrupted the Proms. The compromise that ended The prefix BBC had not been used during Munro’s When in 1966 Jack Leon reached the age of 61, beyond the strike saved the Scottish Symphony Orchestra at reign as the orchestra had been ‘ad hoc’ players, the retirement age of BBC employees, his successor was the expense of the Scottish Radio Orchestra, which rather than a regular personnel of BBC staff a young and talented violinist named Iain Sutherland, had previously not even been considered for musicians. Although Kemlo Stephen remained as who had shown a great aptitude for light music and had disbandment. The Scottish Radio Orchestra was conductor of the orchestra for about ten years, received several test engagements with the orchestra. officially disbanded early in 1981. his latter years were marred by illness and other The orchestra saw Iain Sutherland as a breath of fresh air.

6 | LIFE AFTER AUNTIE SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF by Martin Fisher

The term Suspension of Disbelief (SoD) is one of those nasty, almost-double negatives that I hate (’cos it takes real effort to get your brain around) but here we are – I’m using it! I have come to revere it. Indeed, I have explored it to such an extent that in my ‘retirement’, I have created a new technology that is about to change the world of performance motion capture.

joined the BBC as a junior technical operator in the How many times in our lives, with indignation, do we say Over our working lives there have been huge advances Engineering Department, firstly in radio and then, ‘how am I supposed to believe that…?’ in broadcast technology, yet I would suggest that our as a cameraman in studios and OBs I observed the storytelling has evolved to a modest degree. Whilst I Yet we want to be convinced and are willing to suspend processes that formed the human-based story up to human sensibilities remain at the core, what fascinates our critical faculties to believe in something surreal – for the production day. me are storytelling evolutions that will be made possible the sake of enjoyment. by newer technologies for character portrayal. Being in the ‘right time and in the right place’, I progressed Is there really Love on that Island? Let’s believe! We go to become a producer in Children’s programmes. As technology advances and attention spans get shorter, along with the characters and story for the excitement. In broadcasting to young minds I started to consider there is a need for tools to assist in the SoD process so the how children are able to accept animated characters Purifying souls audience is not distracted by discrepancies and the and worlds, eg Magic Roundabout, whereas in contrast, Another ancient sage, Aristotle knew nothing of story flow can remain top quality. adult viewers do not accept this form so readily. electronic broadcasting, only live theatre, and suggested As in the early days, excellent storytelling and great that the audience accepts fictional reality so as to Having moved on from Auntie, I studied animation and technology need to evolve together. experience catharsis – or the release of tension to came across the concept of Suspension of Disbelief When on a camera TO course at Wood Norton, I was purify the soul. Hey, is that what we have been doing – (SoD), which seemed to connect all my earlier questions. excited enough to learn of the electronics and optics but purifying souls? Lord Reith never listed that in his also fascinated to appreciate the simple truth that film Now I understood that the SoD is the activity that we mission statement. and analogue television were a stream of still images as an audience are doing as we continue to buy into Perhaps that’s why I never heard it used at the BBC, and the viewer’s brain puts them together to become characters and the story. We have to consciously stop where the scope of storytelling and portrayal was and moving images. In one way we are being tricked and yet any sense that parts of a story cannot be true or don’t still is governed largely by the available technology. we willingly accept the illusion as a truth. match with our own experiences. We do now readily accept that voices and music Somehow truth, illusion and the believability and For example, in Jurassic Park we have to forget that can actually come across the air and emanate from acceptance of it for an audience, is largely due to dinosaurs and modern humans never existed together the loudspeaker, or people can exist even in a consistency on the part of the storyteller and the or that, unlike Doctor Who, people can’t time travel. two-dimensional form on a television screen. technological medium. The story and portrayal set the rules – so we believe in it – unless something disturbs the belief.

Back in Shakespeare’s day it was a phenomenon recognised Long story short in Henry V, but it was really Coleridge who originated Fast forward to today. Even though massive changes in The bones of the idea came to me many years ago the term and then went on to coin a second expression technology have transformed the broadcast landscape after seeing the recently installed security camera ‘poetic faith’. It acknowledges a human phenomenon whatever the genre of programming, consistency is system in the East Tower Foyer, where the that psychologists recognise when saying that we have still paramount to storytelling. commissioner described in a tongue-in-cheek such trouble recognising lies. It is easier to first believe technically detailed story how it could identify Now as ‘retirement’ is not on my horizon, my homage than have to make the conscious effort to disbelieve. criminals marauding around the TC Ring Road. is to the SoD. I am intrigued by a mix of fantasy and I suspended my disbelief. He should be writing for reality, what it can offer to storytelling and how to find television – maybe he was and still is! I hope so. consistency when animated characters live alongside I owe him a real pint if he happens to read this article. real characters in the suitable world. It is easier to first believe than Challenged by the technical requirements and the cost have to make the conscious of a series pitch to BBC Comedy a few years ago, I effort to disbelieve. invented a technology. It generates and integrates, semi-automatically, animated characters into a live sit-com studio shoot in order for the audience to On the flip side, once disbelief solidifies then the suspend their disbelief. Today with development well audience experience and faith in the characters and under way, it offers simultaneously perfect character story is destroyed. eye-lines, theatrical timing with the other live actors, As a storyteller producer, it is my responsibility to guide and sync and ambient sound. Pictorially it offers the narrative and the portrayal so the audience readily completely accurate perspective and positioning suspends any possible disbelief. within any given frame. The technology is about to change the world of performance motion capture and It seems to me that on some levels, we regularly have to it’s engineered into the television landscape. suspend our disbelief, even for a fraction of a second unconsciously, if we are to buy into some types of story, The MoPaCT technology now has a UK, US and Hong character, news journalism etc. How could Basil Fawlty Kong patent with the EU to follow, and I am team generate such chaos and everyone live with him? building for the big push to prototype. If you have a The comedy is formed right on the edge of believability yen to suspend disbelief that there is life after the BBC, of character and story. As it all tips back and forth, that there’s storytelling to be explored and that we follow along in an equally tipping state of belief animated characters can exist alongside live ones, and disbelief. As we struggle to suspend our disbelief, whatever your technical or financial skills, do take a we laugh to release the tension. look at the new website: mopact.co.uk

PROSPERO AUGUST 2018 | 7 | MEMORIES GOOD OLD HARRY ROGERS Ex-Radio 2 producer Brian Willey writes: Roger Buxton’s delightful letter in the April issue of Prospero, about the kindness of Harry Rogers, reminded me of the debt I also owe Harry, for he was a huge influence in moving me on in my BBC career.

hen we first met, way back programmes, whilst also producing my In Town Tonight. Back in those times the in 1944, we were both own documentaries, which used interviews were scripted and I recalled Wprogramme engineers, ideas and personalities familiar to that one of the writers had told me that him senior and me very junior. I was to the department. back in the 1930s he used to write for assist him doing sound effects for ITMA Flight magazine. Surely he should know I enjoyed making them – there was one and, on one occasion I had to make the something about pioneer flying? about street markets and another on sound of galloping horses, using a couple messing about on the river but, towards I phoned him with a proposal to write a of coconut shells, and it was Harry that the end of my secondment I had to script for me. Once he heard who we were taught me! produce one that was entirely my dealing with, he couldn’t wait to get started! Time moved on to 1960, when I was a own conception. We researched in the archives, discovering Light Programme studio manager and Harry called me to his office to explain many gems of recordings by famous Harry was the boss of the BBC Sound the rules: ‘It can be about anything you veteran flyers telling their heroic stories Archive Department. like pertaining to land, sea and air,’ he and, over a period of about a week, We met one day, and his question to me said. ‘We haven’t had anything about the made our choice and began assembling was, ‘Why aren’t you a producer yet?’ air for some time, so perhaps that should the programme which we had titled be your theme.’ ‘The Air Adventurers: the stories behind My answer was easy: ‘Because I love what the heroics’. I am doing – I’ve got a daily selection It left me totally bewildered. ‘What do of a major dance band or a big orchestra, you mean, “air”?’ I asked. Harry Rogers was delighted with the or work with producers like Howard Agg, ‘Well anything to do with things not on whole idea – and getting Sir Alan Charles Chilton and Vernon Harris. the ground – clouds, dicky birds, winds,’ Cobham as narrator was a real scoop. Why would I want anything else?’ was his jocular reply. ‘You have three With the script written and recorded, Although Harry saw the point I was making, weeks to get it ready.’ archives dubbed, all was compiled and he replied, ‘Sure, but you’ve already been ready to go; its first scheduled Home doing all that for years – time to move on Service TX date was 28 July at 3.30pm, with programmes of your own.’ It left me totally with a scheduled repeat on 12 August – So we went and had a drink, while he both dates after I had returned to explained that he had the ability to ask bewildered. ‘What Variety Department. for my secondment to his department for do you mean, “air”?’ A third broadcast appeared three-and-a- six months, to see how I got on as a I asked. half years later, on 17 February 1965 trainee producer. and, very much to my surprise, a fourth Agreeing with the idea, I commenced airing came on 8 May 1969 to celebrate Phew! I needed a drink, so I crossed the with Harry in January 1961 and was on the Sir Alan’s 75th birthday, which had road to The Langham Hotel, which then air on 5 January with two record shows, been on 6 May. It seems it had all been housed the BBC Club. At the bar I found using discs that did not come under the very worthwhile. producer Vernon Harris, who courteously Needle Time restriction. The shows were bought me a drink and asked how I was My six months with Harry Rogers a 13-week run for Easy to Remember with getting on with the new job. came to an end on 30 June and, at our Paul Martin, and a six-week series of final conversation, I had to confess Blues in the Night with Hector Stewart. ‘Well, fine, to date, but I now have to that he had undeniably encouraged produce a serious documentary of my Blues was the one that caught the me. Production should now be my own, and I don’t know where to start.’ public fancy. It was each Thursday at priority and, with that in mind, 11.30pm for just 25 minutes, but its short He asked what the subject would be and I would seek opportunities. run caused outcries in the musical press I just shrugged and said ‘the air’. When I returned to Variety Department, for its return, which persuaded Auntie ‘How about aviation?’ he suggested. I discovered that producer Johnnie to revive it. It soon returned for a further ‘You could come with me now, for I have Stewart was about to resign from radio in 13 weeks. a recording booked in Langham One for order to move to television to produce Harry was, of course, delighted with such some speech bands from the pioneer Top of the Pops – thus leaving a vacancy. a result and I was immediately elevated aviator Sir Alan Cobham. He might be Well, after my six months’ experience to associate producer to John Powell, useful to you.’ I had gained the confidence to apply who was a permanent producer in the for it – and won it. Intrigued, I went and met the great man department, for a regular series of and, after hearing him talk, audaciously Not only did I fill the vacancy but I also musical documentaries. asked if he would consider narrating my inherited all Johnnie Stewart’s current Our first one together was on Pop music, forthcoming documentary. I came away productions, so I was immediately which resulted in me suggesting Steve with his acceptance and his card. Now I immersed in the mainstream. Race as narrator, and finding teenager needed another drink, for I had secured What followed was 25 wonderful years Helen Shapiro for her first broadcast. a truly famous personality, and no idea of production work, and retiring in 1987 And that was 57 years ago! what to do with him! as a Radio 2 Executive Producer, all Throughout the six months, I continued In my earlier days I had played the entirely due to the initial encouragement to assist John Powell with his more major introductory records for the guests of of good old Harry Rogers. 8 | BACK AT THE BBC MAIDA VALE MUSIC STUDIOS TO MOVE TO STRATFORD

Tony Hall said, ‘We’re hugely excited to be joining the The BBC is relocating new Stratford Waterfront development, one of the most exciting cultural developments in London. With so many its live music studios world-class arts organisations on one site there will be great opportunities for partnerships and new projects – from Maida Vale to a and we’re looking forward to getting involved.’ world-class creative Planned outreach initiatives include running regular music sessions in local schools and music hubs, and centre being developed making digital music resources available to schools across the UK. There will also be opportunities for young in Stratford, East London. musicians to learn with our orchestras and choirs.

he announcement was made by director-general The BBC will run studio recording workshops and hold Music studios, Maida Vale. Tony Hall, to all staff on 5 June. The move in 2022/23 events outdoors in the new cultural quarter and at Maida Vale was originally a roller skating rink and was will be to a new, purpose-built, three-studio facility T local venues. not built to house an orchestra or recording studios. It is being developed as part of the Stratford Waterfront in desperate need of refurbishment and has not been development. It will incorporate state-of-the-art recording BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Asian Network, Radio 2, Radio 3, and rehearsal studios for both Rock & Pop and the 6Music and BBC Introducing will all be able to broadcast fully fit for purpose for many years. The new premises in performing groups. performances regularly from the site. Stratford will allow the BBC to meet the highest health and safety standards and retain the acoustic quality for It will become home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra James Purnell, Director of Radio & Education believes which it is renowned. and the BBC Singers. It will also be used regularly by the that this will help establish Stratford as a music Live Events and Rock & Pop music teams and the BBC destination. He said: ‘This new building will act as a Tony concludes: ‘I understand how much our musical Concert Orchestra. magnet for music development in East London and heritage at Maida Vale means to us, to artists and to The move will see the BBC become part of a creative will allow us to share our music facilities and expertise audiences. We haven’t taken this decision lightly. community on the former Olympic Park site, joining the with local, diverse communities as well as being a But we’re determined to ensure that live music remains likes of the V&A, Sadler’s Wells and the London College much better place for our extremely dedicated music at the heart of the BBC and moving to this new of Fashion. teams to work from.’ development gives us the opportunity to do just that.’ BBC NORTH OPEN DAY

hanks to the efforts of the North-West visitors parallel news story might be anything but. As he was (representing the BBC Volunteer Visiting Scheme), speaking he was conscious that that day’s headline Tthe region’s local pensioners were able to enjoy a story was on his doorstep and that smog from the visit to MediaCity in Salford on 27 June. Saddleworth Moor fires was visible from our eyrie on the 5th floor of MediaCity’s Quay House. The thermometer was already in the low 20s when people started to arrive for the BBC North Open Day at People were then invited to go on a studio tour around MediaCity in Salford on 27 June. In all, 79 registered and Dock 10 and afterwards take part in a five-minute gothic in no time people were chatting, exchanging contact radio drama that might have been collectively written by numbers and reminiscing about the old days. Thesps Unhinged. Facilitated by the engaging Lindsey Chapman of Springwatch Unsprung and Chris Sumner Ewan Vinnicombe, editor of Blue Peter, was the first guest of BBC Radio Manchester, one of the game volunteers speaker and he had plenty to say as the iconic children’s jokingly and with a twinkle in his eye wanted to discuss programme will celebrate its 60th birthday in October. his psychological motivation before his performance and The VT montage was full of faces and incidents his repeat fees afterwards. (remember the pooing elephant?) we all grew up with BBC sandwiches were served for lunch with a delicious and as someone who arrived on the show as a runner side order of singing by the BBC North Choir, a group of 20 years ago, Ewan was steeped in its history. young voices who come together regularly to perform. They presented us with classics like Louis Armstrong’s In the Q&A he revealed that the number of written ‘What a Wonderful World’ with feeling and panache and letters the show receives has surprisingly increased in their diction and blend was excellent. this digital age and that children’s interest in pets, adventure, natural history and in making things hasn’t After lunch, attendees went across to Studio A for a actually changed over time. live Radio 3 BBC Philharmonic concert made up of Bartok’s spiky Violin Concerto and Brahms’s gloriously He disclosed the ways to get a Blue Peter badge but as romantic 2nd Symphony. It was the perfect end to a we are all over 15, we don’t qualify anyway. But he did fabulous day. reveal that of the show’s 37 presenters, 33 are still alive. Photo by Martin Maris. One attendee emailed later to say: ‘Thank you so much It must be all that bracing activity. for a truly super day. It was such a pleasure to meet Jonathan Wall, controller of Radio 5 Live and 5 Live again the colleagues one hasn’t seen for years; the talks But the final word must go to the gentleman who, after Sports Extra, then spoke about the demands of running and tour were great, and to finish the day with a BBC saying how much he enjoyed the day and the stations that contain less than 10% pre-recorded material Phil concert was an absolute bonus.’ opportunity it gave him to meet up with former in a digital hooked-up 24/7 ‘fake news’ world. colleagues, added: ‘The MediaCity complex is amazing, Another emailed: ‘My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it, inside and out. And luckily for me the tram system is a Asked about his biggest ongoing challenge, he said how and we really appreciated the amount of effort that must really easy way to get there. I actually remember the vital it remains to get news right rather than get it first have gone into organising such an event. It was also very area as a working port – yes, I’m that old!’ (and wrong) and how important it is to get the blend kind of the members of staff, who gave up their valuable right when a sports story might be uplifting while a time, to come and talk to us, and to lay on the radio play.’ Joe Keaney PROSPERO AUGUST 2018 | 9 | OBITUARIES

founded the Darent River Preservation Society, known as Varied career Barbara Walmsley DRiPS, in 1985. He served as its chairman for 13 years Chris Thorby was born Barbara Walmsley passed away at Macclesfield General and then became president, a post he still held at the in 1938 and went to Brentwood Hospital following a short illness, surrounded by her time of his passing. School. There he played cricket loving family. Barbara and her late husband, Geoff, He served as chairman of the Thames Consultative and and football, badminton and both worked at the then New Broadcasting House in Dartford Angling Society, as a director of the Angling tennis – and appeared twice in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester. She began her career Conservation Association and the Medway Catchment the Wimbledon All in the BBC working in HR but quickly progressed to Consultative, and on the majority of regional committees Junior Championships. more challenging roles in the Religious Broadcasting within fishing. He was never afraid to take on anyone or Department and her final role was as a producer’s In the mid 1950s, he went to any corporate body that he felt was responsible for assistant. She forever remembered her time at the Keele University. He became an damaging the environment. ‘Beeb’ with great pride. She is sadly remembered avid explorer of current affairs, by all who knew her. He recognised that human interference has a history and theology. His sporting interests grew, and he detrimental effect on many aspects of our world and he conducted both orchestras and choirs. Mark Nield tried to make a difference, at a time when he could have He then joined the BBC as a studio manager, and turned been taking it easy and relaxing. his hand to chinking the teacups as the sound effects VTR editor He was warm, intelligent, thoughtful, articulate, boy on Mrs Dale’s Diary! charming, witty and wise, and will be greatly missed by Frank Riches passed away on 9 March 2018. But soon Chris progressed into a wider career in Bush so many. He leaves a widow, Margaret, and children House, which lasted for 32 years. He began by studio I first met Frank when we joined the BBC in 1964 as Jeremy and Nicola. managing, announcing between programmes, and Technical Assistants. After six months at Wood Norton, Nicola Swinney producing outside broadcasts. followed by six months on station training, we both ended up working in News at Alexandra Palace. During those years he was extremely good at organising both himself and his colleagues. He also got on very well Frank’s main interest was in videotape and after a spell MCES with many of these colleagues. One of these, Anna, in News VTR at TC Spur, he decided to transfer to main Peter Adams died on 31 May 2018 he married and they had three children. block VTR as an editor. There he worked on dramas, aged 89. He was Manager sport and current affairs before deciding to make the In the following years, Chris was managing studio staff Communications and Engineering move to BBC Bristol. as Head of Programme Operations. His final jobs were Services in Wales when he retired as Head of Resource Planning and Head of Premises. Here he worked on the Antiques Roadshow, many in 1988. In spite of the bureaucracy, he enjoyed chairing natural history programmes and he also edited the first Peter apparently ‘had a decided meetings and having his team around him. episode of Casualty that was made in Bristol. He and his bent for wireless’ when young and family settled happily into village life in North Somerset. After he retired early to look after his second wife, ‘made up his mind that he was Annie, he devoted much of his energies to the United Frank eventually left the BBC to become a freelance going to join the BBC’. Reformed Church – but also found time to play the editor working first at Films@59 amongst He was recruited in 1945 (aged 17) as a Technical organ and watch birds. other independents. Assistant in overseas broadcasting and transferred to In his final years, when Annie looked after him, he When he decided to leave editing, he carved out a Cardiff in 1956 as Switching Centre supervisor. succeeded in writing Life Journeys. This he described new career using his building skills, gained through In 1971 he became MCES. With his, by then, ‘encyclopaedic as ‘A book of hope for your future, from a new building extensions on his homes, and he was always knowledge’ of BBC Wales, he became responsible understanding of the past’. in demand – due to his high level of competence and for Communications, Broadcast Engineering, high standards – just like in his editing days. Chris wrote very fondly of his Bush House years. Building Services, Mechanical Maintenance and all ‘It was an informal university of free broadcasting, He leaves his wife Gwyn, a nurse he met at the BBC major developments. filled with the pride and fellowship of two thousand Evesham club, sons Andrew and Stephen, five An imposing figure, usually wearing his trademark white people with a common bond. All up against so many grandchildren, and many friends. shirt and a tie, Peter appeared a ‘somewhat shy problems in the Cold War. Yet, strangely enough, filled with laughter, practical jokes and, I must say, Keith Farmer personality’. In comparison with the ebullient and some wonderfully eccentric people.’ demanding characters that he sometimes had to deal with in BBC Wales, this description may have been This is a world many of us who worked there in those correct. However, he was highly regarded professionally, golden years very much recognise. It’s also a world in which Engineer and quietly getting on with the job with outstanding one of these wonderfully eccentric people was Chris himself. environmentalist dedication and also caring for the welfare of his staff. Peter Udell Alan Leslie Williams was born in Gareth Price, a controller of BBC Wales, says: ‘Peter Dartford on 14 June 1929, the second Adams I respected enormously, we were always terrified youngest of six. when he went on holiday because he knew where all the Dorothy Watson During the war, he was evacuated switches were and the wires led to. I insisted that he name his substitute.’ Dorothy Watson joined BBC Television as a trainee with some of his siblings to Devon, production assistant on the Production Panel on where he spent two years on a farm After retirement Peter worked on contract to the BBC 2 March 1963, having previously worked for the Foreign and where he developed an for a while, managing the fit-out of Tŷ Oldfield. Forming Office in . enduring love of the countryside. part of that project, he supported the campaign for the She worked in various television production departments On leaving school, he took an apprenticeship at J & E Halls, first workplace nursery. He ‘fought hard for working in London and Manchester. She later moved to Programme followed by two years of National Service in the Royal parents to have that space for a nursery even before we Planning, working in Transmission Planning for BBC1 and Air Force. had been given the go-ahead.’ then to Finance Planning for BBC2. After running a computer school, he joined the BBC as Peter went on to work for the Thomson Foundation When her parents were elderly she moved to Manchester an electronic engineer, with responsibility for transmitter creating a masterplan for broadcasting in Tanzania. The resulting report was acclaimed by the United and worked for John Ecclestone and then in the Finance design, where he stayed until he retired at the age of 59. Department. She retired from the BBC on 28 September Nations Development Department. He was a volunteer Alan was a leader in the Methodist Church Youth Club in 1984 and went to live in her family home in Skipton. with the RNIB for over 50 years – servicing and installing Dartford and it was here that he met Margaret, his future talking book machines. She had a varied life and was involved with CHA, the wife, when he was 18 and she was 14. They married in His wife, Margaret died in March 2016. He was immensely Cats Protection League and her church. Dorothy was a 1954. They lived for 40 years in Wilmington, Kent, before forthright Yorkshire girl, but she was a very good friend proud of her and his three daughters, always described moving to Eynsford in December 2002. to lots of people. She kept in touch with all the friends to us as ‘the girls’. that she had made while working at the BBC. A keen fisherman from an early age, Alan became Roger Farmer concerned about the environment in general and the She died on 4 March 2018. rivers and lakes of Kent in particular. He was a member A full version of this obituary can be viewed on: Ella Slack of the Kingfisher Fishing Club on Lullingstone Lake and bbceng.info/ 10 | OBITUARIES

in sport, but I got to witness it first hand, initially as a Brian Johnson contributor to the programme, and later, most dauntingly, My father Brian Johnson, who as his successor in the presenter’s chair in 1995. has died at the age of 92, had Paddy was fond of telling the story of how in 1966, when a career which included many the World Cup Final went into extra time, World Service of the highlights of BBC bosses insisted that events at Wembley took second place history in the 20th century. to the regular news bulletin on the hour at 1700BST. He started in 1944 as a trainee Paddy simply picked up after the news with ‘Well this is Bush House Memories Transmitter Engineer and on where we left it’ and cued a recording of the last crucial This picture of a returning from the Army in minutes. You could get away with that 52 years ago. commemorative pint glass, found in some archived files, 1948 joined the radio Drama To say Paddy was a difficult act to follow is putting it prompts BBC Club to ask department as a Junior mildly. One of my former colleagues, Sportsworld if any of our members have Programme Engineer (studio manager). Here he worked producer Matt Davies, probably put it best. He said I’d interesting stories about on output ranging from Third Programme productions played the David Moyes to Paddy’s Sir Alex Ferguson. the Club at Bush House? written by Louis MacNeice to Paul Temple and Dick After just six years as presenter, versus Paddy’s 36, I Please send your Barton. One of his cherished memories was ‘being the happily take this on the chin, to pay tribute to a legend. footsteps’ for Gregory Peck in a 1950 production of reminiscences to BBC Club at Twelve O’Clock High. Martin Fookes the address below and have a trip down memory lane! In 1951, he joined the fledgling TV service and subsequently made his career in television, working as a cameraman Sir John Manduell, Prospero Society (part of the team working on the Coronation), Assistant The outing to the Magic Circle proved a highlight in Producer, Producer in OBs and finally, Senior Producer in 1928-2017 June, especially for one member whose grandfather Science Features. Along the way, he made a charming was an illusionist and a member of the Magic Circle. Sir John Manduell passed short film with John Betjeman, Let’s Imagine a Branch With a demonstration of close up magic, a trip to the Line Railway, worked on the first colour Wimbledon in away at his home in Bentham museum and a performance, this was definitely one 1967, the transatlantic broadcast Our World, numerous on 25 October. to remember! With Prospero Society membership editions of Grandstand, Tomorrow’s World and Horizon, Born in Johannesburg, Sir John growing, some trips with limited availability are being music OBs from the Proms to Pop … a huge list to Manduell studied at Jesus run twice to avoid disappointment. The Postal choose from, with live broadcasts always an enjoyable College Cambridge, University Railway Museum was one of these and will be put challenge. But he was perhaps proudest of the of Strasbourg, and as a on again in the Autumn. numerous series he created for Science Features Performing Right Scholar at reflecting his interest in aviation, including one of the the Royal Academy of Music, Photography earliest fly-on-the-wall documentaries, Test Pilot. where he was a composition The Photography Club organises workshops and In 1977 he created The Secret War, a six-part series student of William Alwyn and tutored sessions on how to get the most out of your looking at the ‘back-room’ work on technologies – like Lennox Berkeley. camera as well as days out to beauty spots and the breaking of the Enigma code – which helped to win He joined the BBC as a producer in 1956, became producer interesting sites. Club members can join for just the Second World War. For this series and others, he to the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1959, Head of Music £15 a year. wrote the accompanying BBC books, with administrative for the Midlands and East Anglia in 1961, and as Chief For more information please email [email protected] help from my mother, Sybil, whom he met while they Planner inaugurated the Music Programme in 1964. were both working as Junior Programme Engineers and Rambling In 1968 he became the first Director of Music at the married in 1949. If you prefer to be out and about without being University of Lancaster and in 1971 accepted an behind a lens, why not consider the Rambling Club? He retired from the BBC in 1985 but continued to invitation to be the first Principal of the new Royal Offering gentle healthy outdoor exercise in pleasant work as a freelancer. He leaves two daughters, Northern College of Music, retiring in 1996. two grandchildren and a great-granddaughter and surroundings, rambling is a great way to socialise. In 1995 he founded the European Opera Centre, of which – to those who worked with him on live broadcasts Club members can join for just £5 a year. he became Chairman. He was involved in setting up El – the memory of his immediate ‘off air’ sigh of relief: Please email [email protected] Sistema in Venezuela, and served on the boards of the ‘I think we got away with it, didn’t we?’ British Council, Arts Council, Association of European Canal cruising Christine Hall Conservatoires, European Music Year, Northern Ballet, Last issue we introduced our brand new narrow boat. Royal Opera House, Composers’ Guild of , Club members can enjoy a narrowboat holiday for a YCAT, British Arts Festivals Association and the great price! World Service European Festivals Association, inter alia. He was also a founding trustee of Lake District Summer Music in For bookings contact Alex Christison (bookings@ sports presenter 1985 and its Chairman, 1996-2005. savoyhill.org.uk or call 013 868 30367). Paddy Feeny was an established figure on BBC TV well His other activities included representing the BBC before I joined World Service Radio Sport in 1978. Club lottery on the Cheltenham International Festival of Music’s The BBC Club lottery continues to yield a high As a teenager, I had watched him presenting programmes Management Committee, 1962-67, and becoming the proportion of retired winners! September is a like Top of the Form and Young Scientist of the Year, Cheltenham Festival’s first Programme Director, JACKPOT month with a £10,000 prize in addition unaware at the time of the prominent role he played 1969 to 1994. During this period his compositions to the monthly £1,000 and 10 lots of £100 prizes. in making Saturday Special and later Sportsworld were more often to be heard at the Cardiff Festival, compulsive listening for millions of sports fans around including three commissions. To join the lottery, call or email (details below). the world on the BBC World Service. He was created CBE in 1982 and Knight Bachelor in 1989. Offers The programme may have started in 1959 with an eager In 1990 the French Government created him Chevalier To access the members’ only offers section of audience of ex-pats, who were desperate to know how des Arts et Lettres. Other honours include the award of the BBC Club website, you need to register. their local football teams were faring when there was no the first PRS/RPS Leslie Boosey Award for services to Hot favourites at the moment include 20% off internet to inform them, but it grew to attract millions contemporary music in 1980. Virgin Experience days and a FREE case of more, who were not ex-pats, but knew enough English He received Honorary Doctorates from Lancaster craft beer offer! to be rapt by the expanded coverage of scores of University, Manchester University and the Royal Scottish international events. Academy of Music and Drama, and Fellowships from all of the UK’s Royal Schools of Music, the Guildhall Whether it was the Olympic or Commonwealth Games, BBC Club Broadcast Centre, BC2 B3, School of Music, Manchester Polytechnic and Trinity the World Cup, golf majors, Test cricket, rugby 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TP College of Music. internationals or Wimbledon, Paddy Feeny brought it to them in a style which was unique and highly entertaining. He will be deeply missed by his widow, Renna Kellaway 020 8752 6666 MBE, and their family. Listeners couldn’t see him waving his arms around like a [email protected] dervish as he delivered some of the most iconic moments Kim Sargeant PROSPERO AUGUST 2018 | 11 | ODDS & ENDS

It was a CLASSIFIEDS Menorca. BBC vintage speakers wanted. County Durham dream Stunning detached villa in Rogers or Kef LS 3/5A or similar. Es Castell with private pool. If they need refurbishing, fine. A single was released to mark the On our car radios on the way home, we Close amenities. Sleeps 2-7. opening of BBC Radio Durham. The now were able to tune in to Russell Ward’s Email: [email protected] Brochure: 01621 741810. little-remembered singer, J Vincent interviews with Chris Redhead and me. Website: menorcaholidayvilla.co.uk Edwards wrote ‘County Durham Dream’ Chris recalled that a member of the station to mark the occasion. Yet the dream did staff, one Kate Adie, popped into the Prospero Classifieds, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, not last long. Durham was the first BBC record shop he ran and asked if the station Cardiff CF5 2YQ. local radio station to close, just four years could ‘borrow’ some records to play as Please enclose a cheque made payable to: BBC Central Directorate. requests, as they had only 200 discs in after it was launched. Rate: £6 for 20 words. In a covering letter, please include your pension number. their library. His answer: ‘If I can play them.’ In the early 1970s the Corporation faced a Conservative Government intent on The following week the station opened introducing commercial local radio and and Chris found he had a new career. denying the BBC any more than 20 stations. Caption competition University Termtime was the first university The winner of a £10 shopping voucher is Pamela Howitt, As there were three in the North-East but programme to be broadcast live. I produced with ‘So, are you going to sing us a song or file your none north of Blackburn on the other side it and that led to a good number of finger nails?’ of the Pennines, the Government allowed students securing careers in broadcasting, one station to be relocated. The resources both in local radio and network radio of Durham were effectively transferred to and television. The best-known of them, Carlisle which was to become the present Gavin Hewitt, was until a year or two ago Post your entry to BBC Radio Cumbria. That was ironic the BBC Europe Editor. Prospero by Monday given that Durham was the first ‘county’ WIN Of those who came back to Durham in 3 September. Or, you station when the other seven initial £10 July, Graham Harwood became an audio can email your entry to experimental stations covered just a city supervisor in network radio, Eric Wise the [email protected], and the immediate area around; these senior producer at BBC Radio Merseyside with ‘caption competition 4’ in the days the ‘county’ concept is the norm. and Iain Elliott founded Canford Audio, subject line. Please include your Fifteen of us from those days gathered a company making professional audio, The picture shows the lads from BBC pension number. Good luck! in Durham on Tuesday 3 July for an video and broadcast equipment Dad’s Army. anniversary lunch. One travelled employing 130 people in the North-East. from Florida. The corporate memory was of the After lunch Peter Hawkins, once an arts remarkable degree of autonomy given to producer, listened to a song he wrote and the station managers in those early years CONTACTS sang about the North-Eastern hobby of and the huge editorial trust they placed in leek growing for contests, with substantial young, junior and inexperienced staff. Visiting Scheme Benevolent Fund prizes, which he had not heard for almost All were glad to have enjoyed being Available to BBC pensioners over 70, This is funded by voluntary half a century. pioneers, excited by the magic of radio, those recently bereaved, and anyone contributions from the BBC and its Also played at the very time of the event and as I said on BBC Radio Newcastle: in poor health, the scheme is a method purpose is to protect the welfare of 50 years before, at 3.15pm, the opening ‘It’s hard to believe now that in those of keeping in touch and operates staff, pensioners and their families. ceremony performed by the then Secretary days the BBC had a radio monopoly. throughout the UK. Visitors are BBC Grants are made at the discretion of the of State for Education, Edward Short, There were no commercial stations, just pensioners themselves. If you want to Trustees. They may provide assistance a North-Eastern MP in those days. Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4 and in this area BBC be visited, receive a phone call or meet in cases of unforeseen financial Radio Durham… The BBC would not be in up somewhere mutually convenient, hardship, for which help from other Then the BBC Radiophonic Workshop local radio today had it not been for call 029 2032 2811. The contact is the sources is not available. jingles based on folk tunes, ‘The Lambton those eight stations, which proved that same if you would like to become Tel: 029 2032 2811. Worm’ and ‘Bobby Shaftoe’, gave the listeners wanted to listen to local output a visitor. feel of those days, not only for those Prospero Society rooted in their own communities.’ present but also for BBC Radio Queries Prospero Society is the only section For benefit and pension payroll queries, of the BBC Club run by and for retired Newcastle listeners. Nigel Holmes call the Service Line on 029 2032 2811 BBC staff and their spouses. Its aim or email [email protected]. is to enable BBC pensioners to meet on a social basis for theatre visits, Prospero luncheons, coach outings, etc. To delete a name from the distribution list, ring the Service Line on Prospero Society is supported by 029 2032 2811. Prospero is provided BBC Club funds so as to make events free of charge to retired BBC Scheme affordable. If you would like an members only. Prospero is also available application form, please contact: on audio disc for those with sight Gayner Leach, BBC Club, BC2 B3 impairment. To register, please ring the Broadcast Centre, 201 Wood Lane, Service Line. Alternatively, it is also London W12 7TP available online at bbc.co.uk/mypension, Tel: 020 8752 6666 under ‘Documents’. Email: [email protected] BBC Club BBCPA The BBC Club in London has a retired The BBCPA was founded in 1988 to membership costing £3 per month or promote and safeguard the interests £36 per year. Members can also add of BBC pensioners. It is independent friends and family to their membership of the BBC. For details of how to for a small additional cost. Regional join, see the panel on page 5 clubs may have different arrangements. or download a membership form Please call the BBC Club London at bbcpa.org.uk. Standing left to right: Tony Walker, Susan Holmes, Nigel Holmes, Chris Redhead, office on 020 8752 6666 or email Chris Foote Wood, Iain Elliott, Irene Walker, John Jefferson. [email protected] for details, or to join. Seated left to right: Eric Wise, Graham Harwood, Peter Hawkins, Jill Jefferson.

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