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The newspaper for retired BBC Pension Scheme members • June 2020 • Issue 3 PROSPERO

BBC PENSION AND BENEFITS CENTRE: COVID-19 UPDATE PAGE 2 PENSION SCHEME | BBC BENEFITS COVID-19 UPDATE

As ever, the team at the Pension and Benefits Centre has risen to the challenge of working remotely from home.

e’re focussing on maintaining ‘business as You can view your pension details and make certain usual’ for Scheme members, although we changes via myPension online. You can view your Whave had to temporarily amend the opening pension payslips and P60s, or change your bank or hours of the pension service line (029 2032 2811), now address details. open from 10am to 4pm, in order to help us maintain If you haven’t already registered for myPension online essential services. and you would like to, please send an email to Some tasks may take a little longer, however, please be myPensionFeedback@.co.uk, quoting your National assured that the payment of pensions will continue as Insurance number. We will then send you your personal normal. Also, thanks to the very robust data protection security number. Then visit systems we already had in place, your details remain mybbcpension.co.uk, click secure even if our staff have to access them remotely. on the ‘register here’ tab at the bottom of the page and The team would like to thank everyone for their follow the instructions. patience and understanding whilst the restrictions remain in place.

Please also remember that information relating to bbc.co.uk/mypension the Scheme can be found on our website: bbc.co.uk/ mypension. If you write to us or send an email to [email protected], we may take longer than usual to reply and we appreciate your patience. SCAM ALERT Unscrupulous criminals are exploiting fears about Covid-19 to prey on vulnerable members of the public who are now isolated from family and friends. Please remember to be vigilant as there has been an increase of coronavirus-related scams. Some examples which have been reported to Trading Standards are as follows:

Doorstep crime Refund scams • Criminals targeting older people on their doorstep • Companies offering fake holiday refunds for people and offering to do their shopping. Thieves take the who have been forced to cancel their trips. If you’re money and do not return. seeking a refund, please be wary of fake websites set to claim holiday refunds. • Doorstep cleansing services that offer to clean drives and doorways to kill bacteria and help prevent the Telephone scams spread of the virus. • As more people self-isolate at home, there is an Online scams increasing risk that telephone scams will also rise, including criminals claiming to be your bank, • Email scams that trick people into opening malicious mortgage lender or utility company. attachments, which put personal information, passwords, contacts and bank details at risk. Some of Donation scams these emails have lured people to click on • There have been reports of thieves extorting money attachments by offering information about people in from consumers by claiming they are collecting the local area who are affected by coronavirus. donations for a Covid-19 ‘vaccine’. • Fake online resources – such as false coronavirus maps – that deliver malware (a malicious software program) to damage or infiltrate data on your To help protect yourself, you should: computer. A prominent example that has deployed malware is ‘corona-virus-map[dot]com’. • beware of adverts on social media channels and paid for/sponsored adverts online

• do not click links or open emails from senders you don’t already know

• take your time to make all the checks you need, even if this means turning down an ‘amazing deal’

• do not give out personal details (bank details, address, existing insurance/pensions/ investment details)

• seek financial guidance or advice before changing your pension arrangements or making investments

There is further advice on the FCA’s ScamSmart website (fca.org.uk/scamsmart) about how to protect yourself. If you suspect you may have been contacted in what could be a scam, you should call Action Fraud straight away on 0300 123 2040.

2 Volunteer Visiting Scheme PROSPERO

In line with Government guidance, face-to-face Prospero is provided free of charge to retired Scheme visits by the Volunteer Visitors have been members, or to their spouses and dependants. suspended. However, this doesn’t mean that the visitors are not keeping in touch. They are making Prospero provides a source of news on former phone calls and, where possible and appropriate, colleagues, developments at the BBC and pension utilising technology such as Facetime and issues, plus classified adverts. It is available online Whatsapp groups to maintain contact with those at bbc.com/mypension with whom they keep in touch. To advertise in Prospero, please enclose a cheque If you haven’t received visits in the past but would made payable to: BBC Central Directorate. Rate £6 welcome a friendly phone call, you can send an for 20 words. Please include your pension number email, quoting your BBC pension number, to in a covering letter. [email protected] to opt in to receive a call and Please send your editorial contributions, we can put you in touch with your local visitor. or comments/feedback, to: If you don’t have access to email, you can also opt in by calling Cheryl Miles on 0303 080 3558. Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Central Square, CF10 1FT

Email: [email protected]

Please make sure that any digital pictures you send Available throughout the UK to are scanned at 300dpi. Please also note that the VOLUNTEER maximum word count for obituaries is 350 words. VISITING BBC pensioners over age 70 SCHEME Visitors are also Contents Visitors carry ID cards BBC pensioners with them for your BBC benefits 2-3 security Covid-19 update Scam alert Volunteer Visiting Scheme Would you welcome Mystery occasional contact with former colleagues? We can also offer support during Letters 4-5 difficult times such as Over 2,000 pensioners bereavement already use the scheme Life after Auntie 6-7 Meet at home for a chat or Keep calm and carry on somewhere public like a Funnies There's life after the Beeb coffee shop EE S FF HO O P C Operates from the Pension and Benefits Memories 8-9 Centre H.M.S. Pebble Mill at The British Entertainment History Project BBC producers’ free first colour TV sets Want to know more about what the VVS has to offer? Call the pension service line on 029 2032 2811 or email [email protected] Obituaries 10-11

Odds & ends 12 Mystery Sudoku Breaking bad (news) Reunions Complete the grid so that every row, column and Classifieds 3x3 box contains the letters ADELORSTW in some E S T Caption competition order. One row or column contains a five or more letter word, title or name with a BBC connection. E A Solve the Sudoku to discover what it is and send your answer to: The Editor, Prospero, BBC Pension L D R and Benefits Centre, 3 Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1FT by Monday, 6 July 2020. A O R Prospero June 2020 The winner gets a £10 voucher. Many thanks to D O A E The next issue of Prospero will appear Neil Somerville for providing this puzzle. in August 2020. The copy deadline W T L is Monday, 6 July 2020. The Sudoku winner in April 2020 WIN was Peter Dean, who correctly E L W £10 identified the BBC connection ‘Mark Cole’. L A Please note, vouchers will be issued once the S L O lockdown restrictions have been lifted.

PROSPERO JUNE 2020 | 3 | LETTERS

Why ‘scanner’? Stephen Peet – Please excuse an outsider, but I have the feeling Prospero readers are likely to be among those most likely to help. Yesterday’s Witness (I’ve never actually worked in the industry, but have always had a great I am Stephen Peet’s son, Graham. Stephen died in 2015. interest in broadcasting, both technology and production. I did work at I am working on an illustrated book about his life. During his time at the what was, when I joined it, Marconi Research Centre for 20-something years. BBC he made a series of oral history programmes, Yesterday’s Witness - 1969 Anyway…) and 1981. He recorded many stories that would otherwise be forgotten to I have checked (my brother’s an executive editor there), and the Oxford history and it was based on a simple principle – ordinary people telling English Dictionary does not have an entry under ‘scanner’, covering its use extraordinary stories. to mean a television control room built into a vehicle: I would like to remedy I am hoping to record his story in the same way. So, I am trying to find any that omission! BBC people who knew or worked with him who would be interested in My enquiries (mainly in the newsgroup uk.tech.broadcast) suggest that sharing any stories, photos or anecdotes to include in the book. the term has never been an official term, but is in wide use, and would be understood by anybody in the industry. So I’d like to appeal, for what is Graham Peet normally the criterion for an OED entry: can anyone give me a citation of 27 Hodge Bower a printed use of the word? What’s needed is date, page/column, name of Ironbridge publication, author of the piece if known, and the sentence containing it (and enough from adjacent sentences to make the meaning obvious, if it TF8 7QQ isn’t clear from the single sentence). Tel: 0785 5956089 Given the unofficial nature, I suspect the cites may be from Prospero itself, Email: [email protected] or other internal magazines or similar, rather than any technical handbook or other official publication. I get the feeling that the term dates from at latest the 1950s, but later examples will do to start with. (A current example is also useful, anyway.) Some have suggested ‘Pawley’ is a good source. It’d also be useful – though not essential – to know why they’re called Ada Green scanners; I've had suggestions of: source of scanning waveforms (dismissed), Sorry to read of the loss of Ada Hakeney née Green, in April Prospero vehicles having previously been radar kit (possible but unlikely), and some obituaries. I do remember when ran a headline story ‘First BBC connection with intermediate film (Baird system). camerawoman’, Ada Green replied, ‘What are you talking about, I have ‘Folk etymology’ being what it is, though, I’m only after those who are fairly been doing camera in for the last three years!’ certain of their reason, not just explanations that sound likely. Colin Pierpoint Any citations or reasons please to [email protected], and I’ll pass them on. John P Gilliver Looking for Andy Aliffe I am currently doing some research about music hall singer Steve McCarthy. I found a letter sent to The Stage about Steve’s father, Victorian Music Hall comedian John McCarthy from a BBC producer or researcher by the name of Andy Aliffe who had been researching the McCarthy family.

Mr Aliffe would have retired from the BBC ages ago, I imagine, but is perhaps a reader of Prospero. If he is or someone knows where his research notes may be, they could be invaluable to my research – so I would be most grateful if they would get in touch.

Peter Charlton [email protected]

Golden age of film Harry Farrar’s ‘Remembering the Golden Age of Film’ was an attractive piece of nostalgia. But why not extend the theme to ‘The Golden Age of BBC Television’? Want a simple example?

Well, in 1963 (as a mere 32-year-old) I put up a proposal to produce and present a five-part series about the American West.

Someone ‘up there’ evidently liked the idea because, just four weeks later, I and a three-man crew were in Wyoming; we were shooting the first programme in what, some months later, was the first ‘travel’ series to be shown on the brand-new BBC2.

Yes, those really were the days – no messing, no committees, no year-long delays, no farting about. I could give you other similar examples, but I am told that present-day director-producers would find them unbelievable. As I say, ‘those really were the days…’

Tim Slessor

4 Did you know Cliff Richardson? Covid-19 and BBC Club Are you in this photo? Did you work with him? Do you have any stories or photos? I’m Cliff’s In this unprecedented time of ‘lockdown’, granddaughter and I’d love to hear from you. Back in 2003 I met some crew on the set of EastEnders who BBC Club would like to thank all our fantastic had worked with him. Sadly, we didn’t have much time to talk. I’d really like to discover more about him. members for their support. As an independent, Please contact me at [email protected] not-for-profit and unsubsidised company, it is Emma Cook the support of our members and their monthly subscriptions that will hopefully allow BBC Club to come through the current pandemic crisis and be around for many years, bringing a wide range of benefits to BBC people, retired and current!

At time of writing, the lockdown is still in place. At time of publication, hopefully things are beginning to slowly reopen and become more accessible.

The outbreak of the coronavirus had a huge on BBC Club, starting with a sharp decrease in trade in the Clubs. The cessation of filming on both the and EastEnders sets in late March saw our Elstree site close its doors first, swiftly followed by the enforced closure by the government of BBC Club W1 and gym the following week.

As soon as we are allowed to open, BBC Club W1 will once more be there for morning coffee, retired members’ lunches, fine wine and good beer and of BBC radio programme with course – to pick up the !

Ella Fitzgerald theme tune? BBC Club Extra has continued throughout. April’s My son is helping his professor with some research for a book on competition was for a ‘library of fragrance’ courtesy Ella Fitzgerald. Apparently there was a BBC radio programme that of Penhaligon’s Regent Street, while in May we used her song ‘Every time we say goodbye’ as its theme music. offered a £200 voucher fromsundried.com .

Do any readers remember what show it was, and maybe when it was Our pop-up shops and Club Extra offers have been broadcast and who presented? offered ‘virtually’ via the website and the lottery has Answers please to [email protected] seem a fantastic 61 members win prizes in March Thank you. and the usual 11 winners in April and May. If you were one of them – congratulations! David Scott Cowan Prospero Society Prospero Society outings are planned to recommence in September, but in the meantime it A long tradition of complaints would be great to hear your personal accounts of life during the coronavirus pandemic, including any Bryan Baylis and Neville Withers are following a My career led me from BH to the moving stories or funny anecdotes. Have you long tradition of complaints about the use of Radiophonic Workshop and then on to , become adept at Skype or fed up with quizzes on irrelevant music in programmes. where I had the great pleasure of balancing Zoom? Has your garden never had so much orchestras and other music, as well as film dubbing, In 1957, when I joined the BBC as a technical attention or has this been a particularly difficult during which I had much exposure to music. operator, I was aware of letters complaining of this time? BBC Club will be compiling your stories as a My son is now 30 years into a freelance music – and they are still appearing. record of these times. Please indicate whether you career – so music has always been an important would be happy to share your story with others. aspect of my life.

It dawned on me early on that, of the billions of Please note, we are accepting correspondence by people in the world, no two have the same musical post or email only as the office is closed at time of taste – something of which programme makers writing and at this time we do not know the date should be aware. Also, those of us who have old of reopening. ears, such as me now, just can’t hear dialogue or commentary with intrusive music poured over it. Stay safe and healthy. I ended my BBC career as a radio producer in the NHU and I hope I avoided these mood musical pitfalls.

Producers, do please ask yourself why you are putting music into your production when your choice can upset so many people. From my film dubbing time, I realise cameras can work well at a much greater distance than microphones do, and a bit of music fills the gap in the soundtrack – but at 020 8752 6666 what expense? Ask yourself, ‘why am I putting this [email protected] possibly irritating music into my programme?’ BBC Club Broadcast Centre, BC2 B3, John Harrison 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TP

PROSPERO JUNE 2020 | 5 | LIFE AFTER AUNTIE

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON By Joe Keaney

As the Volunteer Visiting Scheme (VVS) update on page 3 sets out, the VVS has had to adapt during these unusual times – with phone calls (and video calls) taking the place of face-to-face visits. BBC visitor Joe Keaney shares his experience of ‘visiting’ during lockdown.

s someone privileged to be a in January and that her dog had a Another reflected on how kind people One lady scoffed at comparisons volunteer on the BBC Visiting garden to run around in. Another was were and how she felt kindness was being made with World War II though. AScheme, it has been great over getting her head around the mysteries returning to our national conversation. She spent that bleak time as a pre-teen in many years to regularly meet face to of Skype and seeing her grandchildren Quite a few noted how much support the most bombed corner of unoccupied face with what my wife cheerfully calls online and getting mightily frustrated they were getting from church , Malta, and said seeking refuge in ‘my BBC ladies’. trying to join Gareth Malone’s organisations they were attached to a cave was far harder than anything she’s virtual choir. and all remarked on how wonderful been asked to endure since. She laughed Now that this activity has unfortunately technology like the phone was in at the toilet roll crisis – we used had to stop, we hope temporarily, helping them stay in touch. newspaper, she recalled. I spent a wonderful Sunday afternoon before Easter phoning round to check 'What a lucky person But of course only so far. One lady who I came off the phone some three hours that all the people I normally see are I am to talk with such listens regularly to Radio 3 misses later thinking what a lucky person I am safe and well. meeting ‘her boyfriend’ at lunchtime to talk with such a band of spirited, concerts at ’s Bridgewater resilient people who are discovering What a wonderful, uplifting afternoon a band of spirited, Hall. A few reflected on the fact that, for via new technology (Skype) and older I had! My cohort are mainly in their resilient people.' the first time in their lives, they would forms (Scrabble, jigsaws) ways to eighties and early nineties, with one not be attending church services in reframe lockdown into something young one, a spritely 71. One lady joked that at the start of the actual churches over Easter. Another positive and life affirming. They were all in good form, all resilient, lamented she couldn’t be there for her year her children were badgering her as The last word goes to the lady who said, all surrounded by friends and family granddaughter’s 5th birthday party and to how she wanted to celebrate her ‘I must go now, Joe. I've spent all who are making sure they have all missed the cuddles. 90th birthday in June. She chuckled afternoon talking to you and to family they need. that the pressure to come up with All reflected on how lucky they were as well and it’s giving me a headache. One was happy that she had managed something clever and innovative was and how grateful they felt at having And I’ve a new pasta recipe I want to a two-week family holiday in Benidorm now mercifully off. such a warm, close network of friends. try for my tea.’ FUNNIES by Chris Blount, Volunteer Visitor, West Cornwall and Scilly

You may well have seen this among the scores of so-called ‘funnies’ that are doing the rounds at present, but, as you’ll see, it did trigger a strangely familiar memory from nearly sixty years ago...

There was a separating door with electronic connection to Reception during the caretaker’s night shift – probably after 10pm, I can’t quite remember. Anyone crossing the great divide would be quickly apprehended and dismissed from On her first day at the seniors complex, the new manageress addressed all the the monastery – sorry, hostel. seniors, pointing out some of her rules: I was soon told by ‘lifers’ among the inmates that cigarette packets could easily ‘The female sleeping quarters will be out-of-bounds for all males, and the male be employed to silence the alarm. I couldn’t possibly confirm the effectiveness dormitory to the females. of such functionality. Anybody caught breaking this rule will be fined $20 the first time.’

She continued: ‘Anybody caught breaking this rule a second time will be fined $60. Being caught a third time will cost you a fine of $180. Are there any questions?’

On this point, an older lady named Alice stood up in the crowd and inquired: ‘How much is a season pass?’

When I arrived at the BBC’s Beaumont Hostel in Bayswater back in 1961, it was soon evident that socialising with one’s newly met colleagues would be a pleasurable introduction.

Many of us were teenagers far from home and there was a healthy mix of genders! However, the Corporation took its Duty of Care seriously and the matronly manageress in the Reception Office was quick to point out the House Rules. Priority was given to the one that informed us of the strict division between men and women on the upstairs floors.

6 By Joe Keaney THERE’S LIFE AFTER THE BEEB by Walter Acosta

After 23 years at the BBC, the highlight being a hugely enjoyable period working as a radio drama director for BBC World Service, the idea of retirement to feed pigeons or sink into oblivion and slothful lethargy was never within my plans. On the contrary!

hen I retired, John Pitman – my predecessor – wished me luck and said, W‘There’s life after the Beeb, Walter.’ He was absolutely right.

Soon after I left in 1990, I braved the London stage, directing my play ‘No one writes to the Colonel’, based on a García Márquez short story and led by Bernard Hepton in the title role. Then, as my wife joined the United Nations in Switzerland, I left dear old and moved to Geneva.

There, my association with GEDS, the oldest English speaking language theatre in the Continent, led to some gratifying productions; works by Priestley, Ayckbourn, Sophocles and Neruda’s epic poem ‘The heights of Macchu Picchu’, which had moved Emrys James and Michael Bryant to tears when I produced it in Bush House a decade earlier.

'Soon after I left Bush House in 1990, I braved the London stage, directing my play ‘No one writes to the Colonel’, based on a García Márquez short story and led by Bernard 1985: Gordon House, Head of BBC World Service Drama with his team in Studio N41, Bush House. Standing from left to right, producers Walter Acosta and David Hitchinson, and production assistants Jo Hill, Hepton in the title role.' Nici Hildebrandt and Joanne Hopper.

It was in Geneva where I also started writing plays. The confidence I had gained under Gordon House What now? My most cherished ambition is, of course, leadership in BBC World Service Drama spurred me to see my plays on the stage – some of them at 'The past two years have been onwards. There was a providential stroke of luck: my least – for as Brecht said, ‘every play worth its name friend and great playwright Edward Bond sent me a can only be understood once it has been staged’. particularly demanding. hand-written poem on Pinochet as a Time will tell. greeting in December 1998. I owe that poem the In 2018, I published some inspiration to write ‘The scorpion and the weasel’, autobiographical memoirs, with a play which was awarded a prestigious theatre prize by Casa de las Américas in Havana, Cuba, 2001. many chapters about my work Since then, life has taken me to rural , for the BBC and elsewhere.' provincial Spain and finally, Buenos Aires. I have concentrated on playwriting, workshops and one-man shows written by myself to brave the boards portraying both Shakespeare and Cervantes.

The past two years have been particularly demanding. In 2018, I published some autobiographical memoirs, with many chapters about my work for the BBC and elsewhere. The title in Spanish is taken from Hamlet´s dying words ‘the rest is silence’.

But despite such emphatic statement implying I would be keeping my mouth shut in the days ahead, I have just published in Buenos Aires my plays in Spanish, English and French. Whatever merits they may have, they show my interest and concern not only for history in the making (the Stalin regime, the Spanish Civil War or dictatorships in South America) but also for more intimate turmoils and tribulations like those of Diderot defying the French Parliament, Lope de Vega’s own hell, Brecht and Walter Benjamin in exile, Lorca shot in Granada or Miguel Hernández dying in Franco’s jails…

PROSPERO JUNE 2020 | 7 | MEMORIES H.M.S. PEBBLE MILL AT ONE

The famous lunchtime magazine programme of the 70s and 80s had a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the military. Tom Ross explains how a live broadcast from an aircraft carrier took the programme to new heights in audience terms.

generation of students, the sick, the How easy it would all be nowadays with the technology housebound and those – mainly outside of available. It was a little more challenging then. London – who went home for lunch each day A Tony Rayner effortlessly wove the live elements with recall the mix of celebrity interviews, practical tips, music some pre-recorded packages involving Samantha Fox, and spectacular stunts that were the show’s speciality. the celebrity of the time, and regular cookery expert In addition to Bob Langley and Marian Foster, the likes Michael Smith. It was the first, and perhaps the only of David Seymour, Jan Leeming, Donny B MacLeod, time, Tony had been given temporary command of Paul Coia, Josephine Buchan and Magnus Magnusson two Sea Harriers at RNAS Yeovilton. were among the regular presenters through the years Nicky Barfoot, Beverleigh Wildman, Yasmin Archer, from 1972. Annette Martin and Steve Pierson made up the rest The programme prided itself on being mainly ‘live’: and The famous foyer in action. of the Pebble Mill Team. live meant that things could go wrong – and frequently The ‘we bring you live pictures’ problem was solved by did. That, as they say, is another story. Although the programme was produced in a dish at the front of the ship and a dish at the back and Marching bands, motorcycle display teams, abseiling , Ark Royal would set off from Portsmouth a poor links engineer in a duffel coat dashing between special forces and even a couple of Fleet Air Arm Sea so it would be serviced by London OBs. A planning both to keep Ventnor in line of sight. Harriers would literally drop in to get the show under meeting was duly arranged with the experts at Kendal It all went splendidly – as did many live programmes way with a bang from Monday to Friday. Occasionally, Avenue... Not to worry, I was told, OBs were used to that day from Ark Royal by Radio 2’s Ken Bruce the programme would do specials from places all over doing live programmes from ships under way in the and others. the world, as far apart as the Falkland Islands, India, Channel. In these pre-satellite days, live pictures would Russia and New York. be bounced off a links vehicle near Ventnor on the Isle That day, 7 April 1986, was the highest ever recorded of Wight. audience for Pebble Mill at One, with BARB measuring Just one problem I pointed out. Ferries and regular nearly 6 million viewers. commercial ships tend to travel in a straight line from Sadly, it was a bittersweet experience for many. left to right or whatever. An aircraft carrier on the other The programme was due to come to an end later that hand had to be able to change direction at a moment’s year when and Roger Laughton claimed notice in order to turn into the wind to recover aircraft. the one o’clock slot for their new Daytime programmes. Ah, they said, we will need to think about that! Gone would be the 12.40 Lunchtime News, trade test transmissions, the test card and Pebble Mill at One. How easy it would all be HMS Pebble Mill at One was sunk, but, as it happened, nowadays with the technology not without trace. available. It was a little more Tony Rayner and Josephine Buchan challenging then. (and Sea Harrier) at RNAS Yeovilton.

A Sea Harrier lands In , London OBs, Mobile VT and Links came up at Pebble Mill in 1979. trumps. Lo 21 under engineering manager John Wilson and sound supervisor Chris Holcombe, LMVT4, a Lee generator and Links vehicles were winched onto the I joined the show from BBC as assistant editor vessel’s focsle and hidden under tarpaulin. The show in 1984. One particular programme with which I was was transmitted live on BBC1 with only brief picture heavily involved helped bring together the military, break-up at the start from the live link from a Sea King the unusual and the full live television experience. helicopter as presenter Josephine Buchan landed on That was an April 1986 special from the-then newly the deck pre-title to join Bob Langley on board. commissioned aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal, in the middle of the Channel.

It all began with one of those live marching bands. The senior naval officer in charge of the Band of HM Royal Marines that day, Captain James Weatherall, revealed that he was about to take up a new posting as Captain of Ark Royal. I may not have been long with the programme but I saw a golden opportunity when it bit me. Would there be any chance, I asked, that we could do the programme live from the new carrier? Of course, he said. ‘Take a signal, Wren Chasen’, as they would say on The Navy Lark.

Producer/director Tony Rayner and I set about planning the technicalities. The first problem to be overcome was the Ministry of Defence (Navy) itself. To put it mildly, they were not too keen. The suggested day was when the Queen Mother was due to visit. It was all very difficult. Maybe it was not a good idea.

Mercifully, Captain Weatherall came to and helped overcome that initial bureaucratic reluctance. The crew of Lo21 with EM John Wilson.

8 THE BRITISH ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY PROJECT

For more than 30 years, the members of the British Entertainment History Project have been quietly and painstakingly recording and archiving interviews with working men and women from the UK film, television, radio and theatre industries to ensure that their lives and experiences are preserved for future generations.

he interviews tell us about the challenges they had to overcome, We continue to record new interviews, and as the collection continues to grow we the skills they employed, the enduring human relationships they forged welcome suggestions of potential interviewees. Would you like to interview or Tas Britain developed into one of the world’s major centres of the shoot some of our interviews for us? Perhaps you would enjoy transcribing some entertainment industries. of our many BBC interviews?

The project was the brainchild of producer/director Roy Fowler who started his Please browse our website and tell us about any of the interviewees that you BBC career working at Alexandra Palace in 1948. recognise – do you have any memories or photos of them?

Fearing that the story of early British film, radio and television production would For further information on how to become involved in the History Project, disappear forever with the passing of industry pioneers, the History Project please contact Sue Malden, BEHP Secretary at: [email protected], volunteers set about the task of recording interviews with some urgency. or Mike Dick, BEHP Chair, at: [email protected] In the space of a few brief years, they had created a unique archive of international importance. Their pioneering work means we now have an audio and video collection of almost 800 interviews which are archived at the BFI.

We have hundreds of BBC Television and Radio voices from the past century since its inception in 1922. Our collection includes many interviewees who will be well known to Prospero readers: Sheila Hancock, Shaun Sutton, John Schlesinger, Pete Murray, Jimmy Gilbert, Julia Cave, Bill Cotton Junior, Jenny Barraclough, Johnny Speight, Philip Donnellan, Charles Wheeler and too many more to mention here.

There are also interviews with men and women who you may personally have worked with at the BBC over the years – camera operators, radio producers, film editors, hair and makeup artists, actors, OB technicians, writers, dubbing mixers, Johnny Speight. Charles Wheeler. Philip Donnellan. costume designers – every craft is there. You can browse through the Gallery View of the collection on www.historyproject.org.uk.

The History Project is entirely reliant on volunteers to help nominate interviewees, conduct research, shoot interviews, digitise, transcribe, index, and manage the digital archive.

Our main driving force is to fulfil the vision of the original History Project pioneers – to make these valuable recordings freely available to current and future generations.

To this end we have been in discussions with the BBCPA committee chair, Albert Barber and colleagues, to explore ways in which we can draw on one Roy Fowler and Mike Dick. Julia Cave. another’s strengths for the benefit of members and the archive itself.

BBC PRODUCERS’ FREE FIRST COLOUR TV SETS by David Morris Jones

Anyone remember these large – and very heavy – colour TV sets which were issued Sorry the photo of the set is in black and white – that’s what happened to be in the for ‘home viewing’ to BBC staff producers in the late 1960s? camera when the picture was taken... back in the days when fake-brick anaglypta wallpaper was as trendy as a colour TV. Most TV producers at the time were, of course, still working in black and white. These big Radio Rentals sets (Baird 701 models) were issued to us to presumably Even though these colour sets came free to staff producers, we still had to pay for familiarise us with colour production – but were, in fact, a huge tax-free perk. our new colour TV licences out of our pockets – and rightly so.

The cost of buying such a set was evidently considered to be outside the financial reach of most BBC staff at the time – and given the sort of salaries the BBC paid in the 60s there was some weight to that argument (although it was rather unfair to staff who didn’t qualify for the largesse).

As far as I remember, the sets were ‘dual standard’ 405-line and 625-line (hence the two tuning knobs). There was a clumsy and rather crude Heath Robinson mechanical switching mechanism clunkily buried somewhere inside the set.

BBC1 was still in black and white on 405 lines and BBC2 was a ‘piebald’ service – only partially in colour. I think the first colour TV programme had been the 1967 Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

PROSPERO JUNE 2020 | 9 | OBITUARIES

By the time that the programme ended in the early Chairman of 1990s, Jim had presented around 250 editions of the Pebble Mill monthly show, however his personal favourite was the senior dresser the Bushmen 40th edition in which he interviewed the nation’s We have lost a brilliant, gentle, positive force for good best-loved railway enthusiast, Sir John Betjeman. Joy Pugh joined the Costume with the passing of Bennett Maxwell. Department at Pebble Mill in Having left the BBC staff in 1984, Jim and his sister, 1975 as a dresser. She brought In his quiet way, Bennett infused his life with joyful Doris, moved to Salisbury and in addition to his with her a maturity of enthusiasm. If at first sight Bennett seemed freelance work for the BBC, he narrated several steam judgement and sound unassuming, his conversation soon corrected that railway videos and produced articles on railways and common sense, plus impression. Bennett was the most skilful anecdotalist light music, as well as for Prospero and experience as a professional who ever held an audience enthralled. The skill Best of British. singer and dancer. was inherited. It is as editor of the latter publication that I had known Quickly settling into the team, Bennet admired his father. In emulation of this doctor Jim for the past nine years and will treasure my many she was a splendid example to us all. Efficient, parent, Bennett studied science. Then, unexpectedly, telephone conversations with this good humoured, conscientious, caring for the Wardrobe stock, her he switched to humanities for his ‘A’ levels. Oxford learned and gentle man. I finally got to visit Jim at his work colleagues and her artistes and unfailingly dons were intrigued by this radical student. Bennett Salisbury home last summer, where we enjoyed lunch cheerful despite an unhappy marriage, she endeared won a place at Magdalen. while talking about his life, career and collections, herself to everyone. After graduation he made his way to London to take which included a near-complete set of Radio Times, I valued her opinion highly and she was later up a role as an assistant stage manager at the Arts plus stacks of records including transcription discs of appointed to the post of senior dresser, to the Theatre under Peter Hall. This was the period of his own field recordings for the BBC, and Mantovani’s unanimous approval of her colleagues. Beckett and Pinter. ‘Holiday for Strings’, the first record he ever bought, back in 1944. Each of the designers wanted Joy allocated to their His experience led to the BBC, where he added further programme and she willingly adapted to them all, strings to his bow. As a successful producer in radio Simon Stabler costumes period, modern or futuristic, but her two and television, Bennett was able to deploy all his skills favourites were Howard’s Way and Nanny. The theme as Number Two in radio training. Between devising music from Howard’s Way was played at her funeral memorable courses, Bennett was given licence to Publicity Section on 11 February. broaden his experience even further. manager, Engineering The accompanying photo shows how happy she was As if training in the BBC was insufficient, Bennett to be retiring from such an energetic and important taught radio production at Morley College. When the Information position but it was a sad day for the rest of us and she opportunity presented itself to lead a group of Morley was very much missed. students on a trip to , Bennett was happy to take Department on the challenge. This led to annual Morley trips to John Hawkins died on She left her Birmingham home and moved to European cities to visit museums, places of worship 27 December 2019, shortly Hampshire, where many of us remained in touch, and and tasteful restaurants. after his 80th birthday, while we rejoiced that she found happiness in her marriage he and his wife June were in 1993 to Charles Leach and all his loving family. She In some ways, Bennett’s forte were his short courses visiting their daughter and took on a large garden, which blossomed under her in memory training. His final flourish would be to family in the United States. skilful fingers, and made new friends while keeping recite, in correct order, hundreds of numbers hidden her old ones. in a coil of paper. He joined the BBC in 1962 as The bond with artistes is exemplified by the Finally, Bennett gave up Morley for the pleasures of a TA at Sutton Coldfield knowledge that Wendy Craig remained in contact co-founding a theatre group which still meets after Transmitter, and in 1965 he with Joy for the 30 years since Joy was her personal 20 years. moved to Site Acquisition Section at Transmitter HQ in London, where promotion to planning engineer led to dresser on the series Nanny. Bennett deployed his accumulated wisdom as a his assuming responsibility for the technical aspects of The Costume Department at Pebble Mill was much much-loved secretary of the Bushmen. It was quite the section’s work and for the site acquisition teams. enhanced and our lives enriched by our friend, natural that he should conclude his career as Joy Pugh. Chairman of the club he had served so well and In 1973, he joined Engineering Information Department among the colleagues with whom he had shared and in 1979 was promoted to manager of Publicity Joyce Hawkins such a rich and varied life. Section, assuming responsibility for a wide range of EID’s printed material produced for the public, retail Michael Kaye trade, broadcasters and industry. From junior technician John’s ‘farewell’ tribute, written for Ariel by colleague Henry Price on the occasion of John’s early retirement to Head of Prospero’s in 1990, describes some of the many humorous episodes in his career. John once described his own Corporate Publicity compiler career as ‘a series of humorous episodes punctuated My husband, Richard Gilbert, With a fascination for music by odd annual interviews and paid for by the very died peacefully on 4 April and recording technology, listeners and viewers that he always tried to help’. 2020 after a long illness. When he was retiring from the the BBC was the home Henry continues, ‘One particular project in , where BBC, his friend and colleague for Jim Palm who died on a small community could not receive television, involved Michael Williams (who died in 9 April 2020. removing the signal measuring equipment from an EID 2018) wrote the following Born in 1935, he grew up in survey vehicle and humping it over difficult terrain to the about him: Edgware, and after top of a hill, using a team of Welsh ‘Sherpas’ from the grammar school, became a village. It was found that good television signals could Born in London 1937, Dick was Post Office engineer. be received at the summit and the community was able educated at Midhurst Grammar School and Corpus to install its own cable system – one of the first self-help Christi, Oxford, where he read History. Briefly returning to the GPO following National schemes to go into operation.’ Service, Jim joined the BBC in 1957 where he worked After leaving Oxford, he became a teaching assistant in the Sound Effects Department under Harry Morriss. In retirement, John was able to make much use of at the UCLA campus in Los Angeles for a year. his ‘hands on’ engineering skills and the very When Morriss retired in 1972, Jim accompanied him Dick’s career began as a junior technician, then a radio well-equipped workshop in his garage. Much of this on to BBC Radio 2’s Late Night Extra where listeners producer at Bush House in the mid-60s, when we involved helping others. I benefitted greatly from his challenged them to come up with an array of were both members of that broadcasting college help during our 50 years of friendship, ranging from outlandish effects. It was with a sense of pride for known as Overseas Regional Services, run by that teaching me about plumbing to the six very happy Jim that nobody was able to beat them. That same dean of two cultures, Steedman. weeks that we spent working together restoring my year, Jim became assistant librarian (intake and unwisely purchased MG Midget. He moved from there to Radio 4, where he returns) in the Gramophone Library. demonstrated unusual versatility by producing John’s very well-attended service of thanksgiving took Jim also made programmes, and from 1973 presented a range of totally different broadcasters and place at All Saints’ Church in Marlow, where moving and produced Rail, a programme for railway programmes. He put his stamp on numerous tributes were read by June, daughters Caroline and enthusiasts. Initially on BBC Radio London, it magazine programmes, especially Start the Sophie and grandson Kaylan. later aired on a variety of local stations including Week, the arts programme Kaleidoscope and BBC Radio Bedfordshire and BBC Radio Solent. Dave Le Breton many documentaries, where he worked with

10 presenters as different as Marghanita Laski and In the 80s, he produced the programme as well as Monty Modlyn, Derek Cooper and Vivian Stanshall. BBC Scotland Head spin-offs;6.55 Special, and the comedy series Cool It with impressionist Phil Cool. Later he moved to The Listener as deputy editor of Personnel and finally moved to working as Head of Corporate Steve Ansell, who died on Pebble Mill at One was axed in 1986 as Steve was busy Publicity. Dick moved gracefully between these 25 February aged 73, was Head producing The Tom O’Connor Road Show, an OB two worlds. He could come from a session with of Personnel at BBC Scotland variety show. Steve recalled this as ‘the most fun show Jeffrey Bernard (broadcasting a cure for hangovers) from 1983 till 2005. to work on’ and had appeared on location in his and turn out a finely crafted feature and book on the signature chicken suit for the merriment of all. He loved Steve was born in Northampton culture of Los Angeles or a riveting magazine dressing up. and after school trained as a programme with the likes of . psychiatric nurse but never In 1987, he was appointed Editor of Daytime Live, a He had a mole’s ear for the quirky revelation, the practised. He felt the pull of music and chat show which he renamed Pebble Mill compelling oddities, the tantalising tangents of life. London and found his way into in 1991. His staff adored him, but like its namesake the a junior administration post in show was finally axed in 1996. Although possessed literally of a first-class mind, . no one could be less ‘academic’; if Dick were forced Steve created one last show, Style Challenge, and took to live in an ivory tower, it would be equipped with A successful attachment to personnel set his future path. early retirement in 2000. Since then he published three a piped supply of real ale and New Orleans Jazz. He moved to TV Centre and working in Design and books, ran a marathon and became a passionate Scenic Services gained a reputation as someone who season ticket holder at Spurs. He had an eagerness for the multitudinous variety solved problems and unlike some ‘was not a fence-sitter’. of life – there was a mischievousness in him, the He was gutted by the demolition of the Pebble Mill quality Hugh Green insisted every true journalist Arriving in Scotland, he restructured and expanded the building and started the successful campaign for a should have. personnel operation, driving change across the commemorative blue plaque. operation, consolidating his reputation as someone who He was a wit, a bon viveur and a ray of sunshine in got things done. Steve seemed to know everybody and Irreplaceable and sadly missed. a greyish world. would wander through BH , or any of the other Stephanie Silk Michael Williams (written before Michael died in nine centres, dropping in to see people, checking all was 2018) and Nikki Gilbert OK or teasing out a problem with someone who seemed off-form. He was trusted by everyone and everyone knew that he and his colleagues were there to offer help. Tom Beesley He took a real interest in staff development, welcoming When Tom Beesley died Film equipment students on work experience, mentoring younger staff suddenly at his home in and encouraging people with talent to aim higher. Many Southwell, Nottinghamshire, manager senior people in the broadcasting industry tell of the on 22 March, the lost Ron Steer was one of many Film Department admin conversation with Steve that changed their career. one of the most effective staff supporting some 400-plus mobile film crew Steve was at ease in Glasgow’s West End, taking full champions of Local Radio and personnel, who together made a significant contribution advantage of the many social opportunities it offered. Regional Television of his to the output of BBC Television in the 60s, 70s and 80s. He liked meeting people and work and leisure generation. He was 82. Ron was a Devonshire man although he was born overlapped with many a problem solved over a glass of Tom was a larger-than-life in Acton, West London on 31 May 1925. His parents, wine or two. character. He was a talented Ernest and Nellie, moved to Devon just six weeks In 1994, Steve graduated with an MBA degree from the journalist and an outstanding manager who inspired after his birth and settled in South Molton, where Ron University of Glasgow; his dissertation was on ‘The strong loyalties in those who worked with him. grew up. introduction of Producer Choice into BBC Scotland’. He learned his craft on papers in Leicester before Army When he retired from the BBC, he took on a part-time service in Cyprus, where he was seriously wounded. Some years later, Ron moved to Kingsbridge, Devon role as tutor in the Department of Management Studies where he started his working life in the local cinema He joined the BBC as East Midlands Correspondent at the Business School. as a film projectionist. Unfortunately, military duty in the l960s. He was an entertaining raconteur who called and in 1944 Ron initially joined the Royal Navy Steve was kind, generous and unassuming, with a loved to recall how he reported on the planned path as a conscript, although he later transferred to the wonderful self-deprecating sense of humour. The crisis of motorways in England by tracing their routes Parachute Regiment. averted, the problem solved are rarely known about. with toilet rolls in the absence of sophisticated The tributes being paid to him now by so many are a electronic graphics. In 1945, Ron became part of the biggest airborne wider recognition of how he enhanced the lives of so Tom was personally drawn to the community aspect operation of the Second World War, Operation Varsity, many over the years. which saw the deployment of 16,000 paratroopers over of BBC Local Radio and became Manager Radio John McCormick where in the 1970s he helped to make it . Later, he went on to serve in India, the Far one of the most successful stations in the country. East, Palestine and finally Singapore. He was then appointed Senior Manager Local Radio Having served for his country, Ron settled with his wife with responsibility for stations east of the Pennines. Gladys in south London and returned to his career in Irreplaceable editor, Former Controller of Local Radio, Michael Barton, said, the cinema. Working for , he was Pebble Mill ‘Tom brought all his skills to the more senior role. He assigned to many cinemas in the south of England and Steve Weddle died suddenly knew instinctively how to allow stations freedom to in 1960 the family moved to Hemel Hempstead, where from a heart attack following celebrate their individual character and encourage them Ron took up the post of Chief Projectionist at the newly to be journalistically sharp and fearless.’ a chest infection in early March. constructed Odeon Cinema. The unique and ever-youthful Tom later became Regional Television Manager He subsequently joined the BBC in Projection Steve had just celebrated his Midlands and managed much of the coverage of the Department, working initially at Crystal Palace then 70th birthday. He was an Miners’ Strike. He also increased output for the East TVC and finally in Film Department at the TFS Ealing absolute ‘legend in his own Midlands, which paved the way for separation from the preview theatre suite. lunchtime’ and his sudden years later. Having sought promotion, Ron took up a position in the death has shocked and When Tom left the BBC in 1986, he set up a commercial Equipment Allocation office and was later promoted, saddened his numerous friends from the great days company which included the Leicester News Agency. responsible for the location of well over 80 film cameras, of BBC Pebble Mill, Birmingham. I went into partnership with him when I left the BBC in audiotape recorders, microphones, lenses and Steve was born and died in his beloved Sutton 1994. Among other activities, we helped to win licences miscellaneous support equipment. Ron’s responsibilities Coldfield. After graduating in Sociology in London, for six commercial radio stations. also involved the hire of film equipment and he became a cub reporter on the Birmingham Post Tom was also Chairman of the Broadcast freelance Grips. and Mail and his press cuttings reveal his mischievous Journalism Training Council which oversaw national sense of fun and love of the ridiculous. industry standards. For many years, Ron managed an efficient, well-run happy office with a combination of authority and good In 1976, he joined Radio Stoke but soon moved to Tom Beesley is survived by three children and seven humour; he was a joy to work with. Pebble Mill at One as a researcher. He was very versatile, grandchildren. His wife, Iris, died in 2012. excelling in hard news items, comedy, music and the Ron will be remembered as a loving caring father, David Waine offbeat. First and foremost, Steve was fun. He was of husband and grandfather. He passed away December course talented and creative, wacky and wonderful and 2019 aged 96. supremely sociable, but he also had great empathy and Mike Robinson kindness and was friends with one and all. A lot of creative thinking was done in the BBC Club.

PROSPERO JUNE 2020 | 11 | ODDS & ENDS BBC Radio London, 50 years on BREAKING BAD (NEWS) The organisers of the Radio London 50th anniversary reunion on 6 October are still hoping to go There have been many alarming moments as the coronavirus pandemic has unfolded, not ahead with it, but at the time of least when UK Prime Minister, was admitted to intensive care. BBC World going to press, it’s obviously difficult News presenter Kasia Madera (pictured) was live on the BBC News channel as the news to predict. For the latest information, came in. Kasia recounted the experience for Ariel. email [email protected]

n the evening of Monday 6 April, Mr Johnson’s twitter feed proved a good while presenting BBC Outside source, enabling me to quote him directly. CONTACTS OSource, I broke the news that His earlier tweets were characteristically the Prime Minister had been moved into upbeat so it felt the right balance given intensive care. the gravity of what we were learning. Queries For benefit and pension payroll Within a minute Laura was on the line At that point, the UK was starting its queries, call the Service Line on and I was relieved to hear she also second week in lockdown. Previously we 029 2032 2811 reiterated the shock of this news. had been gripped by the rising figures or email [email protected]. of deaths in other countries. Now the We were able to focus on the question deadliness of Covid-19 was becoming a she had posed during that day’s daily Prospero To remove a name from the brutal reality in the UK. So to see a line of government press briefing: whether the distribution list, ring the Service copy from 10 Downing Street saying the PM was in a position to govern if he was at the BBC – so much goes on behind Line on 029 2032 2811. Prospero is PM was in intensive care was an immense not well enough to leave hospital. the scenes. Everyone pulls together provided free of charge to retired shock for a country in trauma. Laura and I spoke for 10 minutes before as the BBC News machine kicks in. BBC Scheme members only. she went to our radio services. For the The newsroom becomes a hive of activity Although Mr Johnson had been admitted Prospero is also available on audio next five minutes, I was acutely aware of to hospital the night before, we were told and the gallery is at the centre. disc for those with sight impairment. it was for routine checks. Until that night, my tone while I reminded our viewers of Currently, we are working with fewer To register, please ring the Service the Government had made it clear the what was happening. Then the guests people who are more spaced out across Line. Alternatively, it is also available PM was in charge. Earlier on Monday, Mr started coming through. The first was the gallery and all communication is online at bbc.com/mypension, Johnson had even tweeted that he was in Sir Iain Duncan-Smith, who sounded via open talkback, rather than through under ‘Documents’. good spirits. Now we were dealing with shell shocked. headsets. This means presenters can BBC Club an unexpected situation, made all the Aaron Safir ably took over outputting hear more of what is happening in the The BBC Club in London has a more serious by the devastating nature the next hour and with a mixture of live background, which can be disconcerting. retired membership costing £3 per of this disease. guests and our health correspondent, However, on that night I was able to month or £36 per year. Members As I was saying the words out loud, I was James Gallagher, on set we sustained witness the Herculean efforts of my can also add friends and family taking them in for the first time myself. hours of rolling news. colleagues and am extremely grateful to to their membership for a small At that moment I knew our running order With these breaking news scenarios – everyone involved. It is also a huge relief additional cost. Regional clubs was being metaphorically ripped up. and I have had a fair few in my 18 years that Mr Johnson has recovered. may have different arrangements. After initially breaking the news, I can still Please call the BBC Club London hear the words spoken in my earpiece office on 020 8752 6666 or email by Harriet Ridley, the senior journalist Region reunion [email protected] for details, or to join. outputting that hour: ‘Stay with this. I would ask you to SAVE THE DATE, Thursday 13 August 2020, but of course We’re trying to get Laura.’ With just those right now I cannot tell you whether our reunion will go ahead. However, we Benevolent Fund few words I knew I had to fill will be optimistic and make plans anyway so, yes please, do put 13 August in This is funded by voluntary until we could get our political editor, your diaries! contributions from the BBC and its Laura Kuenssberg on air. There was no The Reunion/Pensioners’ Lunch for the Yorkshire Region will once again be purpose is to protect the welfare of script, just a line of copy and hours of held at the very popular Dower House Hotel, Knaresborough on Thursday staff, pensioners and their families. output ahead. 13 August 12.30 for 1pm. Grants are made at the discretion Within 40 seconds of first breaking Come along and catch up with your former colleagues and meet new of the Trustees. They may provide the news, Roger Simpson, the director, acquaintances. Enjoy and good company! assistance in cases of unforeseen played images of St Thomas’ Hospital. Please will you pass on this information to any colleagues who may not know financial hardship, for which help Although I was ad-libbing, cutting away from other sources is not available. about this very popular gathering and venue. from the studio let me look away from Tel: 029 2032 2811 the camera to search the wires for For any further information please contact me, Sue Pagdin, on 0113 2612613

more details. or email [email protected] Prospero Society Prospero Society is the only section of the BBC Club run by and for CLASSIFIEDS WIN retired BBC staff and their spouses. £10 Its aim is to enable BBC pensioners Caption competition to meet on a social basis for theatre Menorca. Stunning detached villa visits, luncheons, coach outings, etc. The winner of a £10 shopping voucher with private pool. Sleeps 2-7. is Neville Withers with the caption: Prospero Society is supported by Es Castell. Close to amenities, bars Freddie is saying ‘What do you mean you BBC Club funds so as to make & restaurants. Air conditioned. forgot to renew our AA membership’. events affordable. If you would like . Brochure: 07860 232854 an application form, please contact: www.menorcaholidayvilla.co.uk Please note, vouchers will be issued once the lockdown restrictions have been lifted. Gayner Leach, BBC Club, BC2 B3 Broadcast Centre, Andalucia, Spain. Modern villa south 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TP of Granada, 20 metres from beach. Post your entry to Prospero by Traditional fishing village. Sleeps 8. Monday, 6 July 2020. Tel: 020 8752 6666 Email for brochure: Email: [email protected]. Or, you can email your entry to [email protected] [email protected], with ‘caption BBCPA competition 3’ in the subject line. The BBCPA was founded in 1988 to Prospero Classifieds, BBC Pension Please include your BBC pension promote and safeguard the interests and Benefits Centre, 3 Central Square, number. Good luck! of BBC pensioners. It is independent Cardiff, CF10 1FT. of the BBC. For details of how to Please enclose a cheque made payable join, see the panel on page 4 or to: BBC Central Directorate. Rate: The picture shows Ronnie Barker and download a membership form £6 for 20 words. In a covering letter, Ronnie Corbett in a spoof at bbcpa.org.uk. please include your pension number. for series 9 of .

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