The newspaper for BBC pensioners – with highlights from Ariel online Sound issues ‘Dialogue levels’ lead to viewer complaints - Page 2 JUNE 2014 • Issue 3 North 3 The night they Back on Bhutan wins award forgot the news Page 4 Page 7 Page 8 NEWS • MEMORIES • CLASSIFIEDS • YOUR LETTERS • OBITUARIES • CROSPERO 02 BACK AT THE BBC Lord Patten steps down after heart surgery Lord Patten is to step down as BBC Trust chairman after undergoing major heart surgery. In a statement, he said he had experienced of the BBC Trust. This is a position that Lord Patten, who has been chairman of the ‘serious chest pains’ on 27 April and had requires and has received from me 100 per trust for three years, took the opportunity undergone bypass surgery the following day cent commitment, and has been my priority to praise the BBC. He called the organisation at a London hospital. at all times,’ stated Lord Patten, who has ‘a precious and wonderful thing, a hugely ‘These procedures have been successful written to the Secretary of State to submit positive influence which benefits greatly and have ensured no permanent damage his resignation. from the creativity and dedication of to my heart,’ said Lord Patten, who was ‘It would not be fair to my family to its staff’. previously treated for a heart condition seven continue as before; and equally it would not He said he hoped to contribute more to years ago. be fair to the BBC and those it serves not to the discussion about the BBC’s future during But doctors have advised that he reduce be able to give that commitment which the Charter Review, but would be ‘making no his workload. role demands. I have to begin by taking a six- further statement whatsoever about the BBC ‘On this basis I have decided with week break from any work at all.’ or my period as Chairman of the BBC Trust’. great regret to step down from the most Vice chair Diane Coyle will become acting His term in the chair was due to end demanding of my roles – that of Chairman chairman until a successor is appointed. next April. Jamaica Inn concludes BBC to suspend with nearly 2,200 complaints membership of CBI for Scottish Jamaica Inn came to an end with nearly 2,200 complaints. It lost two million viewers between Easter Monday and the concluding episode on Wednesday. referendum The BBC One adaptation of Daphne du The BBC will suspend its membership Maurier’s gothic novel, which aired over of the CBI between 30 May and three consecutive nights, started with 18 September because of impartiality an average audience of 6.1m viewers. concerns ahead of the Scottish This dropped to 4.1m by the Wednesday, referendum. according to overnight figures. The employers’ organisation – which A total of 2,182 people have now lobbies for businesses on a national complained to the BBC about the drama, and international level – has registered mostly about not being able to understand as a supporter of the Better Together the dialogue, but there were also some campaign, which advocates that Scotland complaints that scenes were too dark should remain in the UK. and gloomy. The BBC’s suspension of its The complaints began after the first membership will cover the period during episode aired, with 117 people initially which the CBI is registered with the voicing dissatisfaction. This rose to nearly pro-UK campaign. 800 after the second episode on Tuesday. Dialogue levels He tweeted: ‘Do I dare watch episode 2?’ The BBC and the CBI have jointly But there were many more complaints after The problem appears to have never been He guessed that it was a ‘transmission released a statement that said: ‘In order to the three-part period drama concluded resolved after the first episode, despite problem’ because it sounded fine in previews protect the BBC’s neutrality, the CBI and on Wednesday. assurances that the ‘dialogue levels’ would and on iPlayer. the BBC have agreed to suspend the BBC’s It has prompted controller of drama be turned up before subsequent instalments Speaking to Radio 5 live, director Philippa membership during the business group’s commissioning Ben Stephenson to admit were aired. Lowthorpe – who has also directed Call the registration period under the terms of that there was ‘a problem’, which he ‘We are adjusting the dialogue levels in Midwife – said she was more ‘sad’ than angry the Scottish Referendums Act 2013.’ believed might have had something to episode two and three to address audience that sound issues may have marred people’s ITV, which is also a member of the do with the actors. concerns so they can enjoy the rest of the enjoyment of the drama. CBI, will not temporarily renounce its He said: ‘Actors not being clear drama, and would like to apologise to It’s not the first time there have been membership. Broadcaster STV has. is obviously one part of it, but my those viewers who were affected,’ said a complaints about mumbling in dramas. According to CBI’s website, ‘Members understanding about the complaints about BBC statement. Similar complaints were made about can regularly network, learn what Jamaica Inn was more complex than that. Emma Frost, who adapted the novel Birdsong and Parade’s End. It led director other businesses are doing and exchange ‘I think it’s probably not right to just for television, took to Twitter to express general Tony Hall to raise the issue in the experiences with business leaders, single out that, but clearly we want actors frustration. The writer – who adapted Radio Times last July. senior international figures and to speak clearly. Of course we want them to The White Queen – told viewers to ‘spare a ‘I don’t want to sound like a grumpy the government.’ give brilliant performances and you’ve got thought’ for one of the sound operators, old man, but I also think muttering is to respect that but if no one can understand Matt Gill, who was confused about what something we could have a look at,’ he told what they’re saying then there is a problem.’ had gone wrong. the magazine. Please send your editorial contributions, or comments/feedback, to: Prospero, BBC Pension and Prospero is provided free of charge to retired BBC Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ. employees, or to their spouses and dependants. Email: [email protected] Prospero provides a source of news on former Please make sure that any digital pictures you send are colleagues, developments at the BBC and pension scanned at 300 dpi. issues, plus classified adverts. To advertise in Prospero, please see page 12. The next issue of Prospero will appear in August 2014. To view Ariel online, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/ariel. The copy deadline is Friday 4 July 2014. PROSPERO JUNE 2014 BACK AT THE BBC 03 World Service makes its move On 1 April, the World Service moved from Foreign Office to licence-fee funding. Ariel asked Peter Horrocks, World Service Group director, what this means for staff. Apart from a new name on the pay Do you think the BBC understands Is it an opportunity to get more UK cheque, will World Service staff notice and appreciates its World listeners tuning in to the World Service? any difference? Service employees? We already have around 2m listeners to The biggest change for many World Service I think the BBC is very proud of the World World Service English, with another 300,000 Prospero Society staff has happened already – the move from Service. And I think the more that we all work or so for our language services. The majority Prospero members have an extended Bush House into New Broadcasting House together, the more people realise the unique of our audiences will always be overseas, range of activities as well as subsidised and the more integrated working with the contribution World Service journalists make but we’re keen that people in the UK know prices, early notification and priority domestic news teams which has resulted. – in terms of local knowledge, expertise, what we have to offer them. booking to all retired members events. And in fact, the World Service has just For example, two years ago you’d very language skills – not only to the World Service To join only costs £10 per year and the rarely see a World Service journalist on the but to the rest of BBC news. been on a ‘UK tour’, teaming up with Society is a great way to meet up with BBC One bulletins. Now they’re making When people travel overseas they realise Welsh, Scottish and local radio to present friends old and new! For details or to an invaluable contribution across the World Service’s reputation goes before World Have Your Say from diaspora join, contact the Club. domestic channels. them – whether they are making a news communities in Cardiff, Glasgow, During recent coverage of events in programme or a wildlife documentary. Liverpool and Manchester. Ukraine, for instance, correspondents Competitions from the Russian and Ukrainian services The BBC Club website holds a wealth of have worked very closely with colleagues offers and competitions to increase the from Newsgathering, as well as giving value of your membership from the comfort expert commentary on domestic of your own home, library, resource centre, news platforms. anywhere you can get online! Much of the content is members only. Are you and your teams marking the In order to register you will need a NEW transition to the licence fee in any way? style BBC Club card which has an eight- Our Freedom Season culminated on 1 April digit number on the back starting with 100.