Building – Page 104 – What Was Pebble Mill?

VT E – photos by Brian Watkiss

Photos by Brian Watkiss, no reproduction without permission.

The photos are of a studio recording in VT E between 1990-2. Editor, Nigel Evans is on the left, then Simon Bennett, with director, Philip Thickett on the right. You can see the machine room through the window on the left hand-side.

The second photo also shows Nigel Evans in VT E. The recording looks to be of a cookery programme, possibly ‘Hot Chefs’. You’ll also notice an owl soft toy on top of the monitor. The owl still exists somewhere. The owl has two eyes, a red and a green one. If it lit up red it would signify a non PAL edit IIRC!

Thanks to Paul Vanezis for adding information about these photos.

News Library – photos by Philip Morgan

Library stacks

News library betas

Photos by Philip Morgan, no reproduction without permission.

These photos were taken in November 2004, when Pebble Mill had been emptied and the fixtures and fittings were auctioned off, before the demolition in 2005.

The photos are of the Midlands Today film library, where beta insert tapes were stored for possible re-use. The library stacks were used for longer term storage.

Pebble Mill Ashtray – photos by Veronica Butt

These Pebble Mill commemorative ashtrays were produced by Royal Doulton to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the building in 1981.

Editor Tris Leon bought this one about four years ago in an antiques emporium on Pershore Road.

Graphics rostrum camera – Philip Morgan

Photo by Philip Morgan, no reproduction without permission.

Philip Morgan took a series of photos on the viewing day in November 2004, preceding the auction to sell off the fittings at Pebble Mill, before the building was demolished in 2005.

This photo is of the graphics rostrum camera. The fixed camera was used to take shots of stills from magazines or photographs. You can also see a couple of redheads to ensure that the lighting was right.

Radio Birmingham & WM, Christmas memories – Pete Simpkin

Here is a podcast from presenter and producer Pete Simpkin reminiscing on diverse experiences of working over Christmas on Radio Birmingham and Radio WM.

Andy Walters left the following comment on the Facebook page: ‘It’s not that much different today. This years WM Carol service was recorded last Monday. I have fond memories of being sat in what became known as Area 3 in Pebble Mill devouring Producers tins of sweets as they were bought in.’