Building – Page 80 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Pebble Mill Nursery – 1st Birthday

Press cutting from the internal BBC Midland Newsletter, about the first birthday of the Pebble Mill Nursery, circa 1990. The Nursery was based in the sports pavilion on the Bristol Road, just round the corner from the main Pebble Mill site. It catered for around 20 children of BBC staff. The Nursery had a really good reputation and some excellent staff. Consequently it had a long waiting list and was quite difficult to get a place. It was difficult to establish, and I think was the idea of Bridget Allen in Personnel.

Thanks to Marie Phillips for making the cutting available.

The following comments were added on the Pebble Mill Facebook Group:

Chris Marshall: ‘That’s my little boy! Now 25 and running an artists’ cooperative and gallery in Newcastle. The nursery gave such a tremendous start to both my boys and I remember the staff with great affection: so kind and patient (even when I was late collecting!). Thanks so much for this – very happy memories!’

Ruth Barretto: ‘I think Kimberly Palmer was Jean Palmer’s daughter who worked in Finance and Jodie Mawson is Wendy Mawson’s daughter (she works in Drama).. I must find the picture of David Waine, Pauline (who ran the nursery) and me and Elena. She opened the nursery back in 1989.’

Marie Phillips: ‘I know I have said it before, b ut the Nursery would not have existed without the efforts of Bridget Allen, Senior Personnel Officer. You wouldn’t believe the work she put into the project and it was a stroke of genius when she chose Pauline to run it. Bridget left the BBC when she had completed the Nursery and unfortunately, others got the glory for its inception – something I always thought unjust. It was brilliant and such a boon for so many Mums (and Dads!).’

Renovation of CMCR 9 – CM1/ North 3

Photo slideshow of the renovation, by Steve Harris and friends, of the OB scanner CMCR 9 built in 1969, which was Pebble Mill’s CM 1, and then became Manchester’s North 3.

Photo by Ray Lee

Wood Norton Lighting Course – Dave Bushell

Just found the attached picture of some old Pebble Mill colleagues on a lighting training course at Wood Norton in August 1995. In addition to those named are the tutors, Peter Bryenton on the left and myself (Dave Bushell) on the right.

(Thanks to Dave Bushell for making the photo available.)

Videotape in the 70s (part 6) Ray Lee

Balcony of the 2nd floor bar: Ivor Williams, Nigel Evans, Mike Bloore, John Burkill
Photo by Tim Savage

VT Office

When Pebble Mill was first built, the BBC Club was on the second floor, and became known affectionately by some as the VT Office. It was true that most of the VT staff could be found there at lunch time, and that many conversations with programme staff, producers, and directors took place there over a pint. That in a sense was the cauldron of ideas, that quite often led to innovative programme ideas that came to distinguish Pebble Mill. Departments were small enough, and the bar just about big enough that representatives from all disciplines could come together socially and exchange ideas.

I was only an occasional user, usually having ventured there to collect a Radio Times, but for some it was their regular lunchtime activity. It was there that the problem lay, in that it was just a bit too convenient on the 2nd floor, and more than one of my colleagues was recognised as having a drink problem, and sent on a “drying out” course by the BBC management. As space became more of a premium, the new Club building was built and the second floor returned to office space. I don’t remember the details of the changeover but the net result was that a more deliberate decision was needed to go to the club, rather than just falling out of the lift at the second floor.

Ray Lee

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Group:

Jane Clement: ‘Ah, the second floor bar – home of my first Pebble Mill job (barmaid) and the scene of many an interesting night (and lunchtime). The tales I could tell from both sides of the bar as a barmaid then a researcher, then an AP…The new Club that replaced it was never quite the same.’

Lynn Cullimore: ‘Ooh yes, some people I could mention did use it as their office but you are right, I am sure many programme ideas were thought up there. The new bar was never quite the same! I remember my first rum punch day (the first of many) – or rather there were parts of it that I forgot!’

Tour of Gosta Green studios

Thanks to Bill Jenkin for making the video available.

This video is amateur footage from a visit to the BBC Studios at Gosta Green in the mid sixties.

Pete Simpkin added the following information on the Pebble Mill Facebook Group:

“Wonderful to see the old Grams and the Pye Monitors………even the rewinding bench near the TK. What memories. After the TV moved out Radio Birmingham sometimes used the studio for audience attended Classical Music broadcasts. Classical music on Local Radio…now that IS going back some distance!!”

BBC Gosta Green Studios