Pebble Mill at One – Page 36 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Pebble Mill at One – photos by Tim Savage

Photos by Tim Savage, no reproduction without permission.

The photos show the building of a set on the back lawn at Pebble Mill. You can see the building behind the set.

These cottages were positioned in the same place as the ‘On The House’ house, although these photos pre-date the 1980’s DIY series.

I thought at first the set must have been for a drama, but Tim Savage tells me they were part of a short series of items on ‘Pebble Mill at One’ about refurbishing old houses. They would have been taken in the early 1980s.

Editing Gardeners’ World – photos by Ian Collins

Photos from Ian Collins, no reproduction without permission.

These photos show Kerry Richardson editing ‘Gardeners’ World’, with some gusto, with editor, Ian Collins.

Gardeners’ World was produced at Pebble Mill until around 1990, when it became an independent production made by Catalyst television. Kerry worked on Gardeners’ World for a number of years, and in fact still works on gardening programmes to this day. BBC editors like Ian, were employed to edit Gardeners’ World, and the online editing was done at Pebble Mill, and then at the Mailbox.

Gardeners’ World came back to BBC Birmingham after re-pitching for the series when Alan Titchmarsh finished presenting it, and Monty Don took over in 2003.

The production offices for Gardeners’ World when Catalyst produced it were situated in King’s Heath Park, where some of the gardening was also done.

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Mick Murphy on location – photos by Tim Savage

Photos by Tim Savage, no reproduction without permission.

The photos show Mick Murphy, floor manager, director and self shooter, on location wearing a very silly hat! Apparently it was a very practical piece of headgear meaning that Mick could do countdowns with both hands, whilst still keeping dry!

The outside broadcast was a Pebble Mill at One in the Cotswolds Special and this location was a brewery – possibly the Donnington Brewery near Stow-on-the-Wold. Mick was standing in for Barbara Courtney-King when these shots were taken.

The dark haired girl with Mick is researcher, Jacqui Phillips.

Thanks to Tim and Jayne Savage, Jane Clement, Dave Bushell and Mick Murphy for providing additional information.

Mick Murphy

Pop at the Mill – photos from Gail Herbert

‘Pop at the Mill’ was an open air pop festival which went out on Saturday nights during the summer of 1977. It was set in the courtyard of Pebble Mill, behind the foyer where ‘Pebble Mill at One’ was set. Acts included Gary Glitter, Joe Brown and Showaddywaddy.

I’m not sure which which acts are shown in the photos.

Thanks to Gail Herbert for making the photos available.

Pebble Mill at One – Blue Eagle helicopter

Blue Eagle helicopter on PM at 1

This photo shows a Blue Eagle helicopter landing on the front lawn for a ‘Pebble Mill at One show’. Shows with stunts like these were usually organised by John Smith, who had wonderful contacts in the armed forces. The Blue Eagles are one of only six helicopter acrobatic teams in the world. They are part of the Army Air Corps. The photo probably dates from the mid 1970s.

Thanks to Gail Herbert for making the photo available.