July 2011 – Page 3 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Gardeners’ World – photos by Gail Herbert

Photos by Gail Herbert, no reproduction without permission.

The photos are of ‘Gardeners’ World’ shoots from around 1989. This was just after the programme moved to single camera production, instead of a two camera outside broadcast.

The first includes (left to right) presenter Nigel Colborn, director Annette Martin, PA Gail Herbert, sound Paul Taylor.

The second photo is taken at Barnsdale, presenter Geoff Hamilton’s garden, and main location of the popular series in the 1980s. It shows Geoff recording a piece to camera in the snow.

Demolition of Pebble Mill – photos by Laura McNeill

Photographs by Laura McNeill, no reproduction without permission.

Here are a few (sad) pics of PM being torn down. By a complete fluke Mary Sanchez and myself were just passing on the way to Cannon Hill Park. We saw the cruel tearing down of the front of the building which was quite emotional. Andy Foley came by as well and I know he took some news footage as well of this.

Laura McNeill

Radio Birmingham, Radio Car

The photo shows the Radio Birmingham, Radio Car. It probably dates from the mid 1970’s. The line up is made up of the station’s news team. According to producer/presenter Pete Simpkin, it includes (L to R): Chris Phipps,Stuart Woodcock, Nick Owen, Angela Jameson, Annie Gumbley, Jim Rosenthal, then the late Andy Roberts news producer, a newsroom Secretary who’s name escapes me,Roger Moody and Martin Henfield. Angela Jameson was the Newsroom Secretary and married to the Warks cricketer John Jameson. Martin Henfield went on to become News Editor Radio Birmingham, Roger Moody went to satellite TV.

Thanks to Annie Gumbley for making the photograph available.

Mixing in the Scanner – photo by Laura McNeill

Photo by Laura McNeill, no reproduction without permission.

The photo shows Andy Redfern mixing audio, in what is a Type B Audio Truck, used for radio outside broadcasts.

Ken Dudeney – Radio WM photocard

Ken Dudeney used to present a country music Saturday lunchtime show on Radio WM called ‘Town and Country’.

Thanks to Stuart Gandy for making the photocard available.

Michael Fisher remembers Ken well:

“I remember Ken from the Radio Birmingham days and was delighted to meet him at the reunion last August. He was also the one who “closed” Radio Brum and re-opened it with its new brand of WM.”

Radio Birmingham and Radio WM producer and presenter Pete Simpkin adds the following information:

“Ken still lives within a stone’s throw of Pebble Mill and has a comprehensive collection of memorabilia about Radio Birmingham/ WM. We shared many hair raising situations ‘on air’ and also he was the person who actually suggested the name WM when change was mooted but was shouted down!”

Andy Caddick worked with Ken:

“I worked with Ken in the early 80’s when he presented the afternoon show on WM. Lovely man and voice.”

Sparks, Andy Frizzell remembers a challenging booking:

“I lit a New Year’s Eve show that Ken hosted/produced at Longbridge Social Club. Frank Ifield headlined and allegedly had a contract that insisted on a follow spot on him. Lighting for radio? Hmmmm.”

Tim Manning:

“As an aside, most of the photos for these promotional flyers for the re-launched Radio WM were taken by Stuart Roper at the back of Pebble Mill by the stream. He had a favourite spot for taking them.”