December 2011 – Page 4 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Golden Oldie Picture Show -‘Come Outside’ – photo by Gail Herbert

Photo by Gail Herbert, no reproduction without permission.

This photo is of the location shoot for ‘The Golden Oldie Picture Show’ music video of the hit song, ‘Come Outside’. The song was a number one hit in 1962 for Mike Sarne, with vocals by actress Wendy Richard. There was a cover version by Judge Dread in 1975. I’m not sure which version G.O.P.S. used. The location for the shoot was at the Midlands Arts Centre, in Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston.

‘The Golden Oldie Picture Show’ was an entertainment show consisting of specially shot music videos for hits which pre-dated the music video era. It was linked by Radio 1 DJ, Dave Lee Travis, and was produced at Pebble Mill by John King’s department. Gail Herbert was the production assistant on the series which ran from 1985-8.

Dave Brazier – photo by Peter Poole

This photo was probably taken some time early 1980. David then worked as an assistant film editor. He later moved to floor management and is now a senior floor manager.

Peter Poole

Drama Production in the 1970s & 80s – Janice Rider

Specially shot video interview with costume designer, Janice Rider. No reproduction without permission.

In this interview Janice talks about television drama production in the 1970s and 80s, and compares the timescales to contemporary productions.

Here are a couple of comments from the Facebook page:

Paul Taylor: ‘Ahhh….. that mythical term in modern TV… Production Values. Unless the value is in ££s, the accountants don’t care!’

Kevin Lakin: ‘Agreed, very much so Paul, creative people were moved out of management, and replaced with penny pinching accountants.’

1 Inch VT Machines and their operators – photos by Brian Watkiss and Ian Collins

Photos by Brian Watkiss and Ian Collins, no reproduction without permission.

These photos show various Pebble Mill 1 Inch VT machines and their operators. Included are Mark Ray and Ian Pederson in the first photo, cameraman Simon Bennett in the second, and Brian Watkiss eating mini cheddars, with Jon Parker behind him. Jonathan Dick is also featured.

Pebble Mill at One – photo from Maggy Whitehouse

Photo from Maggy Whitehouse, no reproduction without permission.

The photo features key members of the Pebble Mill at One presentational team: (left to right) Magnus Magnusson, Paul Coia, Marian Foster, Bob Langley, Josephine Buchan. It probably dates from the mid 1980s. It was taken at Peta Newbold’s house in Selly Park, where everyone ended up after the very last Pebble Mill at One.