Copyright Janice Rider, no reproduction without permission.
Janice Rider was a costume designer at BBC Pebble Mill, working on a range of different programmes, both drama, factual and entertainment.
These photos are from ‘The Golden Oldie Picture Show’ from 1986. The entertainment series consisted of music videos made for hit songs,which pre-dated the music video era.
The videos were linked by Dave Lee Travis. John King was the executive producer.
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
These grabs are from the Pebble Mill regional youth entertainment programme, ‘Look! Hear!’. The programme was presented by Toyah Willcox, and regularly hosted performances by well known bands, like Duran, Duran.
Thanks to Ian Collins for making them available.
The following comments were posted on the Pebble Mill Facebook Group:
Stuart Gandy: ‘Yes I certainly remember working on this show with Duran Duran in it. It was I suppose unusual for a regional opt out programme to have such a big production as this. Each show would have 3 bands on at least and they always as far as I can remember played live, unlike TOTP where they usually didn’t. One of the first programmes I worked on in 1980 when I joined as a TA in opps, this was exciting stuff to get to see all these bands live.’
David Ackrill: ‘Don’t remember the actual show, but would have watched Toyah and Duran Duran on Look! Hear! if Mum and Dad had let me (until I left home and got married and no time to myself at the time). Strange to think a queen of punk would end up doing voice overs for the children’s program called Brum !’
Copyright Steve Harris, no reproduction without permission.
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
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
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.)
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!’