February 2015 – Page 4 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Lawrie Bloomfield retirement invitation

Official invitation to Lawrie Bloomfield, Managing Editor of Radio Shropshire’s black tie, retirement party. The invitation was made to Tony Inchley, Managing Editor of BBC Radio WM, and presenter, Pat de Whalley.

Thanks to Pat de Whalley for sharing this invitation, and keeping it safe for the last twenty years.

The following comment was published on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Pete Simpkin: ‘I worked with Lawrie in the 60s when he was a freelance working for BBC South in Southampton. A real character and great personality.’

John Bland and Dave Baumber

Photo by Peter Poole, no reproduction without permission.

The photo shows film editor John Bland, with dubbing mixer Dave Baumber in the background. It would have been taken around 1980.

Tony Pilgrim RIP

Tony Pilgrim is 2nd from the left in this clipping. Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

Tony Pilgrim, former Manager, Communications and Engineering Services, has died peacefully in his sleep, aged 91. He was responsible for much of the planning and organising of the move to Pebble Mill in 1970/1. The technical move involved the change from monochrome to colour TV, mono radio to stereo, and valves to transistors. It was a major cultural change. After the move, Tony was a key figure in the running of the building, until his retirement in 1983. In addition he was a pioneer in the development of the Royal Television Society, for which he was awarded an MBE, for services to the television industry.

Thanks to George Pagan, for the information above.

The following comment was left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Lynn Cullimore: ‘He was my first boss at pebble mill. Always beautifully dressed. Sorry to hear this sad news.’