November 2016 – Page 3 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Pebble Mill at One book

Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

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Thanks to cameraman Robin Sunderland for sharing his copy of this 1980’s Pebble Mill at One book. The front cover features presenters, Marian Foster, Bob Langley and Paul Coia, stood outside BBC Pebble Mill, whilst the back cover shows Marian in front of the Pebble Mill Heritage Tapestry, ‘Count Your Blessings’. The tapestry was very large, and was hung at one time in Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, although I remember it adorning one wall of the courtyard corridor outside Studio A at Pebble Mill in the 1990s.

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Pebble Mill on Midlands Today

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b081m154

There was a moving item on Midlands Today tonight (10th Nov 2016), with Nick Owen interviewing Pebble Mill series editor, Steve Weddle, about the campaign to erect a blue plaque to commemorate BBC Pebble Mill. The campaign seems to be building a momentum, and fingers crossed, the plaque will soon become a reality.

Nick also interviewed cameraman, John Williams, who shot a wealth of dramas and factual series during his long career at Pebble Mill. John has just published an autobiography about his life as a cameraman entitled, Shoot First – No Ordinary Life.

John’s book: Shoot First

Coincidentally, today marks the 45th anniversary of Princess Anne officially opening BBC Pebble Mill in 1971!

Princess Anne opening Pebble Mill 10th Nov 1971. Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.

Annie Gumbley adds that:

‘Steve Weddle did a brilliant interview with Adrian Goldberg on Radio WM this morning. At 4.15pm today Nick Owen will be on Radio WM talking about Pebble Mill & at 6.30 tonight on Midlands Today John Williams will be interviewed by Nick Owen talking about his book & Pebble Mill. The amazing thing is that today is the 45th Anniversary of the official opening of Pebble Mill Studios, opened by Princess Anne who arrived at 12 noon, on 10th November 1971. The photo shows John Williams, myself, Ivor Williams and Nick Owen where Ivor and myself (+Molly Dog) met up with them to pass on some photos of the event in 1971.’

John Williams, Annie Gumbley-Williams, Ivor Williams, Nick Owen. Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.

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Amin Hassan

Sad news I’m afraid. BBC Pebble Mill dresser, Amin Hassan died in his sleep last Saturday (5th Nov 2016). Amin was a very popular character, and had many good friends at Pebble Mill. He worked on numerous productions, particularly dramas, over a period of many years.

Amin Hassan, and Terry Powell. Photo from Terry Powell, no reproduction without permission

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BBC Birmingham remembers Pebble Mill heritage

BBC Birmingham at the Mailbox is remembering its heritage by naming some of its meeting rooms after famous Pebble Mill programmes.

The programmes being honoured include:

Pebble Mill at One

Good Morning with Anne and Nick

Howards’ Way

Tom Coyne

If you have any logos or photos of these programmes, which might be suitable to decorate the walls of the meeting rooms, then please get in touch. Vanessa

Cast and crew on Howards’ Way

Midlands Today presenters, Tom Coyne, back row, right.

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The following additional suggestions were added on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Helena Morrisey: ‘What about all the fine radio output too…? R3’s The Music Machine was a groundbreaking programme and produced at Pebble Mill.’

Stuart Gandy: ‘Not forgetting the popular local music show ‘Look Hear’. It was a big production for a local programme.’

Julie Hill: ‘Yes and what about Angels, Saturday Night at the Mill, The Clothes Show, Gardeners World, Ebony.’

Jane Clement: ‘If they name any more rooms, I would suggest The Archers. And Donny MacLeod.’

Jane Ward: ‘Midlands Radio Orchestra?’

Sue Welch: ‘Only TV? How about all the Radio 2 output and Radios 3 &4, not to mention 5?’

Bill Bohanna: ‘”Gangsters”, “Boys from the Black Stuff”, “All Creatures Great and Small” more to follow’

Mike Hayes: ‘Do not forget David Steel & Michael Hancock…’

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Keith Moreton

Pebble Mil scene dock, photo by Jim Gregory, no reproduction without permission

Tony Wolfe, Barry Chatfield, Annie Morris, Keith Moreton. Photo Jane McLean, no reproduction without permission

Keith Moreton and Jane McLean. Photo from Jane McLean, no reproduction without permission

Derek Price and Keith Moreton, photo by Jane McLean, no reproduction without permission

Keith Moreton sadly died last Thursday 3rd November 2016, after a short illness. Keith was a Charge-hand Electrician at Pebble Mill, along with Phil Vaughan, Keith Bullock, Roger Hynes and Derek McCulloch.

(Thanks to Annie Gumbley-Williams for passing on this news).

The following memories of working with Keith were added to the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Lesley Weaver: ‘Many happy memories of working with Keith. What a lad! I especially remembering him sitting in the Make up room at Pebblemill showing me how to fill in my T&D’s the ‘Sparks Way’ for a block of filming we both did on the same programme .. It may have been Nannys. Needless to say it was instantly rejected in our office… unlike his no doubt!’

Bridget Jenkins: ‘Coming into my office on Friday lunchtimes to encourage me down to the club. And me a fine upstanding Personnel Officer! He lightened up many a dull day.’

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