Thanks to Richard Grantham for sharing these artist’s impressions of BBC Pebble Mill. They belonged to his late father, John Grantham. I’m told that John was in charge of the move to BBC Pebble Mill in 1971, from the other BBC buildings around Birmingham (Broad Street, Gosta Green, Carpenter Road).
Birmingham Post, Sept 1974
The first Pebble Mill Nursery opened in 1974. It was the earliest BBC staff nursery to open. Unfortunately, it didn’t stay open very long. Nicola Silk (pictured in the middle), aged 4, daughter of Stephanie Silk, was one of the first children to attend the nursery. She stayed until summer 1975, when she started Infants School. Stephanie formed the N.A.G. (Nursery Action Group) to try and stop early closure of the nursery, and was supported by the Union.
Queen Elizabeth meets Vera Lynn and Bill Pertwee
Queen Elizabeth with Jim Dumighan
Queen Elizabeth, Jim Dumighan, Phil Sidey, Keith Bullock and John Allinson top left next to Steve Pierson. Top right is Chris Harris behind Phil Sidey.
Jim Gray on camera, Geoff Nawn design assistant & Samantha Watkins make up next to Keith Bullock
Queen Elizabeth meets Peter Seabrook
Queen Elizabeth meets Marian Foster, Bill Pertwee
Alan Ford, Trevor Elwell from scenery is to Donny MacLeod’s right, Fred Foster, prop master, back left
Queen Elizabeth, Jim Dumighan, Phil Sidey
This cutting is from the opening of the Pebble Mill crèche in 1989 – one of the first in the BBC. It was actually Pebble Mill’s second creche, the first being in the 1970s, and only lasting a year or two. Ruth Barretto (Gill) and her daughter, Elena Rebekah were at the 1989 opening, along with Head of Broadcasting, David Waine and creche Manager, Pauline Mandry.
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
These photos date from the 1970s, after the Reception area was moved, when the original foyer was transformed into the studio for Pebble Mill at One.