Building – Page 102 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Pebble Mill flood – photos by Marie Phillips

Photo by Marie Phillips, no reproduction without permission.

In summer 1987 a massive water pipe ruptured in Selly Park and flooded the playing field, BBC Club, front car park and part of the Pershore Road.

The Club was out of action for several months, whilst the building dried out. The Club transferred back to the 2nd floor of the Pebble Mill office block whilst the refurbishment took place.

The photo shows the flooded playing fields, with the Club building visible in the bottom left hand corner, and the Pershore Road behind. It was taken from the main office block.

Recording Sound Effects for the Archers

Photo from Gill Powell, no reproduction without permission.

The photo shows sound recordists Lee Harrigan and Rob Taylerson, in the Pebble Mill car park making a recording of Carl Dolan’s car engine for when Eddie Grundy went stock car racing in ‘The Archers’.

Gordon Astley adds the following comment on the Facebook Page: ‘recording Archers FX was my first job when I joined Broad Street in’69. I believe we played them in on one of the 1st Mellotrons. John Lennon had the first. Do I remember correctly? I have dined out on it ever since .’

Pebble Mill paper-weight

Thanks to Marie Phillips for making the paper-weight available.

Marie Phillips was secretary to Pebble Mill, Senior Personnel and Admin Manager, Andy Tylee, for five years and to Senior Human Resources Manager, Bridget Allen, for one year, in the 1980s. The Pebble Mill paper-weights date from the 1980s, and were produced as corporate gifts for visitors.

Ivor Williams on location – photos by Ian Collins

Photos by Ian Collins, no reproduction without permission.

The photos show Pebble Mill VT Editor Ivor Williams ‘working’ on location at an outside broadcast.

It was when Ivor got his job as an Editor. The location was Leicester Velodrome, where the crew were based for 2 weeks to cover the cycling. The photo is probably from the mid ’80s.

Thanks to Ian Collins for providing the information.

Pebble Mill at One – Goodyear Airship

These stills are from the visit of the Goodyear airship to ‘Pebble Mill at One’.

Please add a comment if you can add any information, or know the approximate year.

Conal O’Donnell left the message on the Facebook page: ‘I think it was in the mid -eighties.I did a piece on it for WM.We sauntered over Coventry at about 2,500 ft -it was a wonderful way to fly in ideal conditions . I wouldn’t fancy it in anything other than ordinary weather tho’.One of the most bizarre aspects of it was the ground handling crew were all Vietnamese boat people.’