Building – Page 116 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Dubbing Theatre – photos by Peter Poole

Photos by Peter Poole, no reproduction without permission.

The Dubbing Theatre Gets Computer Automation.

The Neve mixing desk replaced the original BBC Type D mixer. This was a major upgrade in technology and enabled more complex mixes to be done. The Neve desk featured “Flying Faders”. When the fader was moved its position was stored in the computer. This data was then used to control the servo motor and move the fader. The other photos show the Perfectone Rapimag Sepmag bays and the “Grams” sub mixer area. The assistant dubbing mixer operates the grams sub mixer and plays discs, tapes and CDs to add to the final mix.

Engineering and Comms Quarterly Report 1982

This document from 1982 might not appear to be the most exciting, but includes some really interesting details about things like the installation of the third gallery. A fascinating snapshot of the Comms side of the Pebble Mill operation.

Thanks to Stuart Gandy for making the report available.

Pebble Mill in the Snow

This photo of Pebble Mill in the snow probably dates from the early 1990s.

Thanks to director David Wheeler for making the photo available.

Pebble Mill Open Day – brochure from Stuart Gandy

This brochure was produced for a Pebble Mill Open Day, probably from the late 1980s or 1990. The building would open its doors to the public, and showcase the productions made there. Live studio shows would be staged throughout the day, and in fact proved a great training opportunity for staff to try out new skills like multi camera directing.

Thanks to Stuart Gandy for keeping this brochure safe over the years, and for making it available – and it’s been signed by Ed Doolan!

Pebble Mill at One – photos by Tim Savage

Photos by Tim Savage, no reproduction without permission.

The photos show the building of a set on the back lawn at Pebble Mill. You can see the building behind the set.

These cottages were positioned in the same place as the ‘On The House’ house, although these photos pre-date the 1980’s DIY series.

I thought at first the set must have been for a drama, but Tim Savage tells me they were part of a short series of items on ‘Pebble Mill at One’ about refurbishing old houses. They would have been taken in the early 1980s.