Queen’s Visit to Pebble Mill

The Queen visited Pebble Mill to celebrate the building’s tenth anniversary in 1981.  She went on the set of Pebble Mill at One and talked to several members of staff.  She is pictured with Phil Sidey, Head of Pebble Mill in photos 2 & 5, Jim Dumighan in photos 3,4 & 7, the man with the glasses is Mahendra Kaul OBE, one of the Asian Unit producers at the time, and in photos 5 and 10 the man on the extreme left is probably the late Alan Ford from the Postroom.

One person who was there but not pictured is the late John Pickles demoted from his job as head of BBC Scotland after his “Queen is dead” prank inevitably backfired.He was reduced to the ranks as manager of Radio WM & was definetly lurking wisely out of camera given the circumstances!He later took over BBC Hereford&Worcs.

Lynn Cullimore remembers: “I was stood with some of the cleaners and saw her quite close up. Did not get introduced though – don’t think I was grand enough for that. I remember we were designated where we could stand.”

Thanks to Ian Collins from post production for making these shots available, and to Conal O’Donnell, Jayne Savage, Jane McLean and Dave Milligan for providing additional information.

The Queen visiting Pebble Mill in 1981

King and Company – photos by Gail Herbert

Photos by Gail Herbert – no reproduction without permission.

King and Company was a series produced at  Pebble Mill by  executive producer John King.  It featured wildlife cameraman, Simon King (John’s son) on wildlife filming assignments with different celebrities.  It went out in 1988.  The featured celebrities included Wendy Richard, Liza Goddard, Mark McManus, David Essex, Toyah Willcox.  The filming subjects included deer, dormice, frogs, salmon, and golden eagles.

Gail’s photos show filming taking place, and the crews involved.  Gail was the production assistant, Tony Rayner the producer.  The cameramen include John Couzens, Alan Duxbury, John Williams, Dave Evans, Keith Froggatt, sound recordists include Alex Christison and Tony Wass.

Sebastian the Golden Eagle

‘Best of Brass’ – photo by Tony Swift

Best of Brass crew photograph

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This photo, by Tony Swift, is of the Best of Brass crew.  David Short (cameraman) who made the photo available thinks it was taken at the Derby Assembly Rooms.

Best of Brass was a knockout competition where brass bands competed against each other.  The finals were sometimes held at the Assembly Rooms, Derby, so this photo is may be from one of those occasions.  Ken Griffin was the producer, and Gerald Harrison the presenter.

Best of Brass went out between 1979 and 1988.

The photo includes Chris Harris in the middle towards the right with the dark beard, along with Ian Collins (VT editor) at the back, John Allinson (lighting director) and Phil Vaughan centre left and Dave Ballantyne and Bob Meikle centre right. Next to Chris could be Andy Mosedale and is it James French (camera) bottom left? Possibly Mahendra Chauhan? in the centre and Pete Eggleston on the left. Kay Alexander is next to James bottom left.  Terry Powell (costume) is next to Shelley Webber (make up). Possibly Norman Steemston with the beard next to the Camera bottom right. AFM Debbie Hood is also in the picture. (Thanks to Stuart Gandy, Dave Bushell, Lesley Weaver, Julian Hithcock and Terry Powell for identifying people).

Please add a comment if you have more information to add.

Last ‘Pebble Mill at One’ 1986 – Terry Powell (costume)

Selected bits from YouTube of the last ‘Pebble Mill at One’ show. The programme starts and Five Star perform in the distinctly unglamorous surroundings of the Pebble Mill building (including the scene dock, canteen, on the roof, switchboard area and an untidy office). But it’s nicely done and an interesting peek behind the scenes. I was there, it was a sad day. Then Anne and Nick’s show took over.

Terry Powell (costume)

‘Pebble Mill at One’ – Bugs Bunny Cartoon from Kevin Lakin

'Bugs Bunny' cartoon by Chuck Jones

This sketch was done by Chuck Jones… the inventor, producer, director of Bugs Bunny and many other cartoon characters.   He was on Pebble Mill at One in 1979, being interviewed by, I think, Bob Langley….. and while being interviewed, he was sketching and throwing them on the floor. After the show, he signed this one and gave it to me. I have been offered £500 pounds for this sketch, but I’m keeping it for now.

Kevin Lakin