Category: Factual

Terry Dobson

Terry Dobson, who launched the Pebble Mill at One programme in 1972 and remained its editor until 1978, died on Saturday, 19th September in Devon. He was 87.
Terry joined Pebble Mill from BBC North East, and left Birmingham in 1978 to become Regional Television Manager at BBC South, Southampton.
In the mid 80’s he returned to Pebble Mill as Managing Editor, English regions.
(text from Jim Dumighan)
The photos feature Terry Dobson and the Pebble Mill at One production office, and date from the mid 1970s. They were taken by Ken Williams.

Pebble Mill at One, HMS Dreadnought – David Weir

copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

Pebble Mill at One: HMS Dreadnought – 14/2/80 ………..
And…..cue the submarine”.

With those words [surely one of the best ever cues over talkback!]  John Smith, the Director, began yet another “first” for the Pebble Mill @ One team with a live broadcast from a nuclear submarine, HMS Dreadnought, near Faslane off the west coast of Scotland on the 14th February, 1980. The submarine took it’s cue, broke through the surface of the  choppy Firth of the Clyde and appeared in all it’s glory to the music of the opening title sequence. What happened next – I will never forget.

John Smith was an inspirational Producer/Director and not exactly known for taking “No” or “It can’t be done” for an answer. He was the driving force behind many of Pebble Mill’s ambitious live programmes – particularly those involving the military.

Continue reading →

BBC PA issue stopwatch

Former Radio and TV production assistant, Caroline Feldon (now Parsons) was going through some of her old BBC stuff and came across the stopwatch which she used during her Radio 3 and TV gallery days. It still works and as you can see has the official number on the back. Solid and reassuring!

Copyright Caroline Feldon, no reproduction without permission

Bob Langley’s Walks in the Lakes

Here are a couple of phots of presenter Bob Langley, with the late, great Jack Charlton. The show was Bob Langley’s Walks in the Lakes, from 1983.

Copyright, Jane McLean, no reproduction without permission

Copyright Jane McLean, no reproduction without permission

Harrier landing 1982

Copyright, Keith Warrender, no reproduction without permission

Here is a photo from Keith Warrender of the landing of the Harrier in 1982, during an episode of Pebble Mill at One. It was one of director John Smith’s episodes. You’ll see the new club building visible on the right of the picture, which hadn’t been open long. Keith thinks he must have popped in to the Club for a lunchtime drink after taking this picture on an off-shift day from TAR (Technical Apparatus Room).