Marian Foster – Page 2 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Pebble Mill at One Tapestry

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This article is from the Pebble Mill at One book from the 1985-6 season, and gives details about the large tapestry which was sewn by viewers, and far exceeded what had been originally envisaged. The heritage tapestry was the brainchild of designer Kaffe Fassett, and was acquired by the Duchess of Devonshire for display at Chatsworth House. The tapestry was made up of six inch squares, completed by viewers of the programme. Marian sewed her own square, depicting the North East of her childhood. A second tapestry was displayed at Harewood House in Yorkshire, and an additional panel was displayed in one of the corridors at Pebble Mill, but I don’t know what happened when the building closed in 2004.

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Pebble Mill at Ten

This is the ten year anniversary show of Pebble Mill at One, from 1982. It features the landing of the Harrier, amongst other memorable items. Some, like the ‘Black and White Minstrels’ are very much of their time, and seem quite shocking when viewed today. It is presented by Marian Foster, Donny Mcleod and Bob Langley.

Screen grab of the opening titles. Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.

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Pebble Mill at One book

Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

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Thanks to cameraman Robin Sunderland for sharing his copy of this 1980’s Pebble Mill at One book. The front cover features presenters, Marian Foster, Bob Langley and Paul Coia, stood outside BBC Pebble Mill, whilst the back cover shows Marian in front of the Pebble Mill Heritage Tapestry, ‘Count Your Blessings’. The tapestry was very large, and was hung at one time in Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, although I remember it adorning one wall of the courtyard corridor outside Studio A at Pebble Mill in the 1990s.

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Pebble Mill at One Reunion 2012

This article by Peter Seabrook about a Pebble Mill at One presenters’ reunion, remembering 40 years since the start of series, was published in the Sun on 27th October 2012. Peter Seabrook is the Sun’s resident gardening expert.

Thanks to Roy Thompson for sharing the article.

The following comment was left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Keith Brook (aka Scouse):

‘Seeweed, who I still call a doddery old fart every time I see him, was a wonderful, kind and professional presenter.

He knew that rehearsals were often non-existent, so he’d tip me off about what needed close-ups seconds after I arrived with the camera for his live piece’

Pebble Mill Tapestry

In 1984 Marian Foster and Kaffe Fassett oversaw the Heritage Tapestry, which was made up of 6″x 6″ squares sent in by viewers of Pebble Mill at One. The tapestry was quite eclectic with each square having a different subject, colour, style etc. Apparently at least 2,000 viewers contributed to the tapestry. Sewing the tapestry together must have been a big job. It was displayed a a number of exhibitions, but housed at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. It left Chatsworth in May 1993. I remember the tapestry hanging in the corridor overlooking the courtyard at Pebble Mill, which ran along the side of Studio A.

I cannot find a photograph of the tapestry, and I don’t know what happened to it when the building closed in 2004. Please add a comment, if you know any more about the tapestry, or what happened to it.

The tapestry used to hang in the corridor to the left hand-side of this photograph. Photo by Philip Morgan