Pot Black

David Waine 1944-2021- obituary from Jerry Johns

David Waine in 2017

David Waine, who has died at the age of 76, had a career with the BBC spanning 30 years ending as Head of Broadcasting at BBC Pebble Mill in Birmingham.

After leaving school in 1960 he joined the Newbury Weekly News as a trainee reporter where he remained for five years including a spell as Sports Editor at the age of 18. He left in 1964 to become a freelance reporter covering Reading and South Berkshire for BBC South in Southampton as well as regularly contributing to the Radio 4 Today programme and The World At One, where he was known as ‘Waine of Newbury’. Later he joined the BBC in Bristol as a trainee television journalist. Attachments to Plymouth and BBC Southampton followed. The latter post included a memorable encounter with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor aboard the Queen Mary when he persuaded the reluctant Duke to take part in a three minute interview.

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This photo is of Jim Dumighan and producer Reg Perrin on the popular snooker series, Pot Black, which was made at Pebble Mill. It looks like the programme planning blackboard in the background.

The following comments were posted on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Julian Hitchcock: ‘We recorded it just after Christmas. Wonderful convivial days.’

Gordon Astley: ‘Pot Black was my first job when I joined the Beeb. On the first episode it was my responsibility to press ‘play’ on the tape machine for the iconic theme tune !’

Dawn and Kevin Hudson, with their Pot Black T-shirts

Pot Black team

This photo is of key members of the Pot Black team. Left to right: John Smith, director; Jane Mclean, PA; Steve Davis, snooker player; Jim Dumighan, series producer. Pot Black was the BBC’s snooker tournament which was broadcast from 1969. It was produced at Pebble Mill. Steve Davis won the tournament in 1982. The photo dates from 1991 and was published in Midlands News.

Thanks to Jim Dumighan for sharing the photo.

Midlands News Sept 1991

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

“This is the piece – Midlands News September 1991. Can’t remember when Smithy started up White Rabbit but 1991 will be about right. Two things I remember well – Ronnie O’Sullivan won the first Junior Pot Black I did aged about 15 (him not me) and was incredibly embarrassed when I congratulated him. He was only a sprog and so shy. When I started Pot Black, I hadn’t a clue how snooker worked. Just before we went into the Gallery, Smithy told me it was up to me to keep score – like only Smithy could. The TM – can’t remember which – gave me a lesson and I’ve been hooked ever since.”

Programme branded clothing

Photo by Robin Sunderland, no reproduction without permission

Cameraman Robin Sunderland has amassed quite a collection of BBC programme branded clothing over his years at Pebble Mill, including: Telly Addicts, Bollywood or Bust, Pot Black, Saturday Night at the Mill, Good Morning Summer.

Does anyone who which show the BBC XIII is?

Reg Perrin

Pot Black titles grab, copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

Come Dancing, copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

Director and producer, Reg Perrin died last Saturday 11th June 2016, aged 90.

The information about him below is from Jim Dumighan:

“He lived in Eastbourne for some years, having moved there from Nottinghamshire, where he settled after retiring from Pebble Mill. He celebrated his 90th birthday on 24th May with a family gathering.

Having started in radio in his native London, Reg moved into television and joined BBC Midlands in the 1950s. He worked closely with Barrie Edgar and Phil Lewis, and for many years acted as studio director of Come Dancing. One of the first series he directed from Gosta Green was Keep Fit with Eileen Fowler.

In 1970 Reg replaced Phil Lewis as producer of Pot Black. He later produced Jazz at the Mill, the first music special to come out of Pebble Mill in 1973.”

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