Steve Weddle – Page 6 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Children in Need – Viv Ellis

It all started with a glass of wine in the club, as so many things did back then. I was working on Daytime Live as a producer/director having previously been at Radio WM. Gyn Freeman whom I had known at WM was one of the team coming up with that year’s Children In Need inserts from Pebble Mill. I have a horrible feeling it was 1988. Anyway, by the end of the evening I had accepted a dare to be sawn in half by a magician. Live. We conjured up a magician called Tony Shelley from Sutton Coldfield and for quite a few weeks I would go to his home so he could train me. On the night, Peter Purves was really funny – though I do think a Blue Peter badge for me would have been in order!

As for Steve Weddle, the editor of Daytime dressing as a chicken – it was kinda normal for him.

Viv Ellis

Pebble Mill at One – wrap party

Photo from Maggy Whitehouse, no reproduction without permission.

This photo is from the end of run party for Pebble Mill at One, in May 1986. The party was held at Peta Newbold’s house.

Included in the photo are Magnus Magnusson, Paul Coia, Maggy Whitehouse, David Lancaster, Josephine Buchan, Bob Langley, Steve Weddle, Jane Clement, Bev Wildman (now Thompson), Steph Silk.

Pebble Mill at One Production Team

Photo from Maggy Whitehouse, no reproduction without permission.

The photo is of the ‘Pebble Mill at One’ production team.

Included are, left to right, back row: Magnus Magnusson, Norma Scott, David Lancaster, Josephine Buchan, Anne Varley, Bob Langley, Pat Langley, Steph Silk, Steve Weddle. Crouching: David Weir, Jane Clement, Viv Ellis, Marian Foster, Di Reid. Front row: Jo Dewar, Beverleigh Wildman (now Thompson), Sue Ashcroft, Peta Newbold, Paul Coia.

Cool It

Photos and drawing from costume designer, Janice Rider, no reproduction without permission. The main photo is of Phil Cool performing a Rolf Harris sketch.

‘Cool It’ was a 1985 comedy series, presented by Phil Cool. It was directed in Studio A by David Weir, and produced at Pebble Mill by Steve Weddle. The script was written by Phil Cool, along with Jasper Carrott.

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook group about ‘Cool It’:

Stuart Gandy: ‘It was the programmes he made at Pebble Mill that brought him to stardom.’

Lynda Kettle: ‘I remember this! Phil Cool was so stressed out spent ages pulling faces in the mirror! Needed a stiff drink!’

Denny Hodge: ‘I did the warm up on the show and Phil had the same manager as Jasper. Steve Weddell was the producer.’

Jane Green: ‘Oh crumbs I worked on this too. Must dig out the end of run photos. I playfully ‘punched’ Phil in the tummy as we joked about something. He then said he’d just had a hernia op. I laughed louder thinking it was a joke and then he said it was true. And it was. :-/ I was alone in a sound room with Jasper Carrott for this programme too, and Jasper just didn’t stop cracking jokes. My sides hurt from laughing. Great fun this programme. Loved it. I remember Denny’s audience warm ups – hysterical!!!’

Julian Hitchock: ‘I remember that Steve was very keen to give Phil Cool this opportunity. Now I hear nothing of him, or Steve, who I hope is well,- and haven’t seen Jaspar C for ages. As Jane said, he was hysterical and very clever indeed. Please come back, all of you.’

Relaxing after ‘Pebble Mill at One’

Photo by Jane Mclean, no reproduction without permission.

The photo is of some of the ‘Pebble Mill at One’ production team, left to right: Steve Weddle, Richard Pearson, Ellie Lacey, Dave Swarbrick.

The photo was probably taken in the Pebble Mill Club, after an episode of ‘Pebble Mill at One’ had just gone out.