Studio C – Page 2 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Children in Need – Simon Bates

Simon Bates, Cathy Houghton, Mick Murphy

Children in Need photos dating from the late 1980s/early 1990s, with Midlands Today’s Cathy Houghton briefing presenter Simon Bates on the evening’s proceedings, in Studio C – the Foyer. Mick Murphy tickling the ivories!

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:

Siobhan Maher Kennedy: Mick Murphy I remember him! I got my CBBC job from being a presenter for the Children in Need from Pebble Mill in 1986.

Rosalind Gower: Yes it was 1990, one of the years I produced it with Simon Bates and Toyah Willcox presenting. That year all the production team, crews etc all wore fancy dress and I remember Mick getting that snazzy outfit from wardrobe.

Morning Surgery

Morning Surgery was a factual medical show presented by GP, Dr Mark Porter, and Lydia Thomas. The aim was to take the mystery out of medical matters. It was a spin off programme from Good Morning with Anne and Nick, where Dr Mark Porter was a regular contributor on medical phone-ins. The show went out in June and September 1993. The show was recorded in Studio C, the Foyer.

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:

Sarah Dunning: ‘Tony Fisher’s logo design methinks?’

Sue Robinson: ‘I directed it but I can’t remember ANYTHING about who else worked on it or when it went out! The one thing I do remember is that Mark and Lydia used to get the most ridiculous giggles about virtually all of the more “sensitive” subjects. It was great fun.’

Helen Taylor: ‘I certainly do, I produced it!!! It was a 15 minute programme and for some reason I remember doing an item on febrile convulsions! Absolutely remember Sue directing and I think Tony did design the logo. Claire Stride nursed me through my first foray into producing.’

Jane Maclean: ‘I was the PA! And even before I read Sue’s comment, my first thought was Mark and Lydia completely corpsing. Other than that, can’t remember….’

Peta Newbold producing Pebble Mill at One

Photo by Maggy Whitehouse, no reproduction without permission.

The photo shows Peta Newbold producing Magnus Magnusson and John Pilger on Pebble Mill at One, in the Foyer Studio (Studio C). John Westcott ( Floor Manager ) is by the doors, Richard Hindson ( scene crew ) holding the block.

(Thanks to Kevin Lakin for identifying some of the crew).

The last Pebble Mill at One

Photo from Maggy Whitehouse, no reproduction without permission.

Photograph of the last edition of ‘Pebble Mill at One’ in 1986, taken in Studio C, probably during rehearsal, or whilst prepping during a music number or VT insert. Included are, left to right: Magnus Magnusson, Marian Foster, Canon John Ely, Marjorie Lofthouse next to Paul Coia (seated), Michael Smith, with Josephine Buchan next to the impressive champagne pyramid! The floor manager in the foreground is Caroline Matthews.

The following comments were added on the Pebble Mill Facebook Group:

Julian Hitchcock: ‘I was an AP on “On the House” at the time. However, as a mark of respect, I took part as a volunteer Floor Assistant. It was the last bit of floor management I ever did…’

Peter Poole: ‘I worked on this programme. Pebble Mill Road had crowds of viewers with placards saying “Save our Pebble Mill” . I can’t remember any other programmes getting this reaction from the public.’

Maggy Whitehouse: ‘And one of them got into the official photograph somehow. No idea how she managed it but there’s this old lady looking slightly bemused.’

Keith Salmon on Children in Need

Photo by Sue Robinson, no reproduction without permission.

The photo shows cameraman, Keith Salmon, and camera, dressed up for a ‘Children in Need’ evening show, from the Studio C, Foyer, with pledge call takers in the background, circa 1991.