With highlights from Ariel

November 2009 Number 8

Homebrewedsuccess

The 60-plus web resistors

page 6-7

Learn more 8-9

On the up: deficitfalls assharesrecover

Page 3

PROSPERONovember 2009

News

2 • • November • 2009

Editorial contributions

Write to Robin ReynoldsThe Editor, ProsperoBBC Pension & Benefits CentreBroadcasting HouseCardiff, CF5 2YQTel: 020 7765 1414prosperoeditor@ntlworld.com

Please make sure that any digitalpictures you send are scannedat 250 dpiDesign & production editor: Ann Ramsbottom

Prospero is provided free toretired BBC employees. It canalso be sent to spouses ordependants who want to keepin touch with the BBC. Itincludes news about formercolleagues, pension issues,and developments at theBBC. Prospero includesclassified advertisements. Toadvertise in Prospero or theBBC Staff magazine, Ariel,see page 11.

Subscription information forAriel is on page 12

Complete the square using the clues; these apply only to wordsrunning across. Then take these words in numerical order andextract the letters indicated by a dot. If your answers are correct,these letters will spell out the names of two BBC performers ofyesteryear.

Please send your answers in an envelope marked Crospero to TheEditor, Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, BroadcastingHouse, Cardiff CF5 2YQ by November 20.

Clues: 1. Distant (4); 2. Earthquake (5); 3. Wide awake (5); 4.Council dump (3); 5. Helmsman (3); 6. On fire (6); 7. Feminine pro-noun (3); 8. Worcestershire Town (3); 9. Catch (3); 10. Bird in fable(3); 11. People with gavels (11); 12. Period (3); 13. Title (3); 14.Chief (3); 15. Popular gardens (3); 16. Go over again (5); 17.Concealed (3); 18. By way of (3); 19. Make a speech (5); 20. Lazyperson (5); 21. Refute (4).

Solution to Crospero No. 142: Map; Apace; Rodent; Ova; Haw;Elate; Fan; Emend; Icy; Mob; Area; Erse; Wit; Red; Troll; Mud; Aisle;Rip; Mil; Reason; Lycee; Per.The BBC series was Parahandy: Master Mariner.

The winner of Crospero 142 is Mr Richard Cox of Norwich.

1

3

2

4

5 6

••

7 8 9

10

13

16

19

20 21

17

18

14 15

11

12

•

•

•

•

• •

•

•

•

•

•

••

•

•

•

•

••

CROSPERO 143Devised and compiled by Jim Palm

Mixed SourcesProduct group from well-managedforests, controlled sources and recycled wood or fiberWWW.fsc.org Cert no. SA-COC-1468

c 1996 Forest Stewardship Council

The BBC Heritage website has beenrelaunched with expanded content – andin every key section there are windowsinviting perspectives and memories fromformer staff. The site, which can be accessed at

bbc.co.uk/historyofthebbc, includes an‘anniversary of the week’, with short clipsand memories. In addition, an animatedtimeline lists ten ‘innovation moments’for each decade.It’s part of a plan to move away from

BBC ‘nostalgia’, and recast the BBCstory as one of continuous innovation –in technology, creative formats andrelationships with audiences.‘I’ve been looking at our story, and

asking what it tells us about our future aswell as the past,’ explains Robert Seatter,head of BBC history. ‘As part of thatanalysis, I’m focusing every year onparticular anniversaries which saysomething meaningful about wherewe’ve come from and where we are.Above all, I’m interested in the impact ofthe BBC on people’s lives and how it’smade a difference in the life of thenation.’As part of that, BBC History recently

held a seminar on the 70th anniversary of

the day that WW2 broke out (September3 1939), exploring how the war radicallychanged the BBC’s relationship withgovernment as well as home andinternational audiences.‘WW2, more than anything else in our

history, defined BBC “voice”, linking itinextricably with Britishness both in thenational and international psyche,’ addsRobert.Looking ahead, next year’s 25th

anniversary of EastEnders, alongside 60years of The Archers, provides anopportunity to put groundbreaking soapsin a historic context, showing how theyhave reflected and continue to reflect thestory of the UK at a street level.‘I’m particularly keen to hear from

people who have memories of TheArchers and EastEnders,’ he says. ‘Wewill be marking those anniversaries inpartnership with the National MediaMuseum in Bradford via a seasonincluding exhibitions, speaker platforms,learning and community outreach. Itwould be wonderful to enrich thecelebration with first-hand accounts frompeople directly involved in making theprogrammes. So please do send us yourcontributions.’

Did you work at Bush House, left, or theMaida Vale studios? If so you may havememories and perspectives to flesh out thehistories of two important BBC centres.Recently the BBC marked 75 years at

Maida Vale, a former ice rink, taken overby the BBC in 1934. It is the home of theBBC Symphony Orchestra, seenunloading their instruments in 1935, right,and hosted many famous performancesand recordings. Outside its classicalremit, it was used for John Peel’s Radio 1sessions, and was home to theRadiophonic Workshop.And as the big West One building

project progresses, World Service isworking on its plans to commemorateBush House as a BBC building. Somedepartments have already moved, withthe final phase planned for 2012.

Memories of Bush and Maida Vale

Creative approach to historyputs memories at its heart

How tocontributeRecent anniversaries have included:• Terry and June (October 24 1979)• Ceefax (September 23 1974)• Monty Python (October 5 1969)• The Wednesday Play (October 28 1964)

• The Saga of Noggin the Nog(September 11 1959)

• BBC Monitoring (August 26 1939)

If any of these anniversaries triggermemories you would like to share,contact Prospero (see addressbottom left) or go to Robert Seatterdirect.

The best way to reach him is by email– robert.seatter@bbc.co.uk.

‘However I know that the people withthe longest memories are thoseleast likely to have email. So youcan also write to me at BBC History,Room 5126, White City, Wood Lane,London W12 7RJ.’

November • 2009 • • 3

News

Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms) Pension Number

First Name Surname

Address

Postcode Date of birth

Tel Number e-mail

Individual Annual Subscription £10.00Joint Annual Subscription £15.00Life Membership (over 80) £50.00

I would like to make a donation £

BBC PENSIONERS’ ASSOCIATIONa strong association for a safe pension

BBCPA has been working for over 20 years to protect and safeguard your BBC Pension

Why not join us?Your support is vital to ensure our voice is heard. Just fill in the form below or visit our web site:

www.bbcpa.org.uk

BBCPA is an independent organisation which operates to support the interests of BBC Pensioners

It may not be orange, but the future certain-ly isn’t as grey as it was. At March 31 theFTSE 100 was 3926. At the end ofSeptember it stood at 5133.The figures, as Pension Investments

manager David Shaw explained at thepensioner liaison meeting on October 1, addup to good news for the BBC fund. He shared them with around 60 retired staff

at the meeting in London, and he alsoproduced a graph showing share movementsover recent decades.The purpose was to illustrate points the

Trustees have been making ever since sharesplummeted last year. Namely, that markets fluctuate and bounce

back, and that pension investments are forthe long term.‘As you can see,’ he said, pointing to the

graph, ‘the market recovered from both the1987 and 1993 crashes. It also recoveredfrom the crash after the technology bubblein 2003.’Looking at more recent movements, the

figures from March to September 30 – theday before the liaison meeting – equity markets showed a 30% improvement.‘So don’t get too depressed,’ he said. ‘These

figures significantly increase the value of theassets held by the scheme.’And it wasn’t a one-day wonder. As

Prospero went to press, the FTSE 100 wasfluctuating around 5000.But no one is counting any chickens. Jan

Killick, head of Pensions, stressed that the truepicture of assets against liabilities won’t beknown until a full valuation of the scheme asat next April. It won’t depend entirely on share

values, and even if the markets continue tomake a recovery, the valuation is still likely toshow a shortfall.‘One of the things the actuary will look at is

how long pensioners are living,’ she cautioned.‘And every time they do a valuation, they findthat pensioners are living longer.’While that’s good news in one sense, it

means that new assumptions will have to bemade about longevity.‘It means the scheme will need more

money to pay those pensions over thatlonger period.’Discussions about that will continue after

the valuation, she said, but it’s likely to meanbigger contributions from the BBC, andadditional securities – which could take theform of BBC assets signed over to the Fund– to bolster the asset base.

Better news as sharemarkets turn a corner

The BBC Pensioners’ Association is conducting tests of its own to prove or disprove the BBC Pension Trust’s assertionthat in a typical year the December RPI is no better or worse than the RPI for anyother month for the purpose of calculatingpension increases.The move, shared with pensioners at three

regional BPA meetings in October, followslast year’s 0.9% pension increase. The increasewas based on the RPI rise from December2007 to December 2008. But as many pensioners pointed out, had the increase beenbased on September-to-September figures,they would have benefited to the tune of 5%.The Trust argued that it’s swings and

roundabouts.‘Over time,’ Trustee Geoff Jones told the

association AGM, ‘experience has shownthat there is no great merit in choosing onemonth over another.’Was he right? Alan Bilyard, association

treasurer and one-time director of businessaffairs for BBC Worldwide, will be goingback over past RPI figures, month bymonth, and hopes to produce a definitiveanswer.‘The records go back to 1947,’ he told

Prospero. ‘But I’ll probably just go back overthe last 20 years. And I will be very interest-ed in the result.’It was among a number of issues covered in

discussions at BPA meetings in Glasgow,

Cardiff and Norwich.Some were perenniels – notably the pension

levelling option, which is a continuing grievance for some. Others were new – including a feeling

that August 14 to September 4 offered insufficient time for pensioners to vote inthe recent trustee ballot.Sandra Phillips, secretary to the trustees,

said they had following the recommendationof Electoral Reform Services, who ran theelection on behalf of the trustees – but addedthat they could look at allowing more timein future.And at the meeting in Scotland there was a

big what if. What if, as nationalists have suggested, the BBC in Scotland were tobecome the Scottish BroadcastingCorporation? The association pointed outthat, whatever happens to the BBC, the fundis ringfenced.

Tributes to anold campaignerPanorama reporter, author and campaignerSir Ludovic Kennedy has died aged 89.Obituaries paid tribute to his style and his

pursuit of justice.‘Ludo added much to the stock of public

life, education and gaiety,’ said TheGuardian. Duncan Campbell wrote: ‘He frequently

challenged the establishment notion thatreopening [historic] cases undermined faithin the judicial system.’And The Times said: ‘With his trademark

look of wry bemusement, Kennedy laced hisincisive questioning with an idiosyncraticcharm that became the blueprint for a gen-eration of journalists and a huge hit withviewers.’

Ernie’s anguishErnie Wise wanted to break up his doubleact with Eric Morecambe, Eric’s son Garyhas revealed in a book, You'll Miss Me WhenI'm Gone, marking the 25th anniversary ofhis father’s death.His father’s papers include a letter from

Ernie, written around 1950, before the pairhad made their mark in television. Erniemade it clear how much he valued hisfriendship with Morecambe, but feared hewas losing his ‘zip’.Gary says his father told Ernie: ‘Rubbish!’

‘Mud’ singer diesOpera singer and long-running radio panel-list Ian Wallace has died aged 90.To the post-war generation he was known

for his signature tune The HippopotamusSong, otherwise known as Mud, GloriousMud.But to Radio 4 listeners he was best-

known for his appearances on My Music,never missing an appearance in 27 yearsfrom 1967 to 1994.

Carols at BushThis year's Bush House Carol Service is onMonday December 7, 1.10 to 2pm in St.Mary le Strand church (opposite BushHouse). The speaker is Mark Wakefield ofthe BBC Trust.

BPA to testbest monthfor pensioncalculations

The BPA recent meetings in Norwich (top) and Cardiff

Memories

4 • • November• 2009

How lucky I was, aged 18, to get my first jobin the BBC Club Office in Langham Placeworking for the late Margaret Castle, a stal-wart member of the Riding Club.

As a very keen rider, by the end of that firstday I had joined the Riding Club – and thusstarted a wonderful time with the RidingClub which gave me great friends withwhom I am still in touch.

The three horses were stabled at SummerMews, Hyde Park, firstly looked after by theterrifying Mrs Bruce, and then by anAustralian, Ross Nye.

Weekly riding lessons took place onMonday and Thursday evenings at the RoyalMews, Knightsbridge Barracks and thenWellington Barracks, under the direction ofGeoff Dorset [could this be the Mr Dawsonmentioned below? – ed] who taught theMounted Police.

One evening at the Royal Mews a palaceEquerry turned up with a key having beeninstructed by Prince Philip to let us intoWindsor Park, so that we could ride therewhenever we wanted.

Perhaps he felt sorry for our horses alwaysin London. Whatever the reason, this gener-ous gesture was much used, and we wouldtake the horses down each weekend for agood gallop which was greatly enjoyed byhorses and humans alike.

After the demolition of Hyde Park Mewsthe horses moved out of London to ParkFarm, Northwood. This was a long journeyfor us all but the club continued to thriveand we had the benefit of an indoor school.

The annual Trek was always looked for-ward to. One, over the downs toMarlborough in 1966, provided great hilari-ty when the farmer would only let us campthere if the boys went in one field and thegirls in another with the horse between us!

We ran our own BBC Horse Show inBalloon Meadow, Windsor. Big equestriannames such as Alan Oliver used to partici-pate. Windsor Barracks used to lend us‘squaddies’ to build the jumps, and it causedgreat amusement when their CO asked

whether we wanted them‘dressed or undressed’.

The Riding Club enteredmany horse shows, usually thosespecialising in riding clubevents. The most memorablewas the Royal InternationalHorse Show at Wembley theyear it was held in the WembleyFootball Stadium (the Whitecity stadium was being demol-ished to build BBC WhiteCity). Our team of three led theriding clubs onto the ‘hallowedturf ’, and riding through thetunnel into the stadium had anelectric effect on the horses.

To the horses who made allthe fun times possible – Henry, Kildare,Spotty and Giles to name but four – thankyou.Helen Faircliff (nee Wienholt) (ex OBs)

The school ofhard knocksI think I can claim to be one of the veryearly members.

It was during my time working as a newstypist in Foreign Services News Division(FSND) at Bush House that I saw the invitation to join the newly formed RidingClub.

It was arranged that we should receiveour instruction at Knightsbridge Barracks.Having acquired a secondhand pair ofjodhpurs and some very unyielding leatherriding boots, I rather self-consciouslycaught the bus to Knightsbridge.

Arriving at the barracks, I was ratherunnerved to find I had to walk the lengthof the riding stables where the soldierswere engaged in grooming their horses. Braving all the whistles andremarks as I clattered in my hard soled riding boots on the stone flagged floor, Ieventually entered the indoor ridingschool.

I joined about ten other novices waitingfor our horses to be lined up in one longrow. In front of them stood the ridinginstructor dressed immaculately in blackriding gear, hair greased back and looking,to me, rather menacing.

He had been borrowed from the policeforce for our weekly training. His firstcommand was to mount our horses.

Mine appeared to be the biggest onethere. I raised my foot shoulder high, butcould not reach the stirrup. With an exasperated sigh the instructed strode overto me and hoisted me up into the saddle.We did some limbering-up exercises (sitting back to front in the saddle and soon).

Then came the order to ‘walk on’, andsoon I was enjoying the experience ofsedately circuiting the arena.

Then came the command to ‘trot on’,and all the other horses did – except mine.Impatiently, the instructor strode over withhis crop and struck my horse on the buttocks.

The next thing I remembered was waking up on the floor with the anxiousface of the instructor looking down at me.

‘Are you alright,’ he enquired. ‘I think so,’ I said. ‘Well, get back on that horse then.’It was afterwards that the other riders

told me the horse had bucked me offstraight over his head. Lucky there wasplenty of sawdust on the floor – and a lotof it on my face.Carol Broughton

60 years of the BBC Riding Club

Top: Helen Faircliff with Spotty – taken onthe New Forest Trek in 1967. Above: Helen on Henry at Summer Mews

How Philip opened thegate for BBC trekkers

Between 1953 and 1956 whilst workingas the junior secretary to Tahu Hole atEgton House I was a member of theBBC Riding Club. In those days we had the use of theKnightsbridge Barracks indoor ridingschool for an evening every week.Our instructors were two members ofthe London Mounted Police Force – a

Mr. Hughes and Mr. Dawson [could thisbe the Mr Dorset mentioned above? –ed]. I wonder if anyone else remembersthem?They were excellent instructors andreally put us through our paces. We alsoused to see them quite often when theywere on duty round London. I canremember getting ticked off by Mr.

Dawson when he caught me jumping offa moving bus in Piccadilly!Shirley (maiden name??) who marriedPeter Greene in 1955 was a good friendand I remember riding with her and othermembers of the Club at Taplow. Iwonder if anyone else remembers her –sadly we lost contact years ago.Audrey Bradley

In the October issue you reproduced a picturefrom the BBC Riding Club, and asked who is thelady with the three horses.I think it is my wife, formerly Miss Elsie Izod. Sadlyshe cannot contribute any memories of the club asshe is now a permanent resident in a care home,and suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, which hasreached an advanced stage.In past times she often spoke of the club, in whichshe was active during the period 1954-56. A largeblack horse of which she was especially fond wascalled The Doctor. I wonder if anyone who was amember during those years remembers it?Roy Privett

Whatever happened to Shirley?

Peter Hodges complains (Prospero, October)about the premature switch-off of FM radiotransmissions (proposed for 2015) andprotests that ‘if we want to continuelistening to radio we must buy DAB radios’.But, surely, lots of people already have

digital radio in their homes withoutappreciating the fact. Anyone with a digitalTV set-top box can use it to listen to theradio, either through their TV set or bytaking the audio output through their hi-fisystem. Some Freeview TVs have the abilityto switch off the picture while listening tothe sound. In fact, 90 per cent of homesnow have digital TV. And, of course, yetmore people listen to radio over theinternet: by 2015 this number will likelyhave grown substantially.I agree that the problem of secondary

radios – in bedrooms, kitchens andbathrooms – might still lead to unnecessaryscrappage, but don’t we have to wait and seehow much of a problem that is nearer thetime? (But, no, I don’t have an answer to theissue of car radios.)As for the question of sound quality, I

wonder if too much isn’t being made ofDAB’s deficiencies. Few of us listen to theradio in ideal audio conditions. And there’sa generation growing up that listens toeverything digitally compressed to 128kbsvia the iPod. To them a DAB stationbroadcasting at 160kbs or 192kbs (such asRadio 3) will seem like an extravagance!Roger Hughes

Alesha dictionWell, the departure of Arlene Phillips hascertainly caused a stir ( ProsperoOctober).Argument and counter argument for andagainst ageism. Even being included in theorder paper in the House of Commons andhere was me thinking that the inclusion ofAlesha Dixon was just to provide ‘eye-candy’

for the chaps, if her vacuous statements areanything to go by. We are also told that StrictlyCome Dancing goes to 35 countries? I for one,hope that means in format only, otherwise Ihate to think what English students abroadmake of the fragrant Alesha’s pronouncementsto the dancers when she tells them they ‘wasn’t’doing this or that on the dance floor.Matt ConwayAccording to BBC Worldwide, the Strictlyformat is now seen in 75 countries - ed

D-Day appealI wonder whether anyone reading Prosperocan help a friend of mine with some soundeffects. He was in the Royal Navy during World

War II and has been asked by a school togive a talk about D-day. He would verymuch like to be able to demonstrate whatthe multi-launch rockets sounded likewhen they were fired at the beaches from

the boats prior to the troops landing. Cananyone help? Helen Grierson

Visitor descriminationWhy are volunteers for the BBC VisitorScheme rejected as I was because of age? Imight be over 80 but can still act as astationmaster/guard on a preserved railway,be a tour guide for the Forest of Dean, orread for the blind. Perhaps agediscrimination should be shown in therequest for volunteers.G Purrier

Christine Geen, who manages the VisitorScheme, replies:I’m sorry you were told that. Recruitment ofvolunteer visitors normally takes placeamong those pensioners newly retired. Thatsaid, we do have visitors who have joined usseveral years after retirement. But we haveno upper age limit and in fact have threevisitors at this time who will turn 80 nextyear.

WATO originsMay I add to the tributes to the late AlastairOsborne. To be in his company in the 60sand 70s was to be in an oasis of calm in afrenetic world.However there is some slight confusion

about the origins of The World at One. Itwas started in 1964, possibly with adifferent title, presented by a very young Winston Churchill, grandson ofthe great man. He was not a success, andthere was at least one other presenterbefore the arrival of William Hardcastle in1965. His dominating personality hasapparently eclipsed memories of hispredecessors.Reg Turnill

November • 2009 • • 5

Letters

This issue … Gramatical imperfections; sounds from the beaches; a question of age

Audio options through the set-top

Prospero: What is modern HD andhow does it match up (e.g. vs cinemaquality)?

Danielle Nagler: HD pictures containfive times as much information as anormal TV picture. This means that theycan show more detail in faces, action,and landscapes or other backgrounds,and the colours can look richer. HD isused for television but it is similar to35mm film which is used for mostcinema releases.

P: What programmes is the BBCmaking in HD?

DN: The BBC makes programmesfrom all BBC channels and genres inHD. In total we’ll be making over 1500hours of programming this year,ranging from natural history series likeNature’s Great Events, andYellowstone, through sport includingSix Nations Rugby, Wimbledon, andthe World Athletics Championships, tochildren’s programmes, comedy,entertainment and drama. Familiar

titles which are already available in HDinclude Strictly Come Dancing, FridayNight with Jonathan Ross, AntiquesRoadshow, Doctors, In the NightGarden, Doctor Who, Who Do YouThink You Are?, Hustle, and Dragon’sDen. The range of programmes andthe absolute volume of HDprogrammes made for and by the BBCis growing steadily, broadcast on BBCHD which is the BBC’s HD service.

P: What are the constraints for HD (e.g.bandwidth)?

DN: Because of the amount ofinformation in HD pictures, an HDchannel requires more capacity thanone broadcasting in standarddefinition. This is not an issue onsatellite or cable but means that theDTT Freeview platform is challengedin terms of the number of HD servicesit can carry. Freeview HD will launchwith three HD channels (including theBBC’s) next month, and by Summer2010 HD services through Freeviewwill be available to around half of the

UK population. HD also requiresreasonably high bandwidth, and agood graphics card and processorwhen it is delivered over the internet.

P: Are there extra costs in HDproduction (e.g. closer attention todetail in set and costume design?)

DN: HD is more expensive on thewhole than standard definition forthree main reasons. Firstly, as a newtechnology prices for equipment andfor production services can still behigher than SD, although prices arefalling. Secondly, some aspects of productioncan be more complex in HD, forexample delivery of 5.1 sound mixeswhich sometimes accompany HDprogrammes, or the rendering of CGI(computer-generated images). Thirdly,HD can be harsher than SD inhighlighting bumps on sets, or flaws inmake-up and costumes which canmean that some of the standard‘short-cuts’ which look fine in SDdon’t work as well.

P: What is an ‘HD ready’ television set?

DN: Most flat screen TV sets nowoffered for sale are HD-ready. Thismeans that they are suitable forshowing HD, and have an HDMI portwhich can take the leads required toconnect to an HD set top box orbluray player. But in order to get anHD television service you need notonly an HD-ready set, but also an HDservice provider (currently Sky, Virgin or Freesat) and an appropriateset-top box, connected with an HDMIlead.You can find more information atthese websites, or on the BBC’s ownHD sitehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/hd http://www.hdready.org.uk/http://www.dtg.org.uk/consumer/hd.html

P: What’s the future for HD?

DN: The number of HD channels inthe UK is likely to increase, and theamount of programming that theyoffer in HD (rather than upscaled SD)is also likely to increase. The prices ofHD boxes and TVs – which havealready fallen significantly – are likelyto come down further, and HD willbecome available on Freeview. HDDVDs – bluray – will becomeincreasingly widely available. And asaverage broadband speeds increase,HD content on the internet willincrease.

I found this photo on Ebay. On the backit claims to be a still of the first BBCnorth drama Tomorrow May Be Fine,with a date on the print of 1991. Itappears to be part of acommemoration of Television in theNorth 1951-1991By the cameras I’d guess it’s aboutearly 60s-ish but as I didn’t join the

BBC until 1968 I could be wrong.We were still using the equipment likethat in BBC Wales in the late 60s!Hope some reader can identify it andif they would like an electronic copy byemail then please contact me onmail@johndwilson.co.ukJohn WilsonEx BBC Bristol,Pebble Mill, and Cardiff.

A picture from the past

The bigger pictureAT THE FRONTIER

Prospero interviews Danielle Nagler, the BBC’s head of High Definition

Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC)Trust Fund

Applications are invited for grants fromthe Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) TrustFund, which exists to help those engagedin broadcasting or an associated activity,now or in the past, as well as theirchildren and dependants. The Trustees, in their discretion, will

consider giving assistance towardseducational costs in small ways, such astravelling expenses, school outfits, booksand additions to educational awards.Other grants are made to help relieve

sickness or continuing hardship notcovered by aid from other sources. Theseinclude giving assistance to families orelderly people facing economic problems,disability or serious medical conditions,such as those requiring special care.The income of the Fund is limited. So

that help can be given where it is mostneeded, applicants must be prepared togive, in confidence, full information aboutthe circumstances supporting theirapplications. Those wishing to apply this year should

write for an application form to; BBCPension & Benefits Centre, BroadcastingHouse, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ. Returning it nolater than 31 July. Applications areconsidered annually in September, and inno circumstances can continuing helpover a number of years be promised.

Life after AuntieLife after Auntie

November • 2009 • • 76 • • • November• 2009

SeptemberwinnersCongratulations to Clublottery winners TyroneWhite, John Porter, Karen

Edwards, Ernest Bounds, Janet Bone,Jonathan Howard, Gerald Prudden,Richard Gilbert, Paul French andChristopher Lansdown

Children In NeedBBC Club will be supporting the annualappeal by selling Pudsey key-rings,bandanas and trolley vouchers in all ofthe Clubs from November 16-20.There will also be a cake sale at WhiteCity: £1 per slice with all proceedsgoing to the cause. It is at White Cityevery day, all day from November 16-20.

Tennis offerThe Aegon Masters Tennis at the RoyalAlbert Hall takes place from December1-6. The line-up includes GoranIvanisevic, Stefan Edberg, Pat Rafterand Mark Philippoussis.For tickets at 10% off, log on to ClubSave on the BBC Club website

River CruiseEnjoy a 40 minute sightseeing cruise onthe Thames with live commentarypresented by trained guides.From Waterloo Millennium Pier at theLondon Eye.Log on to Club Save on the BBC Clubwebsite for details.

Give or TakeGive or Take is a shopping portal forweb users, where you earn cash-backon all your purchases at over 700stores. Then choose to ‘give’ your cash-back to one of our charity partners or‘take’ it for yourself!To find out how it works, log onto theclub website or go tohttp://www.giveortake.com/index.php

020 8752 6666

The cameras are so much better,and communications are somuch slicker that these days

the viewer tends to sit back and takethe news for granted.So Geoff Hale’s biographical tale oflife as a news picture editor is asharp reminder of just what it takesto get actuality from the front-lineback to base, and thence to oursitting-rooms.The title of his memoir – It’s Alright

Leaving Me… – is itself an in-jokeamong news crews whohave risked life and limbonly to hear bossesback in the newsroomgrumbling about thequality of the shots.The classic, Geoff recalls,was coverage, with DerekCollier, Don Nesbit andJames Robbins, of the siegeof a town hall in Nantes in 1985.‘A man came out with a pistol,and started shooting,’ recallsGeoff. ‘We ducked for cover, butwe left the camera running. As ithappened, a bullet went straight intothe lens. Next thing we got acomplaint from London to say there was a blackhole in our story.’ Geoff worked with many BBC News

legends – among them the recentlydeceased Mike Viney and BrianBarron – in a career that began atAlexandra Palace in 1963. By thetime he retired in 1996 Geoff hadmore than 100 overseasassignments under his belt – andenough stories to fill a book. • See Review, back page

1989 Delhi- withBrianBarronediting in ahotel roomduring the IndianGeneralElections

1978, Rome: Geoff with cameraman Mike Viney waiting in St Peter’sSquare for the new Pope (Pope John Paul II) to be chosen.

By Matthew BarnettIt was 30 years ago that Ivor Dunkerton lefta career as a BBC television producer totake up a smallholding in deepestHerefordshire and start a cider business thathas grown into Dunkertons Cider. But while cider making has proved arewarding challenge, the BBC still exerts apowerful hold over him, both in terms ofthe many distinguished people he workedwith, the opportunities to engage withdifferent lives and because of what it taughthim.The lure of television was there from anearly age. As a three year-old in 1936 heremembers creeping downstairs and peepingthrough the balustrades at his parents’ TV set. After national service and a spell at RegentStreet Polytechnic where he studiedphotography, Ivor worked in film, and joinedthe BBC as a ‘trainee assistant holiday relieffilm editor’.Duties included scrutinising prints of

Andy Pandy for quality purposes – a rathersoporific experience, he recalls. It was whenhe joined the Tonight programme that hebegan to find his feet and feel properlychallenged.‘Some of the editors were so quick – StanHawks for example. I would get in veryearly in the morning when the building wassilent in order to prepare and compete. Itwas very exciting.’Promoted to researcher, Ivor was workingin the north of England when he got hisbreak. Jack Gold and some others had left

BBC premises come and go. There wasDickenson Road in Manchester, Pebble Millin Birmingham and Lime Grove in London,to name but three. They’ve all disappeared,almost without a trace, including Tel.OBs atKendal Avenue.But old BBC OB units apparently just goon and on. A former BBC colour scanner,London 4, was spotted in Cornwall recently,with a lathe installed in its production con-trol room, being used as a mobile workshop.Another colour scanner, North 1 of 1969,was discovered intact in a farmer’s field inKent, where it had stood for the last twentyyears, gently surrendering to corrosion. Thevehicle being beyond redemption, all itstechnical interior was stripped out and pur-chased as a job lot by an enthusiast, to use ina restoration project elsewhere.

Another colour scanner of the same batchis said to be in storage somewhere on behalfof the National Media Museum.Enter CMCR9, registration no AMU418H. Fitted out at Pye TVT Ltd inRoyston, Cambridge, in 1969, it enteredservice as London Unit 5 and then becamethe Midland Unit in Birmingham in themid-70s, and eventually completed its BBCservice with a brief spell based in Manchesteras the first North 3 in 1980-82. On retirement from the BBC, this scannerwas sold to a small video company whicheventually went bust, and then to a privateowner in Shepton Mallet, an electronic engi-neer who planned to restore it.However, circumstances changed and heeventually sold it, after about ten years, to aformer BBC cameraman who also had

The shot youdidn’t see

proved particularly harrowing: the Aberfandisaster.‘This was probably the most difficultthing I ever did. I worked there on and offfor a year and it was hard. I can remember

driving down to Wales andtalking to parents, thengoing home with it allin my head – it wasalmost unbearable.For some reason themothers weren’tallowed to see thebodies of thechildren and manyof them were verydisturbed.’Moving to generalfeatures and ManAlive, he workedon a memorableproduction, afilm about

Wandsworth Prison. ‘We had permission togo in from the Governor, Mr Beasty, butonly for 24 hours. We worked all throughthe night.‘Certainly I look back and think therewere great achievements, although onealways feels one could have done better.’Ivor’s favoured documentary genre washuman interest. One of his proudestachievements was a film entitled Vince,Paul, Lawrence and Richard, about someStepney boys and their chances of survival,still regarded as one of the BBC’s finest.‘It was quite poignant. We went in, talkedand listened to them and it was probablythe first time they’d ever been takenseriously – we did help change their lives. Infact, we’ve kept in touch.’Other films followed, such as The Welfare

State 30 Years On, which tellingly portrayedthe relative fortunes of two families, thoseof a wealthy Lloyds broker and a hospitalporter.Thirty years on, with products on theshelves of Waitrose and surrounded by acresof prime orchards planted by Ivor and hispartner Susie, he looks back with affectionat his BBC career. He recently attended areunion of Man Alive and was struck by thegenuine warmth and affection of formercolleagues.‘Colleagues such as Jack Pitzey and JamesAstor... There are so many I have enjoyedworking with, not only professionally but asfriends. Certainly the BBC helped shape mein many ways. It really is a marvellousinstitution and instils high values into itsemployees – qualities such as integrity andexcellence. They are still with me.’And the future?‘The funny thing is that I’m surroundedby people who want to retire, but I want todo more. We need to buy more land andexpand, there’s so much to achieve. Theimportant aim is to make the very best ciderand perry. At the moment we sell all overthe UK and export to cider loving Finlandwhere, at the Helsinki Beer and CiderFestival – reputedly the largest in Europe –Dunkertons Black Fox won ‘Cider of theYear’ and a Gold, while our Premium Ciderwon a Silver. There are many more ciderdrinkers out there!’

restoration in mind. He arranged for it to bestored in an aircraft hanger in Honiton,Devon for another ten years.Recently, ‘C9’ changed hands again when ownership passed to another broad-cast enthusiast, former HTV LightingDirector, Steve Harris. Steve now runs hisown business, On the Air at the VintageTechnology Centre in Hawarden, restoringand selling vintage radios and tvs for collectors.He is fortunate in having a friend in theheavy haulage industry who is an Albionenthusiast in his spare time and owns sever-al vintage trucks. CMCR 9 is based on a rareAlbion Clydesdale chassis – so who better totake on the job of restoring the formerNorth 3 to mobility?The unit was transported to Chesterfrom Devon on a low-loader and ispresently being made ready for its firstMOT test in decades. There have beenproblems with the brakes and the vehicleelectrics and particularly with the coolingsystem, but nothing a dedicated band ofexpert enthusiasts couldn’t overcome. The

engine now starts easily and runs sweetlyand the old lady has recently been drivengently round the transport yard on her first tentative run for many years. Videocameras were there to record the event.The most amazing thing about ‘C9’ is theinterior, which is completely intact andalmost original. It’s just as though the crewhad gone away for a tea-break back in 1982and never come back.The truck is still in its original BBC liveryof grey with a green waist-band. The PostOffice cords are all there, hanging on a strapon the sound bay, still bearing the legend‘North 3’, and a clip-board in the racks areastill has BBC planning sheets fastened to it.She’s a modern day Mary Celeste, which hasbeen quietly adrift, apparently in fine weather, for the last twenty-seven years.So what does Steve intend to do with 14tons of historic BBC scanner, in whichBarney Colehan once presided over editionsof The Good Old Days?His declared intention is to restore her to asnear as possible original condition for displayat vintage transport festivals and broadcastenthusiasts rallies, for the enjoyment of all. Heis busy at the moment restoring the EMI 2001cameras that are with the unit. They werechanged at some stage from the original PyePC80s.Asked about the daunting prospect ofpowering up the vehicle’s technical equipment for the first time this century,Steve was uncharacteristically a little coy.‘Well, I might not switch on the air-conditioning at the first attempt!’

Down but not out – a vintage scanner rolls againC9, one of the BBC’s early colour OB trucks, is backfrom the dead. Former audio supervisor Jerry Cleggtells the story

Left: some forty years after she came intoservice, C9 is in a sorry state

Ton i g h tand heput himselfforward as adirector. ‘Thefirst film I directed was withMcDonald Hastings about the GreatFire of London, after which I workedwith Alan Whickeron a film aboutfemale lumber-jacks.‘But the period I reallyrelish was that spentworking with FyfeRobertson. We made aseries of films forTonight that wereextremely wellreceived – it justclicked.’ Onefilm that theymade together

Cheers to a change of directionPicture courtesy Hereford Times

It’s all gold inIvor’s orchardsCountry life is a far cry from Aberfan and Andy Pandy for a former film director

• a new micro budget feature film which willsee three full-length feature films devel-oped, shot and premiered in Bristol during2010 and 2011.Similar partnerships will follow in otherparts of the UK, including Glasgow, Cardiffand Salford.

Dancing world-wideBBC Worldwide sold dancing to the Greeks and cooking to the Italians at this

year’s annual MIPCOM tv market inCannes.Greece became the latest country to buy

Dancing with the Stars, the international version of Strictly Come Dancing. It has nowbeen sold in more than 30 countries andviewed in more than 75, and BBCWorldwide estimates that a quarter of a billion people have seen a local version of theshow. Dancing has entered the GuinnessBook of World Records as the world’s mostsuccessful reality tv format.

Radio @!>@@!!It was sung in Latin, but you can’t takechances with the Radio 3 audience. The network issued a warning about swearing inMagnus Lindberg’s Graffiti for chorus andorchestra. The piece included ancient graffiti from the walls of Pompeii, includingthe line ‘Nymphea fututa, Anomus fututa’(‘Nymphea was ****ed, Anomus was****ed).

Cut-price ChristmasMany staff predicted it would happen, and ithas. Christmas celebrations in 2008 werecapped at £25 a head, and the budget hasbeen cut again – only this time to zero. Staffwill be footing Christmas themselves.

Back at the BBC

November • 2009 • • 98 • • November• 2009

Back at the BBC

Elba island Beautiful private apartment inPorto Azzurro,overlooking the sea. Sleeps5-6 All inclusive rates Tel:01260227262 oremail maggie_harwood@btinternet.comFor Sale: BBC Broadcasting booksand other printed material. 1928 to 1990.Including rare books by Asa Briggs andother well known authors. BBCYearbooks,Lunch-time Lectures,TheListener and other ephemera. Approx. 4mshelf run.Detailed list on request.Offersplease for the complete collection:JefferyBoswall,Birdswell,Stoney Steep,HamLane,Wraxall,N.Somerset,BS481JZ.Email: jeffery_boswall@hotmail.comTel:+44(0)1275 853 418Seaview, Isle of Wight. Wanting to getaway for a break? Pleasant ETB 4* StudioAnnexe, sleeps 2 comfortably. NearBeach and Village. For details contactstudioannexe@.btinternet.com or Tel 01983 812180.Lagos, Algarve, small townhouse withinancient city, two bedrooms, roof-terrace, 5minutes to beach. From £150pw. 07956181613 cgodleman@hotmail.co.uk Pembrokeshire Coast: Two bedroomcottage with panoramic sea views. Oneminute from beach and coastal path. Tel: 020 8449 7816; or contactjanewheatcroft@btconnect.comMallorca, Alcudia Bay; Studioapartment (2+2), Swimming pool, tennis,close sandy beaches, riding, golf,waterpark and family entertainment. Tel. 01494 673802Brittany, Dinan. Delightful medievalriverside town with many restaurants.Attractive apartment in old merchant’shouse; quiet, central. Beaches, walksclose. Near St Malo channel port andDinard airport (Ryanair). Sleeps 2,double or twin. From £185pw. 020 89958543 ftdinan@tesco.net

How to advertise Prospero Classifieds, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre,Broadcasting House, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ Please enclose a cheque made payable to:BBC Central Directorates. Rate: £5 for 20 wordsIn a covering letter please include yourpension numberTo advertise in Ariel, contact: Ten Alps PublishingLtd, Tel: 020 7878 2314

Classifieds

Gift wrappingHow lovely to see the spirit of Pravda isstill alive at Ariel. Last week we learnt thata majority of BBC staff affected havevoted against moving to Salford. Forty fivepercent voted in favour, with presumably55 percent against or undecided.So what do we get as the Ariel

headline?‘Almost half say yes in last Salford vote.’

Brian Milligan, BBC Business and Economics

TALKING POINTS‘ ’

Ten million adults in the UK, representingalmost a quarter of the population, never usethe internet – and perhaps not surprisingly, asignificant number of those are aged 60-plus.What’s more, 83 percent of non-users saythey are unlikely to start using it any timesoon, with a similar percentage knowing lit-tle or almost nothing about the internet.Sixty-six percent of those questioned in asurvey, commissioned by the BBC fromEssential Research and Ipsos MORI, saidthey simply had no interest.The average age of non-users is 61, but internet-aversion is not confined to the elderly.A significant minority (14 percent) are between15 and 34.The findings were published as director-general Mark Thompson hosted an OnlineAccess Forum at Television Centre at which delegates from the BBC and outsideorganisations discussed how they might helpto bridge the digital divide.The BBC believes non-users are missingout – for example, on opportunities to pursue hobbies and interests, keep in touchwith loved ones, and save money on goodsand services – and a number of remedieswere suggested. They include:• enlisting friends and family as ‘connectioncoaches’;• using internet-connected tv to makeonline services more accessible to peoplenot accustomed to computers;• communicating the benefits of facilitiessuch as photosharing and catch-up tv;• reassuring people that ‘the internet is forthem, can save money and be fun’.But delegates at the forum acknowledgedthat winning over internet ‘resistors’ won’t beeasy. Millions of them have have never sat at akeyboard, and ‘starting now is not exciting andstimulating, but completely overwhelming’.And getting new recruits up and runningon the web is only part of the battle.‘Even once they’re on the internet, manypeople find it difficult to navigate their wayaround,’ observes Stuart Knapman ofEssential Research.A retired professional, who had owned acomputer for several years, but had only juststarted using the web. He tried to book aflight...‘I started the process on Monday morningand didn’t finish until Thursday night.’Even Peter Barron, director of commun-ications for Google, concedes it is pointlesstrying to force matters. He said people ‘have towant to go online’.

Trust targets payA review of executive remuneration recom-mends slicing a quarter off the £79m pay billof the 634 most senior managers and reducingsenior manager numbers by 18 percent toaround 520 by 2013. More corporate roles arelikely to go than jobs in output areas, says thereport, commissioned by the BBC Trust inFebruary and drafted by management.The policy will also see:• Salaries of the nine executive boardmembers and the BBC direction group,including that of the director-general,frozen for a further three years, making afour-year freeze in total• Senior manager salaries frozen for afurther year to at least August 2011• Bonuses for all executive directorssuspended until further notice• Bonuses for other directors and seniormanagers suspended for a further two years• A review of all senior manager posts asthey become vacant• Greater attention to internal promotionand succession planning to cut downexternal hiring

• Up-front information about seniormanager salary discounts against privatesector pay (i.e how much less you canexpect to earn at the BBC than yourequivalent in the independent sector).Trust chair Sir Michael Lyons said: ‘We livein a world where no one should expect anannual pay rise.’He adds that with a savings target of 3 percent per year, earnings have to comeunder the microscope.‘We’re trying to manage costs in difficultcircumstances and we see evidence of beingable to strike good deals for new talent onand off screen.’

Having your cake...Following press speculation about BBCearnings, the Corporation has pointed outthat it’s not unusual for employees to receivea pension and salary at the same time.People with two or more years’ pensionableservice who are above a certain age ask for theirpension to be paid, in whole or in part, whilecontinuing to work for the corporation.The qualifying age is currently 50, but undernew legislation it will rise to 55 in April.Under the flexible pension arrangement, pen-sion payments are reduced if taken early usinga scale determined by the BBC and the PensionScheme trustees. But those taking their pen-

sions early can remain active members of thePension Scheme and build up further benefits,to be taken when they eventually leave.

NHU reviewThe natural history unit may move from itshome at Whiteladies Road, Bristol.Mark Thompson raised the possibility duringa visit to the west country to launch a partner-ship between the BBC and the city of Bristol.‘As we move from analogue to a wholly digital future, we need to look at how webest use our presence in a way that fits theambitions of [people] in this city,’ he said.‘I’m not ruling out staying at WhiteladiesRoad, but we should look at whether we canfind a new site that meets those ambitions,ensuring value for money.’ Thompson signed a memorandum ofunderstanding with key agencies, includingthe city council, committing the BBC towork with local organisations to boostregional tv production, film-making anddigital skilling. The three year partnership includes:• a new drive in schools and colleges to boostmedia and digital production skills• a ‘school for djs’ with the BBC opening upits studios • a media training project for 18 to 25-year-olds in disadvantaged communities

• Humiliation: Post Brand/Ross, there isgreater emphasis on generally acceptedstandards and audience expectation,with significant new guidance relating tojudgements on humiliation and intrusion– the difference between a comicwind-up and intimidation. ‘Some comedycan be cruel but unduly intimidatory,humiliating, intrusive, aggressive orderogatory remarks must not becelebrated for the purposes ofentertainment.’• Language: More focus on the context

in which the strongest language can everbe justified, including after 9pm. ‘When asection of content is justified but the slot,channel or context are not appropriatefor strong language, it may be necessaryto edit or bleep language, evenpost-watershed.’• Violence: Reflecting Ofcom criticism

that episodes of EastEnders featuring a‘buried alive’ storyline and a pub gangfight were unsuitable for an early eveningaudience, programme makers are nowasked to consider the impact of‘sustained menace or an unrelentinglydark tone’.

• Misleading audiences: Learninglessons from ‘Queengate’ and the otherfakery scandals of 2007, a new sectionon Avoiding Misleading Audiencesadvises against certain productiontechniques, including intercutting shotsthat give a misleading impression ofevents.• Interacting with audiences:

Substantial new guidance, following thebreaches around competitions andphone voting. Principles include thatwinners must always be genuine,competitions handled with rigorous careand the audience must know whenopportunities to vote or participate areno longer available.• Impartiality: A concept of due

impartiality – adequate and appropriateto the output – is made a prominenttheme. There is new guidance on judgingwhat makes a subject ‘controversial’,including topicality and sensitivity.Broadly, impartiality advice is revised totake account of the BBC Trust, which hasemphasised breadth of opinion,alongside the idea of applying ‘dueweight’ to those opinions, across a range

of output.• Fairness: A clearer definition of

informed consent has been added and,with echoes of Brand/Ross, furtherwarnings against humiliation. If anentertainment show wants to usedeception for a ‘humorous wind-up’,material should normally be pre-recordedand consent of individuals obtainedbefore broadcast. New guidance dealswith letting contributors know thatcontent could be archived online orappear on third party websites. Andfollowing an upheld complaint aboutinaccuracies in the drama The Curse ofSteptoe, there is clearer advice onmaking drama involving real people.• Privacy: New provisions deal with

availability of content through socialmedia, already in the public domain.Producers should consider that re-usewill bring material – including contentabout distressing events – to a muchwider audience. The new draft introducesthe concepts of ‘legitimate expectationof privacy’ and ‘proportionality’. Is thelevel of intrusion proportionate to thepublic interest? In addition, all secret

recording has to be referred to editorialpolicy.• Blogs: The notion that ‘nothing should

be written [online] by journalists andpresenters that would not be said on air’is not new. But there is revised guidancethat audiences should not be able to tellfrom any output their ‘personalprejudices’ – a more specific term than‘views’.• Children: Parental consent will be

needed for any contributor under the ageof 16, bringing the BBC guidelines intoline with the Ofcom code.• Opinion polls: Expanded advice

reflecting new editorial policy guidanceissued last year, including thatprogrammes should not lead a bulletinsimply with the results of an opinion poll.And there is more emphasis on nationaldiversity in reporting political parties.• Archive: Exploitation of the archive

calls for fresh editorial scrutiny in the useof historic material – including thatreleased for use by others. The guidingprinciple is that archive material musttake account of the guidelines in force atthe time it is re-used or reversioned.

New rulesfor anew age

Doctor Who fans have had a glimpseof the future with the unveiling of anew logo. It is the 11th version,introduced to coincide with theregeneration of 11th Doctor MattSmith in spring 2010.The logo has changed as much as

the Doctor himself since 1963 whensimple white text on a blackbackground heralded the appearanceof the first doctor, William Hartnell.Notable incarnations include the‘diamond logo’ associated with TomBaker and the retro futurism of theSylvester McCoy era.The final three shows with current

doctor David Tennant will go outsoon using the existing logo.

Two former BBC newsmen who hadnot seen each other for thirty yearswere reunited recently – in the Algarve.At the BBC, Andy White (left in

picture) was a cameraman whoseassignments took him to manycountries, while fellow Scot ArthurBinnie was based in Aberdeen.The two, who have long-since retired,

discovered they were less than a mileapart after the local English languagenewspaper asked readers forexperiences or impressions of visits tothe Algarve, and Arthur’s response wasseen by Andy.Andy says he would welcome the

chance to meet any other formercolleagues who intend to visit theAlgarve. His email address isandywhite@sapo.pt and telephonenumber 00351 282 789959

FRIENDS REUNITED

Web mission to convert the codgers

The redrafted editorial guidelines absorb the lessons of fakery, the Brand/Rossaffair, and concerns about the impact of new media. The headlines...

Below:The firstlogo and

bottomright:

the newlogo

Time for a change:Graphics

Regenerate

ObituariesObituaries

10 • • November • 2009 November • 2009 • • 11

Energetic ‘timelord’ andremarkablebroadcasterMention the radio presenter GrahamKnight to those who knew him and thewords you keep hearing are genuine, gener-ous, warm and caring.As a person he was one of the good guys, as a broadcaster he was the consummate professional.He was at home in the radio studio – simply because he was exactly the same onand off air; nosey, genuine and generous.He made his programme team’s life easier,and frequently funnier. As an interviewer hewas Paxman-persistent, but if sometimesbloody-minded, almost always bloody marvellous.Jan Rogers, a colleague at BBC Derby, recallsthat his days seemed like the Tardis. There wasmore room inside them than us non time-stretching Lords could quite understand. Intoit went work, wildly assorted interests, familyand friends, and any random conversation youmight want to have with him. How else did heturn up with a headful of ideas, books read,and news scanned every morning?And however busy he was, he always madetime to chat and offer encouragement orsupport where needed.He arrived at BBC Radio Derby in 1983 topresent the mid-morning show and stayedfor 14 years.And yet he loved being freelance; it allowedhim to juggle many things. He broadcastMonday to Friday for BBC Radio Derby andSaturday and Sundays for Radio 2.Among others he also worked for BBCexhibitions, BBC television, BBC Childrenin Need and also helped many organisationssuch as the National Trust and AmnestyInternational.He latterly set up a successful web designcompany and then ran a specialist tea andcoffee shop in his adopted home ofNottingham.Graham had been ill for some time, buttypically he was often more concerned abouthis wife Cherry, his boys and his friends thanhimself.It was a privilege to know and work with

Graham; we’ll miss his broad grin – youcould hear it on-air and enjoy it in his company.Gary Andrews

Enviable talentBrian Barron was a real foreign correspon-dent, the kind we all wanted to be.I was in awe of him when I joined the BBC 25 years ago. I thought he was a verycool guy, a legend. That feeling never woreoff.Brian seemed to have been on all the bigstories. There was Africa and the Falklandsand the 1991 Gulf War, and Cairo, HongKong, Washington, New York and Rome. Iremembered him reporting from Vietnam,where he stayed on in Saigon with EricThirer, as great a cameraman as he was acorrespondent, to watch the NorthVietnamese Army’s final victory.That took guts, of which Brian had plenty.He had energy too. After many weeks inChina, reporting on the pro democracydemonstrations in 1989, he went back toHong Kong for a short rest. One morningthe foreign editor John Mahoney rang me.‘Barron’s on his knees, old boy. I need youto get out there, Honkers, then Pekkers...ok?’While I was in the air flying to HongKong that evening the Chinese authoritiessent troops in to Tiananmen Square. At theBBC office in the Cable and Wirelessbuilding in Hong Kong it became clear veryquickly that Barron was far from being onhis knees. He was heading straight back toPeking, as the BBC called the Chinesecapital in those days.If he was disappointed about not beingthere he didn’t show it, and he had time toconsole a young reporter who perhapsnaively had thought he was about to replacethe great man.Brian told me that I was better off stayingin Hong Kong for a few days, because Iwould have my own story there, and if I had

gone straight to Tiananmen, which of courseI wanted to do with every atom in my body,I would get big footed royally, not least byBrian himself. He was right, of course.Brian Barron was the best sort of reporter,in the best traditions of the BBC. He wouldget out to the story to see for himself, thenfind the words to tell it. He made our competition at ITN nervous.It is a tragedy is that he didn’t have manylong years ahead with Angie and Fleur toenjoy his life and every now and then turnon the tv and watch with wry amusementthe efforts of those who tried to emulate hisbrilliant career.Jeremy Bowen

Motorcycle tragedyOur friend and colleague Penny Vernhamhas been tragically killed in a motorcycleaccident while on holiday in America.Penny joined the BBC in 1975 as a clerk inpublicity based at Queens House. She went onto work in artists contracts, scenic facilities andas assistant to the head of programmes,resources and engineering.Penny was a huge motorcycling fan, soonjoining the BBC Club motorcycle sectionand becoming its secretary. She enjoyedmany rideouts and social events with thegroup.She was also a keen horse-rider and a member of the BBC Riding Club; never shyingaway from the fast lane – be it horses or motor-bikes.Penny took a break in the early nineties tospend time with her baby daughter Alice,and when she was ready to return to workshe did so as a course co-ordinator for tvoperations training at Elstree.She regularly set up shoots, worked withactors and crews on location, and organisedall tv training activity.She rapidly endeared herself to the television training team and was a mainstayof the Elstree ‘family’, much loved by allthose who knew her.

Tony Flack, affectionately known as‘Flacky’, joined the BBC in the mid1950s and worked in Birmingham tvstudios and OBs for about 10 years. Heworked on the two old monochromescanners, and this was a source ofmany stories of narrow squeaks andproblems with which OB people are alltoo familiar.In the early days of the audio unit he

joined radio OBs and moved betweenradio and television in the course of aweek. Many people were taken underTony’s wing when learning about radioOBs and have asked that their deepgratitude for his guidance andmentoring should be noted. Without adoubt, radio OBs was Tony’s niche andhe spent the last 20 years of his careerhere.He was very closely associated with

his local Methodist church and spentmany hours installing new mains wiringand sound reinforcement. He was froma strongly Christian background andthis showed in his work andrelationships with colleagues.Probably the finest example of his

dedication to broadcasting happened in his last winter of service. As co-ordinator of Birmingham radio OBs,I was telephoned at 6pm on a Fridayevening by our Norwich engineer. Hewas going down with flu, and could notdo live football coverage from NorwichCity the next day.I told Tony and he simply replied: ‘I’ll

be on my way in 20 minutes.’Sounds easy? He set off before

6.30pm on a 180-mile trip on a filthywinter’s night and reached Norwich byllpm. He had faced severe weather fromCambridge onwards, but theprogramme was done next day withouta hitch. On his return to base he dugme in the ribs and complained with abig grin that he had never been so far infour-wheel-drive mode, going largelysideways for the last 30 miles toNorwich.He retired in the mid 1980s, a

bachelor – and to the surprise of manycolleagues announced that he was toget married to Diana Thomas. She ran abusy farming and livestock business,and Tony assisted her at many cattleshows. They were much involved withthe Red Poll Cattle Society.Tony, it was a privilege to have

worked with you for 30 years. Ourheartfelt sympathy goes to Diana.David Payne

Barrie Holden’s recent unexpected death at82 saddened us all of the Skelton retired stafffraternity.Barry was born and educated in Readingand his working life began at about age 16with an apprenticeship with a company whomade milking machines. He then worked as a telephone technicianwith Post Office before working for a timefor the Air Ministry as a wages clerk.On call-up he served with REME and sawservice in the Middle East.On demobilisation he joined the BBC at

our Daventry transmitter as a technical assistant.After training at the BBC EngineeringSchool at Evesham he transferred to Skeltonas a transmitter engineer.Here he served as an efficient and unassuming engineer playing a full part inthe life of what then was a large staff andcommunity in Cumbria. He played cricketfor the BBC (Skelton) Club and loved toplay snooker with colleagues.His main interest after retirement was withthe Penrith branch of the Ramblers’

Association. His knowledge of the LakeDistrict Fells was second to none. He neverforgot a route.Having reached a stage in life when hecouldn’t keep up with the team he still tookweekly walks with me where we were able totake our own time and pace.Another retirement interest was in sharingwith his wife Kath voluntary work with theMeals on Wheels charity.We extend our sympathy to Kath and tohis daughter Jacquie and son Michael.Ken Shepherdson.

DedicatedradioOBs man

Transmission veteran and Fells expert

Paula Leonard, who died on July 4, wasa great BBC stalwart. She joined thecorporation in 1971 working first in thepress office and then light entertainment.In 1973 she moved to music and arts,

where she was to stay until the mid-nineties.First as a PA and then as a unit

manager, she became a brilliant andhighly-valued enabler and supporter ofproduction talent.She worked in Hollywood with Gavin

Millar on his Busby Berkeley film wherethe showmanship of the dancers, then intheir eighties, echoed her own vision forlife. Colin Nears, whom she worked with on

his Schubert film, remembers her as ‘themost lovely, laughing and lively girl to bewith’.For three years, Paula was instrumental

in glueing together the many creativetalents behind The Shock of the New, theseminal series in which Robert Hughesunravelled the 20th century through itsart.Paula will be best remembered for the

big contribution she made as unitmanager of Omnibus, which won twoBaftas during her tenure.She was a clever organiser and a great

team builder. Generations of new recruitsto BBC arts can, and do, thank Paula forthe unique way she made them welcomeand let them into the secrets of how theBBC really works. And if they couldn’tfind a way, Paula nearly always could.She insisted work should be fun, as well

as creatively successful, and shesingularly made the annual M&AChristmas Party a hot ticket.She joined recruitment in 1997 where

her flair for display and organising publicevents was invaluable, and in 2004moved to Career Link, the unit whichsupports staff whose jobs are being maderedundant.‘There was a time when coming into the

Media Centre wasn’t a ball of fun for me,but Paula was always there with a smileand a kind word’ is a typical comment.Paula’s genuine care for people made

her known to many, right across the BBC.Everyone warmed to her openness andher mischievous sense of humour. Theyknew they could trust and rely on her, notjust as a colleague but as a friend.The BBC is only as good as the people

who work for it and Paula brought to it,for over 30 years, dedicated hard work,laughter and fun, and behind all of it, asimple but profound humanity.Andrew Snell

A veteran of Hollywood and the BBC

It is with a feeling of much loss that thedeath of Robert Springett is grieved by hisfriends and acquaintances.His erudition, practical intelligence andmeticulous attention to detail were apprec-iated by many artists, costume designers and fellow dressers on a wide variety of productions over the years.Robert did not have an easy childhood. Hisparents died when he was very young, causing him to grow up with great self-sufficiency and so to the highly competentsenior dresser we all knew and respected.

Robert joined the BBC in the 60s, andworked on many of the Corporation’s mostprestigious and demanding productions suchas The Barchester Chronicles, Doctor Who,Tender is the Night, Crime and Punishment,the Shakespeares and Gulliver. After leaving the BBC, Robert worked on

15-to-1, where William G. Stewart speakshighly of his many years’ sterling support. Infact, Robert was so well regarded by this production team that many of them weremoved to pay their final respects at his funeral, and Mr Stewart gave Robert’s elegy.

Robert was also a strong and active member of the ABS, with a competent andreasoned approach to any problem.He had a deep love of classical music and wasan avid reader, most especially of history, andthere cannot have been an exhibition inLondon that he had not visited over the years.Robert leaves no family but his dry wit,wide learning and general acumen will besorely missed by an extended circle offriends.Barbara Kronig

Visiting SchemeIf you would like a visit or information onhow to become a volunteer visitor, pleasering 0845 712 5529. You will be chargedonly as a local call.

QueriesFor benefit and pension payroll queries,call the Service Line on 029 2032 2811.

ProsperoTo add, or delete a name from the distribution list ring the service line (numberabove). Prospero is provided free of charge to retired BBC employees. Onrequest, we will also send it to spouses or dependants who want to keep in touchwith the BBC. Prospero is also available on audio tape for those with sight impairment. To register please ring the Service Line

on 029 2032 2811

BBC ClubThe BBC Club in London has a retired category membership costing £24 a yearfor members; and £36 a year for familymembership. Pre-1997 life members arenot affected. Regional clubs may have different arrangements. Please call BBC Club London

administration office on 020 8752 66 66 oremail member.relations@bbcclub.com.

Benevolent FundThis is funded by voluntary contributionsfrom the BBC and its purpose is to protectthe welfare of staff, pensioners and theirfamilies. Grants are made at the discretionof the trustees. They may provide assis-tance in cases of unforeseen financialhardship, for which help from othersources is not available.

Prospero SocietyProspero Society is the only section of theBBC Club run by and for retired BBC staffand their spouses. Its aims are to enableBBC pensioners to meet on a social basisfor theatre visits, luncheons, coach outingsetc. Prospero is supported by BBC Clubfunds so as to make events affordable.The only conditions (apart from paying a

small annual subscription) are that youmust be a BBC pensioner and a memberof the BBC Club. Write for an applicationform to: Graham Snaith, 67 NewberriesAvenue, Radlett, Herts. WD7 7EL, telephone: 01923 855177 mobile: 07736 169612 email: graham.snaith@yahoo.co.uk

BBC productsBBC retired staff are entitled to a 30% discount off the RRP of most productsin the BBC TV Centre shop. There is apostage charge of £2.95 per order(not per item). Pensioners must quotetheir BBC pension number whenordering. Contact: BBC Shop,Audience Foyer, Television Centre,Wood Lane, London W12 7RJ. Tel020 8225 8230. Email tvc.shop@bbc.co.uk.Other ways to order (quoting your pen-sion number when ordering):By phone: 08700 777 001 8.30am-

6pm weekdays. By post: BBC Shop, POBox 308, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8LW.Email: bbcshop@bbc.co.uk. Or visit BBC Shops in Eastbourne,

Brighton, Leicester, Birmingham orLiverpool. UK postage £2.45 for telephone, post and email orders.Overseas: £4.50 for one item and £2 foreach additional product for telephone,post and email orders.

BBC PAFor details of how to join the Pensioners’Association, see panel on page 3.

ContactsCostume dresser of wit and acumen

Her great subject knowledge, enthusiasmand sense of humour, together with her passion for cakes, are all things by which shewill be remembered.Later in her BBC career Penny became aproduction manager on the Future Nowproject, working with a small team in WhiteCity to look after multiplatform training andlarge events.Penny blossomed in this role and really cameinto her own organising events involving alldepartments of the BBC and a host of othercompanies.All of those who had the pleasure of workingwith her were impressed by her dedication toher role, her warmth and her generosity ofspirit; no matter how busy she was, she alwayshad time to help other people.Penny was a stalwart of the BBC; committedto its principles and always prepared to give100 percent to any project she was involved in.She will be very sadly missed.

Andy Wilson

Organisational skillsDave Batt, a man of great integrity, a skilledprofessional and a highly regarded operations manager for BBC News, has diedat the age of 67 following a long illness.Dave joined the BBC in 1960 on his 19thbirthday at a time when there were only twotv channels.His early career at TV Centre involved himin the ‘Golden Age’ of BBC comedy and studio drama, working on programmes suchas the Morecambe and Wise Christmas shows,Dad’s Army and Only Fools and Horses as wellas costume drama and children’s tv, likeCrackerjack which he loved.I first got to know Dave in the late 1970s.I was a fresh-faced sound trainee and he wasa highly skilled sound professional, yet hewould always encourage and train others.In 1983 we were both among the pioneers ofthe PSC (portable single camera) operation atthe Lime Grove topical production centre.Here Dave worked on the road as a sound

recordist and later in studios as a sound super-visor on programmes such as London Plus,Newsnight and Breakfast Time.In 1989, as current affairs and news joined,we both moved up the road to work as senior sound supervisors in the newlyformed bi-media sound section for news.Highlights of the period included rollingnews for the coverage of the first Gulf War,the births of BBC World and News 24 aswell as many Newsnight, One, Six and NineO’Clock News programmes, working along-side young output editors such as MarkThompson, Adrian Van Klaveren, RichardSambrook and Peter Horrocks.Dave’s organisational skills, and perhapshis prior experience as an excellent unionrep, equipped him well for ‘spells in theoffice’, which quickly merged into a permanent management role during thenineties, first as manager sound and then asan operations manager for tv news.We shared an office and, once again, Davewas there to teach and guide, offering a greatmanagement tip – a reliance on bananas forenergy when the going gets tough!Dave retired from BBC News in 1997 after38 years. He was a much loved husband toMargaret; father to Richard and Carolineand grandfather to Isabel and Thomas.Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time, including Carolinewho works on many of the same programmesas her father as a floor manager for BBC News.Peter Coles

Sales directorPeter Lord, who had a 25-year career withthe BBC, has died aged 88.After leaving the army in 1945, Peter followed his mother into the theatre. Thehigh point was a West End appearance inThe Skin of our Teeth, starring Vivien Leighand directed by Laurence Olivier, but hesoon gave up the stage and went intoindustry, working first for a cosmetics

company and then for a manufacturer oflaboratory chemicals.Returning to Bristol, where he had been astudent, Peter married Woody in 1950.His association with the BBC began in1955, also in Bristol. He freelanced as areporter and a continuity announcer, and heplayed small parts in radio drama.In 1958 he joined the BBC staff as sportsproducer for the West Home Service; thenews editor at that time was Peter’s friendand mentor, Stuart Wyton, and he alsoworked with great broadcasters like JohnArlott, Brian Johnston and WynfordVaughan-Thomas.In 1963, Peter obtained a post in theBBC’s Sydney office where he worked firstfor Douglas Fleming and later forHumphrey Fisher.It was a career change that introduced himto programme sales for the first time, andwhen his tour of duty in Australia came toan end in 1966 he returned to VilliersHouse in Ealing to work for BBCEnterprises.He stayed with Enterprises – andtelevision sales in particular – until 1980. Bythat time Enterprises had become a limitedcompany and Peter was its first SalesDirector. In his time with Enterprises heworked for Dennis Scuse, Peter Dimmockand Bryon Parkin.Peter loved his work and the world oftelevision, and he always felt indebted to theBBC for taking a chance on a later starter(he was 37 when he joined the staff ).He had no interest in retirement andcontinued to work until 1995, taking on avariety of posts and consultancies. He ranthe London sales office of the CanadianBroadcasting Corporation for several years;later he was the European Director ofNATPE (the National Association ofTelevision Program Executives).Peter’s much loved wife Woody died earlierthis year. He is survived by three childrenand six grandchildren.John Lord (Son)

What’s it all about?

Book reviews

The next issue will appear in December

ARIEL SUBSCRIPTIONS

UK: 6 months £261 year £50

Overseas: 6 months £361 year £60

Please phone 01709 768 199

12 • • November 2009

Every so often, along comes alittle gem of a read.It’s Alright Leaving Me(Travels of a BBC Editor) byGeoff Hale and published byBright Pen is just such a gem. The title is the commentmade by a technician in somefar flung place when thosesitting in comfort back at theTelevision Centre are critical ofthe picture quality they arereceiving. This book is not only abiography but a history of BBCTV news gathering from 1963to 1998, and covers some ofthe most momentous andmemorable events, foreign andnational, of the period. Underlying the timeline andthe crisp anecdotes aredescriptions of theextraordinary changes intechnology and equipmentthat have taken place withinthe media and how the crewscoped with them. The author has a flair for theunderstatement and treats hisreminiscences as a merepassage of time in situationsthat must have been nervejangling and in some casesdownright terrifying.

Such as: naively walking intoa fracas between the Shah ofIran’s police and studentdemonstrators and itsconsequences; trying togenerate small talk with HerMajesty the Queen that led toa senior Naval Officer havingto do some explaining; andbeing bought lunch by KingHussein of Jordan. The anecdotes give us aninsight into royal tours,conflicts, political summits, thedeath’s of world leaders, allrelated from a personal andhighly involved point of view.News media celebrities of

today appear as ‘apprentice’journalists cutting their teeth inTV reporting in remotelocations.This book is a must for mediahistorians as it relates to life atthe coal face by the verypeople who bring us the newsbut never stand in front of thecamera.It is the stuff of history, upclose and personal, the veryheart of news gathering.Paul Kite• It’s Alright Leaving Me…Travelsof a BBC Editor, Geoff HalePublished by Bright Pen. ISBN. 978-07552-1099-2

John Baddeley is the consum-mate ‘actor’s actor’.Double Take is a richly rewardingautobiography, sharing many ofthe qualities he has as a performer.Witty, warm hearted, cannilyobservant, with an unbeatablesense of comedy and, sometimes,the tragedy, of life. He writes withbeguiling humour and generosity.It’s thrilling that his gifts can beshared not only with the theatre,radio, and television audiences but,now, with readers too.John has probably shared moremicrophones than many of us havehad hot BBC canteen dinners.Having worked in radio for overfifty years, his reminiscences ofthose with whom he has performed(or brushed impeccable shouldersagainst) are many.It’s a wonderful word picture of an important aspect of broad-casting, from one of its mostaccomplished players.He has been involved in BBCradio drama, both as a freelanceand as a member of the RadioDrama Company; also with LightEntertainment, working withmany well-known comedians,including Morecambe & Wise,Ken Dodd, Kenneth Williams andFrankie Howerd. (I’m sure his own

remarkable comedy timing musthave impressed, and possiblyalarmed, some of them in equalmeasure.)He worked considerably, too, onSchools Radio (often ‘live’) as wellas for the World Service with theEnglish Radio department. Having shared studios with himmany times – and the West Endstage – I had the pleasure of directing him in Ayckbourn’s Man ofthe Moment a few months ago forRadio 4. On this occasion I think hedescribed his role as ‘a telling cameo’.It was a mere five lines, but masterlyBaddeley somehow managed tosecure a laugh on each one of themfrom his colleagues around the mic.For those who were part of BBCradio from the fifties to the nineties, the anecdotes in this un-put-downable book will surely bea happy and humorous journey backto halcyon days. Here’s a flavour:‘The staff of the Radio DramaDept. was made up of fascinatingand diverse characters. R.D.Smith(Reggie) was well-known to everystarving actor. He bestrode the corridors of BH as if he owned it. Apassionate cricket lover, he wouldwear a huge white cable-knitsweater at all times. A favouritehaunt of his was The George in

Gt Portland Street, a celebrated watering holefor the BBC glitterati,particularly poets. LouisMacNeice must haveobserved Dylan Thomaslose consciousness inthose convivial surround-ings on many occasions.Reggie could always befound having his liquidlunch there, and out ofwork actors would dropin around mid-day in thehope of catching his eye.He would frequentlyreturn to the productionhe was currently workingon, at around 3pm, withan additional actor intow.‘I’m taking a few of yourlines, old boy, to make aseparate character forNorman – you don’tmind do you?’He would have found a talented,impecunious and eccentric actorlike Norman Wynne ‘marking timein a pool of snuff andWorthington’ at The George andstretched the budget to give him aday’s work.’The chortle factor within thesepages is high. Essential reading for

anyone interested in the life of anactor, and especially those involvedwith radio.Martin JarvisCopies, in two volumes, soft back,

with illustrations by the cartoonistMAC and foreword by RichardBriers, available via KHPDistribution, phone 020 8941 4573

John Baddeley

Geoff Hale

Laughter,on and off

Trials of life behindthe news

8.00 Announcement reWavelength and News8.06 Records9.30 Religious service10.00 Announcement fromDowning St re PrimeMinister’s speech10.02 Records10.40 Announcement re PrimeMinister’s speech & records10.45 Talk: Making the most oftinned foods (Anne Beaton)11.15 Announcement re PrimeMinister’s speech, followed byspeech by the Prime Minister11.23 Governmentannouncements11.26 National anthem11.31 Records12.01 News12.08 Records12.40 Announcement & records1.19 Recording of the speechby the Prime Minister1.30 News1.50 Records2.00 News2.25 Special Admiraltyannouncement2.29 Recording of PrimeMinister’s speech

Do you remember that day?Send your memories to: Prospero EditorBBC Pension & BenefitsCentreBroadcasting HouseCardiff, CF5 2YQor email:prosperoeditor@ntlworld.com