September 2010 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Nice Work – photos by Willougby Gullachsen

Photos by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

Nice Work was produced at Pebble Mill in 1989 by Chris Parr. David Lodge wrote both the original novel and the screenplay. The series starred Warren Clarke as Vic Wilcox, the managing director of a ‘Rummidge’ engineering firm, and Haydn Gwynne who played Robyn Penrose a young university academic. It was filmed on location around Birmingham and the Black Country, including Birmingham University (where David Lodge was a Professor). Vic and Robyn are thrust together on a business/academic scheme where Robyn was told by her Head of Department to shadow Vic. After an initial reluctance they come to a mutual respect and friendship, especially when Robyn prevents Vic being tricked by a German engineering company. Janet Dale played Vic’s wife, Marjorie.

The series was directed by Christopher Menaul, designed by Ian Ashurst, with Paul Woolston as the DoP. Will Hartley was the 1st AD.

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All Creatures Great and Small – Les Podraza’s photos

Photos from Les Podraza, no reproduction without permission. Les was a scene hand on ‘All Creatures Great and Small’, which was filmed on location around Askrigg in the Yorkshire Dales, with the interiors being recorded in Pebble Mill Studio A. The series was produced by the BBC in London, but hosted out of Pebble Mill.

There were 91 episodes of ‘All Creatures’ which were transmitted between 1978 and 1990. Christopher Timothy starred as James Herriot, with Robert Hardy as Siegfried Farnon and Peter Davidson as Tristan Farnon. Carol Drinkwater played the role of Helen Herriot until Lynda Bellingham took over in 1988. The series follows the adventures of vet James Herriot in the 1930’s Yorkshire Dales, when he is working for Siegfried Farnon’s practice.

Les’s photos feature Carol Drinkwater and Christopher Timothy, as well as other members of the cast and crew. Also included are shots of the crew’s digs in Askrigg, the special effects team at work, and the camera rig on James Herriot’s car .

Les with Carol Drinkwater

Asian Music and Dance – photos by Lynda Kettle

This gallery contains 6 photos.

Photos by Lynda Kettle, no reproduction without permission. Lynda Kettle was a Production Designer at BBC Pebble Mill, working on factual, entertainment and drama shows in studio and on location. The photos were taken as records of the Sets. Pebble Mill became a important centre for Black and Asian programme making, including several Asian…

Trainer – photos by Les Podraza

Photos by Les Podraza, no reproduction without permission.

Trainer was a drama series produced in 1991-2 by BBC London, but hosted by Pebble Mill. The scene crew included Les Podraza. The series was directed by Jeremy Summers, produced by Gerard Glaister and written by Christopher Green. The series starred Susannah York, David McCallum, Mark Greenstreet , Nigel Davenport and Patrick Ryecroft. The cast also included: Des McAleer, Nicola King, Kenneth Farrington, Sarah Atkinson, Floyd Bevan, Stephen Greif, and Tracy Louise Ward.

After the end of Howard’s Way, the BBC needed a big drama series for the Sunday evening schedule, and therefore commissioned Trainer, a drama following the life of trainer Mike Hardy (Mark Greenstreet) in his constant battle against his employer and stable owner James Brant (Edward Davenport) and other members of the racing fraternity residing somewhere in the Lambourn Downs.

Les with David McCallum

Morning Surgery – photos by Lynda Kettle

‘Morning Surgery’ was a summer spin off from ‘Good Morning with Anne and Nick’. There were two series, the first was transmitted in June 1993 and the second in September 1993. It was a BBC 1 Daytime show and featured Dr Mark Porter and Lydia Thomas taking the mystery out of medical matters. The show was studio based in Pebble Mill Studio C (the foyer). The title music was composed by David Lowe.

Production Designer, Lynda Kettle also worked as a theatre designer and an artist, and now runs courses from her art studio http://www.lynda-kettle.com. She is a member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Birmingham Water Colour Society. Midland Pastel Society and Birmingham Art Circle . She exhibits her paintings several times a year at selected galleries.