Photo by Albert Sheard, no reproduction without permission
Soldiers in the blacksmiths, Great Expectations, 1981. The set was created in Studio A of Pebble Mill.
The following comment was added to the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Camilla Fisher: ‘Tony Fisher worked on this production and also took photos. A few years later our daughter told her teacher that her daddy had been at the battle of Waterloo. She was disbelieved. So to prove her point she took the photos into to school.’
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission
This interview with Steve Weddle is from a 1980 book called ‘Working in Television’, by Jan Leeming. It gives a fascinating insight into the life of a researcher on Pebble Mill at One.
Thanks to Jonathan Dick for sharing the excerpt.
The following comment was added on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Steve Weddle: ‘I do remember writing this for Jan’s book, Working In Television. She very kindly said a few positive things about me in the preface, without money changing hands, for which I was most grateful. There were a number of ex-Pebble Millers featured in the book, including Mike Bloor, who I discovered from his piece, used to be a postman. It was really a guide on how to get into television in the 1970’s, when oopprtunities were limited, mainly becuase there were only three channels, and no such thing as indies. Jan Leeming used to present on the original Pebble Mill at One, before going on to find even more fame and fortune as a Newsreader on the BBC National Bulletins. She was a lovely lady who is still going strong, most recently on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.’
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission
Jim Dumighan showing the Queen around Pebble Mill in 1981.
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Malcolm Hickman: ‘I remember it as Roy Thompson and I were on shift in the comms centre when security phoned to say they had a bomb warning. We scoured the area and found a bag under a table in the corner. We didn’t know who’s it was, so security removed it. Turned out one of our colleagues, who was not on shift, had all his cameras gear in the bag as he had been photographing the queen.’
Roy Thompson: ‘Thanks Malcolm for reminding me of that had totally forgotten it. How intrepid we were searching for the bag!!! Do you remember the other time the comms centre was “under attack”. We thought we were being shot at when a loud bang was heard and a chip mark appeared on the large toughened glass window facing the road. Turned out to be the gardener’s lawn mower throwing a stone in our direction from the front lawn. Happy days!!’
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission
Dear Octopus was transmitted on BBC television on 10th January 1960. It was produced at Gosta Green in Birmingham. The drama is set at a reunion of the Randoph family.
Joyce Hawkins worked on the costumes for the drama. Thanks to her for sharing this publicity photograph of Michael Denison, from the production.
Chloe Gibson was the director, and the play was written by Dodie Smith.
Michael Denison played Nicholas Randolph and Gwen Ffrangcon Davies played Dora Randolph.
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Colin Pierpoint: I think I do remember it. Each of the characters was a bit weird in some way or other. Now I think of it the son ends up behaving like a baby at the end, with the parents encouraged by this, even though he is about 40. It was so way out, I thought it worthy of a Pebble Mill drama!’
Mary Sanchez: ‘I worked with Michael Denison and Dulcie Gray on Howard’s Way too- lovely almost regal like couple! They didn’t mind being driven around locations in my massive mini bus and were always very appreciative!! Climbing in and out …They invited me to their house in Amersham for tea, I never did go but they were very sweet indeed!’
Jane Green: ‘Ah! Michael was married to Dulcie Gray who played Kate Harvey in Howards Way. When we were filming near Southampton they gave me a lift back to my hotel in their car – which he proudly told me he’d bought off Princess Diana’s dad.(Dulcie was friends with the Queen Mum and used to go to Clarence House a lot for tea) The Denisons were a lovely, giggly, fun couple. Photo is of AFM Alison Symington and me on location standing infront of ‘Jan Howard’s’ car. About 1986.’
Photo by Terry Dand, no reproduction without permission
The photo was taken in 1978 from the annual fair in Cannon Hill Park, with the view of the Pebble Mill office block behind.