John Lannin

2" Quad machine, photo by John Burkill (1976)

2″ Quad machine, photo by John Burkill (1976)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annie Gumbley-Williams has sent through the following sad news about John Lannin.

“John Lannin died last Friday, 28th October 2016. John had been ill for some time. The news has come from John Kimberley. John was a VT Editor and then a Vision Manager at Pebble Mill. John was a very pleasant, friendly and very kind gentleman. He will be sadly missed.”

John was apparently also a master of the two inch editing block (seen in front of the 2″ machine above), which was a demanding piece of equipment to operate accurately!

The following comment was left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Bryan Comley: ‘Very sad news, I first met John at BBC Bristol, as my line manager, I will never forget his amazing management style. When he moved back to Pebble mill he got me to move too, my interview consisted of a 15 minute tour of pebble mill followed by three hours? In the bar!!! I passed the interview!!’

Bill Morris: ‘Along with the sadly departed Alan Edwards, John trained me up as an Engineering Manager in the early 80’s at Viewplan Broadcast. He was a true gentleman and an unflappable OB Manager. His capacity for both humour and beer were legendary and I remember both John and those halcyon days of OB’s with great affection.’

 

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Memories of Aberfan – John Howarth

Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started my career in professional broadcasting at Pebble Mill as a vacation trainee engineer. I remember Alan Edwards man ops, who was the engineering manager at Aberfan 50 years ago today, who stopped the riggers from going to help, because they had a job to do as part of the news team, to report the historical events, so they should not be repeated. I remember my Welsh teacher mother Olwen holding me and weeping as we watched the families digging for their children. I am so glad that John Humphries and Huw Edwards, fellow Taffia have remembered and so eloquently reported on the anniversary. I have never forgotten, and so it would appear neither have they. I was privileged to work with John in SPUR, BBC TV News when he was South Africa Correspondent, & Lime Grove BBC NCA 1978-1988, and under Brigadier Alan Protheroe DDG Ed Tel News, and finished my career as Acting Planning Manager BBC NCA Resources, before resigning when the BIRT/Checkland double act took office. I am glad someone else remembers Pebble Mill, speaking as a BBC Pensioner.

John Howarth

The following comment was left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Dave Bushell: ‘One of my Bristol engineering colleagues was at Aberfan. The Bristol OB unit, MCR 28 was in South Wales for a job and was diverted to provide coverage. He spoke of the difficulties the crew had staying at their posts when the urge to help was so overwhelming.’

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