Brian Vaughton demos the STC 4032 mic from pebblemill on Vimeo.
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In this specially recorded video, freelance radio producer and editor, Brian Vaughton, demonstrates the STC 4032 mic. The mic was introduced in 1955. It was light, at only 12oz, and ideal for interviewers, commentators and presenters.
Working with radio producer, Charles Parker from pebblemill on Vimeo.
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In this video, freelance radio producer and editor, Brian Vaughton, talks about working with radio producer, Charles Parker, on some of the Birmingham Ballads, including Cry from the Cut, about the canal folk of Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
Brian is interviewed by Sam Coley, Degree Leader Radio, School of Media, Birmingham City University.
Brain Vaughton demonstrates the Brenell tape editing deck from pebblemill on Vimeo.
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
Radio producer and editor, Brian Vaughton, demonstrates the Brenell tape editing deck, which would have been used to edit radio documentaries and inserts from the 1960s.
Brian worked as a freelancer at BBC Birmingham in the 1960s, with producers like Philip Donnellan and Charles Parker.
The following comment was left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:
Peter Poole: ‘I used Brenell decks in hospital radio. Very good machines and built like a tank!’
Brian Vaughton demos the EMI L2 from pebblemill on Vimeo.
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
This specially recorded video with retired freelance radio editor and producer, Brian Vaughton, shows how the EMI L2 tape recorder worked. Brian bought the tape recorder in the late 1950s, and it is still in good working order today.
A radio colleague from Birmingham City University, Sam Coley, and I, travelled down to Devon in late July, to interview Brian Vaughton about his radio work for BBC Birmingham, in the pre-Pebble Mill days.
Vanessa Jackson
Ian Parr, photo by Sam Coley, no reproduction without permission
Ian Parr, photo by Sam Coley, no reproduction without permission
Photo by Sam Coley, no reproduction without permission
Ian Parr, the Secretary and Trustee of the Charles Parker Archive, visited the Birmingham School of Media recently to deliver a collection of equipment formally used by Birmingham born radio producer, Brian Vaughton.
“On looking back I find that the majority of my documentaries have been aimed at capturing the past, before it is too late.” Brian Vaughton
Brian worked in both radio and television from the late 1950s – into the twenty-first century. In 1961 and 1962, Brian compiled and wrote two radio programmes which were produced by Charles Parker in the BBC Birmingham studios (Broad Street). These programmes, The Jewellery and Cry from the Cut, became known as The Birmingham Ballads and have become important audio documents, preserving the legacy of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and the commercial boat traffic which used to fill the city’s once busy canals.
It is interesting to note that Brian did not work under the security of full time BBC employment – instead preferring the freedom offered by being an independent producer.
“The beauty of being a freelance is that you can choose the subject of your article, radio programme or documentary film that you want to put up for consideration by the powers-that-be. And if they reject your suggestions, it is not the end of the world!” Brian Vaughton
Brian kindly gave permission for his collection of radio equipment to be permanently displayed in the Radio Suite of the new Parkside Building. This includes an L2 EMI “midget tape recorder”, a Brennell editing deck and anSTC4032 microphone. These are all in pristine condition – which Brian says this is because he paid for the equipment himself – and therefore took good care of it. While BBC equipment at the time was often subjected to more “knocks”.
The School of Media is delighted to announce the naming of a new annual award “The Brian Vaughton Award for Excellence in Radio” which is to be given to the radio student achieving the highest overall mark on the conclusion of their BA in Media and Communication / Radio studies.
For more information about Brian’s achievements, please visit the Charles Parker Archive Trust where there is an excellent series of interviews and notes relating to his work and the “Birmingham Ballads”. http://www.cpatrust.org.uk/oldsite/Bham_ballads.htm
Sam Coley (Degree Leader Radio, School of Media, Birmingham City University)
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:
Pete Simpkin: ‘Many the reporter I taught to use the famous EMI L2 recorder….weighed a ton but was portable at last!’
Ieuan Franklin: ‘Hi Vanessa – that’s great about the donation of the equipment, and the naming of a new award after Brian Vaughton. I have listened to both programmes at the Charles Parker Archive, and I really think they do deserve to be included within the ‘official’ series of Radio Ballads (1958-1964). I have never met Brian, but his lengthy article on the Charles Parker Archive Trust website is incredibly informative, and was useful for my PhD research. Seán Street will be interested in this and may be able to comment on the equipment itself!’
The Charles Parker Archive can be found in the Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, and more details can be found on the Birmingham City Council’s website: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/charlesparkerarchive
Sam Coley (Degree Leader, Radio, Birmingham City University)