Call My Bluff – Page 2 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Cliff Richard with Marie Phillips

The photo is of Cliff Richard with Marie Phillips, the ‘Children in Need’ co-ordinator for the Midlands Region, who was retiring. Cliff was a regular supporter of ‘Children in Need’ charities, and often took time out of his schedule to do charity work for Marie, whenever he was up in Birmingham for shows like ‘Pebble Mill’.

Marie adds the following information:

‘Cliff was recording ‘Call my Bluff’ and my friends including Royston Horsley, made sure I was in the audience, which I was thrilled about of course. At the end of the recording lovely Royston made sure I stayed in my seat and Cliff came into the audience holding a single red rose and a signed card saying, “Someone is retiring” I squeaked “It’s Me !” He handed me the rose and card – AND a Kiss, took my hand and led me onto the Studio Floor for lots of photos to be taken of me and him. There you are – fifteen years ago and I remember every detail. I still have the rose and card.’

Gallery A – photo by Sue Robinson

Photograph by multicamera director Sue Robinson, no reproduction without permission.

The photo is of the Gallery for Studio A, which was Pebble Mill’s largest television studio, used for dramas as well as entertainment shows, like ‘Pebble Mill’, ‘Going for a Song’, and ‘Call My Bluff’ .

Included are (left to right): Keith Knowles (vision engineer); Dave Bushell (lighting director); Pete Eggleston (vision engineer); Pete Hodges (vision supervisor).

Studio A Sound Desk – Peter Poole

Studio A Sound Desk

I took these photos about 1980. They show the Neve sound desk fitted with 48 channels. This enabled complex sound mixing for live and recorded programmes. Many drama and light entertainment programmes were produced in Studio A. They include ‘Howard’s Way’, ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ and many other dramas. Light entertainment programmes include ‘Telly Addicts’, ‘Call My Bluff’ and the final series of ‘Pebble Mill at One’.

In 1997 a major refurbishment of Studio A started at a cost of £2.2 million. The studio reopened in 1998 with vision and sound facilities which compered with the very best in the country. The new sound desk was a 60 channel Calrec Q series. However a few years later the studio was closed. This followed a decision by BBC senior management.

I visited Pebble Mill shortly after it’s closure. The studio doors were padlocked but I was able to have a look in the gallery. The new installation was superb. This together with Pebble Mill’s talented crews should have kept Studio A very busy. It’s such a shame that it closed after so little use.

Peter Poole