Radio WM presenter Steve Woodhall and Engineer, Rod Fawcett, in fancy dress for Children in Need as Maid Marion and the Sheriff of Nottingham. What a handsome couple.
Radio WM presenter Steve Woodhall and Engineer, Rod Fawcett, in fancy dress for Children in Need as Maid Marion and the Sheriff of Nottingham. What a handsome couple.
This photo is from Costume’s Ruth Kiosses, who was the back-end of this racehorse, inspired by the BBC drama series, Trainer, which was made at Pebble Mill.
These photos are from Children in Need
1991. The top photo shows the hot-liners taking pledges of money. It could be Sue Beardsmore checking her cue cards.
The lower photo shows Bob Meikle and probably Diane Lester in their character outfits.
These photos were originally posted on the Pebble Mill Engineers Facebook page.
A busy Children in Need night in the corridor outside Studio A. This photo probably dates from the 1980s.
Thanks to Radio WM engineer Rod Fawcett, for sharing the photo.
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Stuart Gandy: ‘Those were the days when CIN was a big event inside and outside the Mill.’
Andy Marriott: ‘It’s a shame, all the regions would get a decent chunk of airtime and places like Pebble Mill and Oxford Road used to make the most of it. It seems very London-centric now.’
Gyn Freeman: ‘Standing behind this red haired beauty is the timid, yet well dressed beauty Steve Woodhall. This is an audience I think off into the studio, but who is on the ladder at the back trying to maintain order? No doubt about it, the good old days!’
Rod Fawcett: ‘On the far left it’s Jenny Wilkes as Robin Hood.’
My dad, Don Pinchbeck, worked at Pebble Mill between 1977-2001 as a Studio Attendant, he absolutely loved working for BBC Pebble Mill, he always had great stories about stars that he’d seen and the lovely people he worked with, unfortunately he passed away on 27 Dec 2015 aged 80, a great dad, husband and grandad, much loved and missed. His funeral will be taking place at St Edwards Church, Selly Park on Wed 20 Jan 2016 at 9.30am.
My dad worked at the BBC from retired in 2001 (though he really didn’t want to) he was always based at Pebble Mill, the shows I know he worked on were:
Pebble Mill at One
Telly Addicts
Basil Brush Show
I can’t remember if he worked on the Clothes Show, I know he worked on a similar show with John Leslie hosting it.
The Alan Titchmarsh show
Maybe Top Gear
Children in Need
He mentioned lots of celebrities over the years, probably when Pebble Mill at One was still on, Barry Manilow, Joan Collins, Roger Moore, the stars from the shows above and lots of others. He received lots of commendations for his hard work over the years which my mom kept. He took me to a few staff kid’s Christmas parties at the BBC, we went to see Basil Brush a few times, we attended an open day they had for the public in the early 90’s I remember which are great and we went in the audience a few times at Children in Need. He was very hard working, dad to 5, grandad to 3, great grandad to 2. He lived in Selly Oak all his life, so he loved working locally and for the Beeb as he called it.
Catherine Pinchbeck
(The show that Catherine mentions, presented by John Leslie, would have been Style Challenge).
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Les Podraza: ‘I remember Don very well. A great charachter and hard working part of Studio A. Always ready to muck in and help out. So sad he has now departed this world. ‘
Richard Smith: ‘Sad to learn of Don’s death. A lovely, friendly and hard working man, would do anything to help you. Many happy times with him in House Services. In the photos are Jason Edwards, Robert Pash, Alan Evans, Billy Gardner, Frank Barber and Marie Phillips. Condolences to Don’s family.’
Donald Steel: ‘I remember Don very well and with fondness – always the same always cheerful. It was a great gang in those days everybody helped you. So very sorry to hear of his passing.’
Marie Phillips: ‘The group photo was my retirement party in March 1998. Don was not fond of “does”so I was thrilled he and the rest of “my lads” came along. I honestly could not have done so many events for Children in Need without the enthusiasm and often out of hours help given by Don and all of them. He and they were a breed apart and I was forever grateful. Fond memories Don.’
Gill Thompson: ‘I worked with Don looking after the audiences at Pebble Mill, a lovely man and excellent at his job, always smiling and very professional.’
Mary Sanchez: ‘I remember him well from my Pebble Mill days – always really nice and friendly. I also used to see him out and about around Selly Park and we’d wave .’