Children in Need – Page 3 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Children in Need with Alan Towers

These stills are from Children in Need from the early 1980s. These would have been from the Midlands contribution into the national Children in Need show. The presenter was Alan Towers, who was one of the Midlands Today presenter. The first still shows the volunteers taking the pledges of money on the phones.

Thanks to Stuart Allen for sharing the photos.

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Ann Gumbley Williams: ‘Worked with Alan as assistant on the very first Children in Need. I was in the Gallery on my own when London said they were coming to Birmingham in 30 seconds. Had to run around to the newsroom and grab Alan and all those involve. Just about got there in time! Such memories, the first one was so crazy and laid back and hairy! If you can be both.’

Gary Hudson: ‘I knew Alan before I worked for the BBC, and on my first day he took me to one side:”Staff job, eh? Find yourself an empty office on the fifth floor and stay there till you collect your pension.”
Variously called everything from Beckenbauer to Uncle Barmy, he was a great character, loyal friend and I miss him. His wicked sense of humour wasn’t confined to the infamous farewell speech. Who remembers the Christmas studio decorations sign-off? As I recall, it was something like: ‘Do you like our Christmas tree? The fairies put it up in the middle of the night. Thanks, boys!”

Hollywood themed Children in Need

Photos by Karen Bond, no reproduction without permission.

These photos are of a Children in Need night with a Hollywood theme. The show took place in Studio A. The first photo has floor manager, Dave Brazier on the far left hand-side, with Laurel and Hardy look-a-likes. They date from the early 1990s. The girl in black, centre, in the second photo is presenter Jenny Powell.

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

Carole Lowe: ‘I have my photos of that night found them the other day it was inside the studio with a Hollywood theme for Children in Need Marie Phillips was at the helm maybe she might know , the only OB I remember for Children in Need was in the city centre with Alan Titchmarsh and Lesley Joseph I was helping on that day as well. Happy memories.’

Children in Need – Allo Allo

These photos are from a Children in Need evening show. There is a definite French theme, with ‘Allo ‘Allo actress, Vicki Mitchell, accompanied by Floor Manager, Mick Murphy, sporting beret and garlic!

Thanks to Mick Murphy for sharing the photos.

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

Rachel Broomfield: ‘Was it around1989? [Actually the photos are from 1990]. I think this was one of the ones I worked on as a humble studio assistant for Radio WM. If I remember rightly Toyah Willcox also topped the bill and Sue Beardsmore fronted for Midlands Today.’

Director Chris Wright on Pebble Mill at One – Steve Weddle

Director, Chris Wright, deep in thought, during Tom O’Connor Roadshow. Photo Jane Mclean

That’s a classic Chris Wright pose. He would often wander off on his own to think things through prior to going into the gallery or scanner. Mind you, there was that time on a certain infamous edition of Pebble Mill At One when, dressed as a teddy boy, he leapt out of the director’s chair, to be replaced by Mark Kershaw, so he could dance a rock and roll routine downstairs, on camera, in the foyer. It worked a treat, except one of the prgramme guests had imbibed too much and went on air somewhat worse for wear. Consequently, the entire edition went under the microscope, and questions were asked in high places why the programme director was to be seen rocking and rolling with Josephine Buchan, the presenter. How do I know this? … I was Producer of what was our last show before Christmas in that particular year…circa 1984. Hope you don’t mind me mentioning this Chris. It still makes me smile.

Steve Weddle

Mark Kershaw directing Pebble Mill at One. No reproduction without permission

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:

Jane Clement: ‘All the shows leading into Christmas were great fun. And – given the generosity of the green room – inebriated guests were not exactly a rarity, but never a big problem. I’m having a drink with Chris this afternoon, as it happens. We both live in the same city (Auckland, New Zealand) so I expect we’ll be reminiscing about old times.’

Steve Weddle: ‘I should stress that Chris was totally sober when he danced on the show. It was the guest who was was worse for wear! If Chris was a celebrity he would have been on Strictly by now!’

Ruth Kiosses: ‘Drunken guests! I want to know what they put in the audience’s tea? That warm-up guy telling the audience the cameraman would be like a rat up a drainpipe if legs weren’t kept together on the front row. Must have heard that over the monitor everyday for years! It always livened them up with giggles.’

Betti Moretti: I’ was a bit late to Pebble Mill… but I had so much fun there! I remember a particularly merry Pudsey Bear after a long Children in Need taking a tumble from top to bottom of the stairs into the green room where Anne & Nick were based… wiped a couple of people out at the bottom – Jeremy Paxman included… so many funny memories… happy days indeed’

Children in Need – Simon Bates

Simon Bates, Cathy Houghton, Mick Murphy

Children in Need photos dating from the late 1980s/early 1990s, with Midlands Today’s Cathy Houghton briefing presenter Simon Bates on the evening’s proceedings, in Studio C – the Foyer. Mick Murphy tickling the ivories!

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:

Siobhan Maher Kennedy: Mick Murphy I remember him! I got my CBBC job from being a presenter for the Children in Need from Pebble Mill in 1986.

Rosalind Gower: Yes it was 1990, one of the years I produced it with Simon Bates and Toyah Willcox presenting. That year all the production team, crews etc all wore fancy dress and I remember Mick getting that snazzy outfit from wardrobe.