Dawn Hudson – What Was Pebble Mill?

Pot Black

This photo is of Jim Dumighan and producer Reg Perrin on the popular snooker series, Pot Black, which was made at Pebble Mill. It looks like the programme planning blackboard in the background.

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

Julian Hitchcock: ‘We recorded it just after Christmas. Wonderful convivial days.’

Gordon Astley: ‘Pot Black was my first job when I joined the Beeb. On the first episode it was my responsibility to press ‘play’ on the tape machine for the iconic theme tune !’

Dawn and Kevin Hudson, with their Pot Black T-shirts

Sophia and Constance at Black Country Museum

Photos from Dawn and Kevin Hudson, no reproduction without permission

These photos show the crew and crafts people setting up for the shooting of the 1988 six part drama series: Sophia and Constance at the Black Country Museum. The series was recorded on the outside broadcast truck CM3.

Thanks for Dawn and Kevin Hudson for sharing the photos.

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

Albert Sheard: ‘Second photo, left to right Stan Morgan/ Kevin Lakin /Frank Crow in the cap / Dave Bushall aka Gonzo /Kevin Hudson / and Peter Potter kneeling. All great lads, 3 of them no longer with us.’

A Sort of Innocence – James French

Behind the Scenes; A Sort of Innocence from pebblemill on Vimeo.

Video copyright, James French, no reproduction without permission.

James French has provided the following information about this behind the scenes footage which he recorded on location for A Sort of Innocence, known as ‘The Hereford Project’ at the time. The first sequence is by the river in Hereford and the other involves a low-loader being rigged at Chateau Impney in Droitwich Spa:

This was a two camera shoot using CM2 and I (James French) was second camera, Keith Salmon camera supervisor. The cameras were Philips LDK 514s with Angenieux lenses for the techie-types.

The Director was John Gorrie. You hear him but don’t see him in the first sequence. The 1st AD is Peter Rose, who went on to direct several soaps including Crossroads, Eastenders and Coronation Street. Main actor: Kenneth Cranham. Boy: Neil Jeffery, LD: Barry Chatfield, Sparks: Dave Walter, Sound: Tony Wass, Tim Everett.

It was 1986.

The grip’s name was Ron Fleet, and I think the cable basher is rigger, Barry but can’t remember his surname.

behind the scenes on A Sort of Innocence

EM: Dave Robinson, Spark: Roger Hynes (can’t remember the other guy), Director: John Gorrie seen sitting on the kerb in the early panning shot, Engineer: Peter Eggleston, Vision Mixer: Roger Sutton, Rigger: George Stephenson, Editor: Mike Bloore.

Here is the Radio Times entry from the first episode courtesy of the BBC Genome project:

A six-part serial by ALICK ROWE Episode 1 starring
Kenneth Cranham Cheryl Campbell Michael Byrne
Introducing Neil Jeffery Elizabeth Fellowes seems well suited to life in a small cathedral town. Her husband, Mark, teaches at the cathedral school where her son, Tim, is a chorister. Unknown to the family, boardroom battles are taking place elsewhere. These are to have a dramatic effect on their future lives together.
Music composed by RICHARD HARVEY Script editor JENNY SHERIDAN Designers
MYLES LANG. AMANDA ATKINSON Producer RUTH BOSWELL Director JOHN GORRIE

genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/56046536e8054c6fb2167b2d10c5920f

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

Diana Lester: ‘Thanks James, I cannot believe that was over 30 years ago. …lovely to see faces from the past, many who unfortunately are no longer with us ….and we all look so young !!’

Karen Lamb: ‘Hearing Keith’s voice again was so special saying “don’t point it at the sun” such wonderful memories working on crew 5.’

Dawn/Kevin Hudson: ‘Great memories,the grip was Ronnie Fleet, and the fella brushing the path was affectionately known as Gonzo.’

Richard Stevenson: ‘Great clip. Is Tim booming wearing a tie?! Those were the days.’

Wally Aspey’s retirement do

These photos are of Wally Aspey’s retirement do. It was held at the BBC Club, with Mick Murphy playing the piano. Also in the piano photo are Kevin Hudson (blonde curly hair), next to Dave Ackrill (blonde hair).

Wally is seen tucking into his ‘BBC’ cake, behind him is designer Miles Laing.

Thanks to Dawn and Kevin Hudson for sharing the photos.

The Ritz – TX Card

Thanks to costume designer, Janice Rider, for sharing this transmission card for the 1987, 6 part comedy series – The Ritz, set in a Northern disco.

The series was written by John Godber, and was based on his theatre play, Bouncers.

Martin Shardlow was the director, Chris Parr the producer. The series featured Richard James Lewis, Paul Rider, Andre Dunn, Andrew Livingstone and Richard Ridings.

The series was well received, and a sequel: The Continental, followed.

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

Dawn Hudson: ‘I remember Robin Midgley Asking me to read the script I was really nervous but I laughed and thought it was great. However when I watched it I was disappointed.’

Mary Sanchez: ‘I was secretary to Chris Parr at the time and remember typing up these scripts (yes on a typewriter – before computers!) It was shot in Liberty’s nightclub on the Hagley Road . It had a great cast – a real laugh , starring Mark Addy who’s a big name now!’