Day Out – What Was Pebble Mill?

Chris Weaver

Photo from Gail Herbert, copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.

Director of Photography, Chris Weaver has died recently. He is operating the camera in the photo above, which was on a Regional series, called Day Out, this episode was in Derby, 1983. Production Assistant, Gail Herbert, is next to him, with David Nelson, right of Chris. Chris worked at Magpie, with Jim Knights, and was married to Pebble Mill Make-up Designer, Lesley Weaver. Producer John Clarke is on the far left.

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

Elliot Weaver: ‘Action shot – “you must always point at something”‘

Johannah Dyer: ‘That is sad news – he was a lovely bloke who always went above and beyond what was expected on every shoot.’

Terry Powell: ‘So sad to hear, I knew and worked with his wife Lesley on so many shows and Chris as well sending love to his family.’

Lynn Cullimore: ‘Chris was the nicest guy ever and so lovely to work with I agree Jane. So sad to hear of this and I do send my condolences to Lesley and all the family. I remember Day Out well as I also worked on it with John Clarke. In fact, John is in this picture extreme left.’

Siobhan Maher Kennedy: ‘Very sad news . I loved the Magpie guys! Chris was great and I have happy memories from when I was in the regional opt out with Pamela Relton Liz Cox Rosalind Gower.’

Samantha Watkins: ‘Sorry to hear about the loss of Chris. Many happy memories . Here’s a photo I found in attic from the early 80’s. Also a photo of me and Lesley in 81 was in same album , on Nanny.

Regional Editing Allocation Sheet

Thanks to film editor Charles White for sharing this document, and for keeping it safe since 1987!

This document shows the allocation of regional editing suites in summer 1987.

The programmes listed are the regional opt documentaries. These were weekly, 30 minute programmes about all sorts of subjects of interest in the Midlands. They included regional versions of shows like Crimewatch. The standard editing day seems to be 8.30-16.30.

Each programme had a separate programme number, which is shown under the episode title.

Ros Gower adds the following information: ‘The initials show who was producing and directing the programmes – KW Katie Wright, JC John Clark, DN David Nelson, MD Mike Dornan, RG – me, Ros Gower. Not sure who CC was. I can remember all of them! The one with my initials against it, and presenter Mike Dornan’s, was a doc we made in Shropshire at Condor Hall, an amazing school for deaf blind children.’

The final column shows how the programme was made e.g. studio, PSC (portable single camera), TK (film transfer), VT (videotape editing).

Day Out – Keith Conlon

The cutting is of a TV crew, who I was the soundman, making it to the front page of ‘Rutland and Stamford Mercury’ newspaper, whilst we were making a Regional programme series called ‘Day Out’.
The crew consisted of Pete Smith, Cameraman. Dave Ronnie, Assistant Camera and my self, Keith Conlon Sound man. The P.A was Trina Bond. Director Keith Haley. Presenter Maureen Staffer.

Keith Conlon

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

Peter Poole: ‘A very enjoyable programme. Anyone remember “Biking Butler”?’

Cathy Houghton: ‘Yes, Peter and Boating Butler – they were very good.’

Lynn Cullimore: ‘Oh yes, I worked on the Day Outs…all over the Midlands region. There were lots of them.’

Conal O’Donnell: ‘I seem to recall a “Boating Butler” when a camera wnet overboard..?’

Keith Conlon: ‘I worked on Boating Butler and yes I remember the camera going into the cut. I found that the series was very enjoyable to work on as they made some really interesting programmes..’

Peter Poole: ‘I remember recording the commentary for Biking Butler. It was done in a ad-lib style. Tony was not political correct and some of his comments were very funny. But unfortunately not fit for broadcast. It was always great fun to work with Tony. I think the producer was John Taylor. The PA was Mandy Peissel. Back then regional TV produced many varied and excellent programmes on very small budgets.’

Conal O’Donnell: ‘Tony Butler is one of the funniest men I’ve met-the most entertaining stuff I ever heard out of Pebble Mill -unfortunately not broadcast-was the banter each day in the WM production office while the Butler Breakfast & Doolan prog teams overlapped -the only time I ever remember tears of laughter -quite literally!’

Lynne Cullimore: ‘I loved working with him and not only was he funny but he was a nice man. He always treated me nicely – not like some I could mention!’

Regional TV, ‘Day Out’ – photos by Gail Herbert

These photos are from the 1983 regional TV series Day Out produced at Pebble Mill. The first three photos feature Derby; the next four Tewksbury; and the last two the Peak District. The cameraman in the first photo is Chris Weaver, in the Tewksbury photos the cameraman is Jim Knights, and soundman Keith Conlon, with Gail Herbert P.A.; the cameraman in the Peak District photos is Pete Smith, Trina Bond the P.A and Mike Derby the director.

Jim Knights & Gail Herbert