Gary Williams – What Was Pebble Mill?

Building of Pres Gallery 1991

Room to the side of Pres, before the Pres Gallery was built. Photos from Stuart Gandy, no reproduction without permission.

Pres Gallery building 1991

Pres Gallery in use

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These photos from Stuart Gandy show the building of the Pres Gallery in 1991. The first photo shows the ‘before’, the second the ‘during’ and the third, the ‘after’.

Stuart describes how the gallery was built: “the talkback panel in here with the mic sticking out of it was entirely home built, like we did back then – all analogue wiring in and out of the panel designed by me and Charlotte – built by Mech workshop and wired by Pete Holmes.”

These photos were originally shared on the Pebble Mill Engineers Facebook group.

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

Paul Hunt: ‘Is it Clare Clibbery-Davies on the Pres desk and Craig Wood on the Paintbox? Not sure who’s on the Aston?’

Craig Wood: ‘that’s going back a bit, yep that’s me lurking at the back. I can’t work out who it is on Aston either.’

Gary Williams: ‘Jacqui Cawston on the Aston?’

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Gary Williams – Graphics

This photo shows Gary Williams, from Graphics, hard at work. Gary was excellent at Astons. The photo is from the 1993. Gary thinks that it was taken in the old News graphics room, when it was round in the main Graphics area. The computer looks like an Abekas A72, or something similar.

The photo was first shared on the Pebble Mill engineers’ Facebook group.

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Martin Chuzzlewit TX card

This is the transmission card for the 1994, BBC2 drama serial Martin Chuzzlewit. The adaptation was written by David Lodge, produced by Chris Parr and directed by Pedr James, with Gavin Davies as the production designer.

Thanks to Ann Chancellor-Davies for sharing the TX card.

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

Ian Barber: ‘That was on location in Kings Lynn, we had an amazing time there.’

Gary Williams: ‘I believe Tony Fisher did all the graphics and I loaded up all the opening/closing credits!’

Sue Haslam: ‘Looks rather like some of Tony Fisher’s wonderful calligraphy on the title too…’

Terry Barker: ‘I had just started working for Chris Parr as the show was being edited and I well remember the difference of opinion between him and Pedr over the number of cockroaches on the opening titles. Chris won, and it was less than 12.’

Camilla Fisher: ‘If you are interested in seeing more of the artwork for Martin Chuzzlewit check out the Tony Fisher archive at the library of Birmingham.’

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Patrick Moore

Patrick Moore, astronomer and presenter of ‘The Sky at Night’, died at his home today at the age of 89. He presented the monthly astronomy programme for over 50 years, making him the longest serving presenter on the same title. The first episode of ‘The Sky at Night’ was broadcast on 24 April, 1957, and he last appeared in an episode broadcast on 3 Dec 2012.

The series was originally produced in London, it moved to BBC Pebble Mill around 2002.

Thanks to Ian Collins for making the still available.

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

Mike Taynton: ‘I remember meeting him when my dad Interviewed him for his radio show. He gave me some signed books on astronomy, I was one happy 10 year old.’

Gary Williams: ‘Did many graphics for the prog, always a challenge, always interesting, always worthwhile.’

Tim Jones: ‘I had the pleasure of getting somewhat tipsy with him on a few occasions after a filming from his home over the last year or two. Even when his medication was not doing him any favours his quick wit and cutting remarks remained razor sharp. His body tried to give up 10 years ago but his mind and personality always made him a powerful force in this universe. He will be missed by so many. I am just very grateful I got to meet a childhood hero.
Patrick you are a legend .’

Pete Simpkin: ‘I interviewed Patrick a couple of times at PM and really enjoyed his ‘off mike’ conversation too, he had very strong views on many things but had the ability to make anyone want to take up astronomy at a moments notice!I think Mike Taynton may be referring to Patrick’s Astronomy for beginners, I had one too but we used it as a prize for an on air competition. A great man who will be missed in a world increasingly losing it’s eccentrics.’