Tag: Helen Chetwynd

A-Z of BBC Birmingham

A-Z BBC BirminghamAndy Griffee Welcome to the MailboxCopyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.

This A-Z Welcome pack was given to BBC staff transferring from Pebble Mill to the Mailbox in 2004. The pack included some discount vouchers for shops and restaurants in the Mailbox, as well a copy of the BBC Values, and this ‘Welcome’ message from Controller of English Regions, Andy Griffee.

The irony of the statement about striving to bring more and more production to the Mailbox will not be lost on stalwarts of BBC Birmingham.

Thanks to Dharmesh Rajput for sharing this pack, and keeping it safe over the past decade.

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

Jane Elledge: ‘It was utter bullsh*t at the time – anyone who argued against the move was labelled ‘negative’ and a troublemaker. We weren’t. We were just rightly arguing against what was obvious to most of us and has proven to be one of the most stupid things ever done by the BBC.’

Helen Chetwynd: ‘What a laugh!  I particularly like the bit that says he believes that “key talent will increasingly look forward to coming here and working at the heart of a newly buzzing city centre building……” yeah, right’

Jane Green: ‘Agree with everyone here – the hard part was having to listen to the PR we knew to be false and that the move was the beginning of the end for BBC Birmingham. I still have my BBC drinks cup given in ‘celebration’ of the move too.’

Chris Camden: ‘Remember it well and so agree with Jane Elledge. As union reps we fought against the decision but no one in management would listen to us and had their own agenda. We all knew it was not the ‘centre’ of Birmingham and that it was an unsuitable building for television production. So very very sad. I still have the piece of mosaic from Pebble Mill wall, that we were all given.’

Herbie Donnelly: ‘They even piloted the One Show from the Mailbox, guess what? Yeah London knicked it.’

Angela Horsman request

The following request was sent on behalf of Angela Profit, nee Horsman, by Annie Gumbley-Williams. If you have memories of working with Angela, please either email Angela at the address below, or add a comment here, and I will pass your comments on to Angela. Please respond quickly, as time is of the essence here:

“Angela Profit, neé Horsman, who used to be David Bellinger’s PA, and assistant to Janet Brookes, is battling cancer for the second time.

Prospects are very challenging, and Angela has requested that she be sent testimonials to her life which, with the help of Margaret Rutter, she wishes to put together in the coming days.

Words cannot express how courageous Angela is being.  If you have anything you wish to say, please forward to the following address: angelaprofit@gmail.com”

 

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

Lynn Cullimore: ‘I have emailed Angela but want to say here that as Janice says I always remember her always having a smile on her face, always a cheery word and always helpful when I went up to Contracts to sort something out. I am sure I join lots of others who are thinking of her and wishing her all the best. Lots of love to you Angela.’

Linda Flavell: ‘A lovely lady, always smiling through it all and always looks just gorgeous’

Helen Chetwynd: ‘I remember Angela as always looking glamorous. Bright and bubbly, a really gorgeous lady inside as well as out, always laughing, always with a smile on her face, even when she was ill. An inspiration.’

Ruth Barretto: ‘A lovely lady who worked across the corridor from me when I worked in contracts and me in finance. Gorgeous smile , rushing up and down the corridor. Even when she was going through her treatment she took time to speak to my friend Geeta to give her words of encouragement.’

Janice Mezzetti: ‘Things that come to mind when thinking of Angela – the smile, the twinkle in her eyes and her sense of humour. Wishing her peaceful and happy times surrounded by those she loves.’

Vanessa Jackson: ‘I remember making a leaving tape for Janet Brookes, when she was retiring, and I interviewed Angela about working with Janet. She told the story of Janet’s reprimands if staff were ever late, and not in by 9.30am – and having to rush up the stairs and try and sneak in without the lateness being spotted! I’ll have to search the loft and see if I still have the tape! ‘