Janet Collins – Page 2 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Bev Dartnall’s Memorial – 17th June

Photo by Peter Poole, no reproduction without permission

(I’ve received the message below about Bev Dartnall’s Memorial Services, from Annie Gumbley-Williams)

As most of you will know that the lovely Beverley Dartnall passed away on 17th February this year and her funeral was in Majorca. Her close friends are keen to have some form of celebration of Bev’s life. The details, via Sarah Costigan, are as follows:

The celebration of Beverley Dartnall’s life will be held on TUESDAY 17th JUNE at:

Cartland Suite
Kings Heath Cricket and Sports Club
247 Alcester Road South
Kings Heath
Birmingham B14 6DT
0121 444 1913

Can those who would like attend please arrive at 2.15 and the proceedings will start at 2.30. This is a celebration so no need for funeral dress. Please feel free to come in as colourful, smart casual clothes as you would like.

Anne Gumbley-Williams

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

Jane Green: ‘I love this photo of Bev. I only knew her a little from when I was AFM on the odd drama, but she always made people smile, and was one of the great Pebble Mill characters. ‘

Janet Collins: ‘I worked with lovely Bev in the Planning Office at Pebble Mill, before she moved on to bigger things. I will certainly be attending the celebration of her life.’

Planning Office 1970s

This photo of the Pebble Mill Planning Office dates from the early 1970s. In the photo are Janet Collins, Margaret Barton, Harvey Frost, Julie Knee, Ruth Taylor, Carol Bond, Marjorie Bailey and Judith Markall. Pat Childs, Keith Ackrill, Jill Chatfield, Yvonne Williams, Gloria Smith, and more.

Please add a comment if you can identify any of the others.

(Thanks to Judith Markall for sharing this photo).

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

Jane Green: ‘Harvey gave me my first contract – (interview in the canteen) and was my first boss. Lovely guy. Chain smoking was compulsory in those days I think!’

Judith Markall: ‘Martina Baggott,Paula and Jean ( can’t remember their surnames). It was taken during a planning office farewell to Sally who was leaving to have her first child.Harvey Frost had a beautiful singing voice. He sang at a lot of working mans clubs over in Stoke area where he lived. He was a fantastic guy.’

Lynn Cullimore: ‘David Shute on end extreme left. All so very young!’

Eurwyn Jones:’ Wasn’t Harvey Frost a singer? Anybody remember Sally Taplin?’

Break time on CMCR9

This photo is of break time on the outside broadcast scanner, CMCR9 – Pebble Mill’s first CM1.

The liquid refreshment seems to be beer, as opposed to tea!

Sitting on the stool is Engineering Manager, Bob Chaplin. Bottom left may be Steve Searley. Sitting on the ground, possibly John Allinson. The other man may be Peter Hodges.

Thanks to Janet Collins, John Duckmanton and Jane Maclean for identifying the heads!

CM1 and CM2 last OB

Photograph by Diane Reid, no reproduction without permission.

The photo is of the last outside broadcast from Pebble Mill, by the scanners CM1 and CM2. It was a live Sunday morning worship from Edenham. The day started with bacon butties made by friendly parishioners and riggers’ tea!

Included are l-r, Tim Konewko, Steve Pierson, John Allinson, ?, ?, Phil Wilson, JJ Moore, ?, Jack Rooke, John Brierley, Robin Sunderland, Dave Ballantyne, Colin the big strong rigger,John Kimberley (I think), Ron the rigger supervisor at the back, Rod Bach (blue jacket to keep you in sync!!), then a bunch of ‘don’t knows’ until we come to Ray Bradbury (or Bradley) in black jacket and open shirt, Ron Pickering, Pat Childs, Roger Sutton and finally Norman Macloud (sp) on the right.

(Thanks to Keith Brook (Scouse), Jane Maclean and Janet Collins for identifying so many former colleagues).

CMCR 9 Vision Crew

Photo by E.M. John Abbott, no reproduction without permission.

The photo is of the Vision Crew of the outside broadcast scanner: CMCR9, Pebble Mill’s CM1 in the 1970s. This scanner went on to become North 3, in Manchester.

The truck was used on programmes like ‘Gardeners’ World’ and ‘Songs of Praise’, as well as dramas and sport.

Included in the photo are: Ian Dewar at the back, Ron Pickering on the phone, Rod Bach at the front and John Allinson on the right. (Thanks to Janet and Ian Collins for the identification!)