John Cole – What Was Pebble Mill?

The Groundling and the Kite – Jenny Brewer

‘The Groundling and the Kite’ was a drama in the Play for Today anthology.

Crew photograph from 1983
This was the last Play For Today made out of Pebble Mill. Shot during the very hot summer of 1983 in and around Hampstead in London and transmitted on BBC1 in 24 July 1984. This was the last show I worked on as a Production Assistant before becoming a Production Associate. I have discovered the full play is available on You Tube should you wish to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4clkwmzOHlE

The Groundling and the Kite crew. Thanks to Jenny Brewer for sharing the photo.

From front row R to L Keith Froggatt, Cameras; Charles Bond, Designer; Alan Miller (with the bald head) Gaffer Spark from Lee Electric with 3 sparks alongside him

Next row Colin Rogers, Producer; Graham ??; Prop and Support Vehicles

Next row Ian MacNulty; Grip; Jenny Brewer, Production Assistant; John Duttine, Actor; Peter Jefferies, Director; Carol Parks, Production Associate

Next Row William Hartley, Production Manager; Lenny Preston, Writer and Actor; John Kenway, DOP; Liddy Bennett, Assistant Floor Manager; Geoff Nawn, Design; John Parker, Sound Recordist

Next Row John Cole, Sound; Chap from Costume ?; Gwen Arthy, Make Up Designer; Trevor Elwell, Scene Crew Supervisor; alongside Nigel ?? and others on the scene crew; Tom Beech, Props Buyer; Nigel Roberts next to Tom Beech, Ray Clulow, carpenter, behind Nigel & one of the painters behind Ray. Hiding behind the pillar might be Phil Hawkins, scene crew supervisor.

Back Row Mark Thompson Unit Driver; Lesley Weaver, Make Up; Sue Peck, Costume Designer; and ?? from Costume

Tom O’Connor Roadshow – John Cole soundcheck

Photograph by Jane Mclean, no reproduction without permission.

Soundman, John Cole checks the mics for the Tom O’Connor Roadshow
in Newcastle.

The Tom O’Connor Roadshow was an outside broadcast series transmitted in 1987. The lunchtime live entertainment show toured the country, being based in a particular city for a week at a time.

‘Nobby Berghaus’s’ leaving do – photo by Laura McNeill

Photo by Laura McNeill, no reproduction without permission.

This photo was taken on the occasion of ‘Nobby Berghaus’s’ leaving the BBC.

He’s being seen off the premises by Sound friends Andy Morton, Paul Scurrell, Paul Clarke and John Cole, in the BBC Pebble Mill bar!

All Creatures Great and Small – photos by Kevin Lakin

Photos by Kevin Lakin, no reproduction without permission.

These photos are from ‘All creatures Great and Small’ I think from around 1989.. first pic John Kenway on camera… bloke in white shirt is Mike Brayshaw director… Barrie Foster camera assistant… then Bob Farr design… John Cole sound.. electrican, I don’t name… Girl in sunglasses is Helen Mays costume.

A funny thing happened at this location, there was a tapping all the way through the take, there a big inquest were the the tapping was coming from 2 takes were ruined cos this constant tapping, sound man was going crazy. till it was discovered … it was a Thrush with a snail in its beak, tapping the snail on a stone, trying to break the snails shell. 2nd pic is Mike Brayshaw the Director.

Kevin Lakin

(Murray Clarke (sound recordist) added the following comment about ‘All Creatures’: My first assignment as a freelance sound recordist was a fortnight’s filming on ACGS. I borrowed what was an awful amount of money (in those days) from the Bank to finance the purchase of a brand new Nagra 3 and a few microphones. It pissed down with rain for the whole of the two weeks and all the gear got very wet!! I was very upset!!!)

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Space Station Milton Keynes – photos by Willoughby Gullachsen

Photographs by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission

Photos by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

‘Space Station Milton Keynes’ was a Screen Two drama written and directed by Leslie Stewart. It went out in 1985. Colin Rogers was the producer, John Williams the DOP, and Steve Saunderson cameraman.

The drama tells the story of a young girl fostered in a magical city. It starred Penny Murray, Patricia Garwood, Peter Jonfield, Judy Gridley, Gian Sammarco, Nigel Baguley, and Robert Walker.

The first photo shows (l to r) Ian McNulty (grips), Leslie Stewart (writer/director), Steve Saunderson (camera), Colin Rogers (producer), John Williams (DOP). The second tracking shot photo, shows Leslie Stewart and Colin Rogers running, and Steve Saunderson on camera. The final photo includes John Cole (sound), Steve Saunderson (camera), with John Williams (DOP) foreground left, with probably Leslie Stewart and Colin Rogers (producer).

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