Keith Conlon – What Was Pebble Mill?

Countryfile shoot at cricket bat factory

Photo by Mel Stevens, no reproduction without permission

Photo by Mel Stevens, no reproduction without permission

Countryfile shoot at the Duncan Fearnley cricket bat factory in Worcester.

In the first photo, Jim Knights on camera, in a Magpie crew. Mick Murphy, who directed this film, has his back to the camera and PA Caroline Smith can be glimpsed in the back of shot. The film followed the journey of a cricket bat from willow wood, from Essex to Duncan Fearnley’s factory, to be turned into the final product.

In the second photo, Matt Gray on camera, Keith Conlon on sound, on his knees, Duncan Fearnley (cricket bat maker) in the red jumper.

Radio WM Sports Team at Superprix 1986

Photo from Rod Fawcett, no reproduction without permission

Included in the photo are (left to right): Stuart Miller chief engineer at Radio WM sitting down laughing, ?, Mike Ronson(?), Rob Hawthorne with the Uher, Annie Barker in yellow jacket.

Thanks to Rod Fawcett for sharing this photo of the Radio WM sports team at the first Birmingham Superprix in 1986.

(The Superprix was a street based motorsport event in Birmingham. The highlight was the Formula 3000 race.)

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

Rod Fawcett: ‘I remember the gig quite well. We were set up in a Portakabin right next to the start / finish line on Bristol Street. The motor racing noise within the cabin was astonishing as it resonated the walls, ceiling, everything!! We kept going of course. The young reporter with the Uher tape recorder is Rob Hawthorne – now an established football commentator with Sky Sports.’

Gordon Astley: ‘ was taken out for a skidpan type ride with the Italian Job Mini team. I felt nauseous for the rest of the day.’

Tim Beech: ‘I remember the last Superprix was in 1990, a year after I joined the WM sports team. Rob had just left, but Ian was Sports Editor and Annie had started with Central. Great pic – great memories!’

Marilyn Ward: ‘Central had the broadcasting commission.’

Rod Fawcett: ‘Hi Marilyn and thanks go to Central TV as you were kind to give us a courtesy monitor race feed to use for commentary purposes.’

Keith Conlon: ‘I think the guy in the background was a sports reporter and I think his name was Mike Ronson i think but his surname may be wrong.’

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!’