Here’s the false gable end from “The Franchise Affair” (1988). Christopher Glover was working on VT on this outside broadcast. The flames from gas burners when shot from the right angle made it look like the building being on fire.
Les Podraza is the chap up the ladder (note the lack of health and safety). He spent two days building this the flaming structure. The night shoot was apparently fantastic.
Les with Carol Drinkwater. Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission
Excerpt from “All Memories Great & Small” by Oliver Crocker
Memories from Les Podraza (Scene Hand)
‘I walked into the Beeb and the receptionist said they didn’t have any jobs, so I said “If you don’t mind, I’ll sit here until you’ve got one…” I sat in Pebble Mill reception for three days! Eventually the personnel manager came down and said “You’re keen aren’t you?” I explained I didn’t want to “work” for a living, I wanted be part of the entertainment industry… Half an hour later, I had a job at the BBC! I joined the staff scene crew and the first major production I worked on was The Brothers. I did five of the seven series of All Creatures, it was brilliant to work on, they were really good times.’
All Memories Great & Small is available to preorder now from Miwk – http://bit.ly/2d7p5ts
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission
Fighting Back, was a 5 part drama on BBC1, transmitted in 1986, starring Hazel O’Connor, as Viv. It featured on the front of the Radio Times, as well as a feature inside.
Here is the entry from the Radio Times, from the BBC Genome project:
“Fighting Back by GARETH JONES
The first of a five-part serial based on an idea by VICTORIA HINE
Viv Sharpe hurtles down the motorway, kids in tow, towards the Bristol she used to call home. Not only has
Bristol changed, but Viv finds no one wants to know her and there’s nowhere to go. Is this the start of Viv the vagrant? Or can she keep fighting back?
Incidental music PAUL JONES, Script editor BETH PORTER, Lighting DICK BENTLEY, Designer ROB HINDS, Producer CHRIS PARR, Director PAUL SEED. BBC Pebble Mill”
http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d3665caef0db4a94a441b93945661e10
Thanks to Beth Porter, who was the script editor, for sharing the stills.
Beth Porter’s (long and amusing) autobiography Walking on my Hands, is available for a couple of pounds on Kindle, on the link below. Chapter 12 includes Beth’s adventures with the BBC.
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Jane Green: ‘This was the first thing I ever worked on – as a work experience floor assistant with Gareth Williams I think. I had to look after Hazel. Can’t print what she did here !!! But goodness me. What memories. Feb 1986.’
John Greening: ‘I was assistant floor manager…’
Susan Astle: ‘I was the make up designer on it, goodness so long ago! And before Derek Thompson became so famous!’
Les Podraza: ‘I think the filming was in Bristol for a month. I was on the crew. Fab times!!!’
Oliver Crocker’s All Creatures book is now available to Pre-order.
BREAKING NEWS! NEW ALL CREATURES BOOK COMING SOON!
Released as part of the 100th birthday celebrations for James Herriot, a new book “All Memories Great & Small” is being released by Miwk Publishing as an ideal companion to the classic BBC series. Every episode is accompanied by exclusive memories, thanks to 60 new interviews with cast and crew.
THE REGULAR CAST
Christopher Timothy (James Herriot), Robert Hardy Esq, CBE, FSA (Siegfried Farnon), Peter Davison (Tristan Farnon), Carol Drinkwater (Helen Herriot), Andrea Gibb (Deirdre McEwan), Jean Heywood (Mrs Alton) and Ali Lewis (Rosie Herriot).
GUEST CAST
Peter Alexander (St. John), Lois Baxter (Margery Egerton), Paul Clayton (Brian Weeting), Fine Time Fontayne (George Forsyth/Joe Bentley), Gillian Hanna (Betty Sanders), Derek Hicks (Willie Bannister), Pete Ivatts (Mr. Blackburn/Tom Maxwell), Vivien Keene (Mary Trenholm), Ray Mangion (Franco Pedretti), Norman Mann (Richard Edmundson), Nicholas McArdle (Mr. Worley), Joanna McCallum (Lady Hulton), Elizabeth Millbank (Alice McTavish), Suzanne Neve (Joan Clifford), Jonathan Owen (Peter Gillard), David Quilter (Andrew Bruce), Pamela Salem (Zoe Bennett), Jessica Sewell (Mary Clarke), Madeline Smith (Angela Farmer/Anne Grantley), Amanda Waring (Elizabeth Rayner) and Susan Wooldridge (Daughter of Margaretta Scott).
PRODUCTION TEAM
Bob Blagden (Director), Sandy Byrne (Widow of Writer Johnny Byrne), Alex Christison (Film Sound), Carol Churchill (Make-up Designer), David Crozier (Designer), Nigel Curzon (Designer), Roger Davenport (Writer), Rowena Dean (Make-up Artist), Mike Duxbury (Film Editor), Paul Finch (Son of Writer Brian Finch), Graham Frake (Lighting Cameraman), Roderick Graham (Director), Joyce Hawkins (Costume Designer), Terry Hodgkinson (Writer), June Hudson (Costume Designer), David Hughes (Sound), William Humble (Writer), Brian Jones (Gaffer), Peter Loring (Film Cameraman), Richard Martin (Director), Christopher Penfold (Script Editor/Writer), Les Podraza (Scene Hand), Janice Rider (Costume Designer), Tony Redston (Production Associate), Michael Russell (Writer), Helen Scarsbrook (Wardrobe), Bill Sellars (Producer), Pip Short (Grip/AFM/Location Manager), Sam Snape (Writer), Maggie Thomas (Make-up Artist), David Tilley (Assistant Floor Manager), Tony Virgo (Director) and John Williams (Film Cameraman).
PRE-ORDER NOW http://bit.ly/2d7p5ts
Don Pinchbeck
Don, in the centre
Children in Need: Jason (postroom) (left), Marie Phillips (Children in Need Organiser) (centre) next to Don
My dad, Don Pinchbeck, worked at Pebble Mill between 1977-2001 as a Studio Attendant, he absolutely loved working for BBC Pebble Mill, he always had great stories about stars that he’d seen and the lovely people he worked with, unfortunately he passed away on 27 Dec 2015 aged 80, a great dad, husband and grandad, much loved and missed. His funeral will be taking place at St Edwards Church, Selly Park on Wed 20 Jan 2016 at 9.30am.
My dad worked at the BBC from retired in 2001 (though he really didn’t want to) he was always based at Pebble Mill, the shows I know he worked on were:
Pebble Mill at One
Telly Addicts
Basil Brush Show
I can’t remember if he worked on the Clothes Show, I know he worked on a similar show with John Leslie hosting it.
The Alan Titchmarsh show
Maybe Top Gear
Children in Need
He mentioned lots of celebrities over the years, probably when Pebble Mill at One was still on, Barry Manilow, Joan Collins, Roger Moore, the stars from the shows above and lots of others. He received lots of commendations for his hard work over the years which my mom kept. He took me to a few staff kid’s Christmas parties at the BBC, we went to see Basil Brush a few times, we attended an open day they had for the public in the early 90’s I remember which are great and we went in the audience a few times at Children in Need. He was very hard working, dad to 5, grandad to 3, great grandad to 2. He lived in Selly Oak all his life, so he loved working locally and for the Beeb as he called it.
Catherine Pinchbeck
(The show that Catherine mentions, presented by John Leslie, would have been Style Challenge).
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Les Podraza: ‘I remember Don very well. A great charachter and hard working part of Studio A. Always ready to muck in and help out. So sad he has now departed this world. ‘
Richard Smith: ‘Sad to learn of Don’s death. A lovely, friendly and hard working man, would do anything to help you. Many happy times with him in House Services. In the photos are Jason Edwards, Robert Pash, Alan Evans, Billy Gardner, Frank Barber and Marie Phillips. Condolences to Don’s family.’
Donald Steel: ‘I remember Don very well and with fondness – always the same always cheerful. It was a great gang in those days everybody helped you. So very sorry to hear of his passing.’
Marie Phillips: ‘The group photo was my retirement party in March 1998. Don was not fond of “does”so I was thrilled he and the rest of “my lads” came along. I honestly could not have done so many events for Children in Need without the enthusiasm and often out of hours help given by Don and all of them. He and they were a breed apart and I was forever grateful. Fond memories Don.’
Gill Thompson: ‘I worked with Don looking after the audiences at Pebble Mill, a lovely man and excellent at his job, always smiling and very professional.’
Mary Sanchez: ‘I remember him well from my Pebble Mill days – always really nice and friendly. I also used to see him out and about around Selly Park and we’d wave .’