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Steve Woodhall was the drive time presenter Radio WM at Pebble Mill in the 1980’s. You’ll see from his information card that he was also a keen gardener, organist and technical wizard – a man of many talents. Steve worked for BBC television news in London before moving to Radio WM. He later helped set up BBC CWR in Coventry.
Thanks to Stuart Gandy for making the photocard available.
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
Malcolm presented on both Radio Birmingham and Radio WM, with ‘Folk Scene’ and ‘Malcolm Stent in the Barmaid’s Arms’. He was often accompanied by his guitar, and never relied on scripts or running orders! He was described on the BBC website as a ‘folk-singing humorist’.
Thanks to Stuart Gandy for making this Radio WM photocard available.
The following comments have been left by people who remember Malcolm’s show:
Lynn Cullimore: We were lucky enough to be able to pick up the Barmaid’s Arms from WM and do a TV version. I
did several series with Malcolm Stent. He is still working and often does things with the comedian Don Maclean who I have only recently met up with again, as I also worked with Don. John Clarke was the producer for Regional TV. Malc is great fun and a lovely person. I was the production assistant on barmaid’s arms for regional television and I loved it. The sets were fantastic – Mary Spencer was the designer and we had “customers” who had to have little tokens to get drinks as of course they were restricted! Malc and Rosie – yes her name was Mary Lloyd were brilliant. Oh happy days.
Andrew Langstone: Memories of ‘The Barmaid’s Arms’ with Malc and Rosie – those wonderful sound effects of a pub – clinking glasses and jolly background chatter. I think Rosie’s real name was Marie Lloyd [it was actually Mary Kendall]. The whole concept of a lunchtime in a pub with gentle banter and music ”from the juke box” was inspired – another of Mr Pickle’s ideas? It’s a pity BBC WM has such a different sound now – but that’s another story!
Tim Manning: The Barmaid’s Arms was a big success for Radio WM and for Malcolm, a daily chat show with its stereo pub sound effects in the background, and a cast of fictitious regulars (like Simon the Crisp Man). People used to turn up at Reception at the weekend asking for directions, and it’s one of very few local radio shows to have been turned into a regional opt-out TV series. All the music played was supposedly on the jukebox, although Rosie the barmaid did say she liked “those copulation albums”! Yes, it was very much a John Pickles concept. He once said to me that he thought of that WM schedule as being “a bit like a street”, starting the day over the breakfast table with news and the papers, followed by coffee with friends and neighbours (The 206 Team), popping into the pub at lunch time (Barmaid’s Arms), then a quiet time after that before picking up the kids from school, or coming home from work in the rush hour. One of his most inspired ideas was the “romance” between Stuart Roper and Viv Ellis, which was only ever really mentioned in other programmes, until the surreal and wonderful fake OB of the wedding on April Fool’s Day.
Pete Simpkin: Malc bless him is still at work in his favourite medium the stage and regularly writes produces and stars in the Solihull Arts Centre Annual Traditional family pantomime. I was honoured to help him with the technical side of his early days at Pebble mill where he presented Folk Club on Radio Birmingham. We also shared some stage talent shows which I produced at the Old Rep theatre and I produced his famous album ‘Malc Stent is not a working class Millionaire.’ After the tragic axing of the Barmaid’s he went onto be the ‘Warm up’ man for ‘PM at One’.
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Ken Dudeney used to present a country music Saturday lunchtime show on Radio WM called ‘Town and Country’.
Thanks to Stuart Gandy for making the photocard available.
Michael Fisher remembers Ken well:
“I remember Ken from the Radio Birmingham days and was delighted to meet him at the reunion last August. He was also the one who “closed” Radio Brum and re-opened it with its new brand of WM.”
Radio Birmingham and Radio WM producer and presenter Pete Simpkin adds the following information:
“Ken still lives within a stone’s throw of Pebble Mill and has a comprehensive collection of memorabilia about Radio Birmingham/ WM. We shared many hair raising situations ‘on air’ and also he was the person who actually suggested the name WM when change was mooted but was shouted down!”
Andy Caddick worked with Ken:
“I worked with Ken in the early 80’s when he presented the afternoon show on WM. Lovely man and voice.”
Sparks, Andy Frizzell remembers a challenging booking:
“I lit a New Year’s Eve show that Ken hosted/produced at Longbridge Social Club. Frank Ifield headlined and allegedly had a contract that insisted on a follow spot on him. Lighting for radio? Hmmmm.”
Tim Manning:
“As an aside, most of the photos for these promotional flyers for the re-launched Radio WM were taken by Stuart Roper at the back of Pebble Mill by the stream. He had a favourite spot for taking them.”
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John Taynton used to present the Late Show on Radio WM. Sadly, he died in Feb 2011, after a battle with cancer. The show he presented was current affairs and consumer based, and was one of the first shows to be syndicated across the Midlands network.
Thanks to Stuart Gandy for making this Radio WM Photocard of presenter John Taynton available.
Sparks, Andy Frizzell adds the following memory of John:
“One thing stands out for me. During the electricians strike in 1987 John came out to us on the picket line and handed us a bag for our hardship fund. It was full of cash from a collection organised by John and WM. Totally unexpected but very much appreciated. Came over as a kind and generous man and fully sympathised with us.”
Series producer and director, Kath Moore adds the following comment:
“John was my first boss. His 11am WM show circa 1987 was my chance to make tea, answer his phone-in phones and do the intro/ outro durations on the vinyls that he chose with consummate care and knowledge. He carried them to studio in a wire …supermarket basket I recall …. A real People’s Champ, he was tirelessly supportive and encouraging to those starting off – and there were many of us…. He set the bar high too on standards – and taught us to do the same, for which I’m grateful, daily. A lovely, feisty man.”
Producer, Rebecca Skidmore remembers listening to John’s show as a teenager:
“His show was my escape when I was being bullied at school in my teens. I used to lie under my duvet with my walkman on and listen to this very kind man helping people, and it just made everything seem better….”
Darren New travelled with John:
“I had the most amazing trip with John to Rwanda as part of Midlands Aid, Richard Uridge’s idea to raise money for the innocent people caught up in the genocide. His back pack never made it to Africa so we had to lend him some of our clothes. He was a great guy and a brilliant broadcaster.”
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Paul Franks had a career as an executive with Ford, before winning a competition at Radio WM and beginning a whole new career as a Sports front man for the station.
Thanks to Stuart Gandy for making this photocard available.