Steve Harris – What Was Pebble Mill?

North 3 Outside Broadcast Interview

(Creative commons licensed video produced by Amanda Murphy as part of Royal Holloway’s ADAPT project)

BBC Radio Wales reporter Robert Thomas interviews Steve Harris (On The Air Ltd.) and Prof. John Ellis (Media Arts, Royal Holloway University of London) about the ADAPT re-enactment based simulation exercise with North 3/CM1 (CMCR9). Steve, the restorer of the vintage truck explains about the history of CMCR9, and John Ellis tells us about the ADAPT research project and the reconstruction being staged with the truck.

This video was recorded just over a year ago (May 2016), during a reconstruction of the outside broadcast truck CMCR9 recording a darts match. This OB truck was Pebble Mill’s original CM1 and later became Manchester’s North3.

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ADAPT Outside Broadcast video

Crew in CM1. Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

Production in CM1

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A year ago (spring 2016) the ADAPT project attempted their most ambitious reconstruction to date – the recreation of an outside broadcast, using the original equipment from 50 years ago. They used the restored CMCR9 OB truck, Pebble Mill’s original CM1, which later became North 3. The truck was reunited with the men who originally operated it in Manchester.

There were technical glitches, and they nearly didn’t make it, but finally they succeeded in recording a live darts match.

This is a promotional video to highlight the work of the project, especially fitting with the 50th anniversary of colour television, which started with Wimbledon coverage in 1967.

ADAPT is a academic research project from Royal Holloway, University of London. It is led by Professor John Ellis, with producer Amanda Murphy being responsible for producing the re-enactments.

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CMCR9 show season 2017

CMCR9, in the 1970s, with rigger driver, Ron Lane. Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

I have received the message below from Jerry Clegg, which gives details about the events that CMCR9, Pebble Mill’s original CM1 scanner, and another OB truck, LO23, CMCR54, will be exhibited at:

“The new show season is almost upon us. Steve Harris will be exhibiting the heritage scanner North 3/CMCR9 together with the former Lo23/CMCR54 (type-7) at the Kelsall Steam Rally near Tarvin in Cheshire on Saturday and Sunday 24th and 25th June 2017. Steve is planning to have both vehicles powered up. You can find details about the Kelsall show on their website using this link :-

http://www.kelsallsteamrally.co.uk/costs-2/

After Kelsall, the next event for North 3 will be the Wilmslow Show on Sunday 9th July, which this year is at a new venue which is :-

The Carnival Field, Altrincham Road, Wilmslow SK9 5NG

The website for the Wilmslow Show is :-

www.wilmslowshow.co.uk

We look forward to meeting up with some of you at these shows.”

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CMCR9 on show at Shrewsbury Steam Rally

Photo by Steve Harris, no reproduction without permission

The veteran TV OB scanner North3 / CMCR9 will be on show next weekend at the Shrewsbury Steam Rally, Onslow Park, Shrewsbury. Details may be found on their website :-

http://www.shrewsburysteamrally.co.uk/

Please note that the show is not open on Saturday, but only on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. The Shrewsbury Rally is easy to find and a great day out, with something to entertain all the family, young or old!

Eric’s generator will be powering us and it is hoped to have either the EMI 2001 and/or a PC80 camera working into the scanner. Fingers crossed for some good weather!

Jerry Clegg

CMCR9 Reconstruction – Broadcast Magazine

Broadcast magazine May 2016

In the middle of May 2016, there was a reconstruction of the operation of the 1969 outside broadcast truck, CMCR9, which was Pebble Mill’s original CM1, and later became Manchester’s North 1. The truck was neglected for many years, but is in the process of being restored by enthusiast Steve Harris.

The reconstruction brought together retired crew who used to work on the truck in the 1970s, and resulted in the recording of a darts match! CMCR9 used to broadcast a lot of sports programmes, like Match of the Day, but would also have recorded Come Dancing, Gardeners’ World, as well as dramas.

The reconstruction was organised by Royal Holloway, University of London, and their ADAPT research project, which is recording now defunct pieces of historical television broadcasting equipment being used by the people who worked on them.

The occasion was marked by this article in the industry trade magazine – Broadcast.

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

Stephen Neal: ‘Chap in the red sweater is Roger Neal, my dad. He worked for OBs in London when CMCR9 was based there. I appear to be continuing the family tradition of working for Auntie…’

Annie Gumbley-Williams: ‘I worked in CM1. Happy days, Gardeners’ World and others’

Roger Neal: ‘I also worked on a range of small units as well, several of them called Lo21, Lo22, and Lo23. One of the LO21s is currently residing in Brian Summers front garden I believe.’