Stuart Roper – What Was Pebble Mill?

Stuart Roper and Gyn Freeman, Radio WM

Photo by Rod Fawcett, no reproduction without permission

Radio WM presenter, Stuart Roper, with fellow presenter, Gyn Freeman in the background. This was on a live outside broadcast in Guernsey.

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

Andrew Thorman: ‘The only OB I remember was Chemsleywood …! We were pelted with rubbish and so a fence was erected around us. I think the presenter was Ken Dudney.’

Heather Dale: ‘Gyn presented very much with Stuart and she replaced Viv Ellis who left in the early 80’s. When Stuart left, Gyn continued on her own for a number of years being produced by either Sue Kelly or Soo Welch (can’t exactly remember who). Gyn herself left in 1988 but continued at PM concentrating on Children in Need in regional television. She now lives in France with her husband Paul and she is an artist.’

Conal O’Donnell: ‘I should imagine, but don’t know for sure, there was some new Birmingham to Channel Islands air route opening up which wanted the publicity that WM might provide. Freebies were welcome!! Gyn & Stuart co-presented so its likely there was a separate producer.

Gyn Freeman and Nicky Steele, Radio WM

Photo by Rod Fawcett, no reproduction without permission

Co-presenters, Gyn Freeman and Nicky Steele in Area 2 of the Radio WM studio at Pebble Mill.

Thanks to Rod Fawcett for sharing the photo.

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

Gyn Freeman: Stuart Roper left, they brought Nicky to enable the station to still have a “double-header” – so I was the co-presenter of the show, as I was with Roper. Actually Nicky and I got on well together and the programme was popular but no way would either of these chaps let me drive the programme unless they took a break or I was doing the phone-in. Just to say that I am feeling just fine, but of course both Stuart and Nicky died so young. I did a double header on Radio 4 for a couple of series, the other presenter was Peter Purves, looking good and even older than me and the producer Peter Everett.’

Tim Manning: ‘If you look through the window, you’ll see that I was the producer, although not for the whole time that they worked together on air.’

Tim Beech: ‘Area 2. John Taynton always used that one for the shared evening show across the Midlands. Ed was always in 5, “driven” from Area 4. As was Tony Butler.’

Anthony Worrall: ‘I remember Nicky’s discos at Honiley Boot before his radio days!’

Gary Hudson: ‘I remember Nicky presenting gigs at Birmingham Town Hall in the 70s. He was already a star of BRMB, and – a day after the sad death of Ed Doolan – that’s a reminder that the commercial lot created all the major local radio personalities in those days – certainly in the West Midlands. Tony Butler was another contemporary, and of course Les Ross, who’d left Radio Birmingham for the glamour of the former Aston Hippodrome.’

Steve Jarvis: ‘I remember Nick when he was Nick Aire at Bishop Vesey School. He had the mot remarkable ten pin bowling style!’

Tim Beech: ‘Nicky of course sadly passed away many years ago – I just checked the date and it was 2001. Hard to believe it was that long ago.’

Chris Rolinson: ‘He was due to start at Saga in 2001, but he was already very ill and sadly died before we went on air.

He was slated to present the Saturday Afternoon show “The Saturday Alternative” from 2 till 6 and I had to sit in for him from launch.

It was very strange especially doing the first show that I knew a Midlands legend was due to present.

I hope I didn’t let him down…’

Radio WM presenters early 1980s

The picture shows from L to R……Ruth Davies, Ed Doolan, Alan Dedicoat, the late Stuart Roper, Gyn Freeman, Pete Simpkin, Steve Woodhall and in front Tim Manning.

Thanks to Pete Simpkin for sharing the photo.

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

Emma Taynton-Young: ‘Tim manning used to be my dad’s producer….can’t remember the year but I bet Richard Uridge would know’

Richard Uridge: ‘1981 or 1982 I reckon.’

Steve Woodhall: ‘More like 1982 or even later? I remember that beard though… The stickers say “WM” rather than “206” so it was after the name change.’

Philip Morgan: ‘What happened to Stuart Roper? I knew him at hospital radio and Radio Birmingham. Sad to hear he is no longer with us.’

The 206 team, Radio WM – Viv Ellis

This Radio Times article from 1981 promoted the relaunch of Radio Birmingham as Radio WM, and 206. The station enjoyed much improved reception due to two new transmitters.

The article interviews Viv Ellis and Stuart Roper of the 206 Team, who were on air for four hours a day, Monday to Friday.

Thanks to Viv Ellis for making the article available.