Terry Barker – What Was Pebble Mill?

Martin Chuzzlewit TX card

This is the transmission card for the 1994, BBC2 drama serial Martin Chuzzlewit. The adaptation was written by David Lodge, produced by Chris Parr and directed by Pedr James, with Gavin Davies as the production designer.

Thanks to Ann Chancellor-Davies for sharing the TX card.

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

Ian Barber: ‘That was on location in Kings Lynn, we had an amazing time there.’

Gary Williams: ‘I believe Tony Fisher did all the graphics and I loaded up all the opening/closing credits!’

Sue Haslam: ‘Looks rather like some of Tony Fisher’s wonderful calligraphy on the title too…’

Terry Barker: ‘I had just started working for Chris Parr as the show was being edited and I well remember the difference of opinion between him and Pedr over the number of cockroaches on the opening titles. Chris won, and it was less than 12.’

Camilla Fisher: ‘If you are interested in seeing more of the artwork for Martin Chuzzlewit check out the Tony Fisher archive at the library of Birmingham.’

Save

Michael Abbensetts 1938-2016

Michael Abbensetts talking to Michael Wearing, at the Midlands Arts Centre 2010

Norman Beaton in Empire Road. Photo by Willoughby Gulachsen, no reproduction without permission.

Norman Beaton in Empire Road. Photo by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

The Guyanan-born writer, Michael Abbensetts, sadly died on 24th November 2016. Michael settled in Britain in the 1960s and gave a voice to people from a Carribean heritage, through his writing for the theatre and television. He worked on several Pebble Mill dramas in the 1970s and early ’80s, often with producer Peter Ansorge. His first Pebble Mill production was Black Christmas, in 1977; followed by Empire Road (series 1 and 2), the first black British soap opera, 1988-9; and Easy Money, part of Playhouse, 1982. He also wrote an episode of Doctors in 2001, which was his last television script.

Michael attended the ‘What was Pebble Mill’ screening event at the Midlands Arts Centre in 2010, and was interested in commemorating the dramas made at Pebble Mill.

(Thanks to Lez Cooke for updating some of the information in this post.)

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

Terry Barker: ‘He did an episode of Doctors which I script edited in late 90s’

Janice Rider: ‘The Mac event was the last time I met Michael before he became unwell . Not many people may be aware that there is a beautiful photograph of him in the National Portrait Gallery collection by Horace Ove, filmmaker, who directed some episodes of Empire Road. A lasting tribute to a great, gentle playwright. http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw79463/Michael-Abbensetts?LinkID=mp68713&search=sas&sText=Michael%20Abbensetts&OConly=true&role=sit&rNo=0 ‘

Save

Official Opening of Pebble Mill Invitation

This is the invitation which was sent to dignitaries for the official opening of Pebble Mill on 10th November 1971.

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

Terry Barker: ‘I was there but not as a dignitary just a secretary working in Radio 3 who nicked the left over champagne!’

Karen Singleton Davies: ‘4th floor head honchos called me in the Asian Unit to ask if I’d be ‘lift girl’ to operate said equipment to take Princess Anne to the dignitaries floor for a reception. The button panel was doctored in case I inadvertently pressed the wrong one & took her to the 2nd floor – the bar was in house in those days. I bought a new scarf for the occasion!’

East titles

These title grabs are from the Asian current affairs show: East. It was the sister show to Network East and went out during the summer. It tended to be more documentary based. The show was made at BBC Pebble Mill during the 1990s.

Thanks to VT editor, Ian Collins, for making the still available.

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

Terry Barker: ‘I remember it well as I was working for Narendhra Morar at the time.’

Sarah Dunning: ‘I think Gary Vollans was the graphic designer?’