Thanks to Tim Manning for making this article by Nick Higham (now BBC News correspondent) available.
The article is taken from ‘Radio Month’ in November 1981, and talks about the relaunching of Radio Birmingham as Radio WM. The station’s frequency was changed to improve reception sound quality, especially in Birmingham, and the schedule was revamped and streamlined.
Tim Manning was responsible for the publicity and promotion of the station, as well as presenting on Saturday mornings.
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
This photo flyer of Tim Manning dates from 1981, and the relaunch of Radio WM, as ‘206 – Five Star Listening’. Tim was the head of the 206 Information Team, as well as presenting ‘Great! It’s Saturday’, on Saturday mornings.
The photo was taken by Stuart Roper, at the side of Pebble Mill, by the brook.
Tim moved from radio and went on to work with executive producer John King on many television entertainment shows.
Producer/presenter Pete Simpkin remembers the era well:
‘It certainly was a time of great change and for some of us took some time to adapt, but it turned out to be fun, and there is no doubt that although some of the ideas were challenging, the changes laid the foundations for the present success at WM. Among other things I got involved with was a trip to Dallas Texas and another time found myself doing a ‘Radio 3′ style announcing job at the old Town Hall with the CBSO when we went stereo.’
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
This photo was taken at the press launch of ‘Countryfile’s’ first mid-week primetime transmission.
The photo includes, left to right: Michael Collie (reporter), Caroline Jones (producer), Alan Miller (director), John Craven (presenter), Tim Manning, Ann Chancellor-Davies, Chris Bates (press officer), ?.
Thanks to Tim Manning for making the photo available.
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
The photo includes left to right: Back Row, Pat Mifflin, Richard Lewis, Annette Martin, Noel Edmonds, Steve Pierson, John King; Front Row, Jennifer Hassall, Rajinder Ram, Tim Manning, Sue Williams, Denny Hodge (Comedy Workshops).
‘Telly Addicts’ was a BBC 1 Game Show produced at Pebble Mill, which ran between 1985 and 1998. Noel Edmonds was the host, who tested contestants on their knowledge of television shows. Alongside the regular series were a number of Christmas Specials. This photo was taken after the recording of one of these Christmas shows.
Stuart Gandy remembers the little gadget that engineering made for Noel, known as the hooferdoofer, that he used to indicate to the gallery with. Looked a bit like a TV remote with a few buttons on. Louis Robinson remembers borrowing the word ‘hooferdoofer’ to describe the remote, from his grandmother!
Thanks to Tim Manning for making the photo available.
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
‘Telly Addicts’ was a BBC 1 Game Show based on contestants’ television knowledge. It was hosted by Noel Edmonds. The series was recorded in Studio A, and was transmitted between 1985 and 1998. It was produced by John King’s department at Pebble Mill. First producer was Juliet May, followed by John Smith, Tim Manning and Richard Lewis.
Thanks to Tim Manning for making this Question Card available.
