These photos have been shared by cameraman, Alec Robson’s son Michael. They look like they were taken during a television drama training exercise, probably during the 1960s.
Alec is on the left in the first photo.
Derek Price thinks that the second photo includes, left to right – Derek Price, Tony Wigley, possibly Tony Rayner, Alec Robson, and possibly Peter Booth.
Dawn Wigley (Robertson), a member of Pebble Mill’s Drama Department for many years, died on Saturday 3rd December 2016, following a brave battle in recent years, against serious health problems.
Dawn, then Production Manager, met Tony Wigley on an OB drama shoot in the North East. They married and settled in Cleeve Prior, Worcs.
Dawn moved to Birmingham Drama as a Production Manager, later becoming Drama Organiser.
Tony predeceased her in Autumn 2015.
The cremation will be private, but a reception for former colleagues will take place at the King’s Arms in Cleeve Prior on a date to be announced.
(Thanks to Annie Gumbley-Williams for sharing this news about Dawn.)
Tony Wigley, photo from Bill Bohanna, no reproduction without permission.
Andy Payne, on the left, cable bashing for Tony Wigley on Pebble Mill at One, crica 1980. Photo by Eurwyn Jones, no reproduction without permission.
Andy Payne’s daughter, Jenni, has been in touch with the Father Brown production office to give them the funeral details.
They are going to have the celebration that ‘Andy would have wanted us to have’ on Friday, 5th August at 1pm, King’s Norton Church, B38 8RU. Then a gathering afterwards at the King’s Heath Cricket Club, B14 6DT. Jenni referred to this as ‘Dad’s second home’.
The family want anyone who would like to attend to know that they are welcome, and they’ve asked that we pass this information on.
Copyright resides with the original holders no reproduction without permission
This was the presentation of the GTC’s (Guild of Television Camermen) TiCA (Television Cameraman’s Award) to the Pebble Mill camera department for Pebble Mill at One circa 1979.
The names are as follows:
Back (L to R): Doug Smith, Robin Sunderland, Bob Meikle, Don Cooper, Paul Woolston, Tony Wigley, Phil Wilson, Mike Solomons (GTC Chairman from Thames TV), Brian Cave, Jim Gray, Bob Hubbard, Chris Allen, not sure (perhaps Phil Sidey?), Jack Rooke, Keith Salmon, Dave Lawson, Dave Doogood, Dave Wilkins, Pete Edwards, Tim Konewko, Bhasker Solanki.
Kneeling down (L to R): Barrie Foster, Keith ‘Scouse’ Brook, Roger Mulliner, Dave Ballantyne, John Couzens, Eric Wise
(Thanks to James French for providing the names, Annie Gumbley Williams for sending me the photo and to Roger Mulliner for sharing it in the first place).
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Richard Stevenson: ‘That is an amazing picture! I have never seen so many cameramen in ties! Brilliant.’
Lynn Cullimore: ‘They all look so young and thats because they were – then. hah.’
Bob Bishop: ‘There are no women in the photograph, would that be the same today.’
Keith Brook (Scouse): ‘We were told to dress up by management. Bhaskar Solanki, far right (physically, not politically) went on to be a very, very successful news cameraman and is now a senior producer. Good for him!! I should also mention that I’m the only one wearing a waistcoat. Even then, standards were sloppy!!’
Tony Wigley on crane, Keith Froggatt swinging, photo from James French, no reproduction without permission.
John Couzens talks to director, Tony Wigley on crane, Richard Reynolds on boom. Photo by James French, no reproduction without permission.
Tony Wigley, senior cameraman at BBC Birmingham, died this weekend (September 20th 2015). Tony worked on both drama and factual programmes, and was married to Dawn Robertson, from the Drama Department. Tony worked tirelessly for the BBC during his career.
The photos are from The Old Curiosity Shop, recorded in Studio A at Pebble Mill, which was transmitted in December 1979.