Viv Ellis – Page 2 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Children in Need – Viv Ellis

It all started with a glass of wine in the club, as so many things did back then. I was working on Daytime Live as a producer/director having previously been at Radio WM. Gyn Freeman whom I had known at WM was one of the team coming up with that year’s Children In Need inserts from Pebble Mill. I have a horrible feeling it was 1988. Anyway, by the end of the evening I had accepted a dare to be sawn in half by a magician. Live. We conjured up a magician called Tony Shelley from Sutton Coldfield and for quite a few weeks I would go to his home so he could train me. On the night, Peter Purves was really funny – though I do think a Blue Peter badge for me would have been in order!

As for Steve Weddle, the editor of Daytime dressing as a chicken – it was kinda normal for him.

Viv Ellis

Last Pebble Mill at One

These photos were taken on the last day that ‘Pebble Mill at One’ was transmitted in May 1986.

The top photo features, left to right: Richard Bradley, Viv Ellis, Maggy Whitehouse, Peta Newbold.

The lower photo features, left to right: Sue Ashcroft, Viv Ellis, ?, Mary Clyne, Maggy Whitehouse, Richard Bradley, Anne Varley.

Thanks to Maggy Whitehouse for sharing the photo.

Pebble Mill at One Production Team

Photo from Maggy Whitehouse, no reproduction without permission.

The photo is of the ‘Pebble Mill at One’ production team.

Included are, left to right, back row: Magnus Magnusson, Norma Scott, David Lancaster, Josephine Buchan, Anne Varley, Bob Langley, Pat Langley, Steph Silk, Steve Weddle. Crouching: David Weir, Jane Clement, Viv Ellis, Marian Foster, Di Reid. Front row: Jo Dewar, Beverleigh Wildman (now Thompson), Sue Ashcroft, Peta Newbold, Paul Coia.

The Last Pebble Mill at One – photo from Mark Kershaw

This photo was taken just after the last ever ‘Pebble Mill at One’ on 23 May 1986. In fact you can just see the last few members of the audience leaving on the left hand side of the photo.

Included in the photo are:

Back row: Michael Smith (celebrity chef), David Lancaster (glasses), Caroline Marshall, Steve Weddle.

Next to back: Julian Hitchcock (with pink balloon), Chris Wright, Roger Sutton (just behind the others), possibly Barrie Edgar peeking out behind, Tony Rayner, Peter Urie, Peter Hercombe, Claire Chambers, Norma Scott, Mary Clyne, Mark Kershaw, Trudy Stanton, Steph Silk, Richard ?.

Third row from back: Girl in red dress below Tony Rayner is Jacqui Goodwin, Fran Groves, Ann Varley, Di Reid (red dress), Margaret Allen (with belt), John Westcott (FM), Annie Gumbley Williams (standing purple dress)

Back seated row: Sue Ashcroft, Debbie Hood, Caroline Matthews, Denny Hodge , Paul Coia

Middle seated row: Gareth Williams, Jo Buchan, Magnus Magnusson, Marian Foster, Bob Langley, Bev Wildman (Thompson), David Weir

Fron row: Tom Ross (standing), Eileen Bayliss just behind Tom, Maggy Whitehouse, Jane Clement, Viv Ellis, Peta Newbold, Colette Foster (central short brown dress), Nicky Barfoot, Claire Stride, Jane McLean, Jo Dewar

Please add a comment if you can fill in any of the people not identified.

Thanks to Mark Kershaw for making the photograph available.

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.