As previously mentioned, commercials were also part of life at Whitfield Street. On one such occasion we did an egg commercial, there were literally hundreds of eggs on set, all were very careful not to upset the egg-cart. It was quite normal for all the props to be shared out amongst the crew once finished, as had been the case a few weeks earlier when we did a chicken commercial. Which of course answers the age-old question of – Which came first? Right at the end of the shoot, I managed to slip an egg into one crew member’s pocket (I can’t remember who, probably Sid the carpenter) and of course during the de–rig the obvious happened, it broke in his pocket, which led to him picking on someone who he thought the culprit, and so it went on until the fight broke out. I didn’t hang around to see the state of the studio but apparently it was an omelette. There was an inquest to which I was not invited as I was in another production meeting by the time the yoke had settled, but from then on Props were not allowed to be touched and if given, were handed out by Harry Storey, the resident floor manager. 

Whilst most of these accounts are written from my perspective, there were many other events going on at the same time at Whitfield Street.  Whilst Colin Callow administered cameras, George Gardiner also had a crew and covered many great events. It was almost a tradition that he and his crew covered Wimbledon Tennis, also George Gardiner the F.A. Cup final. Harry Storey had by that time moved off cameras to become permanent Studio/Floor Manager and travelled to wherever he was needed. TVI had grown considerably in every which way. The Conservative Party were frequent visitors as they re-wrote and delivered their speeches in their effort to gain back the government seat with Edward Heath at their helm. No doubt the Crown Agents who had serious interests in TVR/I had some influences there. Meanwhile even the opposition’s Harold Wilson were welcome! TVR continued do well across the board and OBs even managed to survive, for prior to the merger, ITV companies had been given the go ahead to offer their studios and equipment out to Production Houses at very competitive rates, and soon after even the BBC were to follow this move, it was seriously to affect the Facility Industry. Overseas work also dried up considerably as European networks realised, they could offer via satellite or new communication centres improved networking coverage of many events. It appeared to us that InterTel was no longer the force it had been, and their OB units were standing more often than not, and so came the day of the merger in 1970 – Television International was born and staff from Stonebridge Park were brought to TVR Whitfield Street …  For Harry Storey and me especially it was as if a circle had been completed. But of course, roles had changed. Harry, who had been ousted from InterTel by the ATV clique, was in charge of the studio and floor at TVR, and I, after my slightly later ousting by the same clique (as I had quite vigorously contested Harry’s departure and had my lack of studio experience used an excuse) had over the years moved from my trainee camera and No 4 status at old InterTel on to Freelancing around the country, finally to settle at TVR and progressively rise to a No 1 with my own crew – indeed a great deal of water had passed under the bridge of time. It’s a common event in most company structures where there are those few who are politically motivated, (for maybe their skills for which they were originally employed maybe weakened by newcomers, they often seek higher office, then given time, usurp their position to vent frustration or misguided hostility on their imagined foes). Previously with my departure from InterTel Stonebridge Park, Trevor Wallace, at hearing the story from Alan English of my ousting by the hands of the ATV clique and other crew, rang my home and offered immediate re-instatement. I was truly moved by his honest concern but had to decline with many thanks and a lump in my throat, saying “I would work for him any day, but I couldn’t return on principle or go along with the clique”. Destiny plays a strange hand sometimes and here we were, all back in the same deal after the two packs had been well and truly shuffled over time. Back at InterTel – Stonebridge Park – The man who started it all, Mr Trevor Wallace, had some time earlier bought a large house in Dorking, Surrey and to every one’s shock was suddenly to up and leave early one morning with wife and family, leaving I heard part of breakfast still on the table – and headed for the USA … It was all a secret!!! Or maybe it was a ‘Family’ thing with Jarvis Astair? Stonebridge Park studios were later taken over by London Weekend Television and remodelled into a more usable format, they knew the building well as LWT had been using it for their overflow productions for quite some time. Later they were to sell it off to Lee Films which had also developed from the earlier Lee Bros Lighting. It’s all very incestuous somehow. Steve Beamish, Chris Evans, Peter Lamb, Albert Tolley, (The Clique) John Duncum and many others all moved to Whitfield Street and the management took time out to manoeuvre their positions and roles within the new structure. Peter Lamb was to move to The Rank building in Wardour Street. Roland after a short spell with Peter moved on to Trillion – Brewer Street, to re-engineer their set up, previously set up by British Lion TV in competition with TVR and Brian Taylor (sound) left after a while to join South African Television as they had been advertising for some time for staff to enable their initiation into Television Broadcasting come 1972/3. Brian Was there ever a connection with this Co in Malta and Trillion as they were backed by British Lion!!! Then transpired the ‘night of the long knives’ for TVI was now overstaffed, a consultant was brought in to butcher ‘The Company’ down to a manageable size. On one Sunday morning motorcycle riders were sent out to deliver letters ‘The Coup de grace’ for most of the late comers who had been employed even prior to the merger had to go and many a life was shattered. Most were of engineering and floor level whilst many management either negotiated their niches or perhaps were covered by contractual agreements. 

During this time another first for TVI and myself was the morning Breakfast Information Show originated live at the Whitfield Street Studio and pumped out to London Hotels. Early every morning at seven o’clock via Windmill Street, containing the days Live News upcoming events, sights to see and places to visit. It was to be my first venture into directing and switching which later stood me in good stead. After this event every morning I would then carry on with my normal daily schedule. Of course there was other bread and butter work with ‘ Match of the Day’ for the BBC and later London Weekend’s ‘Big Match’ shot by us every Saturday anywhere in the country, directed by Bob Gardham, edited Saturday night at Windmill St. by Bob and Brian Wiseman, then on Sunday morning was the match analysis from Whitfield Street studios with Brian Moore and Jimmy Hill and star Guests all put together and transmitted later that Sunday afternoon. One of the best and nicest commentators ever, Brian Moore started 1968. Technical analyst Jimmy Hill.  Bob Gardham challenged the way football was covered from there on. For the BBC covered mainly in wide shot from a high position and one watched a lot of ant-type soccer players running around. Bob covered the whole thing much tighter (as previously mentioned in his earlier match with TVI) and one camera was on the touchline covering the action in amongst the players with the blood and sweat, and by cutting faster the viewer became part of the game. I was lucky enough to do that close-up camera with the long Varotal 3 and extenders, it was an exciting time, many a time I couldn’t tell you who had won the match as it was so fast and furious in close up, for then we covered a big match with just four cameras, these days as many as sixteen or more are used but that style, though yet again improved, is still used today. Bob was an amazing, lovable character full of energy. After the Geoff Hurst controversial World Cup winning goal against Germany in 1976, he was later offered the goal line turf from that very spot. He drove his car onto the pitch and several turfs were cut rolled up and placed in the boot, taken home and duly laid into his lawn in the shape of a V for victory.

 TVI still covered plenty of major events in the UK, Soccer for London Weekend, Wimbledon for the Americans and we were privileged to continue with The NBC Today Show in London anchored by icons such as Barbara Walters and Hugh Downs – These shows were two hour epics on US TV and took a cultural look at countries around the world. The Whitfield Street studio continued to sustain a reasonable amount of work. Commercials, Interviews, etc. Steve Jellyman (who supplied these three pics) was to achieve something special for apart from being an antique collector with a difference, (his picturesque thatched cottage bedroom was crammed from floor to low ceiling with Brass horned Phonographs which just left enough space for his beautiful modern young wife – Sally) Steve’s dream Train. Mohammed Ali, Hugh McCann. ?

Steve Jellyman and Bruce Brown. 

Some forty odd years later he fulfilled a no doubt childhood dream of running his own train and becoming an engine driver in Cornwall.

Rod Steiger

Soon after with Hugh McCann as backup I was sent to Ireland with a two-camera unit to shoot a once off special ‘Waiting for Godot’ by Samual Becket who up to then had refused to have any of his work shown on TV. But a certain director had obtained the rights. Rod Steiger was brought over to enact the role. It was a single camera shoot all in close up and was to be ‘rushes approved’ off tape then transferred to film later for distribution via TVI’s brand new Telecine system. Definition was paramount as the transfer system was still touch and go. The Director and Mr. Steiger didn’t see eye to eye and the former left in a huff, then the Producer and Rod asked me to do the directing honours and from there on we continued up until the ‘Injunction’ served by the Director’s lawyers which stopped production. Rod Steiger offered to set me up in the States, but I had to decline. I was mid divorce amongst other things. But I was surprised when Mr Steiger took the trouble to write a glowing report from the States praising my work and effort. 

Then TVI procured another NBC ‘Today Show’ in Romania and I had the pleasure of setting it up with the very professional Jim Gaines covering the history and culture of yet another interesting country behind the so-called iron curtain. Harry Paul, Frankie Port and yours truly on camera at the May Day Parade.  We covered the May Day celebrations amongst a variety of other locations including Peles Palace – an incredible Palace/museum hidden in the mountains. Many anecdotes were to surface from this wonderful trip. We had been paid our per diems in advance as the Romanian government had insisted, we get paid in their currency and would be therefore spend within the country.

Peles Castle 

All the notes were new and sequential for the whole crew, so on arrival our first task was to exchange new for old by buying a bar of chocolate with a large note. The night before leaving, I, as others, had plenty of useless notes left in spite of buying a complete set of the finest cut glass available on earth. So several of us played an unusual game of crazy eight. The loser won the money! Even so we each had quite a sum left over, and we decided to give it to a guy (not named) who had helped us all throughout the trip. A plastic shopping bag was found, all old notes tipped in and presented to our helper upon leaving. It was useless to us but to our helper it represented between three to six months’ salary. We live in a strange world!!! 

Copenhagen begat yet another experience for us all even though it was only another circus! For we had over the years covered many throughout Europe. Had we not chased circuses up the then Yugoslavian coast past Triest and on into Italy on behalf of Joe Cates and his brother Gill, producer and director respectively, for their many series of Circuses around the world. Even Mary Chipperfield had entertained us somewhere along the line in Europe, and I think during InterTel, TVR to TVI we had over the years seen just about every circus act of the decade.

Joe Cates 

Just a few years ago I took my young daughter to see The Moscow State Circus perform in Johannesburg and the owner bade her “Good Evening” and we struck up conversation re Circuses and the modern approach. He was amazed that I had seen his father’s circus so many years ago and we could both recall a few stories of that time. There are many stories to relate on every trip, for in Copenhagen, Barry Stevens was to fall in love with a beautiful Danish girl Birgit. They are still married to this day, with two lovely children. Every day was an event! A year or so later we hired a truck, and I moved them to England. 

I was restless in 1971/72 even though my days were full, for I was working two jobs to pay for my separated wife’s house as well as my own. Short of moving into directing full time (there were possibilities opening up as Lynn and Mike of the Sun fame were talking to me). But I needed a complete change and on one fine day in March 1972 I handed in my notice with not a notion of what to do next. Sometimes you have to shut one door before another can open. There was an inquest held by Peter Wayne M.D. as to Why? and he asked me to stay and cover the up-and-coming NBC Today Show in Ireland as Jim Gaines had very kindly asked for me. But I had made up my mind – Then Peter offered me something I had been advocating for a long time. A two-camera unit able to cover anything at the drop of a hat. It was very tempting but … No! It was time to move on to new pastures wherever they were. No one could believe I had not been offered another job. Then within a week or so I received a phone call at TVI from a Mr Gert Yssel of South African Broadcasting.

South Africa

Would I meet him in The Piccadilly Hotel …. The rest is history and yet another incredible chapter of my life was about to unfold, as I would be one of the first amongst many others to help develop Television in a revolutionary South Africa. This Ten-year period in London started by a man of Vision, Mr. Trevor Wallace, was indeed an exciting and inspiring time for all who were privileged to have the opportunity to work for him. He was tough and often uncompromising, perhaps even close to criminal but demanded results, none the less at the same time thoughtful and caring for his staff. My own life story (writing still in progress) will bear further testimony to the fact. On one occasion, as thanks for the hard work everyone had put in over a month or so building a recent scanner and associated tender, Trevor took the whole company and their wives to dinner at the West End’s ‘Talk of the Town’ starring Shirley Bassey and Tommy Cooper, after the show Trevor arranged for everyone to meet the artists. Just one of his many deeds to show his gratitude and respect for the people who worked for him, there were many others who benefited and I for one have a deep sense of gratitude.

Trevor Wallace changed my life forever. Bless Him. I know I have not mentioned P.A s, Secretaries and Office personnel, most were attractive young ladies (not John Ostler or Peter Wayne) of that time, and it would be incorrect for me to expose them by name or deed. With of course one exception: – Margie. Margie has been the web of those InterTel/ TVI times threading through to the modern day, she has tirelessly kept track and woven the silk of interconnection throughout the many many past decades. The reunions have been such a success in keeping all of us in touch and up to date. We have been more than lucky to have Marjie’s dynamic personality, expertise and tireless energy bonding us for now what seems forever keeping huge smiles on our faces, into our latter years. Thank you, Margie!!

Footnote: – When I joined there were just twelve, now there are thousands. I have not been able to cover all the history or to include every character or incident in that period, as the above is purely to whet the taste buds and try to offer the flavour of that evolutionary time. If I have offended anyone by error or omission, please forgive my seniorism! Naturally there were many other events taking place simultaneously with other crews and units on equally fascinating locations. They have anecdotes of their exploits and experiences as do I. Hungary, Innsbruck 62, Athens, Geneva etc. Naturally there were hundreds of other fascinating jobs and tales, unfortunately one cannot immediately bring to mind after some fifty years all the events and hilarious happenings. Only on talking to the survivors are one’s synapses fired into the joy of recollection. 

If I have been technically incorrect as to equipment place name or time, I would willingly stand corrected by anyone better informed. None the less I hope this is purely just the beginning or platform of a more detailed account for those of us left to build on. It is meant as a foundation for other building blocks of your experiences at that time to be inserted, in your own words, the way you saw things, for each of us sees our own personal rainbow. Please – Do so, I would be for ever in your debt. Many of you have incredible stories and more information than I – a mere rigger driver of that time. Please for your children or history write it down. As we are getting fewer I felt compelled to put pen to paper not only to honour Trevor Wallace, the man and his partners who started it all, but to honour all those who took part along the Yellow Brick Road of Facilities throughout that single incredible decade and, as in my case, to benefit above and beyond that given platform, to experience a diverse and rewarding lifetime on a different hemisphere. Whether we liked each other or not you were all great characters in your own right, and I have a place for all of you, for you each contributed to my personal wealth of experience. Rich or poor I am able to pass on – as unfortunately so many have done already – with a smile on my face for the fun filled wealth of experience gained from you all.

Thank You. 

Terry 

Scroll down The Obituary Column for those we know have passed and were there during those heady years. This list was compiled some years back so unfortunately requires updating Please, you must not personally add to this list …. But list others who have passed already. Harry Paul, Don Ball (Chippy)???? Hugh McCann, George Gardiner, Colin Callow, Peter Wayne, John Ostler, Roz Storey, Mike Cooper, Mike Styles, Johnny Fielder, Dave Ashley Smith … Brian Taylor was to die of cancer in South Africa. George Gardiner was later to become synonymous with football. The Arsenal Football Club paid tribute to George upon his untimely collapse and death after a match at the club. 2010 Hugh McCann was to collapse of a heart attack in a London Street. In 2006 Colin Callow also died in 2010 (unfortunately this list to be continued no doubt)

This should not be the end, but purely the Beginning, depicting a remarkable short period in our UK history. A very singular personal account, limited not only by time, my faculties, my lack of general knowledge and thus recognition and understanding of anything going on around me. It was certainly wonderful to see Steve Beamish, as it has been to see many of you on my infrequent visits. To every one of you who I owe so much – as I certainly do to those who have passed too early. I shall never forget each and every one (depicted above or not) in my scattered attempt to sketch a caricature of those few years of our amazing adventure.

Terry