Hugh Sheppard
I joined Crew 8, with the formidable pairing of Bob Warman on Camera 1 and Bob Baxter on 2, from AP after some 8 months at News, post what I believe was the first Tech. Ops (only) course at Evesham over the winter of 1958 – 9. Sadly, I failed to keep a course photo.
John Howell
The corridors of Wood Norton Hall used to be festooned with course photos, I wonder what happened to them, are they accessible? Or have they joined the lost episodes of “Dr Who etc?”
Dave Mundy
They were removed during the refurbishment. I stayed there just after the hotel re-opened and there were no screw holes in the corridor panelling! I forgot to ask the new owner what they had done with them!
John Howell
I suppose it was a vain hope that whoever removed them, (I had assumed a BBC person) had realised the historic importance to groups such as ourselves and taken steps to preserve them. If every course had a photo, we are talking of quite a quantity, it might be worth an inquiry.
Like you Dave I stayed there and didn’t think to ask. I seem to remember the corridors had, in addition to the photos all sorts of wiring from lead sheathed to modern coax, strung all over the place but not a nail hole was visible once in hotel hands.
Peter Neill
A few years ago (i.e. less than 10) someone made a similar enquiry and I rang the admin dept at BBC Wood Norton. It transpired that they do have quite a collection of course photos. Sadly the one we were after was not amongst them. If you know the course number it could be worth a phone call. I got the impression that I wasn’t the first to enquire – but she was very helpful. I have a friend who works there in the bit we’re not supposed to photograph. I could ask him to wander over to Training if you like.
Dave Lawson
I was on a lecturer attachment at Wood Norton in 1989/90 and on my explorations in the cellars found a box of glass slides which included course photos. I left them where I found them. Maybe someone cleared them out to a safe location but I doubt it. There was also a box of Evershed bits for a 10:1 zoom but no lens.
Neil Dormand
Apparently a load of course photographs were sent to archives when Wood Norton Hall was refurbished then sold. However I was told three years ago by one of the few remaining full time lecturers that archives had possibly destroyed them due to lack of interest. On realising this, it was decided to keep any remaining ones at Wood Norton for preservation. They did not have TO 22 (1965). I did not try Archives because one of the course members found a copy in his loft.
Dave Buckley
The Enginf website also has a wide range of Evesham photos as well
http://www.bbceng.info/Information/courses_top.htm
Roger Bunce
On the wider subject of lost photographs and, indeed, lost “Doctor Who”s –
Hands up who worked on “Doctor Who and the Silurians” (1969 or 70 – BBB), with Crew 9 and Paul Kay, or in any other capacity – or anyone who was a chum of Dave Heddon. Because we all found the original Silurian costumes so amusing, Dave took some photos of them in unlikely poses, e.g. wearing headphones and operating a camera – and there was one of a Silurian wearing a flat cap and muffler, smoking a fag. Does anyone have copies of these? I’d love to see them again, after all these years. (Apologies if I’ve made this request before. I know I’ve asked various individuals, but can’t remember if I’ve posted on the mailing list – anyway, new people may have joined the list since then.)
