{"id":5601,"date":"2016-05-29T09:41:12","date_gmt":"2016-05-29T09:41:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/?page_id=5601"},"modified":"2024-03-29T11:06:02","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T11:06:02","slug":"its-christmas-time","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/its-christmas-time\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s Christmas Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Roger Bunce<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is an old Design Department Christmas card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>(Click on the picture below to see a larger or clearer version of this picture:<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Click the &#8220;X&#8221; button (top right) to close the newly opened picture.)<\/em><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_1.png\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-0\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"830\" height=\"292\" src=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_1.png\" alt=\"Xmas_6_1\" class=\"wp-image-5598\" srcset=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_1.png 830w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_1-300x106.png 300w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_1-768x270.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Howard Michaels<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This lovely picture is a reminder of happy days gone by!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Patrick Heigham<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And don&#8217;t forget the incredible camaraderie amongst all the crews to issue Christmas Cards. What other &#8216;factory&#8217; might have done that, by the workers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Such a shame. It&#8217;s often said that whoever controls the broadcasting system, controls the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I do believe that the rot started with Thatcher and John Birt &#8211; he was a total &nbsp;puppet. I once had to go and record an interview with him in the executive office in BH &#8211; I did not enjoy that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Raise a Glass!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mike Giles, Dave Mundy, John Howell<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I learned from Radio 4 recently that the BBC once had its own label champagne &#8211; &#8220;Sans Fils&#8221; &#8211; wireless! &#8211; &nbsp;and the BBC club&#8217;s French white wine called \u201dTantine\u201d \u2013 Auntie! &nbsp;Those were indeed the days!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Graeme Wall<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Had a few bottles [of &#8220;Sans Fils&#8221;] at my wedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Appropriate Reading \u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Albert Barber<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s latter-day reading material\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><object class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Meccano-6012.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:905px\" aria-label=\"Meccano-6012\"><\/object>\n\n\n\n<br><a href=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Meccano-6012.pdf\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"231\" height=\"37\" src=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/download-PDF.png\" alt=\"download button\" class=\"wp-image-17100\" style=\"width:auto;height:25px\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n\n<!--  Block for the download button -->\n<p><br>Click on <span style=\"font-family: Arial\"><em>Download PDF<\/em><\/span> to see the PDF in an alternative viewer: this allows you to print or save the complete PDF document, and often makes the document easier to read.<br>\nTo return to this page, use your browser&#8217;s <span style=\"font-family: Arial\">Go Back One Page<\/span> button.<\/p><br><br>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pat Heigham<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fancy that cover &#8211; brought back many memories!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I used to build cable cars out of Meccano \u2013 rigging between an upstairs window and a tree in the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When quite young, I was given a kitten, and when it grew a bit bigger, he liked to sit in the box of Meccano parts, not at all worried about the sharp metal bits and gear wheels &#8211; just wanted to join in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And Bayko too, Dad was posted to Singapore after the war and when my Mum and I joined him, he had saved his pocket change for me to buy something in the big department store (Robinson&#8217;s in Raffles Place &#8211; and we had never experienced that form of shopping).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I spent the dollars on a Bayko set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Does anyone remember Minibrix &#8211; a forerunner of Lego? It had rubber brick shaped pieces which locked together with raised studs and matching sockets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I still have the Hornby Dublo train set, packed away in the loft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, the ad for Gamages &#8211; always had the catalogue for Christmas, and Ellisdon&#8217;s, full of japes and stuff that Just William would have had in his stocking &#8211; itching powder, farting cushions, the &#8216;SeeBackroScope&#8217;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I&#8217;m sure that Meccano did me more good than all today&#8217;s computer games do now for the current young generation. Certainly the study of practical physics got me accepted into the BBC!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bernie Newnham<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have a big Bayko set here, bought at a car boot. The sort of thing &#8211; like Meccano No 10 (or even 5) &#8211;&nbsp; that we could only dream about when I was a child. I bought it just because I could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>(Click on the picture below to see a larger or clearer version of this picture:<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Click the &#8220;X&#8221; button (top right) to close the newly opened picture.)<\/em><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_2.png\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-1\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"688\" height=\"960\" src=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_2.png\" alt=\"Xmas_6_2\" class=\"wp-image-5599\" srcset=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_2.png 688w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_2-215x300.png 215w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Alec Bray<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I was working at the BBC, I bought an Adana Five-Three printing press (as advertised in \u201cMeccano Magazine\u201d). I travelled down to Twickenham to go to their shop, and bought some fonts as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>(Click on the picture below to see a larger or clearer version of this picture:<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Click the &#8220;X&#8221; button (top right) to close the newly opened picture.)<\/em><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_3.png\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-2\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"651\" height=\"921\" src=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_3.png\" alt=\"Xmas_6_3\" class=\"wp-image-5600\" srcset=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_3.png 651w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Xmas_6_3-212x300.png 212w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 651px) 100vw, 651px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was quite good for printing tickets and suchlike items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I went to college, I printed the covers for our poetry magazine \u201cRhythm of Life\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I printed our wedding invitations and order of service \u2013 and then, for school when I was teaching, the case inserts for the professionally made cassette recordings of musicals \u201cwhat we wrote\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But this Adana Press had to be sold &#8211; along with a shed and an N gauge model railway layout &#8211; to raise the cash to get my first computer &#8211; a<strong style=\"font-family: Arial\"> BBC B<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"104\" src=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/ianfootersmall-300x104.jpg\" alt=\"ianfootersmall\" class=\"wp-image-1061\" srcset=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/ianfootersmall-300x104.jpg 300w, http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/ianfootersmall.jpg 348w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Roger Bunce Here is an old Design Department Christmas card. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Click on the picture below to see a larger or clearer version of this picture:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Click the &#8220;X&#8221; button (top right) to close the newly opened picture.) Howard Michaels This lovely &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/its-christmas-time\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5601","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/author\/alec\/","display_name":"Alec Bray"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 10 years ago","modified":"Updated 2 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on May 29, 2016","modified":"Updated on March 29, 2024"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on May 29, 2016 9:41 am","modified":"Updated on March 29, 2024 11:06 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":false,"series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5601","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5601"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5601\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19007,"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5601\/revisions\/19007"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}