Mother Joan Marsden - Mother to all who knew her - died on 3rd March 2004, just few days before I quoted her on page 90. Strange coincidence - I can't say that she had really entered my thoughts for many years. The Times has given her an obit - that and her MBE very well deserved.

For those who'd like to read it, I've taken the liberty of OCR-ing -

WHEN eight million viewers kept a weekly date with Panorama on BBC Television in the 1960s, the credit on the screen never included the name of Joan Marsden. Yet this former WAAF officer was a key figure in ensuring that Richard Dimbleby presented the live programme each Monday night without any hiccups.

Marsden was the floor manager for Panorama, the link betwwn the director in the control room and the presenter waiting for his cue. Thc relationship between Dimbleby and Marsden was a special one. It was he who first called her "mother", and mother she was to all the VIPs who turned up at the Lime Grove studios on Monday nights. Harold Wilson was in awe of her, Ted Heath shook his shoulders at her and even George Brown sobered up when Marsden came into view.

When Dimbleby became ill with cancer in the mid-l960s, she was one of the few people who knew what an effort it was for him to present Panorama. Her caring and his courage ensured that the programme carried on without viewers knowing anything was wrong. There were not many people who could keep Richard Dimbleby happy and Robin Day at bay. She coped briefly with Alistair Burnet and then nursed another Dimbley, David.

The studio echoed to her command. Her calmness, her love of television and her care for programmes made her close to indispensable.

Marsden had come from the theatre. The only child of Liverpool parents, she was brought up in Devon when the family moved there and when she left the Central School of Speech and Drama in 1937 she started work in the theatre at the bottom: assistant stage manager. She volunteered in 1940 to join the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. She was soon promoted to flight officer and became a fighter sector controller at the airbase that is now Goodwood.

When she was demobbed after five and a half years' service she went back to the theatre, and in 1957 she joined BBC Television as an assistant floor manager. The boss at that time disapproved of women in the studio. But she persisted and in I960 she took on the job she did with such distinction for 20 years: floor manager. The BBC knew what a wonderful ambassador she was for the corporation. Sensibly, it ensured that she was appointed MBE in 1978, the year before she retired.

In retirement she kept in touch with her many friends by phone and and maintained her interest in broadcasting and in sport with what she called "her beloved Radio 5".

Joan Marsden, MBE, floor manager at BBC Television. 1953-1979, was bom on May 20,1919. She died on March 3, 2004. aged 84.

Does anyone have any good Mother stories?

Here's one -

We were in Studio G at Lime Grove for a Panorama. It was the late sixties, and we had one of the first two ways via satellite to the United States. The satellite feed was put on an Eidophor (video BP) screen, and after the bars and tone, the Americans fed our output back to us.

Mother moved around and looked at herself delayed by 100,000 miles or so and we all had lots of fun watching something very few people had seen before.

(Middle class English accent) "This is Mother calling Washington, can anyone hear me?"
(Deep American male accent) "Hi, this is Washington calling .......Mother??"

And from Mike Cotton -

We were doing the first Global hookup programme called "Our World" and during rehearsals 'Mother' was talking to Australia via about 3 satellite links. Her much delayed voice coming back from Australia was fed to the floor speakers and eventually a "howl" (accoustic feedback to camera people !!) began. The first world wide howl round but was quickly stopped for fear of world wide damage. Poor Joan, often the butt of jokes but greatly respected. One of her looks would stop a bored chattering sound crew instantly. Always a pleasure to work with.

And from Peter Neill -

Director to Floor Manager: What's that pattern on Camera 2 at the moment? I'd like to super the closing captions over it.

Mother: I think he's pointing at my bum! (she was wearing a tweedy textured skirt)

Nevertheless, she consented to stand still during the closing sequence of a live programme so that the director got his wish.

One afternoon she arrived for rehearsals at Lime Grove having been shopping in the West End and announced: "I've just seen the job I want to do when I retire. There's a Traffic Warden in Oxford Street with a loudhailer, and she shouts at the pedestrians telling them to keep on the pavement. And they obey!!"

And there was the General Election programme in the '70s when she was Floor Manager Supreme. Someone (I believe David Hedden) made up some badges which read "Don't ask me - ask Mother!" for her lackeys to wear.

From Tony Crake

The Panorama production team fancied being a bit flash and daring and had spurned the canteen and their own hospitality and had ordered a "dial up curry" (a new thing in those distant days!! ) But it did'nt seem to arrive on time and as rehearsal time was approaching Mother was despatched (unwillingly ) to LG reception to see if by any chance the curry had arrived unannounced!

As mother stepped out to that wonderful antiquated lift with the lattice gates, there was a small brown man in flowing robes with a beautifully embroidered pork pie hat struggling with the troublesome metalwork.....

" Ah! " snapped Mother , "Are you the dial -a-curry man? "

" No please " said the little man " Can you help me? Where is studio E ?

I am Prime Minister of Ceylon ! "

He was duly rescued and installed in the studio.

Joan did not relate if the curry ever arrived !!

From Paul Kaye -

Joan was always very protective of her Artists/Presenters and Studio Crews, as the following may show.

Tomorrows World was fronted by Raymond Baxter in an attempt to jazz up the programme they had Raymond entering various ways. This did not please Mother (Nor I suspect Raymond, but he was too pro to complain) However seizing an ideal moment she said Sotto Voice at about 100db "That b***** man will have Raymond on a b**** Kirby wire next week" Result next week normal opening!

The Crew where engaged on a Sunday afternoon talking heads panel programme with a new director from the North. Rehearsals consisted of "Pan right a bit, too far, back a bit pan up, no to far" to each camera. I caught Joan's eye she mimed "Me" and pointed to herself. When the Director paused for breath Joan said "P****! you are talking to a professional camera crew, they dont come here for b***** panning lessons" Result a very smooth and quiet recording.

RIP dear Joan

Please send more...