An Event


On April 20th 2004, BBC2 was 40 years old, and as every BBC anorak or person who was there at the time knows, it didn't start with an evening of gala dramas etc, because the power failed. So it started with Playschool, at 11.00 the next morning.



On 15th May 2004, the National Film Theatre in London ran a small Playschool celebration, with some good clips, and a host of reminiscing presenters. There were laughs and good memories for all who attended. Lots of good times were had by all on Playschool, with many of the rehearsal jokes being extremely unsuitable for the pre-school audience who would later see the recorded version. For TV Centre cameramen Playschool was a "bread and butter" day - not a special event, but a regular part of life, but it was always a pleasure to work with the professionals who presented and produced it.

The NFT were kind enough to provide tickets for a number of old cameramen, including me, and free entry to the hospitality afterwards. So thanks to them, and to Tony Grant and Geoff Hawkes for fixing it.

Here are some pics - not the best quality unfortunately, owing to most of them being taken in the dark!


Star of the show, Mr Brian Cant
     
Brian with Julie Stevens - this one taken by Peter Neill  
     
     
Carol Chell, Geoff Hawkes and Bill Jenkin, John Smith bg left.
     
Peter Charlton and Julie Stevens
     
John Hoare and Rex Palmer  
     
And a host of old lags - Brian Roberts, Dudley Darby, Bill Jenkin, Geoff Hawkes, Peter Neill, Rex Palmer, John Smith and Tony Grant.

This one enlarges with a click.		  


There was much discussion over lunch about how we should do this more often... we just need a brave and forward soul to nominate a day and a pub.