BBC East Midlands Studio ? (Willson House/Nottingham) (1970s)

A few photos from the BBC’s East Midlands TV studios in the 1970s, which were based on the top floor of Willson House, Derby Road, Nottingham.

The images were kindly sent to us by Terry Bracey, who was the solitary engineer there from 1972 until 1978. Terry was then joined by a junior engineer.

Two of the photos relate to Dennis McCarthy’s Weekly Echo, which was transmitted in the late-night Friday regional slot on BBC One Midlands in the 70s.

The studio was all of 20ft x 10ft, yet it managed to accommodate musical acts.

Note the lady in the studio shot wearing green dungarees is Sue Beardsmore, who went on to become a BBC Midlands presenter.

In the control room shot, the man with his hand on the somewhat makeshift director’s console (note mic and beer emblem) is Roger Casstles, producer/director of The Clothes Show for many years.

It was Roger’s idea to produce a show from this distant outpost of the BBC which was once described by Les Dawson as “a technological cupboard”.

The final photo is of the control room console – very BBC.

Acknowledgements

FEATURE IMAGE:
PICTURED: BBC East Midlands Studio ? (Willson House/Nottingham) (1970s). COPYRIGHT: Terry Bracey/BBC.