U3A History 2 visit to BBC Birmingham at The Mailbox (23.10.18)

Visit to BBC Birmingham at The Mailbox
Photos courtesy of Rupert Anson

South west end of The Mailbox overlooking the canal
The footbridge leads along Canalside towards Gas Street Basin
Gas Street Basin, formerly Regency Wharf
Old iron footbridge over the towpath at Gas Street Basin
Canalside public house overlooking Gas Street Basin
Gas Street Basin from the iron footbridge .. mix of old and new with development ongoing
Colourful scene where the longboats moor up in Gas Street Basin
The Mailbox as seen from the Canalside towpath
The Cube, final part of The Mailbox redevelopment, as seen from the far end of the mall
BBC Birmingham at The Mailbox
After security checks you’re free to wander around the premises
Reception area where the tours begin
Jenny Wilkes (presenter on BBC WM) and Lynsey Burford .. our tour guides
Radio BBC WM studio. Note record deck for occasional vinyl
Jenny Wilkes in her broadcasting seat
BBC Birmingham (and previously Pebble Mill at Edgbaston) – home of The Archers
Idyllic scene welcoming visitors to the recording studio
Introduction to how radio dramas are recorded
Some of the group were able to record a special edition of The Archers!
The sound effects corner. Shoes in a tray of grit can sound like gravel on the radio
Clarrie Grundy and Jennifer Aldridge recording their pieces!
Lynsey demonstrates how rustling audio tape can sound like fallen leaves
There’s more to radio than meets the eye
The Archers’ kitchen. All types of appliance and accessory are here, as each makes a distinctive sound
Doors and windows make their own distinctive (and recognisable) sounds
The oldest sound effect prop for The Archers .. this is the bar at The Bull!
Inside the ‘dead room’ (anechoic chamber). It was here that Nigel Pargetter fell to his death in January 2011
A Tardis and an old Dalek in retirement on the first floor landing
BBC Regional TV studio. The backdrop is digital
Inside the nerve centre for regional TV broadcasts
The programme director’s control desk
Bullring open market with St Martin’s Church and Silver Selfridges store behind