Category: BBC;
West
Midlands TV; BBC
WM; Asian
Network
Date: 09.09.2004
Printable version
HRH The Princess Royal opens BBC Birmingham
at the Mailbox
HRH The Princess Royal will today officially announce BBC
Birmingham at The Mailbox open just as she did 33 years ago at
Pebble Mill.
The private ceremony in which the Princess will unveil
a commemorative glass plaque is part of a week long programme of events
to celebrate the BBC's move back to the city centre, back to its roots
and back closer to its audiences.
During the three-hour visit the Princess will be received
by BBC Governor, English Regions, Ranjit Sondhi before touring the brand
new state-of-the art broadcasting centre, meeting acting talent, members
of staff and management as well as Andy Griffee, the BBC Controller
for English Regions, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Michael
Nagle and the High Sheriff, Mr John Andrews.
On her arrival at the Public Space, HRH The Princess
Royal will be presented with a posy of flowers by Ella Griffee (11)
before being introduced to BBC Deputy Director-General, Mark Byford,
Pat Loughrey, BBC Director of Nations & Regions, John Willis, Director,
Factual & Learning, David Holdsworth, Head of Regional and Local
Programming, West Midlands and John Smith, the BBC's Chief Operating
Officer.
The Princess will also visit the new studios of BBC
WM, the BBC Asian Network, BBC Midlands Today and the new drama studio
where The Archers is recorded.
There she will be briefed on the design concept behind
BBC Birmingham's new home which, in line with overall BBC policy, promotes
greater accessibility and interaction with viewers and listeners.
The tour will end with afternoon tea where she will
be presented with a gift by the longest serving member of BBC Birmingham's
staff, cleaner Muriel Hewlitt, now in her eighties, an employee when
Pebble Mill opened in the Seventies.
Ranjit Sondhi, BBC Governor, English Regions, said:
"BBC Birmingham is delighted to welcome HRH The Princess Royal
back again to open one of the most technologically advanced centres
in Europe which represents a major investment on behalf of the BBC to
Birmingham.
"We hope the Princess will experience a BBC which
has evolved into a much more audience friendly organisation that puts
the licence-fee payer at its very heart."
Notes to Editors
Mailbox facts
Almost 70,000 visitors have already passed through the doors of the
Public Space at BBC Birmingham in The Mailbox since it opened a year
ago. Art groups and school children have exhibited work there.
Visitors can browse through the BBC shop, enjoy a coffee, access bbc.co.uk
to seek out latest job vacancies. They can also find out how programmes
are made, try their hand at reading auto-cue, present the weather and
test out new interactive BBC exhibits.
The technology is cutting edge. The BBC at The Mailbox has the first
all non-linear post production system in the BBC. All studios are kitted
out with the most up-to-date digital technology.
Picture windows built into the brand new local radio station studio
and the Asian Network studio will allow the public to see and interact
with presenters at work. The TV studios have similar accessibility via
a gallery.
The new radio drama studio is one of the most modern in the world. Alongside
the most cutting edge technology sit old-fashioned props that belong
to the world's longest running radio drama The Archers.
Camera points permeate the BBC space at The Mailbox meaning that broadcasts
can come from any place at any time with greater ease.
The office environment is open plan with flexibility built in. Old walls
and corridor barriers don't exist.
BBC staff helped design creative new meeting areas and a purpose-built
business lounge is also available to visiting guests.
The space contains a terrace café, with a view of the canal and
busy media news room. It also has a prayer room, shower and locker facilities.
BBC Birmingham has a diverse range of local and network programmes and
is home to BBC WM, BBC Asian Network, Midlands Today, radio drama, including
The Archers, and a busy Documentary and Contemporary Factual department
including the Asian Programme Unit.
Further information on BBC Birmingham at bbc.co.uk/birmingham
