W
Woodman
Guest
I have read several threads recently about Gosta Green, the old college behind the Fire Station, and the TV studios. In 1959/60 I was a new probationer working from Steelhouse Lane Police Station. I visited the TV studio several times and saw the Percy Thrower programme being broadcast. I dont think they had recording at the time. It was interesting to see how basic the set was, half a timber greenhouse, no glass of course, and a long blue back sheet, because, as I was told, it showed up well in black and white. They also stored stage furniture there, and honestly I wouldnt have given it house room, but I was assured its condition wouldnt show up onTV. What was an experience for me, an immigrant from London, was to go to the sixth floor restaurant in the College of Commerce to get a cup of coffee at about 6.30 on Monday morning, and then to watch the smoke haze slowly grow over the City from all the furnaces starting up. The cloud lingered all week until the Saturday evening. I had also worked at the old Stampings Alliance in Argyle Street, Nechells in about 1957, so I also knew what it was like at ground level. You could feel those drop hammers hit the bottom up in Erdington.