Richard Yeoman-Clark RIP

It is with great sadness that I convey news that Richard Yeoman-Clark passed away on September 17th following a short illness, age 75.

Richard joined BBC Radio direct from school as a Technical Operator at Broadcasting House, moving to the Experimental Stereo Unit as the Recording Engineer a couple of years later. There he was involved with the integration of Stereo Operations from just test transmissions into the regular output of Radio 3 in the late 1960s. As stereo proliferated across BBC Radio he transferred to the Music Department as a Studio Manager. There his technical expertise was in demand for the presentation of electronic music concerts working with contemporary composers such as Stockhausen, Berio, Boulez etc. This experience led him to join the BBC Radiophonic Workshop where he produced the special sound for the science fiction series Blake’s Seven, amongst other programmes. Later he became the Technical Coordinator for the Workshop when electronic synthesizers started taking over from Musique Concrete.
Richard left the BBC in 1978 to become the Chief Technical Engineer at Roundhouse Recording Studios and oversaw the installation and operation of one of the first 3M Digital Multitrack Mastering System in the UK. Leaving Roundhouse Studios in the early 1980s he joined F.W.O.Bauch as a field service engineer, later becoming Service Manager for their Professional Broadcast products.
In 2002, Richard was recruited to the BFI National Archive where his vast knowledge and experience of sound and digital techniques transformed the audio department’s capabilities to cater for sound restoration of the optical soundtracks of films being restored by the BFI for both theatrical and DVD release. Perhaps most notably, Richard led the sound restoration project for a special David Lean Centenary collection of ten of the best known Lean films which were re-released in 2008.
Since his retirement from the BFI in 2012, Richard has been the technical powerhouse behind the Church Stretton Arts Festival, quietly providing a dazzling array of skills, knowledge and equipment each year to numerous artists and audiences.
There will be a service to remember Richard at the Silvester Horne Institute in Church Stretton on October 14th 2019 at 10:30am.

Best wishes,

Charles Fairall
BFI National Archive

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John Sarson visit

Neil Pittaway reports:

In the intense heat of Thursday July 25th, five Oldboys went and had a buffet lunch with John Sarson at his home. Mike Gildon organised,Christine Sarson provided food and drinks, and took this group shot for the album.

John’s birthday was a few weeks back but that didn’t prevent him cutting into the belated cake Howard brought!

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Funeral Details for Robert Pratt

Dear Family and friends,

As you may now know Robert Pratt passed away on Saturday 4th May very unexpectedly. So many of you loved Robert very much and your kind words and expressions of shock and sympathy have been a great comfort to Bajka, Ala, myself and the whole family. It’s a true testament to the wonderful man and the positive effect he has had on so many people so thank you all. 

If you feel able and would like to come and join us in celebrating his wonderful life you would all be very welcome. The funeral, internment, wake and subsequent bonfire will all be held in Cornwall close to his family home of Trudgian Farm, Coombe (St Stephens). If you would like to join us please RSVP so we have an idea of numbers. 

Details of the funeral and service are as follows:

Funeral service. 23rd May at 2pm, St Stephen-In-Brannel Church, 8 Fore St, St Stephen, Saint Austell PL26 7NN

Internment at St Stephens-In-Brannel Cemetery straight after the service . It is right next to the church. You are all welcome to join us. 

Many of you may be thinking of sending or bringing flowers which you are welcome to do. However we would ask alternatively that you consider donating to the charity box which will be circulated at the church on the day in aid of one of the many charities Robert was a patron of. The details of the charities to follow. 

Getting there

By car- St Stephen-In-Brannel Church is best reached (for those travelling via the A30) by leaving the A30 onto the B3275 towards Grampound Road. It’s about a 15 minute drive from there. Parking is available at the community centre next to the church as it is usually busy directly in front of the church.  

By train- The closest train station is St Austell which you can reach via Exeter St David, Reading or London Paddington. From St Austell, the church is about 5-6 miles. Some taxis are usually available at the station. We will have capacity to arrange lifts from the station the day before the service if you decide to travel the day before. 

By air- It is possible to get flights into Newquay airport which is about a 15 mile drive from St.Stephens and Coombe. 

Wake

Following the service and internment we will be holding the wake from 3.30 pm at:

The White Pyramid , Trewoon, St Austell, Cornwall, PL255TQ

The White Pyramid is a very direct drive of about 3-4 miles from the church straight down the A3058. There is a fair amount of parking at the pub but it may prove a little busy on the day.                                                                                                                                                          

Accommodation

We appreciate many family and friends will be travelling from around the country. Our part of Cornwall is well served by a range of hotels, B&B’s, campsites etc which can all prove quite popular. We would recommend booking accommodation as soon as possible if you intend to stay in Cornwall overnight either before or after the funeral and wake given the imminent half term week.  

And finally! 

For those bold and brave enough, or who have fond memories of Dad’s legendary fireworks parties we will be hosting a bonfire gathering at the farm later/early evening, after the White Pyramid. A bonfire has been prepared (because it’s exactly what Dad would have done) and we encourage anyone to come. If people feel they would like to bring firework(s), that we can let off in Dad’s honour, they are more than welcome. There will be drinks and nibbles available.  

The farm is no more than 1-2 miles from St Stephens church and 3-4 miles from the White Pyramid. There may be some parking available close and at the farm on the night but please let us know if you wish to attend so we can try to manage parking. 

Trudgian Farm, Woodlands Lane, Coombe, PL267LJ

Phone no-01726 884379

RSVP

Sending love to you all, Bajka, Jan & Ala x 

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