Following the dismantling of the Ampex sign (post below), Howard and I wrote a letter to the San Mateo Daily Journal which was published today.
As it seems to be difficult to access (unless you are registered) I have grabbed a screenshot:-
Knees Up for Nial
A few of his friends are organising a reunion event for all who have had the pleasure of knowing Nial Brown – VT Editor.
The evening will be a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and will feature live music and a fundraising auction to help Nial’s ongoing rehabilitation following his severe stroke.
Monday 21st May 2018
7pm-11pm
The Monarch, 40-42 Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8BG
(nearest tube Chalk Farm or Camden Town)
Please let us know if you can come by dropping us an email at: kneesupfornial@outlook.com
Or, RSVP on the facebook event page here:
www.facebook.com/events/690325971357897/
To stay up to date with all the KNEES UP FOR NIAL BROWN news check in at
www.facebook.com/brownsartauction/
If you can’t come along but would like to contribute, please send us an email and we will let you know how. Thank you!
Denise Sissons has passed on the sad news that Frank Riches passed away last week. He had been very ill with a brain tumour since the end of 2017.
His funeral is on the Thursday 22nd at 14:30 at Winford, Somerset, Church, BS40 8EU. He wanted to be buried in the church yard so no crematorium. As far as we know it’s then tea back at the house, before hot food arranged at the local pub. No flowers donations to charities yet to be decided.
If you would like to come please let me know and I’ll tell Gwyn or email her gwynriches@ Hotmail.com.
More information to follow
Following the closure of “The Black Bison” which had reverted to “The Cricketers” after Christmas, it has been decided to try a new venue for the mid summer lunch on June 22nd.
Annie & I have just returned from lunch at “The Anchor” at Pyrford near Ripley, Surrey. It wasn’t too busy – we had a minimal wait for a hot lunch – and there’s plenty of car-parking. Very handy for the A3 and M25. I asked about a ‘large number’ (25) of attendees and it seemed to present no problem. As you will see there is plenty of outside eating space – the website claims 400(!) I will update after the weekend when I have emailed them and made a booking – their online booking system will only cope up to 20, it certainly coped for the two of us!
The funeral and committal for John Wilson has been arranged for 11:30 on
Thursday 9 February at:-
St Mary’s Church,
Haddenham,
Bucks.
HP17 8AH.
This will be followed by a reception at:-
Thame Barns Centre,
Church Road,
Thame.
OX9 3AJ.
This is about ten minute’s drive from Haddenham, and there is plenty of parking at both places.
John’s wife Rosemarie says, ”I will be very pleased to welcome John’s BBC friends, I might even meet a few people who have just been names in the past”.
No flowers please, but if anybody would like to donate to a charity it can be done through the Funeral Directors (FJ Wilson, Greenway, Haddenham, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP17 8BJ) to one of the following:-
Florence Nightingale Hospice
Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Medecins Sans Frontieres
RNLI
Or send it directly, or leave a donation at the church.
Keith Graham has just commented:-
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the launch of the Ampex VR1000. The Santa Clara (California) chapter of the IEEE, in conjunction with the San Francisco section of SMPTE unveiled a Historical Milestone plaque at Stanford University, where there is one of the first VR1000s on display.
Here is the link to a 30 minute documentary I made with footage of the event and reminiscences from people, including Fred Pfost, the last surviving member of the original development team.
Please forgive my “stealing” John Naull’s animation from the Christmas tape so many years ago.
You can find the video on YouTube here
(Keith is the originator of our photograph of the Ampex Sign)
Tim Nicholson has just drawn my attention to this:- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/all-lime-grove-reunion-take-two-june-25th-2016-tickets-20455797842
Following today’s announcement of the date for the EU Referendum, I have brought forward the Oldboys (and Girls) Summer Lunch from June 23rd to June 16th. Please adjust your diaries accordingly.
There will, obviously, be the standard advance notice email before the event.
Many of you will remember Janet Bone – for years the PA to Yvonne Littlewood and later her FM. I am sorry to tell you that Janet died recently. Details of her funeral are below :-
I’ve just had confirmation that Janet’s funeral will be held on Thursday 7th January.
There will be a private cremation at 10.40 followed by a service for Janet at 12.00 at the St Mary with St Alban Church, Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11 9NN and afterwards at The Park Hotel, Park Road, Teddington, TW11 OAB.
Everyone is welcome to the church service and to the Park Hotel.
The church have asked for an idea of numbers so could you please let me know if you are able to come.
Lesley Begley.
From Neil Eccles,
Sadly, I have to tell you that Peter (Massey) died on Wednesday. I had the news from Bob Corps-Reader and phoned Shirley Massey in Scotland.
Peter was a lovely man and incredibly generous to all his colleagues. He was a superb instinctive director and very popular with the crews and his lads and lasses (I was one). He will be sadly missed.
The following is from Shirley and Peter’s daughter Caroline
Dear Neil
Thank you so much for your phone call and your very kind words about Daddy.
The funeral is taking place on Friday 25th September at 11am. Location is Gatehouse Parish Church, Castramon Road, Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway.
I know it is short notice and quite a distance but if there are any of Daddy’s colleagues who would like to attend then do let me know at this email carolinemassey2002@yahoo.co.uk. Telephone is 01557 815088.
Any letters or cards can be sent to Mrs Shirley Massey and family, Lakeview, Cally Drive, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas, DG7 2DJ.
We will be sending donations to the RNLI and the Parkinsons UK charities.