Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> Prospero http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1286013008 Message started by Simon Vaughan- APTS Archivist on Oct 2^nd, 2010, 9:51am

Title: Prospero
Post by Simon Vaughan- APTS Archivist on Oct 2^nd, 2010, 9:51am

Has anyone else on this Forum e-mailed Propsero recently?

I have now sent two e-mails to the editor of Prospero (17th August & again on 15 September) with an obituary for Richard Greenough intended for publication. On both occasions my e-mail has not been acknowledged, nor have I received a read receipt. I am at a loss as to understand why. A read receipt is simple enough to generate (by the click of a button), and at least confirms delivery of items sent to the editor. No acknowledgement, especially after a second e-mail, leaves me wondering if Prospero actually cares about the former BBC personnel it is supposed to be representing!

Title: Re: Prospero
Post by david en france on Oct 2^nd, 2010, 11:15am

You are not alone! On the whole it's not bad but the treatment of obits is woeful and I would love to see more news and stories on the front page. Let's hope someone is reading this Forum.

Title: Re: Prospero
Post by JohnW on Oct 10^th, 2010, 11:04pm

I would like to add comment that (sadly) it's not just Prospero that's "poor" on the obits of BBC staff.
One only has to look at the list of those who have been added to the roster in this forum. Where are the notices of those in the 'lower ranks' of the service?
I am quite sure that our 'Administrator' doesn't just find out the names of 'the great and the good of the BBC' in the columns of the Times and the Grauniad, and do a Cut & Paste job. But it does at times seem as if the Obits are rather more "official" than informal notices.
But having said that, I would like to pay sincere tribute to him (her?) for doing the sterling work that is already being done. And at least it is being done!!

Maybe it's just my time of life, but I would like to know when the more "ordinary" working colleagues have passed away, even if I may never have previously heard of them!! They will surely be known to someone who passes by this way - if not now, then in the future!
No, I don't sit reading through the Obit column of my local paper, but my erstwhile colleagues in Auntie are frequently on my mind, and certainly rise to the fore (albeit temporarily) when I do find out about a colleague's sad demise. And they aren't all based in the South East, either.
Maybe it is up to us - members or Guests of this forum - to furnish the Admin with details of those about which we come to hear. Perhaps then the listings may be rather more representative of all BBC staff - for whom I believe this forum is meant.

Title: Information
Post by Administrator on Oct 11^th, 2010, 7:49am

The only source of information regarding obituaries (and anything else, for that matter) is the internet or "us".

We can only post information we know to be true, or from a reliable source.

We do not receive lists of late members of staff from BBC Pensions Department or anywhere else.

It is true that most obituaries culled from the media are of 'the great and the good'. These are posted out of interest for those forum-members who might have come across the person during their career.

It is up to all members to keep us up-to-date.

Please help us by posting news, features, and obituaries when you come across anything that might be of interest to the rest of us "members of the ex-bbc staff forum".

Title: Re: Prospero
Post by Director_General on Oct 14^th, 2010, 8:17pm

I believe Prospero to be currently ruderless. Robin Reynolds did not serve long as editor as he found a new (paid) job. My understanding is that since his departure the paper has been knocked up by the pensions department with some input from an outside agency. Said agency knows little of the BBC and is rather more interested in introducing bland syndicated 'lifestyle' material.

Title: Re: Prospero
Post by david en france on Oct 15^th, 2010, 10:21am

Methinks that one almost certain area of "savings" is likely to be Prospero....that is, if we, the readers, don't do anything to ensure its continuity.
Step one, I would have thought, is to make sure we get everyone we know who is ex BBC to start reading this forum on a regular basis. Step Two is to make sure they contribute so as to show there is life among the dead, and Step Three is to set up an editorial board, encouraging ex journalists to use their skills so as to keep Prospero's content lively, readable and relevant.
I am copying the link from today's Forum to all my ex BBC contacts. Will you do the same?
I now get Prospero delivered to me free of charge in France. I welcome its arrival. I would miss it and don't intend to see it slip away......

Title: Re: Prospero
Post by Mikej on Oct 15^th, 2010, 2:12pm

Pity no-one proof-read the October issue though.

Page 9 is headlined about the Archive Project but all the text refers to a staff survey and progress on BH.

There is some super 1948 video on the archive site already about the Olympics via the BBC London web page though.

Mike