Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> Notices, obituaries and tributes >> Barbara (Bimbi) Harris http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1384976830 Message started by Simon Vaughan- APTS Archivist on Nov 20^th, 2013, 7:48pm

Title: Barbara (Bimbi) Harris
Post by Simon Vaughan- APTS Archivist on Nov 20^th, 2013, 7:48pm

Hi have just been informed from an Alexandra Palace Television Society member that Barbara (Bimbi) Harris passed away a couple of weeks ago - she was 95 years of age.

Bimbi started her broadcasting career during the war as a recording engineer at Broadcasting House. She then progressed through various technical jobs to become a Director at the beginning of ITV in 1955 - firstly with A-R (Associated-Rediffusion) and later at London Weekend Television (when ATV lost the London weekend franchise). During this "progression through the ranks" Bimbi transferred to the BBC Television Service at Alexandra Palace and achieved the distinction of being the first camerawoman for the BBC!

We have a newspaper report of this achievement, (featuring a photograph of Bimbi on an Emitron camera), in the APTS Archive. Bimbi donated this herself several years ago, and was always delighted that she had this accolade!

Bimbi was cremated at the West Hertfordshire Crematorium.

Title: Re: Barbara (Bimbi) Harris
Post by Bill Jenkin on Nov 21^st, 2013, 8:36am

That is sad news Simon. I didn't know Bimbi Harris but it is interesting that we all thought that Barbara Franc was the first woman camera person in 1974. So does the beeb apparently, viz:http://www.bbc.co.uk/diversity/blogs.html

Title: Re: Barbara (Bimbi) Harris
Post by Simon Vaughan- APTS Archivist on Nov 21^st, 2013, 5:49pm

Bill Jenkin wrote on Nov 21^st, 2013, 8:36am:

That is very interesting to know Bill.

Here is the link to the photograph and brief article showing Bimbi as the first BBC camerawoman, or operator, as she was described!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aptsarchive/10981212513/

Sadly we do not have a date for this newspaper article, but it has to be the late 1940's or early 1950's as by 1955 Bimbi was a Director at Associated-Rediffusion.

[EDIT] - Have a possible date for the article - Bimbi was 95 when she died, that makes her birth year 1918. Her age is given in the article as 28, so that would make the article 1946, or perhaps edging into 1947!

I had a long phone conversation with Bimib's son this morning - Rodney Harris, who also worked in the television industry - he was a vision mixer at ATV.

Sadly, Bimbi's funeral was very poorly attended, but I suppose when you are 95 years of age you do not have many of your contemporaries still around!

Bimbi was very meticulous with her television memorabilia and apparently there are a number of boxes of items, which I'm pleased to announce, are destined for the Alexandra Palace Television Society Archive.

Title: Re: Barbara (Bimbi) Harris
Post by Bill Jenkin on Nov 22^nd, 2013, 9:21am

Very interesting, I have direct messaged you Simon.
B