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=1735937357 Message started by Maggie on Jan 3^rd, 2025, 8:50pm

Title: PROSPERO?
Post by Maggie on Jan 3^rd, 2025, 8:50pm

I have often been asked to submit Obituaries over the years. A Costume Designer died in September, I submitted the Obituary in October to be told the next edition will be in APRIL? Two editions a year? What's going on there?

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by david en france on Jan 5^th, 2025, 2:55pm

Very good question, Maggie. I have certainly not heard anything about that development.

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by V Meldrew on Jan 6^th, 2025, 11:24am

It was announced about 6 months ago that Prospero would only be published twice a year, see here:

https://bbcpa.org.uk/prospero/

Another cost cutting policy?

Title: Re: PROSPERO? MILDREW
Post by Maggie on Jan 6^th, 2025, 8:23pm

Many thanks for this information, I had no idea. The irony is that those who most welcome PROSPERO are of a certain generation who do not cope well with "online".

Title: Re: PROSPERO? MILDREW
Post by david en france on Jan 7^th, 2025, 3:44pm

Maggie wrote on Jan 6^th, 2025, 8:23pm:

Many thanks for this information, I had no idea. The irony is that those who most welcome PROSPERO are of a certain generation who do not cope well with "online".

Apart from which I get a nice warming feeling of still being connected to my former employer when Prospero arrives through the letterbox. I would happily pay a (small) subscription for 12 editions a year.

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by John on Jan 8^th, 2025, 12:40pm

Like David, I would be happy to pay for a more frequent publication of Prospero.
John

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by DMCP on Jan 8^th, 2025, 5:41pm

Same here. I wonder if anyone from Prospero reads this forum?

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by david en france on Jan 9^th, 2025, 5:20pm

I am happy to make a representation through the alumni web pages etc if anyone will second it.

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by Maggie on Feb 11^th, 2025, 11:22am

Thank you for your agreement here. I have tried to find a place on Prospero Online to voice this concern as a large majority of those who appreciate Prospero are either not adepts at "online" preferring the hardcopy, or would appreciate the more regular format of old. NO SUCH LUCK, despite scouring the website, as with many sites it seems to be a one way system only. If you can find a way through I believe it would be much appreciated, many thanks.

Title: Re: PROSPERO
Post by Maggie on Feb 11^th, 2025, 11:26am

I have tried to contact PROSPERO without success, it seems to be a one-way system as far as feedback is concerned? The irony is that the majority of those who truly appreciate the Publication are not adepts online.

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by david en france on Feb 11^th, 2025, 4:38pm

My suggestion is to raise it with the BBC Pensioners Association through the letters column here:- https://www.bbc.co.uk/mypension/prospero-online/

I will try to do that myself now.

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by david en france on Feb 11^th, 2025, 4:50pm

And like you, Maggie, I find myself going round in circles because there is no direct link to letters at Prospero. And then I found this email address:
<prospero@bbc.co.uk> So I shall send a letter. Hoping you will too.

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by david en france on Feb 11^th, 2025, 5:03pm

Maggie, I have just written to that email address, asking for it to be published in the paper edition as follows: [i] Dear Editor,
There has been some discussion in the ex-BBC Forum about the sudden withdrawal of the postal edition of Prospero. It appears many eligible recipients missed the announcement and many said the reason for that is that they do not "do online" very well, if at all. There is a clear expression of support for a regular printed version, so much so that some pensioners are saying they would be willing to pay a small subscription to keep on receiving it through the post. Many also say that the cold and impersonal nature of "online" is at odds with their recollection of the warm relationships they had with their former colleagues. Those who have wanted to express these views feel let down, additionally, by the paucity of access to the online pages with no links to "Obituaries", "Letters" and editorial contributions for photos etc. This is a great shame and reflects badly on our former employer after many years of enjoyment of our Prosperio newspaper. May we start a debate to establish a consensus for retention with or without payment ?Yours faithfully etc

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by V Meldrew on Feb 11^th, 2025, 6:26pm

I don't think that Prospero is stopping the posted version, just that it was being cut down to two issues a year.

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by Maggie on Feb 11^th, 2025, 8:21pm

Oh well done you, beautifully expressed and absolutely true for many. Those born in the 1930-1940-1950s have managed to adapt to most changes in life but the Digital Age goes at such a speed and is so alien to many that they have fallen by the wayside. We do not need carers, we need Secretaries.

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by david en france on Apr 13^th, 2025, 1:18pm

Just received the posted Prospero. Fat lot of good writing a letter. In fact it was so devoid of relevant content I consigned it to recycling within minutes. In its present form the paper edition could end right now and rather than pay for it I wouldn’t miss it.

Title: Re: PROSPERO?
Post by DMCP on Apr 14^th, 2025, 4:29pm

Indeed.

Most of it was obituaries, none of whom I've ever heard of anyway!