Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> Notices, obituaries and tributes >> Mark Whittaker http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1412246872 Message started by Administrator on Oct 2^nd, 2014, 10:48am

Title: Mark Whittaker
Post by Administrator on Oct 2^nd, 2014, 10:48am

Mark Whittaker, recently part of "World Business Report" and "Business Matters" has died.

Bill Rodgers has a tribute to Mark, here.

Mark had worked at Radio Lancashire, Radio WM, then "Newsbeat" and Radio 5 Live, followed by Radio Four "You and Yours" and then to The World Service.

Mark had been with the BBC for over 31 years.

(Thanks to Christ West and Bill).

Title: Re: Mark Whittaker
Post by chris west on Oct 2^nd, 2014, 3:05pm

Bill's excelllent obit says of Mark:

"it was always good to see him come through the door - the shift would be fun."

I second that wholeheartedly, a lovely guy.

Title: Re: Mark Whittaker
Post by Administrator on Oct 2^nd, 2014, 5:07pm

"Ariel" has now published their tribute to Mark Whittaker, here.

"' 'Mark was a radio genius who not only had brilliant ideas, but relentlessly executed them to perfection,' said Martin Webber, editor of BBC World Service business news in an email to World Service staff.

'We marvelled as he crafted beautiful scripts and then drew on his vast memory of music and sound, to turn a dull topic into a radio delight.

Most of all, Mark was a great friend who always offered encouragement and help to all members of the team.'"

Title: Re: Mark Whittaker
Post by Administrator on Oct 2^nd, 2014, 5:37pm

Mark's most recent trip was to Japan for the World Service to report on the dramatic population decline in the Japanese countryside.

His report is here.

Title: Re: Mark Whittaker
Post by Administrator on Oct 2^nd, 2014, 6:05pm

BBC Radio Four's Six O'clock bulletin included a tribute to Mark, including a clip from one of his reports.

It may be heard 26'46" into this bulletin.

The newsreader is Corrie Corfield.

Title: Re: Mark Whittaker
Post by Roundabout on Oct 3^rd, 2014, 10:45am

The words 'fun' and 'genius' in the various tributes are so true. I worked with him at WM and was immediatly struck by his determination to break down the barriers existing at the time (early/mid 80s) between news staff and those producing what were then called 'General' programmes. always interested in how things worked and were done he was a great colleague.

Title: Re: Mark Whittaker
Post by Administrator on Oct 25^th, 2014, 3:24pm

There will be an event to celebrate Mark Whittaker's career in radio.

It will be at the Radio Theatre on Saturday 22nd November, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

More details to follow.

Title: Re: Mark Whittaker
Post by Administrator on Nov 17^th, 2014, 10:08am

Martin Webber writes:

The event (on Saturday November 22nd) is a celebration of Mark's radio work over 30 years. So we'll be in the Radio Theatre, listening to some of his pieces and the people who worked with him.

It starts at 2.45pm for 3pm. It should run to about 4pm and be followed by some drinks and nibbles.

No advance booking or tickets needed. Just turn up at NBH main doors and there will be a desk where you say you have come to the event and you will be shown into the Radio Theatre.