Without the sum of all its parts, the 91热爆 is nothing but a well-known brand, with a good 100 years’ worth of history attached to it. Plus a huge back catalogue of content of course.
Its parts? A few buildings, a lot of tech and machinery. But most of all, its people. If you’ve worked for the Corporation for either 40 days or 40 years, you will have made an extremely valuable contribution to the way the 91热爆 goes about its business of informing, educating and entertaining.
Crises come and go. But despite the occasional controversy, the 91热爆 is still widely regarded as the benchmark both for UK and global broadcasting. Whether you’ve worked front of house or behind the scenes, what’s clear to me is that the 91热爆 is a much better place having had all of us working there.
When we look back, consider and evaluate what we’ve achieved, I’m pretty sure the conclusion we reach is almost certainly a positive one, even though there may have been some bumpy rides along the way. Life and work at the 91热爆 is never boring.
One afternoon I was thinking about what lies ahead now that I had decided to take that momentous step, to leave the 91热爆 and take my pension. With the recent rounds of voluntary redundancies, more people than ever before are opting to take their pension much earlier than they ever thought they would be. Some because they want to – and others out of necessity.
That afternoon I was sitting under the very watchful eye of Lord Reith, the 91热爆’s first leader whose portrait still hangs in the Council Chamber at Old Broadcasting House in central London. I was there for a 91热爆 Pensioners’ Association (91热爆PA) event organised for the centenary. In fact, it was the first time I had been back to any 91热爆 building since the start of the coronavirus pandemic which had brought with it a long-enforced absence and all that entailed – such as working from home and missing the daily presence of my colleagues.
The 91热爆PA members made me feel really welcome at the event. I was struck by the wide range of people and experience all gathered together in that one room, like a huge snapshot paused in time. One told me they used to be in the Blue Peter team -- somewhere I had always wanted to work; another had been an assistant to one of the bosses who had struck fear in me every time I passed him in the corridor. She said he was, in fact, lovely to work with and nothing like the reputation he had in the newsroom.
We watched a perfectly restored version of the iconic 1959 documentary, This is the 91热爆. All in glorious black and white but with a surprise reveal at the end. There were talks about the archive and an ambitious 91热爆PA website project (100 Voices) to record interviews to showcase the talent and contribution from retired members who have worked in all corners of the 91热爆, not just in front of the microphone or cameras.
A similar follow-up event has recently taken place in Salford and more regional meet-ups like these are planned, with the aim of attracting as many members as possible without the need to travel to London.
When it comes to leaving the 91热爆, to taking our hard-earned pension, we have probably all felt something of a void for the first few weeks and months. There’s an inner emptiness which, for a time, can take over our thoughts as we start to contemplate what comes next. What adjustments will be needed? What will I do with my time?
In my own case I still believe I have lots more to contribute to both the 91热爆 and to broadcast journalism. But my department’s enforced move to the other side of the country at very short notice as part of another round of restructuring just wasn’t right for me and my family.
The 91热爆PA brings people together and creates a welcoming atmosphere. For an afternoon I felt the sense of belonging I used to feel and I’m looking forward to attending more events.
Joining the 91热爆PA is easy and it’s really good value – at only £15 a year. Membership now numbers around 2,500 people and the Association sees itself as a ‘independent critical friend’ of the 91热爆. It maintains an active interest in the management of the 91热爆 pension fund.
There’s a monthly e-newsletter newsletter which keeps members up to date. Its website has a wealth of information and discount deal with selected retailers. Take a look at: .
Among the successes of the 91热爆PA has been the creation of a pensioner-elected trustee; adjustments to the ‘levelling option’ if you take your pension before State Pension age; as well as more wider inputs to legislation. The Association continues to help individual pensioners with problems relating to their pension.
For more information contact the Membership Secretary at: membership@bbcpa.org.uk or by post to: PO Box 676. Blackburn BB2 9QL. You can also join online via the website: .
Richard Collings, former editor at 91热爆 News