Outings 1 Photos 2015-2016

Backstage tour at the Chichester Festival Theatre – 22nd October 2016

We had a really interesting tour of the theatre which showed us how many parts of the theatre that you wouldn’t normally see operate. The tour also showed us the original building and how the recent renovations had changed it. Every bit of space is used and the under stage and back stage areas were interesting to see as they have been altered with a ‘lift’ up to the stage and better access from transport to the back stage area.

BBC Broadcasting House Tour – February 2016

We arrived at the site to be greeted by the iconic entrance with the modern façade.

We waited to join our tour group and in the waiting area we looked out over the area with all the journalists working that you often see on television, but that was the only place that photography weren’t allowed. We joined our tour group and after an introductory talk we set off into Broadcasting House. We were taken to the One Show studio where our guides explained how the studio works.

The view from the studio into the piazza looks across to a Nero’s coffee shop, which isn’t allowed to show its branding, for obvious reasons.

We had a group photo taken of us all on or around the green sofa.

Whilst we were there the studio was being set up for that night’s show which had a piece about rehoming chickens.

We were then taken to another part of the building and saw the view of All Souls Church.

We also saw the One Show studio from the outside.

On the roof of one wing of the building is the Journalist’s memorial to all those killed in the line of duty and it is lit at night.

For the final part of the tour we went into the original building.

This also has a tapestry donated by the French government in thanks for allowing the Free French to broadcast from there in WWII.

See if you can figure out what it represents.

We were taken to a mock news room where we were able to see what it looks and sounds like with a blank ‘green screen’ where the weather map will appear in broadcasts and some of our group provided some of the ‘cast’.

Then it was onto the Radio Theatre, where a script conference was in progress in a room at the back of the theatre when we arrived.

At the sides of the theatre were iconic art deco light fittings.

The final part of the tour was to perform a radio play, complete with sound effects, which some of our group also participated in.

We had a really enjoyable time and our two hosts really made the occasion for us.

Outings Group 1 visit to the Hampshire Cultural Trust - May 2015

We made this visit to see some of the Hampshire archive collection of clothing and, some, objects through the ages. We were given a fascinating talk by Gill Arnott whose enthusiasm for the subject made it even better. We were also able to handle some of the objects.

This is the group ready to start.