BBC
Midlands Today presenter Sue Beardsmore reaches an amazing milestone
next week, as she celebrates 25 years with the BBC.
Sue
joined the BBC on 14 August 1977 as secretary to the then Manager
of Operations.
She
says: "My new boss was on holiday for my first week so I spent
the time reading the office manual that had been left for me by
the previous incumbent.
"It was terribly exciting to be at Pebble Mill and it was my
first proper job - I was earning almost £2,000 a year."
She soon started spending weekends at the Pebble Mill studios too,
as a floor assistant - looking after Basil Brush and working on
All Creatures Great & Small.
She even helped on Pebble Mill At One for a day but lost an entire
20-piece Chinese cycle display team somewhere in the building.
Sue then became a Station Assistant for regional television. "It
was when Nationwide was on air and I remember having to look after
a donkey, an otter and a pelican - and they all made a mess."
Sue adds: "I then went off to work on Blue Peter - amongst
more animals - and eventually came back to the Birmingham newsroom
and began presenting when Breakfast Time started.
"I've
been presenting BBC Midlands Today since 1987 and have worked alongside
at least five male presenters. I still thoroughly enjoy my work
today - even with Nick Owen's jokes."
David Holdsworth, Head of Regional & Local Programmes, says:
"It's a fantastic achievement for Sue to clock up 25 years
with the BBC. She's the consummate professional and I congratulate
her on this special anniversary."
