Charles Hope

Mr Charles Hope

I was born in 1940. I began working at the BBC in 1962, my final year at the BBC was 1995.

Education

Edinburgh Academy - 1953, Rugby School - 1958, Cambridge University (Engineering) BA 1962

Previous Jobs

I joined the BBC straight after University. However at University I had spent too much time working in the amateur theatre.

How I joined the BBC

As a Direct Entry Engineer. BBC2 was about to start and the BBC had decided to recruit graduates.

My first impressions of the BBC

Every one was friendly - indeed some of us still meet up at a pub 54 years on.

Broad BBC career

I was sent to the Engineering Central Area working in CAR both at TC and Lime Grove and in Standards Conversion. I worked on a great many interesting programmes/events - Kennedy assassination, World Cup1966, Our World, Mexico Olympics, Grenoble Winter Olympics. I had an attachment to Studio Capital Projects - working on the new Birmingham Studio Centre (Pebble Mill) and then went to Engineering Information in HWH in 1972. That is a a very long story. in itself.

We were moved to the new White City offices in 1990, being the first department there, but got banished to Ealing Broadway in 1994 from where I retired (early). The department was being run down and eliminated.

My training at the BBC

Initially a 6 week Direct Entry Engineers Course, A Colour conversion Course, Studio Mixer Course, Engineering Management, Digital Techniques all these at ETD - Wood Norton

 Report Writing, 

various Safety Courses

Clubs

BBC Motoring Club

Was Secretary for a number of years.