We welcomed Francis Smith to our September meeting to tell us about being a props buyer for the BBC. He started in late 1970s so was involved in some of the BBC classics, working with some wonderful actors. This was at a time when there was no internet to search for items. He told us about the minute details that had to be noted and photographed from a set that was to be taken down and stored, so that it could be set again exactly the same for another episode. He had some wonderful photos and original scripts of some of the much loved programmes of that era, ‘Butterflies’, ‘Yes Prime Minister’, ‘As Time Goes By’, ‘Miss Marple’ to name just a few. He was very grateful for his donation which he was taking into St Richards Hospice where he volunteers. For more details of our meetings please contact: phoenixladiesharvington@gmail.com

LYNN SKINNER