It is with a great sense of sadness and personal loss that I record the death of my friend and broadcasting colleague, Anthony Parkin. He was 81. In the early 1960's he created the national radio programme On Your Farm and invited me to be its main presenter. We worked together for over twenty years and developed a deep and mutual respect.
He was a professional, a perfectionist, and a principled producer epitomising all that was best about the BBC in those days. He always insisted on putting a balanced view of any issue, whatever his personal opinions, which were strong on some things. He would have been a model for some of todays broadcasters who do not, apparently, observe the same high ethics.
He originated radio breakfasts, broadcasts that, by their informality, enabled top people in our industry to reveal facets of their character that might otherwise have remained unknown. The programmes were a bit like Desert Island Discs with bacon and eggs. And he became the Agricultural Story Editor of The Archers, a job he took very seriously and continued in early retirement until frustrations at the politically correct production team drove him to resign.
He came from a non farming family. His father was knighted for creating the Dock Labour Board in the troubled 1950's and he had a relatively privileged childhood. He served in India in the Army and then, quite late in life, went to Reading University and gained a farming degree. His first job was with Farmers Weekly where one of his duties was sub-editing A G Street. He used to tell me how intimidating it was.
Then an opportunity arose to become one of eight regional agricultural producers for the BBC. Tony was appointed to the Midlands region based in Birmingham until, a few years later, the Corporation decided one national weekly farming radio programme was sufficient and asked him to produce it.
During his long and illustrious broadcasting career he won many awards and was, in 1985, President of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists. He was blessed with a natural and very recognisable broadcasting voice that sounded relaxed. Only those who worked with him closely were aware of the nerves he suffered, especially during live outside broadcasts.
On a personal level he taught me so much about broadcasting and journalism that I could never repay him. I valued him as a mentor and close friend. I shall miss him terribly.
Comments (3)
David - well done. A very fitting eulogy for an excellent broadcaster and a very fine human being. His sense of the proper independence of the journalist meant he refused a civic honour - typical of him and something he kept very quiet indeed.
He also had a great sense of fun and when, as top agric man he was confronted by the rather silly BBC Agric advisory committee with the question "why the BBC doesn't use small farmers" - everyone else on the staff looked the other way and hoped not to be asked. As the senior man he was expected to answer. "Well" he said "we have tried to use them but they are not able, on account of their smallness, to reach the microphone".
Collapse of pompous committee in much mirth!
It is sad to say in this more slipshod age he will not be missed as he should be. A beacon of the best of what the BBC did and should do still.
Robin
Posted by Robin | October 25, 2007 8:23 PM
Posted on October 25, 2007 20:23
Inspired to undertake a farming degree at Reading, in part by programmes such as On Your Farm, thank you Mr Parkin and you won't be forgotten.
Posted by Jim Bateman | November 17, 2007 7:34 PM
Posted on November 17, 2007 19:34
Many thanks David for reminding me of programmes which I so much enjoyed, put together in an honest and non-hectoring way. Anthony Parking was a subtle but important influencing factor that led me to a career in agriculture, as a farmer (small, I'm afraid but quite capable of reaching the mike) and now with my own farming publication.
Posted by Mike Donovan | November 21, 2007 9:53 AM
Posted on November 21, 2007 09:53