A small and select group assembled at the Tullie House Museum, Carlisle on October 13th 2011 to hear from a man whose presence and voice have achieved iconic status in broadcasting.

Eric Robson gave an entertaining and illustrated account of his varied career on radio and television. Starting with this first job as an apprentice with Pickfords, Eric’s career had taken many twists and turns. In his view luck played a significant part but the audience were made aware of his principled stand on many topics and a steely determination to succeed.

His mother gave him the push he needed to apply for a position at Border TV and from there a broadcast career was launched. He started as a floor manager and then was given the opportunity to work in front of camera. After his manager decided that a project Eric was really interested in would not be aired, Eric promptly resigned. He was then picked up by BBC North East and Cumbria and the first of the popular Allotment Shows was transmitted

In May 1979 he fronted the successful Brass Tacks and the programme achieved notoriety when the content of a Brass Tacks piece was featured on the cover of Radio Times — a pig!

Great Railway journeys of the World, The Drove and the ground breaking Old Man of Hoy followed, which involved Eric in a significant role of presenter and narrator.

He was given the opportunity to follow a career as a narrator provided he undertook a 10-year apprenticeship. He agreed, and Royal occasions were to be added to the range of programmes that Eric would be associated with. He also had reported on many state occasions, the Cenotaph Remembrance and the Relinquishment of Hong Kong are amongst many.

Throughout his television career, Eric has maintained a commitment to radio, and Gardeners Question Time (which he fronts) is one of the longest-running radio shows at 65 years (not all fronted by Eric!)

This event gave the audience a fascinating insight into broadcasting as it was, and one felt that it was a time past which we will not see again.

Eric was interviewed by Kim Inglis who is a freelance presenter and journalist. The event was produced by Mike Hairsine, who edited all the clips used.

TONY EDWARDS
RTS North East and the Border Centre

Kim Inglis and Eric Robson

Amongst the wonderful stories Eric told was one about an occasion when he was commentating on a 'Beating Retreat' ceremony in London, and the Queen Mother got carried away with his eloquence.  Click the image above to view a short film clip.