0:00:02 > 0:00:05Do you have a pension and if not, why not?
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Tonight, we look at the growing problem half
0:00:08 > 0:00:10of us are facing in retiremdnt.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13We go undercover to expose the largest scam
0:00:13 > 0:00:18in the pensions industry, which is leaving victims penniless.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22There are numerous people who have said to me that they sometiles
0:00:22 > 0:00:26feel that they the only way out of this misery is to commit suhcide.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Why wouldn't you get a penshon?
0:00:29 > 0:00:34Do you feel safe relying on the state to provide in your old age?
0:00:34 > 0:00:40And as BBC Bristol turns 80, we go underground with John Craven to
0:00:40 > 0:00:44discover the BBC's wartime secrets.
0:00:44 > 0:00:50I'm Alastair McKee, and this is Inside Out West.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02First tonight, a ?500 million pension scam.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Andy Akinwolere goes undercover to expose one of the biggest cons
0:01:06 > 0:01:10targeting private pension holders.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17When we take out a pension, it's all about securing our future,
0:01:17 > 0:01:20our nest egg for retirement.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27But what happens if I want to cash mine in before I'm 55?
0:01:27 > 0:01:32According to some companies, age is no barrier ` sounds liberathng.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36In fact, that is what they call it, pension liberation.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40When Jon ` not his real namd ` needed to free up some cash,
0:01:40 > 0:01:45he wasn't short of offers, one seemed particularly appdaling.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47It was a very attractive scheme
0:01:47 > 0:01:50It was a way of releasing some money from your pension fund that you had
0:01:50 > 0:01:53amassed over the years and it looked straightforward.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56It was a case of you retain your pension fund in the long`term,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00that you can use in your retirement, but you can enjoy some
0:02:00 > 0:02:04of the cash if you need it hn the earlier days.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08The scheme would have freed up ?26,000 in cash,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11but after he transferred his pension, the regulator and then the
0:02:11 > 0:02:14High Court ruled it was illdgal
0:02:15 > 0:02:18And what that effectively mdant was that the pension was null and void.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21And whatever assets have now been seized by a trustee.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26That means for me now my pension pot is now gone.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30But it was about to get worse.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33The great thing about pensions is that they are tax efficient,
0:02:33 > 0:02:37in other words we get tax rdlief on them to encourage us to save
0:02:37 > 0:02:41but there are strings attached.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44And if you try to cash yours in before you are 55, cutting those
0:02:45 > 0:02:47strings will cost you a fortune
0:02:47 > 0:02:52You would have to pay up to 70% of what you get back in tax.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56PHONE RINGS
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Reputable companies make th`t clear.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04We cannot take anything from your pension until aged 55
0:03:05 > 0:03:08It is important people know that.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11But Jon ` not his real name ` didn't.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16What it means for me person`lly is potential bankruptcy.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20And loss of my personal house.
0:03:21 > 0:03:22But Jon's not alone.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Many of the people here had joined the same scheme. Some, as they have
0:03:26 > 0:03:29told me, face financial ruin.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32It's why they formed this support group.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34The people who were selling these schemes were very, very crafty,
0:03:35 > 0:03:39very clever, very slick, very convincing, and they believdd them.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42That was the tragedy.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44What's the emotional impact been?
0:03:44 > 0:03:46It's been devastating.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49There are numerous people who have said to me that they sometiles
0:03:49 > 0:03:53feel that the only way out of this misery is to commit suicide.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Because there is no escape.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01For those of us stuck in a financial hole, freeing up our pension pot
0:04:01 > 0:04:04might seem like the light at the end of the tunnel, btt the
0:04:04 > 0:04:09people I have met so far sax they were kept in the dark about tax
0:04:09 > 0:04:11That's why I'm doing my own research.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14I want to find out if companies are really telling
0:04:14 > 0:04:15people age doesn't matter.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20I can cash my pension in early and not pay tax.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23So, we will start with the initial pension.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25?37,600.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Now, this company is going to take away a certain amount of feds.
0:04:29 > 0:04:35What you are left with is ?25,8 2, which is 68% of your pension.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40But what it doesn't tell yot is that HMRC are going to also take
0:04:41 > 0:04:46a further 55% minimum, which leaves you with 10% left of your pdnsion.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51That is a frightening thought, but are companies setting ott to
0:04:51 > 0:04:54mislead, or just be short on facts?
0:04:55 > 0:04:57I'm hoping a few calls will help me to find out.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00We have chosen a selection of companies at random and H have
0:05:00 > 0:05:02asked pensions expert Richard Jacobs to listen in.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05I'm wondering whether you could help?
0:05:05 > 0:05:08I'm pretending to be 48, so if I did cash in my penshon,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11there would be tax to pay.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13ON THE PHONE: You can't takd money out of a pension before the age
0:05:14 > 0:05:15of 55.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17So the first company knows the rules.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20OK, you never know maybe I won't be misled.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Everybody, we are the Old Bhll, as you can tell.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Operation Scorpion might have something to do with that.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28It is what the police and pensions regulators are calling
0:05:29 > 0:05:31their crackdown on pension liberation companies.
0:05:32 > 0:05:33Since being set up, it's investigated
0:05:34 > 0:05:37a sector worth almost ?500 lillion.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41But are its tactics working?
0:05:41 > 0:05:43We have been making a few more calls.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46I want to know what Richard thinks of them.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49I'd just like you to listen to it and try and pick out
0:05:49 > 0:05:51the wrongdoings going on.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53ON PHONE: Hello, there.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58We have made it clear I'm under 55, but need cash and fast.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03ON PHONE: The monies generated at 20% of the value of your tr`nsfer
0:06:03 > 0:06:07and those monies are paid b`ck to you through another channel.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Effectively, if you switch xour pension fund, you will recehve
0:06:11 > 0:06:1420% of the value of your investment.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Already you are shaking your head.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17Already you are grinning.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19You are licking your lips at this!
0:06:19 > 0:06:21What are we hearing there?
0:06:21 > 0:06:22A scam.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27That bit, whoever that business is, you know, if money is coming out,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29it has to come from somewhere.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31There is no money magicked from anywhere.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35But that is pension liberathon, whatever name they put on it.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36Right.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41But he knows I'm under 55 so I will have to pay tax, right?
0:06:41 > 0:06:44ON PHONE: No, because the money is not coming out of the pension fund.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47No tax liabilities taking your pension out early?
0:06:48 > 0:06:51Yes, that is out`and`out con.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54He is going to lose his pension
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Really? That case, she going to lose his pension.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Wow, that is some message.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Will the next be just as misleading?
0:07:03 > 0:07:07ON PHONE: We can give you a 20% cashback, there is no tax
0:07:07 > 0:07:08liabilities whatsoever.
0:07:09 > 0:07:10That is dreadful.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13In fact, of the nine companhes we contacted online, and on thd phone,
0:07:13 > 0:07:17four of them gave misleading advice.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20That's left me feeling as mhserable as the weather, so what is the
0:07:21 > 0:07:23pensions regulator doing about it?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26We have raised awareness with the police, with providers.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29The important thing is to raise awareness with consumers
0:07:29 > 0:07:32and I think it would be a zdro sum gain if we or any other agency tried
0:07:32 > 0:07:34to shut down every website.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38The message we need to get out to consumers is if anyone offers you
0:07:38 > 0:07:42access to your pension schele before 55, they are telling you a lie.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46You need to walk away very fast indeed.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Yes, and don't the victims and their advisors know it!
0:07:49 > 0:07:52I'm playing something they need to hear.
0:07:52 > 0:07:58PHONE RECORDING: The monies generated at 20% of the valte of
0:07:58 > 0:08:00your transfer and those monhes are paid back to you
0:08:00 > 0:08:02through another channel.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03How does that make you feel?
0:08:04 > 0:08:06It's the same spiel over and over again.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08I'm horrified that it is still continuing.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11This is shocking.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15And the poor consumer out there doesn't know ` is suffering `
0:08:15 > 0:08:18it is just like, I couldn't believe what I listened to there.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23It was complete codswallop!
0:08:23 > 0:08:27If people are still being mhsled, why are the victims paying?
0:08:27 > 0:08:30I'm hoping Ruth Owen can answer that question.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33She is Revenue Customs Director`General of Personal Tax.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37There are some innocent people being stung left, right and centrd.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Are you trying to tell me that people have to pay this mondy
0:08:41 > 0:08:44back if they didn't know about it in the first place?
0:08:44 > 0:08:48So, if there was a tax due, HMRC has to apply it, that is the wax the tax
0:08:49 > 0:08:52system work, so if you have accessed money from your pension pot that
0:08:52 > 0:08:56breaks the tax rules, then we do have to charge you the tax because
0:08:56 > 0:09:00you got a tax relief you weren't eligible to receive,
0:09:00 > 0:09:02so you will be charged.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04What is there to protect thd consumer? What is there to protect
0:09:04 > 0:09:06the pension holder?
0:09:06 > 0:09:07I recognise that.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10I have seen many cases myself where ` really tragic circumstancds where
0:09:10 > 0:09:12people have been misled and have lost
0:09:13 > 0:09:14their entire retirement savhngs
0:09:15 > 0:09:17I do feel for the people who are involved
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Some are real innocent victhms in these situations.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25But from a tax point of view, we have to apply the rule epually
0:09:25 > 0:09:27and fairly and if you have chosen to taken your pension out
0:09:28 > 0:09:32of the safety of retirement pension pot, tax will apply.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35A lesson the victims are learning the hard way.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41Run as far away as you can from them, in the opposite direction
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Operation Scorpion is helping to raise awareness,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46but as our evidence shows...
0:09:46 > 0:09:50PHONE RECORDING: There is no tax liabilities whatsoever.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54But new victims are still getting stung.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Almost half of us living in the South of England don't have
0:10:00 > 0:10:02a private pension.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05According to a ComRes survex commissioned for Inside Out,
0:10:05 > 0:10:10many say they can't afford ht or are too young to think about it.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12So should we be worried?
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Jon Cuthillon has been findhng out.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19HARMONICA PLAYS
0:10:23 > 0:10:27Previous generations retired at 60, got on with the gardening and were
0:10:28 > 0:10:30grateful for a free bus pass.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35But with life expectancy continuing to rise, even if we retire later,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37we're likely to be retired longer.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41These days, most of Britain's workers don't have a pension sorted,
0:10:41 > 0:10:44which could leave us relying entirely on the state, or, like our
0:10:44 > 0:10:5065`year`old bus and its 70`xear`old driver Mervyn, still working.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53I enjoy it and I'm a part of the business.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56It's a nice job. You meet nhce people.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01So, while I can, I'm carrying on. I did invest into a pension, but it
0:11:01 > 0:11:05went down the pan.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Today, we're on a trip to the seaside.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11And where better to meet th`n the Pensioners Pub.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15Half of our passengers on our 1949 Bedford bus are retired.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18The other half are pension refuseniks ? a handful of Britain's
0:11:18 > 0:11:2313 million company employees who don't have a private pension.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26The Government's rolling out a scheme to try to put that right.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29All aboard the pension spechal? ALL: Yes!
0:11:30 > 0:11:34'Auto enrolment' makes it a legal requirement for companies to
0:11:34 > 0:11:36sign up staff to a pension.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39But if you earn less than ?00,0 0, you won't qualify.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42And anyone self`employed will have to sort themselves out.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Here's a question for you ? who has got a pension
0:11:48 > 0:11:52OK. Who hasn't got a pension?
0:11:52 > 0:11:53Why not?
0:11:54 > 0:11:59Money really ? putting monex aside just isn't feasible at the loment.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02I'm Adam Fox, I'm 27, I'm a senior colour technician.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08I get paid ?500 a month so absolutely no money, no dxtra
0:12:08 > 0:12:11funds there for pensions and things like that.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12And Adam's not the only one.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15You haven't got a pension ehther? No.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19I'm Katie, I'm a carer.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21I get ?6.50 an hour.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24I'm still doing my studying so it's not beneficial to md to pay
0:12:25 > 0:12:27into a pension at the moment.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Hilda, look what just came.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33What's that? It's your lettdr from the Queen.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39Hilda's celebrating her 100th birthday today.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43These days you're 44 times lore likely to do the same than 60 years
0:12:43 > 0:12:46ago, which has prompted the Government to make the most sweeping
0:12:46 > 0:12:48changes to pensions in generations.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Hello, there.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Time to make room on the bus for Minister of State for Pdnsions,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58Steve Webb, the man responshble for the radical reforms.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00The first thing we've got to do is get millions of people
0:13:00 > 0:13:01into a pension at all.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Particularly starting with xoung people, then we've got to btild
0:13:04 > 0:13:06on that level.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09So, 8% of your salary for most people won't get you a comfortable
0:13:09 > 0:13:12retirement. It's a start, btt we have to build on that.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14What about the charges, oncd you get a pension,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17you will be nailed by chargds? What will you do about that?
0:13:18 > 0:13:20In the past, too many peopld have been ripped off.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23These new workplace pensions will be different because we will
0:13:23 > 0:13:27cap the charges, so from next April, more than 99 pence in the pound that
0:13:28 > 0:13:31you put into a pension will go into pension, not into charges, so they
0:13:31 > 0:13:34will be the best valued pensions, particularly because your fhrm is
0:13:35 > 0:13:39putting money in as well, one of the best things you can invest hn.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41With a captive audience Steve Webb can't resist the opportunitx to
0:13:41 > 0:13:43nudge the pension message.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Tell me your pension experidnce are you ever going to have one?
0:13:48 > 0:13:49I'm self`employed.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52I do weddings and events, things like that. I don't think thd return
0:13:53 > 0:13:56you are going to get from a pension will be valid.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Mark Larter's 39. Instead of a pension he's opted for a
0:14:01 > 0:14:02buy`to`let.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06My property's going to rent out to students in Southampton, a really
0:14:06 > 0:14:10high student population there. And it's right in the centre of town, so
0:14:11 > 0:14:12it is a wicked location.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15It is always going to rent, no matter what.
0:14:16 > 0:14:1937`year`old Balvinder Singh has frozen his private pension,
0:14:19 > 0:14:23put off by the constantly increasing retirement age.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26I don't trust pensions becatse I don't know how much I'm going to
0:14:26 > 0:14:29get and when I'm going to gdt that, because they keep increasing every
0:14:30 > 0:14:34day. Sometimes, 60, 65, now they say 70 years. I don't know if I will
0:14:34 > 0:14:37live that time.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40From listening to people I can understand why people may w`nt to do
0:14:40 > 0:14:43something in addition to pension but they should consider pension
0:14:43 > 0:14:45as one of their options.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48For people that think it is too hard, there is
0:14:48 > 0:14:51always something, a little something that will make it easier for them,
0:14:51 > 0:14:53such as if they work for an employer, it could be the elployer
0:14:53 > 0:14:56could contribute into their pension scheme, so ask the question, phone
0:14:56 > 0:14:59people like us at the Pensions Advisory Service and we can give
0:15:00 > 0:15:03people little hints to make it helpful, but don't just relx on one
0:15:04 > 0:15:07source of income in retiremdnt, don't just rely on property.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Things are different on the retired side of the bus,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21where some have the sort of gold plated final salary schemes that
0:15:21 > 0:15:26anyone who's signing up to ` pension now will probably never get.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30I don't see myself as being in any way privileged, I see myself as
0:15:30 > 0:15:34having worked in public service for a relatively reasonable sal`ry, but
0:15:34 > 0:15:38the attraction of it was always the reasonable pension
0:15:38 > 0:15:40at the end of the day.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45Pension pretty good really because it's index linked and I know from
0:15:45 > 0:15:49year to year I know exactly what it is I'm probably going to get
0:15:49 > 0:15:52But not all pensioners are as fortunate.
0:15:52 > 0:15:59I'm Lyn, I'm 67, and I survhve on a basic pension of ?72 a week.
0:16:01 > 0:16:07I'm Reg, I'm ?78, my state pension is ?640 a month. Plus I havd a
0:16:08 > 0:16:16private pension, which is ?050 a month.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Between them that's an incole of roughly ?13,000 a year.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Recently, ?17,000 per household was quoted as the amount needed for a
0:16:22 > 0:16:24comfortable retirement.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29When you're young you don't think about 40 years hence do you. It sort
0:16:29 > 0:16:37of creeps up on you and then you get to 45`50 and you think ah.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40We don't take life too seriously because I think if we did, we could
0:16:40 > 0:16:44get a big depressed. We could.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Compared to men, three times as many women retire with no privatd pension
0:16:49 > 0:16:51savings at all.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55I'm Lin Gel, I'm 58 and I rtn a B in Lee on the Solent.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01I don't have a pension. I dhdn't think I'd need one.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05My husband had quite a few pensions, but unfortunately he died.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Lin does get some of her late husband's Naval pension but not
0:17:09 > 0:17:11enough to give up work.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15I get just below ?500 a month which is a proportion of what he would've
0:17:15 > 0:17:20got. It's tough because I'vd got to work now to get a state pension
0:17:21 > 0:17:23until I'm 68. But to be hondst everyone's going to have to work so,
0:17:24 > 0:17:28you know.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38Joan's 93 and has been retired for 30 years.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41She thinks there's been a ctltural shift towards spending now rather
0:17:41 > 0:17:44than putting money away for later.
0:17:44 > 0:17:50I don't think people know how to save ? they've never had to make
0:17:51 > 0:17:59do and mend like we had to.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03As the Pensions Special rolls down the promenade, time for somd words
0:18:03 > 0:18:08of warning for those of us who might still have our heads in the sand.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13The majority of workers don't have pension savings, so anyone on that
0:18:13 > 0:18:20side of the bus, you're not alone. However, the main message is
0:18:20 > 0:18:27if you don't save for your later life, what are you going to live on?
0:18:27 > 0:18:31The state pension, certainlx for those who are relativelx young
0:18:32 > 0:18:36now, is changing dramatically and from 2016 onwards, younger
0:18:37 > 0:18:42people will know that when they get to retirement, the state pension is
0:18:42 > 0:18:46going to be around ?20 a dax.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49So, it's all about being prepared, or is it?
0:18:49 > 0:18:53I was planning to start sorting out my pension at the age of 40, which
0:18:54 > 0:18:56after today, I have realised is far too late.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01We are more like living for today. You never know what is going to
0:19:01 > 0:19:03happen tomorrow.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06My business is going good. Property is going well, so I'm quite happy
0:19:06 > 0:19:09with how things are going.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13One thing's for certain thotgh, when it comes to keeping our heads
0:19:14 > 0:19:18above water when we retire, we're all going to have to plan ahead
0:19:18 > 0:19:23Next time I'll bring my swilmers!
0:19:24 > 0:19:27If you would like more detahls on our pensions survey,
0:19:27 > 0:19:33head to our website ` bbc.co.uk/insideout.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Now, this week, BBC Bristol marks its 80th anniversary,
0:19:36 > 0:19:41so we decided to send John Craven behind`the`scenes to uncover some
0:19:41 > 0:19:46of Auntie's little`known secrets.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50I have recently celebrated 25 years presenting Countryfild.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56And these days it's produced right here at BBC Bristol.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01My TV reporting career started here on Points West 40`odd years ago
0:20:02 > 0:20:05This is Bristol's Magna Carta.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08And before Newsround, I presented my first childrdn's TV
0:20:08 > 0:20:10programme from Bristol.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Hello and welcome once again to Search.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17I really feel as though I have come full circle.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20So, it's with great affection on the 80th anniversary of
0:20:20 > 0:20:25BBC Bristol that I'm setting off to find out how it all started.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28So, how did the BBC come to be based here in Whiteladies Road?
0:20:29 > 0:20:33The story goes that in the 0930s, two BBC bigwigs were on
0:20:33 > 0:20:37the look`out for suitable premises in Bristol and they spotted this
0:20:38 > 0:20:43unoccupied building on the corner and they climbed in to take a look.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46And I discovered someone who knows a bit more about it.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50My grandfather was asked to pick up John Reith from Temple Meads.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52The Director`General of the BBC
0:20:53 > 0:20:56The man himself as he was in those days, yes, with thd idea of
0:20:56 > 0:21:01driving around Bristol to look for a building for Broadcasting House.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05And they came up Whiteladies Road by what was the petrol stathon
0:21:06 > 0:21:09in those days and my grandf`ther said we needed petrol and as they
0:21:09 > 0:21:12pulled in and stopped, they looked across and Reith apparently said
0:21:13 > 0:21:15this looks like a good building
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Well, unoccupied?
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Unoccupied, they couldn't get access formally,
0:21:21 > 0:21:25so they found a window and climbed through and had a look round.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27He obviously liked what he saw?
0:21:27 > 0:21:28Yes.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Lord Reith, because they took over the building?
0:21:30 > 0:21:31It's a lovely building.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34This door has not been opendd for many years now.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36I can remember when I was working here going through ht.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39But I think it's opened for us now.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Let's have a look.
0:21:41 > 0:21:42Shall we go in?
0:21:43 > 0:21:44Yes.
0:21:44 > 0:21:45We are very privileged.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47I can remember coming through these doors when I had my intervidw for
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Points West, with great trepidation.
0:21:50 > 0:21:51And checking in here with the
0:21:52 > 0:21:54commissionaires as they used to be based here.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Morning.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00The Lord Mayor of Bristol officially opened
0:22:00 > 0:22:04the centre on 18th September 19 4.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07This is the BBC Home Servicd from the West of England.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10There were four radio studios, three for speech and drama.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12What's that?
0:22:12 > 0:22:14It's gulls, we have disturbdd them.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Better keep closer to the b`nk. They will give us away.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24And one big enough to hold an entire orchestra.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27The outbreak of war transformed Bristol's role.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30With London under heavy bombing the BBC sent its entire entertahnment
0:22:31 > 0:22:34department to the comparative safety of Bristol.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Home Service, good morning everybody.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39The big names put on their radio shows in parhsh halls
0:22:39 > 0:22:41dotted around the area.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43The aim was to keep up the nation's spirits
0:22:43 > 0:22:46and they called it the Fun Factory.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51Bristol beamed out shows such as ITMA ` It's That Man Agahn,
0:22:51 > 0:22:56which starred Tommy Handley.
0:22:56 > 0:23:02It was renowned for its cheeky catchphrases.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06What about this?
0:23:07 > 0:23:09And the radio show Bandwaggon with Arthur Askey
0:23:11 > 0:23:12and Richard "Stinker" Murdoch.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Am I standing in a hole or are you on horseback?
0:23:17 > 0:23:19With the threat of invasion and the ever present danger
0:23:19 > 0:23:21of bombing, the BBC set up hts very own fortress in Bristol herd
0:23:22 > 0:23:27on the Avon Gorge. It had a control room, and emergency studios.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31But is there any trace of it left today?
0:23:31 > 0:23:37To find out, I'm going to h`ve to clamber down 316 steps.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41The secret BBC studios were hidden deep down inside the abandoned
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Clifton Rocks Funicular Railway
0:23:44 > 0:23:47This is an honour to be allowed to go through here.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Not normally open, are they?
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Off we go.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55The tunnel in the cliffs was dug out in the 1890s and, for 40 ye`rs,
0:23:56 > 0:24:00the carriages ferried thous`nds of passengers up`and`down the gorge.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05One, two, three, four...
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Way, way down underground I'm hoping to find Peter Davy, the chahrman
0:24:09 > 0:24:12of a group of volunteers restoring sections of the site.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17313, 314, 315, 316!
0:24:17 > 0:24:18Hello, Peter.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20Hello, John.
0:24:20 > 0:24:21This is the BBC part.
0:24:21 > 0:24:22Come on down.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24This is the fortress? Yes.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Thank you for showing me. Nhce of you to come down.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32The tunnel is blastproof, the BBC section is also gasproofed.
0:24:32 > 0:24:33What room was this?
0:24:34 > 0:24:35This is the transmitting room.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37Look at the state of it now.
0:24:37 > 0:24:38It is so sad.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Just to think back during the war, it would have been buzzing with all
0:24:43 > 0:24:45the instrument panels around here and sending
0:24:45 > 0:24:47off programmes around the world
0:24:48 > 0:24:5180 telephone lines were comhng in here. Wow.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54And all the reports from the journalists.
0:24:54 > 0:24:59I did hear a story that they were transmitting
0:24:59 > 0:25:02one day to the Arabic part of the world and by mistake they put
0:25:02 > 0:25:05out a Welsh language progralme.
0:25:06 > 0:25:07What's the next one down?
0:25:07 > 0:25:09We have got here the studio.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13This is where people like Alvar Lidell would have read the news
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Stuart Hibberd was down herd. Yes.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20If you look at that picture, we are standing on this step outside..
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Good old`fashioned BBC microphone.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25It is wonderful.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29I am told that if London had fallen, if there had been an invasion,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Bristol would have been the last`ditch stand.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36This studio would have been where those famous broadcasters sdnt
0:25:36 > 0:25:38messages about resistance from.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Sirens go, they get in a trtck in Whiteladies Road and come down here.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45They had codes to tap out to say Bristol has fallen,
0:25:46 > 0:25:47London has fallen.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50They took it very seriously. Yes.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53And of course when the war dnded, so did all of this?
0:25:53 > 0:25:55Absolutely fascinating.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Thank you very much for showing me. Excellent.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Have your torch back now. Thank you. Thanks for coming
0:26:01 > 0:26:05For me, just one problem ` 316 steps to climb up!
0:26:05 > 0:26:10Bye`bye. Bye. Thank you.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Well, I made it!
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Dave, how are you? Nice to see you.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21I remember you from the early ' 0s when I was on Points West, xou were
0:26:22 > 0:26:23floor manager.
0:26:23 > 0:26:24Yes.
0:26:25 > 0:26:26When he was 16, Dave was a technical assist`nt
0:26:27 > 0:26:29in the emergency wartime sttdios.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31You worked here during the war?
0:26:32 > 0:26:35I did. 1944, I think.
0:26:35 > 0:26:40We used to be driven down hdre at about 1.00am
0:26:40 > 0:26:42because we only did it at nhght
0:26:43 > 0:26:46And checked that things were still working.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49And that the diesel generator was working. When we ran it we had to
0:26:49 > 0:26:52swing it with our hands.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56That was quite a job. We had American Dodge car with a roof that
0:26:57 > 0:27:03was reinforced. It had a metal plate on it and a curved top
0:27:03 > 0:27:06and it was filled with sand.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09It was ` they called it an armoured car, we used to drive
0:27:10 > 0:27:13down and we used to park outside, which you can't do today.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17I know you were just a young lad when you worked down there, but even
0:27:17 > 0:27:20so, what was it like having to come up`and`down those steps every day?
0:27:20 > 0:27:22We only came in the bottom.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24I didn't know there was another entr`nce
0:27:24 > 0:27:26Didn't you?
0:27:26 > 0:27:27Down at ground level?
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Oh yes. That was our privatd entrance.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33No`one else could use that. You were very lucky. Oh yes.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Presumably, that has been closed off now, that entrance? Yes.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Which is why I had to come up`and`down the stairs?
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Did you really? Yes.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44That would take a time to go up`and`down those steps. It does!
0:27:44 > 0:27:48This is the BBC Home Servicd... After the war, the BBC resuled the
0:27:48 > 0:27:51West of England Home Servicd at Whiteladies Road and over the
0:27:51 > 0:27:54years, the site has been extended,
0:27:55 > 0:27:57adding television and radio departments and the world
0:27:57 > 0:28:00famous Natural History Unit.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03As well as all regional output, BBC Bristol produces nearly 500
0:28:03 > 0:28:08hours of national television a year, plus 350 hours of original content
0:28:09 > 0:28:12for network radio.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16Not bad for an 80`year`old!
0:28:20 > 0:28:22All this week, John Craven will be following
0:28:22 > 0:28:25BBC Bristol's story on Points West.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27That's it for this week.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29If you would like to keep in touch with what we are up to, you can find
0:28:30 > 0:28:34us on Twitter or Facebook, but from me, thanks for watching.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Good night.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Next week, we investigate the threat of anarchist attacks
0:28:43 > 0:28:45in Bristol.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50I've got a core investigation team of 20`plus officers who are working
0:28:50 > 0:28:54on this investigation to trx and find out who is committing these
0:28:55 > 0:29:00attacks and bring them to jtstice.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Hello, I'm Ellie Crisell with your 90 second update.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13There's no return if you decide to leave the UK.