I have many memories of Norman but one specifically springs to mind.
When I first joined the programme in the 1970s , as a young producer, Norman invited me to a garden party at his beautiful home in the village of Warmington. It was one of those idyllic English summer days. The cast, crew and their families were all invited. Children swam in the pool and played cricket and there was a picnic of strawberries, cream and cakes on the lawn. The place was teeming with guests and yet Norman found the time to show me around, describing the flowers and shrubs along the way.
Over the years I went several times to the grand house and in later years, to the barn conversion at the bottom of the garden to which he retired when the big house got too much. Inside the barn conversion, Norman the musician, had a splendid collection of musical instruments. And he liked nothing better than playing duets with guests on his grand piano or giving a recital on harpsichord or square piano.
I sometimes wonder if listeners quite realize how much of Norman's eclectic talents rubbed off on the character of Phil, as producers and writers over the years, got to know him and took a little of this multi talented man into Phil. No wonder then that Phil was such a stalwart organist at St Stephens or could usually be relied upon to tinkle the ivories for the village panto.
Norman was an anglo saxon scholar too. And I remember many a good conversation in the green room, between episodes, on his favourite poem or the reasons why Beowolf had never yet, in his opinion, been translated with its full vigour.
Finally Norman was a good teacher. Watching him in studio, in front of a microphone, was a masterclass for me, as a young radio director. And many of the younger actors joining our cast learnt a lot from him too. From how to turn a script page quietly to how to sound like you are scrambling over a combine harvester or baking a cake for the flower and Produce show. Up until two days before he died, when he came into studio, although frail, when that q light came on, Norman's voice rang out clearly - and his energy was immense.
Norman taught me about energy - and about leadership - when, coming into the studio in the 1970s, to do my first stint as director, I managed to miss time things thoroughly and arrive in the studio five minutes late and with soaking wet hair. Well I was young and with the arrogance of youth I guess I thought that the studio starting at nine meant that I could aim to do my hair at half eight and arrive at nine! And so of course I staggered in at five past, hair dripping and scripts falling out of my bag. Norman perched his reading specs on the edge of his nose and gave me a withering look. He then proceeded to behave with impeccable professionalism for the rest of the episode. At the end of the episode however, he took me to one side. Being the director he explained, meant being one step ahead in the studio. So I could energise the team, solve problems and most of all, create an atmosphere of confidence and fun.
"Be ahead. Get ahead," He said, "Its more fun if you are... and you do."
With his good head, Norman was the head of our Ambridge Family. And we miss him.
God bless you Norman, and thank you.
Vanessa Whitburn is Editor of The Archers
