Peter Pickering

As a 16 year old schoolboy, Peter Pickering got a job with Argus Press as a cost clerk. Next he worked for a lithograph company in Soho. From there, he applied to Paul Rotha’s office [qv], being appointed general dogsbody. When he returned from the war, he joined Data [qv], at the dissolution of Rotha’s company, and soon found himself working on Mining Review. He directed several issues in the first seven years of production, including ‘COAL ON ICE’ in Mining Review 1st Year No.7 of March 1948 and ‘WORTLEY HALL’ in 7th Year No.11 of July 1954. He also researched other stories such as ‘COMMUNICATION CORD’ in 4th Year No.9 of May 1951.

In 1961, Pickering left the film industry to train as a teacher. However, he soon returned to the industry. In 1975, he also returned to the NCB, to the renamed, Review, directing such stories as ‘THIS IS THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION’ in 29th Year No.1 of September 1975 and ‘OXFAM’ in 36th Year No.4 of December 1982.

Sources

H. Donaldson, ‘Coal Film Makers: An Appreciation’ (NCB, London, 1981) p.8, 53: NoS Number 334744; Mining Review 1st Year Number 7; Date released March 1948: NoS Number 345836; Mining Review 7th Year Number 11; Date released July 1954: NoS Number 345702; Mining Review 4th Year Number 9; Date released May 1951: NoS Number 346671; Review 29th Year Number 1; Date released September 1975: NoS Number 346854; Review 36th Year Number 4; Date released December 1982.