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Louise Willcox

Louise passed away on 18th December 2022 leaving behind many friends in the broadcast sound community. Here is an opportunity for those who knew her to recall memorable moments and to pass messages to her family.

Book Owner: The Institute of Professional Sound
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Barry Cobden

What a sad and terrible loss. Louise was a lovely person and a superb technician and musician. I last saw her recently at the Pro-Audio Show where we had a lovely chat. I am shocked at her sudden passing. My wife and I watched the funeral which was most moving. Our condolences to Louise’s family. …

Terry Molloy

It was as an actor on The Archers that I first met Louise at Pebble Mill when she began working on the programme as an audio assistant on spot, grams and panel. From the first, her vivacious energy, humour and dynamism quickly earned her the nickname amongst the cast of “Luscious Lou”…a nickname that never disappointed! Over the years of working with her on both The Archers and many Radio plays we formed a strong friendship, and it was such a loss when she had to eventually leave the BBC and set up her own company with her husband Roger. But like a rubber ball she bounced back, continuing to work as a (better paid?j freelancer for the Beeb, as well as developing her other work. An abiding memory of her, Roger and the children Heather and Mark, was when she joined us as audio supervisor on one of our many Fred.Olsen ‘Archers Addicts’ cruises (on which as ever she was a superb speaker on the SFX sessions). The whole family ended up confined to their cabins due to a ship born bug for the last scheduled session. However, she never faltered, issuing instructions for the session through notes …

Keith Graham

When we heard the sad news about Louise in December , we were all in shock and denial. How could this happen to such a person as Louise?  I knew Louise through the BBC and through the executive committee of the IPS. In fact , I believe I may have nominated her as a full time EC member at an AGM many years ago. Louise was a truely gifted person in all manner of activities ranging from the world of Sound or to singing in her choir. She loved to sort things out and get on with things ……always cheerful and always ready to help others as well. She will be sorely missed and much treasured as a wonderful human being, who made a meaningful, lasting impression on everyone she knew.  We can all be grateful that we knew Louise and that she touched all our lives and her memory will last always. My condolences to her family at this sad and difficult time.  R.I.P. Louise.      …

Simon Bennett

Apologies i was unable to attend the funeral in person but I did watch the live stream. An inspirational and fitting service for an inspirational person, taken far too soon. My thoughts are with the family. Simon x …

John Willett

I still can’t believe that Louise is no longer with us.  I have known Louise for many years, mainly through our work on the committee of the Institute of Professional Sound.  She was always the person who “got things done”.  She was always willing to share her expertise and help those starting out. She was a woman in a man’s world who got where she was because she was superb at her profession and someone who could absolutely be relied on.  We had a meeting on the set of Springwatch the other year and I was very impressed of the complexities of what had to be done to get a live programme on the air with everything running smoothly. During the Queen’s funeral, I found myself suddenly realising how superb the sound was.  A funeral procession with marching bands, yet the sound was so natural that I suddenly found myself thinking of how very difficult it would be to get such a superb and natural sound without the viewer being aware of it – it was just “right”.  I commented on this to Louise later, only then realising that it was she who was responsible for the part that …

Lynne and Rob Taylerson

Louise and Roger’s Christmas card was the first to arrive last year (as usual!) and the first one I happened to take down on twelfth night. Looking at her beautiful flowing handwriting knocked me back and really made it hit home that this is the last time we’ll see it. It still seems unbelievable that such a positive, vibrant force of nature is gone from this world. At least Rob and I have such amazing memories to cherish, not only from Pebble Mill but afterwards in more recent times with her sitting in our garden on a summer day over a glass of wine (or 2!), reminiscing with some tall tales. That laugh – which could curl your hair – ringing out. We have no words for you Roger, Heather and Mark, to say how we feel, and we cannot begin to appreciate how you must feel. Hopefully in time you will begin to remember more of the happy times we were all privileged to spend with this wonderful, warm, friend, mentor and amazing human being. Sending love to you all. Travel well Louise. Lynne and Rob Taylerson xx …

Richard Mason

I worked with Louise on the first broadcast of Springwatch as her guarantee and it was the beginning of a working relationship I very much valued.  We went on to do another three series of Springwatch together and then in 2008 our biggest joint venture, Big Cat Live in the Masai Mara which proved to be a very complex and difficult production. Apart from the technical difficulties the local wildlife on that broadcast also presented a challenge and can remember returning to out tents in the dark after a long working day to find that a resourceful baboon had broken into Lou’s tent and comprehensively trashed everything inside. Typically the stoic response was “we’re in their space not the other way around – what do you expect”. Lou always maintained an enthusiasm and drive to get the job done well, a work ethic I very much admired and especially when it came to holding the stepladders of experience for new recruits in Sound adopting a nurturing approach which engendered confidence. I shall always look at the time spent on productions with Lou as some of the best in my broadcast career. I am deeply saddened by the news of …

Julie Whittaker

Shocked to read about her death- taken far too soon. Louise was so lovely. A very talented and well liked lady. Passionate about improving working conditions for all. She even managed to persusde me to join the Union despite the BBC not recognising it at the time! My condolences to her family and friends.  Xxxx     …

Mark Ward

When I think of Louise I remember with fondness her warmth, endless enthusiasm and willingness to share her knowledge with us. Whilst operating at the highest level of broadcast sound, Louise still had time for everyone and as one of the trainees in the audio team of Pebble Mill in 1995 I learnt so much from her. She inspired and encouraged us (both technically and as people) as we began our careers and for many years beyond.  Such sad news, my sincere condolences to the family.  …

Tim Bentinck

I worked with Louise for many many years, recording The Archers first at Pebble Mill and then at The Mailbox.Whether on the panel, grams or spot, she was that rare talent, very funny and very professional at the same time. I’ll always remember her at The Archers 50th Event at the ICC, manning the Sound Effects stall and entertaining the public with a virtuoso show. She really was the star of the whole day.I can’t believe she’s gone, we will all miss her terribly. My deepest condolences to Roger and her family. …
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