BBC Radio Merseyside, launch - 1967
Episode 582, Nov 17, 2012, 10:08 PM
Just sometimes a launch can be a touch over-ambitious. This was November 1967. Radio Merseyside was to be the third in the network of BBC Local Radio stations, so expectations were high. The goal in the launch programme was a set of OBs from all points possible: the highest and lowest. Sadly, they didn't quite all appear on-air at the right time.
The Postmaster-General then proceeded to re-mix the speech he'd used at every station launch. Later, discussion ensued with their colleagues at their predecessors at Radio Leicester and Sheffield, complete with some insight into the locally trenchant origins of their jingle packages from the Radiophonic Workshop. But, frankly, Radio Merseyside's idents beat the lot. These are classic. Overall though, almost half a century on, truly a delight to listen to; and the birth of a station now held in high regard by the characterful community it serves.
The Postmaster-General then proceeded to re-mix the speech he'd used at every station launch. Later, discussion ensued with their colleagues at their predecessors at Radio Leicester and Sheffield, complete with some insight into the locally trenchant origins of their jingle packages from the Radiophonic Workshop. But, frankly, Radio Merseyside's idents beat the lot. These are classic. Overall though, almost half a century on, truly a delight to listen to; and the birth of a station now held in high regard by the characterful community it serves.