Radio Moments - Clips

Whilst other radio stations are addicted to 'teasing' other programmes - some less skilfully than others - the strategy is rare on Radio 4. The live pieces into You and Yours previewing the World at One work well - and the live Dimbleby inserts into PM previewing Any Questions are inspired. The promos/trailers in the Today programme have, however, always appeared barely tolerated. But now, lo! As the Today programme concludes each day up to the 9.00 pips, the programme to follow is now no longer ignored. The Today presenters simply utter a quick trail of what's ahead. After 60 years of merrily ignoring what's on the way, it seems a remarkably good idea.

Hamish and Andy became a comedy duo in 2003 after they met at University. After student radio, their reputation was built on the drivetime Hamish and Andy show on the Hit Network, which became the highest-rating radio series in Australian history. As they moved to further their TV career, their last show (for now at least) was aired on 1st December 2017. More info and audio at www.hamishandandy.com

A few funky and powerful promos for the East Midlands regional station Century 106 which lived from 1998 to 2005 on 106 FM, sandwiched between the lives of Radio 106 and Heart/Gem 106. They tell of a full-blown personality station and a time and place in British radio history. Great production too from Ian Chilvers. He had some great ideas of his own - and also, when I gave him a raw idea, he was truly brilliant at reading my mind and delivering it in audio.

Ed Doolan, hugely-respected broadcaster in the West Midlands, passed away on 16th January 2018. Here the tributes flow, initially from Caroline Martin on BBC WM, then from Eddie Mair on BBC Radio 4 - and then fellow broadcaster Les Ross from BBC 1 TV in the Midlands.

Following the resignation of Carrie Gracie from her post as the BBC's China Editor on grounds of pay inequality, she hosted the Radio 4 Today programme on 8th Jan 2018. Hear clips of that programme here in which her resignation was covered, including her reading the headlines in which that story was not mentioned; the bulletins in which it was; the press reviews where it was, albeit John Humphrys read them; the interview with John which wasn't an interview; the one between John and Mariella Frostrup which was; and John explaining why everything was or wasnt being discussed. Then - hear an interview with Carrie on Woman's Hour that same morning, concluding with the great back anno from Jane Garvey 'Impartiality does not stop me discussing the menopause on Woman's Hour next week'.

Ray Clark issues the formal launch announcement as Radio Caroline launches afresh on a licensed AM frequency at last in December 2017.

A flavour of radio in Zimbabwe after Mugabe relinquished power after 37 years. Hear the mood of the country that day as they ‘unlocked the key’ to future success. Good questioning too: what went wrong? What went right? Was he popular with some people? What happens next?

Two on-air takes of the proposed new strategy for BBC local radio, as announced by the DG in November 2017, including rowing back on the cuts, ending the networked evening show, and stopping targeting 50+. Hear here Julia George on BBC Radio Kent holding her Managing Editor to account; and Ben Jackson taking to the DG himself on Ben’s programme on BBC Radio Leicester.

BBC Essex launched on November 5th 1986 - with Alex Lester.

When people are worried - radio responds best. The information you need - delivered by the well-connected friend who puts their arm around you. As Ophelia arrived across Ireland on Oct 16th 2017, hear how the likes of stations such as RTE, Newstalk, Today FM, Midlands 103, Spin, 98 FM, WLR FM coped.

A delicious lengthy live exchange in the heat of the miners' strike between miners' leader Arthur Scargill and Chris Mann from IRN. They don't get on.

He's now art! Tony Blackburn appeared on BBC Radio 4's earnest Front Row with Samira Ahmed on 21st September 2017 as he prepared to mark 50 years since his first Radio One breakfast show. The contrast between Tony and the programme's puzzled style was arguably not too different maybe from the culture clash of a 1960s BBC.

After eighteen months on the new Virgin Radio breakfast show, Edith Bowman announced her departure.

On Sept 15th 2017, Sam and Amy announced their imminent farewell from East Midlands radio. They'd served on the breakfast show on 106 in its Heart and Gem guises for well over eleven years, with ratings and awards success.

For everyone - there's a word or two we can't manage. For me it's 'visitor', and I'm not too keen on 'Saturday'. Whenever possible, I find a substitute. For the fine Jim Lee, it seems to be plurality

The wonderful David Hamilton, given the Iain Lee treatment. As heard on the ‘Late Night Alternative’ on TalkRADIO in August 2017. Including the great anecdote about the listener who tried to deposit yellow paint over David. David’s book is out now: ‘The Golden Days of Radio 1’.

Radio 4 celebrates here 150 years of the shipping forecast. Not, of course, 150 years of it on appearing on radio - as the first broadcast was not until January 1924 - but a bit of shippery is always welcome

How have voices changed over the years? Listening to the clipped tones of the young Princess Elizabeth is a stark contrast from Her Majesty’s voice today. In this comprehensive piece from the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, the topic is examined, including an example of how the sound of John Humphrys himself has changed over the close to sixty years he’s been on-air.

A Radio 4 Today programme report from 14th August 2017

On the 50th anniversary of the closure of most of the remaining pirate stations, as the Marine Offences Act came into force, Dave Cash's former colleagues joined his family as his ashes were scattered at sea off Harwich. The coverage was live on the special commemorative pirate BBC Essex station, hosted for this part of the day by Norman St John and Tom Edwards.

Pirate broadcasters can interrupt listening to legitimate stations. They can be a pain in the neck – and I recall stories from my days in London of how the operations can involve some very shady characters. And, with such availability now to spectrum via RSLs to community stations to renting DAB space, there is really no excuse. Mansfield 103.2, is suffering from a Nottinghamshire pirate which is momentarily interrupting programmes with bursts of Ivor Biggun’s Winker's song. MD Tony Delahunty, never one to fail to exploit a bit of PR (and good luck to him), appeared on the Today programme to explain the problem.

The life and times of thespian and broadcaster Colin Bower. After some earlier considerable exploits, as he explains here, Colin was memorably the launch presenter on Plymouth Sound, going on to host many programmes on Radio Trent in the 70s and 80s, at a time when the schedule included all manner of styles. Here he is, in conversation with Dean Jackson in 2017 on BBC Radio Nottingham. Colin died in December 2022, aged 90.

Slow radio may be said to be a new phenomenon, yet in a sense, it has been done before. In this piece on Radio 4's Broadcasting House, Quentin Howard tells of how birdsong from his garden formed the test transmissions for the new Classic FM,.

As Radio 1 prepared its 50th anniversary celebrations, it announced a plan to launch a DAB offshoot. Here's how it was announced, by an earnest Radio 4 piece and a typical Eddie Mair sideways angle on PM, with a mad tech op pressing some old cart machines. Some of those cuts sound decidedly MP3 quality though! Who stole the masters?

Henry Blofeld, 77, has announced he’s to retire from BBC Radio's Test Match Special commentary after 45 years. Here Radio 4’s Today programme salutes his work and talks to the great man, who’s on fine form.