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BBC Radio Leicester

© Elizabeth Batt

There are certain things in our life which when remembered incur happiness and nostalgia. In some mystical manner, time reverses itself, the years slip away and you're a child once again. BBC Radio Leicester is one of my time travel machines.

This radio station and I, practically grew up together. It aired it's first broadcast on November 8 1967, a month shy of my very first birthday. It quickly incorporated itself into our home and lived with us for many years.

Alongside my parents, BBC Radio Leicester woke me up each morning, packed me off to school on week days and they never forgot my birthday! With just a few words each December 3rd, and a favourite birthday song - I recall one as being - 'Leaving on a jet plane,' this little girl was made to feel very special indeed.

Well, this little girl is not so little anymore and she may have left town but she still remembers! So with grateful thanks for all of my birthday tributes, I'd like to turn the spotlight onto BBC Radio Leicester and see if I can make them feel special for awhile.

Radio Leicester was Britain's first BBC local radio station. It's first broadcast on 95.01 VHF included a local radio jingle (a version of the Posthorn Gallop), a speech by the Postmaster General, the Right Hon. Edward Short, and despite it's lack of journalists, it's first ever news bulletin.

The launching of the station wasn't without problems however. Pirate stations had grown steadily during the 1960's and BBC local radio was launched soon after an Act of Parliament declared them illegal. Protesters from the 'Free Radio Association' and supporters of the pirate stations, met honoured guests arriving for the broadcast with placards protesting their displeasure.

The show went on however! Local radio was launched and a few weeks later, eight more experimental stations followed Radio Leicester onto the airwaves. These included, Radio 1, BBC Radio Sheffield, BBC Radio Merseyside and BBC Radio Nottingham.

In 1968, Radio Leicester faced it's first major challenge. It squared up to this challenge admirably. As flooding devastated the City of Leicester, the station continued live reports from rowing boats which floated along the City's streets. Overcoming this challenge gave Radio Leicester a big boost. Within 2 years, the station had been declared a success and it was expanded to include it's own newsroom.

I was a little too young to recall the floods, although I have heard tell of them. To have somewhere for the concerned citizens of Leicester to tune into and receive news and updates, must have been a source of huge comfort. This is where local radio comes into it's own. They serve the people and the communties in which we live. Reflecting local issues and concerns, and being within the heart of the City itself, they have the ability to adapt and foresee changes whenever necessary.

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