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"My first broadcast was on Children's Hour. My dad, who was a car salesman at the time, sold a car to a man who worked for the BBC. I was only seven or eight at the time but had an interest in acting/media. As a result I was auditioned, and given a small part in a programme!" - Paul Clark, UTV 

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"When I came to BBC, Belfast as a technical operator from BH London in 1962, I worked on many occasions on the Alexander Armstrong programmes. A series with which I thoroughly enjoyed being involved. The writer of the series was stationed in the Gilbert and Ellis Islands and there was some bated breath when the precious scripts were held up somewhere on the ocean and would arrive late!" - Brian Willis

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"From the earliest age I had wanted to do 'something' in showbusiness - I arrived at Broadcasting House with my mum and went through the audition. The thing I remember most about the studio was how quiet it was. It reminded me of Church and it had that sort of 'holy' atmosphere about it. For once in my life I don't recall having been nervous. I did my best and waited for a letter. The letter duly arrived and the very first broadcast by John O'Hara happened." - John O'Hara

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"In 1946 I took part in 'I want to be an actor', and went on from that to broadcast in nearly 100 items on Children's Hour. My early broadcasts included the three series of 'The Turfcutter's Donkey' by Patricia Lynch.  I also wrote six plays which were broadcast - I was in my early teens in those days. In October 1949 Children's Hour celebrated its Silver Jubilee and Graeme wrote a special edition of 'I want to be an actor' - in fact he only wrote half a play and there was a competition to write the ending of the play.  I submitted an entry and won it.  The whole play was later broadcast and I took part in it." - Mavis MacKay

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"I wrote copiously to Cicely and, being such a lovely motherly person, she always made sure I got a reply. I still have several of her typewritten letters with her signature. On one occasion which I remember vividly because I was completely awestruck, Cicely, Kathleen Mehaffey and Gerry McCrudden were returning one Sunday from Derry. They made a point of calling with me in Maghera (where I lived at the time) on the way back to Belfast. I think I just stood with my mouth open and did not speak a word, I was so surprised!" - Heather Wisener

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"I auditioned for a part in "I want to be an actor" in the City Cafe Ballroom in Londonderry. The recording took place in the ballroom of the Melville Hotel in December 1960. I don't remember the part I played but I do remember the excitement of standing around the microphone, being fascinated by how the sound effects were achieved and hoping I wouldn't make a mistake!" - Elvira Lowe

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"My sister and I appeared in the very first "I Want To Be An Actor". Only recently I came across the original letter from Cicely Mathews telling us we had passed the audition. I remember the occasion well, especially the sinking feeling at being cast as a "creaking gate" - quite a challenge!" - Hazel Barron

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I am writing a story for my Creative Writing group about the day I 'ran away to Australia' (aged 8) and in the evening when I came home I remember sitting eating my tea in our lovley warm kitchen and listening on the wireless to the very first episode of Just William and feeling so glad to be back!
I think it was in 1945 but I would love to know the exact day it was on. That would really pinpoint my adventure.

I also thought I was the only person in the world to remember 'Said the Cat to the Dog', but when I found this site there were others who had been sitting with their ears glued to the wireless. How brilliant is that!

What was the name of the music that introduced it? Robert Lewis

YOUR RESPONSES...

Phil Young - June '08

Lovely to read Mavis MacKay's memories of reading the series The Turf Cutter's Donkey on radio. As a child I devoured the stories of Patricia Lynch (who wrote The Turf Cutter's Donkey), and my interest in this writer continued into adulthood. Now in my sixties, I have just written the first ever biography of this much loved author. It is called Patricia Lynch, Storyteller, and in writing and having this biography published (Liberties Press, Dublin) I feel that I have paid this lovely writer the finest compliment! Maybe my book will entice a new generation of readers to dip into her stories, and gain as much enjoyment from them as I did as a child!