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24 September 2014

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History of Radio Stoke

You are in: Stoke & Staffordshire > Radio Stoke > History of Radio Stoke > Happy Birthday BBC Radio Stoke!

David Harding

Happy Birthday BBC Radio Stoke!

BBC Radio Stoke, one of the BBC's first local stations, turned forty in 2008. And the birthday was a grand occasion!

Life only gets better once you turn forty - so they say - but it's hard to see how one of the most successful local radio stations in the country can top the last forty years.
BBC Radio Stoke has consistently been in the top league in terms of popularity and is still held in great affection by its surrounding population.

If you too want to wish it Happy Birthday - just make a comment in the box further down.

Looking back

The BBC has even produced a ten-minute long video looking back at the long history of the station.
Produced by Lizzie Meek, the video features one of North Staffordshire's great newsmen, John Abberley as well as other stalwarts of the station.
Among the archive footage you can see younger versions(!) of radio veterans Gordon Astley, Bill Humphries, and Gerry Northam, as well as long-time supporters of the radio station such as the former politician Bill Austin.
To see the video, click on the 'Watch: Forty Years of Radio Stoke' link on the top right-hand side of this page.

Interviews

The BBC itself marked the day with two special TV reports.
In one, North Staffordshire's own TV star Nick Hancock presented a tribute to the station's sports coverage over the years.
Both reports can be seen by clicking on the links on the top right-hand side of this page.

And former radio stars who worked on the station have been paying their respects too.
You can hear interviews recorded especially for the anniversary by clicking on the links on the right-hand side of this page.
You can hear such greats as Alison Greatbatch, Jason Dean and Robert Ellis reflect on their times at Radio Stoke.

last updated: 26/07/2008 at 12:55
created: 05/02/2008

Have Your Say

Do you want to wish BBC Radio Stoke Happy Birthday?

The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted.

tresh
happy birthday radio stoke . i remember you coming to penkhull youth club in probably 1966 / 67

Harry Owen
Congratulations to Radio Stoke from South Africa! As Cheshire's first Poet Laureate I have often been featured and I would love to think that you will continue to cover the local poetry scene in the future as thoroughly as you have in the past. All the best! Harry

Jeremy Ashbrook
Wow! What a find. Listening for the first time; please play anything for me. Loving the show.Happy BirthdayJez in ChesterAge 35 1/2!!

Dave Breese
Hi How goes it...? Happy Birthday to all involved in Radio Stoke's history. The first time I was ever on Radio Stoke was in the early 80's when we were trying to enrol players for the Newcastle Knights American Football team... If I remember rightly I was interviewed by Mike Straw (I think!?!?) (the American Football is where the MOOSE nickname came from). Since then I have been on Radio Stoke as part of Hospital Radio with the Hospital Requests show which rotated the hospitals on a Sunday when I sat in with Alsion Greatbach; and Den plugged my participation in local am dram and my business (a gold disc to celebrate your birthday will be with you soon) and now of course I have my regular spot with Terry Walsh's Good Time Show the 1st Sunday of the month (give it a plug :))TTFN Dave B (AKA MOOSE)

Ray In Malvern Wells Worcestershire Listening onl
Happy birthday i used to really enjoy listening to sam plank on my way to your area and on up to scotland a few years ago now. keep up the good work.

Newchapel Observatory
Congratulations and best wishes on your 40th anniversary. Thanks for your help over the years. From all at the observatory

Philip Leason,StoneTown Mayor
Happy Birthday and thanks for all your coverage of town events and everything you have done to promote Stone over the last 40 years. Many congratulations.Philip Leason Stone Town Mayor

Andrew Knowles
Happy Birthday to both of us!I'm little too young to remember the first day as it was my 7th birthday and probably had more important things to fill my day (football boots or more Lego).I do remember my late mum (Vera) frequently ringing the station and especially Bruno Brooks. I can't tell you when exactly but I do know she won a 'Girties Garter'.I'm celebrating my birthday with my wonderful wife, Jayne, by being off work today.Hope everyone there enjoys the day and that the Mighty Potters can get me a 3 pointed present tomorrow!All the BestAndrew

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