'80s returns to Wiltshire for BBC birthday
The ‘80s returned to Wiltshire this morning as more than 100 people flocked to a birthday breakfast and special live broadcast of a BBC breakfast show.
Published: 4 April 2019
As we celebrate 30 years on air the biggest thank you of all has to go to our brilliant and inspiring listeners.
Themed on 1989 - the year BBC Wiltshire started broadcasting - the event saw choirs sing happy birthday live on air, students helping to cook a 30 foot lardy cake and ‘80s items many hadn’t seen in decades.
Speaking to the guests at Swindon College, station editor Mary Sanders said: “The most important people at BBC Wiltshire are, of course, our listeners - the people who send us their amazing stories, they celebrate with us, they cry with us, they tell us things they’ve never told anyone else, we work with them to make change happen, to improve things for people living here.
“So as we celebrate 30 years on air the biggest thank you of all has to go to our brilliant and inspiring listeners.”
Swindon College students helped out at the event, doing hair and make up for guests, serving food and creating ‘80s themed art for the walls.
Guests included Wiltshire Police chief constable Kier Pritchard, Swindon Council leader David Renard and Swindon Advertiser editor Pete Gavan.
This week has seen four Wiltshire celebrities guest editing the station - picking their own guests, songs and stories.
Taking charge on Monday was Time Team favourite Phil Harding, on Tuesday it was Apprentice star Nick Hewer and on Wednesday it was Olympian Sharron Davies.
On Thursday Ben Prater took his Breakfast Show to Swindon College and on Friday Salisbury’s own Christopher Biggins takes on the editor role.
Steph Marshall, head of the BBC in the West, celebrated “30 fantastic years” during her speech.
She added: “I believe being a voice and a companion to Wiltshire people is more important than ever today - especially with the sad news that our colleagues in Capital, Heart and Smooth will be closing their local breakfast shows.
“Since Mary became editor of BBC Wiltshire last year I’ve been really pleased by how far she’s taken the station, bringing in many more women presenters, reaching out to younger audiences and trying out new and exciting things.
“Bringing together the amazing all-Wiltshire choir to commemorate the centenary of the First World War and putting on a series of fascinating conversations with expert panellists at Salisbury Cathedral are just two examples.
“So a huge congratulations to BBC Wiltshire for 30 fantastic years. I hope to see you all here again in another 30 years – just imagine how big the lardy cake will be then!”
JP
