BBC Radio Oxford was officially opened at 17.00 on Thursday 29th October 1970 broadcasting on 202 metres medium wave from its studios at 242-254 Banbury Road in Summertown. Although there had been test transmissions throughout the day, the first programme was the official opening by Lord Mayor Alderman Michael Mcglagen followed by Oxford Circus, Home Choice, Front Page, Sports Desk and Music Makers. The first full day of broadcasting started at 6am the following morning with Oxford AM and other programmes including Take A Break, Parking Disc, Whats On, Industry and Enterprise, Angling Lines and In Town. We discovered this in the 10 years celebratory magazine that has been lent to us by Rose Green from Eynsham, a Radio Oxford Fan right from the start. She also let us borrow her Magazines for earlier that year and the Dave Freeman Cookbook from 1979. Flicking through the pages there are some great memories and photos of past programmes, presenters and staff, as well as adverts from local businesses which are a trip down memory lane in themselves. Do you remember such names as Keith Salmon, David Bobin, Gordon Kitchen, Donald Norbrook, Michael Henderson, Andy Wright, Mari Pritchard, Mike Dicken, Thomas Prag, Fred Taylor and of course Bill Rennells? All were there on the day, followed by many more presenters over the early years including Ron Bateman, Dave Freeman, Mark Kasprowwicz, Nick Utechin, John Simpson, Martin Stanford, Timmy Mallet, Brian Boyes, Phil Rapps, Giles Woodforde, Johnny Chuckles, Basil Cuthbert, Tony Adamson, Libby Purves and Pam Ayres to name a few. Did you ever meet any of them? Who do you remember from Radio Oxford's history? Have you ever appeared on a show and what was it like? We'd love to hear your memories and see any photos or memorabilia you might have like these magazines or perhaps recordings of past programmes. Get in touch with us at oxford@bbc.co.uk. |
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