Cicely Mathews

Available for over a year

Children’s Hour ran on BBC Radio from 1924 to 1964 with broadcaster Cicely Mathews at the helm for 20 years. Presenter Steven Rainey speaks to the people she influenced and examines the contribution she made to children’s programming. A six-part series celebrating 100 years of the BBC where presenter Steven Rainey explores the archives to reveal some of the voices that have helped shape broadcasting. In the third programme Steven steps back into the comfort of Children’s Hour to look back on the career of Cicely Mathews, a pioneer in children’s broadcasting. Cicely, a former teacher, travelled the length and breadth of Northern Ireland giving children the opportunity to be part of BBC Children’s Hour. The Northern Ireland programme on the BBC Radio’s Home Service is said to be responsible for launching the broadcasting, acting and music careers of many a recognisable face and voice including Actors James Ellis and Stephen Boyd. With contributions from broadcasters Paul Clark, George Hamilton, Walter Love, Brian Walker and Don Anderson and the Cafolla sisters composer and musicians Roma Cafolla and Olivia Gribble.