On Sunday’s Feedback David Liddiment, the author of the BBC Trust’s review of radios 3, 4 & 7 gave a much more subtle interpretation of the recommendations than was given by the press.
His thoughts about how to deal with the vexed question of broadcasting for children were particularly good.
First, audio aimed specifically at young children should be made available in formats which can be listened to at any time & anywhere – today’s lifestyles just do not permit an assumption that all preschoolers will sit down to listen with mother after lunch, or any other time of day.
Secondly Radio 7 should be rebranded as Radio 4 Extra (which it is) with a particular aim to be family friendly, ie avoid the difficult or edgy stuff before the watershed.
When I look back on my own radio listening, programmes aimed particularly at children held little interest for me after I started school; only Toytown or Jennings & Derbyshire held my attention during Children’s Hour.
But memories of Journey Into Space, Paul Temple, Educating Archie, The Clitheroe Kid, Psyche the dog, Ask Me Another, Top of the Form, Workers Playtime & Family Favourites – and Woman’s Hour - remain vivid & were listened to with all the family, grandparents & horrible uncle included.
At the age of ten family entertainment migrated to tv & I discovered the joys of short wave, spending hours with my ear glued to the loudspeaker listening to broadcasts from all over the world. I particularly remember the lady from Radio Moscow with the disturbingly robotic voice & pantomime upper class accent who gave us a very different view of the news, & the singsong lady from Radio Peking.
Then came pop music.
