8 things you didn't know about local radio in North Yorkshire

Friday 25th May is Local Radio Day. Stations across the UK are celebrating the contribution they make to local communities on a daily basis and highlighting the importance of local radio stations to the areas they serve.

In North Yorkshire, four local radio stations are taking part in Local Radio Day: Minster FM, Stray FM, Yorkshire Coast Radio and BBC Radio York. But how much do you know about your local radio stations? We've put together 10 things you probably didn't know!

1. Local radio came to North Yorkshire thanks to The Pope

Just over a year before its official launch, BBC Radio York took to the airwaves of North Yorkshire, bringing local radio to the county for the very first time in a special pop-up service on medium wave to cover Pope John Paul II's visit to York in May 1982.

2. Three radio stations were 'born on the 4th July'

If you see a radio presenter in North Yorkshire on 4th July, expect to see them carrying balloons and wearing a party hat. Three of our local radio stations all celebrate their birthday on 4th July.

BBC Radio York's official launch was on 4th July 1983, just over a year after they first appeared for the Pope's visit. Nine years later, to the day, Minster FM became North Yorkshire's first commercial radio station on 4th July 1992, and then exactly two years after that Stray FM launched, covering the Harrogate district from 1994.

Yorkshire Coast Radio parties on its own though – they launched on 7th November 1993.

3. Hundreds of events attended for free every year

Your local radio stations are at the heart of the community in North Yorkshire and attend hundreds of events every year. Minster FM alone attended over 200 last year from big events like the Micklegate Soapbox Challenge to village fetes and fairs, many of which we attended for free as part of our 'Summer Of Selfies' tour.

4. The Countdown connection – Richard Whiteley and radio in North Yorkshire

 

One of Yorkshire's most popular ever broadcasters, the late Richard Whiteley, famed for presenting TV's Countdown and regional news programme, Calendar, helped to launch Minster FM and was the station's original chairman. He also made a few cameo presenting appearances on BBC Radio York over the years.

His partner, the actress Kathryn Apanowicz, has also worked as a presenter on both Minster FM and BBC Radio York over the years.

5. The first songs played

It's always a difficult decision deciding which song to play first on a radio station. Here in North Yorkshire there were some interesting choices.

Minster FM opened with Chicago's 'Saturday In The Park', a song which never charted in the UK, but it did feature references to 4th July.

Yorkshire Coast Radio launched with the mellow but appropriate sounds of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Scarborough Fair'.

Stray FM went with Paula Abdul's No.52 hit from 1991, 'Promise of a New Day'.

6. Richard Hammond began his career at BBC Radio York

 

After his near-death, high-speed car crash at Elvington in 2006, TV's Richard Hammond might not consider North Yorkshire a very lucky place, but his career began here back in 1989 working as a programming assistant to the mid-morning show on BBC Radio York.

Now a worldwide star thanks to Top Gear and The Grand Tour, we think he's done quite well for himself!

7. Take That performed for Minster FM's launch... and no-one knew who they were!

Back in 1992, Minster FM booked a little-known boy-band, who so far had only just scraped the charts, for their launch-day roadshow in York's Museum Gardens.

Take That, who were keen to make a name for themselves, performed for free and helped to launch Minster FM. (Or maybe that was Minster FM helping to launch Take That?)

8. David Dunning is 'Mr News' in North Yorkshire

Minster FM's news editor David Dunning has links with multiple local radio stations. Previously he did the same job at BBC Radio York from 2000 to 2005 and was also the breakfast presenter at the BBC station in the late 80s and late 90s.

Have you got any special memories of local radio in North Yorkshire? Why not get in touch and let us know!

SHARE THIS STORY:

Get our app, and stay up to date!