THIS week we take a look at the places in Burnley that have been used as locations for radio programmes in the past.
In February 1937, a variety show at the Victoria Theatre was broadcast live on national radio. The performers included an extremely popular singing group at the time called the Four Aces. Other performers included the Victoria Theatre Orchestra, who were conducted by Jess Linscott.
The Victoria Theatre stood in St James Street. In about 1940 Linscott became the manager of the theatre, and was still manager at the time the theatre closed down in 1955.
The building was demolished in the same year. A second hand goods shop stands on the site today. Jess Linscott died in 1963.
In 1950 a popular radio programme called Children's Hour featured an item about libraries that was made in the children's section of Burnley Central Library. A librarian called Christine Welch was interviewed on the programme.
Workers' Playtime was broadcast from 1941 until 1964. In May, 1960, the show was broadcast live from the Lucas Engineering factory near Accrington Road. The show included performances by the comedians Bill Waddington and Norman Vaughan. Waddington much later played the part of Percy Sugden in Coronation Street. The Lucas Engineering factory was originally Wood Top cotton mill.
In January 1962 Workers Playtime was broadcast live from the Thomas Ashworth iron gate making factory in Gannow Lane. Popular comedian Albert Modley took part in the broadcast. The factory had formerly been Woodbine cotton mill.
In late August 1958 Down Your Way was made in Burnley. Presenter was Franklin Engelmann, his nickname was 'Jingles.' He interviewed various Burnley people, including former Burnley footballer Jerry Dawson, the curator of Towneley Hall, Hector Thornton, and Bill Pemberton, who was in charge of the Finsley Gate canal boatyard.
In May 1960 a radio programme called Afternoon Out was made at Towneley Hall. Presenter was Wilfred Pickles, who was one of Britain's leading radio stars. He interviewed people such as Towneley Hall curator Hector Thornton and Simon Towneley.
On several occasions Radio One Club was broadcast live from the Locarno Ballroom. In June 1970 disc jockey Tommy Vance presented the show in front of an audience of 2,000. This show included a performance by a group called Hot Legs, who later became more famous as 10CC. In September 1970 Dave Lee Travis presented Radio One Club at the Locarno.
On July 11 1984 the Radio One Roadshow was broadcast live from a boat on the canal by Simon Bates and Janice Long, who also went to the William Thompson Recreation Centre and the Canal Toll House Museum.
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