On 1 January 1951, the BBC broadcast "a farming Dick Barton", aka "an everyday story of country folk", aka The Archers - the world's longest running broadcast drama.
Approximately 21,000 episodes later, it celebrates its diamond anniversary with a national tour of theatres, hosted by comedian and Archers fan Angela Barnes - who joins us this episode to tell us all about the show, and the show.
The live tribute features Archers cast members, a Q&A, an Ambridge-style pub quiz, and of course its iconic theme. It plays from Liverpool to London, Glasgow to Swansea. Enjoy!
Also this episode, less gladly, we consider the upcoming BBC cuts - and while we may not welcome news that Radio 4's The World Tonight or Midnight News are to go (and that's just the start), what would you cut, if you were DG?
I asked online, I wrote a Substack about it, and this episode we look at a few of the more frequent suggestions, from some of you. If you have further thoughts, do email the show and we might feature you next time.
We're also featuring your kind reviews of this podcast, if you've posted to Apple Podcasts. Thanks if so! If you haven't and would consider such a thing, please do and next time you-yes-you could be the proud winner of a fictitious piece of British broadcasting history...
SHOWNOTES:
Next time, Episode 124: We're back in our timeline in Nov 1923 for the first BBC relay station, Sheffield 6FL.
More on this broadcasting history project at paulkerensa.com/oldradio
