Radio Moments - Clips

After four years, the The Mark Forrest Show, made for the BBC local radio network by Wire Free Productions, chaired by former Radio 1 controller Matthew Bannister, ended on Thursday 2nd Feb 2017.

The programme’s arrival on the network’s 39 stations had been greeted by some hostility, not least from those whose local  programmes had been displaced  - and their friends around the network, some of whom allegedly had to be reminded about their professional responsibilities.

I rate Matthew - and I rate Mark. Matthew’s company won a decent tender; and Mark’s a great presenter.  The sort of remarks received by the programme were unjustified and typical examples of the excesses of social media.

My view is that  Mark  - and Matthew’s team are doing a pretty fine job of a bad idea. I just take issue to this day with the strategy, which continues. This sort of networking seems a puzzling tactic for the network - and the cost of the overall production amazes me. If it was a really cost-efficient option, I’d maybe have a bit of professional sympathy with a difficult decision. But I’m not sure it is.

Enjoy here bits of Mark’s valedictory performance, before he handed the baton to Georgey Spanswick.

On 18th January 2017, Geoff Lloyd broke the news that he, and his co-host Annabel Port, plan to leave the Absolute stable in April. Geoff's first show from One Golden Square, back when the station carried its former brand, was aired on the same day in 1999.

This programme, broadcast on 19th Nov 2016, was the last before Brian became ill. He was to return for a valedictory programme in February

Launch of Red Rose 999 in Preston, Lancashire - Part 2. From 20/01/1997 - First link post the news bulletin from Laura Penn and Carl Greenwood.