GRANDMA DAILY

End of the musical journey with Leroy Anderson and Eric Coates

There are two signature tunes to radio programmes from my childhood that are still played today for The Archers and Desert Island Discs.
However I am going to finish with pieces by two composers who were very popular during the 1940s and 50s and whose music epitomises the well written light music that is still enjoyable but played less frequently now.

The American Leroy Anderson wrote many pieces that are familiar, Sleigh ride is always popular at Christmas but my personal favourite is Belle of The Ball.

Eric Coates typified a restrained English style, especially with his London Suite.
Knightsbridge was the signature tune for In Town Tonight, an early celebrity programme when old,white, male note- worthies were given deeply deferential interviews-wearing dinner jackets naturally.

Thank you for listening ,Happy Easter.

Grieg - Two Norwegian Airs op.63 - IIa. Kuhreigen (Cow Keeper's Tune) Another childrens' hour theme tune.

Dick Barton Special Agent

As we grew older and the war was now over more exciting things were broadcast . I was allowed to listen to Dick Barton Special Agent on at 6.45 p.m. before I went to bed. The theme tune was very distinctive and this version is conducted by John Wilson, now well known for his revival of music from this period.

Childrens Hour ,BBC at 5 p.m.A time when so many children were introduced to literature that stayed with them for the rest of their days, Ballet Shoes, White Boots and the Railway Children

Classic BBC Radio Theme ~ Music While You Work

This programme was broadcast at 10 a.m. and consisted of music played at a brisk tempo.According to my father this was to encourage workers listening to it to work harder.I used to hear it coming from the Sears shoe factory opposite my grandmother's house in Stimpson Avenue,Northampton.The factory girls would sing along to popular tunes above the noise of the machinery.I always thought that I would love to get in there and join in the fun.
The building is still there but the shoe factory is long gone and it has been converted into some rather smart apartments.

Remembering Family Favourites with Cliff Michelmore who died this week

Listen With Mother

The lovely signature tune to listen with mother,introduced by Daphne Oxenford broadcast in the 1940s and 50s by the BBC for small children to listen to with their mothers.