Background to Community Radio in the UK and Oldham Community Radio:

There was a 25 year long campaign by the Community Media Association for Community Radio to be licensed in the UK. In 2001 Government consultation began on new Communications legislation. June 2003 new Communications Act passed, including for the first time provision for “Community Radio”. In July 2004 Ofcom opens applications for the new five year “Community Radio” licences and in October 2005 Oldham Community Radio awarded a full time licence. One of 107 issued nationwide.

We started broadcasting on Saturday 17th March 2007 with a low key start with expansion of programmes over time.

This year has seen a large number of events commemorating the events of sixty years ago and recognising the sacrifices that were made by that special generation. All those who lived through the war recognise August 15th as the real 60 Anniversary of the end of WWII.

Oldham Community Radio with funding support from the Big Lottery Fund and working in partnership with Age Concern, Oldham concluded the local celebrations in real 1940’s style. Advancing on three fronts the ‘battle plan’ aimed to culminate in ‘total victory’ on VJ Day Monday August 15th.

The ‘first front’ opened up on Friday 5th August as 'World War Two Radio 87.7fm' began broadcasting twenty-four hours a day to reach deep into people’s homes all over Oldham. All music played was pre 1946 and some tunes and performers not heard for over half a century were ‘liberated’ from the archives to be ‘free once more’ on the air waves to entertain. As well as music we featured the news, events and reports from that time to bring the memories flooding back.

The ‘second front’ featured the personal memories of the ‘ordinary people’ who lived through these times. This ‘second front’ included the soldiers who were away from home, often for years; their families who had to ‘battle’ on the ‘home front’ and who found themselves in the ‘front line’ as ‘total war’ meant everyone was a target.

After World War Two Radio's eleven-day broadcast these personal memories will be written to CD, transcribed and copies donated to local archives for future generations to learn from.

The final ‘third front’ in this ‘pincer movement’ to ‘capture’ the ‘hearts and minds’ (and ears) of the citizens of Oldham was made possible due to an ‘alliance’ of Oldham Community Radio with Age Concern Oldham. Two celebratory 1940’s Tea Dances took place.

Pennine Lounge Tea Dance

The first of our special Tea Dances was held at the Pennine Lounge, Oldham on Tuesday 9th August and featured MC Mr Joe Adams and Gail Delaine's 1940’s cabaret. Included with the ticket was a ‘cream tea’ and ‘rationing’ was banned for the afternoon as a ‘special delivery’ had arrived so ‘coupons’ were not required.

VJ Day Tea Dance at The Queen Elizabeth Hall Oldham

Our second Tea Dance took place on Monday August 15th (the sixtieth anniversary of VJ Day) at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham. This final event featured The Wally MacKenzie Orchestra, vocalist Lois Malcolm accompanied by Alan Mellor and MC Joe Mellor.