More than 100 former staff came together in Bradford on Saturday to mark 50 years since the launch of Pennine Radio.
The reunion was held at the Bankfield Hotel in Bingley, with attendees sharing memories, listening to classic jingles, and browsing a display of station memorabilia collected from across the decades.
Among the guests were four of the original launch team from 1975, Peter Milburn, Dorothy Box, Peter Levy and Lesley Blessington. A montage of old show clips was played during the evening, prompting stories and conversations about the station’s early years and its later transformation.
The event was organised by Melanie Perrett and Brian Cooke, who spent a year tracking down past presenters, producers, journalists and technical staff to bring them back together. For many, it was the first time seeing old colleagues for decades.
Alan Ross, who delivered the welcoming speech, said afterwards the evening had been “a fitting tribute to some great radio stations and people.”
He also paid tribute to the effort that went into reuniting so many familiar faces in one place.
Although Pennine Radio began broadcasting in 1975 to serve Bradford and West Yorkshire, the station later rebranded as the Pulse before becoming part of Bauer’s Hits Radio network. Many of those who worked there went on to careers in broadcasting around the UK.
Organisers described the gathering as likely to be the last of its kind, making the evening especially significant for those who attended. The anniversary highlighted the enduring impact of Pennine Radio on the city’s broadcasting history and the role it played in the lives of staff and listeners alike.
James Cridland has also featured the event in his latest radio newsletter, Radioland, which you can subscribe to here.