One of Hope’s own is celebrating being part of the team behind BBC Radio Merseyside, after the station was awarded Freedom of the City.
The council’s highest civic honour was bestowed on the radio station in honour of its contributions to the city of Liverpool over the past 50 years.
Senior Lecturer in Music Dr Mike Brocken first appeared on Radio Merseyside in the mid-90s as a guest on several programmes, before hosting his own show ‘Brock ‘n’ Roll’ from 1998 – 2007.
After joining Hope in 2007, Dr Brocken hung up his mic, before returning to the airwaves in 2014 to present ‘Folkscene’ – the longest-running specialist music radio show in British broadcasting history.
Talking about the importance of local radio in the 21st-century, Dr Brocken said: “After a rather uncertain period, local radio listening figures have recently improved. Perhaps rather like the cultural fragmentation experienced across the country as a whole, different local platforms for radio are becoming more, not less, important.
“Although many people now regard streaming as radio (which is perfectly correct) and with strong competition to all radio broadcasting, it appears that many listeners are interested in news and information coming directly from (and about) their immediate localities.”
BBC Radio Merseyside launched on 22nd November 1967 and has been awarded Freedom of the City for its service to the community, relationship with listeners and charitable work.
Dr Brocken said: “To be part of the broadcasting team receiving this great recognition from the city of Liverpool - and being a Liverpudlian to boot - makes me feel privileged to be a member of the team - long may it continue!”