CBC (Cardiff) - Launch

The fact that the word 'Capital' is used twice in the opening presenter sequence on CBC in Cardiff merits a head-shake of disbelief. Who would have guessed that Capital would be its name 31 years later.

I was interviewed for CBC in 1979, sat on a hard bench in a draughty church hall, as its launch premises were assembled nearby. Programme Controller, Dan Damon, pointed to a pile of 5 inch spools bearing auditions from aspiring presenters and suggested how lucky I had been to be summoned for 'a chat'. I do recall Dan suggesting he'd be in touch; and he assured me they were simply not the sort of people to leave me hanging on. That was the last I heard. No hard feelings Dan, I know how demanding launches are.

CBC was one of the second bundle of commercial radio stations, approved by a new Tory Home Secretary, after the first tranche of 19. This was the 'Cardiff Broadcasting Company', launched in the challenging economic days of April 1980, with almost 'community radio' ideals of how the station would operate.

GB Radio launched later in neighbouring Gwent and, after its failure, the GB frequencies carried CBC output, before the official launch of the mostly joint Red Dragon Radio in October 1985.

Red Dragon' or 'Dragon' as its ex-employees always call it, became Capital on 3rd January 2011.