BBC Radio Manchester - Launch

BBC Manchester was destined to be the first BBC Local station. Its local authority volunteered a council-funded model in the early 60s, although Gillard was reluctant owing to the risks to impartiality owing to the source of income. Nevertheless, for the early stations, an element of council-funding was to be the eventual model. This was also the reason for Manchester's tardiness: a change of council control meant that the funding fell into doubt, and BBC Manchester fell into the second tranche of stations.

BBC Manchester launched eventually in September 1970, although this delicious launch has a feel and sound of the era before. Maybe even the era before that.