BBC Radio Cumbria at 40: Sunday - Future Day

This week BBC Radio Cumbria's Head of Programmes Ian Timms is documenting the station's 40th anniversary celebrations in a special series of diary entries.



The official 40th birthday moment is 7.59am in Richard Corrie's programme. It passes with minimum ceremony. 40 years ago they didn't have an official opening; they just signed on at a minute to 8am ... and got on with it. So I felt we should run with that same demure attitude today. Any further cake opportunities have now been banned.

Val leads out the first of our "punter presenters". We started a talent search way back in the summer, whittled them at boot-camp. Now they're guesting with Val today. Stars of the future? You tell us.

My Memory Lane documentary transmits this afternoon, with voices and anecdotes from 40 years past, lots of archive and some mighty "choons" that have marked the last four decades.



Then we've got a real find: we still have the first programme on BBC Radio Carlisle, The Sound of Cumbria, so that's going out too. The late John Pickles put it together as a look-forward to what one might expect from their new BBC local radio station.  A lot has changed, but much hasn't. Computers have replaced tapes, razor blades, cartridges and records, but the sound of Cumbria is still holding up the same mirror to the county every day.



At the end of an epic weekend, I silently raise a glass to the next 40 years and head off in search of any cake remnants. I'll be 86 then, but I've got my money ready for the party, if somebody can wheel me in. I hope they’ll have cake.

Ian Timms is Head of Programmes, BBC Radio Cumbria

• Read Ian's Wednesday introduction - BBC Radio Cumbria at 40 - Wednesday
• Read Ian’s second blog - BBC Radio Cumbria at 40 - Thursday
• Read Ian’s third blog from Friday - BBC Radio Cumbria at 4 - 1973 Day
• Read Ian’s penultimate blog from Saturday - BBC Radio Cumbria at 40 - Staff Day