My feelings, of course, are bound to be influenced by close involvement as a member of the pioneering team set up to launch Radio Norfolk in 1980 as “your new neighbour”, destined to become a firm friend to so many across the airwaves.

Stirring memories of those early adventures compiled on the accumulator of experience come over loud and clear following the recent death at 93 of first station manager Mike Chaney and retirement news of two long-serving colleagues also there at the start.

After honing his journalistic skills on Fleet Street newspapers and marking a bold BBC start by introducing Newsbeat to Radio One and editing the flagship Today programme, charismatic Chaney relished the challenge of adding Norfolk to a growing list of local wireless operators.

Bearing an uncanny resemblance to character actor James Robertson Justice, best remembered for playing irascible chief surgeon Sir Lancelot Spratt in the popular Doctor film series, the leader selected to dispense a new brand of broadcasting medicine across my home patch soon fashioned an infectious team spirit at Norfolk Tower with the help of programme organise Peter Glanville and news editor Ian........

© Norwich Evening News