The Wireless

Christmas letters and preparations and shopping have swallowed up the last few days. I always look forward to our family Christmas. It looks as though we shall be having a lovely time despite a few absentees.
In between times I am listening to my books from Calibre. At the moment I am on the Jalna novels by Mazo de la Roche. I devoured all these in my youth and remember being very upset when she died as it meant no more stories about the Whiteoak family. Now I am enjoying them all over again.
There is a newspaper report lauding the merits of Faith schools. I have always been glad my mother sent me to a Church of England school where the dedicated teachers expected you to do your best and behave properly, and so we did. It was probably easier then as there were fewer distractions. I always wondered how children did their homework with the record player going full blast. I was allowed to listen to "Children's Hour" and heard my name called out on my birthday. I have a 2LO badge from the days when the broadcasts were made from Savoy Hill. Uncle Mac was my favourite announcer and Toy Town my favourite programme. I suppose 2LO was the name of the radio station. Somewhere I also have a certificate for an essay I wrote for a competition from Children's Hour. I liked to write even then.
The news announcers were anonymous until the war broke out. Then we were told their names so that we could distinguish them from any enemy broadcasters. One was called Alvar Lidell. I always thought he was called Al Barley Dell which I thoght was rather nice! The calm voices of familiar announcers was very reassuring when the blitz was at its worst. No one was allowed to talk when the 9 o'clock news came on. How we relied on the wireless for news, entertainment and advice on rationing, shopping, cooking and keeping safe. They talk now about the "Nanny State" then we were advised, warned, encouraged, cajoled, heartened, reassured and threatened in equal measure. Not that it was all gloom and doom. There were some splendid comic programmes and Christopher Stone was always there with his gramophone records to fill in the gaps with inspiring music. Ah! those were the days.