It seems tonight's programme was the last to be presented by Malcolm Laycock I've looked on the BBC web site to see what's happening, both to him and to the show, but I couldn't find any info. Does anyone know?

I believe that BBC Radio 2 was considering a new policy of not playing any music pre-1959 which means that a lot of programmes like that would be going. This was certainly on the cards about six months ago, though I'm not sure how far the proposal got - maybe it is now taking effect?

There's a bit about it here:

http://www.rfsoc.org.uk/news.shtml

Maybe it hasn't got as far as I thought?

Thanks for that link - I've duly filled out the questionnaire

Good for you

Tried this morning to get into the survey, but......... "The Consultation is Offline".............perhaps they didn't like what they read!!

I hope I am not too late to add my views.

I go right back to the early 60s when I was an avid listener of Alan Dell's programme. When he died, I continued with the Malcolm Laycock programme, and I thought the balance between pre-war British Dance Bands and later swing bands was just right. I was not able to listen to it when it went out live, but I always made a cassette recording of it and never missed an edition, generally listening to the tape in my car to and from work. The only minor complaint (which I discussed with Malcolm in a series of e-mails) was that my own particular preference for the second part would have included more recordings from British Big Bands of the 50s. There was no complaint about Ted Heath, my own favourite from that era, but not enough John Dankworth, Ken Mackintosh, Wally Stott, Eric Delaney, the NDO and so on.

Then came retirement for me, and I started recording the programme digitally and listening at home. I had a number of editions to catch up on, and suddenly found that the format had changed - all British Dance Bands had been dispensed with and now we had one hour of swing bands. But most of them were not British. I could not find any announcement of this change, but a bit of Googling found some comments on a forum that it was to do with a "new young Radio 2 controller" who did not like anything too old. Cheek! As a result, nothing earlier than the 60s is ever played in general music, and Malcolm Laycock was restricted (it seemed to me) to mainly well known American Bands.

I lost interest in the programme and although I have half a dozen still waiting to be listened to, none of them are from recent weeks. So the Radio controller has had his way - reduced listeners means he can axe the programme and put on yet more music for younger listeners. I am very sad about this, but I am not sure petitions will achieve anything .

I go back even further (in spirit, not in years ) to the bands of the 1930s - Henry Hall, Ray Noble, Nat Gonella... I've a special fondness for Nat Gonella because he was the favourite of my elderly neighbour (90-odd) who I was also very fond of and he used to love talking about those dance bands



This happens all the time with big business - they decide which product/service they want to axe and then change it to make it less attractive/accessble so that they can then justify getting rid of it

Maybe you're right about the petition but we can but try!


PS. See my Accuradio thread - I've just emailed them to see if they'll consider adding a British Big Bands channel

Actually, there is quite a following for such programmes within the younger generation. Axeing it doens't necessarily mean it's being replaced for something for 'younger listeners'.

I am not sure if this website is familiar to the people here, I found it by Googling. The messages under the article start back in January, when the format of Malcolm's show abruptly changed, but if you are patient and scroll down you will find plenty of controversial material, including a copy of an e-mail said to come from Malcolm Laycock himself.

http://www.radiocafe.co.uk/talk/archives/73

I am not suggesting that young listeners don't like music before 1959, I am simply expecting that Clare Teal will also be taken off and the slot used for music, none of which was recorded before 1960. Time will tell! I hope I am wrong.

No I didn't know that web site either. I've had a quick look and it's obviously been more controversial than I realised. I'll have a proper read of it later. I liked Malcolm Laycock's voice and style - I wonder if he'll turn up elsewhere?

Like others, he may well turn up here http://www.uklightradio.co.uk/ if we can ever get it properly off the ground!

Diapason, I wanted to do it too, but it was only until 30th July, so we missed it

Skylark, I saw your link to AccuRadio on the other thread - a British Big Bands channel would be an excellent addition

Somebody has set up a petition to bring British Dance Bands back to Radio 2...

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/british...dio2/index.html

For anyone who hasn't heard, Malcolm Laycock died last weekend (it doesn't seem to have been very widely publicised by the BBC...I wonder why?!)

No I didn't know this, thanks for posting. Sad news - I always had the impression that he was a real gent, and as a broadcaster, he knew what he was talking about and put it across very well. I can't find any mention of what he died of, but he seems to have had a very difficult year, what with his departure from the BBC and apparently it was only in August that his wife died. I missed his presence on Radio 2 and was hoping he'd turn up somewhere else but it's not to be He'll be much missed...

I am very sorry to read this, Malcolm's sunday night programme was the only one on radio that I listened to regularly, either live or in the car on a cassette recording of it. He was a worthy successor to the other Big Band gent, Alan Dell and as you say, he had an in-depth knowledge of his subject.

I believe he was badly treated this year, and I for one will miss his broadcasts.

Obituary in The Telegraph today.