30 years on the airwaves for radio station

IT'S come a long way since presenters were holed up in a cold, damp portable cabin.

BBC Radio Devon is now celebrating 30 years on the air.

Editor Mark Grinnell explained: "The first shows in January 1983 were broadcast from a portable cabin in a muddy field because the buildings weren't finished in time.

"The presenters had to wear wellies because of the torrential rain."

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Now broadcasting from plush studios in Plymouth every day, BBC Radio Devon prides itself on the achievements it has made in the last three decades.

Mark, who joined in 2009, continued: "Local radio was the original social media.

"People would write to us on the back of envelopes and be able to interact with people in their community. Even the phone-in was relatively new when we started."

Now, the station can react to stories and opinions instantaneously. And the station has used that interaction to raise incredible amounts of charity cash.

Mark added: "Charity work is a fundamental part of what we do.

"The legacy of our appeals live on for years."

Most recently, listeners raised £1million for a Devon Air Ambulance, set for delivery this year.

And the Chestnut Appeal matched that amount.

Mark continued: "We are all about the county we serve.

"We aim to help them with their daily lives, whether that's by playing new music and entertaining them or by bringing them the latest traffic updates.

"It's really important for us to be fresh and we are always coming up with new formats and great ideas.

"Our big mission this year is to be out and about as much as possible.

"I hope that every reader of The Herald will come across our team at some point."

Don't miss BBC Radio Devon lunchtime presenter 'Fitz' in his weekly column in The Herald every Tuesday