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Melanie Bryan

@thefirstmelb

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Freelance Picture Editor/Archivist/Writer. Happy wanderer/wonderer. All photos/random mutterings mine...

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Why did the Elephant Hawk-Moth caterpillar cross the road?? by @thefirstmelb

Swifts ❤️ by @thefirstmelb

I know there are way bigger problems in the world, but….. I am feeling melancholy.

On Saturday June 27, 2026, at 1am, the Long Wave radio signal will be turned off in the UK. Forever.

Why does this matter in the digital age?

This little radio, to me, is why it matters.

My father bought this Ever Ready Sky Master radio some time between 1962/65. He bought it before he even met my mother. It was so precious, he wrote his name, address and contact details inside it.

All the time I’ve know this radio, its had a distinctive dent in the speaker where it had been accidentally dropped at some stage. Despite this, it has always worked beautifully.

This little radio was always on the breakfast table in the kitchen when I was growing up.

I remember hearing Terry Wogan chortling away on it. I remember the whole intrigue around Who Shot JR?

I remember hearing the news on it.

This radio told me John Lennon had been murdered.

It informed me of the Falkland’s War, the Miners' Strikes, Band Aid.

It told me Sid James had died (I thought it was my uncle Sid and instantly dissolved into tears).

I remember it being the only form of in-house entertainment (other than playing gin rummy) for the very, very, very long seven days we were out of power and hot water after the 1987 “hurricane”.

I inherited this radio when my dad died.

I know this is “old tech”, but, thanks to my dear friend Lara’s husband, Ed, I’ve been listening to Radio 4 on my dad’s old radio for many years now. Ed converted it from being powered by a defunct, giant PP7 battery to a smaller PP3.

This little radio’s crackles and background buzz have the same, spoken word sound to me as a crackly old LP on a record player has to a Bowie or Stones or Smiths fan’s ear.

The distinctive click as you turn it on is a joy. The crackles, buzz and click add something tangible. Something magical. A connection to my long lost dad.

I’m so, so sad this is now giving way to “progress”. I know I can further convert it to DAB, but these little sounds in the background won’t come with it. And they really are a huge part of it.

#longwave #radio4 #bbcradio #terrywogan #whoshotJR by @thefirstmelb

Evening deckchair spots #heatwave #babybirds by @thefirstmelb

Choir stalls - Beverley Minster, East Yorkshire. by @thefirstmelb

Just when you think Castle Howard can't get any more beautiful... #CastleHoward #Poppies #Poppyfield #NorthYorkshire #HowardianHills #Brideshead by @thefirstmelb

Stunning bluebell drifts in Riccal Dale Wood #helmsley #bluebells #spring by @thefirstmelb

Someone's been very busy at the village pond..... 🦆

#ducklings #harome #whihv #quackquack by @thefirstmelb

Sunbathing seals enjoying a beach day off Flamborough Head #seals #flamboroughhead #herecomesthesun by @thefirstmelb

Plotting their escape..... #lambs #springlambs #stile 🐑 by @thefirstmelb

Love is in the air.... #peacock #springhassprung #nunningtonhall ❤️ by @thefirstmelb

Wee drive up to the North York Moors’ highest pub - the fabulous Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge. #uksnow #blakeyridge #snow by @thefirstmelb