Courtesy of Radio Warrington, here are some local history podcasts for your listening pleasure. From memories of the Minor Bird Folk-Song Club and Burtonwood Airbase to the life and times of Eric Tucker (Warrington’s Lowry), there’s plenty here to keep you entertained for hours.
Frances Broomfield – Warrington born artist and illustrator Frances Broomfield discusses her career to date and recalls her acclaimed 1989 exhibition “Warrington: The Story and the Fable” which included paintings of local legends such as Wally Barnes, George Formby, Jackie Fish, George Duckworth, Stephen Hough and Lewis Carroll.
Woolston, Martinscroft and the New Cut Canal – local historian Mike Kenwright and Kevin Price of the New Cut Canal Heritage & Ecology Trail Group discuss the history Woolston, Martinscroft and the Canal itself taking in everything from Old Billy and the Lido to the Bone Works, Woolston Weir and more.
The History of Burtonwood Airbase – Burtonwood was once home to the largest US military airbase in Europe employing over 70,000 American service personnel and thousands of local workers. It had over 1,600 buildings, 3.5m sq.ft of warehousing space, 3 runways and almost 5 miles of railway track. Here, Aldon Ferguson, president of the RAF Burtonwood Association, discusses the impact the base had on Warrington between the years 1939 and 1991.
The Andie Airfix Story – Andie Airfix, who was brought up in Warrington, was a British graphic design legend who created ground-breaking album covers, posters, tour programmes and more for the likes of Def Leppard, Metallica, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, The Thompson Twins and others. Here Andie’s brother Tony McGuire tells Andie’s story.
DJ Johnny at JDMFM – Since 2018, John Morris has been releasing a series of fascinating and engaging online videos that capture the history of Warrington. Here, John chats about what sparked his love of local history and discusses some of the fascinating facts he has uncovered along the way.
Warington’s Lowry – In 2018 a series of paintings by an unknown Warrington artist called Eric Tucker made headlines across the world. Eric, a Warringtonian through and through, rarely exhibited his work but following his passing his family set out to give Eric’s work the platform and audience it deserved. Here, Eric’s brother Tony recalls what made “Warrington’s Lowry” tick, his childhood, personality and art.
Memories of the Minor Bird Folk-Song Club – Norman and Jack Froggatt, co-founders of Warrington’s legendary Minor Bird Folk-Song Club in 1962, discuss the English folk club scene of the 1960s, 70s and beyond referencing Lonnie Donegan, Paul Simon, Mike Harding, Woody Guthrie, Martin Carthy, The Watersons, Alex Campbell, Luke Kelly and Ewan MacColl along the way.
Bringing on back the good times – Proud Warringtonian Dave Warwick, a man who has helped further the careers of a host of musicians, broadcasters, actors and celebrities in a career as a showbiz agent that has spanned over 50 years recalls DJ’ing in venues such as the Co-op Hall and representing the likes of Rick Astley, Bob Greaves, Gordon Burns and Tony Wilson.