:: Janie Grace
Production Secretary/Hot Pot presenter
How did you come to Radio Sheffield?
I was working in London for the 91Èȱ¬ as a Production Secretary in the African Service, Bush House.ÌýI saw the local radio experiment details on the internal notice board - and thought 'I could do that'.ÌýUnfortunately, I had only been with the 91Èȱ¬ for six months, and was therefore not 'established' as they called it then.
Jonny Wilkinson, the head of department, called me in to his office to tell me that my application would have to be withdrawn. I argued my case:Ìýa) I hadn't joined the 91Èȱ¬ to be a Production Secretary, my ambition was to be a programme maker; b) I was very confident that I could do the job, and c) ... anyway - 'I come from Sheffield'.ÌýAs if that in itself would clinch it!Ìý
Janie and Jack Thompson broadcast the news in 1967
Anyway, he relented and let the application go through.
After Radio Sheffield, where did life take you?
Director 91Èȱ¬ Children's; Director/Producer/Executive Producer TVS (ITV Region); Controller of Children's and Daytime Meridian (ITV Region); Managing Director Nickelodeon (launched Nick Junior channel); Controller of Children's and Young People ITV Network Centre; Managing Director English National Ballet; Governor, Teachers.TV.
What was your proudest Radio Sheffield moment?
Persuading Michael Barton [first Radio Sheffield Editor] to let me pilot my idea for a children's programme.Ìý(It was commissioned and called Hot Pot: The Adventure Playground of the Air.ÌýEngineer Peter Mason recorded it with me every week.)
Other memorable moments?
So many good memories:
- The classic Jack Thompson slip in the first ever news bulletin - the accident or whatever it was on the MI (he said the M Eye, not the M One)
- The classic Coil Oil interview, where some southern reporter just couldn't grasp the Yorkshire for 'coal hole'ÌýÌý
- Forever being asked to reach down the ROT tapes from the top of the filing cabinet in the News Room and forever falling for it - mini-skirt days!!ÌýÌý
- Lunches at the Broomhill Tavern
- Election Specials
- The Hot Pot float in the Lord Mayor's Parade
- Raiding Michael Barton's drinks cupboard with Geoff Sargieson and Ted Gorton!
Worst moment on air?
Battling through snow drifts to get to the radio station one New Year's Day morning to open up and put it on air - I did it with about 30 seconds to spare. Too close to call!
How would you sum up your time here?
Very happy and formative years.ÌýThe bedrock of my career.
What's your favourite place in South Yorkshire?
The Bradfield Moors.
How do you spend your free time these days?
Meeting friends, gardening, cooking, walking and boating.
