Down Your Way Revisited
Jeffrey Richards assesses the impact of the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ radio programme which explored the lives of ordinary people. From 2006.
Down Your Way was one of Britain's longest-running radio series.
It started in 1946 when Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ producer Leslie Perowne hit on the idea of spinning out a popular music programme on the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Service with short interviews with members of the public.
The idea was an instant success, and Down Your Way became a staple of the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ's radio schedules for decades.
At the height of its success in the 1950s - when television had yet to make a significant impact - it was attracting 10 million listeners a week. It finished its run in 1992.
Cultural historian Professor Jeffrey Richards argues that Down Your Way portrayed a 'heritage Britain', intent on preserving the past, which provided listeners with a reassurance that - despite all appearances to the contrary - nothing would ever really change in their green and pleasant land.
Producer: Libby Cross
First broadcast on Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Radio 4 in May 2006.
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