:: Eric Smith
Gram librarian, station assistant, Breakfast presenter, 1972-78
How did you come to work for Radio Sheffield?
I was working in a solicitors office in Barnsley, when I saw an advert in the Sheffield Star for a Gram Librarian (the music library) at Radio Sheffield.ΜύI had a good knowledge of music and desperately wanted to get into radio. They gave me the job, but I wasn't a very good gram librarian!
Since leaving Radio Sheffield where has life taken you?
I left Radio Sheffield to go to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Stoke in 1978, and whilst at Radio Stoke I did a spell in television in the North East. I returned to Sheffield for a year in 1980, and then went into commercial radio in 1981. I've since worked at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Humberside and Radio Cumbria, coming to Shropshire as Programme Organiser in 1988.
Feast of Brass, Sheffield City Hall
What was your proudest Radio Sheffield moment?
I used to enjoy presenting the Brass Band competitions and concerts, and hosting sessions on stage at the Sheffield Show. I reported from the Crucible Theatre at the first snooker world championships to be held there in 1977.
Other memorable moments?
I remember one producer removing his trousers at a leaving do, because a wasp had gone up his trouser leg and was repeatedly stinging him - closer and closer to his nether regions!
And watching dear Dinah Maiden's face as the dog trainer Barbara Woodhouse told her errant hound what to do - and it did it!
What was your worst on-air moment?
Starting a live interview with a guest in the studio, and watching his face fall as he realised that he wasn't the guest I was expecting.Μύ My face fell too... as we introduced ourselves to each other and tentatively began to work out what we were supposed to be talking about...
Who was your favourite presenter?
I always had a soft spot for Dinah Maiden.ΜύAnd Peter Cooper's local and sporting knowledge was legendary!
Favourite place in South Yorkshire?
Cawthorne Park.
"Funny moments? Watching dear Dinah Maiden's face as the dog trainer Barbara Woodhouse told her errant hound what to do - and it did it!"
Eric Smith
How do you spend your free time?
I host conferences and debates for local councils and business organisations.ΜύAnd around Christmas time each year I spend a month doing pantomime in Shrewsbury - this year we are doing 60 performances of Snow White so there won't be enough hours in the dayΜύ - but exploring the beautiful county of Shropshire takes some time when we get the opportunity.
How would you sum up your time at Radio Sheffield?
I learnt my trade at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Sheffield, from such luminaries as Ian Masters (early days breakfast presenter) and Michael Cooke. They took a green 20-year-old, and instilled in him a love of radio which I have to this day. It's rubbed off too - my eldest son is soon to leave Radio Leeds to start as afternoon presenter at Radio Gloucester. He loves it too!
