The time is a quarter to two. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin.
If you feel like the past is a foreign country because you can't go there (or if you feel like the present is a foreign country because the good old days have gone) then pull up a chair and experience the sound of the golden age of radio once again. This is SUCH an evocative theme tune for baby boomers. It easily brings tears to the eyes of today's grown ups because of its close association with early childhood. The piece of music is Berceuse from Fauré's Dolly Suite, Opus 56.
Listen with Mother was created and produced in the early years by legendry children's radio visionary Frida Lingstrom. It spanned four decades, running from 1950 to 1982. It moved from the BBC Light Programme to the BBC Home Service in 1964 and then, when BBC Radio was reorganised, Radio 4 in 1967. Probably the best-remembered presenter of Listen With Mother was Daphne Oxenford.
The scheduling allowed for Mum to listen to the news on The World At One, then to get the children together for Watch With Mother on TV at 1.30 and then to switch the wireless on again at 'a quarter to two' for Listen With Mother, followed by Woman's Hour.
Political correctness and modern technology would probably now require the programme to be called 'Listen On DAB, FM, Long Wave Or On BBC Sounds With A Responsible Adult That Is Known To You Who Is Of Any Gender (Or None), And Of Any Age Who Has Been DAB Checked'!
Just doesn't have the same ring to it.
