Legendary presenters from the past and present and fans met at The Hold in Ipswich to celebrate 50 years since Radio Orwell’s first broadcast.

The station launched on October 28, 1975 and was one of the original 19 Independent Local Radio stations set up in the country.

The anniversary celebration was hosted by Stephen ‘Foz’ Foster who interviewed some of the most notable presenters of the station’s past, including Norman Lloyd, Patrick Eade and Nigel Rennie.

Stephen Foster hosts a special event at the Hold, Ipswich, to mark 50th Anniversary of the first ever programme on Radio Orwell (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Stephen Foster hosts a special event at the Hold, Ipswich, to mark 50th Anniversary of the first ever programme on Radio Orwell. Pictured with former presenters, Patrick Eade & Nigel Rennie (Image: Lucy Taylor)

The highlight of the event was the discussion with two of the original presenters from 1975, Keith Rogers and Andy Archer.

Reflecting on the memories of the station, Mr Rogers, who presented the first ever Radio Orwell show, said: “My time at Radio Orwell was definitely a major highlight for me.

“I used to love going to the speedway. I had never been before but I got really hooked to that when I was here.

“They got me roped in for a Destruction Derby once and I had no idea what was going on when I got into this car.

Stephen Foster hosts a special event at the Hold, Ipswich, to mark 50th Anniversary of the first ever programme on Radio Orwell. Pictured with former presenters, Keith Rogers & Andy Archer (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Stephen Foster hosts a special event at the Hold, Ipswich, to mark 50th Anniversary of the first ever programme on Radio Orwell. Pictured with former presenters, Keith Rogers & Andy Archer (Image: Lucy Taylor)

“All the experienced drivers immediately went for me. There’s a classic picture of me sitting in a car about half the width of what it was when I got into it, climbing through the front window to get out.”

Mr Archer said: “I kept coming back. I did three stints across the Radio Orwell history.

“We had a wonderful cricket team at the time which was fun, we used to play teams from around the area.

“I do wonder how we used to manage because we would go to the pub every lunchtime, have a few drinks and then go back and read the news in the afternoon.”

Stephen Foster hosts a special event at the Hold, Ipswich, to mark 50th Anniversary of the first ever programme on Radio Orwell. Pictured with former presenters, Keith Rogers & Andy Archer (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Stephen Foster hosts a special event at the Hold, Ipswich, to mark 50th Anniversary of the first ever programme on Radio Orwell. Pictured with Norman Lloyd (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Mr Foster said: “I listened to Radio Orwell’s first day 50 years ago with a transistor radio against my ear walking to school.

“I’d just done my paper round and I decided I couldn’t miss Keith Rogers on the very first breakfast show.

“I took my radio to school with me and then listened to Andy Archer on the way home. I did that for several weeks. I was absolutely radio mad and have been ever since.”