Radio station guides us down memory lane

We do it for our love of radio and the buzz from it

- GEORGIA CUTHBERTSON Reporter [e-mail]

Wappat in the Memory Lane radio studio

N online radio station tuned in to the needs of older listeners is proving to be a hit.

Memory Lane Radio was started in 2020 during lockdown by Paul Wappat and Dan Entwisle. It now has one of the country's largest nostalgic music collections, plays for listeners 24/7 and has recently moved to the new Silverline Memories activity centre in Kenton.

Silverline Memories is a charity that supports people living with dementia, and their carers. It works to provide opportunities to keep people connected, active and engaged in order to facilitate positive mental health and wellbeing.

The radio station's team includes Paul, of BBC and Smooth Radio, Jude Downing of Chrysalis and Global Radio, and Dan Éntwisle of Capital Radio GMG Radio and Border TV. In total they have over 55 years of experience in radio. It also gives opportunities to other DJs, radio presenters and amateurs wanting to dip their toe in the realm of radio.

Paul came up with the idea for the station. He felt there was not a lot of content in everyday mainstream radio that would appeal to older listeners. And he was right.

He said: "From day one there's been an audience." Memory Lane Radio finished December last year with 74,000 listeners worldwide, ranging from people at home, at businesses and in care homes.