Rosemary retires from Radio Norfolk
 2006: Radio Norfolk stalwart Rev Rosemary Wakelin ihas retired after 26 years helping the BBC station produce its regular faith-based output.
Ever since its beginning in 1980, BBC Radio Norfolk has included in its output a considerable amount of faith-based programmes. These included a twice-daily Pause for Thought slot as well as other magazine type programmes.
From the start Rosemary has been a regular contributor and for the past 11 years she has taken on the responsibility of organising the Pause for Thought rota and has been heavily involved in the Sunday morning magazine programme, Believe it or Not with her very popular Good Book Tour. Here, with a guest, she explored the relevance of the Bible in today’s culture.
Now Rosemary has felt the need to retire from this activity and concentrate her ministry in looking after the four Methodist churches of Holt, Blakeney, Hindelveston and Briston.
In a long and active life in the Methodist Church Rosemary has been teacher, missionary and a regular broadcaster on BBC Radios 2 and 4, the world service and on various television channels.
Under Rosemary’s guidance and in partnership with Tony Mallion of Radio Norfolk the annual Big Sing at Thursford has been revived and in the last two years has shown phenomenal growth.
Rosemary says: “The point about the faith slot is that it shows that there can be a different view of things, you can look at things from a different perspective. You can bring comfort to people going through difficult times.”
Speaking of her retirement, Rosemary explains: “I really need a bit more space – a bit more time to give to the four churches I’m looking after. I owe it to them they really do deserve that. But I do hope that I’ll still be able to contribute to some of the programmes. I love Radio Norfolk and I love being part of it – it’s a lovely team.”
David Clayton of Radio Norfolk said: “Rosemary's contribution to our faith output has been very important over the years. We have built up a talented pool of contributors thanks to her efforts and Rosemary herself has been a valued on-air voice. She will leave a large gap.”
David says that the station will continue to draw on the expertise and wisdom of the local religious community when, on Wednesday evenings between 6pm and 7pm under presenter Nicky Price, the moral dilemmas of day-to-day life will be explored. The working title is "Life's Like That!
Story by John Breeze.
Pictured above is Rev Rosemary Wakelin. | 