Listen to old shows

Wax Cylinders

Early DHRC shows were broadcast from the top of the Parish Church steeple via an early experimental type of radio transmitter invented by local amateur engineer Thomas Veitch. It was Thomas whom shepherds from the Manor Valley found installing his radio equipment one cold night near Christmas 1896, having followed a bright star from where they had been tending their flocks far up the valley.

Using an Edison Phonograph recorder imported from the United States in 1898 Thomas recorded the first DHRC shows on to wax cylinders. Three of these cylinders still survive in the DHRC archive, and extracts have been carefully digitised and played during “Archive” segments of the show.

Later DHRC shows have been recorded on bakelite disks, reel-to-reel tape, 4-track cartridge, vinyl, cassette tape and CD. These days DHRC shows are recorded digitally around the world via our network of transmitters and satellites, ensuring there’s always a plentiful supply of DHRC shows for people everywhere.

Click the play buttons below to listen to recorded extracts from our live shows