Around 12 years ago, Father Michael O’Connor asked me if I was interested in doing something to help pass the time now that I was officially retired. Retired! Well I was working part-time for Hull Daily Mail, a governor of St Richard’s Primary School, and about to start my own business as a marketing consultant. What was it he wanted me to do? To join him in participating in a Sunday morning religious programme on Radio Humberside.

This entailed two types of contribution, reviewing the weekly religious press once a month and occasionally composing and presenting ‘Pause for thought’ about every six weeks. The review package gets five minutes airtime and ‘Pause for thought’ 90 seconds. Not much when you say it quickly but each involves some hours of preparation for what is a live broadcast. I enjoyed this activity and soon was invited to join Father Michael on the Communications Team, eventually taking over from him on retirement.

This is where the fun started, linking up with the BBC producers and editor to help find Catholic content for the Sunday and weekday breakfast programmes, content including reports on such events as the death of Blessed John Paul, the election of Pope Benedict, the beatification of Cardinal Newman and so much more. But not just content, a variety of speakers on a variety of subjects. Over the years I have met many priests and religious in my search for contributions, though some needed some persuasion, not to say arm twisting. On the whole, the co-operation I received, especially from the BBC, was both excellent and encouraging. The added bonus to this activity was being involved in the development of ‘The Voice’ in its new format and being confident in its future. So, as Anno Domini catches up with me, I am happy and just a little sad to hand over to my worthy successor, Chris Cuthill, to carry on the good work.

Tom Timpson

for Middlesbrough Diocese at Radio Humberside