Llew Garner

I presented my first radio show at age 17 and spent over 25 years in hospital radio. Firstly Warrington Council of Youth Hospital Radio which was later changed to Radio General. When Radio General briefly closed due to rebuilding work at the hospital a couple of us were asked to help to set up Radio Rainhill and we stayed there until Rainhill hospital closed. In the mid 60s and early 70s I had a mobile disco specializing in weddings and corporate events. I also DJ’d at various clubs in Warrington & the North West playing mainly soul music and rock n roll. With two friends we started one of the first soul clubs in Warrington. 2020 is my 11th year with Radio Warrington.

I was brought up to appreciate all styles of music from classical to pop and everything in between. There was always music in the Garner household but I loved listening to Blues, Soul, Country and Rock ‘n’ Roll from a very young age – what I call ‘Music with a Difference’. This music has been with me for many years and it is great to be able to share it with others.

I first came across Radio Warrington whilst reading an article in the local press about a year after it started and made contact. I was looking for a local radio station as I wanted to get back into broadcasting again. It was agreed I could present a Blues, Soul, Country and Rock ‘n’ Roll programme. In my opinion Radio Warrington is the best radio station in the North West and is run by local volunteers broadcasting a great variety of programmes, news and local traffic reports 24 hours a day.

Nothing exciting other than my sons volunteering me to be part of a knife throwing act in Golden Square many years ago. I was strapped to a backboard and the knives came flying at me. I survived but never again! I heard someone say ‘he was part of the act!’ – I wasn’t!