A TRANSMITTING station located in Droitwich which was once the world’s most modern long wave transmitter has celebrated its 90th birthday this week (Wednesday, September 4).
The Droitwich Transmitter, located in the village of Wychbold and known locally as The Wychbold Masts, broadcasted its first transmission for the BBC on September 6, 1934.
This marked the dawn of a new era for the BBC as a truly national broadcaster, helping the company to reach beyond the UK’s shores.
When it was built it was the height of innovation, deploying equipment that had not been used before, requiring vast quantities of electrical power and extensive cooling systems, provided by a dedicated diesel powered generating station.
It required an equally vast quantity of water to keep the equipment cool, with a 300,000 gallon water storage reservoir and banks of cooling chambers.
The two main masts, each 700ft tall, support a network of cables that themselves form part of the transmitter and and still broadcast the Long Wave frequency for the BBC to this day. It also serves as the signal to switch automatic heating and hot water system, Economy 7, on and off.
The transmission building, which was built with Art Deco styling has been cut back and altered. The transmitter itself is now in its final days, with the BBC planning to cease analogue broadcasting from 2024. The station will be out of service by latest, 2027.
The station is now owned and operated by Arqiva, and is a site of national importance. Considerable efforts have been made locally to both celebrate and memorialise the historic site.
For the Bromsgrove Society’s 37th Annual Lecture held in April, Alastair Moseley presented ‘Broadcasting to the World, the Wychbold Masts Reach Every Corner’ in celebration of the structures and to educate locals on the technological prowess and maintained significance.
Mr Moseley was inspired to carry out the research and give the lecture after meeting a fellow transmission enthusiast who knew a great deal about it.
He said: “I am fortunate to live opposite the masts and see them every day from my office window.
“The fact we sold out [the lectures] and had over 30 people watching online is testament to the affection held for this iconic asset.”
Alistair now says there are moves afoot to have the masts Grade II listed to ensure they are protected.
And the Droitwich Spa Heritage and Information Centre has a long-standing exhibition about the masts featuring lots of original equipment used to operate the station.
Those interested can watch G.P.O Film Unit documentary – ‘Droitwich the World’s Most Modern Long Wave Transmitter’ – made in 1934 showing the construction of the masts, pre-launch testing and how the transmitter worked.
Alistair’s lecture on April 9 2024 in Bromsgrove’s Routh Hall which featured The Orchestra of St John performing the very first pieces of music broadcast from the Transmitter is also available online.
Visit https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-bbc-droitwich-1935-online for more information.
Visit https://www.bsoc.co.uk/publications/8-news/2099-annual-lecture-now-online.html for more information.
