A DENTON news icon has a bulletin of his own – about the time he received an MBE.
For John Pickford has been honoured in the New Year’s list for his services to broadcasting and local news.
A familiar voice reading the news and reporting on Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio, a 46-year career is coming to a close.
And the recognition has brought a fitting end to a work life that saw him help shape local radio journalism across the UK.
After starting in newspapers, Mr Pickford moved into broadcasting at Piccadilly Radio in 1979.
He would then go on and spend his entire broadcasting career with Bauer Media, ultimately becoming its editor in chief, with responsibility for the group’s radio news teams nationwide.
In that time, he covered some of the most significant stories in recent British history.
He was among the first journalists at the scene of the Manchester Airport disaster in 1985 and later provided eyewitness reporting during the city’s riots in 2011.
His work following the inquest into the murder of Clare Wood contributed directly to the development of Clare’s Law, now formally known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.
A spokesperson for Bauer Media said: “As a leader, John built and led award winning newsrooms, mentored generations of journalists and championed opportunity and diversity long before it became an industry standard.
“He guided Bauer’s radio news operation through the transition from analogue to digital reporting and led teams across the UK through the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring audiences continued to receive accurate, trusted information at a critical time.”
After learning pf his MBE, 69-year-old Mr Pickford added: “I see this as recognition of the fact that commercial radio news remains a trusted source of information for so many people who don’t necessarily listen to speech-based radio or watch TV news bulletins.
“I personally have been privileged to have reported on part of the history of Manchester and we even helped save lives with campaigns such as Clare’s Law.”