Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast

This final episode looks at how period drama was produced at Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio. How did the station sign up leading stage actors like Leo McKern and Frank Duncan? How did the producers put the listener in the middle of their local and historical dramas? Why dramatise out-of-copyright literature? The programme includes archive material from Manchester Central Library and uses licensed s...

This month's, Full Volume heads to Wythenshawe Forum Creative Space to get the scoop on the incredible array of special events that have been happening there over the summer. From jamming with Music Evermore to art classes with Paint Pots, Ken's Keep Fit Class to acting lessons with This Is England star Andrew Ellis - go behind the scenes and discover the amazing programme at this Manche...

This episode explores horror and suspense programming on Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio, examining how sound, silence and pacing were used to create tension and atmosphere. It considers how radio horror engages the listener’s imagination and how these techniques continue to influence contemporary audio storytelling. The programme includes archive material from Manchester Central Library and uses li...

This episode explores the use of drama within Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio, examining how sound design, performance and narrative structure were used to create immersive “theatre of the mind” experiences for listeners. It considers how radio drama techniques shaped storytelling and influenced later audio formats including podcasts. The programme includes archive material from Manchester Central L...

July's issue of Full Volume features an exclusive interview with author David Nolan in honour of 'Punk Day' at Central Library (the 50th Anniversary of Sex Pistols' iconic gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall), World Cup predictions from the Manchester Libraries team, the low-down on this year's 'Read To The Beat' themed Summer Reading challenge, archive clips from...

This episode explores the historical development of commercial radio in the United Kingdom, focusing on the emergence of Piccadilly Radio within the wider context of broadcasting policy, pirate radio, and youth culture. It examines how technological, political and cultural changes shaped the radio landscape from the 1920s through to the 1980s. You can search the archive from home and listen to ove...

Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast returns in June with a packed Pride Month special.    With so many events taking place across our libraries in June, this month presenters Alan Lynch and his co-host Gary Parkinson take you through their pick of the litter with a cavalcade of cracking interviews. There’s an interview with Greek mythology goddess Natalie Haynes as she tells us about her...

Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast is back for May with another fun-packed episode.   Presenters Alan Lynch and his co-host Gary Parkinson – bring you all the latest and greatest from across Manchester Libraries. This May, Alan sits down with rising Cumbrian author Shaun Wilson , who tells all on his acclaimed debut novel ‘Malc’s Boy’. Shaun will be coming to Central Library later this...