Celebrating 100 years of radio broadcast
In May 1922, the world's first radio station started in Writtle. Called 2MT ("Two Emma Toc"), this humble – and somewhat experimental – enterprise operating from a small hut ultimately became the BBC as we know it today.
Marconi Company engineers sat in the snug of the old Cock and Bell Inn – now the site of Pakwaan Indian Punjabi Cuisine, Writtle – and planned the first ever scheduled radio broadcasts in the form of concerts to be aired by 2MT. The success of this station, under Captain Peter Eckersley, led directly to the start of the BBC.
Exactly 100 years later, Heritage Writtle put on a season of celebrations for this significant milestone in our history, including a parade, history walks, talks, and a weekend of family activities and exhibitions. As well as presenting at the weekend festivities, CSES held its annual dinner at Pakwaan on 23 May, where an excellent meal and evening was had by all. Guests were also treated to an exclusive walking tour of the significant sites by Tim Wander and Alan Pamphilon.
Tim also presented a commemorative display to the restaurant to record and celebrate the significant history of their premises; you can read more about the story on our website.
We intend to return to our social programme in the 2022/2023 season, with meet-ups on Thursday 13 October and Thursday 15 December.