Peter Stewart

In fact, soon after I started the Planet Reigate podcast last year, I spoke at two business events in a week to explain what the show was all about and a little bit about me. And as soon as I mentioned that I'd been on Radio Mercury, there was at each event a murmur, of recognition, of remembrance.

In fact, soon after I started the Planet Reigate podcast last year, I spoke at two business events in a week to explain what the show was all about and a little bit about me. And as soon as I mentioned that I'd been on Radio Mercury, there was at each event a murmur, of recognition, of remembrance.

At one event, the Redhill Business Guild, someone totally unprompted sang the tune to the Mercury Jingle, The Heart of the South. So, forgive my indulgence, Radio Mercury played a huge part in my life, and it started 40 years ago this weekend.

At one event, the Redhill Business Guild, someone totally unprompted sang the tune to the Mercury Jingle, The Heart of the South. So, forgive my indulgence, Radio Mercury played a huge part in my life, and it started 40 years ago this weekend.

You may have listened, you may have got a dedication, you may have won a competition, perhaps you went along to an OB, danced to a guest DJ spot at Da Vinci's or Millionaire's, or helped raise money for their Operation Santa Claus Christmas Appeal. The station rebranded as Hearts in 2010, and like all stations, had lost its original jingles years before that.

You may have listened, you may have got a dedication, you may have won a competition, perhaps you went along to an OB, danced to a guest DJ spot at Da Vinci's or Millionaire's, or helped raise money for their Operation Santa Claus Christmas Appeal. The station rebranded as Hearts in 2010, and like all stations, had lost its original jingles years before that.

But as there seems to be a memory of Mercury locally, I wanted to mark its 40th anniversary. And that person who sang the Mercury jingle at that meeting a year ago inspired me. Now, as you may know, on the radio and on podcasts, you have to pay for all the music you play. It's the copyright rules.

But as there seems to be a memory of Mercury locally, I wanted to mark its 40th anniversary. And that person who sang the Mercury jingle at that meeting a year ago inspired me. Now, as you may know, on the radio and on podcasts, you have to pay for all the music you play. It's the copyright rules.

So, I got in touch with David Arnold, who composed the Radio Mercury jingles, and I asked, under the circumstances, whether he would waive his fee if I played a jingle on the Planet Reigate podcast. And his response? Was it really 40 years ago? he wrote. And yes, please feel free to use it. It'll be great to give it an airing.

So, I got in touch with David Arnold, who composed the Radio Mercury jingles, and I asked, under the circumstances, whether he would waive his fee if I played a jingle on the Planet Reigate podcast. And his response? Was it really 40 years ago? he wrote. And yes, please feel free to use it. It'll be great to give it an airing.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We'll be right back.

We'll be right back.

Before we go, at the end of the show, natural sounds from a place you know. This week, Canada geese at Earlswood Lakes.

Before we go, at the end of the show, natural sounds from a place you know. This week, Canada geese at Earlswood Lakes.

This is the Planet Reigate Podcast.

This is the Planet Reigate Podcast.