John Hodgson Wyvern Sales Manager 1985

I was at Wyvern – in the hallowed portals of Barbourne Terrace – from May 1885 to December 1986. I was the Sales Controller (Manager) and was appointed by Norman –

who had not long arrived himself.  My recollection is of a happy, almost carefree time at a station with lots of friendly folk – I enjoyed it immensely and was sad to leave –

I had the offer of taking up a position of a Marketing and Management Consultant in Kings Heath for an International firm and couldn’t turn it down.

I was sad to leave. Somewhere (deep in my loft, probably) I have a framed caricature of the sales team at the time as envisaged

by one of them. I’ll try to root it out, the photo and it and send it on. (It’s below)

So here are some of my recollections. On Tuesday, 7th May 1985, I started at Wyvern.  Not long after (during that month of May) I was summoned to a Board Meeting

and asked by the Directors why they shouldn’t accept a takeover offer from Severn Sound in Gloucester, as our finances were at rock bottom.

There were many stories I heard about how this state of affairs had come about prior to Norman’s and my arrival….you probably know them all too.

Obviously, Norman and I had discussed the possible takeover ahead of the meeting and were able to show how we believed we could “save the station” and remain independent. It was some initiation for me!! Thankfully, the Board agreed with our plan, and we staved off that predatory move for some time, remaining independent.

Not sure exactly of the timing, but at some point during my time, Sir John Cottrell offered the staff some of his shares in the station at a nominal 20p each. I wasn’t sure if he was being generous or offloading some of his holdings for at least some return – I like to believe it was the former of the two.

I bought 200 at the time for the princely sum of £40.00!! These were eventually bought (by GWR, I believe) for around £7.80 each (can’t remember the exact figure), making me a tidy profit. I remember I raised a glass of thanks to Sir John.

Sadly, I’ve missed any of the Reunions you might have held over the years. Is there possibly

going to be one for the 45 anniversary in 2027?

Hi John, Thank you so much for the caricature and story. Many never realised how close we were to being sold, taken over or just losing everything in those first 5 years; they were quite bumpy times behind the scenes. There were quite a few of us who Sir John to thank for letting a lot of shares out at 20p each!! So those with a little belief in the station had a nice payday when it was finally sold to GWR 14 years later. Who knows about  2027 , with Wyvern now being reborn and back on the air for these last 3 years we just had a meal out to celebrate 43 years ( I will pop a picture below ) so it would be lovely to do something for the 45th!!

I believe I’m the one in the middle behind the desk. It was drawn by Alan – he’s not in the caricature.

Sadly, I don’t know any of the surnames of the Team.

I believe that from left to right it’s Berni, Lindsey, me, Lesley (phone sales) and Pat on the end.

We used to have a Sales Meeting for all the whole Team first thing on a Monday morning. This seems to

be one in September 1985 – think that would first with the personnel shown.

Berni had a serious road accident whilst out doing her job – thankfully, she recovered, but didn’t feel

she could carry on in sales…I think she went into Caring.

Alan resigned not long after he drew this – he and Lindsey were based at our Hereford Office in the

Nell Gwynn Theatre. I used to visit them (and accompany them on sales calls) once or twice a week.

Radio Wyverns’ 43rd Birthday – and 3rd in its present incarnation.