Specialist Programmes

Your tributes...

AHMED HALIM
I CAME TO TO KNOW FLRTCHER WHEN I BECAME A BROADCASTER WITH BBC LANCS IN 1975 HE WAS MY MENTOR AND A CLOSE FRIEND FOR A MANY YEARS UPTIL THE END OF HIS PARTING I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO FORGET HIM UNTIL MY DYING DAYS GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND WE MAY MEET YOU AGAIN IN PARADISE ALLAH HAFIZ.

Allan Muirhead
I've said my bit earlier. Reading all your tributes, I just hope that, somehow, Fletch is aware of how much we thought of him.

Loraine Ashton
Now living in Florida I have just come to learn(December 17th)about Fletcher's death - I am truly truly saddened. I first met him back in the mid 80's at a Health Education Authority's conference where he was a presenter. He not only livened the whole event up with his humour but it became a starting point for many health educators to gain their confidence and learn from him on how to best get their healthy lifestyle messages out to the ears of the public.I consider it a privelege to have met him and extremely fortunate that he also became a personal friend to me that also extended to my family. I sincerley hope Fletcher finds it possible to continue to nicely "stir" things up in his new abode.Belated condolences to Joan, Simon and Amanda.

cricketer mick
I remember Fletcher from his Antley Methodist days when he became unofficial spiritual adviser for want of a better expression to the Accrington based Warriors pop group who turned professional in the 1960s.The group included singers Tony and Jon Anderson later of Yes band fame. guitarist Rod Hill and Ian Wallace drummer (who died earlier this year)who later played with the likes of Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison.Fletcher had a very distinctive voice and will be remembered with great affection by those who knew him.

Andy Conroy
Fletcher changed my life. During a chance visit to Radio Blackburn in 1979 as a wide-eye fourteen year old boy, Fletch said his Saturday morning show needed a runner, 'Are you interested?' And that was it - a lucky, joyous lifetime with the BBC flowed from this passionate, committed humanitarian who took a gauche Blackburn lad under his wing. As I write this from my office in Melbourne, Australia - still with the BBC - I recall a wise man to whom I will always be grateful. Rest in peace. I hope Fletch's God speaks fluent Geordie and likes the odd argument .. ..

Judith Bunker Cook
A great personality and a natural communicator. A fellow Geordie and a valued colleague, held in much regard by me. I bet heaven will be much more fun!

anne
i am so sad to learn of fletchers passing. i only met him once and recall what a lovely man he was to talk to.my sympathy goes to his family.

Margaret Berry
I was sad to learn of the passing of Fletcher Richardson and feel priviledged to have been a member of the Youth Fellowship at Antley Methodist Church when he was minister. We had a wonderful time, he was a brilliant leader and mentor to us teenagers and I treasure the memories of those years. My thoughts and prayers are with Joan, Amanda, Simon and Karl at this sad time.

Andy Mitchell
I remember Fletcher's excellent phone ins and, of course with Phil Scott on "It's Saturday"...one of the first radio shows I was ever involved with! Fletcher of course was the first voice on Radio Lancashire on Saturday 4th July 1981. After the late John Musgrave said "That WAS BBC Radio Blackburn, This IS BBC Radio Lancashire" we had the "Its Saturday" sig tune after which Fletcher turned to Phil and said "Pretty Painless that!!" Classic!

Andrew Cook
As a young lad I remember being dragged along to 'Radio Blackburn' with my father Ian Cook at the weekends, and Fletch was one of the presenters that would talk to me. He had a knack of making me feel comfortable in quite an intimidating atmosphere, and when my father was away putting together his show Fletch would always make sure that I was ok. For that I am grateful of the chance to meet the man that was 'Mr. Radio Lancashire'.

Pauline McCartney
So sorry to hear the news-when Duncan & I got married in 1980 we used to listen to Radio Blackburn early in the morning before work.We were always amused by him playing "when the lighthouse shines across the bay" by Conrad Wietz??God bless

John Garner
I remember one of Fletcher’s Sermons and half way through someone started to cough. Without a thought Fletcher leaped from the pulpit and proceeded to person in question, offering her a glass of water. “Don’t worry I haven’t used the glass myself” where his kind words. A truly remarkable man.

Elsie and Herbert Moorhouse and family
He was a truly loved, gradely radio presenter, and we have fond memories of him. Fletcher came to preach at Salem Martin Top Chapel, Rimington via Clitheroe, Lancashire, around 1980

Allan Muirhead
I was deeply saddened to hear of Fletch's passing and to read Gerry Jackson's kind tribute to a guy who was a 'natural' in front of the mic. He and I were not only colleagues but good friends and our families saw a lot of each other over the years.We used to retire to the Cavendish Club after late shifts, me from news production, he recording pieces for the morning magazine programmes. BBC training courses tell you there are 'people' persons and 'task' persons. Fletch was your consummate people person. He loved a natter, a debate, an argument. And he had a wonderful Geordie sense of humour. Serious issues were dealt with seriously, but he could lay a light touch on them and defuse any looming fallouts.He was a broadcasting adventurer - he was equally at home talking about politics, leisure, hard news , even tackling football commentary live from Turf Moor with me on the odd Saturday when our sports team were really desperate!All of us who worked and played with Fletch will tell you that one of the funniest things that could happen to you was this - when you went somewhere and introduced yourself as so-and-so from Radio Blackburn, almost without fail, you'd be asked: 'Do you know Fletcher Richardson?' Now that's how big a mark he made on the broadcasting landscape.

Geoff & Louise Eddleston
So sorry to hear of Fletcher's death. He was always a character and we remember him Christening our first child in 1970 at Paradise Methodist Church. Fondly remembered, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. God bless xx

Joy (Nurse Joy) Heffernan
I was Fletcher's secretary for some years and we had many discussions,and arguments,mainly over religion, me being a humanist,he even used me for some of his sermons! Quite a compliment. I first met him as a Minister when he addressed a meeting in King Georges Hall and brought on a box of shoes, his message being "Other people's shoes" I still laugh at his trying to shimmy across the floor in high heels.He will be remembered for his humour,acid wit,and kindness to those in trouble.What better epitaph.Our thoughts go out to Joan,Simon and Amanda.

Joe Wilson
On the first day I arrived at BBC Radio Lancashire, Fletcher walked across to me, his silver hair punctuating his authority, and welcomed me to the station. That was Fletcher, warm, friendly, a knowing man with a locker full of reasons why you should listen to his advice.We became friends quickly, I remember one night climbing to his local on Fletcher's Mountain. Listeners won't find "The Mountain" on any map, just in their imaginations from Fletcher's radio descriptions. Actually, it was in the hills above Bolton between Blacksnape and Edgworth. It was one of those pubs that only the locals know about. It may not have been his name on over the door, but the constant flow of "quick words" with virtually everyone who walked through the door made Fletcher the landlord. These were his people. We were his people, both you and I. Listeners would ring off air for a chat, for advice, for Fletcher to solve their problems. Fletcher always remembered a name, always had time for you and, when he spoke is his distinctive considered way, you knew that he always cared. When Fletcher left to go north to one of those places you hear about on the Scottish football results, we were saddened to know that BBC Radio Lancashire's father was leaving the radio family to fend for themselves.It's fair few years since Fletcher left BBC Radio Lancashire and radio is a fickle game that can retire you without a second thought. Radio never retired Fletcher. And it never will. I'm still asked about him, he is still widely remembered with enormous fondness. That's just about the highest accolade anyone who has troubled a BBC transmitter can ask for.

Mike Bertram
I had the pleasure of working with Fletcher in the early 90's at the Merriweather Home in Preston (a homeless hostel). Fletcher was an inspiration to all who worked with him and I had many long interesting conversations with him over his time working at the Home. He left to rejoin the Methodist Church as a minister. My thoughts and prayers are with Joan and the family.

June Leeming
Fletcher was the first presenter I ever worked with on his It's Saturday programme together with the late Phil Scott. I answered his phones taking dedications, swops & give-aways. A very kind, patient man who was a big hit with all our listeners. I always thought he would have made a very good Dr. Who with his very distinctive look. Very sad news & condolences to his family.

Pat ricahrds
So sad to here of the death of Fletcher,he was a lovely man with a very special voice,i worked with his wife for some years at Queens park.My sincere condolence to the family.

Gerald Main
I first met Fletcher when I was a rookie in my first job at BBC Radio Blackburn. Fletcher was incredibly supportive and patient. Above all, he had a great sense of fun which he always brought to his programmes. I learned so much from Fletcher and am so grateful our paths crossed. Gerald Main, Editor, BBC Essex

Sir Bill Taylor
A distinctive voice & style. He came "over the Hill" every day in the 70's!

SIMON ENTWISTLE
FLETCHER RICHARDSON, WAS IN MY VIEW THE FIRST REAL RADIO LANCASHIRE HERO. HE WAS INVITED TO OPEN MANY FUNCTIONS, AND WAS THE REAL HOUSEWIFES CHOICE. I SPENT MANY A HAPPY SATURDAY MORNING WITH HIM AND PHIL SCOT ON THE POPULAR ITS SATURDAY SHOW FROM KING STREET BLACKBURN.HE VERY KINDLY CONTACTED BBC TVS THATS LIFE,AND I FOUND MYSELF ON THE SHOW.FLETCHER MAY HAVE BEEN A GEORDIE, BUT WAS PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH LANCASHIRE,IN MY VIEW HE WAS MR RADIO LANCASHIRE

Nigel Dyson
I have fond memories of working with Fletcher. He was a unique individual with a remarkable understanding of human nature. He was a very caring man and very supportive to me as a junior colleague in the late seventies. It was Fletcher and myself who presented the 'pilot' edition of 'It's Saturday' - it was the Saturday of Easter weekend in either 1978 or 1979. We must have done something right as it ran for some time with Fletcher teaming up with the late Phil Scott. I suppose what we all remember is that voice! Quite unique!

Iris.
Fletcher was a lovely warm man, I was only thinking about him a few weeks ago, my best wishes to his family.

Tony Rhodes
Really sad to hear about Fletcher. I also knew him all that long time ago, and he is still remembered fondly by "Radio Blackburn" listeners. A pioneer in local radio for sure.