The same situation from the jazz perspective.

"Dear All
BBC East Midlands Radio has decided to axe all it's specialist music programmes that b/cast on week day night's from 7 - 9pm from 31st of December this year, and of course that includes 'Jazz Incorporated'.
Past management, perhaps recognising the licence payer should have a choice, supported a Jazz programme on Radio Nottingham in various forms for 38 years and for the past few years 'Jazz Inc.' was b/cast to Radio Lincoln, Leicester and Derby, as well as Nottinghamshire, and the programme was available 'on line' and 'listen again'.

'Jazz Inc.' went out 'live' on Thursday evening every week from the BBC Radio Nottingham studio's, I scripted the programme, selected the music using my own CD's (some provided by suppliers) , operated the desk, produced the programme (whatever that means!), even made my own coffee! I was the sole member of the 'team' listeners used to refer to. Nobody from the BBC management ever queried what I was going to play or say on the programme, and wherever possible 'Jazz inc' promoted the local Jazz scene with the gig diary, playing CD's by Jazz artists appearing in the East Midlands.

This above is not meant as a 'self promoting' exercise, but just to say that we as Jazz fans have really lost a great deal with 'Jazz Inc.' finishing completely, it was totally independent, no commercial restraints or interference, just a Jazz fan playing the music to like minds. Hopefully my enthusiasm came over on the 'live' programme, I know it gave me an incredible 'buzz'!

'Jazz Inc. will never re-emerge, with BBC East Midlands Radio finishing it's specialist music programmes, it's the end of an era on OUR Local Radio, the days of the enthusiastic knowledgeable presenter broadcasting music under the conditions I've just described above are over.

Sadly, despite me putting up a spirited defence (and no doubt the 'Folk' 'Country and 'Celtic Fringe' presenters did the same) management had made their minds up that the licence payers in the East Midlands would be better served by extending the Radio Nottingham daytime listening programmes into the evening schedules. Enjoy!

Regards
                Chris Moore (presenter BBC East Midlands 'Jazz Incorporated')

P.S. If you feel strongly about this please address your remarks to BBC Radio Nottingham Management, I'll be making an announcement to listeners in the next Jazz Inc. programme. Thanking you in advance for your support, though It'll be to late to alter minds, and feel free to forward this e-mail to any 'like minds'."