Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast

The penultimate Full Volume of the year brings a cavalcade of esteemed guests. Our host Alan Lynch scores a winning interview with England and Man City star Jill Scott, who tells us all about the joys of reading and supports our Festive Book Gifting Appeal this Christmas. Paul Wolfgang Webster takes us behind the lens of his new photo exhibition at Central Library, with portraits of Vivienne Westwood and Tony Wilson on display in the Exhibition Hall until the New Year.Philip Cooke sits down with our new Executive Member Cllr Shazia Butt, who tells us about exciting developments to the service including the plans for Sunday opening hours across a number of Manchester Libraries. Indie risers Faint Red Star give their debut interview ahead of the eagerly awaited show in the Henry Watson Music Library. Plus, there's news of the New Moston library's new Youth Club, what's on tips, chat and more from across your Manchester Libraries. Tune in and turn it up!

Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast returns in October with more features, interviews and chat about the amazing things happening this month. Acclaimed pop journalist and writer Michael Cragg stops by to talk all things Kylie Minogue ahead of his appearance at Central Library this month. Elsewhere, archivist Alison Gill pops in to unveil the brand new Manchester Archives Catalogue. DJ MuMu takes us behind the decks of her Vinyl DJ Workshop at the Henry Watson Music Library (part of this year's Cultural Welcome Week). Roving reporter Tracy Rostron gets all the latest reading tips from her three grandchildren at Beswick Library. Plus, listen out for lots of other special what's on tips for events across our libraries this week - including a round up of the amazing events at this year's Manchester Literature Festival. Tune in - and turn it up!

This final episode looks at how period drama was produced at Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio. How did the station sign up leading stage actors like Leo McKern and Frank Duncan? How did the producers put the listener in the middle of their local and historical dramas? Why dramatise out-of-copyright literature?The programme includes archive material from Manchester Central Library and uses licensed sound effects and music to support the narrative.You can search the archive from home and listen to over 1,800 full shows on Manchester Central Library's Sound + Vision pods.This podcast is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Manchester Libraries Trust.Archive creditsArchive audio from the Piccadilly Radio Collection, full shows available at  Manchester Central Library. Copyright Bauer Media - all rights reserved:Murder by Gaslight Series 1, Episode 2: 'The Manchester Martyrs', 1979 (PICC/754)The Hound of the Baskervilles Episode 1, 1982 (PICC/767)Interview with Tony Hawkins, 2025 (PICCOH/7)Wind in the Willows Episode 2, c.1979 (PICC2/461)Licensed audio23377 Nineteenth Century City Street Ambience Loop-Full – licensed via Envato ElementsBarn Ambience Jba01-06 – Envato ElementsBells Big Ben Big Ben C Ee112501 – Envato ElementsCity Wss03_09 – Envato ElementsDifourks – Alien Eerie Ambience – Envato ElementsGrandfather Clock Tick Tock Half Speed Rhykp 01 – Envato ElementsJackhammer Ocp-1065-067 – Envato ElementsLdj Audio Meadow Ambience V1 – Envato ElementsLdj Audio City Ambience (Wav) – Envato ElementsRecord Scratches 4 Ss016004 – Envato ElementsRising In The Fog – Envato ElementsStumbling Main Full – Envato ElementsTrain Steam Digid01-78 – Envato ElementsVeh Antq India Car Vintage Old Car Sdindia098 – Envato ElementsWhip Swish – Envato ElementsWhip Swish 1 1 – Envato ElementsWhistle Steam Old Train Prem11-2996 – Envato ElementsWind – Envato ElementsRights statementAll licensed material is used in accordance with the terms of the relevant subscription licences. All archive and third-party material remains the property of its respective rights holders.NarrationPodcast narrative written, researched and read by Dr. Philip Johnstone: Creative Commons licence CC-BY-4.0 (Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 Licence).

This month's, Full Volume heads to Wythenshawe Forum Creative Space to get the scoop on the incredible array of special events that have been happening there over the summer. From jamming with Music Evermore to art classes with Paint Pots, Ken's Keep Fit Class to acting lessons with This Is England star Andrew Ellis - go behind the scenes and discover the amazing programme at this Manchester Libraries gem. Elsewhere in the podcast, get all the best What's On tips as we look forward to a busy Autumn ahead. PLUS, acclaimed journalist and music industry guru Tony Fletcher takes us inside his brand new book 'Pow! When UK Punk Went Pop 1980-84' ahead of his appearances at Central Library later this September. Tune in and turn it up!

This episode explores horror and suspense programming on Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio, examining how sound, silence and pacing were used to create tension and atmosphere. It considers how radio horror engages the listener’s imagination and how these techniques continue to influence contemporary audio storytelling.The programme includes archive material from Manchester Central Library and uses licensed sound effects and music to support the narrative.You can search the archive from home and listen to over 1,800 full shows on Manchester Central Library's Sound + Vision pods.This podcast is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Manchester Libraries Trust.Archive creditsArchive audio from the Piccadilly Radio Collection, full shows available at  Manchester Central Library. Copyright Bauer Media - all rights reserved:The Chronos Experiment (PICC2/55)A Matter of Life and Death (PICC2/8)Frankenstein (PICC/561)Dracula (PICC/595)Licensed audioDog Puppy Movement Ody-0275-040 – Envato ElementsDogs Doberman Barks Woofs Two Sdclbry 24340 – Envato ElementsRecord Scratch – Envato ElementsSlam – Envato ElementsSmall Bell Ring – Envato ElementsRights statementAll licensed material is used in accordance with the terms of the relevant subscription licences. All archive and third-party material remains the property of its respective rights holders.NarrationPodcast narrative written, researched and read by Dr. Philip Johnstone: Creative Commons licence CC-BY-4.0 (Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 Licence).Our final bonus episode on Piccadilly Radio's science fiction programming is out on 15 September!