On this Feast of the Archangel Michael (29 September), I’m sharing my 85th birthday with Radio 3’s 70th (After 70 years Radio 3 needs a rethink, 24 September). It was the Third Programme that catapulted me into a life of campaigning for peace and human rights. My Third Programme talk Faith in Communist East Germany led to an invitation to become a features producer in the religious broadcasting department in the adventurous days of Hugh Carlton Greene. A controversial feature on the ethics of abortion won the BBC an American radio prize before I plunged into the world of NGO politics. An even better Radio 3? A reformed BBC? Change is great, but only with tender care, Theresa. The Archangel keeps watch.
Canon Paul Oestreicher
Brighton
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
