A short programme about the 1961 volcanic eruption was broadcast on the BBC World Service on the 8th October 2025 as part of it's 'Witness History' series.

Volcano Witness History on the BBC

A short programme about the 1961 volcanic eruption was broadcast on the BBC World Service on the 8th October 2025 as part of it's 'Witness History' series. You can listen to the programme on BBC Sounds at:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct74qj.

The piece, entitled 'The remote island that was evacuated to 10,000km away', featured extracts from contemporary news reports, including an interview recorded by the BBC presenter René Cutforth with Mary Swain in 1961. She gives a vivid account of the beginning of the eruption and her escape from the settlement.

Granny Mary was the island's midwife, for which she was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 1967 New Year Honours List.

Somewhat poignantly, the programme ends with a snippet of a song sung by Gerry Repetto, who sadly passed away only last week.

The programme was produced and presented by Rachel Naylor, in collaboration with BBC Archives.

 Right: Mary Swain wearing her BEM in March 1968. Photo: Dr Mohammad Shibli
Right: Mary Swain wearing her BEM in 1968. Photo: Dr Mohammad Shibli