Birthday Celebration
A date and venue has now been set for the main celebration – Friday the 28th March at the Jersey Farm near Barnard Castle. Cat Chapman is coordinating the activities around the event. She is very open to all ideas that you may have and would be delighted if you wanted to join the team of organisers. More details of the event will follow shortly, but please put it in the diary!
Members’ Meeting
A date has been set for the Members’ Meeting previous referred to in these e-circulars. It will be at Enterprise House at 7.30pm on Tuesday the 18th March. The aim of the regular meetings will be for members to get together to meet each other, talk about issues facing Radio Teesdale, review how we can continually improve, work out action plans and provide the opportunity for volunteers to take responsibility for developing the ideas. It is open to all members, so feel free to bring a new member with you and we will sign them up on the night.
Training
We have now finalised the day when we can start the three week sound recording and editing course mentioned in earlier circulars. The course will run on Tuesdays 26th March, 1st April and 8th April from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. In order to meet the funding requirements for the course could you please let us know if you are interested in attending as soon as is possible and before the 14th March. You will need to register by completing a simple form that is available in the office at Enterprise House.
Web Stream and Listen Again Facility
We are in the process of setting up a web streaming facility that will also have the capability of our archive programmes and interviews on our web site. Watch this space for more details.
To make the latter work effectively we need volunteers to help with the simple editing tasks of “toping and tailing” interviews and putting them on the web site. We may well be able to set people up with the ability to do this from their own homes.
Radio Teesdale make news – Worldwide!
On Wednesday morning, a simple mistake made during the breakfast show meant that presenter Mr Andy was talking to himself for over an hour while the automated playout system was being broadcast. This fact was quickly picked up by friend of Radio Teesdale, the Northern Echo reporter Jim McTaggart. Then the fun started…….
The story has been followed up by a host of media organisations. The Press Association, many of the national papers (including the Times, Guardian, Sun, Mirror and Telegraph) featured the story today. ITV sent a film crew to the studio and did an “and finally” spot at the end of the local news last night. The news is also reported on lots of web sites such as Channel 4 and Virgin Radio as well as a number of overseas newspapers in France and Italy. An update tonight on the BBC web site will cover reaction to the fabulous publicity this has brought to Radio Teesdale. There are some photos and more details on our web site home page, the blog and photo gallery.
Throughout the numerous interviews that have taken place in the last few days we aimed to turn this into a very positive story. We have made it clear that this is a community venture run brilliantly well by a whole variety of volunteers. Very well done Andy for always looking to see how this news can benefit Radio Teesdale.
Presenting Opportunities
If you would like to join one of the regular presenter as a co-host there are lots of opportunities to get involved. It’s also a great way of practicing before taking on a show of your own. For example, Robin Wallington has done a great job on Morning Magazine helping Ruth Dent. Robin now hopes to present programmes “solo” in our next season.
Specifically we are looking for a presenter to stand-in on Wednesday 19th March on the Drive Time programme.
Spring Programme Schedule
Do you have ideas for a programme or regular spot on Radio Teesdale? The Spring programme schedule will be starting on the 14th April, just over a month away! We are aiming to finalise the schedule by the 31st March to give us time to launch the new season in the press. So, if you would like to do a programme or feature then please let us know.
Merchandising
We are in the process of selecting a range of merchandising (mugs, shirts, pens, etc). If you have any particular views on this then please let us know. Images and examples are available for viewing in the office.
What’s On Interviewing Team
We are now being regularly approached by theatres, event organisers and agents to interview a variety of interesting performers who are visiting the area. Recent examples of great interviews, that have created a range of interesting programmes and features, have included Mark Whiteley, Darren Day, Craig Hill, The New Seekers, Dan from Blue Peter & Potted Potter, The Conspirators and Phil Cool. If you would like to join the team carrying out these interviews then please let us know.
Advanced Driving
Thank you to all those who responded to the last e-circular. We are currently getting in touch with the Advance Driving Association to see how best we can involve those that are interested.
More Ways of Getting Involved:
As well as the various things mentioned above, if you are still wondering what to do to support Radio Teesdale then here is another idea……
Help organise our involvement in various community events. We have been invited to the first Middleton in Teesdale Farmers’ Market of 2008 (Sunday 27th April, 11-4pm) and the Middleton in Teesdale Carnival (Saturday 2nd August). We have been invited to a meeting about the later on the 27th March at 7.30pm. Would you like to coordinate our involvement? Special thanks to Cat Chapman & Marianne Dixon for their help at the Event Guide launch on Tuesday the 26th Feb.
Fundraising - As we have said on many occasions, by necessity, fundraising needs to be considered as one of our primary activities this year.
If you are interested in any way in any of these activities then ring the office (01833 696750), email studio@radioteesdale.co.uk or call in.
