We had a difficult period to cover during the storm on Wednesday afternoon/night. If there was every a case for a UPS that was it!! Let’s hope our funding bid is successful. The lightning kept cutting the supply in 10 second bursts from 3pm onwards until about 5.15pm. We had to reboot the computer systems and CDs.....about 10 times. We then lost power entirely between 5.15pm and 6.45pm when there was no supply to Enterprise House. Unfortunately, that took us totally off air. Well done to Martin in Drivetime and particularly Anthony Da Costa who had to suffer all this during a planned 3 hour stint on air with Paperclips and then Drivetime. The building also flooded (but other than our stuff in the attic that's not affected us). We had things running again towards the end of Drivetime. A short power failure in the night, around 1am lost us transmission until I sorted it out again around 7am before our breakfast show.
105.5FM transmitter at the school had a UPS and although the power at the school failed for a period on Thursda the "battery system" worked and kept us on air throughout until it came back on. Thank you Teesdale School for keeping us informed of things happening up there.
Power was out in a fair amount of the upper dale so we lost the 102.1FM Frequency from around 3pm on Wednesday afternoon. CE Electrics/NEDL has been very informative and their spokesperson came on air a couple of times on Thursday to update the listeners.
I returned to the Romaldkirk site on Friday and received very friendly support and help from both NEDL and Arqiva (who had 3 cars and 3 big truck at our transmitter site at one time.....not all needed for us but they just happened to be using them sorting problems in the area!!). Two engineers from Arqiva (the people we rent the space on the tower from) were particularly helpful and got our transmitter back on line. As the senior engineers said, we were in it together and there to help each other out. At around 12 noon Friday we were back on air on 102.1FM.
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Teesdale’s Rising Star
What a great week it has been for Radio Teesdale. It was a tremendous pleasure to be representing Radio Teesdale at the Sony Radio Awards in London on Monday the 11th May. Radio Teesdale’s Katey Wallace, was nominated for one of the radio industry’s most prestigious awards – the Sony DAB Rising Star Award. When the nomination was announced a few weeks ago the judges described Katey as, “Funny, original, likeable and listenable. The dream combination: Katey is completely herself - a truly rare commodity. Destined for great things.” On the awards evening I had the pleasure of talking to several of the award organisers and judges. They very much echoed those sentiments. Although Katey did not win the listeners’ vote is was no shame to be runner up to Singing Henry, who’s national station Kerrang 105.2 also won the Sony Award for “Station of the Year with over a million listeners.”
From a personal point of view I was thrilled for Katey. I was quoted at the time the nomination was announced as saying “Katey was shortlisted because she is a total natural, warm, funny and really talented and she broadcasts, not because she is being paid, but because she enjoys it and wants to support her local community.” Radio Teesdale was the only radio station from the North East of England represented at the ceremony and one of only two community stations present.
You can see the actual ceremony on a recording of the web cast on the Sony Award web site - http://www.radioawards.org . In Addition, there are a number of photographs from the evening on the Radio Teesdale Photo Gallery - http://picasaweb.google.com/RadioTeesdale/RadioTeesdale2009#
We also had the TV cameras into the studio on last Thursday’s Drive Time programme. For the first hour of the show the guest was local TV presenter David Harper. David spoke to Alan Bradley and a number of callers about a variety of antiques that the owners wanted some expert advise about. The whole hour was filmed for editing into a forthcoming BBC TV programme – “Put your money where your mouth is.” The film crew will be in Barnard Castle again on the 23rd of May recording further antique valuation sessions.
On Saturday 16/5/9 young reporter Marianne Dixon attended the Climate Change Fair in Barnard Castle and spoke to a number of exibitors as well as local MP, Helen Goodman.
From a personal point of view I was thrilled for Katey. I was quoted at the time the nomination was announced as saying “Katey was shortlisted because she is a total natural, warm, funny and really talented and she broadcasts, not because she is being paid, but because she enjoys it and wants to support her local community.” Radio Teesdale was the only radio station from the North East of England represented at the ceremony and one of only two community stations present.
You can see the actual ceremony on a recording of the web cast on the Sony Award web site - http://www.radioawards.org . In Addition, there are a number of photographs from the evening on the Radio Teesdale Photo Gallery - http://picasaweb.google.com/RadioTeesdale/RadioTeesdale2009#
We also had the TV cameras into the studio on last Thursday’s Drive Time programme. For the first hour of the show the guest was local TV presenter David Harper. David spoke to Alan Bradley and a number of callers about a variety of antiques that the owners wanted some expert advise about. The whole hour was filmed for editing into a forthcoming BBC TV programme – “Put your money where your mouth is.” The film crew will be in Barnard Castle again on the 23rd of May recording further antique valuation sessions.
On Saturday 16/5/9 young reporter Marianne Dixon attended the Climate Change Fair in Barnard Castle and spoke to a number of exibitors as well as local MP, Helen Goodman.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
A great two years
What a week it has been at Radio Teesdale. The office has been buzzing with excitement. We are now into our 3rd year of full time broadcasting. The 27th March 2007 was the day we began transmitting from Barnard Castle on our full time license. Well done to the hundreds of people that have contributed to the station over the years. It has been as ever with members dropping in to record programmes, carrying out research and conducting interviews. There have also been a couple of events that have caused a fair bit of excitement.
This week saw the publication of the interview Adrian Braddy, the editor of the Teesdale Mercury, did with Deborah Jenkins of the Barnard Castle Vision. As Adrian said in his regular spot on Tuesday Drivetime it’s not common for a local newspaper to work so closely with the local Radio Station. Deborah and Adrian met up at the Radio Teesdale’s studios to do the interview. We recorded all two hours of it. The practicalities of us working together helped the process enormously. We provided Adrian with a CD of the interview, the Teesdale Mercury transcribed it and the transcript was enormously helpful to us as we produced our 58 minute edit. We’ve always said the people of Teesdale are able to read the Teesdale Mercury while they listen to Radio Teesdale. This is a prime example of that happening. We look forward to future similar cooperative productions. The full programme is now available on the Listen Again section of our web site.
Last Wednesday night was a wonderful evening for Teesdale……in Newcastle. Radio Teesdale won the “best not-for-profit web site” award within the Digital Users section and the Barnard Castle Vision won “best use of mobile phone technology” for “The Box”, within the Digital Innovators section. Congratulations to the Vision team and to the many people who have contributed to the Radio Teesdale web site. A full audio report, with interviews with five people who attended the ceremony, is on the Listen Again section of the web site.
This week saw the publication of the interview Adrian Braddy, the editor of the Teesdale Mercury, did with Deborah Jenkins of the Barnard Castle Vision. As Adrian said in his regular spot on Tuesday Drivetime it’s not common for a local newspaper to work so closely with the local Radio Station. Deborah and Adrian met up at the Radio Teesdale’s studios to do the interview. We recorded all two hours of it. The practicalities of us working together helped the process enormously. We provided Adrian with a CD of the interview, the Teesdale Mercury transcribed it and the transcript was enormously helpful to us as we produced our 58 minute edit. We’ve always said the people of Teesdale are able to read the Teesdale Mercury while they listen to Radio Teesdale. This is a prime example of that happening. We look forward to future similar cooperative productions. The full programme is now available on the Listen Again section of our web site.
Last Wednesday night was a wonderful evening for Teesdale……in Newcastle. Radio Teesdale won the “best not-for-profit web site” award within the Digital Users section and the Barnard Castle Vision won “best use of mobile phone technology” for “The Box”, within the Digital Innovators section. Congratulations to the Vision team and to the many people who have contributed to the Radio Teesdale web site. A full audio report, with interviews with five people who attended the ceremony, is on the Listen Again section of the web site.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Members make it another successful year at Radio Teesdale
Chairman Alastair Dinwiddie spoke of his delight at welcoming 46 members of Radio Teesdale who attend the AGM last Tuesday (26/1//9). He applauded everyone for their efforts and thanked the membership for a very successful year. In the Chairman’s report Alastair spoke about another significant year for Radio Teesdale which included the first full year of full time broadcasting at Radio Teesdale, completing the transmitter for the upper dale area, working with numerous community groups and individuals, establishing and maintaining a broad professional programme schedule with volunteers creating their own programmes and providing experience for volunteers and students and skills transfer through mentoring and training which benefits the community and individuals beyond the activities of Radio Teesdale. Other highlights mentioned included the vast amount of publicity obtained through the “press the button” story, forming good relationships with our other local media colleagues, the wide range of community magazine programmes and specialist music show broadcast including the involvement of a wide range of members of the community together and the willingness of known personalities who have been interviewed for Radio Teesdale.
Whilst taking members through the accounts Alastair explained that fund raising must remain of the highest priority in the New Year. John Atkinson and Keith (Jo) Jones were re-elected back onto the Board of Management of Radio Teesdale. Simon Allen, who had been co-opted to the board during the year, was also confirmed as a director by the membership.
We have carried out a several “in conversation” interviews this week. Top North East folk singer Katie Doherty visited the studio one afternoon and recorded an interview and three songs (including a track yet to be released). We have also spoken to top British play write and Director John Godber, Wings guitarist/vocalist/writer Denny Laine and former G4 member Jonathan Ansell who is currently launching a new album. Listen out for when these interviews will be broadcast.
Whilst taking members through the accounts Alastair explained that fund raising must remain of the highest priority in the New Year. John Atkinson and Keith (Jo) Jones were re-elected back onto the Board of Management of Radio Teesdale. Simon Allen, who had been co-opted to the board during the year, was also confirmed as a director by the membership.
We have carried out a several “in conversation” interviews this week. Top North East folk singer Katie Doherty visited the studio one afternoon and recorded an interview and three songs (including a track yet to be released). We have also spoken to top British play write and Director John Godber, Wings guitarist/vocalist/writer Denny Laine and former G4 member Jonathan Ansell who is currently launching a new album. Listen out for when these interviews will be broadcast.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
NEWS
Hello everyone, just to let you know that the local news bulletins and stories will now be available on here as of today!
If you didn't get chance to listen to them on air then you can read them at your own will.
Also, if you have or know of any local news stories in the Teesdale area, do not hesitate to post responses on this thread or contact the station.
You can do this by phoning
01833 69 67 50 - from 9am - 5pm
or Email us at studio@radioteesdale.co.uk.
6th JANUARY 2009 CURRENT NEWS UPDATE
*****
A new glass-information point is currently being installed in Barnard Castle.
The beacon on Galgate boasts Bluetooth downloads and wi-fi capabilities for users of the facility.
It will also have important information for bus times and what’s on in the area.
The installation is due to be completed later today.
Ann Allen from the Barnard Castle Vision believes the information point has good potential.
*****
The North East has the biggest fall in unpaid overtime work.
174,000 people in the region worked overtime worth 667 million pounds according to research by the TUC.
The average amount of unpaid overtime is six hours and twelve minutes a week – one hour less than in 2007.
*****
The Bowes Museum is now a grade one building after maintenance works.
The building has had a major transformation for the first time in over a century.
However, from January 19th until February 13th there will be limited access allowing final touches to be made to the revamp.
Matt Lang, from the Museum
*****
Patients will be offically able to use their mobile phone on hospital wards
from today.
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw's given the go-ahead as long as they don't
interfere with equipment or cause a nuisance.
*****
In sport,
Today's race meeting at Sedgefield has been abandoned because of a frozen
track.
The planned action at Southwell and Kempton is still scheduled to go ahead.
If you didn't get chance to listen to them on air then you can read them at your own will.
Also, if you have or know of any local news stories in the Teesdale area, do not hesitate to post responses on this thread or contact the station.
You can do this by phoning
01833 69 67 50 - from 9am - 5pm
or Email us at studio@radioteesdale.co.uk.
6th JANUARY 2009 CURRENT NEWS UPDATE
*****
A new glass-information point is currently being installed in Barnard Castle.
The beacon on Galgate boasts Bluetooth downloads and wi-fi capabilities for users of the facility.
It will also have important information for bus times and what’s on in the area.
The installation is due to be completed later today.
Ann Allen from the Barnard Castle Vision believes the information point has good potential.
*****
The North East has the biggest fall in unpaid overtime work.
174,000 people in the region worked overtime worth 667 million pounds according to research by the TUC.
The average amount of unpaid overtime is six hours and twelve minutes a week – one hour less than in 2007.
*****
The Bowes Museum is now a grade one building after maintenance works.
The building has had a major transformation for the first time in over a century.
However, from January 19th until February 13th there will be limited access allowing final touches to be made to the revamp.
Matt Lang, from the Museum
*****
Patients will be offically able to use their mobile phone on hospital wards
from today.
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw's given the go-ahead as long as they don't
interfere with equipment or cause a nuisance.
*****
In sport,
Today's race meeting at Sedgefield has been abandoned because of a frozen
track.
The planned action at Southwell and Kempton is still scheduled to go ahead.
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Happy Christmas and all the best for 2009
Many thanks to everyone in Teesdale and beyond who has contributed to make 2008 a highly successful year for Radio Teesdale. A great number of people have played a part in producing a highly varied, informative and entertaining range of programmes. The growing involvement of members of the community in Radio Teesdale’s activities is a key reason for its success. A whole variety of people have gained valuable experience and many skills have been learnt. Plans are aready underway to make sure we continually improve this in 2009. During the next year we would like to involve the Teesdale Community in even more in our activities. Radio Teesdale really means – It’s Yours.
Peter x.
Peter x.
Sunday, 2 November 2008
Young members doing well
Teesdale Youth presenter Magz is performing in the chior all this next week at the Darlington Civic Theatre in the major production of “Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” starring Craig Chalmers. We wish her well with that. As well as producing her “Tip Top” show, Magz also regularly adds the current music to the playout system, creates station idents and trailers on her own and recently interviewed the Princess of the Darlington Civic Panto moments after her “crowning.” Alex James produces a weekly programme. Jamezy, produces a fortnightly programme and regularly co-hosts our Thursday Drivetime. We hope to have programme from two new young presenters this coming weekend. It’s delightful to see the young people of Teesdale responding to opportunity that Radio Teesdale can bring. We very much have our fingers crossed for the next two weeks when we will know if we have been successful in our funding bid to Media-Box. This will give us even greater opportunities to produce youth led radio.
It’s always great to bring good news about how our members are doing in the world of media and radio broadcasting in particularly. Michael Storey, who presented local news bulletins over the summer will be doing some work experience with BBC Radio Merseyside in the near future. Having seen Michael working first hand for Radio Teesdale at Darlington FC matches and press conferences alongside seasoned journalists this is no surprise. Ian Smith, one of our presenters on “My best friend is a punk” and “It was all in the charts” is also doing various things with BBC Radio Tees. We wish them both well and look forward to Michael rejoining us for a month in December/January.
The Action Points of the last Members’ Forum meeting are on the Members Update section of the web site. The next two sessions are timetabled for Thursday 20 November 6.00pm and Wednesday 17 December 7.00pm. We aim to keep each session to 90 minutes. By far our biggest challenge is funding. This is a common concern amongst community radio stations and we are no exception. If you would like to lead any aspect of a funding project (event organising, grant application, sponsorship/advertising activity) then please let me know.
It’s always great to bring good news about how our members are doing in the world of media and radio broadcasting in particularly. Michael Storey, who presented local news bulletins over the summer will be doing some work experience with BBC Radio Merseyside in the near future. Having seen Michael working first hand for Radio Teesdale at Darlington FC matches and press conferences alongside seasoned journalists this is no surprise. Ian Smith, one of our presenters on “My best friend is a punk” and “It was all in the charts” is also doing various things with BBC Radio Tees. We wish them both well and look forward to Michael rejoining us for a month in December/January.
The Action Points of the last Members’ Forum meeting are on the Members Update section of the web site. The next two sessions are timetabled for Thursday 20 November 6.00pm and Wednesday 17 December 7.00pm. We aim to keep each session to 90 minutes. By far our biggest challenge is funding. This is a common concern amongst community radio stations and we are no exception. If you would like to lead any aspect of a funding project (event organising, grant application, sponsorship/advertising activity) then please let me know.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
