Trevor Watson of Middleton School said some kind words.  Ben Chapman finished his report for the week by saying, “For me it’s appropriate that such a tight community should have its own radio station.  In just one week I’ve seen the kind and generous nature of the place at its very best.  The snow may still be causing problems here but they deal with it together.”

9th December - Radio Teesdale North East Station of the Year

Radio Teesdale has been selected as the North East Station of the Year (under 300,000) in the Radio Academy Nations & Regions Awards 2009. These awards give an opportunity for stations with a Total Survey Area (TSA) under 300k to be recognised in their branch and to qualify for the 2010 Sony Radio Academy Awards Station of the Year. This is open to all types of radio station - community, BBC and commercial. Fred Marden, Chairman of the North East Radio Academy said, “The award judges felt that the entry demonstrated strong commitment to and understanding of its community, with great potential for growth and development.

Radio Teesdale broadcasts a great array of programme content in many genres, all of which is highly local to their broadcast area.” The aim of the awards is to celebrate programming that caters for the needs of a local or regional UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man audience. Each regional branch awards one Nations & Regions Award to the station that the judges feel demonstrated the most consistently outstanding output. Radio Teesdale Station Manager said, "We are delighted to receive this award. It is a great honour for Radio Teesdale to be selected in this way and to be representing the North East is the process to pick the National Station of the Year in the Sony Awards. Our members were thrilled to hear the news. It is a great testiment to the hard work of our members and shows how community radio is having an impact in our area."

17th May - Radio Teesdale at the Sony Awards

What a great month it has been for Radio Teesdale. Radio Teesdale was delighted to be represented at the Sony Radio Awards in London on Monday the 11^th May. 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.

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 the conversations with had with the judges and event organanisors 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.”
 
You can see the actual ceremony on a recording of the web cast on the Sony Award website. In Addition, there are a number of photographs from the evening on the Radio Teesdale Photo Gallery

We also had the TV cameras into the studios on the 14^th May 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 23^rd of May recording further antique valuation sessions.

4th March  - Radio Teesdale at Teesdale Schools

Over 20 schools throughout Teesdale have received visits from Radio Teesdale team as part of an education drive. The initiative includes a new Junior section on the website and the launch of a poetry competition for children. Pupils from each school are getting their chance to get onto the airwaves, with the radio station recording ‘shout outs’ from each school for the day to day programming.

The response from the schools and the young people has been really fantastic. Many of the pupils had heard all about us through either their parents or through visits to the station so it’s great to see that the next generation are already eager to get involved with their local community broadcasting.

The school poetry competition asks pupils to compose a poem, between four to ten lines, all about Teesdale. The pupil’s name, year and school need to be clearly marked on the page. There are four age categories in the competition comprising Years One and Two, Years Three and Four, Years Five and Six, and Years Seven-Eleven. The station’s judging panel will then pick the four overall winners who will get the opportunity to record their poem in a professional studio, as well as winning other prizes including a full tour of the studios, their poem displayed on the radio station’s website and a Radio Teesdale winners pack.

Radio Teesdale are also producing material for teachers and school. Worksheets and teachers guides have been made available based on a recent interview with top children's author Michael Morpurgo who talked about his work.  A play of "Why the Whales Came" by Michael Morpurgo is at the Darlington Civic Theatre from the 24 to 28 March.

7th January - Vision Information Point in Place

A new glass-information-point is currently being installed in Barnard Castle. The beacon, currently on Galgate has Bluetooth downloads and wi-fi capabilities for users of the facility.

The information-point will tour a number of locations staying at each place for up to 3 months including: St Mary's Church, Scar Top and The Bowes Museum. Important information for bus times and what’s on in the area will also be available from the information-point. The glass box design was done by Xsite Architecture. Radio Teesdale has provided the Barnard Castle Vision with recordings made of local artistes that will be provided free to anyone who can download files using Bluetooth technology.

Anne Allen from the Barnard Castle Vision believes the information point has great potential.

“Retailers can use to advertise special offers; we can use it for visitor interpretation, to advertise bus times. Really it’s got enormous potential; it’s just up to people’s imagination as to how they want to use it.” Hear it via our Listen Again service.

Radio Teesdale news reporter, Michael Storey (pictured), also spoke to members of the public to find out their initial reactions.

If you have a news story of item of interest to the public of Teesdale then please let us know.


8th December - Lights go on in Teesdale

Radio Teesdale were proud to be involved in two major community events in Teesdale in recent weeks – The switching on of the Christmas Tree Lights in Middleton in Teesdale and Barnard Castle. An enthusiastic crowd at Middleton heard, and joined in, Radio Teesdale presenter Alex James’ on air count down for the switching on of their tree lights. The following week Katey Wallace compered the switch on of the Barnard Castle lights. Katey jollied along the massive crowd gathered around the tree in the centre of Barnard Castle as they waited for santa to arrive. Ian Kirkbride, aka the Town Cryer, led the singing of the Christmas Carols.

Interviews were broadcast with over 15 performers and members of the community throughout the broadcasts leading up to and during the “switch-ons.”  Well done to everyone who supported Alex James throughout the special live programmes including Malcolm Proud, Katey Wallace, Annalisa Ward, Ian Kirkbride, James, Sam Norton, Carolyn Proud, Peter Dixon and Ron Walker.

If you have an event you would like featuring on Radio Teesdale then let us know via this web site on our “What’s On” page.  You can contact us about general matters and listener dedications on our “Contact Us” page.  Competition entries can be made via our “Competition” page.

10th October - Older People Week

Radio Teesdale produced a special edition of Morning Magazine on Tuesday the 7th October to reflect the work of a variety of support organisations operating in the Teesdale area. “Thought for the Day” was provided by John Moore. Presenter Robin Wallington spoke to Eleanor Lister of Age Concern. Next on the show was Geoff Kelly of Durham Dales Action for Carers who were hosting the carers’ event at 35 Victoria Road in Barnard Castle. Charlotte Moore of the County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted. Amanda Aberdeen (of Wilshire Farm Foods) and Andrew Aitken of Carelink rounded off the discussions.

Many thanks for everybody who contributed to the show.  At the end of the programme, Radio Teesdale Presenter Robin Wallington said, “The programme was packed with interesting information provided by our expert guests. My heartfelt impression was that everyone interviewed had a genuine personal concern for their work and help they provided to the people in their care.”

Station Manager Peter Dixon said, “This sort of programme is what community radio is all about. We are delighted to have coordinated the inclusion of all those involved and provided this vital information to our listeners. The show worked so well that we made the instant decision to repeat the full two hours from 1.00pm on Friday the 10th October.” Phone numbers for each of the groups are:

Carelink – 01388 728810
Wilshire Farm Foods – 01388 765500
County Durham Society for the Blind & Partially Sighted – 0191 3750307
Durham Dales Action for Carers – 01833 630202
Age Concern – 01388 720064

30th September - Bill Bryson Narrates Discover Teesdale Podcast

Best selling American author and travel writer Bill Bryson has been extolling the virtues of Teesdale on his latest visit to County Durham. Dr Bryson, who was appointed Chancellor of Durham University following his favourable comments about the city in his book Notes from a Small Island, is singing the dale's praises via a trio of podcasts.

In his introduction to the podcasts, which highlight the wonderful attractions and glorious scenery to be discovered in the latest Teesdale Tours brochure, the author enthuses about the area and urges listeners to find out for themselves by browsing the itineraries. "I think that there must be something in the water here which makes the region more appealing," he said. "So of course I implore you to pay us a visit to find out more."

The idea to invite Dr Bryson to record the podcasts was first mooted by Dr Anne Allen, Project Leader of Discover Teesdale, which produced the tours brochure under the banner of its parent organization, Teesdale Marketing, a not-for-profit company which promotes Teesdale around the globe with the aim of reaping economic and social benefits.

They were recorded by Peter Dixon, Station Manager of the dale's own community radio station, Radio Teesdale. "Bill was absolutely charming to work with," said Peter, who is also a trustee of The Bowes Museum. "Although he had had a busy afternoon at a ceremony at the University he was extremely amiable and chatty and nothing was too much trouble. He was very interested in Teesdale and had obviously browsed the itineraries brochure."

Listen to all of the podcasts now on our Listen Again Service.

5th September - Financial Planning Week
 
Financial Planning Week runs from the 8th to the 14th September.  Radio Teesdale has created six announcements, that will be played during the week, to give listeners some new ideas and opportunities to plan their finances more effectively in future.

The Institute of Financial Planning (IFP) will be coordinating a media campaign so that the press, radio and TV can help to raise awareness of the most important issues. Radio Teesdale are delighted to support that campaign.

These announcements have been brought to you by the presenters of the Radio Teesdale Business Programme, Joss Harwood and John Atkinson. Listen to their show live every fortnight from 1pm to 2pm. The show is then repeated at 9.00am the following Tuesday. We are happy to let other organisations and community radio stations distribute this content freely.

7th August - Out & About with Radio Teesdale

News reporter Michael Storey is working with Radio Teesdale over the summer bringing you local news in and around the region. Michael was soon out and about collecting local stories for his daily bulletins.  In his first week he was in the thick of it at the press conference to launch Darlington FC’s new campaign.

Radio Teesdale are getting behind our local football league side, Darlington, nicknamed he Quakers.  In the coming weeks we plan to keep you up to date with the Quakers Division 2 campaign.  Quakers Manager, Dave Penney, told Radio Teesdale at the new season press conference, “The key in pre-season is to get it right physically and mentally, shape wise, tactically and technically right for August the 9th for our first league game. The players have worked their socks off.  We want to have a good season, and by that we mean having a promotion season”  Listen out for more information on our regular news bulletins.

There are still plenty of opportunities to get involved in Radio Teesdale with space on the schedule allocated to special one off programmes. If you feel you have not got the technical knowledge to make this happen then don’t worry. There are people at Radio Teesdale who can support you with all aspects of broadcasting. We will also be running a studio operation and sound editing course starting during w/c 9th September.

Peter Troy, The Publicist, holds monthly Radio awareness courses at our studios the in Barnard Castle. The half day course is aimed at the owners and managers of small businesses who seek to publicise their business through the expanding medium of radio. The hands on course covers all types of interview techniques getting the best out the interview. At the same time it gives an appreciation of the workings of a typical radio station and how best to publicise a business or product. If you would like more information contact our Station Manager, Peter Dixon, or visit Peter Troy's website.

2nd July - Radio Teesdale Team on stage with the Castle Players

Audiences can see 7 members of Radio Teesdale treading the boards next week as part of the Castle Players production of “Measure for Measure” in the grounds of the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle. The seven are all regular contributors to Radio Teesdale programmes and station announcements but this next week they are swapping microphones for a life on the stage.

It’s not really surprising that with that with both our groups being such a major part of the community of Teesdale that several people will be members of both organisations. At Radio Teesdale we are delighted that seven of our members are involved in such a fantastic production as ‘Measure for Measure’ with the Castle Players. We wish them every success with the show. Break a Leg!

2nd June - Celebrate a Summer Season of Theatre with Radio Teesdale 

Following last year’s hugely successful Summer Repertory Season, Ian Dickens Productions Limited return to Darlington this summer to present four great plays featuring great contemporary actors. The season starts on Tuesday 10th June and runs until Saturday 5th July and Radio Teesdale is running a fantastic competition all next week.

Radio Teesdale has teamed up with Darlington Civic Theatre to offer listeners the chance to win a fantastic season package! Everyday, Monday to Thursday next week, on the Drive Time programme from 5pm-7pm we will interview a celebrity actor from each show and ask a question related to each show in the Summer Rep season.

Listeners will be asked to call to the studio with the answer. There will be a winner each day, and the names of the four winners will be announced on Friday (6th June) on the Lunchtime and Happy Hour programme. The lucky winners will each receive a pair of tickets for the opening night of every one of the four plays in the season worth £96. Famous names appearing on the shows include Paul Henry, best known as Benny out of Crossroads, Victor Spinetti and former Coronation Street star Stephen Beckett.

2nd May - Radio Teesdale brings you the election news

Radio Teesdale's Breakfast show on the 2nd May was an election special featuring news from the previous day's election. There was great excitement with recounts in all three Teesdale Districts and very small margins between the 2nd and 3rd places. Radio Teesdale was at the count. 

Volunteer Linda Britton spoke to many of the Councillors and Candidates asking about their reactions and the challenges ahead. Adrian Braddy, editor of the Teesdale Mercury, was our special guest for the whole of the breakfast show adding his own insight into the results and the outcomes. Listen to the Drive Time show in coming weeks to hear the elected Councillors who will all be invited onto the show. See the results of the election here.

For interviews with some of the new councillor’s visit our listen again page or if you would like to see some photographs of the night’s events see our photo gallery.