2012? Pffft!

Well, as 2012 finally winds to a close, on balance I have to say "Good riddance!" It's been an unbelievably challenging and frustrating year, with lots of obstacles, some of which have seemed at times unsurmountable. Despite having been given an onerous responsibility there's been significant opposition on some fronts, but I've also had amazing support from Judith and a small but significant group of true friends and colleagues.

We've also made significant advances and improvements over the last 12 months, but we've still a long, long way to go. Facebook has been a fantastically useful tool, but sadly it's also been used in a pretty negative way too. I've got hopes for the coming year; I look forward to a number of advances, but I'm filled with trepidation.

12 months ago I'd been made redundant by a company I set up with a small group of colleagues, who all lost significant sums in the venture. But it WAS all worthwhile; over the 15 years Yorkshire Dales Radio, then Fresh Radio broadcast we made a lot of friends across the dales, many of whom have now found themselves without their "little chum in the corner of the room", their local radio. But a significant number have moved on, and joined us at Drystone Radio - either on line or on air.

Over the last 12 months we've lifted on-line listening from the lower hundreds to more than 50,000 - and it's still growing. I don't know what the future holds for me, but at least I'm more than pleased with that, and with the improvements in broadcasting standards.

I know the coming months are set to be extremely challenging for both of us, for personal reasons I won't go into on this public forum; there are some who know why. Wishing all those who've shown us genuine support a very happy new year, and the very best of luck and love to you all.

Yorkshire Dales Radio and Fresh - the best and the worst

These are very slightly edited comments over the past 24 hours, taken from my Facebook page. The edits simply took out the Likes and time checks.

Magic moments at Fresh:

1: Actually YDR, there was a disastrous house fire in Earby just before Christmas; we put out an appeal and were inundated with gifts for the kiddies, clothes, and even a house for them to move into

2: Stuart Clarkson  races down to Skipton centre as Carla beck threatens to burst its banks - Skipton centre is to be evacuated. He goes into a pub with a recorder and the first person he sees says "Are you t'karaoke?" - "No, I'm from the radio" - "Radio? I just love that Becky 'All" (expletives deleted!)

Stuart Clarkson:  A former Programme Controller ringing me from a police station on a Sunday afternoon in summer '98 and asking me to cover his breakfast show the next morning... as he'd been banged up for a fighting! He didn't ever return to the air at YDR.

James Wilson: He kept asking for his job back - I think Interpol was after him for a while, but it was all resolved! NO NAMES!!!

James Wilson: The portakabins at Craven College's Aireville campus - I loved them!

James Wilson: By the way, the stream was Eller Beck

Stuart Clarkson:  My first ever show was 8-10pm on 23 Dec 1997 in the Portakabin.... I did evening show all that week and on Xmas Eve the wind was so strong I thought me inside!

James Wilson: Of course you got your first breaks at YDR - as did many others

Judith Wilson: A certain lady fell in love with a presenters voice - a year later she married him. Backy Hall was our 'best woman'and most of the presenters came to the wedding.

James Wilson: Becky Hall - the legendary and much fancied Trekkie Becky -doing a traffic and travel bulletin as she leapt from a 100ft crane by the A65 at Gargrave!

Judith Wilson: Stuart, remember being in the cabin when all the fire alarms went off and you shot out of the studio shouting 'I touched nothing'! and then there was the wasps building it's nest over the doorway that you blasted to oblivion with something like WD40!

Stuart Clarkson:  Don't remember those Judith!

James Wilson: Andy who did the folk show - what was his last name? Mike Long - he started at YDR when I was doing my mid-morning show Through til Two and was taken ill. Mike was visiting me, took over, did the show and stayed on for years!

James Wilson: I think it was me who massacred the wasps while you were on air - it was aerosol air freshener which I set light to!

Judith Wilson: I'm sure that was you Stu?Maybe it was Jeremy, he was there when the wasp was doing its thing with its nest over the door, but I thought you took over from Jezza, it was a weekend as me and James were writing the quiz at the cabin. The nest was like a paper lantern. I can remember you being on air when it was either your 18th or 21st birthday time.

James Wilson: Alan Potter! One of the leading experts in the UK on country music!

Stuart Clarkson:  I was there for both my 18th and my 21st birthdays! In 1998 and then 2001 the week before 9/11.

Judith Wilson: Alan Hollin's being sacked twice on air during Mark Reasons marathon record breaking attempt at a week on air, and him having hallucinations that a teddy bear was moving! The kids coming from Chernobyl and all the fruit donated to them to make them get loads of vitamins. The lovely wobbly Wighton who gives me a big hug every time we see him at the Yorkshire Show.

James Wilson: The 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak, where we gained the respect of the farming community across the dale

Judith Wilson: and dispelled several myths and rumours circulating the area.

Judith Wilson: and Daisy, and Audrey......bless 'em.

James Wilson: RIP Daisy - a wonderful woman, and Audrey - she kept in contact until relatively recently and was a massive fan of Julian and I on Breakfast

James Wilson: Crazy Dave!!! I remember the day he brought a pair of kuni kuni piglets into the studio, completely un-announced. I did the news live with one on my lap while Julian kept trying to persuade the other one to grunt, to put me off! Hesketh Farm Park named them Julian and James!

Judith Wilson: Daisy had more Dj's at her funeral than family. Daisy Duck, the only 80 odd year old woman to send naked phot's of herself in the bath to my husband.

James Wilson: The legendary Tim Paul - a real loose cannon I was told, yet he produced some of the most entertaining radio ever! Talk about painting pictures in the mind. One day he was describing trying to nail jelly to the studio ceiling - you had to hear it!

James Wilson: David Sibbald - Jonathan Darwin - he's gone on to reach a huge audience across the north of England, Ron Nicholson, our first ever station manager

Judith Wilson: Tim was brilliant to listen to, and Gunny. Becky was brilliant, she was so good with kids when they rang in. I remember her saying she would never have kids, then we saw her at Malham with one toddler sat on her other half's shoulders and a new baby strapped to her chest!

Jonathan Darwin: Thanks James, got my break on Fresh Radio. Had a ball, and can still be heard from time to time reading the travel news on the radio. James, maybe we should have a reunion party?.

James Wilson: It was a sad day when all of our specialist shows were dropped, once again down to a policy developed by a man in an ivory tower trying to justify his existence from a now defunct radio group. The theory was that you must make sure people never re-tune their radio because they don't like what you're broadcasting. ALL of our specialist shows were in the evening when it was widely recognised that the vast majority of radio listeners move to TV. You therefore had a golden opportunity to provide a service for a minority group, with the potential that they would stay with the mainstream during the day. Radio Two, the acknowledged leader in UK radio, does just that, and it doesn't do them any harm whatsoever!

James Wilson: Mandy on Jeremy's Superquiz! What a fabulous character, much missed! I remember having to pull over in my car one day I was laughing so much! She'd called in on rapid re-dial (as she did) and in mid conversation, told Jeremy to hang on, because there was someone at the door! There followed a stream of callers who did exactly the same to Jeremy, who handled it beautifully - simply fabulous local radio!

James Wilson: WOBBLY! Who could forget Ian Wighton with his Motown show? Fabulous stuff!!

James Wilson: Of course, one of the best voices we had available to us was our then chairman, Chris Parkin - who wouldn't do it! Missed opportunity

Nerys Davies: Mandy on the superquiz that used to hold everything up by coughing, giving full accounts of her week, her sons week, and Elaine my next door neighbour at the min that told me the other day she's in love with Jeremy!

James Wilson: Jeremy: "What have you been up to this morning Mandy?"

James Wilson: Mandy: "Nowt much"

James Wilson: Jeremy: "What have you planned for the rest of the day?"

James Wilson: Mandy: "Nowt much"

Nerys Davies: Yeah but I'll just tell you wot me n r Andrew av done all week

James Wilson: The mahttp://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=%22yorkshire+dales+radio%22&start=19&num=10&hl=en&safe=off&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbnid=M8oLB4blz7ZwnM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fharrogatehospitalradio.org.uk%2Fmembers.shtml&docid=92iEJpM9mbt4yM&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fharrogatehospitalradio.org.uk%2Fimages%2Fpres_alan-potter_s.jpg&w=184&h=154&ei=PuQAT8_2O9Ku8QOihsi5Aw&zoom=1n himself - Alan Potter!

Redirect Notice

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Nerys Davies: Hang on that's Tracy. Mandy had the parrot didn't she

James Wilson: That's right - Tracy from Keighley, who had that incredible laugh!

Nerys Davies: The 80 a day laugh. How the hell i showed people round the house with them two on i don't know

Nerys Davies: Now neighbour who loves Jeremy went on and didn't realise if she got one right, had to set new question. Half hour later she's asking me to explain the rules to her!

Denise Edwards: How about you broadcasting live while swinging off the end of a rope below the Humber bridge & nearly knocking your head off on the bridge in the process. 'And all in the name of charity'!!

James Wilson: Oh yes! And with my own personal hypnotherapist on hand (Brian) to "cure my fear of heights!" - what nobody realised is that we'd done something very similar when we set up Stray FM - leaping off the top of the tower block at the side of Harrogate International Centre.

Glenn Pinder: My first ever show on YDR and having to read the Farming news ... i'm a city boy and i was thinking half this stuff i've only ever seen on the shelves of the supermarket! Good luck James x

Vivienne Abell: I remember Mike Long wanting name suggestions for his unborn son( on air) Jane and i suggested Miles, he was quite impressed till he ran it together with his surname! Dohhhh, ive been set up!!!! Ha we had a right laugh! Happy days gone.

James Wilson: Miles Long! Oh, how could you!!! I can remember my first ever visit to your salon, and a couple of your customers actually getting quite excited!!

James Wilson: Farming news! Now that WAS a long time ago Glenn!

Glenn Pinder: oh yes - glad i've kept my boyish looks :)

Vivienne Abell: That was because you were having (your then locks) cut off! He He x

James Wilson: Ha ha!! Trent Watson (very short lived) on Saturday morning. Failed to show one morning, whoever followed him couldn't get in. I was woken up, rushed down to Aireville with the keys, let presenter in - then Mark Reason docked a days pay from the ENTIRE staff!!

Simon Parrock: Carl, That's all

James Wilson: Hmmm!

Nick Bewes: So many amazing times and people at YDR/fresh over the years. I witnessed Glenn doing the Farming news, one of the greatest things I've ever seen! James cooking award winning sausages from Jacksons of Cracoe on the breakfast show, being onair during Foot and Mouth outbreak, the floods, and Christmas mornings bringing everyone together. Presenting breakfast with James, Loz and Matt was great fun. The memories will live on...

A sad day for local radio

I've decided to put one of my Facebook posts into my blog, because today is one of the saddest I can remember - Facebook friends, please bear with me:

How incredibly sad to hear Jeremy Gartland sign off for the final time at Fresh. I learnt new information last night about the future for Fresh, contrary to what I'd been led to believe. I now understand that everybody is to go. 
I feel sad for everybody, but a couple in particular, one whose family is about to expand. He, like the other person I have in mind is a consummate professional and has youth on his side, so hopefully will find something very soon. Another has been constant since he turned up at Fresh, and again will find something - one of the best presenters I've had the pleasure to work with. 
And last but by no means least is Julian. He has put more into Fresh than anyone could possibly imagine, and has kept very quiet about his own circumstances, which have been near impossible to imagine. Julian you're the best - hopefully the "Boys" will be "back in town" some time in the not too distant future. 
This is not the end

Health & Safety and Equality Considerations for Christmas Songs - by Crazy Dave!

The Fresh blog will continue after my last day at the station, but in the meantime I just loved this piece sent to me by Dave Anderson - the legendary Crazy Dave, one of our most loyal supporters:


The Rocking Song
Little Jesus, sweetly sleep, do not stir
We will lend a coat of fur,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you:
Fur is no longer appropriate wear for small infants, both due to risk of allergy to animal fur, and for ethical reasons. Therefore faux fur, a nice cellular blanket or perhaps micro-fleece material should be considered a suitable alternative.

Please note, only persons who have been subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check and have enhanced clearance will be permitted to rock baby Jesus. Persons must carry their CRB disclosure with them at all times and be prepared to provide three forms of identification before rocking commences.


Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
A risk assessment must be submitted before an open sleigh is considered safe for members of the public to travel on. The risk assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly if passengers are of larger proportions. Please note, permission must be gained from landowners before entering their fields. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.



While Shepherds Watched
While shepherds watched
Their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around
The union of Shepherd's has complained that it breaches health and safety regulations to insist that shepherds watch their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided, therefore benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available. Shepherds have also requested that due to the inclement weather conditions at this time of year that they should watch their flocks via cctv cameras from centrally heated shepherd observation huts.
Please note, the angel of the lord is reminded that before shining his / her glory all around she / he must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses capable of filtering out the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and Glory.


Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw him,
you would even say it glows.
You are advised that under the Equal Opportunities for All policy, it is inappropriate for persons to make comment with regard to the ruddiness of any part of Mr. R. Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr R Reindeer from the Reindeer Games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence. A full investigation will be implemented and sanctions - including suspension on full pay - will be considered whilst this investigation takes place.



Little Donkey
Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road
Got to keep on plodding onwards with your precious load
The RSPCA have issued strict guidelines with regard to how heavy a load that a donkey of small stature is permitted to carry, also included in the guidelines is guidance regarding how often to feed the donkey and how many rest breaks are required over a four hour plodding period. Please note that due to the increased risk of pollution from the dusty road, Mary and Joseph are required to wear face masks to prevent inhalation of any airborne particles. The donkey has expressed his discomfort at being labelled 'little' and would prefer just to be simply referred to as Mr. Donkey. To comment upon his height or lack thereof may be considered an infringement of his equine rights.


We Three Kings
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
Whilst the gift of gold is still considered acceptable - as it may be redeemed at a later date through such organisations as 'cash for gold' etc, gifts of frankincense and myrrh are not appropriate due to the potential risk of oils and fragrances causing allergic reactions. A suggested gift alternative would be to make a donation to a worthy cause in the recipients name or perhaps give a gift voucher.
We would not advise that the traversing kings rely on navigation by stars in order to reach their destinations and suggest the use of RAC routefinder or satellite navigation, which will provide the quickest route and advice regarding fuel consumption. Please note as per the guidelines from the RSPCA for Mr Donkey, the camels carrying the three kings of Orient will require regular food and rest breaks. Facemasks for the three kings are also advisable due to the likelihood of dust from the camels hooves.


Crazy Dave - you're a legend!

Christmas is coming . . . .

The Intrepid Pie Tasters!

Well, my first ever expedition into the world of competition judging is over, and I have to confess I thoroughly enjoyed it. First off I was called upon to judge stand pies in the Great Yorkshire Pork Pie, Sausage and Products competition in Bradford. Now that was a daunting task, with 45 stand pies to taste and no sign of my former Breakfast Show sidekick and celebrated pie gourmet Julian Hotchkiss. The whole thing took over three hours, and I was absolutely pie'd out by the time we'd finished. I learnt a lot though, about pie construction, pastry making, gravy and meat fill and texture. My final task was to join with Ilkley butcher David Lishman - current president of the Confederation of. Yorkshire Butchers Councils - and a colleague, to judge the Supreme Champion Yorkshire Sausage and Pork Pie. In the end it was an easy decision on both counts, particularly with the sausage, made by a butcher from Kippax. It was quite extraordinary - utterly delicious!

Hard at work!

All my training was put to good use the following weekend, when I was invited yet again, this time to the Great Northern Pie Fest. This was a much more relaxed, low key affair, held at Skipton Auction Mart. I described it in a subsequent news bulletin as something of a re-enactment of the Wars of the Roses, with pies from both the White Rose and Red Rose counties entered. We didn't know which pies were whose, and by the end of the day Yorkshire beat Lancashire. But it was a close run thing, with pies from a butcher in Barnoldswick taking one of the top awards. I've been invited back again next year - you can guess what my response was!! (dribble, drool!)

Christmas is drawing ever nearer, and the Solid Gold Sunday crew are out this week for our Christmas meal. We're off to a favourite restaurant on Wednesday evening for a full Christmas Dinner, which we're all very much looking forward to. We never seem to be able to go to events with the rest of the Fresh team, as they're invariably arranged on a Friday night when we're working - I wonder if someone is trying to tell us something?? The old Breakfast Show crew did get out last week though, for an excellent meal at the Tempest Arms in Elslack. I managed to bag one of just two tables that had been available. Lovely meal, great atmosphere, can thoroughly recommend it!

Fairtrade quiz

It's a trip to Richmond for the quiz crew tomorrow night (Saturday) for a special quiz on behalf of Richmond's Fairtrade group. We've done it in the past for the Walking and Books festival, but now of course with Solid Gold Sunday we're not available that night. The quiz is being held in the Town Hall from 7pm, and there'll be a stall offering Fairtrade goods, including some truly excellent wine. Don't forget too, if you've got a deserving cause we can run a quiz for you. All you need to do is organise a venue, organise an audience, and organise an odd prize or two - we'll do the rest!

The Global Traveller

Well, what a 24 hours that was! Maybe not quite a GLOBAL traveller, but I've had quite a hike. Finished work on Monday afternoon, straight to Leeds-Bradford airport, flew out to Amsterdam, then (after a delay caused by strikes in France) I flew on to Luxembourg. Met at the airport by a driver, who took me to the poshest hotel in Luxembourg! Long, hot bath before a trip down to the bar for a glass of wine before bed - and ONE glass of wine was all it was to be! £5.95 for 15cl, which is around the top end of what I pay for a full bottle!
We had a 7:30 date with our transport, taking us on an hour and a quarter drive to Goodyear's test track and proving ground - one of only two such facilities in the world. New laws coming in in 2012 mean tyre manufacturers will provide much more detail about their products, right down to the amount of sound they give off, but more importantly from a safety point of view the grip and drag. We had lectures on worn tyres, winter tyres, summer tyres, and cheap imports.
Then came the practical bit, on the track. We got to drive powerful BMW's and Mercedes, and even a little Nissan which demonstrated the lethal result of mixing tyres. I did 85 in a BMW as I shot over a police stinger device, which was quite an experience - the car handled perfectly throughout, as Goodyear demonstrated the latest generation of "Drive on Flat" tyres. The amazing thing about them is you can continue to drive at 85, for up to 85 kilometres.
At the end of the day it was another mad dash to Luxembourg airport, quick flight to Amsterdam, 2 hours wait for my connecting flight, then back to Leeds-Bradford to be picked up by James Barrett from the Fresh sales team just after 9pm. Thanks to him and Fiona from Sales who did a great job of making sure I made my flights, and got home again in one piece!
I'm hoping to put together a feature on road and tyre safety using the information I got, together with Fire and Rescue, and traffic police. More on that later, but here's the picture that shows (if you look very closely) the hollow needles left by the stinger.

Intelligent business solutions

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Chile - a flawless rescue

Most people were utterly gripped by the amazing pictures sent from across the world as the incredible rescue mission unfolded. From my point of view it was an absolute joy to have some good news to report for once. And it wasn't marred in any way; the whole operation went without a hitch, and all 33 men and their rescuers were brought out of the mine in record time.

The miners were missing, presumed dead for 17 days. Then the newsreel pictures appeared of a face at the bottom of a tiny exploratory hole. Shortly after a note attached to a drill bit confirming that the men were safe in a refuge half a mile down. The bad news? They may be stuck until Christmas as drilling operations commenced. But it was to take only half the expected time to get a shaft drilled down to the men. Next we hear it'll take two days to get them all out, but no; again it takes just half the time. Only the incredibly cynical and heard-hearted could fail to have been moved by the pictures as the men came one-by-one out of the rescue pod.

I was at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Liverpool last night where, in the foyer, dozens of guests sat and stood around a massive screen as the drama unfolded live. On Facebook I read of people in the Dales staying up all night to be sure of seeing the last people come out of the mine. Chile is now firmly on the world map, and for all the right reasons. I was delighted to be able to cover the rescue operation, giving live updates as some of the trapped miners were brought out - it makes you feel incredibly humble!

Sell out for the R&B Festival

Who says radio advertising doesn't work??!! I've just had an e-mail from the Great British R&B Festival organisers to say that the first night - Friday - is a sell-out, for the first time in the event's history! They've already noted a tremendous number of ticket sales in our area, so what more proof do you need?! It's the 21st year of the festival, and there's a fantastic line-up. The first I went to was the 10th anniversary, which was quite amazing - but this year looks to surpass even that. It's a great shame Peter Green was forced to pull out (due to health issues) but the remaining line-up is still very impressive indeed. I'm hoping to get along on at least one of the nights, but I guess I'd better get my tickets PDQ!

I want to be a dentist - you get to play with some pretty impressive kit, and you've always got a very attractive assistant to cater for your every whim! I've just been along and had a VERY DEEP filling, according to mine - he said he'd caught it just in time. Could be a little garbled at the quiz tonight, but I must admit, the anaesthetic doesn't seem to last anywhere near as long as it used to do!

I have to thank Andy Batters for a fantastic trip at the weekend. We flew from near Easingwold over the dales (via Gargrave Show) up to the Cumberland Gap on the M6, right across the Howgills, over Ravenstonedale, along the A66 to Richmond, Catterick Garrison, down to Northalleton and back to Easingwold. It was a little "challenging", with a fair amount of turbulence in places, but fantastic fun all the same!

Flying over the Howgills

Gargrave Show from 2,000 feet!

Result for Fresh!

Once again we've had a great result following an appeal for a missing dog. Police received reports that the 22 month old Beagle had been taken by three girls from a garden at Draughton, near Skipton. A witness had reported seeing three girls put the dog into a car and drive off. It left the family, who were on holiday from Cambridgeshire, extremely distraught. Police called our newsroom, we reported the incident, and it was heard by the girls in question! As a result they turned up at Skipton Police Station with the dog, which has now been returned to it's very happy owners! Not too long ago we got a call from the police telling us about an armed robbery in Bradley, near Skipton - again we put out an appeal, with a description, and the culprit was spotted by a listener driving down the Aire Valley Trunk Road. Within minutes police had apprehended the suspect, and she was subsequently tried for the offence and jailed - another great result and another great example of the power of real local radio!

I've just made one of my most fattening meals ever - but oh, it was good! Chicken, rolled in streaky bacon, flash fried in rape seed oil, then oven baked for 10 minutes. I concocted a mustard, wine and cream sauce, adding chicken stock and using Dijon mustard and double cream, then I quartered some button mushrooms and fried them in rape seed oil and butter, adding garlic salt. Add new potatoes tossed in butter and chives, glass of wine, and you're sorted! Don't think I'll make Nigel Haworth's standard for a while, but at least I'm having a go!

I need a slap!

I've been so slow in updating this blog, I've been told I need a slap! Been away on holiday for the first time in two years, and it was simply incredible. We had 7 days in Sweden with some very good friends - swam in the Baltic, where the water temperature was five degrees higher than the outside temperature at Broughton! We went on a cruise - again in the Baltic - and I actually went into the on-board nightclub! Had a smorgasbord for the first time ever, ate a lot of caviare (for me) and even tried some eel!

The temperature didn't drop below 28 degrees, reaching an incredible 34 degrees at one stage while we were in Stockholm. And people can knock Ryanair as much as they like, but they got four of us us there and back on time for just over £380 return in total! Some pics have been posted on Facebook, but I'll put a complete slideshow on Picasaweb very soon. Beware though - we took over 500 in total!

Weather with you!!!

(It's a song title!). I suspect we're going to be very grateful for our air-conditioned studios at Fresh HQ as Steve Joy calls it; I finished the news yesterday and then sped up to Grizedale Forest, while Julian braved the crowds at Otley Show. 

Grizedale first, and we stopped off for a bite to eat at the Bridge service station near Newby Bridge. The car was parked in the shade of a hedge at the side of the car park, but when we got back in the outside temperature gauge read a massive 37 degrees! It settled down at 31 when we set off, but it was still sweltering. Up to Grizedale via a fantastically scenic route, courtesy of the Sat Nav, and a chat with Forest Ranger Dave Lowe, who told us of the many changes since we were last there. The Visitor Centre and Cafe are simply amazing - and hugely popular, as is the Go Ape adventure course and the mountain biking. Most business opportunities seem to be franchised, which is a great way for the Forestry Commission to help make up a funding shortfall. Sadly the only other option is to sell off parts of the estate, with the almost inevitable loss of access to the general public, and when you consider what a huge net contribution these forests make in terms of recreation, public fitness and even helping to lock in carbon, it just doesn't make sense NOT to protect them and keep them in public ownership. 

From Grizedale we were going to make our way back home, but the road leading up to Dent via Kingsdale just looked too tantalising! When you come over the top to Deepdale the view is just breath-taking, especially on a day like yesterday. Thornton Lane is a gated road, going round the western and northern end of Whernside, one of the Three Peaks and ending up in Dentdale (not far from Dent Station) via Deepdale Lane. Then it was back up to Ribblehead, where it was too disappointingly hazy to take pictures, and back home via Settle. 

All the way round we were able to listen to Julian at Otley Show, which sounded fantastic. He was able to make use of the very latest technology to not only broadcast from the show, but also take control of the playout system at the studio, something that just a few years ago would have been impossible. Hopefully it will mean we're able to do many more "outside broadcasts" throughout the summer at the various shows we'll be attending.

Right - a bit of show prep for tonight now - we're on the letter F in the Solid Gold Sunday ABC of Pop and Rock, and will be featuring (amongst many others) Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. 


Solid Gold Sunday on Fresh 7-10 tonight; don't miss it!

End of an era - and Solid Gold Sunday

It was quite an emotional last quiz at the Unicorn last night. The hotel is closing for around four months, having been bought by Wetherspoons. They're going to spend the time renovating the place before re-opening. What happens after that is anyone's guess, but they have retained the staff, which has to be good news. It's frightening to think we've been doing the quiz there for 20 years, initially for Stray FM in Harrogate before I moved to Fresh Radio. I'm going to miss the regulars - in fact I was quite surprised at how emotional I felt at the end!

Solid Gold Sunday entered its second week this week - I felt a little easier on Sunday night, but it's a long time since I did programmes, so I'm still a bit rusty. Lots and lots of feedback though, and all good, which was nice. Got a night off this coming Sunday to celebrate my birthday, but there'll still be lots of good music while I'm away! Back next week though with the letter C in the ABC of Pop and Rock, another teaser in the Mystery Music Challenge, and some more classic tunes in the "Sloppy Bit" - the last hour of the show.

There's more than 70 members on the Facebook page for the show - look for Fresh Radio's Solid Gold Sunday. It was quite amusing on Sunday night, with all of the feedback coming in via Facebook. Every time someone sent a message an audible pop came out on air! Fortunately I've sussed how to stop it now. Don't forget, if you've any requests or dedications either log onto the Facebook page (and become a friend!) or e-mail me personally at work - james.wilson@freshradio.co.uk

SPRING UPDATE

It's been a long time since I updated this blog, and deliberately so, but maybe more on that subject at a later date. It's been a busy but interesting period at Fresh - people have gone, new people have arrived, and at least one old face is back again. Nick Babb rejoins us on the "mid-morning" slot, we've a great new talent on Saturday mornings in Sophie Metcalfe, and Tiiu Shelley takes over from Steve Joy after 6pm weekdays. I'm back on Solid Gold Sundays from 7pm every Sunday night, starting next weekend, which means I'm now at work 7 days a week! I'll be catching up with Julian before long, only he's got more stamina than me! 


It's been an eventful couple of months on air too - one of the highlights was when we were visited by a couple of kuni-kuni piglets from the Hesketh Farm Park. They've now been named Julian and James! I actually read my news headlines with a piglet on my lap, while Julian did the same with the weather and travel! Lovely animals though, well worth a visit to see them.


We're just getting ready to drive up to Cockermouth, to see an old friend play live at the Fletcher Christian, on the town's Main Street. It's been a long time since I bumped into Paddy McGuire, so it'll be good to catch up. He's a prodigious talent, well worth the trip, and is on from 5 this afternoon. 


Quiz as usual tomorrow night at the Unicorn, despite being Easter Monday, then back to normal at the Tempest and Rolls. Be warned though - it's about as tough as quiz as we've done in a long time. This weeks rounds include Blockbusters and History of the World - both stinkers - and Bits and Pieces from the 50s and 90s, both REALLY easy!


Coming up in the next couple of weeks or so Jon Ranwell is coming onto the Breakfast Show to talk about a new venture he's taking on based at the Ace Centre in Nelson, then I'll be talking to actor/singer Paul Nicholas about that very same venture. All will be revealed in the fullness of time!

Snow and Ice

Well, we got Christmas and New Year out of the way without any dramas. It was the first New Years Eve since my father died, and our first for many years not spent with him. Instead we spent the evening with our friends John and Carolyn, at their home in Ripon. It was a cold night, with snow on the ground, but after a fantastic meal we decided to walk into the City Centre to bring in the New Year in the Market Place - and we had a lovely night too!  Back home for a glass of Buck's Fizz and then to bed (2am). The following morning, after a superb cooked breakfast, we made our way back home via Pateley Bridge and Stump Cross Caverns. To our surprise Park View Stores were open in Bridgehousegate, where you can find the finest flapjack known to man. We bought 10 (yes, 10!) slices, then drove up to Stump Cross for another breakfast - a tradition we've tried to keep up for the last 10 years or so. Conditions on Greenhow Hill were a bit of a surprise, considering the year before when the entire village was like a winter wonderland - totally frosted over. Yes, there was snow; but Greenhow is usually a world apart from anywhere else, and really there was very little up there.

LET IT SNOW

Then of course the snow arrived - and most of the country was paralysed! Julian and I managed to get into work every day during the worst of the weather, and spent most of the Breakfast Show fielding phone calls from schools reporting closures. Snow in the dales of course provides some fantastic photo opportunities, but we decided to head for the Lake District, where we expected to be met with snow-covered mountains and fells. It wasn't to be though - really there was very little on the ground, and we made our way from Penrith down through the lakes and back home via the A65. If only we'd turned right onto the A66 it was blocked just a few miles to the east, with massive drifts! A few days later though we did manage to get some pretty impressive pictures around the Three Peaks, in particular at Ribblehead.

ICE, ICE BABY

The next thing the weather threw at us was freezing rain, covering the region in deadly sheets of ice. Lancashire County Council had come in for particular criticism due to it's policy of not gritting any side roads, housing estates or anything that wasn't a major through route. But when the ice came they simply had to take action. Before eight in the morning that first day Skipton Police alone reported more than a dozen accidents. Schools closed again because of the danger posed by the ice, and again Julian and I were on our own. Listeners started to play Spot the Gritter, and there were even rumours that gritting teams were being accompanied by police for their own safety. (Not true). Now it's the big thaw, and guess what? Everybody seems to be surprised that river levels have gone up, and there's some flooding! As far as I'm concerned the snow, ice and flooding are inconvenient, but at last we seem to be having a proper winter! Kids have been out on sledges for the first time in decades, having a whale of a time, we've got some fabulous photos, and hopefully next summer we'll have a lot less bugs and nasty stinging insects around. What we probably WILL have though - is a hosepipe ban!

Big boys toys!

What a way to get over Christmas - more excitement! I got the opportunity to ride the footplate on a steam locomotive today. I was invited down to the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, where I met up with Crazy Dave Anderson. He introduced me to the train crew, then we set off for Bolton Abbey. I was surprised at the heat coming from the firebox - it was tremendous, and contrasted with a pretty cold afternoon. Needless to say we got plenty of pictures too, a couple of which I've included below.

We're ready to set off to Bolton Abbey (above)

The engine turns around at Bolton Abbey (above)

A very arty view of the funnel, taken by Judith

  

Me, Crazy Dave, driver Neil Hubbs and the engine's owner

Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

It's well over a month since I last posted here, but at last Christmas has arrived and I've actually got a couple of days off! I'm very much looking forward to New Years Eve, when Julian and I are going to do a four hour review of the year. Then I'm off to bring in the New Year with friends in Ripon - the first time I haven't spent it with my dad in more than ten years. One tradition we do intend to keep up though is breakfast at Stumps Cross Caverns on New Years Day. We've still a couple of Christmas quizzes to do, then I've a special one for a wedding just after the new year. The Tempest quiz will be excellent, weather permitting, as teams put in a lot of effort with fancy dress outfits. I'm looking forward to one team in particular, as they're keeping it very close to their chests!

A couple of weeks ago I got a new camera, and trailed off up the Waterfall Walks at Ingleton. I tried out a new technique (to me that is) and took the camera out of automatic mode for the first time ever! I wanted to get the effect of water flowing, using a very slow shutter speed.

This picture is the very first one I took of a waterfall - and I have to admit I'm very well pleased with the result. I'll probably never be able to repeat it, but at least I can say "I did this!" It's at Pecca Falls, around half way to the top of the walk.

I had been planning to go out this morning again (Christmas Day) but the fog's descended now, so I guess I'll have to wait until the conditions improve.

Buzz Hawkins at the Tempest Arms

What can I say? Another brilliant night from Buzz, well attended, and enjoyed immensely by all who were there - all but one that is! (More about him later).

As expected the Tempest proved to be a great venue, with just enough room to seat the audience comfortably, and despite the fact the place was already heaving with people wanting to dine we were made very welcome. They also provided a great little "Lucky Bag" for everyone who bought a ticket, crammed with lots of those sweets that everyone remembered from their childhood - sherbet dips, flying saucers, penny chews. In fact I'm eating the paper off a black-jack as I write! Buzz as always was on excellent form, but I've come to expect that anyway. Despite the fact that I'm writing this early on Sunday morning, I've already had some great feedback from members of the audience too. BUT - there was just one person who did nothing but whinge. He'd travelled up from the Midlands and was staying in a pub in Eastby. He got into conversation with my wife - and just moaned, and moaned and moaned. He started having a go at me first;

Miserable git: "Is that your husband, the bloke from the radio? Huh, his voice sounds a lot younger than he looks!"

Wife (ignoring comment): "Where do you come from?" Miserable git: "Burton on Trent"

Wife "Oh, I've got relatives down there, they live in Meir" Miserable git; "Meir? what a sh**hole that is!"

Wife (ignoring second rude comment): "Where are you staying tonight?" Miserable git:  "A village called Eastby - that's a right sh**hole too!"

EASTBY??? He must have discovered another Eastby that we don't know about - it's a lovely place, nestled just below the fell on the fabulous run across from Barden to Embsay, with a marvelous pub too.

Anyway, back to the conversation, by which time the wife was losing the will to live. By this stage I'm playing a Michael Buble track as background music
Miserable Git: "Does that radio station play Michael Buble then?" Wife: "Yes" Miserable Git: "Bye then!"
But that sadly wasn't the end of the conversation; his final remark was to start "slagging off" the Tempest. He reckoned he couldn't tell whether it was a pub, a restaurant or a leisure complex. Now I know I'm likely to be fairly defensive of the place, but the most recent accolades - and the two packed car parks - must surely speak volumes by themselves. It's literally just been voted the UK Food Pub of the Year too, and justifiably so. It's warm, friendly, extremely comfortable and very, very popular. But this guy was having none of it.

Miserable git: "This place is also a "sh**hole" and the food is far too expensive".

Now MG, if you're looking for the sort of food you obviously enjoy, might I suggest a little "Greasy Spoon" on the A1 near Newark - as you head back to where you belong! I'm SO pleased you enjoyed your trip "oop north" but I'm sure you'll forgive me MG, when I say we're very, very glad to see the back of you! Oh, and by the way, can I suggest you take back a couple of Yorkshire beers with you, to show them in Burton how it should be done!

By the way, our "Up close and personal" tour with Buzz Hawkins moves up to Gayle Mill near Hawes next month. It's on the 14th of November, possibly with a matinee on the 15th, depending on how ticket sales go. We're also hoping to put on a show in Sedbergh or Kirkby Stephen, and either Richmond or Catterick Garrison - but PLEASE  - only enquire about tickets if you have a sense of humour - and if you're from anywhere in the Midlands you WILL need an entry visa! Keep listening to Fresh Radio for more details.
Pictures:
Top; Buzz chats to Alf Bradshaw has he takes a bath.
Bottom; The Tempest Arms on one of those extremely rare occasions when there was space in the car park

POSTSCRIPT: It would seem (from a phone call I received this morning) that the gent in question DID enjoy the show - it's just the rest of the world as we know it above Doncaster that he despises (and Meir)!

MacMillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning

Another week's flown by and we find ourself approaching October - already! The World's Biggest Coffee Morning was a great success - we went out to visit several in the dales, doing live inserts into Steve Joy's show from a couple, starting on the Grove in Ilkley. From there we moved on to the Lawn Tennis Club (also in Ilkley) which was very busy indeed. We also visited Embsay Village Hall, where we learnt the rudiments  of Carpet Bowls, Bolton Abbey Village Hall (which was packed!) and on to Barnoldswick. There we caught up with Tricia and Beryl of the Calendar Girls at Rolls Royce Leisure, and from there we went into the town centre.

Sadly we missed the event at Victoria's Needles, and in fact that had to be the end of our tour, time having caught up with us. We had planned to go much further - up to Ingleton in fact, but our three hours alloted time sped by far too quickly. We also missed out on a planned trip to Craven College, assuming that the event would be at the Aireville campus. When we arrived there we were told it was at their High Street site, so we reluctantly made the decision to give it a miss, it being Market Day. We hear It was a great event though, and congratulations must go to all who put in such a fantastic effort.

In the morning we'd kicked off an on-air auction of a football, signed by all the players at Burnley FC. I'd hoped we could raise around £50, but in the event Steve Joy managed to double that, with some frantic last minute bids coming in to his show just before mid-day. That will go into the Rolls Royce total, the ball having been donated to Martin Holden, who organised the event there with Catherine Oldfield. Martin had been into Fresh and came onto the Breakfast Show last Wednesday to tell us all about his experience of MacMillan when his late wife sadly and very recently succumbed to cancer. I'm not sure what Roohi Lupton from MacMillan is going to spring on us next, but I think I can speak for the whole fresh team when I say were proud to have been able to be a part of the World's Biggest Coffee Morning!

Pictures.

Top: We gather at the Tennis Club in Ilkley. Ian Wighton (who used to do the Motown and Soul Show in the Yorkshire Dales Radio days) was drafted in to help out on the day.

Middle: I catch up with Tricia Stewart of the Calendar Girls at Rolls Royce Leisure.

Bottom: Steve Joy and I discuss how much we reckon the Burnley Football will fetch.