2 DAYS AT BBC RADIO NORTHAMPTON

So as some of you will know, I’ve spent the last 2 days in Northamptonshire working for BBC radio Northampton and what an experience that has been.

My day started on the 16th with some next day planning. I spent the whole morning calling around a list of names to try and get a speaker for the next morning show (on the 17th). I think I left about 14 voicemails and only had a response from 2 people, shockingly people don’t always want to be on the radio.

In the afternoon I got to spend some one-on-one time with the morning producer, Anna, who gave me a tour of the studios and introduced me to all the important people. Then she asked me to set up interviews for next week. I called a variety of marathon runners who Anna wants to appear on the show in the week leading up to the London marathon. I managed to set up 3 interviews for her, leaving them with only two to arrange.

Anna then went on to show me the editing software they use for radio packages. I even had the chance to play around on it and see what I could do with some clips. This was some real radio journalism and I’m grateful for this opportunity.

After a brief stop off at Ruth’s for a sleepover, I got to return today (17th) at 6am! I went out straight away with the reporter Tom to interview a local lady from Northampton. We were at her house at 6:45 and for that time in the morning, she was incredibly enthusiastic.

The lady we interviewed was named Laura, and she and her business partner write their own magazine called the ‘Happy Hood’ which is filled with only good news from around Northampton. They were inspired to write this magazine because they were sick of being brought down by the mainstream media news and wanted to share their positive vibes. She also brought out two guests who have featured in her magazine before.

The first guest was Adam, he is 24 and has started his own business, that supports local businesses and their customers. He wants people to be proud of their hometown and make it a happier place, hence his feature in the Happy Hood. The second guest was Ife, she runs her own business selling ‘Affirmation Stars’. She argues that there is absolutely no need to see the mainstream news, so she blocks it all out. Laura featured her in the first ever issue of the happy hood and has stayed in contact ever since. Me and Tom even got goodie bags to leave with. Laura really was super positive and her work was incredible.

Once we got back from the interview at 9:45, just in time to attend the 10am ideas meeting back at the studio. This was where they shared ideas about future prospects for features to appear in the show in the next coming weeks. Then, I was again, making a few calls to try and book guests onto the show for tomorrow (18th).

At about lunch time, I went outside to record some VOX’s. This meant me wandering the streets of Northampton asking the general public questions and recording their answers. Todays question was linked to a feature on tomorrows show about a valuable ‘Beatles’ record found in an old box in a garage. I had to ask bystanders “have you ever found anything weird or valuable in your loft or garage” and surprisingly, people were reluctant to answer. However, after roughly an hour I had 5 reasonable answers to return to the studio with.

Once I returned to the studio, I edited my recordings into a small link for tomorrows package which Anna was impressed with, and is actually being played on BBC radio Northampton tomorrow morning. Which honestly, I’m quite proud of, considering I only learnt to use the software yesterday! So, if you’re in the Northamptonshire area and hear me on the radio, that’s why!

After this was finished, I was finished. 16 hours of work experience in a different county all wrapped up. It was a great couple of days and I’m so thankful to the team for looking after me and showing me the radio ropes. I’m still shocked I was even invited, let alone it being over already. Hopefully I can return once my exams are finished.