ChronicleLive - Chronicle People

Newcastle calling...

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:27:08 +0000

It's been a strange week this week as my working day has been split in two. I have still been on Real Radio in the mornings but have had to work in the evenings too. I am not moaning as it was my own choice to help out a radio station in Perth in Western Australia. I have a connection to that city as its where my brother and his family moved to 5 years ago.

He is now an Aussie citizen and loves the lifestyle down under - the same goes for his wife Claire and their two children Chloe and Callum. We have been to the see them twice and had a fantastic time. It's wonderful to see them but also so exciting to visit somewhere new.

The magic of Michael

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:35:02 +0000

It's all been said about Michael Jackson over the past 3 days since his death....his sad childhood, the pressure of being a child star etc etc.

This evening, as predicted, he is number one in the singles charts with "Man in the Mirror" and his albums have taken almost every spot in the Top 10.

It's goodnight from them? Let's hope not

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:50:26 +0000

I was interested by the governments Digital Britain report which was trying to map out the future for local news on tv, broadband for all and radio.
The part that caught my eye was the proposal to fund ITV's local news out of the BBC licence fee. Many have asked why a major player like ITV need cash from the licence fee pot and I have heard many voices against this idea.

However I beg to differ...and I'll explain why.

Talking the American way...or the Brummie way....

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:44:23 +0000

The week's holiday here in the north east is going really well. The weather is good and there's something nice about being at home but not having to get up early. The exception to this was yesterday when I went along to a course on how to do accents.

It's not for my radio show but for some work that I do for a website called Signed Stories. This is a site where kids stories are turned into signed language so the deaf and hard of hearing can enjoy the books.

Learning to walk again

Sun, 31 May 2009 16:27:11 +0000

I'm writing this from the garden on what has to be one of the hottest days of the year. I can smell the whiff of barbecues from neighbours gardens and it is blissful. I am still hobbling about on cructhes but next Friday is a big day - the consultant says I can walk on my broken ankle again.

I'm really looking forward to being rid of the two crutches (will probably need one as a safety blanket measure) but it's another step (if you'll pardon the pun) on having a normal life back.

At last!

Tue, 26 May 2009 17:37:59 +0000

Been a bit quiet for the past week or so and that's because the cast has meant I have been either at home or work and didn't think you'd want to read about our potty old cat or my afternoons pottering about the house!

However a few days ago the cause of my enforced hobbling was removed... the cast is off! I went to the QE expecting to hear the worst. I am a typical bloke when it comes to doctors and hospitals and would rather be anywhere than in a hospital.
I slept badly on Thursday night thinking the consultant was going to tell me I needed an operation or something had gone...blah, blah....and it was all totally wasted worry.

The Renegade is on the loose!

Tue, 12 May 2009 14:36:11 +0000

My working day has been turned upside by something new to the north east - The Real Radio Renegade.
It's one of the best competitions I have heard or been involved with on the radio ever.

The idea is this... the Renegade calls us on air and leaves a cryptic clue to where he might be in the north east. He also tells us how much money he has on him to be won. The listeners then have to find him and ask "Are you the Real Radio Renegade?" If he is the Renegade he will pay out.

A balancing act on air!

Thu, 07 May 2009 17:57:07 +0000

Quite a few listeners have asked how I am coping on air and off with the leg.

I have to say my colleagues at Real Radio and Smooth Radio (we share the same building) have been fantastic.

I am a very independent person and feel guilty asking for items off the printer or for someone to make me a coffee.

Believe me I have tried to make coffee and then carry it with me while on crutches.

The kitchen floor is testament to that daft idea!

The studio is fairly easy to operate with one foot balanced on the desk although the CD players behind me are a bit tricky.

The hardest part is getting to the loo - although I have mastered it... an office chair, wheeled backwards.

Be careful what people write on your plaster cast!

Mon, 04 May 2009 13:47:19 +0000

Another glorious Bank Holiday Monday - I was glad I was at work but judging by the response from the listeners it was a toss up between going to the pub, the shops or doing some DIY!

However Sunday was much brighter and I found myself at the back of a church in County Durham as an old friend became the new priest at a church in Great Lumley.

The oldest rugby player in town?

Fri, 01 May 2009 17:27:33 +0000

I'm pleased to say the leg is on the mend and I have only 3 weeks left of the cast on my leg.

The good news was delivered by a consultant at the QE in Gateshead earlier today.

His opening remark was a bit of a surprise "What are you doing playing rugby at your age?"

Twenty thousand thanks for all your pounds!

Fri, 01 May 2009 17:27:33 +0000

We are all a bit tired at Real Radio after our charity day which is called "Bring a pound to work day".

The good cause this year is the baby and young childrens hospice Zoe's Place in Middlesbrough which cres for kids from all around the north east.

I spent all day there on Thursday as we broadcast from the centre and marvelled at the care that the youngsters are given.

I'm helping a website reading for deaf children

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:32:00 +0000

I have just spent the afternoon reading kids story books.

I'm not taking up teaching but have been working on a website called "Signed Stories".

The idea is to make children's books accessible to deaf and hard of hearing kids.

They are brilliantly put together by a team in Gateshead and a TV facilities house in Newcastle.

Shearer is a class act, but Cisse's jacket was the highlight

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:55:00 +0000

I had to smile watching the football over the weekend... not that there was much cheer from the results for Newcastle fans.

However the tv coverage proved what a savvy guy Alan Shearer is.

He understands the medium well after working on the BBC's Match of the Day and is aware that his every reaction is being recorded or broadcast live as he watches the Toon in action.

I still get recognised - at least for my legs!

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:13:00 +0000

I still get recognised quite a lot from my many years working for Tyne Tees TV.

Quite a few people still think I am on the news at 6 but others saw the Chronicles coverage of the changes at ITV and know that I am now on Real Radio in the mornings.

I mention this as you're never quite sure who is watching you when you're out and about.

Unfortunately I've broken my ankle playing rugby

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:43:06 +0000

What's the old saying about not knowing what you've lost until it's gone?

For me at the minute that "lost" element is being able to walk.

Why?

Someone who really should know better at the age of 39 decided to join a rugby club to get fit and to break the boredom of dark evenings stuck in front of the telly.