Musings from the Merse
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Live (or rather in the can) from Duns?
Huttonian, has, out of the blue, been asked to 'appear' on Broadcasting House-the Radio 4 magazine programme. Apparently some highheidyins in the corporation intrigued by the description of the Bush/Brown talks as 'Free and Frank' want some one with dip service background to interpret the nuances of such labels which often do more to conceal than to elucidate. Watch that space.
The BBC have a built in abhorrence of interviewing on the bog standard phone. Much too low tech. I resisted the time wasting effort of being driven to the BBC studio in Newcastle so they have come up with a serve- yourself -studio in Duns apparently occasionally used by Borders Radio. This involves going to the first floor of the Workers Institute having collected the key from the newsagents. Letting oneself in' turning on the power and activating the microphone and awaiting the CALL from London.
Fingers crossed. My experiences of self propagation are not good. Once in Norn Iron I was picked up by a BBC hired taxi in Newcastle, driven to Down Patrick (where is that? asked the driver) to be admitted into the Saint Patrick Centre at 730am. This was for an interview on BBC Radio Ulster. The caretaker took some convincing before he let me in: How do you know we have a BBC studio here? The BBC told me. Oh. Anyhow I was admitted only to find that the key pad controlled lock to the do it yourself studio had jammed-so no studio. And having paid 50p to the caretaker to use his phone to alert the BBC I was interviewed on a standard machine which could have been cheerfully done in the comfort of the drafty Cottage hall.
And radio cars are no more reliable. Again in Newcastle, post the Downpatrick fiasco, BBC Ulster sent a radio car which positioned itself on the sea front. There was a Force 10 gale and the car was continously swept by waves coming over the sea wall knocking the place it yourself aerial off the roof and causing several breaks in transmission. In the end the driver/engineer admitted defeat and the rest of the interview was conducted elsewhere-yes-the Cottage hall. On this occasion the BBC cannot find a Radio car to come to the Old Manse, more likely perhaps, they are not confident that the Radio Car can find Hutton. Hence Duns.
I do hope it all works but if I have to return to Hutton, uninterviewed because of the failings of the Workers Institute operation (can't find the keys, Newsagent refuses to part with them, microphone is away for servicing, kettle won't boil) the BBC and I will have an exchange of views. Free (if they call me) and
Frank.
Huttonian, has, out of the blue, been asked to 'appear' on Broadcasting House-the Radio 4 magazine programme. Apparently some highheidyins in the corporation intrigued by the description of the Bush/Brown talks as 'Free and Frank' want some one with dip service background to interpret the nuances of such labels which often do more to conceal than to elucidate. Watch that space.
The BBC have a built in abhorrence of interviewing on the bog standard phone. Much too low tech. I resisted the time wasting effort of being driven to the BBC studio in Newcastle so they have come up with a serve- yourself -studio in Duns apparently occasionally used by Borders Radio. This involves going to the first floor of the Workers Institute having collected the key from the newsagents. Letting oneself in' turning on the power and activating the microphone and awaiting the CALL from London.
Fingers crossed. My experiences of self propagation are not good. Once in Norn Iron I was picked up by a BBC hired taxi in Newcastle, driven to Down Patrick (where is that? asked the driver) to be admitted into the Saint Patrick Centre at 730am. This was for an interview on BBC Radio Ulster. The caretaker took some convincing before he let me in: How do you know we have a BBC studio here? The BBC told me. Oh. Anyhow I was admitted only to find that the key pad controlled lock to the do it yourself studio had jammed-so no studio. And having paid 50p to the caretaker to use his phone to alert the BBC I was interviewed on a standard machine which could have been cheerfully done in the comfort of the drafty Cottage hall.
And radio cars are no more reliable. Again in Newcastle, post the Downpatrick fiasco, BBC Ulster sent a radio car which positioned itself on the sea front. There was a Force 10 gale and the car was continously swept by waves coming over the sea wall knocking the place it yourself aerial off the roof and causing several breaks in transmission. In the end the driver/engineer admitted defeat and the rest of the interview was conducted elsewhere-yes-the Cottage hall. On this occasion the BBC cannot find a Radio car to come to the Old Manse, more likely perhaps, they are not confident that the Radio Car can find Hutton. Hence Duns.
I do hope it all works but if I have to return to Hutton, uninterviewed because of the failings of the Workers Institute operation (can't find the keys, Newsagent refuses to part with them, microphone is away for servicing, kettle won't boil) the BBC and I will have an exchange of views. Free (if they call me) and
Frank.
Labels: BBC. Broadcasting House. Duns
Comments:
I am corrected: It should be 'full and frank' And since you ask the programme is going out a 9am on Sunday
So, I may have a chance, whilst popping into Nairns to pick up my Sunday Times, of rubbing shoulders with you, as you collect that key. Would you wear a white rose to identify yourself?
# posted by 
: 10:41 PM
: 10:41 PM
Sorry Brithday Girl-I was in Nairns today picking up the keys to pre-record my interview. Rose less as it happens. I will be wearing one on Sunday between 9-10 am but within the Old Manse. When I reached the studio I found it was already occupied by some famous Scottish Footballer* talking on Radio Scotland. We then had a problem turning Radio Scotland off in favour of the BBC. But the techie did and I had my new pennyworth.
* Don't ask. Don't know but well known in Nairns.
* Don't ask. Don't know but well known in Nairns.
Went out at about 9.20am. My favourite anecdote about King Hussein and the British Ambassadorwas not included owing to pressure of space-Foot and Mouth or something.Strange sense of priorities?
Post a Comment
