When local news isn’t local enough

I’ve just finished a 12 hour livestream. Yes, half a day of nonstop broadcasting on BCB1.

You read it right – BCB1 not BBC1; an epic podcast-athon to see what role hyper local media might play in the economic regeneration of market towns like Bishop’s Castle in my home county of Shropshire. BBC local radio is no longer local enough in my view. And local newspapers, or rather their websites, are rendered pretty much unnavigable by pay walls, pop-ups and click bait.

So from 8am to 8pm on Thursday September 3rd 2026, I interviewed an eclectic range of people about their town and the surrounding area. We covered everyting from the retail economy and farming to the arts, poetry and music. We even had a genuine world exclusive involving squirrels, more of which later.

It was all part of an initiative called Bishop’s Castle Is Open which involves the town’s empty shops being taken over by pop ups for a few days. I was in good company LUSH was there too. I smelled lovely the next day.

The initiative was the brainchild of Deb Alma, fabulous founder of the Poetry Pharmacy, and Bex Hunter of The Castle Hotel.

I popped up a television station in the Stars, a former newsagents now run by the Bishop’s Castle Community Land Trust. I started my working life as a newspaper delivery boy. Then I was a newpaper reporter before working for the BBC. So it felt like a homecoming of sorts.

Have a look at the full recording over on ACM Training’s YouTube channel. We’re busy posting highlights and clips too. Because who wants to sit and watch the whole 12 hours in one go? I did that for you!

I can safely say that after 40 plus years in the broadcasting business it’s the longest single stint I’ve ever spent at the microphone. And the first time I’ve been given chocolates, beer and flowers.

Second pic includes Max Hunt and Linda Hart of the Housman Society in our lash up studio.