BBC axes another folk show

Subject: BBC axes another folk show
From: andrewq
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 08:36 AM

Sad news that Alistair Anderson's Northern Folk ends next week after about 7 years of broadcasting on BBC Radio Newcastle, Radio Cumbria and Radio Cleveland. It was one of the best folk shows on UK radio and regularly championed both young and established traditional musicians. It is incredible that a region so rich with traditional music doesn't now have its own BBC radio show. Do the trendy careerist urbanites who run the BBC really need to kill off all our folk programmes?

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 08:43 AM

There's one 'f*lk' radio show that I'd really like to see killed off and that isn't produced by the BBC but by an outsourced production company based in relatively rural Outer Manchester.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Surreysinger
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 08:51 AM

Does the company have a lot of "O"s, a couple of "S"'s, and a smattering of an extra "P" and "M" in it's name, by any chance??

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: KeithofChester
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 09:04 AM

That would be the one with the producer that claimed The White Hare really met the criteria for inclusion as a Traditional song, for whom Oliver Cromwell's words were never more appropriate:
'You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of [folk], go'.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 09:08 AM

And take the R2 Controller with you.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: GUEST,mother farquhar
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 09:24 AM

Any of you actually got any opinions on the axeing of AA's programme ?

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 09:36 AM

Not really. It's not a surprise is it?
I think Ali should keep on doing it anyway and Folkworks could stream it out from The Sage.
Or something.
Gateshead Online for the very best in etc etc . . . .

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 09:47 AM

Our very own Ali O and Bernard were axed from Beeb's Radio Manchester and are now very sucessfuly broadcasting on community radio - Is it Oldham, Bernard? (if you're there, and how's Ali btw?). I think you are right, Diane. Maybe once the beeb see the sucess of these shows that no-one wants...

Well, they probably will still take no notice but you never know.

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: stallion
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 10:28 AM

well from what happened to North Yorkshire Folk nothing surprises me, I do have some thoughts but at a couldn't possibly divulge them it is un PC, I don't want to be classed as bigoted, is the BBC full of Freemasons? it used to be ok to have a pop at freemasons, ah no, not the masons, it must be another clique!

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Bernard
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 11:30 AM

Well, John Ryan (the station manager at BBC Radio Manchester, ex GMR), used the excuse that a lot of community radio stations were coming online and, I quote, 'they can do a better job of it than the BBC'. 'It' was referring to 'Specialist Music Programming'.

I'm sure he doesn't wish to be quoted as having said that, but Ali will confirm those were his very words!

Yes, Dave, Ali is doing okay having had more hospital treatment for 'adhesions' following the ileostomy reversal, and is rapidly getting back to 'normal'!

We're on air as usual tonight between 7.00pm and 8.00pm, repeated on Friday.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Bernard
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 11:45 AM

Oooops! Should have said:

Oldham Community Radio 99.7fm or online.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 11:55 AM

It makes you wonder what BBC LOCAL radio was invented for!

I'm currently getting a programme together for Radio Britfolk and am in discussion with someone who used to work for BBC Radio Manchester (as it was called the first time round) and we had an e-conversation about this subject. He gave me the following bit of useful advice:

"Most managers don't seem to stay for too long, and it's quite possible the next person will have different views on music. If enough 'Folk Followers' complain - and it's also a good idea to write to the Head of Local Radio in London - music will slowly creep back into programme planning. Listening figures are paramount for all stations."

It seems that it's time to get pen to paper again!

BBC Tyne, Broadcasting Centre, Barrack Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE99 1RN
phone: [phone] | e-mail: [e-mail]

That wedge is getting driven further in!

Cheers
Mark

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: andrewq
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 01:20 PM

[e-mail] seems to be one of those damned fool autoresponders. I've just had a load of guff back from that.

[e-mail]

or (station manager's guessed address)

[e-mail]

may work better.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: andrewq
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 01:37 PM

Sorry, neither of those seem to work either. Anyone know a real e-mail address for BBC Radio Newcastle or its station manager?

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 01:51 PM

It is becoming increasingly difficult to contact anyone at the BBC by email unless a specific person or programme has given you their personal email address.

In response to a general mailout from a production office I replied and got an autoresponse from someone called 'donotreply' advising me to contact directly the very person who had told me to contact that particular office.

Here's the clincher from the robot:

We are sorry but our email system will not receive your email unless
you use one of our pre-formatted webforms. We realise the inconvenience
but hope you will understand that this helps us handle the many emails
we receive every day more efficiently and makes best use of your licence
fee.

Thing is, they just don't want staff talking to licence payers.

What I did was find that piece of plastic called a phone hidden beneath a stack of CDs, picked it up and actually spoke to someone. Archaic, but effective.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 02:06 PM

Home Rule for Northumbria!

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Nick
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 02:34 PM

>>It is becoming increasingly difficult to contact anyone at the BBC by email unless a specific person or programme has given you their personal email address.

Is this a fact or your view?

I have been in touch with the BBC recently and had no problem sending emails or getting responses.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 02:45 PM

If you mean is this other people's experience as well as my own, yes it is.
It's scarcely a secret that the BBC wants to channel mail through gateways like so many sheep.
And that they deal with as much as possible by autoresponse.
And use platitudes which can, without much difficulty, be interpreted as 'we are telling you that this is the best use of the licence fee so . . . sod off'.

There was a recent thread in which people described problems in complaining about Fi Glover taking the piss out of Morris dancing during the R4 Saturday morning sequence. I had no such problem . . . but then I knew exacly who to contact.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Nick
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 02:51 PM

I'm obviously not as clever or as well connected you but I didn't have a problem.

Not to nitpick but in your post you state didn't have any problem contacting the BBC as you knew exactly who to contact. So I still don't know whether it's a fact or hearsay.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 03:04 PM

In that particular instance I had no problem because I know the producer.
If you too knew precisely who to contact, I imagine you had no difficulty either.
Personally, I no longer know absolutely everyone at the BBC, indeed never did.
And I certainly don't know who to approach at Barrack Road as it's more than 10 years since I was there.
If someone can provide a name, personal email or phone number, there'd be a chance of getting somewhere.

In the first mentioned case, I was passed around like a parcel (or a hapless phone-in customer at a call centre).
It's a game they play with their 'pre-formatted webforms'.
Load of smug bastards.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 03:52 PM

Course, you COULD start a thread on the BBC Folk board where the BBC might just see it and take note......

Insanely....Diane and I obviously couldn't join in

The thing I don't understand is...WHERE is the support though.

Only the other day there was a thread about Radio Britfolk on there, trying to drum up some support and interest...There was zilch that came back to be honest..And it often happens on here too..

How do you think all the people who work so hard to bring you these folk programmes feel when they get nothing back?

If all these folk programmes are so badly missed when they finally get axed, then surely it's better to support and write about them whilst they're still on air, thus allowing 'those in charge' to realise just HOW popular they really are, rather than keep totally silent, and then ONLY write in a moaning way about their demise...

The folk world NEEDS enthusiasm!

And that can only be brought to the attention of the BBC and other parts of the media by people writing er...'enthusiastically' about it!

Support and talk about these programmes BEFORE they're axed...not AFTER!


Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Nick
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 04:30 PM

People write and complain but they rarely write and applaud - fact of life.

Perhaps that's why I engaged with people when I was last in touch; I wasn't complaining I was encouraging.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 04:51 PM

Nick, if you'd look at the beginning of the thread, I was actually getting castigated for not complaining, not really giving a toss, because I actually think Ali's programme would be better off being transmitted online, possibly by Folkworks.

And, as far as Saturday Live was concerned, if you'd read that too, you would have seen that I was entirely positive about the Morris item itself and I was attempting to persuade all those incensed at Fi Glover's particularly silly comments to write in and congratulate the production team and save their rantings about presentation for Feedback.

You haven't said whatever it was you found to be 'encouraging' about. There are many people dotted here and there who do their best to get stuff slipped in. I used to get all sorts into Children's Programmes. Y'know, presented as relatively 'normal', everyday activities relevant to the bulk of the population. Not 'specialist' items, weirdo stuff for the terminally retarded, Planet F*lkie nutters.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: GUEST,Mr Gubbins (no, not that one!!)
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 06:45 PM

"community radio stations were coming online and, I quote, 'they can do a better job of it than the BBC'"

Well at least the BBC (John Ryan) have said one thing right.

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Folkiedave
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 07:17 PM

Lizzie - we must differ on this. The BBC folk and acoustic board is run by Smooth Operations. Why bother?

They take so much notice of it and the people who write in that I believe you are banned are you not?

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 02:07 AM

The BBC Radio 2 Folk and Acoustic message board is a complete waste of space.

eric

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 04:01 AM

>>>"community radio stations were coming online and, I quote, 'they can do a better job of it than the BBC'"

Well at least the BBC (John Ryan) have said one thing right.<<<


Heehee! ;0)

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: stallion
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 04:33 AM

MMMMMM the thing is, the nearest thing to a habit I have is the Tap on a Friday night (and I am not always there) and Mudcat, so, the radio folk programmes I would dip in and out of, particularly the "listen again" facility, I used to catch the first hour of North Yorkshire Folk cos more often than not I would be in the kitchen cooking. But, it was comforting to know that when I could they were there to listen to. Like the Black Swan Folk Club, I am out to the Quiz on Wedneday nights, Tap on Friday nights and my other half would throw a fit if I went out Thursdays as well but every now and then I get to go and I am glad that it is there.
Peter

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Folkiedave
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 05:13 AM

Whilst letters sent to [e-mail] receive an autoreply they are opened - at least mine was!!

I will let you know whether I get a reply.

Dave

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 05:51 AM

Hi Folks,

Yesterday,having emailed the [e-mail] address and got the standard automated response, I was just as cross as the rest of you who have done likewise. However, this morning I got two personal emails from Radio Tyne - one of them was actually signed! Here they are:

>>Dear Mike

Thank you for your email to BBC Tyne. We have forwarded it to the
managing editor of BBC Radio Newcastle.

Kind regards

BBC Tyne<<

>>Dear Dr Sutton

Thank you for your interest in BBC Radio Newcastle, I'm sorry that you're disappointed by our programme change.
Northern Folk has been part of the programming for many years, and refreshing the line-up from time-to-time is part of the process of running a radio station. We try to respond to what our listeners tell us they enjoy. BBC Radio 2 have a fantastic Folk show, and while we're very grateful for everything Alistair has done for the station, we feel that the changes we have made are building listener choice across the BBC by doing something different on Sunday evenings.

Yours sincerely


Doug Morris
Assistant Editor
BBC Radio Newcastle<<

Please not the key phrase in the second letter. "We try to respond to what our listeners tell us they enjoy." Perhaps if enough listeners write in and complain they may think again about "doing something different on Sunday evenings".

Wassail!

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: Folkiedave
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 06:18 AM

I got a reply too - it goes as follows:

Dear Mr Eyre

Thank you for your interest in BBC Radio Newcastle, I'm sorry that you're disappointed by our programme change.
Northern Folk has been part of our programming for many years, and refreshing the line-up from time-to-time is part of the process of running a radio station. We try to respond to what our listeners tell us they enjoy. BBC Radio 2 have a fantastic Folk show, and while we're very grateful for everything Alistair has done for the station, we feel that the changes we have made are building listener choice across the BBC by doing something different on Sunday evenings.

Yours sincerely


Doug Morris
Assistant Editor
BBC Radio Newcastle

Subject: RE: BBC axes another folk show
From: GUEST,Spidey Bobe
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 08:09 AM

"We try to respond to what our listeners tell us they enjoy. BBC Radio 2 have a fantastic Folk show, and while we're very grateful for everything Alistair has done for the station, we feel that the changes we have made are building listener choice across the BBC by doing something different on Sunday evenings. "

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