Simon Whiteside‏

Programme Synopsis:
 
The On Air Surgery is a weekly show broadcasting live throughout the Ribble Valley and across the Internet each Thursday from 6pm-8pm, with repeat pre-recorded broadcasts in-between.
It is hosted by Simon Whiteside.

On the show we will be discussing issues and topics pertinent to you, our listeners that affect your lives in the Ribble Valley. Topics will range from Ageing In The Ribble Valley, Depression, Drug & Alcohol Use, Ribble Valley Youth, Ribble Valley Communities: Are They Lost?, and a host of other issues chosen by and led by you, our listeners.

Each week we hope to have a guest panel to assist our callers, texters and e-mailers with their problems, and respond to their comments. Alternatively, some weeks it’ll be just me, you, and a whole load of talk.

So, I look forward to hearing from you all very soon!

Cheers,
Simon
 
Presenter’s Q&A
 
Why did you want to do this kind of show? 
I’ve always been a talkative and social person, so on reflection I think a talk orientated programme was inevitable. In terms of the show being topical and issues led, I trained for 4 years as a Counsellor in the Person Centred therapy model. I meet a variety of people in my private practice with various backgrounds, and with a multitude of personal issues. Without meaning to sound “worthy”, I’ve always been drawn to the human condition and the emotional facets that can be so powerful in driving us to feel the way we do and do the things we do. I’m hoping some of this will come through in the show. I don’t necessarily want it to just be a “shouting shop” for airing grievances or problems. I’d actually like to scratch the surface with some callers and scale the issue back a bit so that we end up looking how it’s specific and personal to them as an individual, rather than them as a representative of a larger group of people in the community.
 
But you’re presenting a Community Radio show. Isn’t it important to try and encourage a sense of community?
Absolutely, and I think we will be doing that because the issues and topics, broadly speaking touch on community issues and certain “groups” within our community. Community does not mean we are all the same. We choose to live together and so we share common experiences within that togetherness. However, behind that we are all unique individuals irrespective of commonalities. I’m hoping I’ll be able to convey this on the show.
 
Have you done any radio before?
Ooo, a “smidge” back in my wayward youth! I dabbled in Hospital Radio in my late teens with a friend of mine. We didn’t especially have a “vision” for our show. It was more irreverent talk and camp nonsense. Around this time I did a short radio course at the home of former Radio 1 D.J., Bruno Brookes. It was a real eye opener. One of the cardinal sins of radio is you cannot have “dead air” where there’s nothing being said or played, so we had to talk non-stop for 1 minute, unscripted. As the timer counted down the minute there was this “heartbeat” sound getting faster and faster. I don’t think any of us succeeded in this task. We all corpsed under the pressure! It was on this course we did “phone in” style shows one day, and I think it’s at this point I realised I thrived on the interaction with listeners. One of the women on the course was in another room phoning through to the studio and she decided she’d be an incredibly aggressive caller. It was a baptism of fire, I can tell you!
 
Will you be playing music on your show?
A little, yes. It isn’t a music show, and I must make that very clear. We already have the talented Mr. Dale Bamber filling up the schedules with a commercial based music programme, along with Frank Watson and his classical music based show, so there’s no real need to replicate any of that. The records I play will basically act to “punctuate” the talking on the programme, so both listeners (and me!) have a moment to pop the kettle on now and again. It’ll also give me some time to look at lining up the next caller or e-mail. I’m looking to “theme” some of the records, though. Depending on the topic or issue we are discussing, I may pick songs that are appropriate to it. When we do Ageing In The Ribble Valley, for example, I whole heartedly intend to play The Beatles, “When I’m 64″, and depending on the majority demographic of the listenership for that evening I’ll manoeuvre the music selections a bit to appeal more to them; I doubt I’ll be playing big band Glen Miller if we’re talking about an issue specific to a much younger listenership, although if anyone calls in wanting it during the show - you never know, I may pop it on!
 
Have you always lived in the Ribble Valley?
No, although I was born and bred here and all of my family roots are based around the Ribble Valley area. I went to Pendle CP School, and when it was time to go to Secondary School my family relocated up to Cumbria. So, I spent my teenage years growing up in Barrow-in-Furness with just my Mum and Dad. I then went on to Salford University to study English Literature and Cultural Studies. I stayed in Manchester for 14 years, and only about 18 months ago did I relocate back to the Ribble Valley area. I was missing my family. My Mum had moved back about 13 years previously, and basically I was done with the big city. I had a dog, and my interests began to change from all that a city can offer to all that a more rural environment can offer. I have to say, I’m very pleased to be back “home”. As I’ve aged and grown up I’ve started to appreciate my roots more. When I was younger, I couldn’t wait to get out there and away from all that I perceived as “holding me back”.
 
Finally, a few quick fires for you….
Marmite?
Ooo, YES! *yum*
 
Kylie or Madonna?
Kylie! Better live performer. More focused as an entertainer. Doesn’t take herself too seriously and doesn’t think she’s something she isn’t. That said, you have to respect Madge for the career she has and what she’s achieved. I just think she hasn’t made a truly great “Madonna Album” since “Like A Prayer“, with “Ray Of Light” being a possible exception. All the Madonna fans out there - bring it! ;p
 
Cheryl or Dannii?
Both, really. Can I say that? I think they have equal value on the X-factor, but I do think the producers have treated Dannii appallingly since Cheryl came along. I mean, Dannii barely got any screen time in the last series. C’mon, people! Be fair!
 
Indie Boy or Pop Tart?
Again, both! I’m not a music snob. My first record was Sonia’s “Listen To Your Heart” for goodness sake! I was a SAW fanatic back in the day. But, I am passionate about what I listen too. I’m more than happy with the latest Girls Aloud record, but then I also like to listen to more left field, less commercial stuff like Angelo Badalamenti, Belle & Sebastian, Gossip, Friendly Fires, Nneka etc… I’ll give anything a listen, but if I don’t like it you will know about it and you’ll know why I think it’s wrong on so many levels! LOL!
 
Crunchy or Smooth?
Crunchy! *noms*
 
Dog or Cat?
Dog every time! I love animals in general, and I’m no cat hater, but I definitely have a predisposition towards dogs. Cooper (my dog) and I are best mates and he gives back to me what I give to him a thousand times over. Cats tend not to do that in my experience. You could say I’m needy and require constant reassurance that I’m loved. This may be why I’m a single dog owner and have a better affinity with animals. I’m still psychoanalysing that one! LOL.

Who really killed Laura Palmer?

David Lynch. If he’d just stuck with being more involved in Season 2 of “Twin Peaks”, I’m convinced the show wouldn’t have gone off the air like it did. As it was, he was heavily involved in “Wild At Heart” and a couple of other projects when Series 1 ended. Subsequently, it slid down hill a bit after that. 

Paj

Paj - The Cheap Seat Show: Brings you some of the best music. The cheap seat show allows listeners to “sit” in the cheap seat and pick 3 of their favourite songs from their favourite album. The only rule? It can’t be from a greatest hits album!

The Cheap seat show broadcasts every Sunday evening from 6pm on Ribble Valley Media.

Clitheroe Proms

Here is a picture of Clitheroe’s last night of the proms. Picture taken by David Cawley.

For more pictures click here

To send us your photos of the week click this link

Sam and Jake

The Sam and Jake is the latest hit show on Ribble Valley Media. This combination of Sam Holden and Jake Wardle is sure to revolutionise local internet radio stations ‘cross the land! Playing the crunchiest music known to man, and a dialogue which flows like a river of silk down a hillside of rose petals; this is a phenomenon too extravagant and momentous to miss!

But before you set the alarm clock to 5.30 this Wednesday and tell all your friends about what a fine programme this sounds, let’s review the wacky characters individually. Liberal-minded Jake and Daily Mail-reading Sam make the original odd couple, with hilarious consequences! Tune in weekly and hear their vast, vast knowledge on local matters and speak with an insight matched only by in extreme cases by the deepest, most poignant philosophers. Like a plastic bag caught in a breeze or an albatross carrying a single red rose skywards, the sky is the limit for the Sam and Jake show. Who knows; they might one day think of a catchy name…

Simon Kerins

Hello! I am Simon Kerins and I will be broadcasting Sports Call, on Mondays between 6 and 8pm Ribble Valley Media’s weekly interactive sports programme will only be as good as you make it, so I want to hear from you about the following - and more:

• Your thoughts on the fortunes of your favourite sports teams
• This season’s renewed Blackburn Rovers - Burnley rivalry
• Would a new racecourse be a good or bad thing for the Ribble Valley?
• News of local amateur leagues, e.g. football, cricket, snooker and darts
• Who is your sporting hero - and why?
• What is your all-time favourite sporting moment?

This is not “just another Six-O-Six wannabe” show - it is an original, interactive programme on your community radio station!  So, for the very best in sporting chat - complete with good music - join me, every Monday evening between 6pm and 8pm, here on Ribble Valley Media.

Listener feedback

“Forget Six-o-Six and the like, this HAS to be the ultimate radio
programme for sports fans.  Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I didn’t expect to come across such an eloquent, professional presenter on a community radio station! Simon speaks with knowledge, authority and sincerity. When he paid a musical tribute to Sir Bobby Robson a few weeks ago, he had this fifty-something ex rugby player in tears! This week’s Fan Forum, with supporters of Blackburn and
Burnley in the studio, was an excellent way of counting down to Sunday’s game.”
“Well done Simon - keep up the good work!”   Mike Tattersall
Great Harwood

*********************************************************************Fact File:

• Name: Simon Kerins
• Aren’t you the manager of Dog Inn FC in Whalley? Yes, but I promise not to turn the programme into a post-mortem on the previous day’s match!
• Any nicknames? Si and Gaffa spring to mind but, as long as they are repeatable and complimentary, you can pretty much call me anything you like!
• What is your favourite football team?  I was born and bred in London and have supported West Ham United since the age of five.
• How long ago was that, then?  Who wants to know?  Okay, put it like this; I am sixty-six years away from receiving a telegram!
• Who are your all-time sporting heroes?  That is a difficult question!  For integrity and dignity, Sir Trevor Brooking and Roger Federer; for mental attitude, Alain Prost and Steve Davis and, for sheer flair and entertainment, John McEnroe.
• Just so we have some warning, what music do you like to play?  My taste in music is very eclectic, but as I will be playing music with which sports fans can identify, expect to hear from the likes of Queen, U2 and The Killers.
• What, above all, do you want your programme to achieve?  I want it to be an interactive forum that doubles up as an enjoyable listening experience.

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