I had a phone call yesterday from Radio Leeds. On the breakfast show they were featuring how the weather was affecting food growing this year. They wanted to interview different types of fruit and vegetable growers so would we be prepared to do a piece on the effects on allotment growing.
The programme planner said that they would need us to be at the plot for a 8:00 a.m. slot which didn't sound too bad. Then he checked and came back with, 'Oh it's two slots - one at 7:00 a.m and another at 8:00 a.m. Could we also arrive at the site a little earlier to give the reporter time to set up?' After a sharp intake of breath and a quick consult with Martyn I agreed.
Alarm clock was set at 5:30 a.m. - as I stated in the title - silly o'clock! Due to the hour the plan was to take our breakfast with us.
The radio van and reporter - Oli Woodcock - arrived on cue and our first short piece was delivered. This was done via a 4G phone link as there wasn't time to set up the satellite link.
Before the next slot the satellite link was set up.
If you have read about a previous live recording for Radio Leeds you may remember that a tall aerial was used. Since then the aerial, which miraculously emerged from the roof of the van, has been replaced by a dish.
The equipment in the back of the van was temperamental but eventually played ball.
The two fire extinguishers were a bit worrying!
Oli took one or two photos for the Radio Leeds Twitter feed and a panorama of part of the plot then joined us in the shed for a coffee whilst he sent his tweets off.
The rain kept coming and going and of course right on cue for the 8:00 a.m. slot it decided to rain. All told I don't think we disgraced ourselves too much. If you want to decide for yourself the two pieces featured on the show are included in the video clip below.
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I have but one word for this post............terrific
ReplyDeleteThanks, David
DeleteSuch dedication to the cause! In fine weather getting up at 0530 is no problem, but when it's cold and rainy, not so good. I suppose the reporters have to do this sort of thing all the time though.
ReplyDeleteWe have just about recovered, Mark
DeleteWonderful interview, Sue & Martyn - It always amazes me when are weather patterns are similar to yours, such as this spring. Had to giggle at the fire extinguisher comment your post :)
ReplyDeleteI did mention to the reporter that other countries were having similar experiences, Margaret
DeleteSo, do you get a performance fee for your trouble? BTW the Victoria plum in our garden has just broken into bloom (and is being generously washed by each passing shower).
ReplyDeleteNo fee, Mal. I didn't even get a fee when I was on Gardeners' World. I guess that I brought it on myself when I contacted the media about our contaminated manure some years ago. Now I am on their contacts list for when they need someone who has an allotment! They have been known to ring and ask if we can be at the studio in a couple of hours time. At least that was at a more reasonable hour though.
DeleteAwesome update Sue thank you for sharing and blessing to you and Martyn
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. Have a good weekend.
DeleteGosh, I know it was early but how exciting! You two were absolute stars! Loved, loved, loved it!!! Who knew you were on Gardeners World???? I did enjoy this, Oli is glam and fabulous! I loved the twitter pics and the panorama. I know what it's like doing interviews, were you live? Often you talk for ages only to be edited down to a sentence or two, sounded like it was live. Well done you guys, I tip my cap!!!xxx
ReplyDeleteIt was live, Dina. We have done one or two live interview but the recorded ones are far easier. The Gardeners' World filming took 4 hours and ended up as a 4 minute piece. That was weird as the interviewer was edited out and so when you answered the questions you had to sort of include the question in the answer
DeleteYou are becoming a celebrity Sue.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean 'becoming' Roger? :-)
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