Welcome to the BCB newsletter for March. Here’s just a few things that have been going on at BCB and some events that are coming up:
Bradford Arts Centre Update
The work on our three brand new state-of the-art radio studios here at the Bradford Arts Centre is still ongoing. It’s a mammoth task – and again, big thanks to Rich Halfpenny for single-handedly designing and fitting out each studio.
Studio 3 is now complete (we’ve just got to add our on-air and mic live signs). It’s our live broadcast studio at the moment and we’re also squeezing in pre-recorded programmes and training sessions in between live programmes.
As a temporary measure, the RODEcaster mixing desk (that we used in the RadioBox) is set up in studio 2 and is ideal for speech-based programmes and programmes where presenters play their music via a bluetooth device (eg phone, laptop or tablet).
Work is ongoing in studio 1 and should be complete by mid March.
Once studios 1 and 3 are complete, we’ll take out the temporary kit in studio 2 and start fitting that out, so all three studios will be pretty much identical with a brand new digital mixing desk and equipment, with our Myriad play-out system, 2 CD players, 2 record decks and bluetooth connectivity.
We’ve also got a bank of production PCs for production, editing, scheduling and web-browsing in our open-plan area and a PC in our podcast studio as well, for those who prefer a quieter space for editing.
If you’d like to book studio time to record your show, please call 01274 771 677 and book studio time with Jonathan.
Our studio training sessions are all posted on our WhatsApp channel BCB 106.6FM > Announcements – follwed by a WhatsApp poll so we know how many people are attending each session.
If you’re recording your programme at BCB, you can now upload your own music playlist onto the audiowall from home, so that your playlist is available as soon as you come into the studio. To set up a playlist from home, please arrange to meet Jem or Jonathan at BCB (and bring your laptop in with you if you’ve got one) by calling 01274 771677.
Radio Venus on BCB – Sunday 8 March
On Sunday March 8th, BCB will be broadcasting programmes by women all day from 8am till midnight and beyond – celebrating International Women’s Day with special interviews, chat and music from our new studios. The Radio Venus team will be out and about at the Broadway and Bradford Arts Centre talking to women at the event being organised 11-3pm, talking to organisers and women running workshops, singing or dancing or just watching! Pop in to chat to our studio team.
Schools
Our team from Rainbow Primary Leadership Academy have been busy recording their latest show here at the BCB Studios! They were also super excited to interview special guest MP Naz Shah for International Women’s Day and even got a TikTok with her.
Hear My Voice
We’re please to say that after completing their training supported by NHS Creative Health – Hear My Voice had their first live broadcast from our new studios at 1.00pm Thursday the 19th of February. Hear My Voice is a project supporting refugees and those seeking asylum and the group is made up of members that have had varied and difficult journeys to reach our shores. Hear My Voice aims to change the narrative of the difficult lives the members and others have faced but also celebrate the positive aspects of their lives in Bradford from volunteering at Bradford City of Culture events through to community engagement, having a voice and say on BCB Radio and thinking of others that find themselves in the same position. Tune into Hear My Voice fortnightly on BCB Radio fortnightly Thursday afternoon 1.00pm – 2.00pm.
National Year of Reading
This year we celebrate the National Year of Reading, the biggest campaign in a generation designed to help more people (re)discover the joy of reading and make it part of their everyday lives. This is a Department for Education initiative, in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust, and here at BCB Radio we want everybody to get involved! We really want to encourage all our volunteers to talk about reading and champion the National Year of Reading throughout 2026.
So here’s a few talking points to think about;
What’s the best book you’ve read over the past couple of years?
If you could meet one author (dead or alive) in person, who would it be?
Is there a book that made you want to travel somewhere that wasn’t on your radar?
What are you reading right now?
Happy Reading!
If you have any ideas of how we can celebrate/ support the National year of reading please feel free to contact hello@bcbradio.co.uk
Radio 119
It has been a busy month as usual at Radio 119, our project supporting adults with learning disabilities to have greater access to the media. For their regular slot on Tuesday’s About Bradford at 11:30 am they interviewed Bradford Arts staff, celebrated Autism Awareness week, chatted with Penny Green from Bradford Theatres, spoke with Ethan Johnson about his role at BCB and interviewed team member Syma Bibi about how she celebrates EID and her role at other day services. They also attended the Get Active event at Mencap to find out how people with learning disabilities can keep active in the the community. Finally they were at the Talking Therapies events put on by Bradford District NHS.
Step Up To The Mic
A group of women trainees have been learning radio skills at BCB, practising with each other and gaining confidence to take part in and make radio programmes – and having fun too! If you want to enquire about joining this course please ring Mary or Carole on 01274 771677 or send an email to hello@bcbradio.co.uk with Step up to the Mic as the subject.
Radio Times
Radio times is going from strength to strength with their weekly broadcasts every Tuesday afternoon from 2.15pm-3.00pm. Radio Times supports volunteer presenters that are of a certain vintage (55+) and is a rolling program that anyone fitting the criteria can join. They discuss topics as varied as planning retirement, holidays, reminisce about their youth and reflect on Bradford of days gone by and what the future holds to name but a few. If you’d like to get involved drop into BCB Radio every Tuesday at 1.30pm to meet the current volunteers or email them directly radiotimes@bcbradio.co.uk to find out more.
Featured Programme of the Month
Every month we tell you about a programme on BCB and this month we’re telling you more about Battenberg. Battenberg goes out every Sunday 11am-12pm.
Battenberg are Jane Gamble and Richard Sara. The show has now reached the ether-mark of 100 episodes on BCB. The ‘Show’ derives its name from the 4 ‘squares’ that make up a slice of Battenberg cake.
A ‘Square’ is a topic of conversation, and Richard and his co-baker Jane each bring 2 ‘Squares’ – ‘blind baked’, which means that neither knows what the others square is prior to the show. The show is a one hour conversation, interspersed with 4 pieces of ‘introductory Square music’, which kick-bake the topic.
This format as contributed to by open minded conversationalists over its 7 year history, is the future of humanity, and Battenberg is only ignored as a great cake product, because it is difficult to make, but as a recipe it has evolved to include every ingredient in life.
Thanks to all the staff at BCB for their ever
patient and kind support. Here’s to another 400 conversations. Keep talking.
Jane & Richard
BCB Radio 106.6 FM Listen Again Service https://listenagain.bcbradio.co.uk/?pgdate=20260222
Check out BATTENBERG on #SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/TG0MoHoFNWGFGuWfmK
Some news from John Offord, Community organiser at the Bradford StoryHub
As this year-long pilot comes to a close, I’ll be finishing up at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism on 17th March. The Braddford StoryHub was always designed as a one-year pilot, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built. This year has been less about the volume of stories and more about the process-working with BCB and the brilliant people across Bradford to support local voices, build trust, and create space for stories that don’t always get told, especially at a time when public trust in media feels fragile.
Special thanks
A huge thank you to everyone who made this year possible:
BCB (Bradford Community Broadcasting), Equity Partnership, Race Equality Network, Bradford City of Sanctuary, BIASAN (Bradford Immigration and Asylum Support and Advice Network), Bradford 2025 Year of Culture, Bradford Women’s Zone, Bradford City FC Community Foundation, Beyond the Margin, and of course all the incredible individuals and community members I’ve had the privilege of working with.
Final reflections
There has never been a more important time for community journalism. In an unsettled world, where misinformation, division, and uncertainty are everywhere, local voices and stories are crucial for building trust, understanding, and connection within communities.
The Bradford StoryHub has reminded me that journalism is most powerful when it’s done with the community, not at it. Showing up, listening, and creating safe spaces for people to tell their stories-one cup of tea at a time-can make all the difference. The Bureau are exploring funding for Phase 2, and I hope this comes through so the work can continue.
What is the Bradford StoryHub?
The Bradford StoryHub is a year-long pilot from The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, in partnership with Bradford Community Broadcasting, and funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
BCB Membership
We’d just like to remind all our volunteers that BCB is a membership organisation and that you need to be a member to broadcast on BCB. The minimum annual membership fee is £5 for unwaged, £10 for waged and £25 for an organisation. It may be easier to pay by bank transfer. Many BCB members now pay a supporting monthly membership – a monthly membership of either £5 or £10, If you could possibly afford to make this monthly subscription for being part of BCB that would really help us to ensure our future. If you’re unsure whether you are a paid up BCB member then please email jem.emmett@bcbradio.co.uk or check with Jem when you’re next in.
Mailout Updates
We’ve just updated our newsletter mailouts so apologies if you get the newsletter twice!
