Our last show on 87.7 FM

We advertised it as coming from Debenhams, but unfortunately technical difficulties prevented us getting a feed to the studio from there, so thanks to Marks & Spencers we were able to broadcast from the cafe area.
The 90 minute show flew by and thanks go to Karl Davies for the excellent job he done driving the show back at Tudno Towers. Lisa and I were joined by Sion Pritchard, Clare Stevenson, Dave Jones and his sidekick Johnny! I had the pleasure of talking to three ladies Jean, Beryl and Gwenfyl who were having a mini reunion over a cup of coffee and surprisingly they were all originally from my hometown, Penmaenmawr! We all had a chat on air and I apologised for disrupting their coffee and it soon became apparent they knew my family....... Small world.
Prior to the show I warned Lisa that she would experience a slight delay in her cans (headphones) and she struggled with it and panicked a few times when she lost the output, but it was her first outside broadcast and so I forgave her!
Just before the end of the show Tudno FM's very own Margaret Hurdman called in for a chat before leaving on a short tour with her show. When we went off air we discussed the Tudno FM Ghost hunt and we are starting to get excited with the idea as we're certain there will be a good programme in the making.
Unfortunately we have to come off 87.7 FM at midnight tonight and we anxiously await our new frequency from Ofcom. We will be continuing to stream via www.tudno.com and a number of programmes will continue, namely Tudno Unsigned with Simon and Clare, the Tudno FM Top 40 Chart Show, Paynes Reunion and the Sunday Soul Train. Keep listening and thanks for all your feedback on all the programme output.
As acting station manager I would like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers who have worked so hard on putting top quality shows out, the news team who have exceeded everyone's expectations with their journalistic skills, the technical team who have overcome many problems to get the shows out and of course all the back room team whose help has been invaluable.
Thank you.
Darrell

Live from Debenhams this Friday

On Friday the lovely Lisa and the not so lovely me, broadcast live from the cafe in Debenhams, Parc Llandudno from 11.30am - 1.00pm. We'll have some guests, chat with shoppers and we'll be giving out some of the legendary 'Tudno FM chocolate' specially made for our launch on St David's Day 2008.
As Lisa is the youngster on the show I hope to have her doing all the running around while I sit back and enjoy the tunes! If you listened to this morning's show you will know that Lisa's been 'driving' the studio desk during the show and it's now looking like my days are numbered.......
If you have a reasonable knowledge of music get yourself down to Parc Llandudno and take part in our competition for a chance to win the choccy we bringing along from "Tudno Towers".
By the way, Tudno FM's very own Margaret Hurdman will be popping in for a coffee and a chat.
See you Friday.
Darrell

Tudno FM's Ghost Hunt

The team are preparing for the Ghost Hunt in the next week or so and thanks to you, the listeners voting on my blog, Sion Pritchard (Head of News) will be joining them. We're not sure how Sion will take this news yet, as he's off until tomorrow, but I can guarantee he'll be a good laugh!
The results of the poll were:
Sion Pritchard (Head of News) 56%
Karl Davies (Breakfast Show) 12%
Gary Carr (Tudno Sport Host) 24%
Martin Ward (Mad Irish Newsreader) 8%
The location for the Ghost Hunt is being kept secret for the time being but we will be recording the event ready for broadcast shortly. We hope to be able to record it with night vision equipment so we can put some footage up on the blogs.
I'll keep you posted.
Darrell

It's A Small World - Sunday 23rd March

Busy show yesterday due to it being trimmed by 1 hour with the Easter schedule.... However I managed to talk to Mrs Shirley Griffiths from Carmarthan, Shirley was the lady who was taken ill three shows previous and had some great stories to tell.
Also took a number of calls from people wanting requests or shouts over the Easter Sunday. I then spoke on the phone to Brian Rousseau, a great friend of mine from New York. Brian heads up the Urban Search & Rescue Team for the New York State and his team were the first into the World Trade Centre on 11th September 2001. The team are based in Albany (State capital), some 3 1/2 hours drive from NYC and about the same from Canada, in fact they do a lot of training at Niagara Falls and back in 2002, whilst visiting Brian and his family we saw where the team practices repelling (abseiling in the UK) and I must say I was envious!!
I will ask Brian to send me some links and a more detailed account of his team's activities and I will post them on my blog for you all to see. Love to all Brian's family and we wish Mariea a speedy recovery from all the 'Owens'.........
Darrell

An Evening with Margaret Hurdman

Saturday 5th April 2008 at Langtrys, Grand Hotel, Llandudno
Internationally renowned medium and Tudno FM's very own Margaret Hurdman stars in front of a live audience. Tudno FM brings Tuesday's 'A Little More Time' show out of the studios and allows the public a chance to see Margaret display her skills with light hearted humour.
Tickets are limited and since the announcement on Tuesday (18th March) have been selling fast. To book your tickets call the Tudno FM reception on 01492 863190 to secure your place. Tickets are priced at £5 each and all the proceeds go to the Llandudno Community Radio project.
Join Margaret Hurdman, Darrell Owens and Emma Morgan for a night to remember.

Mid Mornings with Lisa

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday morning I get to co-host the mid-morning shows with the lovely Lisa Atkinson, which is great as we do have a laugh on the show. Lisa is young, pretty and bubbly and I'm getting on a bit, face for radio and not as lively as I used to be! Surprisingly our music tastes are quite similar which must be good for my street-cred and between us we try to keep the show fast with quick links and music to sing along to while you're at work or busy doing your household chores.
Lisa is really excited as she now has her own blog and e-mail (lisa.atkinson@tudno.com) and we are in the process of scripting the jingles for the show, as long as I get a mention somewhere! If you listen to us and you want a shout out give us a call on 01492 870249 and we'll do our best.
We joked on today's show that the one caller had got a wrong number and we must be ex-directory so if you'd like to talk to the lovely Lisa pick up that phone..... We gave out details of a website this morning which had some amazing links to random piccies and videos and throughout the show Lisa was giggling over the other side of the studio.















Tune in:
Tuesdays 11am - 1pm, Wednesdays 9.30am - 1pm and Fridays 11.30am - 1pm

Thank God.....she's got a blog!

Listeners may have heard Lisa (Atkinson) my co-host on the mid-morning shows complaining about her name not being on the jingles and also not having her own blog. Now thanks to our IT team Lisa has her own blog, so hopefully I'll get a bit of peace...... My thanks to you guys for sorting that out!
On Friday at a pre-arranged time I fired one of my carts 'Darrell Owens on Tudno FM' then I looked across the desk at Lisa, who by this time was glaring at me! Then Jez Hemming and Karl Davies who were in the newsroom broke into song with their very own jingle especially for Lisa. Her face lit up and she then burst out laughing as her phone went wild with text messages from her family and friends who had been listening.
Here's the words of Lisa's very own jingle.
Lisa Atkinson is here with Darrell
and she's not had a mention yet,
Lisa Atkinson is here with Darrell
And he's being such a selfish girl

Oh this song's for Lisa
Oh this song's for Lisa

Darrell kiss my keester
Darrell kiss my keester

Lisa Atkinson is here with Darrell
and this trail we made is just for her.

Thanks to Karl and Jez and everyone in the newsroom for brightening up Lisa's day and stay tuned for our shows on Tuesdays 11am - 1pm, Wednesdays 9.30am - 1pm and Fridays 11.30am - 1pm.
Darrell

St David's hospice - Hosbis Dewi Sant - Caring for adults with cancer and terminal illness in North Wales

St David's hospice - Hosbis Dewi Sant - Caring for adults with cancer and terminal illness in North Wales

It's A Small World - Sunday 16th March

Gave an update on Mrs Shirley Griffiths, my guest who was meant to be live on the show on the 2nd March, but unfortunately was taken ill. What a remarkable lady, she insisted her family contact us at the station before they called an ambulance for her, she was concerned she was letting us down. The good news is Mrs Griffiths is well on the way to a full recovery and will be joining us next Sunday on a shorter show (Noon - 1.30pm).
I was talking to Mr Lloyd Williams from Deganwy who's the vice-chairman of the Cor Meibion Maelgwyn Choir about the choir and their travels around the world. Mr Williams explained they have about 60 members and perform around 30 concerts a year, many for charity, he also said they are always after more members for the choir so if you think you'd like to join them give Emyr Williams (secretary) a call on 01248 681159. The choir also tours various countries around the world, including the Czech Republic, Canada and America and have made many friends. To find out more about the Cor Meibion Choir visit www.maelgwyn.co.uk for further details.
Thanks to Jeff and Isabella for their Everest updates via Jeff's mother I have been able to keep you up to speed with their expedition to Everest Base Camp all to raise money towards funding schools out in Nepal. There was an interesting part regarding the Rum doodle bar and to get more information on this visit www.therumdoodle.com Both Jeff and Isabella are hoping to call into the Tudno Studios for a chat soon.
Jez Hemming spoke on the phone at the Sports Relief Mile in St Asaph where he was running to raise funds for Sports Relief and Ty Gobaith after the challenge Bev gave on our launch show on Saturday 1st March. Good luck Jez and hope you raise loads of dosh.
Darrell

A Little More Time Tuesday 11th March

Interesting show last night, when Margaret explained a few aspects of how her talents are put to use on a regular basis. I initially asked the question "Where locally would be a good place to go ghost-hunting"? Quick as a flash she replied "Plas Mawr in Conwy". I then asked the question "would she be prepared to go with a Tudno FM team of ghost-hunters in search of the spirits". The answer was a clear "yes" so we are about to organise the Tudno FM Ghost Hunt!
Other places Margaret suggested were Colwyn Bay Pier, Bodysgallen Hall and our very own studios! In fact on the day of our launch she saw spirits in the corner, which surprised me as I was certain there was no alcohol on the premises! You can vote for which members of the Tudno FM team you'd like to join the ghost hunt on this page.
We also talked about 'orbs' and whether that could be put down to trick photography and that topic started the phones lighting up again. It's hard to explain the atmosphere in the studio when a caller is put live on-air to Margaret as the conversation begins normal enough, but then things start to take on a new dimension, with Margaret deep in thought oblivious of the team in the studio talking solely to the caller and the spirit world. What adds to the strangeness is all the gasps from the callers and their families in the background as Margaret starts to relate matters personal to them and their 'loved ones', the team all appear to be looking at each other in amazement as the callers confirm the facts.
As if to prove a point with the sceptics amongst the team, when we are off-air Margaret goes into details which can only relate to one of us, that's why we are quite often stunned when we come back to air!
If you've not listened, I suggest you give it a go, in fact why not give the studio a call on (01492) 870249 Tuesdays 10pm to midnight.

It's A Small World - Sunday 9th March

Hi,
Enjoyed the show today, loads of things happening and plenty of calls. I spoke to the elusive Gwenda Hughes, who I kept cutting off in the last show. Gwenda is from Cork and has formed a Welsh Society out there, she went on to explain the functions of the Societies around the world and what the Cork Society has been up to. Sounds like they have great fun, meeting for drinks to watch the rugby, etc. as well as providing support to ex-pats.
I also spoke to Andrew Soloman who lives and works in Abu Dhabi, he says he comes back to North Wales regularly and when he's in Colwyn Bay over Easter he's going to call in the studios for another chat. Surprisingly, Andrew said he misses the Welsh climate! Again the Welsh Society over in the United Arab Emirates all meet up to watch the rugby, much to the disgust of Martin our Irish newsreader.
I received a blog update from one of Jeff Cronkshaw's Everest colleagues giving us a flavour of their experiences in the Himalayas and I've included a link to a video supplied by the team.
Julian Hughes, site manager from the RSPB in Conwy informed us about all the events happening there today and Brian Lux called in to give his opinion of the big fight between David Haye and Enzo Maccarinelli earlier today in London.
Plenty of shout outs and requests for tunes so all in all a packed show. That's it for now, catch you later.
Darrell

Everest Update

Hi,
Listen in today at about 12.45pm for an update on the Everest expedition and to get a feel for the setting go to this link http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Wu7VoPHeQ sent by one of the team.
Catch you soon.
Darrell

Tudno FM - Out & About

Margaret Hurdman has very kindly agreed to do an evening for Tudno FM to raise funds for the station. The date will be Saturday 5th April at a venue in Llandudno and will be a strictly ticket only event.
Details of how to obtain tickets for the event will be publicised shortly on this blog and our main web site www.tudno.com I will also be given further details on the Tuesday night programmes - so tune in.

'A Little More Time' - Tuesday 4th March 2008

WOW!
A great first show with Margaret Hurdman last night. My friend Emma Morgan came in to assist on the show and keep me in check. From the start of the show the phones started going and we could have quite easily taken calls for an additional hour.
Initially we wanted to find out a bit of background information to Margaret's unusual powers and how she is able to use her gift. There's so many different aspects to Margaret's talents we will look further over the next few shows, as we will have to keep the callers happy!
Those who doubt the powers of mediums, I would love them to see Margaret at work, it made my job 'driving the show' easy, I just introduced the caller and then sat back in amazement as Margaret stunned the listeners with her powers.
If you're one of those people who would like to talk to Margaret, but feel a little anxious, I can assure you she is professional and has a tremendous sense of humour that puts you at ease instantly. So give me a call at the studios on 01492 870249 next Tuesday night from 10pm and be spellbound with the powers of the afterlife.
Darrell

Sunday 2nd March 2008

The first show was interesting for me in the studio as I attempted to speak to Gwenda in Cork, Ireland but due to technical problems we couldn't talk to her on air, after some groveling we will talk to Gwenda (hopefully) on air and find out about her involvement with Welsh Societies around the world.
Contrary to rumour I'm not totally inept with technical equipment as we took a request via e-mail from Daz 'da fish' Herring listening via the web from Adelaide and we were able to play him a tune from Erasure.
I played an interview recorded a few weeks prior to Sunday with Jeff Cronkshaw who was in Capel Curig training for his expedition to Everest base camp raising money for education in Nepal. Jeff's mother lives in Llandudno and she has since updated me on his progress.
Tuesday 4th March 2008

The altitude is making them feel short of breath. They have
headaches and lots of aches and pains.. yesterday they climbed
1100 metres.
The food is awful but the scenery is very dramatic. The food
consists of mashed potato with bits in. Jeff hasn't worked out
what the bits are.
Though the sherpa cooking fails to impress the sherpa abilities
do. Jeff  is full of admiration for the loads they carry.
A stray dog has joined their party. So far he hasn't been given
a name. There are also 8 yaks. Isabella has befriended one of the
yaks. We don't know which one or whether this yak has a name..
so we will call it, The Highly Favoured One.
At night it is freezing. The party will spent  last night at
aprox 11646 feet.
Tomorrow they will reach.....Namache Bazaar. The last town
before Everest.... They hope to get their first view of
Everest today, weather permitting.

That's it for now, tune in next Sunday from 11.00 am.