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The Lincolnshire Soundscape
I have been delivering community soundscape workshops for several years. These can take on different forms, but for the most part they’re experimental and encourage participants to think about / explore the sound of their community and ‘home’ I ran a workshop recently where members of the Lincolnshire community were invited to Lincoln Arts Centre to attend a soundscape workshop with myself and colleague Dylan Roys (lecturer in radio and sound). We began the workshop with a discussion about sound, place, community and home and what our community sounded like to use. This encouraged a really thoughtful and engaging discussion around how Lincolnshire has a very natural sound associated with…
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Home from Home
I have volunteered for various communities radio stations alongside being employed in the media and creative industries. I have a huge personal interest in folk music, and attend lots of folk and acoustic events in my hometown. I love folk music for the community spirit, the coming together in the local pub, the shared tales and stories, and absolute buzz that comes with the songs. Woven into the fabric of folk music lies a tapestry of folklore, where songs intricately thread stories and narratives handed down across generations. Serving as a portal into the cultural legacy of a community, these musical expressions offer glimpses into their values, customs, and belief…
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The Big Draw – Sound Art
The Big Draw is the world’s largest drawing festival. The Festival is made up of a collection of thousands of creative events, activities, and workshops across the globe run by organisations big and small; from individuals to entire cities! As part of the Big Draw myself and colleague Sam Shipley delivered sound art workshops to 30 schoolchildren and young adults at the University of Lincoln. The participants got to learn about sound art, experimental sound and soundscapes, as well as contribute towards a radio broadcast for local station Siren Radio. I planned, delivered and edited the audio alongside Sam, and it was great to be a part of such a…
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Recovery Radio: Being Human Festival
I was successful in winning an Open Call Bid for the Being Human Festival in October 2023. Alongside colleague Sam Shipley (Radio & Sound Lecturer) we planned, delivered and produced a series of radio workshops with Double Impact Academy in Lincolnshire. The broadcast was aired on Siren Radio towards the end of 2023, and the workshops were a part of the fantastic Being Human Festival. Double Impact Academy are a Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, that through collaboration with their service users, have developed an approach based around the principle of connection – connecting people to their hopes and personal strengths, to an effective support network, and to a range of opportunities…
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From Silence Into Song Radio Broadcast
In June 2023, I went along to the From Silence into Song event at Lincoln Art Centre, to record, interview and edit together a special one off broadcast for Siren Radio. The live performance is built on a series of soundscapes from nature to members of a choir of cancer survivors who have developed new voices after the removal of their voice boxes. Music mixed by Lincoln Sound and Music Production students Conrad Hendrickson, Bartek Henclik & Joe Purves, alongside audio recordings of the night recorded by radio & sound student Caitlin Robinson, interviews with Mette Hjort, Philip Clemo, Ben Anderson and members of the Shout at Cancer Choir carried…
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An Ode To Matlock Bath
I’ve been wanting to write this one for some time. And okay, it might not be an ode in the traditional sense, but here goes… Nestled along the banks of the River Derwent, and under rolling hills-a-plenty, there exists a town that is so dear to me, I often find myself longing to revisit – Matlock Bath. As I sit down to write this ode love-letter, I find myself travelling through the nooks and crannies of time, reminiscing about a place that transcends the physical and for me, becomes a sanctuary of memories, hopes and whispers of adventure. I think everyone has a special place that means a lot to…
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I stayed in a Cabin for New Year’s Eve
You can also check out my video of my stay on my YouTube Channel. As the curtains closed on 2023, marking the end of wonderful but busy year, I found myself yearning for a get-away. Eager to end my year in a meaningful way, I set my sights on not one but two cherished items on my bucket list. The allure of woodland cabin and the idea of an outdoor bath had beckoned to me for far too long. Determined to make 2023 the year of fulfillment, I decided to check these long-awaited experiences off my list. I settled on a dog-friendly cabin nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Shropshire…
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How to spend 48hrs in Amsterdam
Step into a world where charming canals wind through centuries-old streets and where some of the best food stops await. Earlier this year, I embarked on a 48-hour journey in the heart of Europe – Amsterdam. Determined to savour every moment and experience this vibrant city in all its glory, I set out on an adventure that left me with memories to last a lifetime. From tasting Amsterdam’s tastiest foods at hidden gems to strolling along the picturesque canals and immersing myself in the rich tapestry of art and culture, my whirlwind visit to Amsterdam was nothing short of enchanting. In this blog post, I invite you to join me…
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Books for food lovers
It was high time I delved into the delectable world of two of my favourite things: books and food. In my humble-pie-based opinion, some of the best books are set around food (the puns get worse). These books may seduce us with delectable recipes, immerse us in the aromatic ambience of foodie havens, or celebrate those authors who pour their hearts into their culinary musings. These books have carved a particular niche in my heart, sparking excitement as I turn each page, never knowing when I’ll stumble upon an unexpected recipe or witness two characters forging a soulful connection over a steaming bowl of ramen. If you, like me, savour…
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My favourite translated fiction reads
It’s absolutely no secret some of my favourite reads are translated fiction. Earlier today, as I stood before my bookshelves, contemplating which carefully curated list of books to write about next, I found myself listening to the rain cascade heavily against the window whilst a gentle mist enveloped the distant hills, and the air was infused with the delicate aroma of a pumpkin-spiced latte candle I purchased earlier. In that moment of let’s be honest – perfection, I pondered what would be the ideal companion to curl up with. My gaze landed upon a literary gem: “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, translated by Geoffrey Trousselot. In that…
