Free Radio, previously Beacon Radio (2011)

Company: Beacon Radio (now Free Radio), Wolverhampton, West Midlands 

Mentored by Steve Hermon (Radio Journalist and Broadcaster)

June 2011 - One week placement

A former worker in Saddam Hussein's regime dubbed by the media as a 'torture doctor' had been working at a local hospital in Wolverhampton.

I was the first person to get confirmation of these details from the Communications Department from The Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust. Other pieces were then picked up by the nationals about Dr Al-Byati

First confirmation that the former-Saddam Hussein work was employed by a hospital in Wolverhampton.

Wolverhampton opening its bid to become the UK's Curry Capital (audio was also obtained).

Published online - although the URL no longer exists due a
change in the name of the radio station

Three example scripts for the Curry Capital Bid:

1st Script

CURRY FRI 1
Wolverhampton need your votes to become the Curry Capital of the UK

Despite entering the competition for the first time last year they gained third place - but bosses want to win it this year.

Sam Hussain's a chef at Cafe Rickshaw - he believes the city should be proud of what it's got...

[CLIP]

OUT: '...definitely going to be number one.'

You can find out how to vote for the city on the news-pages of beacon radio dot co dot uk.

   
2nd Script

CURRY FRI 2
Your votes are need to crown Wolverhampton the UK's Curry Capital.

The city entered the competition for the first time last year and came in third, however bosses have their eyes on first place.
The Bollywood Babes danced at yesterday's launch party - they told Beacon why Wolverhampton will win this year...

[CLIP]

OUT WORDS: '...it's always their favourite dish.'

You can find out how to vote for the city on the news-pages of beacon radio dot co dot uk.

 
3rd Script

CURRY FRI 3
Wolverhampton are bidding to become the Curry Capital of the UK but need your votes.

Bosses hope to win the competition this year after being awarded third place in their first attempt last year.

Councillor Steve Simkins who favours a Red Thai Curry, believes the competition will benefit the city...

[CLIP]

OUT WORDS: '...other venues within the city.'

You can find out how to vote for the city on the news-pages of beacon radio dot co dot uk.  

 
Each of the several pieces I worked on required me to either source the audio, and/or edit the prerecorded interviews into three packages, with differing angles. These were in preparation for three consecutive bulletins and required varying scripts and audio clips for each one.

Some of the other pieces I worked on included:

• Summer Row shopping centre given a life-saving injection of cash from Wolverhampton Council
• Dudley's application for city status was jeopardised after another closure on the high street
• Over half of West Midlands parents with children under-18 were especially at risk of a family crisis according to a charity report.
  
• West Mercia Police issued a warning of the hidden dangers for people trying to swim in local rivers and pools
• A CCTV image had been released of a man who drove off without paying for petrol 16 times in the Black Country
• Up to three quarters of a million public sector workers in Wolverhampton, Telford and Shrewsbury were set to strike in protest of the pensions cuts
  
• Shropshire hoped that historic Olympic location Much Wenlock would be visited on the following year's Olympic Torch Relay
• Volunteers in the Black Country lived two days blindfolded to raise awareness for people with sight impairments
• Children as young as five could be compulsorily assessed as part of controversial new reading and pronunciation tests to be brought in by Michael Gove
  
  
  Special thanks to Steve Hermon for his unwavering and kind advice during the week. Follow him @stattosteve