So, here it is - newsletter number 4! As usual, it's been a busy couple of weeks on the show with all kinds of issues being discussed - most of them generating a response from you. Lots of people called the show about the bad press Derby's Ashbourne Road got in the Independent newspaper where it was likened to Hamburg's red light district. People who live and work on the road were horrified and one woman was so angry when she called the show that she sounded like she was shaking!  | | The Independent causes a stir! |
We also had a big response to the news that a new version of the Dambusters movie was being made and it was likely to be shot entirely in New Zealand. People felt it should still include footage of Derbyshire's Derwent Dam where the original bombs were tested and where the previous film was shot. One of the biggest stories we covered in the last couple of weeks was the flood of mud which swept through the Peak District village of Stoney Middleton after a dam burst. If you haven't seen the pictures yet, follow the link below. I found them really quite shocking. And did you catch the news that the Derbyshire Flag is featured on one of the balls for Ashbourne's Shrovetide football this year? I certainly view this as another milestone of acceptance for the flag. One other highlight for you - as you know, we often speak to the Pride Park People's Panel on the show and we were delighted when it was the turn of Brian Shelton from Sinfin again as he always bring home-made tiffin with him. You can see how delicious it was by looking at the exclusive newsletter picture gallery below. Let me know if you're interested in the recipe by the way and I might put it on the next newsletter! Have you nominated a community Champion yet? We've been featuring some of the nominees on the Breakfast Show, but there's still chance to tell us about someone you know who helps other people through the link below. Did you know?The Breakfast Show radio car reporter does around 10,000 miles a year covering stories around Derbyshire and East Staffordshire with live reports into the show. Here are some links to try.... One of the busiest jobs in the newsroom at BBC Radio Derby is that of the dedicated Breakfast Show reporter. One of the regulars doing the job, Laurence, explains what it's like... "I am from Etwall and enjoy working in Derbyshire and East Staffordshire because the patch has such wonderful people, so many interesting towns and villages and the most beautiful countryside anywhere. "A typical day for me goes as follows: I arrive shortly before the morning meeting to discuss what stories the BBC Radio Derby news team are going to look at for the day. After the meeting it's a very busy time making phone calls, doing research, responding to breaking news. "In the afternoon I usually go out to do an interview. When this is done I come back to the office and produce a report for Andy's show. I do this by carefully editing the interview and then inserting links with my voice and also sound effects. I really enjoy writing and working with sound and what’s great about my job is that it allows me to use my creativity. "One of the most challenging aspects of the job is interviewing a bereaved parent - something I have done several times at BBC Radio Derby. Whilst no-one could say they enjoy the experience, I am glad to do these types of stories because I am sensitive to people's feelings and want to help them express their emotions and pay tribute to their loved ones. "There are lighter stories too though - I remember asking people in Burton if they had any cheeky photographs on their mobile phones and I also once interviewed a shopkeeper who had seen off a thief by throwing a box of Toblerones at them! More entries from the diary of BBC Radio Derby's Andy Potter.... Thursday 18 January | | Andy with the balloons |
Bad weather is expected today, and the flood warnings have already been issued. Burton is my first port of call, and I as wend my way past flooded fields and aquaplaning vehicles, I realise this is the start of much worse to come. After reporting on a couple of flooded roads, I then get dispatched to release some helium filled balloons, resplendent with Andy's face and a message. Why? Well by now winds have reached gale force, the car needs all its willpower to stay on the tarmac, and we want to see in a totally un-scientific way, just how far a balloon travels in a gale!! Friday 19 JanuaryDevastation around Derbyshire and East Staffordshire as the previous day's gales have done their worst. Trees down, power cuts, closed schools, yesterday was not good, and we cover the aftermath throughout the show. On a lighter side, it's graduation day at the University of Derby and I get to find out how the City is going to cope with an influx of thousands of proud friends and family. Tuesday 23 JanuaryIt's an even earlier start this morning as I'm off to the cover what has happened in Stoney Middleton. Monday saw a lagoon dam burst and wash all manner of mud and rocks through the village. The road through the village is closed to traffic but the authorities let me into the area to see the devastation some 24 hours later. There's an eerie calm and only sandbags and a coating of mud to initially point to what has happened. However, from a broadcast point of view we can't get a signal to give live reports back to Andy in the studio. It's down to the trusty mobile phone and legwork and finally we get to describe just what is happening. As the weather turns colder I head out to get a vantage point over the village but all I find is thick snow in the high peak, the rock strewn road leading to the village and water continuing to pour down the valley!!! Thursday 25 JanuaryThere’s a big story on the front pages of one of the national newspapers that involves a plane allegedly “spying” on Manchester United as they train, and it's claimed it has taken off from one of our local airfields. Armed with a copy of the paper and my I Spy book of spying I head off to the airstrip. It's dark, the place is closed and I can't find a discarded tuxedo belonging to James Bond anywhere. This is the studio intercom... It might not sound like a vital bit of technical equipment, but this is essential. I haven't added up how many times I push the button to communicate with the production team in an average show, but it can't be far off a hundred! These buttons also allow me to talk to the newsroom, the news studio, the other studios and even the boss! The funniest thing that can happen is that every so often - if you push them in a hurry - the whole button pops out of the socket and falls on the floor! In the next newsletter...Are you interested in pictures from "a day in the life of Andy"? let me know if you are! Plus we'll meet one of our sports journalists in "What's my job" and there are more exclusive photos from behind the scenes on the show. | 
