A word from Kate and Anita: "Seeing as we’re spending so much time asking people in Watton and Wayland to tell us about themselves, it seemed only right that we should have somewhere for you to find out about us and what we’re up to! "So this is our very own uncensored Norfolk Voices diary. It’s no Samuel Pepys – and no Bridget Jones either – but we’ll do our best to "keep it real" (as one great performer once said), as well interesting and entertaining along the way. Happy reading!" Sunday 15 June
Entry from Kate: The big day is here and I can't believe the sun is shining. I hope this doesn't mean I've used up my weather wildcard for this year, because I'd really like it to be sunny on my wedding day as well!
Had to get to Watton before the High Street was closed to traffic, and once we arrived our feet hardly touched the ground. The Battle of the Bands was a huge success and one of the judges, Elli Chapman from Creative Arts East, wants to make it a regular event. Read more about the Battle of the Bands 
The Voices balloons threatened to take over the carnival. |
The winners were Averman - described by the judges as "a knockout band". The carnival organisers reckon around 4,000 people visited the carnival and I can well believe it. 15 members of staff from Radio Norfolk came to help, and you could hardly move for the white Voices balloons they were giving out.
Entry from Anita: Phew, what a day! Absolutely boiling and haven't stopped from a moment! Luckily it was excellent team work because there was so much to do. We had some really experienced staff from the station there and they played a big part. (Kate and I soon realised that we couldn't be everywhere at once!) Nicci Holliday, the BBC's project manager for Voices even made an appearance! I don't know that I was much use to her as we were rushing around but I think she enjoyed herself! However, the stars of the day were our three Watton presenters Rebecca, Tim and Dave. 
Julian Sturdy films the new radio presenters. |
They co-presented a two-hour live programme from the High Street. They are complete newcomers to radio and had only had a minimal amount of practice beforehand. Our breakfast presenter, Graham Barnard, was there to hold their hands and the rest of the team made sure they didn't die on-air. In fact, they were a real hit and coped with the nerves of with presenting live radio at the same time as being filmed by our television colleague Julian Sturdy. The best bit was seeing their reaction at the end - they were so chuffed they gave each other a big hug!
Watch the Watton Carnival slideshow
Saturday 14 June
Entry from Kate: Only had to go into work for a couple of hours to make final adjustments to tomorrow's programme and print scripts. Made much more stressful when the printer ran out and we discovered the stationery cupboard was locked and no one had a key. Ho hum. My colleague and friend Marilyn Rust is coming over for a BBQ tonight to discuss the Battle of the Bands, which I've asked her to compere tomorrow as I won't have enough time. Talking rock over ribs - love it. Friday 13 June
Entry from Kate: Friday the 13th. Unlucky for some. But not, thankfully, for us. My day started at 7.35am with a live on the future of RAF Watton. Anita was just about to leave for her OB when I got in. 
Roy Waller interviews Kate. |
Spent the morning making last minute adjustments to my OB, then everything almost went horribly wrong when my lift to Watton didn't show up (he'd got lost on his way back from Yarmouth). But made it just on time and everything went beautifully. I actually had very little to do once Roy was on-air so just relaxed on a blanket in the blazing sunshine. Entry from Anita: What a morning! Set off at 7.30am with our presenter Louise Priest, Jo from the Action Desk and Gary Standley our Social Action Producer. We were bound for Saham Toney as the OB was all about what it's like living in the villages around Watton. 
Louise Priest asks a young guest some questions. |
The hotel was amazing and we felt like we were in our own luxury house in the middle of the countryside. The family who own it made us really welcome and the guests were fantastic - such a range of unusual stories. From the man who made the marquee that was at Zoe Ball's wedding, to the chef who cooked food for top judges in London, and the schoolchildren who ended the programme with a traditional French song. The weather was boiling hot too and we had our own live baroque music on the lawn - very cultured! Entry from Anita: A couple of hours in work today turned out to be a fair few. Still, I don't mind because after tomorrow things should get easier! Thursday 12 June
Entry from Anita: Editing Rebecca Hill's package for tomorrow. She is another of our volunteer presenters. The package is about her trip to Watton's twin town of Weeze in Germany. She's got some nice material and the script sounds great. Just need to find some funky music and it will be done. The running order is all in place for tomorrow. We are having a look at village life with Radio Norfolk's Morning Mix in Saham Toney. The Broom Hall Country Hotel is putting us up for the morning and we've got about 25 guests turning up! Should be a really good day. Wednesday 11 June
Entry from Kate: Just going home at 9pm. Lots still to do for the Long Weekend in Watton but Anita and I are very organised this time. We've done enough OBs and Voices events to know what's what. Let's hope it all pays off.
Monday 9 June
Entry from Kate: Early start as I had to get to Watton for the assembly at Wayland Community High School to launch the Battle of the Bands I foolishly decided to organise a few days ago. 
Ken Godfrey surveys some wreckage of a warplane. |
Good reception from the kids, although they were much more excited that Chris Rankin, who plays Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter films, was going to be at the carnival. Then on to see Ken Godfrey, who's one of the guests for a Roy Waller OB we're doing at Watton airfield. Ken has some amazing things in his garden, including the wreckage of a warplane and a German bomb. Entry from Anita: Busy morning. Went to meet Dave Scragg, our volunteer from Watton who is co-presenting the carnival OB at the weekend. He is going to pre-record a feature today for our Morning Mix OB on Friday. He is going on the trail of Pingo Ponds in Thompson with an expert from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. He is sooo excited about the weekend! Am trying hard to be enthusiastic at the same time as worrying about how much there is still to do! Friday 6 June
Entry from Kate: Had a sneaky day off today to do wedding things with my sister, Vicky. Ordered flowers, had practice hair and make-up, etc. Last day off, nay last minute off, before the big push towards our Long Weekend in Watton. I'm tired just thinking about it!
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