The Scarborough Spotlight Podcast

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Episodes

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The Scarborough Spotlight Podcast is your weekly show that focuses on the coastal town of Scarborough and its surrounding areas. The podcast will delve into significant events that are upcoming or already taking place in the town. From time to time, interesting local history will be explored with local experts too. And at the heart of it all will be hearing the voices of those people who are doing interesting and wonderful things in and around Scarborough. In short, if it’s interesting, positive and happening in Scarborough, it’ll be part of The Scarborough Spotlight

Episodes

Beckview Studios - Chris & Kristina Jones (Ep 14)

This Episode: Beckview Studios is an incredible residential recording studio based in Scalby village, providing world class facilities for a wide range of artists. In this episode you'll hear from owners Chris and Kristina Jones who made their dream a reality when creating the studios. Links: Website - https://www.beckviewstudios.co.uk Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/beckviewstudios Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/beckviewstudios YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_cVO9J12IKit...

Sep 28, 2024•21 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast

The Hub Sea Swimmers (Ep 13)

This Episode: The Hub Sea Swimmers are a social swimming group who meet a couple of times a week. During this episode, we went along to one the groups ‘Moonlight Swims’ and chatted to the founder Roxanne as well as a few of the brave souls who took a dip in the North Sea on a chilly summers evening. Links: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/Hpmikz476d4nJJ6s/?mibextid=K35XfP https://www.instagram.com/thehubseaswimmers?igsh=MXE3ZDRrdHJ5ODc5bA==...

Aug 24, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast

South Cliff Gardens - Gemma Alexander (Ep 12)

This Episode: The South Cliff Gardens are one of Scarborough's most scenic and beautiful places. Having undergone a huge regeneration a couple of years ago, the gardens are thriving. In this episode, The South Cliff Gardens Community Engagement Officer, Gemma Alexander, sat down for a conversation in Beeforth's Hive to explain all about the gardens and the events that take place there too. Links: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/southcliffgardens⁠ ⁠https://www.southcliffgardens.co.uk⁠...

Aug 16, 2024•15 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast

Scarborough Atlas - Yasmin Stefanov-King (Ep 11)

This Episode: Scarborough Atlas is a free online website that delves into the town's history in a series of trails that links places in town with real artefacts held by Scarborough Museums and Galleries. Yasmin Stefanov-King lead the team who developed the website (which is hosted by Scarborough Museums and Galleries) and spoke to Scarborough Spotlight about the project and what people can expect when they access the resource. Links: https://scarboroughatlas.humap.site/home...

Aug 09, 2024•18 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast

Hannah - The Soldier Diaries. Zoe Wright, Stephen Alexander & Director Darren Johnson (Ep 10)

In this episode I had the good fortune to chat to the very talented Zoe Wright and Stephen Alexander, lead actors in upcoming Scarborough musical 'Hannah - The Soldier Diaries', as well as the show's director Darren Johnson. The cast and crew are a week into their rehearsals ahead of the shows World Premiere at Scarborough Spa Theatre on April 9th 2024 and we discuss 'Hannah', how they all got involved in the project and why you should definitely go and see the musical in Apr...

Mar 22, 2024•17 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast

St Martin's Church - Mike Bortoft (Ep 09)

St Martin-on-the-Hill church sits on Scarborough's South Cliff. The church building was built in the mid 1800s and features a lot of work by Victorian designer William Morris. In this episode Mike Bortoft, a retired teacher, keen historian and member of St Martin's Church chats to Ian about the history of the church, explaining many of the incredible features that make the church such a charming place to visit. To find out more about the church visit: https://www.friendsofstmartins.co.uk...

Mar 02, 2024•17 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast

Scarborollers - Roller Skating Group (Ep 08)

Scarborollers are a skating group created a couple of years ago by 'French Dave'. The group has grown steadily, recently moved to a more suitable venue and has ambitions to grow further. In this episode I chat to French Dave about how Scarborollers started, what people can expect if they go along and how they can get in touch if they are interested. Later, I chat to Eleanor, one of the skaters at Scarborollers who explains why she loves the group so much. Scarborollers can be found here ...

Feb 25, 2024•15 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast

Run Scarborough: 48hr Challenge For St Catherine's Hospice (Ep 07)

Members of 'Run Scarborough' are taking part in a 48 hour running relay this weekend, all in aid of St Catherine's Hospice. Runners sign up for a one hour slot and run with a partner. It's the 4th time Run Scarborough have done a continuous running challenge. In this podcast I speak to Run Scarborough founder Paul Sutherns about the ethos of Run Scarborough as well as the 48hr challenge. Links: Donate to St Catherine's Hospice https://www.justgiving.com/page/runscarborough48h...

Feb 17, 2024•10 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast

Finest Organic Tea Company - Hisham & Lisa Al-Bizri (Ep 06)

As a nation of tea lovers there aren't many situations that a cup of tea can't make a little bit better! Hisham and Lisa are a couple who love tea so much they set up their very own organic tea company - The Finest Organic Tea Company - right here in Scarborough. Hish and Lisa explain, in this episode, why they started the company, where their love of tea came from and why being organic was vital to them. Find 'Finest Organic Tea Company': https://finestorganictea.co.uk https://w...

Feb 04, 2024•16 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast

Hannah - The Soldier Diaries. Writer/Director Steve Wallis (Ep 05)

Hannah - The Soldier Diaries is a new musical production made and set in Scarborough! Featuring 11 original songs Hannah - The Soldier Diaries is a story of love, separation and an uncertain future. It features 11 original songs as the story of hairdresser Hannah and Lance Corporal Jack Webb’s romance unfolds on stage. Ian sat down with Steve Wallis the writer and director of Hannah - The Soldier Diaries to find out more about this exciting new production coming to Scarborough Spa Theatre in Apr...

Jan 28, 2024•16 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast

(BONUS) Ayckbourn Archivist, Simon Murgatroyd on Stephen Joseph.

Stephen Joseph has a theatre named after him in Scarborough, but why? Who was Stephen Joseph? What impact did he have on a young Alan Ayckbourn? And why is he considered a revolutionary? Find out in this bonus episode with Simon Murgatroyd, official archivist to Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Find Simon and keep up to date with what he is up to, including talks here: Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/alan.ayckbourn.playwright⁠ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ayckbourn_playwright/⁠ Simon also main...

Jan 27, 2024•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Sir Alan Ayckbourn Archivist, Simon Murgatroyd. (Ep04)

Sir Alan Ayckbourn is arguably the most famous name associated with Scarborough. The playwright has written an incredible 90 plays, most of which have premiered in Scarborough at the Stephen Joseph Theatre. Such is the depth of his work, Sir Alan, has an archivist who maintains the collection. That person is Simon Murgatroyd who also happens to be a theatre historian. Simon sat down with Ian to discuss Ayckbourn's career as well as his work with the archives. Keep an eye out for a mini bonus...

Jan 21, 2024•23 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast

Woodend Gallery & Studios - Andrew Clay, Chief Executive (Ep 03)

In this episode... Ian sits down with Andrew Clay the Chief Executive of Scarborough Museums & Galleries to discuss Woodend Gallery & Studios, one of the centres under his guidance. Woodend has a fascinating history, with the aristocratic Sitwell family owning the property and extending it whilst under their care at the turn of the 20th century. Today, it is a creative hub filled with a variety of working professionals. However Woodend is also open to the public. In this interview Andrew...

Jan 15, 2024•17 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast

Glenda Young - Seaview Hotel Author (Ep02)

Glenda Young is a novelist who has written three 'cosy crime' books that are set in Scarborough. Glenda also writes historical saga novels that are set in the North East of England just after World War 1. Her latest Scarborough based book is called 'Foul Play At The Seaview Hotel' and tells the story of a group of crazy golfers who visit the fictional Seaview Hotel and its landlady (turned amateur sleuth) Helen Dexter. In this episode, Glenda chats to Ian about her 'Seaview&#...

Jan 08, 2024•22 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast

New Year's Day Dip (Ep 01)

What better way to see in the New Year than by running into the freezing cold North Sea, in fancy dress, in aid of charity? Well that's what around 200 brave souls signed up for this year in Scarborough's South Bay. Organised by The Lion's Club of Scarborough the event is now over 20 years old and is a New Year's Day staple by the seaside for locals and visitors alike. Ian Smith was down on Foreshore Road and on the beach to talk to some of the people who were dressed up in fancy...

Jan 01, 2024•14 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast

Coming Soon - Scarborough Spotlight Podcast

Launching in January 2024, The Scarborough Spotlight Podcast is your weekly show that focuses on the coastal town of Scarborough and its surrounding areas. Hosted by Ian Smith, the podcast will delve into significant events that are upcoming or already taking place in the town. From time to time, interesting local history will be explored with local experts too. And at the heart of it all will be hearing the voices of those people who are doing interesting and wonderful things in and around Scar...

Dec 25, 2023•1 min•Transcript available on Metacast