WELCOME TO HBNfm – Community Radio Celebrating 40 years of Netherley as a community in the South Outer Liverpool area.

Hi and welcome to our blogsite.  So glad you found us. You may be wondering what HBNfm is?  As the headline says, it is a community radio project, being broadcast live from Belle Vale Shopping Centre in the Belle Vale area from Monday, 1st December 2008 through to Friday, 12th December 2008 – HBNfm (Happy Birthday Netherley fm) celebrating the creation of Netherley community 40 years ago.  Come and see the presenters perform from within a glass studio – you will definately be fascinated as you watch and listen to the wide range of topics being discussed and not forgetting great music!

You may live in Netherley, or you may be a former resident or just keen to know what goes on in other communites.  Either way, we would love to hear your views, thoughts (good or bad) and aspirations on and for Netherley.  Please feel free to use our site and let us know.

You may well be thinking, why a radio broadcast and why for two weeks as opposed to say a party?  After all, it is a celebration!  The writer would argue that it is much more than a celebration.  Radio is an excellent vehicle to spread the word, and what better way to highlight the services, opportunities and work of a fabulous community to the wider world.  Also, what better way to give the community a voice!  To enable this, we are currently busy delivering training to various people/groups across the Netherley area, from local primary schools to local agencies and residents.  At the end of this process, all participants will be delivering live shows which will be topical, informative and some off the wall and of course FUN all the way; let’s not forget it’s a celebration!

The project is being driven by Netherley Citizens Advice Bureau and training and consultancy is being provided by Likely Alliance, both of whom have experience of delivering community radio, the latter with over 20 broadcasts under their belt.  Netherley CAB wanted to deliver a social action broadcast as it was aware that there are still people within the community who are not aware of what services the CAB offer, and as it is 40 years since Netherley was created decided to combine the two. 

This project is funded entirely through fundraising; and the writer would like to acknowledge thanks to those people who are putting their time and energy voluntarily so that the community of Netherley can benefit.  Our hope is that at the end of the live broadcasts we will have a better informed community, a community that understands what is available to them and how to access services.  Above all, we hope you enjoy listening!

Julie Omar

Manager, Netherley Citizens Advice Bureau

WHAT NEXT?

Here we are at the end of the festive season, with everyone
hopefully settled following two highly successful weeks of exciting live radio broadcasts. You may be wondering is that it? In terms of live broadcasts yes, for now. How are we going to maintain the momentum of the enthusiasm, learning and networking, and heaps of information given out by and to our community? One aspect is for us to secure funding to publish a DVD and booklet, so there is an everlasting reminder of HBN fm a birthday Netherley will not forget!

We would hope the aforementioned is a springboard for future community radio broadcasts. Netherley Citizens Advice Bureau wholeheartedly advocates community radio as it reaches out into all aspects of our community; from learning through planning the show and scriptwriting, to timing of music, chat and jingles, communication and interviewing skills, learning to use the equipment. Importantly, community radio gives the opportunity not only for enabling the community to have a voice but also for local groups/organisations/services to inform the community of local services and how to access them.

What came across loud and clear, is that Netherley has a rich abundance of skills, commitment and enthusiasm amongst its residents !!!

A SAD ANNOUNCEMENT

It is with great sadness that we learn of the sudden and untimely death of our community colleague and friend Carl Speare.

Carl was the energy behind the scenes of many masterful projects within Netherley Valley which are still evident today.  Carl was a private man, never one to brag, boast or take credit for  the fabulous work he did.  He was never happier than watching the youth he worked with develop and grow into mature, successful adults.
Carl worked in Netherley Valley for about 20 years working tirelessly for the youth. He was, along with Caroline Cox, the brains and driving force behind Valley Community Theatre bringing many funny, diverse and serious messages to the community through a range of theatre productions at the old Lee Manor High School. He was instrumental in securing the funding and building of Valley Community Theatre.

Carl was innovative, none more so that when he created the concept  of Community Radio in Liverpool.   He first came across the idea during his travels in Europe in the  80’s where he saw a small radio station within a public area whilst sitting taking a coffiee and marvelled at how something like the medium of radio would be such a great vehicle to bring a community together and bridge generation gaps.   He first delivered community radio through Lee Manor High school bringing the youth and community together broadcasting from Belle Valey Shopping Centre in the early 90’s. 

For Netherley CAB it is a sad loss as Carl was a great support to its staff, management  board and also a lifelong friend of the manager.

We hope that radio continues to be delivered by Netherley CAB, we know Carl would like to think he had left a legacy that would benefit the community.  Carl will most certainly be sadly missed.

HBN could not have taken place without the help and Support of

HBNfm THANK YOU LIST

LCVS & Colin Heaney

LEE VALLEY HOUSING

ARENA HOMES LTD

BARCLAYCARD

P H HOLT FOUNDATION

SOUTH LIVERPOOL NEIGHBOURHOOD Team

NETHERLEY CAB

WOODLANDS COMMUNITY CENTRE

BELLE VALE SHOPPING CENTRE, & Manager Bill Reid

LIVERPOOL CITY LIBRARY

GATEACRE COMMUNITY SCHOOL

BELLE VALE PRIMARY SCHOOL

HOPE SCHOOL

LIVERPOOL COUNCILLORS COMMUNITY GRANTS FUND

ZAVVI for the MUSIC

The time has come – as someone once said!

The HBN project development went back to February 08 and is now coming to an end for this year. The project in its entirety has seen and experienced much, we have captured much on film and have lots of material should we secure finance for the HBNfm 08 booklet. What has been captured is the richness of a Community and a willingness for those taking part to trust in a process and practice that lasted through 12 weeks of workshops, in house support and one to one sessions.       
If asked, what is my stand-alone moment? With the greatest respect to all other show presenters, it would have to be our Land Army Girl of ninety one and a half year old, Flo. Flo offered richness plus a view of times gone by. In the main, stories like Flo’s have not been RECORED and even more importantly, written up locally and HBNfm can boast that we had Flo who shared her stories with and within the Netherley Community. Eric Hodkinson and his early years within the Community of Netherley, and how he is still active within the life of the Community and still has much to tell on the growth of Community; again great stories told on HBN. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
                     

  We had charity funders undertaking their own shows and engaging  with and within the Netherley Community, whilst offering advice and information on how best to make contact and access various pots that would aid and develop Community Growth in one way or another. There was our hot man on the spot – Ken Ross (fire & rescue services’), that brought much to the Community in relation to Community safety. We had shows about health, money advice, we viewed the CAB’s role and actions with regard to it’s drug / alcohol outreach workers, drug use and abuse, youth issues, activities within the Community, youth sport, pet care (featuring Knowsley Safari Park staff) and we had representation from four Primary School (OLA, Hope, Belle Vale & St Gregg’s) along with Gateacre Community School. It would not go a miss to extend a big HBN thank you to all that gave up their time to be interviewed and in doing so added a further richness to the whole project.           
I stand to be corrected, but I think that the introduction of the HBNfm blog site was the first (if not one of the first to be introduced) to be introduced within a Community project context and is rising to 3,000 hits (www.hbnfm.wordpress.com) and some have left comments as a memory of their individual visits and I should also mention that one of the blog site visitors logged in from Argentina and tuned into a story of his Grand—Daughter taking part: is that not so Victoria!

There is a much bigger story that should and could be told here, there are the parents that supported their children throughout the project, and they could be seen smiling (with pride and nerves) into the studio. The role that parents, carers and guardians have played within the life of this project cannot and should not be underestimated and 

 

 

 

 

 

 

indeed the overall end result has been a reflection of their own individual and collective input at many levels to HBNfm. School’s have accommodated the development and growth of pupils throughout the life of this project, having made curriculum time to integrate the radio work within each school’s individual weekly working schedule. Angie, Ann, Shirley & Claire (Hope school) mentors and support workers, Phil and Ian, teacher & top music Tec man from  Gateacre CC  have all contributed to the impact that this project has made with & within the Community and also back the working base.

 Housing groups, Arena and Lee Valley offered the listeners a good insight of what they have and can do for Community; they each in their own individual way offered the Community further access to bring continued change and growth with and within their own Community.  Both fully acknowledging the power and motivation that Community participation can bring to Community and highlighting positive examples of this in practice. 

Likely Alliancewould like to say it has been both an honour and a pleasure to be part of Netherley’s Fortieth Year celebrations. With more of an objective eye at this time I would ask you to cast you mind back to the show undertaken by Luke and Lisa, they talked about a Community plan for the area, and one that bore all the hallmarks of active Community participation at all levels! I would hope that people respond to the challenge laid down by L &L and think of Community first, bringing people together to have fun, be creative, and make positive and lasting changes! In fact that challenge is no more than that met and addressed by all the young people who took on a community radio show within the Community of Netherley. They are the future…. can the adults keep pace?

 

 It should be noted: Community Radio in both process & practice meet’s the 5 main agenda areas of  Every Child Matters

 

 

 HAPPY SWEET 40^thBIRTHDAY NETHERLEY & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE & ALL!

 

Carl Speare: Likely Alliance 

info@likelyalliance.co.uk

Eyes and Ears on the case for one last time

Scottie 2 Hottie

Eye & Ears on the case one last time, it has taken some time and not an inconsiderable amount of money for the E & E Team to get their hands on this photograph.  The photo is an exclusive of Liverpool Boy made good “ Scottie 2 Hottie (cat walk name) “ and as you will know Scottie (made up name) has made a major impact within the bright lights of the London modelling seen. Scottie 2 Hottie (cat walk name) made an unexpected visit to the HBNfm studios on the last day of broadcasting. When asked “why make an appearance at the end of the project”?  S 2 H said “we (his management we later found out) had picked up on a considerable amount of positive publicity in the smoke (S 2 H slang name for London) and “I felt I would like to put something back into a Community that is close to my heart”!

Scottie 2 Hottie undertook a free cat walk demo (in the central reservation Belle Vale Shopping Centre, by B B’s coffee shop) to his adoring public that have followed his career with great interest and Community pride. The E & E Team cannot help but have a tinge of cynicism regarding why at this time S 2 H choose to undertake  this “free publicity event” (on the back of HBNfm) whilst  wearing his soon to hit the high street line in men’s underwear:  You make your own mind up readers, re the motivation for this surprise superstarVisit!                                                                                            

Sweet XX

Girl group Sweet XX (featured on the new Club Land  Album: Track 5) featured as part of Tegan & Adams show on HBNfm and  took time out of their busy schedule to spend time with our two OLA Primary school presenters. It should also not go without notice that Tegan collected all of the Sweet XX aughtograph’s and could be heard mumbling something about “opening up a new eBay account”!  Adam, the more composed of the two presenters was fine, and recovered well after receiving oxygen once Sweet XX had left the studio.

                    

  Eyes & Ears always on the look-out & working for HBN

Ben & Corry: Granddads’ were a Knockout

Community Radio is a way of bringing Communities together (as you will have picked up on me mentioning more then once), this photograph is of two year 6 young people, Ben & Corry from Belle Vale Primary School. In this photograph are the Grandfathers’ of both young men, a Grand Mother and one of the young men’s Dads, that along with Damian Ridpath- Boxing Development officer for Liverpool City Council. This show alone had an active input from three generations of two families and how many community Projects can boast something like this!
I should also mention that the two Granddads were interviewed as part of the young men’s boxing show, and gave their own history of being in the ring!

                                                                Carl

Who is the Man?

This is…                                                    Richie Can-Ya!     Richie is the gardener, Mr Shifter, hospitality maker and chauffeur to what is the other half of Margie Kelly. I watched in amazement as “our Richie” went in & out, out & in, picked people up, made individual’s comfortable (prior to interview) and then dropped them off after. Between all of the running around and the perspiration “our Richie “ could be seen with a welcoming smile as each request came in thick & fast from the Mrs Kelly one.

It’s fair to say that the strength of the two shows undertaken by the other half of “our Richie” was based in some part upon the tireless work put in by this fella, and if you are looking at Community in action, bringing people together, making them smile and getting an earful of what they have undertaken and what is still to come, then look no further!

Oh & by the way “our Margie loves our Richie” as we all now know, after being told a few times live on air!

Carl

Youngish Presenter or What

HBnfm Community Radio project still making news and here we have our new up and coming show presenter!

Oh what a 2nd week for HBNfm

The second week of HBNfm developed further upon the previous week and in many ways the expectations of some that have a working experience of Community Radio as a tool for engagement were surpassed.
The swelling of Community and parental pride came on a number of fronts; there were the three young men from St Gregory’s Primary school. All of whom made an impact not just with their parents and friends, but also with the listeners. Their stream of jokes, ad libs and shout outs made many smile, whilst showing-off a developed confidence.

Then we had Luke Finnegan, better known as Lukie-liousie. This young man has a thriving interest in Community, its development and is someone that a large number of Communities would give much to have a youth asset such as him! Through the life of HBNfm Community Radio project Luke was continually pushing personal boundaries and achievements, an area of self-growth that he was aware of and shrugged off with a smile when pointed out (on more than one occasion)!
Being a Sea Cadet has offered Luke much in the way of learning, expanding his experiences and in the development of social skills. He worked on four shows in all, two in partnership (Lisa-Van dross) and two on his own. It has been noticeable that one so young holds much respect from those from within the Community that have offered much over the years!
As someone that has a working knowledge and practice of working with young people, its not hard to notice how much this young man has to offer his community, and how high his motivation is in relation to developing Community and bringing people together. It’s also fair and appropriate to fully acknowledge (as I see it) the input that one youth worker has contributed to the development of this young man: stand up Lisa Van dross! What a practical view of developmental youth work this worker could pen!!

 Margie & Jackie along with others ran an active over fifty’s group and the Lee Valley pensioners group, and their second show was a testament to how Community minded and active they both are. In fact it was via their second show that I came in to contact with Flo, a ninety one and a half year old ex Land Army Girl. What a tail Flo could tell of being moved out of the city in order to do her bit in the Second World War. Working on a farm was but one story she shared with HBN listeners. Flo can be seen proudly wearing her medal (awarded belatedly in July 08) for her services (along with many other women) to the war effort.

Loose women or loose cannons
These two have a future in public entertainment, and preferably after the water shed! I hasten to add that their behaviour was impeccable on the HBN live broadcast. Their potential was most evident when reviewing the daily news papers and passing comment on news of that day, or of celebrity’s mishaps

How to make and maintain a turkey run in Netherley and cut costs for the Coming 09 Christmas!
This was but one show topic covered within this show along with handy tips, recipes, access to free vouchers to help you save money (over this Christmas) and not forgetting how to cut cost by growing, caring for, dispatching and dressing your own turkey for December 09. Well this show went in many directions and drew in a lot of feedback – and all positive. In fact we even had enquires as to the best place to buy the fencing & wire in order to build your own turkey –run. We were then given an extra treat when the issue of healthy eating was introduced within the embers of the show. HBN would like to extend a personal thank you to Mrs M of the Gateacre Society that took the time and dropped in to offer our show host a personal “well done and have been listening, and the music is great also”! We have been reliably informed that Toni (presenter of this show) will be moving in to the field of astrologer on the radio and will be offering card readings live on air, in an area close to you very soon!

Do Fire Men Moisturise? 
 Well readers we can reliably confirm that firemen do moisturise, well at least the ones on Ken Ross’s shows. This man (Ken Ross) single handed (well, along with those pictured) took the image of the Fire & Rescue Service to a new level. In fact not only did these Service providers offer help and support in relation to home safety, but they showed how new age they are by not only talking about keeping the body firm and taut, but also offering handy tips for male moisturising and all over skin care. It was stressed that given the amount of water they come into contact with it should hardly be surprising the amount of weekly moisturising the team need to undertake. We would like to acknowledge that Ken Ross, undertaking and sharing with the listeners his own personal moisturising techniques was a moment of ground breaking radio history: another 1st for HBNfm!
                                             

                                                      Carl

Security to the HBN studio please!

Good day one and all, the Eyes and Ears Team are on the case once again. Pictured below are two (at the time) unsuspecting shoplifters’! As you will know from your regular reading pattern, The E & E Team try continually to keep the Community informed, and on this occasion the E & E Team have not been found wanting!
Our two culprits caught on film had raised the eyes of the security guards on more than one occasion within Belle Vale Shopping Centre. The E & E Team has developed upon becoming a working communication tool / device to draw in and disseminate information about Community Services, to highlight achievements and have fun whilst learning. Due to the now pending court appearance of the two pictured we are unable to identify them by name, they must now be referred to as culprit A and B!
The two on their way out of the shopping Centre (with bags full of swag) pursued by centre security were caught by the eye stopping sight that is the HBNfm studio.
Forgetting their own in built survival instinct they stopped as many do, just to take in the sight of young people and not so young presenting their own live radio shows and having their photographs taken. The E & E Team felt it was the camera flash that caught the attention of our two slippery fingered culprits, and drew them over to the studio and attempt to slide in to see what could be gained.
As security arrived, the pair tried to make a break for freedom but soon realised that all escape exits were blocked. They swiftly attempted to mingle with HBN presenters having their photographs taken. In fact it was the pair gegging in to a photo shoot that resulted in their eventual arrest. Trying to pass themselves off as two year six pupils (last year of junior school) from St Gregory’s Primary School was not the most practical choice they have ever made!
We can reveal that the pair face charges of the theft of various items, including a bottle of Ribena, a bottle of water, pens, paper and a leather jacket.
Eyes & Ears (public service department for HBN) on the case, and looking over your shoulder!