Phonic FM | 106.8fm

Tony on Corey Taylor on the Rock Show

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 10:50:13 -0500

From this Friday (10.09.10) the Rock Show is changing every week. From now on I have interviews with some of the biggest acts in the world and I thought I'd start it all off in style. Not only will there be hot interviews but there will be new features, jingles, dropins and more... This week I will be speaking to Corey Taylor of Stone Sour/Slipknot about the new Stone Sour album, Co Headlining there already sold out UK Tour with Avenge Sevenfold and of course that Download 2009 set, Soon to be released on DVD. So tune in Friday from 10pm to join the fun 106.8FM (Exeter) or www.phonic.fm Mike James x About Corey Taylor. Corey Todd Taylor, (born December 8, 1973 in Des Moines, Iowa) sometimes known by his number 8, American musician best known as the vocalist of American heavy metal band Slipknot and the American hard rock band Stone Sour. On August 3, 2009 and July 29, 2010 he co-hosted the Kerrang! Awards alongside Scott Ian of Anthrax and The Damned Things. Corey Taylor is a founding member of Stone Sour and has released three studio albums with the band. Taylor joined Slipknot in 1997 to replace their original singer Anders Colsefini. He has released four studio albums with the band. Taylor constantly alters between bands, as seen in 2001, after the release of Iowa, where he rejoined Stone Sour immediately after touring. He has worked with several bands, including Junk Beer Kidnap Band, Apocalyptica, Anthrax, Soulfly, and Avenged Sevenfold. Taylor writes and sings in styles that vary by genre. Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison said that he has, "really good melodic singing." Taylor was ranked number 86 in Hit Parader's Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time.

Tony on Alternative Phonic FM Fundraiser

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:32:05 -0500

Collision presents the Alternative Phonic FM Fundraiser Friday October 1st, £5 entry, at Exeter Pheonix, doors open 7.30pm. Le Chat Noir - Hard rocking two piece who have just returned from touring Europe and never fail to entertain. Kosmo Kings - Melodic guitar driven act who have been recording at the legendary Rockfield Studios with producer Sean Genockey who has worked with the likes of Manic Street Preachers and Suede. 97 lovers - New Wave/Post Punk inspired outfit who recently featured on BBC Introducing. The True Blue - aka solo acoustic artist Ryan Ously, think Connor Oberst meets Ben Fold. Harry Mundy - Acoustic duo with a voice reminiscent of Seal. Plus Phonic FM DJs Joe Rebel, Advert Boy, Sketch & Collision's Tezza. All profits will go to the running of the Exeter Community Station, Phonic FM.

Tony on Listening online to Phonic FM

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:39:31 -0500

If you have been listening to Phonic FM online you will need to re-tune your favourite player to one of the new streams before the old link is switched off. Please click 'Listen' to select one of the new streaming audio options or use this direct link, Listen to Phonic FM Online If you have any question about the new stream please email, listen@phonic.fm

Jenna on Paul Rooney solo exhabition

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:49:08 -0500

Paul Rooney: Bellevue, Spacex, Saturday 2nd October to Saturday 27th November Spacex is proud to announce its forthcoming solo exhibition by Paul Rooney, the 2008 recipient of the Northern Art Prize. The show centres round a major new film work, Bellevue. Bellevue is an intricate, audacious work, shot on location at Harewood House, Leeds. It is based on Malcolm Lowry’s short story Lunar Caustic, whose flights of fancy emanate from inside the walls of a 1930s New York psychiatric hospital. Against the idealised backdrop of a picture-perfect English country house, the work depicts an advertising agency focus group discussing the use of Lowry’s writing in a campaign. Bellevue subjects ‘reality’ to various levels of scrutiny; highlighting the potential for imaginative projection, and creative confusion, engendered by the written word. The exhibition also includes several other new works. Letters that Rot, 2010, the two screen video work Small Talk, also 2010, and the sound work Words and Silence, 2008. Bellevue is co-commissioned by Film and Video Umbrella www.fvu.co.uk with the Bluecoat, Liverpool in association with Harewood House, Leeds and Spacex, Exeter. Paul Rooney (born Liverpool, 1967) is an artist working in a range of media including text, sound, film and video. His work has been widely exhibited, including Tate Britain, Shanghai Biennial and British Art Show 6.

IanM on Phonic Fundraiser: Exclusive Preview Airing of New CD

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:29:19 -0500

On Wednesday 8th September (6pm to 8pm) Wednesday's Even Worse (with Ian McKenzie) will feature an exclusive preview airing of tracks from Paul Lamb and the King Snakes' new CD 'Mind Games'. Paul is fronting the the Phonic fundraiser on 10th September with additional music from Julian Piper's Juke Jumpers, the Walkhards, and (in the bar) Phonic DJs Alan Hooper and Ian McKenzie. Not to be missed

Jenna on Soulful melodies and pop hooks

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:15:47 -0500

Fyfe Dangerfield, Exeter Phoenix, Monday 20th September, 8pm Fyfe Dangerfield brings his soulful melodies and magnificent pop hooks to Exeter Phoenix in September as part of his extensive UK tour. Birmingham-born Fyfe Dangerfield burst on to the solo scene in May 2010 with Fly Yellow Moon. A TV commercial for John Lewis featured Fyfe singing his fantastic version of the Billy Joel song She's Always a Woman. Fyfe is best known as the founding member of Guillemots, a BRIT Award nominated indie rock band. Born 1980 in Moseley, he moved to Bromsgrove at the age of eight and studied at Bromsgrove School. He was also music teacher at Cranbrook College for a brief period. The singer- songwriter previously played in The Courtesy Group, which is his brother's band that have regularly joined Guillemots on tour in Birmingham and London. Guillemots is made up of Fyfe alongside MC Lord Magrao, Aristazabel Hawkes and Greig Stewart. Their first album Through the Windowpane was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2006. It received critical acclaim and Paul McCartney described the song ‘ear as “a very brave way to open an album…beautiful orchestration.” Guillemots have enjoyed success with a top 20 single, Get Over It in the UK Singles Charts while their second album Red reached number nine in the UK album charts. With his irresistibly catchy tunes and magnetic stage presence, Fyfe promises to deliver a brilliant showcase of his own particular brand of quirky indie-pop. For more information or to book tickets contact Exeter Phoenix at www.exeterphoenix.org.uk or call 01392 667 080.

Jenna on The Eccentric Selection celebrates John Peel’s festive fifty

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:33:19 -0500

John Peel was known for his eclectic taste in music and his honest and warm broadcasting style. He was one of the first broadcasters to play psychedelic rock, reggae and punk records on British radio, and he is widely acknowledged for promoting artists in various styles including alternative rock, pop, death metal and dance music. A popular feature of his shows was the annual Festive Fifty countdown of his listeners’ favourite records of the year. The Eccentric Selection (every Monday mid-day to 2pm) is, once again dedicating a special show on Bank Holiday Monday (August 30th) to celebrate his birthday and will feature as many festive fifty number ones as I can squeeze into two hours. You can get in touch with me (Pat Bensberg) to share memories, dedications and comments via my presenter profile or the Eccentric Selection page on the Phonic FM website.

Tony on Pulse Art Fare

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:07:23 -0500

Threebproductions is proud to host Pulse Art Fare on Saturday the 28th of August at the Exeter Phoenix Art Centre. The fare will feature 12 artists from around the country with work ranging from fine art, sculpture, illustration and design. Threebproductions aim is to support up and coming artists in this difficult economic time by offering a space in the fare commission free. In addition to this, all profits made will go directly to the artists themselves. The event (weather permitting) will take place on the terrace of the Exeter Phoenix, where alongside the artist stalls there will also be live music. The fare will run from 2pm-6pm. (If it does rain, the fare will be held in the café/bar) This is a great opportunity to come and see an eclectic collection of new exciting work by artists from across the country, a place to buy original pieces and a chance to support the artistic community. So please come along on Saturday the 28th of August to the Exeter Phoenix Art Centre from between 2pm-6pm and enjoy a great selection of art work! Artists featured: Alastair Eland Chris Crook Chloe Ehninger Xander Lee Megan Hoggins Kate Jeram Naomi Hart Stuart Crewes Hannah Crawford Leighton Harry F Rook Natasha Almedia Alex Bertram Powell

Tony on Roots and Shoots feature Count to Fire

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:01:56 -0500

Roots and Shoots every Monday with the 2 Martins from 6 to 8pm on Phonic FM features some of the best global and local music around. We continue to feature live music as often as possible. Check out our blog to be kept informed. In September we are delighted to welcome the local trio Count To Fire. They have been getting accolades for their music from both sides of the pond: "For such a 'young' band, Count To Fire show exceptional maturity in both their sound and lyrics." whisperandhollerin.com "One of the most impressive things about Count To Fireis that while most of their influences come from across the pond they don't go out of their way to sound American like so many of their other British alt-country counterparts." americana-uk.com "Will Odgers has a gorgeous, reflective voice like Bon Iver, and the songs are similarly evocative. Spare musicianship never overplays its hand, using a rare economy that carries the full emotional spectrum. A band who need bringing into the spotlight." John Earls, Channel 4. "They sounded good because they are good." DJ Lee Rawlings after Count To Fire played live on his Spitting Feathers show. Producer Colin Cripps rated the trio so highly that he invited them over to his studio in Canada, where their new album In Another Life was recorded. It will be released on 6 September. You can hear tracks on, http://www.myspace.com/counttofire Catch Count To Fire live on Roots and Shoots on Phonic FM between 6 and 8pm on Monday 13 September. Not to be missed.

IanM on Phonic FM gets the blues

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:12:05 -0500

Ian McKenzie will be playing and interview with Paul Lamb on his show on August 25 at 6pm.

Tony on Alternative Southwest radio show returns

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:50:32 -0500

The Alternative Southwest radio show returns this Saturday, 21st August, on Phonic FM at 10pm. Presented by Terry Walters (Collision). This months show will feature music from Mad Hatter 2, The Out Crowd, Nanobot and Marathon Tuxedo amongst many others. To listen in Exeter tune in to 106.8fm, or listen online at http://stream.phonic.fm All the music on the show can be found on the Alternative Southwest website at, http://www.alt-sw.com If you are a musician and you want to be on a future show go to the website, open a free account and upload an mp3!

Jenna on Beautiful Days this weekend

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:55:03 -0500

Beautiful Days, Escot Park nr Ottery St Mary, Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd August Beautiful Days, a family friendly festival organised by the 1980s legends The Levellers, is returns to Escot Park in Ottery St Mary near Exeter for its eighth year on Friday. And this year Phonic.fm will endeavour to bring you regular updates, and possibly audio interviews with acts straight to you computer throughout the weekend. The festival boasts five stages, spectacular site art, a huge children's area in the centre of the festival, comedy, theatre, family camping, licensed real ale bars from Otter Brewery, carefully selected food and craft stalls, a village shop, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's River Cottage Canteen, a healing area and a firework finale on the Sunday night. The Wailers, the greatest living exponents of Jamaica’s reggae tradition headline Friday night. With Bob Marley, the Wailers have sold in excess of 250 million albums worldwide and in England alone have notched up over twenty chart hits, including seven top 10 entries. Saturday night sees rockers James taking centre stage. Best known for their hits Sit Down and Laid the band had their greatest success in the 90s before the departure of lead singer Tim booth in 2001. The band reformed in 2007 and since them have released a new album and toured internationally. On Sunday night festival organisers the Levellers will be topping the bill with a show that will no doubt rival last year’s memorable performance. Followed by a stunning fireworks display to end the weekend. The Big Top welcomes headline performances from singer-songwriter Billy Bragg, Fairport Acoustic Convention making their first appearance at the festival and acclaimed English folk band Bellowhead. The bill promises plenty more highlights with the likes of US dub reggae collective Easy Star All-Stars, Westcountry favourites Show of Hands, New Model Army - celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, African Head Charge, The Slackers, The Alarm, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, The Aggrolites, Krafty Kuts, Citizen Fish, Dervish, Wilko Johnson, John Cooper Clarke, Shooglenifty, John Otway Big Band, The Destroyers, James Yorkston, 3 Daft Monkeys, Uiscedwr, Tankus The Henge and Ian King, to name but a few. Embracing the Chinese Year of the Tiger, the festival theme for the Sunday this year is stripes. Whatever you’re wearing to the festival please make sure you including something stripy – clothes, hats, accessories, full outfits – the choice is yours! Tickets have sold out do if you don’t have your already it is too late. But keep checking www.phonic.fm for regular updates during the weekend’s festivities. For more information, log on to www.beautifuldays.org. Full line up MAIN STAGE FRIDAY The Wailers Newton Faulkner Easy Star All-Stars Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs SATURDAY James New Model Army British Sea Power Show of Hands The Alarm Peyoti For President Tankus The Henge The Last Republic 63High SUNDAY Levellers Dreadzone African Head Charge The Popes The Aggrolites The Slackers Citizen Fish Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends THE BIG TOP FRIDAY Fairport Acoustic Convention Neds Atomic Dustbin Duke Special Thomas White Nick Harper Uiscedwr Levellers Acoustic SATURDAY Bellowhead Arthur Brown 3 Daft Monkeys Babylon Circus Wilko Johnson Special Guest Boppin B Kathryn Williams Lupen Crook Gaz Brookfield SUNDAY Shooglenifty Billy Bragg Stornoway Dervish John Otway's Big Band The Destroyers Kassidy Ian King The Fabulous Good Time Party Boys THE LITTLE BIG TOP FRIDAY Krafty Kuts Stereo MCs (DJ Set) Foamo Ben & Lex DJ Andromeda James Gill DonJohnston SATURDAY Subfocus & MC ID Adam F Mr Nice Maxxi P Warrior One Lewah Fred V & Grafix Attila the Stockbroker Doozer Brian Damage & Krystal Woody Lee Hils Barker Liam Mullone Pierre Hollins Paddy Lennox SUNDAY Trash City Soundsystem Howard Marks Mitch Benn Paul Pirie Rich Allen Gareth Berliner Ian Cognito Dan Cardwell Debra Jane Appleby Del Strain Sully O'Sullivan Don Letts (DJ Set) DIRTY DAVEY'S BANDSTAND FRIDAY British Sea Power 'Men of Arran' Waiting for Bono Jackie Juno Hypnotique Whitestar Stars in the Making? Phoebe Peek & Oscar Hesmondhalgh Red Dirt SATURDAY Murray Lachlan Young Don Letts (DJ Set) The Agitator Thomas Truax John Callaghan Olly B Whitestar Jail House Doors Open Mic Q&A John Robb & Mark Chadwick Q&A John Robb & Penny Rimbauld Q&A John Robb & Don Letts Murray Lachlan Young Theremin Workshop SUNDAY DJ Herman Funkster John Cooper Clarke Laura Dockrill Kagemusha Taiko Fancy Dress Awards Troubadour Q&A John Robb & Kerry McCarthy Q&A John Robb & Poly Styrene Q&A John Robb & Guest TBA Bike Shed Theatre Company

Jenna on Politics in Print exhibition

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:21:35 -0500

Politics in Print Exhibition, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th September, The X Centre, Exeter Quay, 11am-6pm Double Elephant Print Workshop is to hold an exhibition of contemporary art inspired by the political archive material held at the Devon Record Office. The project has been supported by the Devon Record Office which threw open its archives to seven leading artists to research their approach to the Politics in Print exhibition. The artists created their artwork at Double Elephant’s Exeter studios all using the medium of fine art printmaking. Artist Catherine Cartwright said: “Nicci Wonnacott and I began by looking at some of the letters held at Devon Record Office by Cristobel Pankhurst which led us to the story of The Three Suffragettes of Clovelly. We were inspired to pay homage to their action of ‘getting up the nose of Asquith’, who had been staying in Clovelly at the time, by visiting exactly 101 years later and creating prints and a short film from the experience.” Volkhardt Muller’s work Trying to Meet Matilda Brimmacombe was prompted by the 1843 records kept by Exeter Prison’s chaplain on the eponymous 15-year-old, who had been sentenced to six months hard labour with periods of solitary confinement for stealing a hat. Double Elephant spokesperson, Claire McLaughlin, said: “The exhibition’s twin aims are to show the range and versatility of fine art printmaking and to uncover some of the wonderful historical resources we have in the Devon Record Office. “It’s been fascinating to see what the commissioned artists’ research has revealed from the archives and how it has inspired them to create art. “The exhibition will certainly give visitors a new and exciting glimpse of the county’s past.” Politics in Print features work by Lucy Brett, Gary Powell, Steven Paige, Volkhardt Muller, Jonathan Velardi, Catherine Cartwright and Nicci Wonnacott. The exhibition will take place at the X Centre, on Exeter’s Quayside, Commercial Road, Exeter on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September, 11am – 6pm, before touring to other venues in Devon. The exhibition forms part of Devon Open Studios, a county-wide scheme to open artists’ spaces to the public.

Jenna on phonic FM year two report to Ofcom

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:41:07 -0500

PHONIC.FM - Annual Report to OFCOM for the period February 2009 – March 2010 This is a summary of the annual report submitted to OFCOM during June 2010. Each answer is prefaced by the relevant sections from the promise of performance given by Exeter Community Radio Ltd before the commencement of broadcasting in February 2008. Phonic FM will broadcast a range of arts and community-based programming for the Citizens of Exeter. The station will help promote the cultural vibrancy of the city and strengthen community links within it, as well as offer unique educational and training opportunities for a broad range of participants. On average Phonic FM broadcasts ‘live’ programming for 14 hours a day .Since the station does not buy in content or share it with other stations the original output may be calculated as averaging 392 hours per calendar month. During an average week approximately 18 per cent of the station’s daytime output (assuming this as the period 0800 to 1800) is speech based, though this is not spread equally across the week. All output has been in English. It has a growing variety of programming, much of which is aimed at niche markets within the perceived community and the arts communities it seeks to serve. Most, but not all, of the training that has been offered has a very hands on emphasis. Social gain objectives (a) the provision of sound broadcasting services to individuals who are otherwise underserved. Phonic FM will target listeners who are keen to hear alternative arts and local interest programming. There will also be specialist programmes of interest to those who feel excluded from mainstream broadcasting, such as the local BME population and young people. Phonic FM, by means of its output and website, has encouraged and allowed increased access to the arts and arts-related material. We are developing the ability to broadcast live and as live music output due to collaboration with Sound Gallery music recording studio which is adjacent to our own studios. The station also has the capacity to take output from other performance spaces in the building in which we are located. Specialist programming has included support for live theatre, poetry, spoken word, comedy, health, community issues, disability matters and minority interest musical genres. We have utilised other facilities available to us to produce (within a 90 minute timeframe) three minute films which have been downloaded onto a website. We co-operated with a local theatre company to produce and broadcast a comedy show for a group of school excluded pupils and have been actively involved in the local Respect Festival. The programme controller has been offered new formats and ideas for shows which the station seeks to develop and take to air. The age range of presenters is from 14 to 72. The station will feature review and discussion programmes with the facility for listeners to telephone email, text or phone the studio and to o write in. Some programmes feature live phone-ins, providing the audience with access to immediate on-air discussion. There is a dedicated e mail address and a forum on the station’s website with the facility for people to request music, provide topics for discussion and express opinions on and off air. There are opportunities for the volunteers to produce shows expressing their views (within station guidelines). There are evaluation/feedback sheets enabling the volunteers to express their opinion about the station. There are regular meetings between the presenters and the directors. The station has provided regular opportunities to discuss issues of local, national and international relevance and have provided facilities where there have been opportunities for immediate on-air interaction. The station website www.phonic.fm provides a facility for the interchange of views and ideas about programme content and there has been a steady stream of requests for information and music, often directed at the info@phonic.fm facility. The main opportunities for evaluation and feedback have been provided through an open meeting, discussion with local arts groups through CAPE a local forum of arts professionals which meets four times a year hosted by the City Council and use of the forum on the station’s website. The Company has increased the number of directors by three to accommodate increased representation and diversification. The provision (whether by means of programmes included in the service or otherwise) or education or training to individuals not employed by the person providing the service. In-house training is available for all volunteers wanting to produce and present shows. This consists of hands-on use of studio equipment in the training and off-air production studio and observation, with the possibility of shadowing shows being broadcast. Presenters are actively encouraged to self-produce trails for their shows using the in-house facilities available. Training has been offered on a regular basis both to existing and new presenters. We have embedded ourselves with Exeter College. We are an accredited award-bearing centre and have negotiated with local schools to offer joint use of the media centre, recording studio and radio station. As part of an ongoing programme of school summer holiday activities we ran a three day course which produced drop ins and show promos, and this was fully subscribed and will be extended during the next reporting year. We also increased the work that we undertake with both the statutory and volunteer groups to widen the nature of the station output. During the reporting year this included a series of six programmes written and produced by a group of pupils in a local exclusion unit. In addition after the broadcast of a programme made by a person with locked in syndrome, his shows have been featured on a monthly basis. He records them by use of a voice synthesiser. The better understanding of the particular community and the strengthening of the links within it. The station will provide a platform for local arts, community and media groups. The station will strengthen links with the local community through communication and accessibility making itself available to the local community through a variety of means, including the website, email, telephone and open meetings. Phonic will participate in community events, including through the use of outside broadcasts. The station not only provides an on-air platform for news, reviews and information on arts and community events but the website does this as well, with articles on the constantly updated home and news pages. The website hosts a message board Forum and also gives details of contact phone numbers and two email addresses for listeners, info@phonic.fm and studio@phonic.fm for direct access to presenters. It also has text facilities as well as direct to air phone lines. The station has held its two public open meetings during the reporting year. The station also utilises a face book page and provides a twitter forum. The number of active involvements with the local arts community has increased during our second year on-air. We were actively involved in a day of programming for International Women’s Day and been an active media partner with various festivals held in and around the City such as the Exeter Summer Festival and the Vibraphonic Festival. We have also actively followed links created by the City Council led CAPE group and encouraged participation in Arts events not necessarily within our transmission area. Good examples of this activity have been recording as live input at the Sidmouth International Folk week, participation in other festivals such as Budstock, Chagstock and the Teignmouth International Jazz Festival. The station will provide an important local outlet for raising the profile of the arts and publicising local festivals and events. Through their involvement at the station, volunteers will be provided with firsthand radio experience and many transferable skills to further their employability and social skills. A study of the website content will give a general indication of success with this commitment, as will the section above. We believe that we have become the first port of call” for many smaller organisations seeking to publicise events and activities. This has not only been limited to events taking place within our broadcast area, but there has been significant evidence that events like the Ashburton Blues Festival, Bradninch Festival and Arts in Haldon Forest see the potential of having direct access to the population of Exeter as a potential audience. Indeed at times it has been difficult to accommodate all the groups that have asked to be involved, especially as some of them, for example the North Devon Festival, are remote from our broadcast area. We are aiming to further broaden the scope and width of these support activities during the forthcoming year having acquired at the end of the reporting period the means to broadcast remotely from their sites. Access and participation Community Radio Order 2004: “It is a characteristic of every community radio service that members of the community it is intended to serve are given opportunities to participate in the operation and management of the service.” The station aims to operate in partnership with the community and will build on its previous RSL experience to increase participation. Access may be gained through the steering group, chosen to be representative of the whole community. The anticipated number of volunteers involved in the first year is 130-150, increasing to around 200 in subsequent years. Volunteers will have access to the station’s second studio for training and production. The station will also utilise its links with training providers such as Exeter College and the Exeter Phoenix Media Centre to offer further opportunities. Access to the facilities will be available by contacting the station through the website, by email, telephone, writing, through Exeter College, contact through the steering group and open meetings. The availability of the facilities will be publicised and the use of these training facilities will not be exclusive to this station’s volunteers and members, although priority will be given to them. During the reporting year the Steering Group has met with the company directors and given advice with regard to the future direction of the station. At the end of the year some restructuring of the organisation took place. The Board has convened regularly and as a result of suggestions from the steering group has increased its membership to better represent the volunteers who work on the station. The complaints procedure is published on the website during the reporting year there were three issues, all concerning relationships with the City Council which were raised and dealt with without recourse to external arbitration. As a collective we have approximately 160 active volunteers, with a further 30 or so who for one reason or another (usually travel) are currently inactive. It’s difficult to be precise about time commitment with a group that large, but those with specific allocated roles outside simply presenting are a group of about 20 who give between 10 and 20 hours a week fulfilling roles from editing and pre-recording, to news gathering, administration and office work. Many of them multi-task, fulfilling several roles such as studio maintenance and publicity, web site design and programme making. The reporting year in question has been a transitional one, since many of the functions ascribed in the promise to performance have in the light of experience been subsumed by more direct access to direct arts partners through other forums, since several presenters and directors attend meetings held externally and provide useful feedback through formal and informal reporting Nonetheless the steering group continues to meet with the board, and two specific (and newly appointed) board members have assumed direct responsibility for direct liaison with the presenter and other interested parties. The website continues to be an excellent source and forum for further interaction. Significant achievements during the reporting year Phonic.fm has increased the scope and coverage of arts related issues during the reporting year, and has made great strides in providing access for a wide range of groups throughout the City who might not otherwise have direct access to media. In addition to social inclusion programming noted above the station has provided opportunities for disabled and wheelchair users (the wheelie saying something programme), health and wellbeing, poetry and spoken word and provided support for a number of small scale arts initiatives in and around the City. It was gratifying to have our efforts praised by an article in the Times online for providing real ‘alternative’ programming (Christian Brook 21st December 2009) It is gratifying that our increasingly cordial relationship with the City Council (though not entirely without occasional ‘blips’) has resulted in them according us partnership status for a whole range of cultural activities, which has also helped in publicising the station. Our website continues to attract an ever growing number of unique ‘hits’ during the course of a month, and there is evidence that it provides a highly valued service. If there are aspects of this report that you would like to discuss please get in touch with the chairman, Dr David Treharne or treasurer, Patrick Cunningham by contacting them at info@phonic.fm.

Jenna on A summer pantomime for Exeter

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:13:25 -0500

The Farmers Wife, Friday 27th August to Saturday 11th September, Cygnet New Theatre, Exeter In this summer panto for Exeter the recently widowed Farmer Sweetland wants a new wife. He confides in Miss Araminta Dench his housekeeper, who selflessly undertakes to help him in his quest for a suitable spouse. One by one, the eligible and the not so eligible, the young and the not so young, ladies of Little Silver fall by the wayside as he clumsily endeavours to woo them. The rural parish ignites in indignation and confusion while there, on his very doorstep, is a doting and perfect wife. Will the old codger eventually see the treasure he is missing? Creative Cow actors will be joined by Tony Beard, Douglas Mounce and Jo Loosemore (BBC Radio Devon) for this classic comedy written by Eden Phillpotts in 1916. They will take on as many as 20 characters in their bid to recreate the colourful farming community outraged by Farmer Sweetland’s ill conceived pursuit of marriage. Directed by Amanda Knott with musical director Olivia Dunn, this typically imaginative and thoroughly entertaining production of a rarely performed gem which will lift your spirits and warm the cockles of your heart. Saturday 11th September 7:30pm is almost sold out, there is no performance on Friday 3rd September. Matinee on Saturday 4th and Saturday 11th September at 2pm. Tickets cosy £15, £12 concessions and are available from the New Theatre, Exeter on 01392 277189, Exeter Tourist Information Centre on the corner of Paris Street and Dix's field on 01392 665885 (credit cards) or Tiverton Tourist Information Centre Box Office on 01884 255827 or online at www.creativecow.co.uk.