BBC Radio Cumbria
Encyclopedia
BBC Radio Cumbria is the BBC Local Radio
service for the English
county
of Cumbria
and broadcasts from studios in Carlisle.
.
The station adopted its current name shortly before its tenth anniversary in May 1982, when its service was expanded to cover the whole of the administrative county of Cumbria, namely:
and used 96.1 MHz and 837 kHz. This meant that, in addition to the Furness
area, Radio Furness could be received along the south coast of Cumbria, in parts of the Lake District, and the west coast as far as Millom. As a result of successive budgetary constraints, the lunchtime opt-outs were the first to be discontinued, and in 1991 the remaining opt-outs ceased - after which the whole county again received a single programme.
s wishing to exchange livestock
.
Radio Cumbria is unusual among BBC local radio stations in that its area does not correspond exactly with a single BBC television region. Due mainly to terrain, northern parts of Cumbria receive BBC television from Caldbeck, which broadcasts regional news from studios in Newcastle upon Tyne
, directed at the "North East and Cumbria" region (the transmitter also broadcasts ITV
signals from ITV Tyne Tees and Border in Gateshead
). The rest of Cumbria receives regional news (the BBC's North West Tonight and ITV's Granada Reports) from Manchester
via Winter Hill
.
Attempts by the BBC in the 1980s to transmit North West Tonight to northern Cumbria proved unpopular because viewers objected to coverage of Derbyshire
and Cheshire
at the expense of their own locality, despite them receiving equally irrelevant news from North Yorkshire
, Teesside
and the north-east in the Newcastle-based Look North. For this reason, Radio Cumbria fulfils an important role in providing a unified news service to the whole county.
It is thought that following on from the BBC Local Radio review into finance and output, from February 2012, Radio Cumbria will be sharing evening programmes from BBC local stations in the North East & Cumbria region (Newcastle & Tees) to reduce operational costs.
, Radio Cumbria broadcasts to northern Cumbria on 95.6 MHz (Sandale) - suitable for drivers on the M6
north of Penrith
- and to the south of the county on 96.1 MHz (Morecambe Bay
), with lower-powered relays on 95.2 MHz (Kendal
), 104.1 MHz (Whitehaven
) and 104.2 MHz (Windermere). It also broadcasts on medium wave
: 756 kHz (Brisco - Carlisle
), 837 kHz (Barrow-in-Furness
) and 1458 kHz (Whitehaven
). Radio Cumbria and Radio York
are the only BBC local radio stations in northern England not to be carried on DAB
. Radio Cumbria will not be on DAB until at least 2012. The Kendal, Morecambe Bay and Sandale transmitters have BBC National DAB, as well as a transmitter at Penrith Beacon. Digital One
comes from Morecambe Bay and Penrith. MXR North West
comes from Morecambe Bay.
BBC Local Radio
BBC Local Radio is the BBC's regional radio service for England and the Channel Islands, consisting of 40 stations. They cover a variety of areas with some serving a city and surrounding areas, for example BBC Radio Manchester; a county, for example BBC Radio Norfolk; an administrative region for...
service for the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county
Counties of England
Counties of England are areas used for the purposes of administrative, geographical and political demarcation. For administrative purposes, England outside Greater London and the Isles of Scilly is divided into 83 counties. The counties may consist of a single district or be divided into several...
of Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
and broadcasts from studios in Carlisle.
History
The county of Cumbria, from which the station takes its current name, was not created until 1974. Radio Cumbria began service on 24 November 1973 as BBC Radio Carlisle and could be received across most of the former county of CumberlandCumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
.
The station adopted its current name shortly before its tenth anniversary in May 1982, when its service was expanded to cover the whole of the administrative county of Cumbria, namely:
- the former counties of Cumberland and WestmorlandWestmorlandWestmorland is an area of North West England and one of the 39 historic counties of England. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974, after which the entirety of the county was absorbed into the new county of Cumbria.-Early history:...
- the former exclave of Lancashire "North of the Sands"
- the small area of the former West Riding of Yorkshire, around Sedbergh and Dent, that had been transferred from Yorkshire into Cumbria.
BBC Radio Furness opt-out
From the launch of the renamed station, between 25 May 1982 and 1991, an opt-out service, BBC Radio Furness operated in the south of the county at peak times - originally breakfast and lunchtimes on weekdays, and Saturday mornings. Programmes were produced in Barrow-in-FurnessBarrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness is an industrial town and seaport which forms about half the territory of the wider Borough of Barrow-in-Furness in the county of Cumbria, England. It lies north of Liverpool, northwest of Manchester and southwest from the county town of Carlisle...
and used 96.1 MHz and 837 kHz. This meant that, in addition to the Furness
Furness
Furness is a peninsula in south Cumbria, England. At its widest extent, it is considered to cover the whole of North Lonsdale, that part of the Lonsdale hundred that is an exclave of the historic county of Lancashire, lying to the north of Morecambe Bay....
area, Radio Furness could be received along the south coast of Cumbria, in parts of the Lake District, and the west coast as far as Millom. As a result of successive budgetary constraints, the lunchtime opt-outs were the first to be discontinued, and in 1991 the remaining opt-outs ceased - after which the whole county again received a single programme.
Background
Radio Cumbria claims to be listened to by one third of the county's population despite having to face the challenge of an area which is sparsely populated and predominantly rural, with the biggest urban areas around its perimeter. Most programming has a similar format to that of other BBC local radio stations, although one unique feature is the seasonal Lamb Bank - a short daily segments which carries announcements from farmerFarmer
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, who raises living organisms for food or raw materials, generally including livestock husbandry and growing crops, such as produce and grain...
s wishing to exchange livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
.
Radio Cumbria is unusual among BBC local radio stations in that its area does not correspond exactly with a single BBC television region. Due mainly to terrain, northern parts of Cumbria receive BBC television from Caldbeck, which broadcasts regional news from studios in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, directed at the "North East and Cumbria" region (the transmitter also broadcasts ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
signals from ITV Tyne Tees and Border in Gateshead
Gateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
). The rest of Cumbria receives regional news (the BBC's North West Tonight and ITV's Granada Reports) from Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
via Winter Hill
Winter Hill transmitting station
The Winter Hill transmitting station is a broadcasting and telecommunications site situated on Winter Hill, at the southern boundary of the Borough of Chorley, and above Bolton in Greater Manchester, England...
.
Attempts by the BBC in the 1980s to transmit North West Tonight to northern Cumbria proved unpopular because viewers objected to coverage of Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
and Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
at the expense of their own locality, despite them receiving equally irrelevant news from North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, Teesside
Teesside
Teesside is the name given to the conurbation in the north east of England made up of the towns of Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar, Billingham and surrounding settlements near the River Tees. It was also the name of a local government district between 1968 and 1974—the County Borough of...
and the north-east in the Newcastle-based Look North. For this reason, Radio Cumbria fulfils an important role in providing a unified news service to the whole county.
It is thought that following on from the BBC Local Radio review into finance and output, from February 2012, Radio Cumbria will be sharing evening programmes from BBC local stations in the North East & Cumbria region (Newcastle & Tees) to reduce operational costs.
Technical
On FMFM broadcast band
The FM broadcast band, used for FM broadcast radio by radio stations, differs between different parts of the world. In Europe and Africa , it spans from 87.5 to 108.0 megahertz , while in America it goes only from 88.0 to 108.0 MHz. The FM broadcast band in Japan uses 76.0 to 90 MHz...
, Radio Cumbria broadcasts to northern Cumbria on 95.6 MHz (Sandale) - suitable for drivers on the M6
M6 motorway
The M6 motorway runs from junction 19 of the M1 at the Catthorpe Interchange, near Rugby via Birmingham then heads north, passing Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Preston, Carlisle and terminating at the Gretna junction . Here, just short of the Scottish border it becomes the A74 which continues to...
north of Penrith
Penrith, Cumbria
Penrith was an urban district between 1894 and 1974, when it was merged into Eden District.The authority's area was coterminous with the civil parish of Penrith although when the council was abolished Penrith became an unparished area....
- and to the south of the county on 96.1 MHz (Morecambe Bay
Morecambe Bay
Morecambe Bay is a large bay in northwest England, nearly due east of the Isle of Man and just to the south of the Lake District National Park. It is the largest expanse of intertidal mudflats and sand in the United Kingdom, covering a total area of 310 km².-Natural features:The rivers Leven,...
), with lower-powered relays on 95.2 MHz (Kendal
Kendal
Kendal, anciently known as Kirkby in Kendal or Kirkby Kendal, is a market town and civil parish within the South Lakeland District of Cumbria, England...
), 104.1 MHz (Whitehaven
Whitehaven
Whitehaven is a small town and port on the coast of Cumbria, England, which lies equidistant between the county's two largest settlements, Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, and is served by the Cumbrian Coast Line and the A595 road...
) and 104.2 MHz (Windermere). It also broadcasts on medium wave
Mediumwave
Medium wave is the part of the medium frequency radio band used mainly for AM radio broadcasting. For Europe the MW band ranges from 526.5 kHz to 1606.5 kHz...
: 756 kHz (Brisco - Carlisle
City of Carlisle
The City of Carlisle is a local government district of Cumbria, England, with the status of a city and non-metropolitan district. It is named after its largest settlement, Carlisle, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Brampton and Longtown, as well as outlying villages...
), 837 kHz (Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness is an industrial town and seaport which forms about half the territory of the wider Borough of Barrow-in-Furness in the county of Cumbria, England. It lies north of Liverpool, northwest of Manchester and southwest from the county town of Carlisle...
) and 1458 kHz (Whitehaven
Whitehaven
Whitehaven is a small town and port on the coast of Cumbria, England, which lies equidistant between the county's two largest settlements, Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, and is served by the Cumbrian Coast Line and the A595 road...
). Radio Cumbria and Radio York
BBC Radio York
BBC York is the BBC Local Radio service for the English county of North Yorkshire.- Early history :The station was launched at 6:30am on 4 July 1983 - a launch featured on the cover of the Radio Times...
are the only BBC local radio stations in northern England not to be carried on DAB
Digital audio broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
. Radio Cumbria will not be on DAB until at least 2012. The Kendal, Morecambe Bay and Sandale transmitters have BBC National DAB, as well as a transmitter at Penrith Beacon. Digital One
Digital One
Digital One is a national commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, owned by Arqiva. , the multiplex covers more than 90% of the populationfrom a total of 137 transmitters...
comes from Morecambe Bay and Penrith. MXR North West
MXR North West
MXR North West is a regional commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, which serves the North West of England.- Transmitter sites :MXR North West currently broadcasts from the following sites:-Stations carried:...
comes from Morecambe Bay.
Weekdays
| Time | Main presenter(s)/programme | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0100 – 0500 | BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries... : Up All Night Up All Night (radio show) Up All Night is a programme broadcast on the national radio station BBC Radio 5 Live in the United Kingdom, and is on air between the hours of 1 am and 5 am every night... |
London London London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its... |
| 0500 - 0630 | Richard Corrie | Carlisle |
| 0630 - 0900 | The Ian Timms Breakfast Show | |
| 0900 - 1200 | Mike Zeller | |
| 1200 - 1400 | Gordon Swindlehurst | |
| 1400 - 1700 | Kevin Fernihough | |
| 1700 - 1900 | Dan Chisholm | |
| 1900 - 2200 | Various (see below) | |
| 2200 – 0100 | Richard Nankivell |
Weekday variations
| Day | Time | Main presenter/programme | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 0000 - 0100 | BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries... : Stephen Nolan Stephen Nolan Stephen Nolan, born Belfast in 1973, is a radio and television presenter for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio Five Live. He was educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and Queen's University Belfast where he studied French and Business Studies.... |
Manchester Manchester Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater... |
| 1900 - 2200 | Harry King | Carlisle | |
| Tuesday | BBC Radio Cumbria Sport | ||
| Wednesday | 1900 - 2100 | Richard Allinson Richard Allinson Richard John McNeill Allinson is a British broadcaster. He started his broadcasting with a 3-year stint at Bailrigg FM, known at that time as University Radio Bailrigg ,whilst undertaking college courses at Lancaster University Management School. He was firstly Treasurer and then became President... 's Albums (R) |
|
| 2100 - 2200 | Simply Classics (R) | Carlisle | |
| Thursday | 1900 - 2200 | Joe Costin | |
| Friday | 1700 - 1800 | Dan Chisholm | |
| 1800 - 1900 | BBC Radio Cumbria Sport | ||
| 1900 - 2200 | John Mann |
Saturday
| Time | Main presenter(s)/programme | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0100 – 0500 | BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries... : Up All Night Up All Night (radio show) Up All Night is a programme broadcast on the national radio station BBC Radio 5 Live in the United Kingdom, and is on air between the hours of 1 am and 5 am every night... |
London London London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its... |
| 0500 - 0600 | BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries... : Morning Reports |
|
| 0600 - 0900 | Dan Chisholm | Carlisle |
| 0900 - 1200 | Belinda Artingstoll | |
| 1200 - 1400 | John Mann | |
| 1400 - 1800 | BBC Radio Cumbria Sport: Paul Newton | |
| 1800 - 2100 | John Mann | |
| 2100 - 0000 | The Rock Show: John Caine | Middlesbrough Middlesbrough Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire... |
Sunday
| Time | Main presenter(s)/programme | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0000 - 0100 | BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries... : Stephen Nolan Stephen Nolan Stephen Nolan, born Belfast in 1973, is a radio and television presenter for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio Five Live. He was educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and Queen's University Belfast where he studied French and Business Studies.... |
Manchester Manchester Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater... |
| 0100 – 0500 | BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries... : Up All Night Up All Night (radio show) Up All Night is a programme broadcast on the national radio station BBC Radio 5 Live in the United Kingdom, and is on air between the hours of 1 am and 5 am every night... |
London London London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its... |
| 0500 - 0600 | BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries... : Morning Reports |
|
| 0600 - 0900 | Richard Corrie | Carlisle |
| 0900 - 1200 | Belinda Artingstoll | |
| 1200 - 1400 | John Mann | |
| 1400 - 1600 | Richard Allinson's Albums | |
| 1600 - 1800 | Anne Hopper | Barrow Barrow-in-Furness Barrow-in-Furness is an industrial town and seaport which forms about half the territory of the wider Borough of Barrow-in-Furness in the county of Cumbria, England. It lies north of Liverpool, northwest of Manchester and southwest from the county town of Carlisle... |
| 1800 - 1900 | Simply Classics: Ben MacDougall | Carlisle |
| 1900 - 2100 | Braithwaite's Country: Paul Braithwaite | |
| 2100 - 0000 | Sally Moon |
Former presenters
- Richard HammondRichard HammondRichard Mark Hammond is an English broadcaster, writer, and journalist most noted for co-hosting car programme Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson and James May, as well as presenting Brainiac: Science Abuse on Sky 1.-Early life:...
- Adrian Allen (former Saturday early evening presenter)
- Martin Plenderleith
- Alistair Anderson
- David Nove
- Frank WappatFrank WappatFrank Wappat is an English Radio personality, Disc jockey and singer. He has worked with The Premier Band, Bobby Thompson, Renato Pagliari, The Pipe-dreamers, Flintlock , The Dooleys and many others in a career spanning the 1950s to the present day-Biography:Frank founded the Al Bowlly Circle,...
(still on BBC Radio NewcastleBBC Radio NewcastleBBC Newcastle is the BBC Local Radio service English metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear, broadcasting from studios on Barrack Road in Newcastle upon Tyne.- Technical :...
) - Liz Barnes (now presenting on the national digital station Planet Rock)
- Steve Urquhart (Former Wednesday Evening presenter)
- Peter Stebbings
- Tommy Thomas
- Chris Lewis (real name Chris Redhead, now a journalist at CFM (Carlisle))
- Nigel Holmes
- Derek Lacey
- Derek Webster
- Joan Freshwater
- Mavis Marshall (Whitehaven correspondent)
- Phil Ashworth
- John Myers
- Julie First
- David Lamb
- Ann Twitchin
- Mike Parr
- Pat Parr
- Norman Thomas
- Ken Franks
- Kath Worrall
- Tony James
- Richard MadeleyRichard MadeleyRichard Madeley is a British television presenter and columnist. With his wife Judy Finnigan, Madeley has presented This Morning and later the weekday chat show Richard & Judy...
- Alan SmithAlan SmithAlan Smith is an English footballer who plays for Newcastle United. He has also represented the England national football team, winning 19 caps....
(still on Radio Four) - Helen SkeltonHelen SkeltonHelen Skelton is an English television presenter. She has worked on the BBC children's programme Blue Peter since 2008...
(still on Blue PeterBlue PeterBlue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
)
See also
- The BayThe Bay (radio station)The Bay is a British radio station owned by the CN Group broadcasting from the city of Lancaster to the region of North Lancashire and the South Lakes, in North West England. It derives its name from the sand banks of Morecambe Bay, above which the main 96.9 MHz transmitter is located...
- independent local radioIndependent Local RadioIndependent Local Radio is the collective name given to commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. The same name is used for Independent Local Radio in Ireland.-Development of ILR:...
station covering north LancashireLancashireLancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
and southern Cumbria - CFM (Carlisle), CFM (West Cumbria)