BE SOMERSET
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A new, independent, Somerset radio station is on the way!
For now, check out our big-hearted interviews...
Francis Rossi talks music, friendship, memories, and his new tour
Having fronted Status Quo as lead singer and lead guitarist for over fifty years, the inimitable Francis Rossi is undertaking a huge solo tour this year with 64 dates across the UK. Jenna caught up with Francis ahead of it all, to talk about a life in music, the ups and downs of friendship with Rick Parfitt, Live Aid, the effects of drugs and alcohol, and looking to the future with the new tour.
HEAD HERE to listen to something special.
Shepton Mallet Prison is sold!
Cove Group has completed the acquisition of Shepton Mallet Prison, after years of persual, hoping and dreaming by CEO Joel Campbell. Joel's been catching up with Jenna to chat about his motivations for purchasing the prison, which he says will ensure it's preserved, restored, and developed for generations to come. LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION HERE
You don't have to be mad to work here - Dr Benji Waterhouse
NHS psychiatrist, award-winning comedian, and Sunday Times best-selling author of ‘You Don’t Have To Be Mad To Work Here’, Dr Benji Waterhouse, is going on his first book tour! Jenna's been catching up with him and finding out more about his work on the front line, his patients, and why we need to widen the metal health conversation. Also, LISTEN HERE for the secret to happiness!
Celebrating the snowdrop!
February means snowdrops, and Shepton Mallet's snowdrop festival is the perfect chance to celebrate this humble, beautiful flower. Jenna's been catching up with Festival Director, Amanda Hirst, to find out more.
Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm - chatting with Crash Test Dummies
You'll know them for 'Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm', they've given us ear worms for decades, and now they are back touring again in the UK. Jenna catches up with Crash Test Dummies founder, songwriter, guitarist, and one-of-a-kind vocalist, Brad Roberts. HEAD HERE TO LISTEN.
In search of starlings with Carl Bovis
Hundreds of thousands of wings beating in unison... that's the sound of our latest adventure at Ham Wall Nature Reserve! Join Jenna, chatting with nature photographer Carl Bovis, as they experience a starling murmuration like no other. It's a perfect, heartwarming listen for this time of year, so join Jenna and Carl and hear what happened, HERE.
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Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking - a magical chat with champion, Zoe Burmester
You're a wizard Zoe, a wizard of baking... because yes, long time Somerset resident, Zoe Burmester, has won this magical Amazon Prime TV show, alongside her baking partner Jordan Pilarski. Their creations were definitely out of this world and Jenna's been catching up with Zoe in an extended interview about the show, and the show stopping creations that wowed the judges.
Take a LISTEN RIGHT HERE.
A festival of libraries and Fi Smith's art!
Walking, painting, and sharing that work in Bath Central Library, as part of the Festival of Libraries in February... not a bad start to 2025! Artist Fi Smith chats about her hopes for her upcoming exhibition, the magic of woodland and the South West Coast Path, how nature can transform us, and why our libraries should be celebrated.
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Books Glorious Books!
Later in 2025, we'd love you to join our Be Somerset book club! It'll be every Sunday from 5-6pm and to bring you lots of different bookish conversation, we'll be having four hosts - one every week in the month! Jenna will host the Book Club one week out of four, but what about the other three?
Well, we're really pleased to share that one of the hosts will be Frome College Library, led by Lydia and Leah (in Year 10) and Martha (in Year 9). 'Bookshelf BFF’s' will be their monthly take on the world of books. Every month it will feature their unique look at the books inspiring them, some local interviews and conversation, and what happens on the shelves of the Frome College library too! Listen to their first ever interview, right here.
Sweetpea is coming for you!
Weston-super-Mare based author C. J. Skuse, has waited 28 years to see one of her characters on our screens. Well, it's happened... on TV, on the sides of buses, and even in bouquets of blood-dripping flowers! Her novel, Sweetpea, is now a major new TV series on Sky and NOW, featuring Ella Purnell in the starring role of Rhiannon.
Jenna caught up with C.J. to discover more about Sweetpea, the new TV series, how much of a pinch me moment it is, and to explore her life as an author. Check out the chat right here.
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More highlights - just press play!
Things Don't Break On Their Own
The debut novel of Exmoor-based author, Sarah Easter Collins, is out! Jenna spoke with Sarah on the eve of publication to discover more about 'Things Don't Break On Their Own', more about Sarah's writing process, and more about the twists and turns of long term relationships. There's animal chat as well!
Fancy a game of Fact or Fiction? We've got that for you too. Sit back, relax, and just press play...
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(And thank you to Hannah Boaden for the beautiful piano in this interview. It's from her composition, Skipping With Sprites)
Discover the magic of Bailey Hill Bookshop
On Bookshop Day we just had to celebrate our local bookshop, Bailey Hill Bookshop in Castle Cary. How did owner Claire Brooker fall in love with the shop? It's quite a story. Want to know how they curate the selection for sale? We chat about that too - and lots more besides. Just head here for a really lovely conversation about books glorious books, and what it means to run a store full of them.
Matt's Kitchen in Matt's Cottage!
The food tour is back! Jenna will be setting out once again on her Somerset Food Tour... heading round the county chatting with chefs, producers, growers and creators of fabulous food. We've got some more great conversations planned for you, but as we headed back to Matt's Kitchen in Bruton again recently for a fantastic dinner, it seems the perfect time to share Matt Watson's story here. So, let's go back to a chat with Matt from a couple of years ago, and discover more about the unique restaurant in his home...
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Sarah Hamilton chats Just a Card
JUST A CARD is a grassroots campaign on a mission to encourage people to support, value and buy from artists, makers, independent shops and small businesses. Every sale, even just a card, is vital to their prosperity and survival. Jenna has been catching up with the founder of Just a Card, Sarah Hamilton, about Just a Card's 10th anniversary year - LISTEN HERE
