BE SOMERSET
Be part of something special
An exciting, independent, radio station goes live later this year!
For now, check out our big-hearted interviews...
Frome Festival is here!
From July 4th to 13th, our Somerset town of Frome comes alive with the arts, offering a feast of creativity for everyone to get involved with. It's the 24th Frome Festival and Jenna's been catching up with Festival Director Adam Laughton, to discover more.
Wooh Gary Davies!
If you love the 80s, you'll want to listen to Jenna's chat with one of the Radio 1 DJ's who was right at the heart of it!
Hear about Gary's life in radio, the show he's bringing to Bath later in the year, and how hard it is to choose your top four songs of an iconic decade.
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Take a tour of Montacute with Head Gardener Chris Gaskin
Wibbly wobbly hedges, borders packed with beauty, and trees to make the setting spectacular. The National Trust's Montacute House and Gardens is one of the jewels in Somerset's crown!
The gardens are looked after by Chris Gaskin and his team, and Jenna's been finding out more about their history and what it takes to care for them - as well as getting some top gardening tips and a tour.
Peggy Seeger talks Teleology, touring, and a life in Folk
Peggy Seeger, the grande dame of American and British Folk music, has been performing for over seventy-five years. She is embarking on her last ever concert tour alongside her sons, Neill and Calum MacColl, in celebration of her 90th Birthday this month. Peggy has been sharing her thoughts, and incredible memories, with Ian.
HEAD HERE to listen
Concertina Landscapes - Catching up with Anna Baker
What matters to you about the land that surrounds you every day? Artist, Anna Baker, has created a thought-provoking project about our relationship with the green spaces we treasure. Jenna’s also been involved in collaborating with Anna on a small piece of it! Discover more about the inspiration behind Anna’s project in this heartwarming conversation about art, community, and the places we want to preserve.
Saltlines - discover the stories of the South West Coast Path
If you're excited about The Salt Path, you'll love this. Saltlines. The stories of the South West Coast Path brought to life in an unforgettable way, in this extraordinary music and prose collaboration between Gigspanner Big Band and bestselling author, Raynor Winn. Jenna caught up with Ray and Gigspanner’s Hannah Martiin to discover more, so just dive in to hear about this magical experience, along with some of the musical highlights.
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Skool Beanz meanz growing, colour and community!
Have you heard about Skool Beanz? The incredible children's allotment and gardening club in the village of Chilthorne Domer in Somerset? It teaches children how to grow delicious vegetables, beautiful flowers, and how to garden to help nature, with plenty of upcycled art and fun. Jenna's been chatting with founder, Lara, and her helper, Oliver, to find out more about their plans... and there's some very exciting news!
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Head to Shapwick Moor with the Hawk and Owl Trust...
It's time to transport you to the nature reserves of Somerset, and specifically Shapwick Moor, to discover more about the Hawk and Owl Trust and the work they do for birds of prey and other wildlife. Join Jenna and Shpawick Nature Reserve Warden, Alex, and explore the wonderful wetlands and grasslands of the reserve.
John Harris - Maybe I'm Amazed
Ian's been sitting down with journalist, writer, critic, presenter and Frome resident, John Harris, to chat about John’s new book, Maybe I'm Amazed. It shares the story of how music has opened up the world to John’s autistic son, James. John also shares more about what it was like getting a diagnosis for James and the challenges that followed.
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Local laughter - Jarred Christmas
Jarred Christmas is on a mission to fill Somerset with laughter, promoting comedy across the county, creating and hosting Rode Comedy Festival and delivering his own stand up shows too, of course. Ida's been catching up with the man himself to discover more.
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)
Explore Somerset with photographer Aidie White
Somerset is celebrated here all year round of course, but there's also a day when it's on everyone's minds! May 11th is Somerset Day, and Jenna's been taking a tour of Somerset through the incredible landscape photography of Aidie White. Join them and explore Somerset as you've never done before... by listening to their conversation and discovering the stories behinind Aidie's stunning captures of this truly magical county.
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
