The final late night debate

It's the final late night debate for me tonight.

As I said in a previous posting. Its not a management decision but my own to leave the Sunday night slot and I am now looking forward to at least 1 night a week away from anything radio related.

The late show from Monday to Thursday carries on as normal with a few changes to the format so you can still join me for that, weeknights from 10pm

December is on the way

Its near on December and that means a few things are happening.

Apart from the obvious like Santa Claus coming down my chimney it means changes to some of the programmes on the radio.

For me it means very little change but it does now give me a weekend off meaning no radio work for me on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays unless I`m covering something.

Peter Koth takes over Sunday Nights whilst I just concentrate on Monday to Thursday

That means that tonight's Retro Dance Party from 10pm will be my last one and this Sundays show from 10pm including the late night debate will also be my last one.

The only other thing thats happening in December is my Birthday but I wont be celebrating that on the radio. I will wait til the weekend.

The Prophets

The Prophets were due to appear on the show tonight but have had to pull out to to a sudden bereavement. We hope to have them back on the show in the near future.

Crissie Black and Tony Vincent live acoustic session

Tonight I was joined in the studio by the lovely Crissie Black and guitarist Tony Vincent. They performed 3 of their songs and chatted about the love of music.

The 3 songs performed in the studio are available to view below and the audio is available for download from HERE. Apologies about the sound quality on parts of the recording but the gremlins got in the system somewhere.

Crissie performing one of her own songs called "Call Out"

Crissies 2nd song of the night (featuring Tony Vincent) was a cover version of Jimmy Cliffs "The Harder They Come"

Crissies 3rd song of the night
"Halleluliah"

Late Night Phone In and Debate

Tonights late night phone in is the second to last one for me as Peter Koth takes over the late show on a Sunday Night from 10pm starting in December as part of the new schedule.

Its been a brilliant 9 months on the phone in and your responses have been fantastic. There have been funny moments, argumentive moments and serious moments as well.

Its a shame to lose the Sunday Nights but this is my decision and not the managements idea.

They wanted me to keep it on but I have my reasons and I don't want to go into it but on a lighter note it actually gives me a bit of time off.

Christmas Lights Switch on 2008

For more photos of the Christmas Lights switch on with Abbey FM then please check out the Abbey FM website at www.abbeyfm.co.uk

Some Photos of the Xmas Lights Switch on in Barrow 2008

The Hairy Bikers are seen here signing autographs for people who came to see them switch on the Xmas lights. Double click any image to view it full size.

The Big Christmas Light Switch on with the Hairy Bikers

This is it. The Xmas light switch on 2008

Barrows Xmas Lights Switch On 2008 - Mystical Experience

Mystical Experience, Barrows own boy band performed two songs at the Christmas Lights switch on event.

The sound quality is a bit poor due to high levels and sensitive recording equipment.


Singing a cover of Take That and Patience







A cover of No Matter What (Boyzone)

Barrows Xmas Lights Switch On 2008 - The Twelve Days of Christmas

It was a fantastic day in the Town Square. The Abbey FM team were down there for the big switch on event of the Christmas lights to be performed by the Hairy Bikers, Dave Myers and Si King.

Videos are below of some of thje events that were happening on stage. Unfortunately due to the sound levels and a sensitive video recording device the sound is a little distorted.

The Twelve Days of Christmas performed by Chetwynde School Choir

Hairy Bikers, The Mayor and Me

Got talking with an old friend of mine, well not that old really. His name is Dave Roberts and not only is he Mayor of Barrow but a very talneted man as well musically. He was once part of Barrows famous "Chapter Five" band. Click the link and have a look at their website

Photo below is of myself and Barrows Mayor Dave Roberts

Talking of Chapter 5, I managed toi find this photo of them all together at a reunion taken in August this year


From Left, Dave McGerty, Allan Davies, Tony Flanagan, John Ritson, and Dave Roberts. Missing from the photo is Frank Hayes, who unfortunately couldn't join them on the night.



Oh... and I mentioned the Hairy Bikers as well so heres one of Dave Myers, myself and Si King

Recognised by a taxi fare

Its not every day that people recognise me but as most people know I do a bit of taxi driving as well and when a couple of girls got in the car they recognised me from photos on the website and also my voice on the radio.

Anyway, they proceeded to have a craic with me about it and wanted a photo took with me so a big hello to Amy Cartmell and Faye Burrell.

Fayes the one in the middle with a fantastic expression on her face

Abbey FM Xmas Lights Switch On

Tomorrow in the Town SquareBarrow froma round 3pm ish. Get yourself along and bring the family. Hairy Bikers Dave Myers and Si King will be there to turn on the Xmas lights as well as a whole host of other entertainments.

Watch out for videos and photos being posted soon.

Crissie Black

Crissie is back on the acoustic slot showing off some of her musical talent from 10pm this coming Tuesday. Tune in from 10pm on Tuesday 25th and listen to local acoustic talent live on the radio.

The Prophets

Making a return to Abbey FMs acoustic hour join the Prophets live in the studio from just after 10pm on Thursday 27th November (A week tonight)

Late Night Debate

Call the studio tonight 01229 845888 and have a chat live on the radio. Air your views on anything you like from 11pm.

The late night debate is coming to an end and the last one will be Sunday 23rd November 2008

Reeltime Ceilidh Band

Reeltime Ceilidh Band came into the studio to talk about a project called Furness Youth Radio as well as playing their music and talking about appearing on stage at the Christmas lights switch on in Barrow Town Square on Saturday 22nd November 2008.

The line up is Karl on the Melodian, James on the Drums, Sarah on the flutem Hayley also on flute and Anna on the violin.

There were plenty of text messages coming into the studio in support of them and overall a fantastic atmosphere was created in the studio whilst appearing live on the show.



It came to light that Sarah would like to be a radio presenter when she leaves school and I surprised her by allowing her to sit in the big chair in front of all the controls and let her finish off the show.

Find out more about these 13 and 14 year old musicians at www.reeltime.tk or email them at bookings@reeltime.tk



The full session can be downloaded HERE.

Two videos were filmed of them performing live in the studio and they are both below.




And another video filmed live in the studio....

Gwen Hechle

Gwen came back into the studio tonight and played 3 songs. The whole session is available to download by clicking HERE

Videos of all 3 songs performed live in the studio are available below and also on my youtube channel at www.youtube.com/billclarkontheradio




Gwens Cover version of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"






Gwens 2nd song of the evening was a cover of The Beatles track called "I Will"








Gwens 3rd song of the evening was called Hallelujah

Reeltime Ceilidh Band

On Thursday 13th November local Ceilidh band "Reeltime" are back in the studio by very popular demand. Thye have been invited to turn on Barrows Christmas Lights and will be talking about that in the studio.

The switch on date for the lights is 22nd November 2008

Gwen Hechle returns to the airwaves

Back by popular demand next Monday (10th November)