Fresh Radio/ Yorkshire Dales Radio ceases broadcasting

Lots of folk in Ilkley and across the Yorkshire Dales will be saddened that Fresh Radio (formerly Fresh AM and originally Yorkshire Dales Radio) has ceased broadcasting tonight with the frequencies to be taken over by the big UKRD Group who run Stray FM.  For the past few years Fresh has broadcast from Broughton Hall (well the business park there) but before that it came from what looked like a caravan in the centre of Skipton.  We understand that Fresh will be rebranded as Stray FM taken over as part of an enlarged area across Harrogate. 

Since 2007 Ilkley has enjoyed Fresh Radio in FM Stereo from a transmitter in Ben Rhydding.  OK, sometimes it went down and it was rumoured at one stage that the transmitter had been turned off due to unpaid bills (under previous ownership).  But we enjoyed Fresh!  It was friendly.  It was enjoyable.  It was local.

Annie visited the studios to collect a prize she had won on the breakfast show, last summer.  Even aged 10, she invariably correctly answered the breakfast trivia quiz and regularly texted the answer whilst eating breakfast!  The first we would know was when her name was read out as the winner!.  At the Fresh studios, she met Head of News James Wilson (I think he WAS Fresh Radio news!) and made very welcome.  We were just amazed how low-key everything was - just three folk and that included the afternoon presenter and someone selling on air advertising!  

Sad days for truly local radio.

What's on over the Summer?

If you're not sure what to do, here are a few events to whet your appetite... Broughton Game Show, Sunday 27th June Broughton Hall (on A59 west of Skipton; Grid Ref: SD 9450) RAF Dakota flypast, dog display, motorcycle stunt display, heavy horses, miniature Shetland ponies, Birdman Challenge, falconry, sheep shearing and many other displays, stands and sideshows. Adults £8, Concessions £6, Children £4 http://www.broughtongameshow.co.uk/ or see local tourist information for details . Great Yorkshire Show, Tuesday 13th – Thursday 15th July, Harrogate The North’s leading agricultural event. Livestock shows, equestrian events, Black Dyke Band, The Great Show Wheel, Hot Air Balloons. Demonstrations, stalls and sideshows too numerous to mention. A fabulous, fully-packed day out. Please note: to avoid the jams, aim to arrive either very early or towards lunchtime. Adults £20, Concessions £16, Children £9 http://www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/ Tel: 01423 541000 . Ilkley Summer Festival, 1st- 30th August Many events including Ken Dodd's Happiness Show on Wedneday 4th, the Flower and Vegetable Show on Saturday 7th, the big weekend on 14th/15th of music, picnics and partying under the big top at the Riverside Gardens. Exhibitions, walks and continental market. http://www.ilkleysummerfestival.com/ or local tourist information . Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival, 14th-22nd August Kettlewell (on B6265 then B6160 north of Skipton; Grid Ref: SD9772) Walk the ‘Scarecrow Trail’ and discover scarecrows hiding in unexpected nooks and crannies in this idyllic Dales village of calendar girl’s fame. Various pubs and tearooms will sustain you. . Burnsall Feast Sports, Saturday 21st August Burnsall (on B6160 from Bolton Abbey; Grid Ref: SE031610) Fell race (the oldest in Britain), children’s races, pet show, guess the weight of the sheep, side shows. A great local country event. Always held the first Saturday after the Sunday after August the 12th! http://www.burnsallsports.co.uk/ or local tourist information . Malham Show, Saturday 28th August Malham (Grid Ref: SD 900627) Under the shadow of Malham Cove, this traditional agricultural and family country show has been taking place for over 100 years. Farmers’ Market, falconry displays, fell race, equestrian and livestock shows, tug o’ war, dry-stone walling and plenty of sideshows. Adults £6, children under 16 free http://www.malhamdale.com/ or local tourist information . Kilnsey Show, Tuesday 31st August Kilnsey (on B6265 then B6160 north of Skipton; Grid Ref: SD 970677) The Dales’ foremost agricultural show set against the magnificent backdrop of Kilnsey Crag. Dry-stone walling, producer and handicraft stalls, livestock, equestrian events, fell races and harness racing. Adults £8, accompanied children under 16 £1, under 5s free http://www.kilnseyshow.co.uk/ or local tourist information . Harrogate Autumn Flower Show, 17th – 19th September Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate Around 90 of the country's leading horticultural nurseries exhibiting and selling plants, special interest groups’ exhibits, gardening accessories, arts and crafts and local food. Entry £14 (£7 after 2 pm on Sunday) http://www.flowershow.org.uk/ . Ilkley Literature Festival, 1st – 17th October A prestigious national event with 20000 tickets sold last year covering 190 events. This year’s contributors will be announced on the Festival website. Previous years have included Alan Bennett, Alan Titchmarsh, Melvyn Bragg, Paddy Ashdown, Sarah Dunant, Margaret Drabble, Michael Mansfield QC and James Cracknell (double Olympic gold medallist). Children’s weekend always popular. Tickets on sale from Tuesday 31st August. http://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/ 01943 601210 (general) 816714 (booking enquiries) . Information offered in good faith and may change ESPECIALLY PRICES that may be taken from last year. We have no arrangement - commercial or otherwise - with any of these events.