Keeping It Real with Rory – January 2010

Quite a lot has happened since I last wrote in Orkney Today. In fact, four weeks ago I was sitting in a small office in the BBC’s Bush House building in London. I was being interviewed for a job as a trainee studio manager at Radio 5 Live.

I’d never had to sit any kind of interview before so the whole experience, including travelling down to London on my own was challenging. Trying to stay cool, calm and collected while three senior members of BBC management fire difficult questions at you is not easy and when it was all over I was pretty certain I hadn’t done enough to get the job.

In the days that followed I just couldn’t help but go over and over the whole thing in my head, and the more I did so, the more things I remembered that I thought went badly. The fact that everyone I spoke to wanted to find out how it went just made matters worse. By the following Monday I was beginning to wonder when I would hear their verdict. Trying to stay positive, I kept reminding myself that it would be worth the effort just for the experience of doing an interview, plus I knew I would be able to ask for feedback that would be helpful in the future.

Anyway, on the Monday afterwards, when I was sitting at home having lunch with mum, I got a call from one of the guys who interviewed me. After saying who he was, Chris asked me how I though I’d done. I didn’t really know how to respond to that so I just said that I hoped I’d done enough, but being my first ever interview I really had no idea what to think. He responded by saying that the board thought I’d done pretty well and that they would like to offer me the job! I couldn’t believe it, I genuinely thought I wouldn’t get it simply because it would have been too lucky to get the first job I’ve ever done an interview for.

The job is initially based in London, where I will be trained as a studio manager. SM’s are responsible for the technical side of producing live radio programmes. They press the buttons and operate the faders and other equipment in the studio to ‘drive’ the programme. I’m one of six people who passed the interview process and we will start on the 8th of January with three weeks training at the BBC’s training facility in Evesham. After that, we’ll move to London where we’ll be given more ‘on the job’ training at the BBC World Service, before moving over to Television Centre and 5 live its self.

One of the most exciting things about this opportunity for me is that, if all goes well with my operational assessment in a few months time, I’ll be involved in 5 Live’s major move to Salford in 2011. It’s going to be a big challenge for everyone and I feel privileged to hopefully be playing a small part.

The combined excitement of a new job and moving to the capital is pretty immense and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in. However, I know I’m going to miss the perks of home. I’ve had such a fantastic time at Radio Orkney over the last few years, but especially during the last six months while I’ve been there full time. The staff are all such lovely people and it’s been a real pleasure to work there and I know I’m going to miss them all. I plan to continue writing in the paper each month, and presenting ‘Hit The Beach’ on Radio Orkney. Sadly I’ll not be able to do it live but instead I’ll record it in London and send it up to be played off a CD. Hopefully they might let me make a guest appearance on the request programme next time I’m home for a holiday!

Changing the subject completely, I’ve been quite surprised by how much chaos the snow caused in the run up to Christmas. Nationally there were hundreds of road closures, dozens of vehicle accidents, several grounded flights and even channel tunnel trains that couldn’t go anywhere because of ‘the wrong kind of snow’!

Years ago I went to Toronto in Canada on a family holiday. I remember driving along the road with snow piled over two meters high on the verges, and yet the highway was running very smoothly. Here, we just need a dusting of snow and a bit of a cold snap and the entire country seems to shut down.

I’m not intent on laying the blame with any one organisation in particular, but it strikes me that as a nation, Britain was seriously under prepared for the cold weather. Some reports suggest that we face very cold winters for the next ten years or so. If that does prove to be the case, we’ll need to get a bit more organised, otherwise I think we risk loosing out economically.

I suspect there’s a good chance that you might have made at least one new years resolution for 2010. I’ve never been particularly keen on making them as I always feel like I’m setting myself up for a fall. However, I think setting out some goals to aim for isn’t a bad idea.

I’ve decided that I really what to get to grips with video editing on the computer. I’ve been trying to work on it over the last few months but there are so many distractions at home its hard to find time for it. I don’t know if it will be any easier in London though!

The other thing I’d like to start doing again is podcasting. I haven’t recorded a single one since I graduated from University. So, if there’s ever a dull moment in the big city, I’ll more than likely be mixing new jingles on the computer. Whatever you decide to do this year, I hope it goes well. Cheers.

Keeping It Real with Rory – December 2009

Now that we are into December, the season of good will to all is just around the corner. Judging by the staggering total of almost 20,000 pounds raised in the county for Children in need, the act of selfless giving is already well underway.

Children in need has been a special event for me for five years now, not only because its good fun but because the live auction on Radio Orkney marks the beginning of my involvement in the station, and as a result, my decision to pursue a career in broadcasting.

It was back in 2004, about an hour or so into the live show when I decided to wander along to the studios. About an hour earlier I had phoned and pledged some money to have an unusual cover version of the Rolling Stones track, Tumblin’ Dice played for dad, who was out on Auskerry at the time.

I’d got a bit impatient, and conscious of the fact that the track I’d chosen may have proved hard to find, I thought I’d take my copy along to ensure it got played. Up until that night I had never set foot in Radio Orkney before. When I arrived I was greeted by the now retired, John Fergusson who asked how he could help.

I explained why I was there and with that John invited me to follow him upstairs and into the studio where he would check if my record was in the pile of music waiting to be played. It was very quickly apparent to me that there was a real buzz about the place and my inquisitive side took over.

“John, I don’t suppose there is anything I can do to help is there? It’s just it seems really interesting in here.” I asked tentatively. “Yes, he said. You can sit in the studio and pass the pledge sheets from Dave across to the presenters.” I’m sure that was roughly how the conversation went. Anyway, I spent the rest of the evening – until one am in fact – passing sheets of paper around the studio, watching what was going on and taking in the atmosphere.

I was only 16 at the time so when I got home at about half past one, I found a rather annoyed mum waiting up for me. I had told her I was just going to drop off a CD so she had no idea why I had been gone for so long.

I’d enjoyed the children in need show so much that the following Monday after school, I went back to Radio Orkney to ask if there was any chance I could get involved properly. They were very encouraging and John suggested that perhaps I would be able to help out by driving the request programme on Fridays.

I still get a great buzz from being involved in the marathon show and who knows what I would be doing now, five years on if my pledge hadn’t been delayed, or John and the rest of the team hadn’t been willing to give a lanky young lad a chance to prove himself.

Staying for a moment on the subject of children in need, this year I decided to make use of my new camcorder and make a short video of the evening’s events. You can find this on Youtube by searching for ‘Radio Orkney Children in Need’.

I’ve always been amazed at the power of the Internet and that feeling has been reinforced for me over the last few weeks as the Radio Orkney Facebook page has gathered momentum. For those that don’t frequent any kind of online social networking site this next bit might be double Dutch so I’ll keep it brief. However, the very idea that ‘the internet isn’t for me’ poses an interesting question in itself.

I set the page up almost a year ago when I was at University. In the last three weeks, after a few mentions on the Bruck programme and some new content on the page its self, the number of subscribers has leapt from just over 100 to almost 600. In fact, at the speed the number is increasing, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not risen to well over that figure by the time this goes to print.

I love how the Internet allows people to access information and communicate with people in ways that simply would not have been possible for past generations. However, the fact that most things, from shopping to banking, communication and entertainment are all moving towards a web platform presents a major worry for those who are either not connected or capable of using the technology.

The figures vary, with some studies showing a large increase in the number of Americans over the age of 65 taking hold of the mouse. Other statistics show a greater cause for concern. UK Government studies have found that only one in five over 65’s have ever used the Internet. What is perhaps even more worrying, is the news that such figures haven’t increased in the last 3 years, instead they show a decline.

As far as I’m concerned, moving access to services and systems onto the internet is a good thing, but for people of my grandparents generation, the idea of even switching on a computer is too daunting for many, let alone doing their shopping, banking and managing their bills online.

The digital divide is a major issue and many initiatives and systems are already in place to help older people to ‘get wired’. However, I think as we move closer to Christmas and people are thinking about gifts and kindness, perhaps some of us more tech savvy folk could try and help. What grandparent would refuse a few simple computer lessons with their grandchild?

Well that’s about if for another year. I’ll be back with another column in January but in the meantime I’d like to wish all my friends, family and readers a very happy Christmas and best wishes for 2010. Cheers!