By the time this magazine hits your coffee table I’ll already be in Manchester, working in the BBC’s brand new building at Salford Quays. However, as I write this, I’m becoming acutely aware that my remaining days in London are numbered. In fact, I’ve got about a week left here, before I load the van I’ve hired to drive myself and my stuff to the North of England.
I’m very excited. I’ve been looking forward to making this move for almost two years, but now that it’s finally on the horizon, I’m starting to think of what I’ll miss about London. It’s been a steep learning curve living somewhere so big after growing up in Orkney. When I first arrived, I found it all quite overwhelming and there were days when I wasn’t sure if I’d manage to cope with it. It’s just so different from what I was used to back home, and even my city experience at University in Sunderland seemed insignificant in comparison to the vastness of London.
As I settled into the job and made friends, things got easier and I started to feel that I would manage ok. After a few months passed I began to understand the attitude of Londoners themselves. I became confident using the public transport system and I felt like I was really getting to know the areas in which I lived and worked.
I think it must take a while to get used to anywhere that is unfamiliar, but I still think London is in a league of its own, within the UK at least. I’m expecting to go through many of these ‘newbie’ emotions over the coming weeks as I get settled in Manchester, but I’m convinced it will be easier for two main reasons. For one thing I’m down sizing quite significantly – from being one of over 7 million in London to one of under half a million in Manchester. The second, and probably the most significant, is that I’m moving with a group of colleagues and friends who are in the same situation as me. It’s going to be new and exciting for all of us, and the fact that we’ll be getting to know the city together will inevitably make it easier and more enjoyable.
I’ve spent almost two years in London working in two buildings neither of which are likely to be occupied by the BBC for much longer. Next year, the various staff and departments that have not been relocated to Salford - including Radio 4 - will move out of Television Centre back to Broadcasting house in the heart of London. Their World Service colleagues from Bush House will also join them. It means that when I leave after my last shift, I’ll be leaving behind a piece of BBC history that will more than likely be just a memory when I next visit London.
Members of the public can apply to be taken on a free tour of Television Centre and I’d recommend that you go on one if you get the chance. It’s an iconic building full of memorabilia from all kinds of popular BBC programmes and shows. You’ll be shown the TV studios which over the years have been used to create shows and diverse as Strictly Come Dancing, Jools Holland, Room 101 and Not The Nine O’ Clock News - you even get the chance to try your hand at presenting a TV weather report!
Although many of the friends I’ve made in the capital are also making the move North, there are plenty who aren’t and I will miss them a lot. Now that I’ve lived in London I won’t be worried if for any reason I decide to move back for work in the future. It’ll be nice to live close to the countryside for a while though, and I’m already looking forward to my next trip to Orkney, which will be in early January.
I hope the festive period and the New Year brings excitement, prosperity and happiness to you all. I also hope it brings a few more Doonie wins in the Ba’. Happy Christmas!
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