Community Fund supports new oral history podcast

Bristol Community Radio Station BCfm has launched 12 Communities 1 Bristol – a new 12-part podcast series bringing to life stories of the people and communities that make Bristol a special and unique place.

A Community Grant from the UWE Bristol Fund provided initial funding for the pilot project which kick started the series.

Nine UWE Bristol MA Radio Journalism students researched, recorded and edited short audio pieces which form part of the new podcast, led by Dr Anne Harbin, Associate Head of Department for Broadcast and Journalism.

From experiences of the Blitz and Somalian refugee settlers to pioneers of the early punk rock movement, the podcasts cover all sorts of topics. “There are stories of an old man in Hartcliffe who eats snails and calls them wall-fish, funny tales of a female rugby team based in Avonmouth, plus hip-hop from Knowle West and bee conservation in St George.” says podcast presenter Marcus Smith.

The final series of unusual interviews, stories and accounts was created in partnership with BCfm Radio, Bristol24/7, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and the Bristol Archives.

Supporting community cohesion and pride

Each episode will focus on a particular Bristol neighbourhood, all identified by the City Council as having the lowest level of satisfaction when it comes to social cohesion, culture and heritage.

“Many of these areas are often overlooked or stigmatised” explains Marcus, “so we have created something to change perceptions and share unique local stories. This new podcast is for Bristolians, welcomed newcomers and future generations to come.” Dr Anne Harbin describes the project as a “real champion for inclusivity”, bringing together and celebrating diverse communities.

Cllr Craig Cheney, Deputy Mayor of Bristol, added: “I’m delighted to see the launch of a local podcast that will shine a light on the lives of people from across Bristol’s diverse and vibrant communities. Each community has its own stories to tell, and I’m looking forward to hearing about the uniqueness of each community and the things that tie us together as a city.”

The 12 neighbourhoods featured are: Barton Hill, Knowle West, Lawrence Weston, Easton, Fishponds, Hartcliffe, St George, Hillfields, Southmead, Eastville, Stockwood and Avonmouth.

More about the UWE Bristol Fund

This inspiring project would not have happened without the support of a Community Grant from the UWE Bristol Fund. And it’s all made possible through the generous donations of UWE Bristol alumni.

Find out more about how we could support your project, or about how to donate to support future projects on our UWE Bristol Fund webpages.