Location

Comedy, Drama and Sci-fi

‘Cornucopia Radio’ is a local ‘audio drama’ group which works closely with Sheffield Live! to give opportunities to local writers and performers to have their own work produced, performed and broadcast via the FM frequency (and networked around the world via various podcasting systems). It is both a platform for established Sheffield writers & performers and anybody wishing to gain experience or exposure for their work. If you wish to get involved yourself, you can email the production team at studio@cornucopia-radio.co.uk

Over the past few months, they have produced the following work.

.

The Drop

In the far future, humanity has expanded out to explorer the outer reaches of the solar system. In the process, leaving behind the radioactively poisoned planet once known as Earth, now more commonly referred to as the “Forbidden World”. However, ‘Captain Robert Newsam’ is about to discover that the planet is not as desolate as he once imagined and that sometimes the only way to get where you’re going is… “The Drop”

‘The Drop’ is the first in our series of updated radio sci-fi pieces from the forties and fifties. Re-recorded with new actors, modern sound effects and atmospheric music. During these productions we try to stick to the original script as closely as possible; in-turn seeking to create modern, yet strangely old fashioned pieces of radio drama…

[audio:http://cornucopia.jellycast.com/files/audio/thedrop.mp3|titles=The Drop|artists=John Christopher]

Cast: Nic Bowden, George Webster, Joe Lister Yates, Matthew Scott, Jason Greenwood and Roderick Shearer Written by John Christopher. Original version broadcast on ‘ABC Radio’ April 9, 1953,
Directed and Edited by Peter Beeston, Copyright ©2010 – A Cornucopia Production

/

Martians Never Die

What is the ideal bodyguard? The most ferocious looking? The most efficient killer? Or the most devoted? On Earth, you might find a combination of all three, but it’d never be as effective as the curious creature which came back from Mars with Dr. Clyde Curtis; the first human to ever step foot on the red planet…

“Martians Never Die” is the next in our series of updated radio sci-fi pieces from the forties and fifties. Re-recorded with new actors, modern sound effects and atmospheric music. During these productions we try to stick to the original script as closely as possible; in-turn seeking to create modern, yet strangely old fashioned pieces of radio drama…

[audio:http://cornucopia.jellycast.com/files/audio/Cornucopia%20Radio%20Podcast%2022.mp3|titles=Martians Never Die|artists=Lucius Daniel]

Cast: Tim Rutherford, Christine Bellamy, Ian Carter, Stephen Bullivant, Peter Beeston and Claire Hodgson. Written by Lucius Daniel, Original version first broadcast on ‘ABC Radio’ March 12, 1953 Directed and Edited by Peter Beeston, Copyright ©2010 – A Cornucopia Production

/

Digging Deep

‘Digging Deep’ tells the story of a community and a friendship that struggled to survive during the 1984-85 UK ‘Miner’s Strike’. Two people coming together for the first time in 25 years; remembering the decisions that they had to make and the consequences that were bound to follow…

[audio:http://cornucopia.jellycast.com/files/audio/Cornucopia%20Radio%20Podcast%2020.mp3|titles=Digging Deep|artists=Alice Collins]

Cast: Alison Fell, Gill Butter and Dave Ridley
Credits: Written & Produced by Alice Collins,
Directed and Edited
by Peter Beeston, Copyright ©2010 – A Cornucopia Production

/

Biscuits for Tea

This is “Biscuits for Tea“, the story of two young flatmates who have recently left university and now find themselves considering what life might have in store next. Faced with broken relationships, dead end jobs, empty bank accounts and too much spare time to fill; they quickly work out they’ll have to help each other out if they’re going to get through this. That is, as long as they don’t irritate each other to death first…

[audio:http://cornucopia.jellycast.com/files/audio/Biscuits%20For%20Tea.mp3|titles=Biscuits for Tea|artists=Matthew Brown]

Cast: Renate Reynolds and Robert Perkins. Written By Matthew Brown
Directed and Edited by Peter Beeston, Copyright ©2010 – A Cornucopia Production

Highlights From the Dronfield Festival

In 1999 John & Jackie Aspinall were having a party to celebrate 25 years of marriage. Not one to do things by halves, John decided to combine his 2 biggest loves, his wife and music! Dronfield’s football pitch was hired for the day, a stage was built and umpteen bands were invited to come and play. The ‘Party on the Pitch’ as it was known was a massive success with a guest list of over 1000 people, all of whom helped to contribute to charity by donating in the buckets around the ground.

It soon became apparent that a day this good was worth re-creating and so year after year John has put massive amounts of time and effort into bringing the Dronfield Charity Music Festival to life. The success of the festival can be measured by its contributions to numerous Dronfield and Sheffield based charities; with the total funds raised over the years now totalling over £25,000.

Just a few days ago the 11th ‘Dronfield Music Festival‘ took place at the ‘Carr Lane Recreational Ground‘ and Sheffield Live! was there; broadcasting live for the entire afternoon, bringing you all the live music and interviews from this amazing multi-stage event, presented by our intrepid DJ’s: Paul Tansley and Kevin Resley.

But if you missed it don’t worry, as we’ve put together this special podcast, which we hope will bring you all the highlights from this wonderful day, direct to your computer speakers.

[audio:http://web.sheffieldlive.org/wpress/audio/dronfield festival.mp3|titles=The Dronfield Festival|artists=Paul Tansley and Kevin Resley.]

We would also like to thank “Taylor Taylor Hairdressing” for sponsoring this live broadcast. The aim of their premier hair salons is simple: to ensure that every one of their clients receives an experience beyond expectation, leaving the salon looking and feeling fantastic.

A Flavor of Sharrow Festival 2010

On the 3rd of July, the 13th ‘Sharrow Festival’ was once again held on ‘Mount Pleasant Park’ and continued its reputation as one of Sheffield’s best local festivals with over 7000 people attending to enjoy various music stages and nearly 100 stalls providing a wide selection of foods, crafts and information.

In these two reports produced and presented by Erini Apostolidou for Sheffield Live, we take a closer look at some of the events and people around the festival.

Part 1: Evelyn Joseph presents a local project for sexual health awareness in the BME communities. Ronin Barkshire explains why the extraction of oil from tar sands has to stop and how the struggle to achieve this is connected with saving energy here in the UK. Georgina Valentine gives us an insight on the beneficial effects of meditation. Usua, Maira and their friends tell us about their expectations from the festival and stress the need to bring famous bhangra musicians and performers.

[audio:http://web.sheffieldlive.org/podcast/get.php?web=j5768.mp3|titles=The Sharrow Festival 2010|artists=Erini Apostolidou]

Part 2: A compilation of music performed live at the festival. From rap to gypsy and from a cappella singing to karaoke. Don’t miss young Pallav singing the Jacksons 5 hit “I’ll be there”

[audio:http://web.sheffieldlive.org/podcast/get.php?web=j5776.mp3|titles=The Sharrow Festival 2010|artists=Erini Apostolidou]

Latest Sheffield Podcasts

SHEFFIELD: Forgemasters by Amna Kaleem

The biggest casualty of the recent budget in Sheffield has been the cancellation of the £80million loan to the city’s steel manufacturer Forgemasters. The loan was approved in March when the Labour government’s business secretary Peter Mandelson came down to the city of steel and made the announcement.

The loan was to be spent on constructing a 15,000 tonne forging press to make components for nuclear reactors. This plan would have created around400 jobs in the city. Once completed, the forging press, was expected to attract international business as the demand for heavy nuclear forgings is estimated to triple by 2020, up to 70,000 tonnes. There are currently five companies, capable of producing large nuclear components, and only one possessing a forging press as large as the one planned for Sheffield.

This podcast takes a look at how the city responded to the decision, featuring interviews with the city’s Labour MPs, Leader of the City Council, Lib Dem Councillor Paul Scriven, Doug Patterson, Unite’s regional representatives and locals who signed the petition asking the government to rethink its decision.

[audio:http://web.sheffieldlive.org/podcast/get.php?web=j5576.mp3|titles=Sheffield: Forgemasters|artists= Communities Live!]

.

SHEFFIELD: City Of Culture by Amna Kaleem

‘City of Culture 2013’ aims to build on the success of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture 2008, which had significant social and economic benefits for the area. The winning city will be one that is able to deliver a substantial programme of cultural activity which leads to a demonstrable step-change in their area, and a lasting legacy. The four finalist cities are: Sheffield, Birmingham, Derry/Londonderry and Norwich.

The Sheffield bid aims to position a whole generation of young people in the driving seat for culture. The programme will uncover, nurture, inspire and showcase the talent and energy of Sheffield’s young people as the city’s emerging cultural asset. The city will become the stage for their cultural programme in which many elements are produced by and with young people and will connect with the wider generations of Sheffield.

We wish to engage everyone in the city in creating, making and performing cultural activities in 2013. Our people won’t just watch culture, they will create it themselves and produce an original, authentic, interactive and international programme.

This podcasts talks to Council Cllr Paul Scriven on the city’s bid to become UK’s first City of Culture and first aired on Sheffield Live! 93.2FM on June 16, 2010.

[audio:http://web.sheffieldlive.org/podcast/get.php?web=j5577.mp3|titles=Sheffield: City of Culture|artists= Communities Live!]

.

SHEFFIELD: City Of Sanctuary by Amna Kaleem

City of Sanctuary is a movement to build a culture of hospitality for refugees and asylum-seekers. In 2007, with the support of the City Council, Sheffield became the UK’s first ‘City of Sanctuary’ for asylum-seekers and refugees—a city that takes pride in the welcome it offers to people in need of safety.More than 100 local organisations including schools, community projects, student groups, and most of Sheffield’s main faith communities have now joined the movement.

This podcast (Broadcast on June 16, 2010) is a report on Sheffield’s status as the City of Sanctuary for asylum seekers and refugees. The podcast features interviews with Sarah Elridge, development officer for Sheffield City of Sanctuary; Lib Dem Cllr Shaffaq Mohammad; Rodrigo Edema from Uganda, Tendero from Zimbabwe and Jinan from Lebanon, who all have successfully progressed from asylum seekers to refugee status.

[audio:http://web.sheffieldlive.org/podcast/get.php?web=j5578.mp3|titles=Sheffield: City of Sanctuary|artists= Communities Live!]

Our General Election Coverage 2010

The UK general election was held on the 6th of May 2010 and turned out to be one of the most tightly fought and important this country has seen in generations. Although the Conservatives won the largest number of votes and seats, they still fell short of the 326 seats needed to have an overall majority. The first time this has happened since 1974 and only the second time since the ‘Second World War’ that a UK general election has returned a hung parliament.

Sheffield’s Full General Election Results

Sheffield’s Full Local Election Results

On a local level, Sheffield Live! was there every step of the way. Our team of reporters and presenters broadcasting both the ‘General Election’ & ‘Local Council’ results; along with all the interviews and comments from the people that matter. We started at 1am in the morning and didn’t stop delivering the news to you till 6pm that evening.

Our reporting team throughout the event were: Paul Gregory, Sangita Basudev, Charlotte Dobson, Amna Kaleem, Mickey Conn, Ross Drayton & Simon Thake. Below you can hear some of the highlights from their coverage.

.

.

The Night-time Shift: 1am till 6am
Presented by Paul Gregory

[audio:http://web.sheffieldlive.org/wpress/2010election/Election%201.mp3|titles=Night Time Election Coverage|artists= Paul Gregory]

The Breakfast Show: 6am till 9am
Presented by Ross Drayton and Simon Thake

[audio:http://web.sheffieldlive.org/wpress/2010election/Election%202.mp3|titles=Breakfast Election Coverage|artists=Ross Drayton and Simon Thake]

The Afternoon Show: 12pm till 3pm
Presented by Sangita Basudev & Mickey Conn

[audio:http://web.sheffieldlive.org/wpress/2010election/election%203.mp3|titles=Afternoon Election Coverage|artists=Sangita Basudev and Mickey Conn]

The Late Afternoon Show: 5pm till 6pm
Presented by Amna Kaleem

[audio:http://web.sheffieldlive.org/wpress/2010election/Election%204.mp3|titles=Late Afternoon Election Coverage|artists=Amna Kaleem]

Fundraising event: Sheffield Live! buffet

……….where radio folk put on aprons and take to the stove

Harry’s prawn curry, Irini’s spinach pie and Dale’s burritos meet Simon’s lentil stew, Paul’s chili and Jill’s wakes cakes on a night set up to share our favourite dishes with you!

This menu is not complete, so do join us on the 4th of March to meet the faces behind the voices and find out what we have been cooking.

On the decks will be Graham Marshall (Spirit of the Wapentake), Chris Welch (Sounds Like this), Kevin Resley (Walk a mile in my shoes) and S. Lee Price (Vancouver Manouever).

Date: Thursday 4th of March at 19.00 

Price: £10.

Do buy your ticket early because the food is delicious and the space limited! Tickets will be available at the venue from next week.

 

Venue: The Wick at Both Ends, 149-151 West Street, Sheffield, S1 4EW

All proceeds go to Sheffield Live! 93.2 FM.

Radio Drama and Poetry

.

The past few weeks have seen two new radio plays from “Cornucopia Radio” broadcast on Sheffield Live. Created in partnership with local writers and performers, these pieces of work demonstrate the creative power of community radio and its ongoing commitment to all forms of radio production.

.

“The House” is a new ‘concept poetry play’ written and directed by Nick Card (originally created as charity release for Amnesty International). It tells the tale of a prospective tenant who finds himself looking around a very mysterious property; owned by an even more mysterious landlord…

The House

[download link]

Starring:
Nick Card: Poetry, Prose & lead Vocals
Geoffrey Card: The Landlord
David Zezulka: Prospective Tennant
Jess Falk: Additional House Viewer

Credits:
Nick Card:
Writer, Producer, Editor
Peter Beeston:
Sound Engineer
Thanks to: Jamie Stephenson, Claire Shanahan, Wakefield Poetry Access Group & Amnesty International.
Copyright © 2009 – A Cornucopia Production.

.

‘Fishing’ by local playwright Paul Kenny, tells the story of a son’s last ditch attempts at connection and reconciliation with his dying father Frank; who as the cancer takes over his body, is becoming increasingly bitter and frustrated at the prospect of losing control over what little time he has left. In the hospice, he dreams of one last adventure of his own, a return to one of his favourite fishing spots to hit a Tench or two and sink a pint of Kingston’s. Realising that time is of the essence, Phil kidnaps his father and on a hired narrow-boat and borrowed time, the two men embark on a journey of discovery revolving around the only activity they ever shared…fishing.

Fishing

[download link]

Starring:
David Reid: Phil Barton
Christopher Bellamy: Frank Barton
Kerry Marriott: Kath
Lynn Rishworth: Sheila
Wendy Davies: Doctor
Sangita Basudev: Nurse Bently
Rex Davies:
Auxiliary Nurse
Nick Card: Man on Canal
Jason Turner: Man in Chip Shop
Becky Virgo: Brenda

Credits:
Written By Paul Kenny.
Edited, Produced and Directed by Peter Beeston
Copyright © 2009 – A Cornucopia Production.

To discover more about past, present and future radio productions. You can visit the Cornucopia Website, or Facebook page.

A ‘Political’ Stroll Around the City Centre at Christmas

Saturday 12 of December: two weeks before Christmas and the city centre is buzzing with activity, full of people out to buy presents for their loved ones. What’s the essence of Christmas? Even if nowadays it has become a little bit of everything, from taking a loan to getting drunk, even if you’re not a Christian yourself, you’ll probably agree that Christmas is also about caring for others as we care for ourselves (and you may go as far as admitting that it is actually in our own *interest* to care for others). That’s why we thought it totally ‘Christmassy’ to make a programme about things that matter to Sheffielders, both at home and away.

This programme will take you for a *political* stroll around the city centre. First we follow the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to the Moor: how do Sheffielders respond to the call for a boycott of Israeli goods? The discussion is there, sharp and live, ranging from a “yes I will” to “No, thank you, I’m shopping now” (why thank me?) and to outright cussing. At the Town Hall the Stop the War Coalition is gathering signatures for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. We ask them where we can find hope for the anti-war movement when the government ignored million-strong rallies; walking down Fargate and past the open-air market, we come upon the Body of Sound choir. They’re singing to raise funds for an asylum seekers support group.

Blah blah blah….Merry Christmas, have a listen, and tell us what you think!

A ‘Political’ Stroll Around the City Centre: PART 1

Stroll at Christmas 1

A ‘Political’ Stroll Around the City Centre: PART 2

Stroll at Christmas 2

Sheffield Live! End of Year Blowout @ the Harley

Sheffield Live! End of Year Blowout @ the Harley
Monday, 14th December Doors @ 8pm

Join the Sheffield Live! team and some of Sheffield’s best musical talent for an end of year blowout at the Harley.

This is our time to bring on the festive spirit and celebrate another fab year! The gig is also the start of a great new relationship with the good folks at Sheffield’s premier live music venue. Get out your diaries
for a monthly Sheffield Live! night at the Harley in 2010. Don’t miss our showcase of Sheffield’s musical talent every second Monday of the month.

December’s gig has an eclectic line-up as you would expect:

La Folie
Let La Folie be your Alka Seltza. It might taste a little funny at first but you’ll feel better for it later.
http://www.myspace.com/lafolieband

The Deutschmarks
Deutschmarks (f.k.a. Neon Claws) are a musical group, who play classic pop songs with lyrics that are suggestive and names that harbour their love of terrible puns.
http://www.myspace.com/deutschmarkssss

Marmalade Sun
A modern take on sixties pop rock harmonies in a Sheffield stylee.
http://www.myspace.com/marmaladesun

Taylor & Cohen
Jazz Funk and a bit of soul for the new decade.
http://www.myspace.com/ry2kmusic

The night will close with Sheffield Live! DJ sets from Joel and Owen from ‘The Breakdown.’

Doors open at 8pm and £3 gets you in.

Tune in to Sheffield Live! to hear tracks from all the bands and interviews with the music makers!

Regeneration in Burngreave: A Special Radio Series


Conceived in 1998 by the Labour government, New Deal for Communities (NDC) was a scheme aiming to bring about community-led regeneration in the most deprived neighbourhoods of the UK. The Burngreave neighbourhood in Sheffield was identified as one of those areas and has been awarded £52 million, to be spent over a ten year period from 2001 to 2011. Burngreave NDC received extensive coverage in the local press when it announced that its coffers were close to running dry two years earlier than planned. A very controversial subject, the funding crisis overshadowed the work that had (or hadn’t) been done so far.

This seven part series, produced from May to September 2009 by *Eirini Apostolidou, aims to portray the change in Burngreave from the 90s onwards, and to trace the effect of NDC on the local community. As well as streaming the show from this page, you can also download the entire series using this zip file link.

Special thanks for their participation in the programme to:

Fran Belbane (management committee of Burngreave Messenger), Drew Dallen (local artist & social worker), councillor Jackie Drayton, Steve Gayle (BCAF), Rashida Hassanali (project Advancing Together), councillor Ibrar Hussain, Dr. Nelson Kaggwa (chair of BCAF), Ronnie Lewin (chair of BNDfC Partnership Board), Bronwyn McCarthy (project Advocacy Now), Gareth Roberts (organising committee of Abbeyfield Park Festival), councillor Colin Ross, Chris Sissons (member of BNDfC Partnership Board),  Diana Totle (project Sage Greenfingers), John Vincent (member of BNDfC Partnership Board).

Part 1: Burngreave in the 90s and the Arrival of New Deal for Communities Part 1

Part 2: Projects Funded by New Deal for Communities Part 2

Part 3: The Riddle of the Finances Part 3

Part 4: Community Coherence Put to the Test Part 4

Part 5: The Relationship Between Burngreave Community Action Forum and New Deal for Communities Part 5

Part 6: BNDfC’s Performance Rated Part 6

Part 7: From Conception to Implementation: General Reflections on New Deal for Communities Part 7

...


*Eirini Apostolidou graduated from Panteion University in Athens, Greece, with a B.A. in Political Science & History in 2005. After graduating she worked at newspapers as a journalist and sub-editor. Since November 2008 she volunteers for SheffieldLive! 93.2FM as both a producer and a presenter.