Coventry Talking Newspaper

Coventry Talking Newspaper

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Coventry Talking Newspaper episodes

  • Outlook Podcast: Coventry Station Award, Blackpool’s Showtown & 172-Marathon Gran | 23 September 2026

    Welcome to this week's edition of Outlook, the talking newspaper for Coventry and Warwickshire recorded on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Hosted by Nigel alongside Elaine, Joe, Sarah, Dave, Margaret, and Pete, this episode brings you a comprehensive round-up of local news, visually impaired community updates, regional sport, listener feedback, and inspiring lifestyle features.

    Episode Highlights:
    • Coventry & Local Warwickshire News:
      • Parish Boundary Review: Coventry City Council initiates a review of Osley and Keresley parish boundaries to resolve council tax precept inequalities.
      • National Rail Award Win: Coventry Railway Station named the UK's Best Large Station at the National Rail Awards following major £82 million upgrades.
      • Regional Economic Conference: Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce prepares for its upcoming November business summit in Southam.
      • New Dog Laws: Key guidelines surrounding prohibited breeds and new safety regulations effective November 1.
      • Community Advice & Tips: Guidance on preventing bin spills, planning decision updates on a local HMO in Wyken, and September lawn care tips.
      • Success Stories & Trends: Dogs Trust Kenilworth's "Home From Home" scheme success, Susie Dent’s push for the word "Weekend," and the 50th Wolf Run anniversary.
      • Coventry Vision Hub Updates:
        • Joe shares updates on charity operations, trustee away days, upcoming theatre trips, pre-orders for 2027 large-print calendars/diaries, and early plans for the annual Christmas raffle.
        • Local & International Sport:
          • Coventry City FC: A breakdown of the Carabao Cup fixture against Aston Villa, a fond farewell to long-serving announcer JD (John Dalziel), and Coventry’s Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest featuring Jay Dasilva’s contender for Goal of the Month.
          • Grassroots & Regional Sport: FA Cup qualifying triumphs for Coventry United, Coventry Rugby’s season opener against Rotherham, tennis star Joe Salisbury’s retirement, and a look ahead to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic venue challenges.
          • Postbag & Tributes:
            • Listener discussions on app-based vs. traditional taxi services and autonomous vehicles.
            • A moving tribute and archival interview with the late Hilda Hill, who passed away aged 105, reflecting on her wartime service and running Kenilworth Travel.
            • Special Features & History:
              • Village Spotlight: A tour of the historic hamlet of Weethley near Alcester.
              • Gardening Legend: Remembering Gardener's World legend Jeff Hamilton and his enduring legacy through Adam Frost.
              • Inspirational People: The story of 72-year-old Christine Hobson, who completed the Antarctic Ice Marathon.
              • Coventry History: The story of Sergeant Major William Flower Lane, the first Coventry volunteer killed in the Boer War.
              • Celebrity Spotlight: Celebrating Jerry Hall as she turns 70.
              • On Location: Dave and Graeme take listeners on a sound tour of the Showtown Exhibition in Blackpool, exploring circus history, Ken Dodd, and classic entertainment.

                • 1 hr 38 min
              • Outlook: 50th Anniversary Special Edition – Coventry News, Archives & Local Sports

                Celebrate a monumental milestone with this special 50th-anniversary episode of Outlook, the talking newspaper for Coventry! Recorded on September 16, 2026, host Ashley Haywood guides listeners through five decades of local audio heritage alongside current community news, local updates, and sports.

                • 50th Anniversary Archives: Revisit historic excerpts from past broadcasts, including the debut 1976 edition, Pope John Paul II's 1982 visit to Coventry Airport, Coventry City’s 1987 FA Cup victory countdown, and the Millennium spire tightrope walk.
                • Coventry Local News: Coverage on the demolition of Tile Hill flats, nature enhancements at Longford Nature Park, plans for the Green Power Park at Coventry Airport, CBeebies filming at Coventry Market, and a venue appeal for the Coventry Collection museum.
                • Community & Hub Updates: Tributes to community members, BBC CWR Make a Difference Award winners, viral 91-year-old McDonald's manager Eric Edwards, the new Nest Coventry SEND center, and International Week of Braille events.
                • Sports & Local Culture: Updates on Coventry City FC, US Open tennis and Athletics Ultimate Championship results, plus upcoming local theatre performances in Leamington, Kenilworth, and Coventry.
                  • 1 hr 34 min
                • Outlook: Heritage Open Days, Sir Ian McKellen’s Coventry Memories, BBC’s Frank Gardner & Coventry Music Museum

                  Welcome to Outlook, the weekly podcast brought to you by the Coventry Talking Newspaper. Hosted by Peter and recorded on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, this jam-packed episode brings you the latest community news, regional history, expert interviews, and local sport from across Coventry and Warwickshire.

                  Episode Summary

                  In this edition, we explore Coventry’s local history highlights for Heritage Open Days 2026, visit the Coventry Music Museum with curator Pete Chambers, peek inside the Herbert Art Gallery's "Curious Creatures: Stones and Bones" exhibition, and feature an insightful interview with BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner.

                  Key Highlights & Segments
                  • Coventry & Regional News Round-Up:
                    • Heritage Open Days (Sept 11–21): Explore historic gems including Priory Row Cottages, Weaver’s House, Holy Trinity Church’s Doom Painting, the Albany Theatre, Bagot’s Castle, and the Phil Silvers Museum.
                    • Feed the Hungry Nepal Appeal: How the Coventry-based charity is delivering vital aid to flood-hit families in Nepal.
                    • Local Developments: Environmental upgrades at Longford Nature Park, a medical milestone at University Hospital Coventry with the region's first EV-ICD heart procedure, and £815,000 awarded to Coventry to tackle rough sleeping over winter.
                    • Community & Culture: Sir Ian McKellen reminisces about his stage debut at the Belgrade Theatre 65 years ago; Callum Smith tests Team Brit's foot-controlled race car; London Road Cemetery Chapel secures a wedding license; and new weekly food waste collections launch across the city.
                    • Charity Spotlight: The urgent £35k appeal for Nuneaton’s Mary Ann Evans Hospice, the launch of NEST Coventry (a new SEND center), updates on City Centre South redevelopment, and Clothing Coventry’s uniform drive assisting 2,700+ children.
                    • Feature Interviews & Culture:
                      • Frank Gardner Interview: The BBC Security Correspondent discusses accessibility challenges, his thrillers (Ballistic), wildlife photography, and reflections on his 2004 shooting in Saudi Arabia.
                      • Coventry Music Museum: Dave takes a tour featuring the original Ghost Town car, Hazel O’Connor’s Breaking Glass train carriage, and two-tone music history.
                      • Herbert Art Gallery & Museum: A preview of Curious Creatures: Stones and Bones, showcasing a 467-million-year-old meteorite, narwhal tusks, and a newly acquired Vanessa Bell painting.
                      • Regular Features:
                        • Warwickshire Wander: A historical look into the North Warwickshire village of Warton.
                        • Dictionary Corner: Susie Dent explores the origins of golf, kith and kin, knickerbocker glory, round robin, and barnet.
                        • Sports Round-Up: Local non-league FA Cup qualifying results, Coventry City vs. Manchester City analysis, tennis, F1 Monza Grand Prix highlights, and athletics.
                        • Postbag with Dave : A visit to the Coventry Watch Museum on Spon Street and local listener memories.
                          • Connect & Support
                          • Website: www.talkingnewspaper.org.uk
                          • Phone / Voicemail: 02476 717 522 (Option 5)
                            • 1 hr 37 min
                          • Outlook Episode 03/09/26: Coventry City Centre South, Melvyn Bragg Interview & Maxstoke Castle

                            In this edition of Outlook, the talking newspaper for Coventry recorded on 2 September 2026, the team bring you the latest news, history, sports, and local community updates.

                            In local news, Peter and Elaine explore five key facts about the major City Centre South regeneration project, the £20 million Pride in Place funding for Tile Hill, DEFRA’s new food waste bin rollout, and the discovery of a 100-year-old local mystery—a prehistoric hippo skull in Coundon.

                            Hugh shares the latest updates from the Coventry Vision Hub, including a national British Blind Sport survey and an upcoming trip to see Underdog: The Other Other Brontë Sister. Sarah breaks down Coventry City FC’s Carabao Cup win against Plymouth and their 1-0 loss to Hull City, alongside updates from the US Open tennis.

                            Finally, Margaret concludes her interview with broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, Pete shares the tragic story of Victorian dual-sport captain Andrew Stoddart, Elaine marks the centenary of Marilyn Monroe's birth, and Dave Monk takes a rare tour inside the moated 14th-century Maxstoke Castle.

                            Episode Breakdown
                            • Introduction & Show Overview
                            • Coventry & Regional News
                              • City Centre South Regeneration: 5 essential facts about Coventry’s largest rebuild since WWII, including 1,600 new homes, ancient city wall foundations, and the relocation of George Wagstaff’s Phoenix statue.
                              • Community Funding: £20 million Pride in Place grant for Tile Hill and Camp Hill targeting youth opportunities, HS2 work placements, and Premier League stadium trips.
                              • Food Waste Rollout: Coventry City Council launches new household caddies starting 7 September 2026.
                              • Life-Saving Equipment: The Our Jay Foundation donates 11 defibrillators to West Midlands Police response cars.
                              • Regional Stories: Drought-induced pipe bursts across Warwickshire, open-water safety classes at The Wave, the reopening of the 14th-century White Friars' Old Ale House pub, and a BBC award nomination for Ukrainian community champion Peter Luxkas.
                              • Heritage & Local Lore: Heritage Open Days preview, the 100th anniversary of Coundon’s hippo skull discovery, the 10th Warwick Words History Festival, and the extinction of the adder in Warwickshire.
                              • Announcements & What's On — Local concerts, theatrical performances, and recitals across Coventry and Leamington Spa.
                              • News from the Vision Hub (with Hugh):
                                • New WhatsApp updates for service users.
                                • British Blind Sport research survey and upcoming Coventry focus group.
                                • Community theatre trip to Underdog: The Other Other Brontë Sister at the Criterion Theatre on 29 September.
                                • Sports Report:
                                  • Coventry City FC: 4-2 victory over Plymouth in the Carabao Cup setting up a tie with Aston Villa, followed by a 1-0 Premier League defeat to Hull City.
                                  • Local Sports & Tennis: Coventry RFC's 47-7 win over RTC, US Open tennis headlines (Novak Djokovic exit, Toby Samuel victory, Arthur Fery's ranking rise), and England men's Test cricket series victory.
                                  • Postbag
                                    • Micro-sculptor Dr. Willard Wigan exhibit at Broadway Museum.
                                    • Memories of Monday Club line dancing.
                                    • Listener calls for a 50th-anniversary celebration of Coventry Talking Newspaper (16 September).
                                    • Tribute to country music legend Dolly Parton.
                                    • Village History: Warmington — Elaine explores the ironstone village of Warmington, its Norman priory connections, St. Michael’s Church, and English Civil War history.
                                    • Interview: Melvyn Bragg (Part 2) — Margaret completes her conversation with Melvyn Bragg, discussing The South Bank Show, Dennis Potter, the success of BBC Radio 4's In Our Time, his retirement from the House of Lords, and defending arts education.
                                    • Historical Feature: Andrew Stoddart — Pete recounts the life and tragic death of Victorian sportsman Andrew Stoddart, who captained England in both cricket and rugby.
                                    • Cultural Centenary: Marilyn Monroe — Elaine marks 100 years since the birth of Marilyn Monroe (1 June 1926).
                                    • Feature Visit: Maxstoke Castle — Dave Monk visits Warwickshire's rare moated 14th-century castle, featuring interviews with owner Edwina Fetherston-Dilke, storyteller Dave Tong, and a preview of the 2027 Artisan Show.
                                      • 1 hr 41 min
                                    • Outlook Coventry: GCSE Success, HMRC Tax Reforms & Spain’s Solar Eclipse (26 August 2026)

                                      Welcome to Outlook, Coventry’s local talking newspaper, recorded on Wednesday, 26 August 2026. Presented by Peter , alongside news readers Elaine and Peter, and co-host Hugh.

                                      In this episode:

                                      • Coventry GCSE Celebration: Local secondary schools—including Caludon Castle, Ash Green, Pattison, Cardinal Wiseman, and West Coventry Academy—report notable improvements in English and Maths top grades.

                                      • Economic & Business News: The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce addresses rising business costs and flatlining unemployment rates. Plus, analysis on rising UK inflation figures and state pension age reviews.

                                      • HMRC Tax Proposals: Discussion on proposed criminal sanctions for “reckless” tax return errors.

                                      • Coventry Community Projects:

                                        • Construction begins on a new 50-home supported housing scheme at Feasman Avenue (replacing Frank Walsh House).

                                        • Coventry University Art Society students paint wellness murals for Chase Avenue Police Station.

                                        • ARMAC Group and Hill Group transform community gardens at Broad Street Adult Education Center.

                                        • Culture & Events:

                                          • The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum opens its major Curious Creatures, Stones, and Bones exhibition, featuring the 4.67-billion-year-old Barwell meteorite and a Vanessa Bell oil painting.

                                          • Highlights from Broadgate’s annual Sportsfest and upcoming Bands in the Park events at War Memorial Park.

                                          • Special Feature: Co-host Hugh shares his experience witnessing the total solar eclipse in northern Spain.

                                            1 hr 36 min

                                          About Coventry Talking Newspaper

                                          From the publisher's feed

                                          The Coventry Talking Newspaper is a long‑running audio service that brings local news, information, and community stories to blind and partially sighted residents in Coventry and the surrounding area. It exists to make local journalism and community updates accessible to people who cannot easily read printed newspapers.