Dales Radio Community Podcasts

Carolyn finds out all about the invaluable work that Lauren Smith and her dog Hunter do in saving lives at sea and sadly, searching for bodies too.  Lauren volunteers for the Specialist Search Dog Charity.

Could your dog train to do this kind of work?  Lauren explains how she helps others by training them and their dogs to become search and rescue dogs.

You can find out more on their website.

This years show promises to be a great show and in this episode Julian chats with Chairman Chris Windle about what's in store this year.

The prize money for entries to the show is at a record high and so are the entries.

New this year is hobby horse racing.  That sounds like fun!

From hedgehogs to baby owls, the work of Craven Wildlife Rescue is eventful and varied.  Even to the extent of reviving a sick polecat!  

In this episode, Carolyne Lobb talks with two of its founders about their work in rescuing sick or injured wild animals and returning them back to the wild.

Picture: Carolyne Lobb talks with Jane Carpenter and Penny Hunt

Bentham allotments came about during the 2022 COVID pandemic and have proved so popular with locals that there's a waiting list for a plot.

Carolyne Lobb talks with Sarah Hardman the allotment's founder about how they came about, the community benefits and what's changed since their creation.

It's been a fantastic show this year and hear is a chance to listen again to some of the people we talked with at the show.

Here's a guide to the podcast - and you can jump through to your favourite interview too:

01.21 Maurice Walton - Cheese judge from Appleby

See you next year!

The Settle Flowerpot Festival is on now and right throughout the summer holidays.  There's lots of new sculptures and some old favourites throughout the town.  It’s a free event and guaranteed to make you smile!

In this episode, community correspondent Carolyne Loob catches up with the event organisers to see what's in store this year.

You can also pick up a souvenir copy of Mike Harding’s colourful book full of pictures of the Festival.

As part of the Settle Flowerpot Festival, the very popular Children's Flowerpot Workshops are being held on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings throughout August.  Workshops must be pre-booked and pre-paid.

For workshop details and instructions on how to book and pay, see www.settleflowerpotfestival.co.uk/flowerpot-workshops

Settle Flowerpot Festival is on until 1st September.

The Reeth Arts Festival is on at the end of August in Reeth, a rural home to many artists, of all forms, some of which are at the start of their creative journey, others well established. 

In this podcast, Organiser Imogen from Reeth talks about how the event came about and how it is an opportunity for local artists to exhibit and to shine a spotlight on local art.  The festival includes writing, textiles, ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, metalwork, music and dance.  

The artists become stallholders during this one-day event which is held outdoors in a field overlooking Fremington Edge, in the National Park.   It’s a stunningly beautiful location for the festival, and creates the perfect space for self-expression, showcasing art, and for the enjoyment of those who visit the festival. 

Some of the participant artists 'create' on the day of the festival, for example if their art is to paint - then some will paint so that the visitors can see them 'at work', this brings the art to life, and enables the visitors to be able to get a real idea of how that specific type of art is created, which sparks further interest in people who may like to try and create when they get home. It can be very inspirational, especially for children. 

The festival has singers and musicians from the local area performing throughout the day, there is also a poetry/written word slot which allows children from the local school to take to the stage to read out their work if they wish to do so.

‘Importantly to me, I wanted to make sure that the festival was accessible to everyone no matter their financial situation, in the vain of inclusivity'. Says Imogen, 'There is no admission charge to the festival, and nor is there any fee for stall holders and artists to pay for a spot at the festival to exhibit. I wanted to make this (and keep this) an event that any one individual or family can enjoy no matter their financial situation.   In addition, any money that is then spent can be aimed at where it is most valued - which is for the artists who are producing such lovely work for people to buy and cherish’.

Visitors to the festival last year were a mixture of local people and tourists, as Reeth is a tourist spot all year round, but especially in the summer months, as well as being on the 'coast to coast' walk. 

There will be hot food available at the festival provided by ‘Smokin Barrel’, & hot and cold drinks. 

The event is supported by Richmond Council Stronger Communities Inspire Fund, & the Dales Cycle Centre in Fremington.

This year the festival runs from 10.30am until 5pm on Saturday 31st August in ‘the field next to Dorant 4x4 in Reeth’. It will be signed as you come through Fremington. Come along and join in!  

Conservatives retain Skipton & Ripon and Richmond & Northallerton and Lib Dems retain Westmoreland & Lonsdale.

Julian looks at the results for Dales Radio.

You can view the results on our website.

Community correspondent, Carolyn Lobb chats with some of the organisers of this year's Ingleton Gala.  It's the 60th anniversary and they are promising a best-ever Gala Day in Ingleton'

They are reuniting previous Gala Queens for a special anniversary photograph and for the first time ever, will crown a Gala King!

Liz Holman and Sarah Procter are excited for the event and, in this podcast, explain what to expect on Ingleton's most fun day of the year.

David Green is a musician and singer-songwriter from Skipton.  He has written a song about his home town’s - ‘Sheep Town’, amongst many other great songs.  In this podcast, Julian from Dales Radio chats with David about Sheep Town, his music and his life.

Sheep Town is Skipton.  It's where the name originated – the focal point of Dales farmers heading to market in ‘Sheep Town’.

Skipton celebrates its heritage every year with a completely unique event in the world - Sheep Day.

This year Sheep Day is on Sunday 30th June.  It’s a day of celebration with events on the High Street and in Skipton’s picturesque Canal Basin – just yards for where David lives.

With Blues influences, his music is interesting, catchy and meaningful.  His album Hard Road features Sheep Town alongside other beautifully melodic and sometimes heart-breaking lyrics.   His music is a reflection of his life. His melodies are unforgettable.  the highs and lows are laid bare in ‘Hard Road’.

In this podcast, we listen to David’s music, find out about his influences and his love of Skipton.

You can listen to 'Hard Road' on Spotify and find out more about Sheep Day - one of Skipton's most unique events!  You can enjoy David Green live around the Dales - he often plays at The Black Horse in Grassington, The Beer Engine in Skipton and other reputable establishments in the Dales.  Solo or with his band The Average Blues Band.

Enjoy David Green...