Talking Teesdale

On the back of England's success in reaching the ladies' Rugby World Cup final, we head along to Barney RUFC who are hoping this will inspire more girls and ladies to get involved in the sport.

We also chat to comedian Emmanuel Sonubi, who has turned his near-death experience on-stage in Dubai into a new show.

There's a look ahead to some forthcoming shows and music from Oysterband, whose John Jones is among those heading to Barney next year.

We chat to the cast of Snow White, this year's Panto at The Witham, a mix of new faces and returning favourites.

Plus there's news of a great West End show coming in the new year and we look forward to the visit of singer-songwriter Edwina Hayes later this month.

It's music all the way this week.

We chat to bluesman Connor Selby ahead of his show at The Witham on Wednesday, September 17, and Canadian singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing, who is on stage three days later.

We also drop in on rehearsals of the Affinity Rock Choir to find out more about the group and look forward to even more music coming up over the next week.

Comedian Josh Jones – who's coming to Barney on September 13 – tells us all he has no love for reality TV and all he wants to do is keep on gigging!

Zak and Shuhel Ahmed celebrate 30 years of serving up tasty Asian fare by explaining how being a big part of the community is just as important as the quality of food their restaurant Babul's produces.

And there are details of shows coming up at The Witham in the next seven days.

We're back for series four of the podcast and what better way to begin than with a chat to John Illsley, who is bringing his show The Life and Times of Dire Straits to Barney in November.

He recalls playing at Live Aid and talks a bout Brothers in Arms, the first album to sell a million copies on CD.

Plus we'll be having a look at some of the autumn highlights at Barney's community arts centre.

This week we report on The Witham arts centre's annual general meeting and chat to director Amy Hughes, who is keen to hear users' opinions of all aspect of the centre.

We also chat to Suzanne Wallace, who outlines a project called Time Together Teesdale, which aims to tackle social isolation and loneliness.

There are also details of an evening of free live music, part of the Durham Brass Festival and look forward to the release of blues musician Connor Selby's new album in August, which he will be touring in the autumn and which includes a gig in Barnard Castle.

In this week's show, we chat to Graeme Taylor, founder member of the folk-rock band Home Service and Bob Fox, who has taken on vocal duties from the now retired John Tams, ahead of the band's show at The Witham Arts Centre on July 25.

We also chat to budding author Martyn Radcliffe, a member of Barnard Castle Writing `Group, about being chosen for a prestigious creative writing masterclass.

In what's on, we've details of the new National Theatre Live season and an acoustic show from Blues Band veterans Paul Jones and Dave Kelly.

We're back after a short break for an entertaining chat with Annette Butters, musical director at St Mary's Parish Church ahead of the community choir's concert at The Witham Arts Centre, Barnard Castle on July 5.

We also catch up with Barnard Castle Cricket Club president Stephen Brenkley ahead of the club's biggest annual fundraiser Bands Day to find out how things are going on and off the field.

There's news of the Saturday Sessions of free live music, Durham Brass and a first visit to Barney in October of Manchester folk duo The Breath.

This week we chat to George Ford, musical director of the No Added Sugar community choir ahead of their show at The Witham arts centre on Saturday, June 28.

We also find out more about Teesdale Writers, a recently established group of eclectic authors.

There's also news of a show by Dire Straits bassist John Illsley, which is sure to be one of the highlights of the year, along with a what's-on update.

Ollie Smith's passion for performance was fired when he was a member of the Turrets Youth Theatre group in Barnard Castle. He's back as The Witham's Youth Theatre leader and chats about the junior group's forthcoming performances of Shakespeare's The Tempest.

We also talk to Barnard Castle mayor Paul Ing about the role of the town council and why you should consider filling one of the three vacant seats on the group.

And we preview what's coming up at The Witham arts centre in the come couple of weeks.