St Martin-on-the-Hill church sits on Scarborough's South Cliff. The church building was built in the mid 1800s and features a lot of work by Victorian designer William Morris.

In this episode Mike Bortoft, a retired teacher, keen historian and member of St Martin's Church chats to Ian about the history of the church, explaining many of the incredible features that make the church such a charming place to visit.

To find out more about the church visit: https://www.friendsofstmartins.co.uk

Scarborollers are a skating group created a couple of years ago by 'French Dave'. The group has grown steadily, recently moved to a more suitable venue and has ambitions to grow further.

In this episode I chat to French Dave about how Scarborollers started, what people can expect if they go along and how they can get in touch if they are interested.

Later, I chat to Eleanor, one of the skaters at Scarborollers who explains why she loves the group so much.

Scarborollers can be found here on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SCARBOROLLERS

Members of 'Run Scarborough' are taking part in a 48 hour running relay this weekend, all in aid of St Catherine's Hospice. Runners sign up for a one hour slot and run with a partner.

It's the 4th time Run Scarborough have done a continuous running challenge.

In this podcast I speak to Run Scarborough founder Paul Sutherns about the ethos of Run Scarborough as well as the 48hr challenge.

Links:

Donate to St Catherine's Hospice

https://www.justgiving.com/page/runscarborough48hourrelay?fbclid=IwAR0hsHnk1Uo8GyEkUlXLmViJGaUgyvBJt5_CJgxm1o_hj782pO4QXvRofSg

Run Scarborough:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1071485139947214

https://www.instagram.com/runscarborough/

St Catherine's Hospice

https://www.facebook.com/saintcatherineshospice

As a nation of tea lovers there aren't many situations that a cup of tea can't make a little bit better! Hisham and Lisa are a couple who love tea so much they set up their very own organic tea company - The Finest Organic Tea Company - right here in Scarborough.

Hish and Lisa explain, in this episode, why they started the company, where their love of tea came from and why being organic was vital to them.

Find 'Finest Organic Tea Company':

https://finestorganictea.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094509979970

Hannah - The Soldier Diaries is a new musical production made and set in Scarborough!

Featuring 11 original songs Hannah - The Soldier Diaries  is a story of love, separation and an uncertain future. It features 11 original songs as the story of hairdresser Hannah and Lance Corporal Jack Webb’s romance unfolds on stage.

Ian sat down with Steve Wallis the writer and director of Hannah - The Soldier Diaries to find out more about this exciting new production coming to Scarborough Spa Theatre in April 2024.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit these websites:

https://hannahthesoldierdiaries.co.uk/home

https://www.scarboroughspa.co.uk/whats-on/hannah-the-soldier-diaries

Hannah - The Soldier Diaries on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/hannahthesoldierdiaries

https://www.instagram.com/hannahthesoldierdiaries/

Stephen Joseph has a theatre named after him in Scarborough, but why?

Who was Stephen Joseph? What impact did he have on a young Alan Ayckbourn? And why is he considered a revolutionary?

Find out in this bonus episode with Simon Murgatroyd, official archivist to Sir Alan Ayckbourn.

Find Simon and keep up to date with what he is up to, including talks here:

Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/alan.ayckbourn.playwright⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ayckbourn_playwright/⁠

Simon also maintains Alan's official website here:

⁠http://www.alanayckbourn.net⁠

The 'A Round Town' website which charts the history of theatre in the round and Stephen Joseph in Scarborough is here:

⁠http://www.theatre-in-the-round.co.uk

If you haven't listened to the main episode with Simon, the link is here: 

Apple Episode Link - ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/.../the.../id1722960715...⁠

Spotify Episode Link - ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/2FMEb3uuuE7VQRwS9m0pTC...⁠

Or search 'Scarborough Spotlight' wherever you get your podcast

Sir Alan Ayckbourn is arguably the most famous name associated with Scarborough. The playwright has written an incredible 90 plays, most of which have premiered in Scarborough at the Stephen Joseph Theatre.

Such is the depth of his work, Sir Alan, has an archivist who maintains the collection. That person is Simon Murgatroyd who also happens to be a theatre historian. Simon sat down with Ian to discuss Ayckbourn's career as well as his work with the archives.

Keep an eye out for a mini bonus episode with Simon that will drop on Wednesday 24th January.

Find Simon and keep up to date with what he is up to, including talks here:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alan.ayckbourn.playwright

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ayckbourn_playwright/

Simon also maintains Alan's official website here:

http://www.alanayckbourn.net

The 'A Round Town' website which charts the history of theatre in the round and Stephen Joseph in Scarborough is here:

http://www.theatre-in-the-round.co.uk

In this episode... Ian sits down with Andrew Clay the Chief Executive of Scarborough Museums & Galleries to discuss Woodend Gallery & Studios, one of the centres under his guidance.

Woodend has a fascinating history, with the aristocratic Sitwell family owning the property and extending it whilst under their care at the turn of the 20th century.

Today, it is a creative hub filled with a variety of working professionals. However Woodend is also open to the public. In this interview Andrew explains some of the history of Woodend and shares his hopes for the future too.

Andrew also discusses his wider role as the head of Scarborough Museums and Galleries, a position that includes running both Scarborough Art Gallery and the famous Rotunda Museum.

Find out more about Woodend here:

https://scarboroughmuseumsandgalleries.org.uk

Discover 'Scarborough Atlas' here:

https://www.scarboroughatlas.org/home

Follow Scarborough Spotlight Podcast on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/scarboroughspotlight

https://www.instagram.com/scarboroughspotlightpod/

Glenda Young is a novelist who has written three 'cosy crime' books that are set in Scarborough. Glenda also writes historical saga novels that are set in the North East of England just after World War 1.

Her latest Scarborough based book is called 'Foul Play At The Seaview Hotel' and tells the story of a group of crazy golfers who visit the fictional Seaview Hotel and its landlady (turned amateur sleuth) Helen Dexter.

In this episode, Glenda chats to Ian about her 'Seaview' series, her love for the town as well as crazy golf and even Coronation Street!

Glenda's website can be found here:

https://www.glendayoungbooks.com

Follow Scarborough Spotlight Podcast here:

https://www.facebook.com/scarboroughspotlight

https://www.instagram.com/scarboroughspotlightpod/

The Central Tramway can be found here:

https://www.centraltramway.co.uk

What better way to see in the New Year than by running into the freezing cold North Sea, in fancy dress, in aid of charity?

Well that's what around 200 brave souls signed up for this year in Scarborough's South Bay. Organised by The Lion's Club of Scarborough the event is now over 20 years old and is a New Year's Day staple by the seaside for locals and visitors alike.

Ian Smith was down on Foreshore Road and on the beach to talk to some of the people who were dressed up in fancy dress to take part and he also spoke to organiser of the event, Alan Deacon of The Lion's Club.