THE HULME TUNE

Thursday 4 September saw the last Hulme Tune on ALL FM community radio show for a while. Presenter Paul Ridyard is taking a break to focus on his university course. Gavin White, Head of Music for ALL FM 96.9, discussed a possibility of another schedule for the show, which went out live every other Thursday at 10am, when the dust had settled in a couple of months.

Paul, a volunteer at ALL FM, is starting university in Preston this month. He had made contacts within the community of Hulme, Manchester, very quickly and was keen to highlight the positive side of the area. His show was a mix of music and chat and with his assistants, Julie-anne Proudman and Kaite Boltain, had produced this unique show since January 2007. Paul never got any funding and had to use equipment that was given to him or he bought on eBay.

But, all this has paid off for the Hulme resident as these skills put him in a possition to be accepted on the BA (hons) Journalism Foundation Year Entry at the University of Central Lancashire. This is an opportunity for Paul to excel in the thing he loves and gain skills to be of service in the future. Especially with MediaCityUK being built ready for the BBC to move some of its programming to Salford in 2011.

 ”I bumbed into Councillor Mary Murphy today in Hulme and she has wished me all the best for the course and my future. It’s great to get local support, especially from one of Hulme’s long running councillors.” Says Paul.

The Hulme Tune could return in November, but this depends on Paul’s commitments to the course. It’s not just the one hour, it’s the preparation before and editing for Podcasting after.

Also, this community reporter’s feed will end soon and a new Paul Ridyard blog will commence. The blog will contain pictures and experiences of his uni life.

Paul plans to go on and do the 3yr degree course in 2009, once he’s passed his BA (Hons) and this could mean moving up to Preston.