Volunteers Week: Celebrating the Beyond Radio volunteers

This week is the national Volunteers Week so we would like to introduce some of the fabulous volunteers who make Beyond Radio what it is.

Here are just five of the amazing volunteers who are part of the Beyond Radio team. Let's find out more about them!

SILENT MARK

Host of Another Monday Evening Show

WHEN DID YOU START WITH BEYOND RADIO?

My first show with Beyond was on August 1 2016

TELL ME ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOURSELF.

I play the bass guitar, and the only reason I started is because I was a singer in a band and our bassist left. Since then I've started badly playing guitar, ukulele and am trying to learn piano and trumpet, equally badly.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT VOLUNTEERING WITH BEYOND RADIO?

I try to be creative as much as I can. I write quite a bit, I'm the ring announcer for Odyssey Pro Wrestling in Morecambe, and I try to do music occasionally.

WHY DO YOU LOVE BEING PART OF BEYOND RADIO?

It scratches that itch I've got for entertaining people and listening to music I love. Being part of a team that welcomes individuality and creativity, and actively encourages it, has brought me some amazing personal experiences.

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT AS A VOLUNTEER WITH BEYOND RADIO?

I once played a band called Weird At Last because they sounded like another band I liked. The singer from Weird at Last got in touch to say thank you and has been listening every week since. A friendship was formed, he attended my wedding, I attended his wedding and I now count him as one of my closest friends. All because I liked a song about Keanu Reeves and played it on my show.

IF YOU COULD PLAY ONE SONG ON BEYOND RADIO, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Cassini by Weird At Last

PHIL McGRATH

Host of The Quick Draw Radio Show on Mondays

WHEN DID YOU START WITH BEYOND RADIO?

2021

TELL US ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOURSELF

I once held the British Record for roller coastering, I jumped off the top of the Stadium of Light dressed as Elvis, I launched over 4,000 plastic ducks off the Millennium Bridge and last year I ran 1,000 miles for charity!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT VOLUNTEERING WITH BEYOND RADIO?

I'm into running and love my job working for a local charity.

WHY DO YOU LOVE BEING PART OF BEYOND RADIO?

It's a great team, great people and, when those headphones go on, it's a wonderful escape - just me and my two listeners!

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT AS A VOLUNTEER WITH BEYOND RADIO?

Getting a telephone call from a listener who said he loved the music! And obviously lots of fun and banter at handovers with Gibby and SilentMark!

IF YOU COULD PLAY JUST ONE SONG ON BEYOND RADIO, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Elvis' If I Could Dream, Buddy Holly's Early in the Morning or Slade's Gudby t Jane!

RACHEL BANKS

Host of Banksy on Beyond on Tuesday nights

WHEN DID YOU START WITH BEYOND RADIO?
I've been broadcasting with Diversity FM since October 2004 then joined Beyond Radio and began my current show in 2017.

TELL US ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOURSELF
I love cooking and growing my own food – I was a contestant on Masterchef in 2012.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT VOLUNTEERING WITH BEYOND RADIO?
Going to live music gigs, spending time with my fiance Toby, dog Oscar and my chickens (I have 28 hens and 4 cockerels!)

WHY DO YOU LOVE BEING PART OF BEYOND RADIO?
I get to connect with people over a love of music and performance but also I am part of a wonderful team of people that I met through the station.

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT AS A VOLUNTEER WITH BEYOND RADIO?
There’s been so many amazing moments but most recently the first live show I did after we had opened up again post pandemic. It was fantastic to be back in to the Beyond Radio studio again. You just can't beat the thrill of a live show.

IF YOU COULD PLAY JUST ONE SONG ON BEYOND RADIO WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Gosh! Only one? Anything by Jimi Hendrix or The Chemical Brothers or 'A Date with the Night' by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs – I love the energy and it sums up the vibe of my show

KATIE SMITH

Host of Smith on Sunday

WHEN DID YOU START WITH BEYOND RADIO?

July 2019

TELL US ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOURSELF

I dance and sing! I've been dancing for years and still kept it up after I left high school. I've been singing since I was young and am hoping to record some music with a local producer soon.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT VOLUNTEERING WITH BEYOND RADIO?

I'm a florist and I absolutely love my job! Getting to make people happy and being around pretty flowers all day...what's not to like?

WHY DO YOU LOVE BEING PART OF BEYOND RADIO?

I love the sense of the local community and being able to showcase the music I love in my shows.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT AS A VOLUNTEER?

Definitely hosting Morecambe Music Festival! It was my first ever event I attended as a presenter, and it was incredible event.

IF YOU COULD PLAY JUST ONE SONG ON BEYOND RADIO, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Such a hard question but I think 'I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' by Nik Kershaw or 'Daybreak' by Barry Manilow.

JOHN SODERBERG

Host of The Afternoon Show

WHEN DID YOU START WITH BEYOND RADIO?
October 2020

TELL US ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOURSELF.
Professional gigging singer for 40 years.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT VOLUNTEERING WITH BEYOND RADIO?
Badminton and RC Model aircraft flying (I'm a member of LAMMAC, Lancaster and Morecambe Model Aircraft Club).

WHY DO YOU LOVE BEING PART OF BEYOND RADIO?
I have always liked local radio and have presented in four regions of England.

IF YOU COULD PLAY JUST ONE SONG ON BEYOND RADIO, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
'Yesterday When I was Young' by Charles Aznavour - as you have to be of a certain age to appreciate the lyrics.