Each month, we introduce listeners to different members of the Bedford Radio team. This month we meet John Kell, presenter of the Historic Bedford show.
How long have you been a Bedford Radio presenter?
I was one of the first presenters on the station when we started in lockdown in 2020.
I have been a radio presenter since I was 18 in the year 2000, so that must be nearly 10 years now, right?
How did you get into radio?
I started out on student radio and got as far as doing some work experience with the BBC after university - but getting into radio professionally is extremely competitive.
I then did bits and pieces on a few community and online stations over the years, before Bedford Radio got started.
Tell us about the Historic Bedford show
To mark the River Festival, I am presenting a special two-part edition of our award-nominated Historic Bedford show.
It tells the story of the River Great Ouse in Bedford, from the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons to the present day.
It also explores how the river became navigable to the sea and helped Bedford flourish, as well as how it became the focus for leisure and society that it is today.
When will the show be broadcast?
You can tune in to Part 1 on Saturday 18th July at 6pm and Part 2 will be broadcast on Sunday 19th July at 6pm as part of Bedford Radio's River Festival coverage.
You can also hear about the controversial issue of water quality and plans for the river's future on Friday 17th July at 6pm.
What's next for Historic Bedford?
It's a resource-heavy show to put together and I'm very grateful to everyone who contributes. For that reason, it will continue at around two editions per year.
Next up is a programme on John Howard, who was born 300 years ago this year. Beyond that, I have a long list of possible topics - there's a lot of fascinating history to talk about in Bedford, so I've got enough to keep me busy for a good few years yet.
Catch up on past episodes
You can catch up with past episodes of Historic Bedford, about VE Day and Railway 200, via the link below.
