New to blogging · Radio interview · Town Crier

Blogging and broadcasting!

David Greenway

Yesterday was an eventful day in more ways than one!

It all began with a visit to my good friend Ali, who is an accomplished blogger.  I had often read and enjoyed her fascinating and thought-provoking blogs. I used to marvel, wide-eyed and mouth wide open, at how many people were following her writings in so many far-off lands.  I’d  often wondered about writing a blog myself, to share my varied and enjoyable experiences of being a Town Crier and then I used to laugh to myself at the thought that “surely, no one would ever want to read about them anyway!”  I’ve shared a few experiences on Facebook before now, but I’d often felt the need to have a medium that was a little more expansive, shall we say, with the prospect of reaching a slightly wider audience, like……The World! GULP!  (As a radio amateur, it has to be said, I always got a huge “buzz” whenever I heard someone replying to me from the other side of the planet!)

So, yesterday was the day for me to tentatively dip my toe into the blogging ocean for the very first time!

Ali was a very sympathetic teacher who helped me to get started. She was so patient as my eyes started to glaze over at the first mention of  “widgets” and the like.  Like tackling anything new I guess, like learning to drive a car….. it all takes time to assimilate, understand and then put into practice – especially when you’re the wrong side of 60!  I have so many questions about it all right now, but luckily the online video tutorials are slowly helping. Surely this is preferable to making endless phone calls to my patient mentor, at all hours of the day and night!

So this will be a relatively short blog, just to see if it all works……….

Oh, the broadcasting? I never thought you’d ask!

Yesterday evening, I attended the studios of Glastonbury FM, our local radio station, where I was going to be interviewed about my work as a Town Crier and then talk a little bit about the history of Town Criers in the UK.  I haven’t been so nervous in a very, very long time! I felt that same sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that I had felt when I was summoned to the Headmaster’s study, nearly 60 years ago!  You’d think that after 44 years of teaching in the classroom, sometimes taking school assemblies before an entire school, not to mention compering on the Glastonbury Festival stage,  I’d have got over “nerves” by now.  Isn’t it funny how the prospect of a cosy chat in a small carpeted room, in front of a microphone, can bring you out into a cold sweat, with clammy hands and dry mouth?

Steve, the jovial and charming radio presenter, soon put me at ease and in next to no time I was chattering away about what led me into this crazy world of Town Crying, where people shout their heads off, wearing old-fashioned clothes, white tights and frilly lace.

17757209_10209505115645285_5752820343302988253_n

“GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

(Glastonbury Market Cross, April 2017)

Published by David Greenway

Town Crier, Honorary Bard of Glastonbury and Broadcaster

21 thoughts on “Blogging and broadcasting!”

  5. Pingback: Introducing David Greenaway – Town Crier of Glastonbury | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

    1. Thanks, Sue for reblogging (see, I’m starting to use the jargon!) and getting me known a little bit etc. (just a minor point…… surname is spelt “Greenway”) Have a good day! David xx

      Like

      Reply
  7. Pingback: Glastonbury Town Crier | S C Richmond

    1. Thanks! It’s all Ali’s fault! She kinda inspired me really and taught me the basics. I have now re-discovered the sheer joy of story writing – something that has eluded me for 50 years!. Studying for a physics degree and a long career in teaching must have got in the way, somehow. I can’t thank Ali enough! Have a great day! x

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Hi Judy! Thank you very much for your very warm welcome and words of encouragement. I means a lot to a novice blogger. My good friend Alienora is an accomplished blogger and she “showed me the ropes” and enabled me to get started. I’ve wanted a medium a bit more expansive than Farcebook and blogging seemed to be the next step. I am rediscovering the joys of story telling that I left behind at school, 50 years ago! I am having so much fun and having feed back like you’ve sent means so much. I have just published my third blog (since last Wednesday) and am beginning to get the hang of it. As a Town Crier, I often have a story to tell about my day “on the streets”. Best wishes, David xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I have never looked back since i started blogging nearly three years ago, David. It becomes addictive, I have to say! I also follow Alienora’s blog, she is very witty and seems such a lovely person.
        You will find that the blogging community are very friendly and supportive on the whole, and I love being a part of it all 🙂 xx

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment