Enniskillen is set to host a trove of BBC history from June 18 to 20 as part of celebrations marking a century of local broadcasting.
The visit under the banner 'BBC Comes to Town' will include an interactive exhibition at Enniskillen Castle on June 19 and 20, allowing school and community groups to dabble in presenting a weather report, introducing BBC Newsline or commentating on a major BBC Sport NI fixture, among other features.
The event is also geared towards fostering a deeper understanding of the broadcasting world with several information avenues dedicated to BBC careers, apprenticeships, and maximising the benefits of BBC services.
As part of the initiative to bring BBC broadcasting closer to the people, BBC Rewind is set to spotlight archival footage of Enniskillen in an illustrative discussion.
There will also be guidance on how the public can access the BBC’s online archive, which boasts over 30,000 recordings about local personalities, landmarks, and events.
In this regard, the Picture Box exhibition, which will be touring Northern Ireland for the first time, will be charting the BBC's journey and its impact on the region through never-before-seen photos of renowned personalities and programmes.
This exhibition will be open to the public at the Lisnaskea Library from early afternoon June 18 till tea time on June 20.
As the BBC brings the studio to the people, BBC Radio Ulster will conduct several live broadcasts from Enniskillen, involving local figures and narratives.
Notable among these will be Connor Phillips broadcasting from the Fermanagh Fun Farm in Lisbellaw from 10.30am to 12pm on June 19 and a recording later that day by Gardeners’ Corner at the Lisgoole Suite at the Killyhevlin Hotel from 7pm.
BBC Writers will also be present over the period to scout for new writing talent and offer guidance on having their work featured on BBC platforms.
As part of the initiative, Tara Mills will hold a special event featuring part of the Give My Head Peace team at The Ardhowen.
She will be joined on stage by Tim McGarry, Damon Quinn, and Alexandra Ford to share favourite moments from the series and highlight the show's enduring appeal.
This event is slated for 7pm on June 19, with admission via ticket only, available at the Ardhowen Box Office on a first-come, first-served basis.
A special event at Enniskillen Castle on June 20 from 5pm will see Mark Simpson in conversation with Linda McCauley, a veteran radio presenter for BBC Radio Ulster and a dedicated consumer advocate for nearly three decades.
McCauley, who recently announced her departure from the On Your Behalf show and the BBC, will reflect on her stellar broadcasting journey with the public broadcaster and its impact on listeners.
Free tickets for this event will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis at the Enniskillen Castle Box Office.
Tara Mills said: "I’ve watched Give My Head Peace right from the very start. Its characters and storylines are often brilliantly funny. And they’ve given us a common ground of comedy, allowing us to laugh at different aspects of life in this place. I can’t wait to hear what really goes on behind the scenes in Give My Head Peace and to share some of the cast’s favourite television moments."
Tim McGarry said: "We're delighted to be at The Ardhowen talking about some of our favourite Give My Head Peace moments on the BBC. There’s a lot to choose from and plenty of stories for us to share. It should be a great night. We know that Tara Mills is a fan and have given her permission to ask us plenty of difficult questions. Who knows what we might say…?!"
Linda McAuley said: "It’s been my pleasure to have presented On Your Behalf for nearly 30 years and to have been with BBC Radio Ulster for 35 years. Time has flown by as I’ve travelled to all parts of Northern Ireland, meeting listeners and getting the experts to help them with everything from travel and parking problems to benefits and legal queries.
"And I’m delighted to be ending my time On Your Behalf in Enniskillen, a very familiar town to me as we caravanned in Rossnowlagh in my childhood and knew many of the local families. And, of course, broadcast many programmes from our little BBC studio thanks to Pat the Butcher who opened it as required! As they say, ‘the pictures are better on radio’ and I’ve been very fortunate to have had a career in radio and to have had a relationship with our loyal listeners."
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