Bristol Community FM Podcasts

In August 2024, unrest swept across the UK after the tragic killings in Southport, fuelled by online misinformation and weaponised fears about migration. In Bristol, the tension erupted in Castle Park and outside the Mercure Hotel, where asylum seekers were housed. The police presence was thin. The danger was real. And yet, what happened next was extraordinary, ordinary Bristolians put their bodies on the line to defend their neighbours. We Don’t Do That Here is a one-hour audio documentary from Bristol's community radio stations - BCfm and Ujima, weaving together multiple in-depth interviews with those who lived it: refugees inside the hotel with their children, activists and local residents on the streets, police officers, youth workers, charity leaders, journalists, and community broadcasters. Their voices reveal the fear of that week, the courage of those who stood in solidarity, and the deep divisions that surfaced under pressure. The programme also investigates the powerful role of media and misinformation, such as how a single false claim spiralled into riots, how national outlets inflamed stereotypes, and how community radio and grassroots networks became lifelines of truth. Listeners hear not just about what happened, but why, and what it tells us about Britain in an age of polarisation. Above all, this is a story of resilience. From smiles through hotel windows to grandmothers holding banners, from grassroots charities to city-wide counter-protests, Bristol’s communities demonstrated that hate would not go unchallenged. This documentary asks: what does it take to keep a city safe, welcoming, and united, and what can the rest of the country learn? A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS Contributors: Muneera Pilgrim – Creative and Broadcaster Roger Ball – Academic Researcher Anonymous – Afghan Asylum Seeker Jim (Not real name) - Bristol Anti-Fascists Serena Sergeant – Avon & Somserset Police Desmond Brown – Growing Futures CIC Olivia Lamont Bishop – Borderlands Bristol Maya Mate-Kole – Mwanzo Project Producers: Marcus Smith & Miranda Rae Sound Design: George Colwey Photo Credit: Simon Holliday Funding: Bristol City Council

South Asian Voices Bristol CIC Presents Empowering Women Through Menopause Podcast. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund! Host Sheetal Jethwa talks Menopause and experiences. Each episode allows us to navigate the challenging path making it more bearable and less scary. Sheetal is joined by Experts.

A Tribute to Jerry Cowhig who passed away on Friday 23rd May 2025. Anneka Sutcliffe & Pat Hart play messages, music & tributes to Jerry in a special show recorded on 5th June 2025. The tribute show is followed by Jerry's last ever broadcast on Bcfm Radio. On the morning of his passing he came to the BCfm studios and broadcast his classical hour live. He will be sadly missed but also remembered. Friday mornings at 9am will always be "Jerry Cowhig's Classical Hour" on Bcfm Radio .

On Thursday 1 May 2025 residents across Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire will head to the polls to elect the next Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). In the run-up to this important vote, BCfm in partnership with other local Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations hosted a Mayoral hustings on Tuesday 23 April. The event provided an opportunity for residents and community leaders to hear directly from the candidates about their vision for the region and to ensure the voices of the VCSE sector are firmly part of the conversation. This is a recording of the hustings as a podcast and it will also be broadcast on the airwaves on BCfm Radio, giving more people the chance to hear directly from the candidates and encouraging wider participation in the democratic process. The candidates, in alphabetical order, are: - BANKS, Arron Fraser Andrew (Reform UK) - GODWIN, Helen (Labour Party) - HENMAN, Oli (Liberal Democrats) - PAGE, Mary (Green Party) - SCOTT, Ian Keith Mark (Independent) - SMITH, Steve (Conservative Party)

Settle down to some classic old skool Slow Jamz and romantic ballads from the Shades of Soul team on Bcfm Radio

Following the disturbances across the UK in the summer of 2024, award winning podcast producers Bcfm Radio held a special celebration & discussion around South Asian Heritage Month. Broadcasters Pat Hart & Sheetal Jethwa spoke to Abdul Malik, Sonia Mumtaz, Monira Chowdhury & DJ Sanj about Identity, music, culture and how we move forward in the UK.

Halloween Horror was originally produced in 2014 by Tristan B, and has been remixed many times since. To celebrate the 10th anniversary it's been edited for the first time as a podcast. Featuring a non-stop soundtrack of Halloween tunes, scary music, spooky poems and clips from the greatest horror movies ever made. Not suitable for young children or anyone who scares easily. Listen if you dare!

What's it actually like? There are many different tests and treatments that can come with getting a cancer diagnosis. But what's it like when you experience them? This is what you asked us following episode one of the podcast. Fellow bald Bristol broadcasters and cancer friends Pat Hart and Laura Rawlings spin the new 'procedure roulette'. Today it lands on endoscopies and colonoscopies - what a cracking start. Put down your sandwich, it's time to spill the beans. Sent from my iPhone

Over two years, BCfm Radio recorded 28 oral history interviews for M Shed, part of Bristol Museums, in partnership with the University of the West of England. Through insightful interviews with journalists, broadcasters, and media personalities, we'll explore the challenges and triumphs of covering a city as dynamic and diverse as Bristol. In this episode, part of the MEDIA interviews, We will hear about the power of the press to hold power to account, to celebrate local heroes, and to spark community conversation. M Shed informed us on some of the topics and themes that are missing from their archive audio collections, including content on local media outlets, what people do outside of work (leisure), specific groups of people and identities, as well as interviews with teenagers and young people. These 1200 minutes of newly recorded oral history interviews, Bristol For The Record will be preserved for future generations to learn and consult about various aspects of Bristol life for generations to come.

Over two years, BCfm Radio recorded 28 oral history interviews for M Shed, part of Bristol Museums, in partnership with the University of the West of England. Through insightful interviews with journalists, broadcasters, and media personalities, we'll explore the challenges and triumphs of covering a city as dynamic and diverse as Bristol. In this episode, part of the MEDIA interviews, We will hear about the power of the press to hold power to account, to celebrate local heroes, and to spark community conversation. M Shed informed us on some of the topics and themes that are missing from their archive audio collections, including content on local media outlets, what people do outside of work (leisure), specific groups of people and identities, as well as interviews with teenagers and young people. These 1200 minutes of newly recorded oral history interviews, Bristol For The Record will be preserved for future generations to learn and consult about various aspects of Bristol life for generations to come.

Over two years, BCfm Radio recorded 28 oral history interviews for M Shed, part of Bristol Museums, in partnership with the University of the West of England. Through insightful interviews with journalists, broadcasters, and media personalities, we'll explore the challenges and triumphs of covering a city as dynamic and diverse as Bristol. In this episode, part of the MEDIA interviews, We will hear about the power of the press to hold power to account, to celebrate local heroes, and to spark community conversation. M Shed informed us on some of the topics and themes that are missing from their archive audio collections, including content on local media outlets, what people do outside of work (leisure), specific groups of people and identities, as well as interviews with teenagers and young people. These 1200 minutes of newly recorded oral history interviews, Bristol For The Record will be preserved for future generations to learn and consult about various aspects of Bristol life for generations to come.

Over two years, BCfm Radio recorded 28 oral history interviews for M Shed, part of Bristol Museums, in partnership with the University of the West of England. Through insightful interviews with journalists, broadcasters, and media personalities, we'll explore the challenges and triumphs of covering a city as dynamic and diverse as Bristol. In this episode, part of the MEDIA interviews, We will hear about the power of the press to hold power to account, to celebrate local heroes, and to spark community conversation. M Shed informed us on some of the topics and themes that are missing from their archive audio collections, including content on local media outlets, what people do outside of work (leisure), specific groups of people and identities, as well as interviews with teenagers and young people. These 1200 minutes of newly recorded oral history interviews, Bristol For The Record will be preserved for future generations to learn and consult about various aspects of Bristol life for generations to come.