So this time has finally come to say farewell and briefly describe how Blast has changed my life, blah de blah. Well it hasn’t, but it’s been a huge insight into life at the Â鶹ԼÅÄ and offered a real stepping stone into the world of journalism. I’ve met many friends through this scheme not only at Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio York, but also through the Bristol training weekend and Birmingham where we all re-convened recently. To be fair there have been many highs along the way, I mean getting the chance to mix it with the likes of the Fratellis, Shed Seven and Richard Hawley doesn’t come along that often. However what’s probably been the best part of it isn’t meeting all the stars but actually seeing real local events that bring communities together, that I would never have known existed. Special Opportunities
Things like the Muston Scarecrow festival, some long-haired nutters at Whitby Folk Festival or the deaf and hearing theatre school, are all special in their own right and a real eye-opener. (I’ll see how many more articles I can plug, shall I?)
It hasn’t felt like a placement at all as I was treated as a staff member and given the independence to do whatever I wanted. This is where the Oscar speech comes in, to thank all my colleagues who have been so welcoming and made the eight weeks so enjoyable. Last Friday's presentation day in Birmingham was also great for meeting up with the many who had already sold their soul to the Blast scheme. Personally it’s a superb scheme that anyone should get involved in. I certainly didn't expect to get on the scheme, so if you get the chance, apply for it.Ìý I also didn’t expect to have to get up on stage in front of a squillion people and talk about one of my articles and I did try not to make a complete arse out of myself as per. Entertainment
The in-house entertainment caused a storm as some rapper started singing about choices in life, a bit deep personally, but it made me and others laugh. I spoke to many about their experiences with differing views of how it’s gone. Some loved it; others not so much, but there was a general feel of satisfaction felt by most. I also had the opportunity to go on a so-called ‘Discovery Day’ at Â鶹ԼÅÄ Yorkshire in Leeds. It was fabulous! I got to see how Look North works and also how smoothly it all runs, despite there being so much to do. The studio was also tiny and Harry Gration looks much smaller in real life. The most interesting part of the day was looking at how the investigative journalism programme ‘Inside Out’ runs. Also seeing all the spy gadgets was like something out of James Bond without the suits. So all in all, a pretty good day, despite the office being a tad daunting and feeling like a large call centre. Goodbyes
I’m seriously waffling now anyway, so I better be off, I’ve got last year at University to enjoy. What better than to finish this and end up at Freshers Week riding butt-naked down a street in a shopping trolley in the wee hours, after consuming ten billion pints of Guinness (not that I encourage this kind of activity). Just a little different to the everyday life of the Â鶹ԼÅÄ then. Once again cheers to everyone and hasta luego until next time! | 
