WELL, it’s not often two newspaper reporters are the talk of Irvine Beat FM. Irvine Times reporters John McNee and Ciaran Shanks are definitely the talk of the station.

They both did the perfect job of standing in for Peter Lockhart on The Sunday Talk-In. I’m not sure whether Peter will take even more holidays now, or never take another holiday again!

The guys done a great job. All of us at Irvine Beat FM are proud of them both. I’m on holiday the first two weeks in July guys, if you are up for the challenge of sitting in for me!

Last week our big stage crew gave our new stage trailer the once over. Some Irvine Beat FM volunteers gathered down at our Portland Place HQ, more out of curiosity to watch the crew assemble the stage from scratch. None of us realised the work it actually involved. Then our sound techies got our new state of the art sound equipment on to the stage. Our sound equipment is awesome. It was so loud that we had to move Jim Higgins, who was presenting our Ceilidh Show, from Studio One to Studio Three, at the rear of our complex.

Once the trial was over, our team got right back in there to disassemble everything. It was amazing watching our stage crew in action.

Now, if you want to see an Irvine Beat FM Roadshow in action, you will have to be at McGavin Park in Kilwinning on July 15. This is the day that the Queen’s Baton Relay comes to North Ayrshire.

This is an event organised by ACES in Kilwinning to celebrate the Commonwealth baton coming to Kilwinning.

It’s going to be a great day.

Remember, last week I was telling you about how Irvine Beat FM are supporting local bands and artists by offering them the chance to perform live sessions on my Wednesday night show. I had a blast last week when Ayr band Seaside Sons blew all my Wednesday night crew away by performing a five song acoustic set on the show. I look forward to seeing them perform at King Tut’s next month.

Talking of King Tut’s, tonight’s live session comes courtesy of Kilwinning band Common Ground. I am really looking forward to this as I think these guys have what it takes to do well. On Saturday night, Common Ground will be headlining King Tut’s in Glasgow. A coup for Irvine Beat FM!

Our competitions are really taking off as well. Norie B had his first DVD competition winner the other week. It was won by a local policeman Ian Hutchison, pictured above. Now, Norie drives a nice sporty car. Is this a good time to tell him that Ian is a Traffic Policeman lol!

It’s fast approaching Irvine Beat FM’s official first birthday. We are looking at ways that we can celebrate it, involving the community. We have a few ideas but if you want to suggest ways we can celebrate it, just get in touch with us at mail@irvinebeatfm.com Well that’s us for this week. Keep your radio’s tuned in to 107.2 Irvine Beat FM. Your favourite local radio station broadcasting to the community.

Ronnie McGhie Irvine Beat FM Team