Features and Fun

Local Legends

12m

We delve into the lives of remarkable individuals, exploring the impact they have on their cities and the reasons they have become beloved or infamous figures.<br />

Breaking the Routine: Try Something New

12m

In a world where the daily grind of news reporting can often be relentless and monotonous, a group of intrepid reporters decides to break free from their routines and embrace a series of thrilling new experiences.

Working at a wetlands centre: inside WWT Washington

24m

Sunderland Echo reporter Neil Fatkin tries out a day in the life of an employee of a wetlands centre - twice!<br />WWT is a charity for wetlands and wildlife.

The Most Weird and Wonderful British Pets

24m

Join us as we hear from a man who walks his goat like a dog and parrots who go on shopping trips with their owners.

The watcher: Inside Portsmouth's crime-fighting eye in the sky

12m

One man's just journey to keep Portsmouth safe, by bringing communities, MPs and police together to combat crime with cameras.

Three of the UK's biggest Swifty's look back on the opening weekend of Eras Tour

36m

Rachel, Lauren and Dave were lucky enough to have tickets for the opening weekend of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in the UK. Here they reminisce over a once in a lifetime experience, or in some cases twice (Dave was at Murrayfield on Saturday and Sunday nights).

Meet The Makers: The Hebden Bridge jeweller producing something magical

3m

In the first of a special Meet the Makers series, Matt Stephenson talks to Hebden Bridge jeweller Toby Cotterill.

Marvellous Mackems

24m

A look at some at some of history's most remarkable people from or with links to Sunderland.

Tour Tales: The city explorers

12m

Four reporters try out tourist city tours in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Glasgow.

Yoga with the Alpacas

6m

We visit an Alpaca Farm for an outdoor yoga class - which is interrupted by a naughty sheep. Lucinda Herbert learns what Alpaca Yoga is all about, and why it's becoming more popular.

Out on the boat with Port of Sunderland water patrol

12m

Sunderland Echo reporter Neil Fatkin talks to members of the Port of Sunderland's water patrol about what they do.

Booky: Episode 2 with Joanna Nadin

24m

Nicola's guest on this episode of Booky is Joanna Nadin, who wrote her first book in the basement of 10 Downing Street during summer recess. Around 100 books later for both children and adults, she's authored the Penny Dreadful series, the Flying Fergus series with Sir Chris Hoy and Joe All Alone (now a TV series).

Booky: Episode 1 with Milly Johnson

24m

Welcome to Booky! The friendly, snob-free podcast for readers and for writers. Nicola's first guest on Booky is a true literary superstar. On this first episode in the series Nicola is joined by Milly Johnson.

Double helping of eat-it-all challenges in Sunderland

12m

Sunderland Echo reporter Neil Fatkin takes on two eating challenges.<br />In the first, he has 20 minutes to eat a mountain of food - then 45 to finish a 24in pizza.

The Red Arrows: Diamond Season

12m

A look behind-the-scenes at RAF Waddington, where the famous Red Arrows display team are launching their 60th 'Diamond' display season.

Kicking and Screaming Music Show: The Lilacs

24m

We speak to The Lilacs who are becoming one of the big new hopes of the UK indie scene.<br />

Celebrating our pets this National Pet Month

12m

April is National Pet Month, so to celebrate we sent our teams out and about around the country to discover more about the nation’s favourite pets.

Battle of the Bands final

46m

TK Maxx presents The Lytham Festival joined forces with The Blackpool Gazette to bring you The Battle of the Bands, from Lowther Pavilion in Lytham

Behind the scenes at The Kitchen of Hope

11m

A new project by Portsmouth City of Sanctuary helps asylum seekers and refugees share their love of food from their native background to the homeless and other community projects

Real Life Stories: From Metalhead to Lord Mayor

12m

The incredible story of councillor Tom Coles and his battle with ADHD and depression before taking on the role as the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth in 2023, where his mayoral ceremony consisted of Metallica songs and Klingon quotes.

Weird and wonderful Britain

12m

From roller disco nightclubs to a pint of beer with your own face on the top, our reporters seek out the weird and wonderful attractions or our cities.

Big Cats Caught on Camera in the UK

12m

Large felines have had a place in British folklore for decades, even centuries. Here we look at some of the most recent sighting that have been caught on camera. <br />

Style Solutions: 4 Tricks and habits to improve your skin

11m

Style Solutions: Spring/Summer Fashion Trends 2024

12m

We visit RSPCA Stubbington Ark

11m

Sophie Lewis tours RSPCA's Stubbington Ark - and ended up holding a chicken called Penelope.

‘I went to London Zoo and looked after Penguins for the day’

2m

London Zoo invited us down for an amazing day at its Penguin Keeper Experience. You can book your experience on London Zoo’s website. For more on this head to LondonWorld.com

Valentine's Day at the Blackpool Tower Dungeon

5m

Romance is dead this valentine’s day in Blackpool as couples have been warned that any displays of affection may end up with a trip to the plague doctors.<br />The dungeons are making a stand, supporting the strong individuals, otherwise known as singletons, this valentines as love is certainly not in the air on the Fylde Coast.

Valentine’s Day special: love in your city

12m

We take a trip around the UK to explore love in your city, and discover what you can get up to this Valentine’s Day.

Jurassic Earth: Behind-the-scenes of a dinosaur experience

16m

We go behind the scenes as a team of actors and technicians get ready for a thrilling, family-friendly dinosaur experience featuring a Velociraptor, Spinosaurus, Triceratops, Brontosaurus, Carnotaurus, the World's largest walking T Rex and the cutest Dinosaur Babies!

Screen Babble - Fool Me Once won't fool us again and new highlights

24m

Join the team who will tell you what's hot on TV, streaming and in the cinema this week and what's not.<br />

Meet Buddy the school cavapoo

7m

Buddy's story is one that is absolutely adorable and he has had a considerable impact on the well-being of the children and teachers alike. The 18-month-old cavapoo is owned by Rob Jones, the school's headteacher, and he has been coming to the school since he was 12 weeks old.

Screen Babble | Oscar nominations, Masters of The Air, Twin Peaks and My Little Pony

24m

It's a busy week for TV and film chat with award nominations and new series out. Join the Screen Babble team for recommendations on what to watch and what to avoid.<br />

Bragging Rights: Quirky ways to beat the January Blues

24m

In the first Bragging Rights of 2024 we send reporters out to find ways to beat the January Blues, including a splash art class, 'hot yoga' and plenty of fun things to do.

Biscuit Dunking Championships

2m

To celebrate National Biscuit Day last year, we conducted a scientific test to see which biscuit could withstand a hot-tea-dunking the longest. Our results may surprise you...

PO '8 Mile': Meet the team behind the Word of Mouth Rap Battles

12m

We chat to the team behind the Word of Mouth Rap Battles in Portsmouth.<br /><br />

Dirty Stop Out's Guide to 1970s Britain

12m

Pubs, nightclubs, cabaret clubs, Working Men's Clubs, live music venues, 24-Hour Wimpys, and the Watney Party Seven - the era had it all!

Remembering pubs loved and (some almost) lost from across the UK

12m

Our journalists take a tour of some of the famous pubs in our cities that have closed over the decades. Plus we visit one Bristol pubs loved by so many that was almost lost after being saved from closure.

Good Week Bad Week | Why is Luke Littler, Rick Astley, Sophie Ell-Bextor in the news?

9m

Curious Sunderland: A journey to the peculiar corners of the city's past and present

1h 12m

Sunderland Echo reporter Tony Gillan and some special guests take us on a journey to the peculiar corners of Sunderland's past and present.<br />Taking in fact, fiction - and the in-betweeny bits! - we look at a mythic giant worms, a Victorian murderess, a TikTok sensation's coastline discoveries, ghost stories, Daleks, a haunted branch of Greggs and more.

Superfans: When interests become obsessions

24m

We all have our favourites, bands, films, football teams, even childhood toys.<br /><br />But what happens when our interest in them becomes more of an obsession?<br /><br />You’re about to meet some fascinating people who have been absolutely enveloped by their passions, who hang on every word and devour every release.<br /><br />They’re not anoraks, they’re superfans!

Blackpool on the Up: The changing face of one of Britain's favourite resorts

24m

Reporter Lucinda Herbert takes a look at the changing fortunes of Blackpool. The seaside resort in Lancashire once synonymous with drunken hen and stag nights has smartened up its act, and the future is looking bright

Toy Stories

22m

Brooks Collectables proprietor Mark Yates takes us on a tour of his magnificent toy store and museum on Blackpool's sea-front in Lancashire

Football Stadium Food: Tasting fans matchday staples

12m

We visit three major football clubs in the UK to check out their matchday food fare.

Life as a football mascot: Preston North End's Deepdale Duck retires

12m

Having first taken on the role 27 years ago, Simon Nash, otherwise known as Deepdale Duck, has retired from Preston North End.

Reliving the fairytale - Sunderland's 1973 FA Cup victory: 50 years on

36m

The story of Sunderland AFC's victory over Leeds in the 1973 FA Cup Final, and its legacy in the city, as remembered five decades later by those who were there - both on and off the pitch.

Dirty Stop Out's Guide to 1980s Sheffield | The Limit

11m

The Limit, one of Sheffield's 'most legendary' clubs. The Human League, Cabaret Voltaire, Clock DVA, Vice Versa (later to become ABC), Def Leppard, Artery and others all played seminal shows at the venue.