John ‘Gilly’ Gillmore is to host the Parched Pea Podcast for the Lancashire Post and Blog Preston.
John will speak to some of the characters who make up the city of Preston, supported by producers Ellie Browning and Sasha Wiltshire.
Episodes of the podcast, which is named after the Preston delicacy Parched Peas, include conversations about art, identity, sense of place, nostalgia, history, the future and the challenges the city faces.
Gilly said: “It’s great to be back doing what I do best, getting out and about meeting and chatting to people and unearthing some great stories. It’s an amazing project to have been involved with.”
Assisting Gilly with the podcast are University of Central Lancashire journalism students Ellie and Sasha.
Ellie said: “The podcast has been an incredible experience. I’ve loved learning from Gilly and everyone involved and hearing the stories of so many amazing people in Preston.”
Sasha added: “Working on this podcast has been such an amazing experience. I feel like we’ve really captured the beauty of Preston.”
The Parched Pea Podcast is a joint venture by Blog Preston and the Post, aimed at bringing Preston’s stories to an audio audience.
Founder and co-editor of Blog Preston, Ed Walker, said: “Bringing together Gilly’s experience, plus our knowledge and passion for the city means we’ve got a podcast which captures all things Preston.
“And it’s been great to see Ellie and Sasha working with a broadcasting legend and the podcast will give a voice, which is timeless, to some of the stories behind people and places in the city.”
National World’s editor-in-chief (North) and former Post editor, Nicola Adam, said: “I’m delighted to get this off the ground in Preston alongside Ed. I’ve been very impressed by Ellie and Sasha’s work – and of course the lovely Gilly.
“It’s been really satisfying to truly collaborate across news organisations with something positive for Proud Preston. Many thanks to our sponsors.”
The six episode series of the Parched Pea Podcast will be available on all podcast platforms.