Newsrooms team up to launch ‘the most Preston of podcasts’

Two local newsrooms are teaming up to create a new podcast- bringing in a well-known local radio personality to present it too.

The Lancashire Post and Blog Preston are collaborating to launch the most Preston of podcasts — naming it after the city’s famous Parched Pea.

The new podcast explores what makes Preston and its people tick and is being hosted by a familiar voice in the city — radio legend John ‘Gilly’ Gillmore, who until last year was one of BBC Radio Lancashire’s best-known presenters.

Supported by producers Ellie Browning and Sasha Wiltshire, he speaks to some of the fascinating cast of characters who make up the city.

Episodes of the podcast, which is named after Preston delicacy Parched Peas and will be released weekly, include conversations about art, identity, sense of place, nostalgia, history, the future and the challenges the city faces.

John 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.”

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.”

Six episodes of the Parched Pea Podcast will be released and available on Spotify , Apple, and all other major podcast platforms.

• Black peas, also called parched peas or maple peas, form a traditional Lancashire dish served often on or around Bonfire Night. The dish, popular in places like Preston, is made from the purple podded pea which is long soaked overnight and simmered to produce a type of mushy pea.