Archive

A celebration of the life and songs of Carolina Oliphant, a contemporary of Robbie Burns, who kept her songwriting success a secret all her life and whose work is often mistakenly attrributed to the national bard.  Helen Mark uncovers her story and finds out how her songs crossed the 'Narrow Sea' to become an integral part of Ulster Scots popular musical tradition. A 60 min documentary...

Helen Mark maps the transformation of some of Belfast's 19th century redbrick alleyways into attractive social spaces with brightly painted back doors and walls, planters and even the occasional apple “orchard”.   A 25 minute documentary for BBC Radio 4's Open Country Series Broadcast December 2022   Presenter:  Helen Mark Audio Engineer:  Suzy Robins Executive Producer:  John Deering Producer:  Kathleen Carragher   [audio mp3="https://www.yamal.co.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Open-Country-Alleyways1-1.mp3"][/audio]...

As the BBC marks 100 years, Northern Irish Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Paul Muldoon, examines how fellow poets and writers responded to the challenges of broadcasting in a divided community. "pick of the day"...

Helen Mark visits The Plock, close to the Skye Bridge, on the North West coast of Scotland. The local community has come up with exciting plans, including a Viking village, to regenerate their community parkland after years of neglect.   A 25 minute documentary for BBC Radio 4's Open Country Series Broadcast October 2022   Presenter: Helen Mark Audio Engineer: Ilse Lademann Executive Producer: John Deering Producer: Kathleen Carragher     [audio mp3="https://www.yamal.co.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Plock-tx-bounce01.mp3"][/audio]        ...

BBC NI's Arts Correspondent, Robbie Meredith, explores Belfast's alleyways and meets the growing number of neighbourhood groups who are turning these neglected spaces into attractive green meeting places.   And he hears the arguments for and against gating in a bid to prevent anti-social behaviour. A 25 minute documentary for BBC Radio Ulster Broadcast August 2022   Presenter: Robbie Meredith, BBC NI Arts Correspondent Audio Engineer: Bill Maul  Producer: Kathleen Carragher Executive Producer:...

Helen Mark is in Ullapool in the Scottish Highlands where she discovers the 'lost' village of Balblair, visits the spectacular Corrieshalloch Gorge and the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum.   A 25 minute documentary for BBC Radio 4's Open Country Series Broadcast August 2022   Presenter: Helen Mark Audio Engineer: Michael Harrison Executive Producer: John Deering Producer: Kathleen Carragher   [audio mp3="https://www.yamal.co.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/OC-Finding-Balblair-Tx-110822-.mp3"][/audio]  ...

A journey along the West Highland Line with musician, Ingrid Henderson, through mountains, glens and lochs rich with stories of Bonnie Prince Charlie and Harry Potter. A 25 minute documentary for BBC Radio 4's Open Country Series Broadcast December 2021   Presenter: Ingrid Henderson Audio Engineer: Michael Harrison Executive Producer: John Deering Producer: Kathleen Carragher     [audio mp3="https://www.yamal.co.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/OpenCountry-20211209-WizardsAndSteamTrainsOnTheWestHighlandLine-1.mp3"][/audio]...

Fiona Mackenzie visits the Isle of Rum to hear about a new drinks venture, a campaign to save an old castle and a long running deer research project. Broadcast November 2021 ...

Is a sea tunnel linking Northern Ireland and Scotland a viable possibility or just a Boris Johnson pipe dream? Mark Simpson reports. 30 minute documentary, co-production, for BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Ulster Broadcast August 2021   Presenter: Mark Simpson, BBC NEWS Correspondent Archive Research: Peter Stewart Audio Engineer: Michael Davidson Executive Producer: Kathleen Carragher Producer: John Deering   [audio mp3="https://www.yamal.co.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Boriss-Tunnel-Vision-Scotland.mp3"][/audio]...

Canna, in the Western Isles, is four miles long and one mile wide, with a population of just 14.   But as Fiona Mackenzie reveals, it is rich in landscapes, history and music. “you painted a delightful picture of your little island home. Open Country is a wee gem of a programme”………. Charles Runcie, ex-head of BBC Sport 25 minute documentary for BBC Radio 4’s Open Country Series Broadcast April 2021   Presenter:...