This Is The Cat

Work Experience Comes To The Cat

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:24:00 +0000

Two pupils from Malbank School are currently working at The Cat on their work experience. Rob Hemingway and Becky Dean, both in year 10, are here from the 11th to the 15th of April 2011. so far they have learnt how to use the equipment in the studio and even presented their own 1 hour show. Both pupils have researched events taking place in the community and have recorded promo trailers to be broadcast on the station. On Thursday afternoon at 2pm Rob and Becky will be presenting their own 2 hour show based on their experience at The Cat; including interviews from other pupils, a live performance and a gig guide.

The Cat at Argos in Crewe

noreply@blogger.com (Dayve Dean) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:04:00 +0000

On Saturday 12th March 2011 Twichy and The Cat Crew joined Mickey and Minnie Mouse at Argos in Crewe for an outside broadcast and live event to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. You can Listen Again to the outside broadcast for a week on The Steve Jay Show page. More events coming soon. Keep an eye out on the Events page on The Cat's website.

The Alternative live from Square One tonight

noreply@blogger.com (Dayve Dean) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:29:00 +0000

“The Alternative” radio show will be broadcasting live from SquareOne bar on Mill Street Crewe, tonight (Thursday 10 February 2011) from 9-11pm.

We’re giving it a trial run tonight with a view to making it a once a month show from the venue, which in future will include live bands, interviews, and features specifically designed to suit the bar and our unique surroundings!

If you fancy coming down for a drink and joining in the fun tonight, please do so!

It gives you a chance to see the radio show live, and listen to some good tunes and lively banter to prep for the real thing which will start next month.

You can listen to the show online at http://thisisthecat.com/listen.shtml on your PC or smartphone

Live from 9pm – 11pm tonight!

2010 - A Review

noreply@blogger.com (Dayve Dean) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:32:00 +0000

2010 has been a very successful year for The Cat – Local Radio for Crewe and Nantwich. A full year’s Internet broadcasting on their website (www.thisisthecat.com) was supplemented by a 4 week RSL (Restricted Service Licence) FM broadcast in July and August.

2010 saw The Cat’s studios being upgraded thanks to a Grass Roots grant that provided a refit of Studio 1, the installation of a second studio and the purchase of outside broadcast kit, which is regularly used across the area. In addition their mascot ‘Twichy the Cat’ has been very popular from his first appearances during the RSL and subsequent outings supporting events, promotions, and surprise visits to the children’s ward at Leighton Hospital.

The events team was created and The Cat Roadshow featured at many events, such as Vinefest in Shavington, the Food and Drink Festival in Nantwich and returned to The Swan Inn, Wybunbury to support their bonfire night celebrations for a second year.

This week we will be attending the relaunch of B&Q in Crewe on 5 and 6 February. Highlights include a live broadcast on each day, along with vocal performances from Tom Seals, Dayve Dean and Hayley Strangelove; Twichy the Cat will also be making an appearance.

In addition all our shows are now kept for 7 days as a ‘Listen Again’ feature on the website. This week’s ‘Mediagenic with Jen Van Cauter’ features her recent interview with Pete Waterman.

2011 brings plans to build on the previous year’s success, with continued growth including more events, more programming and more community focus. This has already started to be shown in the current schedule; live shows are broadcast every day (check out the programme guide for details of start times) and the remaining time is filled with pre-recorded shows and interviews, local news features, and ‘Community Action’ features, with details of upcoming events in the area.

Local news is also broadcast at the start of each hour with Community Action featured in every show around half past the hour. Local news and events information is always welcomed and can be sent to news@thisisthecat.com.

Companies from across the area sponsor these shows and features. Although there has been a recent surge in the number of advertisers; there are still slots available; please contact sales@thisisthecat.com for further details.

New members are always encouraged, both presenting and away from the microphone. To get involved with the radio station, any enquiries should be sent to office@thisisthecat.com.

Pete Waterman Belongs on The Cat radio...

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:10:00 +0000

Friday was a special day for the new Belong Village in Brookhouse Drive, near The Raven pub. Although they opened their doors at the beginning of December, this official opening brought with it sunshine and a special guest. Pete Waterman arrived to a champagne reception, then enjoyed a tour of the building which combines a care centre with independent living, and public facilities like a bistro, salon and gym. He unveiled a picture on the wall outside The Venue bar area upstairs. It was of a train at Crewe photographed in 1937. Railway enthusiast Pete spoke fondly of the train and its carriages before receiving a gift from one of the Belong residents. Jen Van-Cauter managed to grab a quick interview with Pete for The Cat radio. He spoke of the picture and how it would bring back memories to so many of the residents, and commented on the building.

The Battle of Nantwich - Holly Holy Day

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:05:00 +0000

Holly Holy Day in Nantwich, Cheshire, is commemorated with a re-enactment of The Battle of Nantwich which originally took place in 1643 and was part of the civil war between the Roundheads and Cavaliers. The name derives from the holly sprigs worn in hats to celebrate the lifting of the siege.

The battle was first commemorated in 1971 with a simple laying of a wreath and by 1973 The Sealed Knot Society, a civil war re-enactment group, had become involved to stage the first re-enactment of the battle which has now become an annual event on the nearest weekend to 25th January.

Jen Van-Cauter was one of the Cat team who attended this year’s event as a reporter for The Cat. “I have to admit, that when I was told I was going to be covering the Battlefield for The Cat radio, I was a little nervous. This was my first visit to this event. The day was a cold grey one, but Nantwich town centre was starting to fill up with people.

“My first stop was the Museum, where there was an exhibition all about the battle, and upstairs a wargame was in progress. The battlefield re-created in miniature, even Acton Church. In the Millenium gallery to the rear of the museum, some members of the Sealed Knot were talking about their kit and costumes.

“Outside the museum we bought a traditional holly buttonhole, then walked down to Welsh Row to watch the procession. By this time the streets were lined with people. The soldiers came marching four abreast, drums banging and shouts of support for either King or Church. The costumes were incredible, as were the weapons the soldiers carried. I was a little concerned when the pikemen passed below the overhead power lines, as their pikes were within inches of contact! The procession must have stretched the full length of Welsh Row.

“We followed back into the town centre, then made our way to the battlefield. Mill Island where the re-enactment took place is a fairly small green space surrounded by trees, and flanked by rivers, which is sometimes prone to flooding. Hence it was a little muddy, but not too bad. The battle area itself was roped off but you were able to stand pretty close to the action.

The Battle of Nantwich - behind the lines

“The cannons were very impressive and at one point the audience were astounded as when one of them fired a perfect smoke ring rose into the sky. The greyness of the day, coupled with the smoke from cannon and musket fire, made the battle look all the more authentic as the view beyond the field was obscured. A commentary was provided via tannoy, with the added amusement of 17th century recipes and cures.

“The battle was long, though I’m sure not as long as the original, and coupled with the cold, audience numbers dwindled as the day wore on and parents took small children home, but we enjoyed it. The Sealed Knot were fantastic, and thankfully Nantwich has plenty of coffee shops to warm up in afterwards.”

More information about Holly Holy Day can be found at www.hollyholyday.org.uk.Interviews and sounds of the Battle can be heard through The Cat’s website at www.thisisthecat.com.

Northern Soul All Nighter - 2-3 January

noreply@blogger.com (Dayve Dean) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 12:34:00 +0000

To celebrate the launch of the Soul Boy film on DVD, The Cat will be hosting a special Northern Soul All Nighter from 11pm on Sunday 2 January right through to 8am the following morning.

Join Cat presenters Chris Anderton, Chris Cadman, Kev Lovell, Kev 'Legs' Walker and Eddie Bebbington for a night of Northern Soul plus the chance to win a goodie bag from each presenter including a copy of Soul Boy on DVD, the CD soundtrack of the film and a Soul Boy poster.

Running Order

11pm-1am - Chris Anderton
1am-2am - Chris Cadman
2am-4am - Kev Lovell
4am-6am - Kev 'Legs' Walker
6am-8am - Eddie Bebbington

If you miss the shows, you will be able to listen again for a week on the Northern Soul All Nighter show page.

Buy Soul Boy

Buy from HMV.co.uk or

Join The Cat team at Lyceum Square

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 22:01:00 +0000

Saturday 27th November sees the official opening of Crewe's Lyceum Square and Cheshire East have asked The Cat Roadshow to come along and help out with the entertainment. There'll be loads going on from 11 am so why not come down and say hello,ask one of our presenters for a request, we'll be only too pleased to play your favourite song. If you can't make it tune into The Cat from midday when the event will be broadcast live on our station. You never know if it's not too cold there might even be an appearance by Twitchy but she doesn't like the cold weather too much!

The Cat & Asda support Children In Need

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:09:00 +0000

Friday 19th November is Children In Need day and many activities are taking place at Asda's Crewe store, why not get down there after 1 pm and meet your favourite Cat presenters who will be ensuring shoppers have fun and help raise lots of money for Children In Need. We'll be gving away 3 Ainsley Harriet hand food blenders, come along and find out how you can win one. The Cat's broadcast will be transmitted back to the studio so you can keep in touch with all the fun as it happens. The OB is being sponsored by funkyhomewares.co.uk.

Spread the word, advertise with The Cat for £15 a month!!

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:39:00 +0000

At The Cat we want to help spread the word around about all the great local businesses and services available in Crewe & Nantwich. That's why we make advertising on The Cat so affordable from only £15 per month. If you know any local business that may benefit from these great rates put them in touch with us and we'll give you 10% of whatever their advert cost is or if you prefer we' d donate the 10% to Children In Need.

Local businesses can contact our Business & Community Officer, Parveen Smith on 07545-193-593 or send an email to sales@thisisthecat.com. We could have your advert playing out to all our listeners in less than a week. Further details can also be found on our website (www.thisisthecat.com) on the "Advertise With Us" page.

The Cat is at Wybunbury Fireworks tonight

noreply@blogger.com (Dayve Dean) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:47:00 +0000

Come and join The Cat this evening at The Swan in Wybunbury for their Fireworks display. If you can't make it over, you can listen to our live broadcast from the event from 4pm-9pm with Danny C and Steve Jay.

Friday 5 November, Wybunbury Fireworks

Bigger and Better than last year - Bonfire Night with live music by Night Train

Friday 5th November at Swan Inn Wybunbury

Featuring: Jonty Elwood, Al Dean & the guys

9:30 - late (Bonfire starts at 6:45pm)

The Cat local radio, bonfire, fireworks, hot food, tombola, Outdoor bar

All weather marquees

FREE ADMISSION

Download the brochure

Nantwich Food and Drink Festival and Beer Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Dayve Dean) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 12:04:00 +0000

The Nantwich Food and Drink Festival was a great success which an estimated 30,000 people attended. The array of foods and drinks that were available for sampling was spectacular.

Nantwich Town was thriving over the three day event. The local businesses and retailers who travelled from afar were pleased beyond expectation. The visitors came from all over the country. The Cat did food tastings at The Cat's base within the town. Clewlows Butchers produced their traditional sausage for tastings which the public thoroughly enjoyed. A festival enjoyed by all.

You can listen to the interviews from both the Food and Drink Festival and the Nantwich Beer Festival throughout this week. See the programme guide for show times. You can also hear them via our Listen Again feature.

Wybunbury Delves C of E Primary School visit The Cat

noreply@blogger.com (Dayve Dean) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:35:00 +0000

Children from Wybunbury Delves C of E Primary School visited The Cat studio today to see a radio studio firsthand and learn about what is involved in presenting a show and editing sounds.

The year 4 children are learning about media and transmission and enjoyed presenting, selecting songs, learning about editing. They even made their own jingle! The school project was a perfect link with The Cat. One young presenter described the visit at "immense"! Another said it was the best school trip they had ever had.

We have some young talented presenters to be at Wybunbury Delves!

The first school visit to The Cat took place today (Monday 4 October) at 10am and you can Listen Again to their time on air on The Cat's Listen Again page. A second group will visit the studio tomorrow at the same time. Listen to them live at thisisthecat.com.

The Cat's community links pay dividends

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:14:00 +0000

The Crewe & Nantwich Community Radio Society is pleased to announce that The Cat has been awarded a Grass Roots grant of £5000 in recognition of the good work done in the community and the stations plans for the future.

It is hoped that new equipment can be purchased that previously was hired and that a mobile studio can be set up to enable more community based broadcasts similar to the successful Vinefect broadcast earlier in the summer.

The Society's 50 members will be consulted on plans and once agreed it is hoped the new equipment can be put into action very quickly.

Internet Connection Back Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:54:00 +0000

We have been informed by our internet service provider that our broadband connection should be up and running very soon so please keep trying, thanks for your patience.

Connection Problems

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:49:00 +0000

You may be having problems connecting to The Cat at the moment, we have our technical team dealing with the problem and hope to be back on air as soon as possible.

Please check back on this page for further updates.

Crewe Carnival 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Dayve Dean) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:11:00 +0000

Crewe Carnival returns on Saturday 28 August and The Cat will be there!

Cat presenter Paul Senior will be hosting the show alongside Andy Bailey from Silk FM. The Cat Crew will also be there throughout the day and you will be able to hear updates from the Carnival on shows on The Cat throughout the day.

Tickets are now available – they are free but anyone who wants to attend the evening concert will need to get a ticket from the Lyceum Theatre, Nantwich Customer Services office or The Box in Crewe. Five tickets are available per person.

As well as a performance from Pop Star to Opera Star winner Darius Campbell, Carnival-goers can also look forward to:

• A performance by ‘Over the Rainbow’ finalist, Dani Rayner

• Performances by local band Vavoom, The Retrospective and Tom Seals (pianist and singer) and band (all courtesy of Volume PR)

• Stunt displays

• The Kangaroos (gymnastic display scheme)

• Performances from X Academy and Footloose dance groups

• Matrix cheerleading squad

• Mini car display

• A display of Cheshire birds of prey and Wyche Dog Training Club

• Display by Crewe and Nantwich Horticultural Society

•A children’s fairground and refreshment stands

•A huge firework display, courtesy of Crewe Carnival partner’s Nemesis.

The Carnival will be officially opened by Crewe Mayor, Councillor Jacquie Weatherill.

For show times and a map of the site, download the PDF file from Cheshire East at http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/pdf/Programme%20inner.pdf.

New ways to listen

noreply@blogger.com (Dayve Dean) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:10:00 +0000

Our recent RSL has come to an end but you can still listen to The Cat every day through our website at www.thisisthecat.com by following the Listen Now link.

We have added some new audio streams specifically aimed at mobile phones so you can listen to The Cat while you're out and about. Choose the high streams when you have a good connection for better quality audio and the low streams for faster streaming on a slow connection.

If you have a car kit for your phone or can connect your phone to your car stereo you will also be able to continue listening to us in your car.

We are also available through several mobile phone apps including Nokia Mobile Internet Radio and several iPhone and Android apps. If we are not listed in the directory you may be able to add us manually by copying the links on the Listen Now page. Please let us know which apps you are using so we can spread the word - email dayve.dean@thisisthecat.com.

Thanks for your continued support of The Cat!

Raffle Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:52:00 +0000

If you weren't able to tune in today to listen to the raffle drawn live by Cheis Radford's children at 1 pm then listed below is a list of winners. We hope you are one of them, if not thanks for buying a ticket and supporting The Cat.

Cat Raffle
August 15th 2010

Winner
2 course meal at Rookery Wood
Julie (phone number provided)
Meal for 2 at The Cheshire Cat
Steve (phone number provided)
Relaxing Angelic Reiki
Kristian Davies
Physiotherapy treatment at CTC
Peter Hughes
Sports massage at CTC
Mhairi (phone number provided)
2 family passes to Palms tropical oasis
Rob Evans (phone number provided)
Ariba Wellbeing initial assessment session
Clare Morris
Studio portrait with Simon J Newbury
Adrian Hildred
Family season ticket for Crewe Heritage Centre
Hamish McNeil
2 bottles of wine
A Latham (phone number provided)
Indian Head Massage at CTC
Annabelle Baynes
Return ferry crossing (dover-Calais)
Cheryl Poulton
Premier sport football holiday camp
Marion Langley
Octagon CD by Dayve Dean
Marion Langley
Family season ticket for Crewe Heritage Centre
Eddie Bebbington
Heritage Centre complimnetary ticket
R Kavanagh
Heritage Centre complimnetary ticket
Juliette Bickerton
Heritage Centre complimnetary ticket
Ashley Smith
Heritage Centre complimnetary ticket
Tim Walton
Heritage Centre complimnetary ticket
Sam Morris
£10 voucher for Clewlows Butchers
Dennis Richardson
£5 Aroma coffee shop voucher
Bev Hughes
2 course meal at Ramada Encore
Mrs M Walker

Please contact the person who sold you the ticket and they will arrange to get the prize to you. Alternatively call or email us at the station and we'll arrange collection.

Final Chance For A Raffle Ticket

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 10:52:00 +0000

The Cat raffle is drawn live on air tomorrow (Sunday 15th August) at 1 pm. You've still got chance to support The Cat by purchasing a ticket online (see link "The Cat Raffle").

There are some great prizes on offer so don't miss out.

A full ist of prize winners will appear on the website.

The Cat Raffle

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:25:00 +0000

You've only got three days left to get a raffle ticket for our fantastic prize draw taking place live on the station this coming Sunday at 1 pm. Tickets are available online so please buy one or two, the range of prizes is listed further down this page.

Please remember all funds raised from the raffle go towards keeping The Cat online and towards our next FM broadcast (hopefully early in 2011). It costs somewhere in the region of £6000 to put a 28 day broadcast on so your support for The Cat is much appreciated whether it be buying one raffle ticket or advertising on the station.

A full list of prize winners will be made available on the latest news page of our web site.

We would like to thank all local businesses who have supported The Cat by offering a prize for the raffle and we hope that our listeners will show their support for these businesses too.

We will be continuing our shows on the web!

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:22:00 +0000

Yes, if you are now used to listening to The Cat on FM and don't want our 28 day trial broadcast to end then don't worry we are continuing our great shows via the internet.

A new programme guide will be available shortly so keep an eye out on this website but suffice to say most of your favourite programmes and presenters will be continuing on the web.

Elvis is in the building

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 21:27:00 +0000

Tune in to Chris Radford's breakfast show tomorrow (Tuesday) to hear Europe's number one Elvis impressionist, Paul Larcombe, live on air.

Paul will be performing as well as talking to Chris about his phenominal success as Elvis, he has performed all around the world and it is a great coup for The Cat to get Paul to visit the station.

Get your requests in early for your favourite Elvis songs, Paul might just sing it for you!

By the way I am talking about Presley and not Costello!

Ozfit Pain Threshold Test

noreply@blogger.com (Dayve Dean) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:25:00 +0000

Which Cat Presenter do you think is the biggest wimp?

The Cat goes out and about around Nantwich as Dayve Dean interviews Derek from the Ozfit Physiotheraphy Centre before he puts Dayve, Kev Lovell and Andrew 'Red Baron' Gregory through their paces in a pain threshold test using pressure points.

You could hear the screams in Crewe!

Check out the interview at thisisthecat.com/podcasts/ozfit.mp3.

The Cat to broadcast live from Vinefest

noreply@blogger.com (Albert Dean) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:31:00 +0000

Join The Cat at Vinefest in Shavington tomorrow (July 31st) where Steve Jay will be broadcasting live from 11 am through to 2 pm. There will be several Cat presenters on hand including Paul Senior and Dayve Dean to name but two.

Why not come down to say hello, who knows Twichy may also be making an appearance.