New podcast telling stories of Fifers launches online fundraiser
A new podcast which tells the stories of people in Fife has launched a taster broadcaster, and an online fundraiser.
Former Fife College student Lewis Harrower is behind ‘Life In Fife’ and is currently raising funds to create a full series and start building the online archive of stories.
The audio producer’s teaser podcast features Stephen Reid, a 95 year old man from North Queensferry who is the last living captain of the Queensferry Passage Ferries that crossed the Forth from 1934 to 1964 before the opening of the Forth Road Bridge. It shares his story of love, teamwork, hard graft and even a Royal visit.
Stephen also recollects the time a deckhand ran out of the pub, jumped, and missed the boat when he thought they were leaving without him.
He recalled: “This deckhand came running down the pier and he shouted “I’m coming Steve! I’m coming!” and I says “No, we’re just shifting the boat roun’.” but he run to the boat and jumped for the boat and he never would have made it in three, he just went right intae the water”
The preview episode is available now on streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music.
Lewis aims to add full recordings to the online archive for everyone to access.
His fundraising deadline is Wednesday, July 22 and he needs people to donate just over £1000 to reach the target amount as up to £250 from each person who donates will be matched by Creative Scotland.
He said: “People have said remembering a place like this is important and have agreed with me that Fife has so many stories to tell and the people within it even more so. When people talk about who inspires them it is usually someone in their community and I want to take that feeling, bottle it up, share it with everyone and take it into the future.”
The funds raised will help to set up the project, provide resources to go out and record and build an online home for the archive and podcast. If you donate £15 you can claim art prints from ‘Fife Painter’ Kerry Hogg and for businesses and organisations there are sponsorship opportunities to claim.
You can donate at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/life-in-fife-archive-podcast or by searching “Life in Fife” on the Crowfunder website.