Lorna Windham
Lorna Windham is a retired teacher and a prize winning author. She is also a poet, producer and director. She has written three history books: 'Crime and Punishment', 'Deaths, Disasters and Dastardly Deeds' and 'Murder Mystery and Mayhem'; three novels: 'The Jacobite's Daughter', 'The Rebel and the Redcoat' and 'The Jacobite Affair' and her poems have been included in several anthologies such as 'Coble Coast', Castle Coast' and Carbon Coast'. As a commissioned playwright, her audio plays have been broadcast on Hive radio and one, 'The Tenth Bord' has been performed script in hand.
Andrew Ball
Andrew Ball was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire on 6th October 1980, Andrew Michael Ball would spend his first 7 years 'down south' before relocating with his parents to South Shields, Tyne and Wear, where he's lived ever since. With A levels from Sunderland College in the 2 subjects he's most interested in, Media and History, and a passion for all forms of British comedy past and present, he's pursued a career in Admin and Voice Over work, and is keen to put either skill to good use -along with his own talent for acting - wherever possible.
Ann Ridley
Through the decades, Ann has had a whale of a time - Walking the Pennine Way (in one go over three weeks); backpacking around India and Nepal for six months; working as a primary teacher, nurse and actress in the North-East to pay the bills . . . enjoying studying on various college and Uni courses for qualifications for such work. Also, dancing in groups for sprightly older folk, and, since 2010, singing, playing the ukulele, melodeon and triangle, in a 6 piece ‘30s band - ‘Horace Silverman and the White Gardenias’ – for the sheer fun of it. (Her husband is the long-suffering band leader, otherwise it’s highly unlikely she would have been accepted in it!). Ann has two grown-up sons of whom she’s immensely proud.
John Caffery
John Caffery is age 68 he is married
and has three daughters and six grandchildren. John is a retired Joiner and his interests include: Family history; local and local military history. He was also a keen fisherman and budgie breeder.
Micheal Kean
Mick Kean is 67years old and worked in construction for 45 years. Mick has two sons and four grandchildren. His hobbies include: playing guitar; writing songs; walking; gardening; meeting people; driving and the radio drama group.
Delphine Blenkinsop
Delphine loved Drama and English at school, and with another friend was recommended to join Northumberland Youth Theatre by Trevor Nunn; but any career would have been short lived as she developed MS in her 20's. Delphine has had a speckled employment path since then but for a brief period was at 'Soundings', a local Talking Book company. She is now eagerly looking forward to the next production from the Hive Radio Storytellers!
David Bye
David is a retired teacher who lives in Northumberland.
His interests include: social history, drama, folk song, film, reading and railway modelling.
He is a member of the Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Genealogy Project.
Diane Gray
Diane is an award winning radio producer. She has an MA in Radio Production from the University of Sunderland and has many years experience in community radio management. She has worked in industry and has a background in training and workshop delivery.
Fiona Setch
Fiona Setch started writing aged 18, when she was an au pair in Milan, Italy enjoying expressing her experiences through letter writing. Returning to Newcastle and training as a nurse, Fiona enjoyed her nursing career working with patients with HIV / AIDS in London before returning to her Geordie roots. Retraining in teaching and coaching adults, Fiona works as a Coach in the North East. Fiona has written several articles about coaching at work, motivational skills, team development and a book Chapter about Looking after yourself. Joining Hive Storytellers has been the highlight of Fiona’s Lockdown where she enjoyed contributing to “ Lowdown in Lockdown”.
Ben Hudson
Ben has a teaching and training background and is a qualified NVQ assessor. He has worked in the voluntary and community sector for many years. Ben is also a musician and currently plays in two bands. He is a composer and song writer and plays several instruments. He also presents the Folk Programme on Hive Radio.
Chris Jackson
Chris is a recently retired Paediatric Nurse, and although she has kept diaries and journals, and written the odd poem over the years she is relatively new to the group and creative writing. She is hoping to improve her skills within audio drama with help from this very supportive group.