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Welcome to the Dave Porter Blog

Dave Porter

Everyone else has a blog these days, why shouldn’t I! As you may know, I have been in broadcasting for many years. This blog is just an extension of that, it’s an opportunity for me to share my thoughts on whatever subject attracts my attention. Comments are welcome!

We’re lucky really.

We’re lucky really.

Eight years ago, in an office in Spain, I signed a piece of paper to agree to buy an apartment. At the time I didn't have a clue whether we would be able to afford it, find the deposit, or get a mortgage. I figured that if I couldn't manage it, there was not much they...

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Devastated doesn’t begin to cover it.

Devastated doesn’t begin to cover it.

We have said for a long time now, that when Nick goes to University and leaves home we would probably sell our home and downsize a little. That time has come, in fact Nick is in his second year at Leeds College of Music already. So we came home to the UK from Spain...

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All change

All change

Thirty four years ago, in response to an ad in the broadcast press, I sent a demo tape to Metro Radio. I was invited for an interview, so headed for Swalwell, Newcastle upon Tyne. The interview was conducted by Mic Johnson and the late John Coulson, after which I was...

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TV Licensing, it IS criminal.

TV Licensing, it IS criminal.

The BBC News website is reporting that the government are thinking of changing the rules about TV licences. Not paying the TV licence fee could become a civil offence, rather than a criminal one, under plans being considered by ministers. This is good, you are hardly...

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Oh my God, I’m old

Oh my God, I’m old

Yesterday was my sixtieth birthday, I was having a depressing day, until we went to the Northumberland County Show. We walked there as we live near to its new home in Bywell. There were cars everywhere, people abandon cars, BMWs at that, in some ridiculous places....

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It’s really rather clever

It’s really rather clever

The football season is over, I think, it's never really over is it. This year Newcastle United, a football club, announced that they had signed up a new sponsor. Apparently you can have a sponsor for different things, a shirt sponsor and a stadium sponsor for...

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Charge fat people more

Charge fat people more

I think really fat people should be charged more on airlines. We all pay for our ticket but some people use up more of the fuel hauling around their great big fat stomachs. Also they should increase the Air Passenger Duty for these people, this will mean that the...

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For sale – beware of the sites you visit.

For sale – beware of the sites you visit.

Fancy a nice new pair of shoes? You can do the old fashioned thing and buy them in a shop, or you can buy them online. Just be careful where you get them from. Here is a nice pair of shoes that I have found online on two different websites, at two different prices,...

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Is this a children’s book author?

Is this a children’s book author?

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that J K Rowling's first novel for adults, The Casual Vacancy, is a dark and somewhat depressing novel dealing with adult themes. Depressing themes such as drug addition, self-abuse, teenage sex, death - and Parish Councillors. I...

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If I could start again ..

If I could start again ..

The irony of it is not lost on me. Just a couple of weeks ago Helen and I went to a party for my good friend Paddy MacDee, to celebrate his forty years in the radio industry in the North East. The great and the good, and the not so good, of North East broadcasting...

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Still some quality about

Still some quality about

The demise of British radio is very sad, but perhaps it's had its day. I feel lucky to have worked in the radio industry during the 'good days'. The 1970's - 1990's were the good days when radio was vibrant, fun and creative. In the old days you picked the music you...

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Ding Dong – Fail!

Ding Dong – Fail!

So, the official chart is out and the song that people have been buying in the aftermath of the death of Margaret Thatcher, has failed to make it to number one. As I said in my last post on this subject, it now takes very little to get into the single chart in the UK....

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Distasteful perhaps, stupid – definitely

Distasteful perhaps, stupid – definitely

In the 1960's there was only one way to buy music, you had to go to a 'record shop' and hand over your money. A 'single' in those days cost six shillings and eight pence, you could therefore buy three for a pound. I remember once as a boy being asked if I'd like a...

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No, they have got it all wrong

No, they have got it all wrong

I like to read, it's relaxing, informative and entertaining. I'll read all sorts of book, I've just read a book by a woman I met not so long ago. It's called 'I'm Still Standing' by Mel Carnegie. It's the harrowing story of her life and how she lost both parents at a...

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America needs to do this now.

America needs to do this now.

I am disappointed that I am again having to blog about gun control in America. I last blogged about this in September when police shot nine people on the streets of New York. But following the terrible tragedy at Newtown, Connecticut, I agree with President Obama,...

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