Former BBC Radio Derby presenter Sally Pepper joins forces with Erewash Sound

Former BBC Radio Derby presenter Sally Pepper is joining forces with Erewash Sound to add her new podcast, ‘Truly, Madly, Derby’ to the station’s weekly schedule. Sally’s aim of this hour-long programme is to put Derby and Derbyshire on the map.

Speaking to Erewash Sound Breakfast Show presenter Paul Stacey, in what was her first appearance on the radio since leaving the BBC around 12 months ago, Sally said that in that time, she had set up her own media business ‘Pepper Dawes Media’ and had also been doing lots of work with lots of businesses and organisations, writing a column for Derbyshire Life Magazine, and coaching and making podcasts teaching people how to make their own media.

She said: “Little did I know, because I’ve been in my little bubble of broadcasting, that when you’re let loose into the big wide world, where real stuff happens, you think “This is it – this is a thing is it?”. It has been a very weird turnaround and, I guess, re-inventing myself.  When you get to my age, you think you’re settled and that you’re going to do your own thing, but I imagine there are lots of people that have been in the same boat as me that have had a career that comes to a halt and you ask what you’re going to do.  It is quite terrifying but also exhilarating and you take your time to find the right path and then you’re off and running.”

Speaking about her return to broadcasting, Sally said: “I can’t escape broadcasting too long, because I’ve done it all of my life. I can’t talk to a wall at home – I want to know that someone is listening.  I’m so passionate about Derby and Derbyshire – I’m a Derbyshire lass through and through.  I know, as a Derbyshire lass, that we’re really good at moaning and seeing the negative in things but the whole idea is that no negativity is allowed – it is about celebrating everything about Derby and Derbyshire and getting lots of good voices on, shouting about what we’re doing.”

“You switch whatever channel or station on and there is always something grim as the news is the news. I’ve not got to follow anyone’s agenda. I have a free rein. It is all positive, it is all celebratory and there will be moments and people that some will recognise from my BBC days who have come with me and want to do things with me, certain voices and things that we do.  It is going to be an hour with me a week, and a very mini radio show.”

Although ‘Truly, Madly, Derby’ will also be available online, Sally acknowledged that this isn’t always an accessible platform for everyone.  She said: “I know that some people don’t understand podcasts and that is where Erewash Sound comes in.”

Paul said that with Sally appearing on Erewash Sound, listeners could drop into it and did not have to try and find it on line.  Sally said: “I get it. I’ve had some people saying that they had heard of podcasts, but were asking what they are. Most people have smartphones these days, but if you say “No, that’s really beyond me, it is too new, I don’t like change”, it is alright - you’ll be able to find it, old school, on an FM frequency so nobody will miss it”.

She confirmed that ‘Truly, Madly, Derby’ will be for Derby and Derbyshire, with lots of different local voices, celebrating the city and the county, things that you can be part of and things that are happening, and with a chance that ‘Pepper’s Pub Quiz’ could make a return for those that remember it: “All good fun and what people expect from Sally Pepper.”

Sally said that she has lots of voices ready to go but is always looking for stories and added that she wants to hear from anyone who wants to interact simply to say they are listening or if they want to feature on the show, asking them to get in touch via email to trulymadlyderby @ pepperdawesmedia.com or through Erewash Sound via their website at erewashsound.com or via e-mail to info @ erewashsound.com.  An excited Sally said: “I just can’t wait, it’s going to be very interactive and I want everyone to be involved and part of it – that is the way I’ve always broadcast.”

The new podcast ‘Truly, Madly, Derby’ launches on all podcast apps from Friday 11th October and starts on Erewash Sound on Sunday 13th October at 7am, repeated at 7pm.