The Echo Dispatch

Jason Lewis

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Throughout this series, Bournemouth Daily Echo chief reporter Jason Lewis seeks out some of Dorset's most interesting characters to find out about their journey, what motivates them and more. Each episode includes a detailed interview covering a wide range of subjects and themes.

09/19/2022

Tributes and memories: Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

In a special episode of the Echo Dispatch podcast, Jason spoke who three people from Dorset who all moving words to share about Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her family. The episode features interviews with the son of six-time Mayor of Christchurch Eric Spreadbury, a former Dorset Police chief constable who received a Queen's Police Medal and a 90-year-old baker who helped make nine cakes for the Royal Family including wedding and anniversary cakes for the Queen.

21 min
09/05/2022

Historic bus firm mobilisation to keep passengers moving

In the 14th episode of the Echo Dispatch, Jason visited the headquarters of operator Morebus to interview managing director Andrew Wickham. It has been a unique summer for the bus sector in Bournemouth following the collapse of Yellow Buses after 120 years of trading. Andrew and the team at Morebus mobilised in days to take on the routes vacated by Yellow Buses and also recruited dozens of drivers who had lost their jobs. During the interview Andrew discussed how they pulled this off and the real fears he had for his firm's future during the early stages of the Covid pandemic. The transport industry veteran also discussed recent issues of congestion and anti-social behaviour towards buses.

34 min
08/01/2022

Leaving a legacy after 18 years leading school

In the 13th episode of the Echo Dispatch, Jason went to Bournemouth School for Girls to meet Alistair Brien in the final week of his time as headteacher. Alistair had been at the helm of the large school for 18 years and experienced all sorts of tests in this time. During the interview he discussed how the role of a headteacher had changed, what he was most proud of in his time at BSG and the challenge Covid created for schools. The member of the magic circle also explained the advice he had given to his successor and what the future holds for him.

20 min
07/04/2022

Strike by strike to become the world's best

In the 12th episode of The Echo Dispatch, Jason chatted over Zoom with Verity Crawley, the Bournemouth-born ten-pin bowling star. Verity, who lives in the United States of America, is Britain's only female professional athlete in the sport and she dreams of one day becoming world champion. During the episode, Verity discusses how she first found a love for ten-pin bowling and the how she trains to compete with the other leading names in the biggest events. She also details how her bowling ball is different from one you might use at your local lane on a birthday party and the difficult experience she faced with securing her visa last year.

23 min
06/06/2022

On a mission to support country's homeless veterans

In the 11th episode of The Echo Dispatch, Jason sits down with David Wood, chief executive of Poole-based charity Helping Homeless Veterans UK. The organisation was founded in September 2019 and since then, despite challenges created by the pandemic, the all-volunteer team has supported more than 230 veterans. During the episode, David discusses his own personal experiences which led to him dedicating his time to supporting veterans. He also details the work the charity does, his dream project which is edging towards completion and his opinion on what more could be done by Government and local authorities to support veterans. **Content warning: This episode contains conversations about mental health and suicide.**

31 min
04/04/2022

Leading NHS hospitals through a pandemic and a merger

In the 10th episode of The Echo Dispatch, Jason speaks with Debbie Fleming shortly before her retirement from the position of chief executive of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. Debbie called time on a 38-year career in the National Health Service at the end of March 2022. The former Poole Hospital chief executive was involved in the huge merger of the NHS trusts in east Dorset and more recently oversaw an annual budget of £700million. During the episode, Debbie discusses the resposibility her senior NHS position carries, the importance of ensuring staff embrace the trust's values and how frontline workers responded to the Covid pandemic. She also provides an insight on her words of wisdom for her successor and how the need to address the challenges in adult social care in what was her final media interview.

29 min
03/07/2022

Botanical brilliance at Dorset's first gin distillery

In the ninth episode of The Echo Dispatch, Jason speaks with Conker Spirit founder and head conkerer Rupert Holloway. The former desk-bound quantity surveyor launched Dorset's first gin distillery in 2014. He now sells gin and coffee liqueur products internationally from a base in Southbourne. During the episode, Rupert discusses the importance of moving on from mistakes, finding a gap in the market and the business's future focus on sustainability. He also shares the story of how he stumbled upon the name Conker Spirit and the advice he would give himself if he could travel back in time.

30 min
02/07/2022

An inside experience of working in the ambulance service

In the eighth episode of The Echo Dispatch, Jason speaks with senior paramdeic George Bell-Starr. Having worked on the frontline in ambulances in the midlands and more recently in Dorset, George now works in primary care. During the episode, George discusses his route into becoming a paramedic, the incredible feeling of saving someone's life and the tough experiences that come with the job. He also provides an insight in the field of event medicine and advice for those considering a career in the ambulance service. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

25 min

Throughout this series, Bournemouth Daily Echo chief reporter Jason Lewis seeks out some of Dorset's most interesting characters to find out about their journey, what motivates them and more. Each episode includes a detailed interview covering a wide range of subjects and themes.

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Jason Lewis
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2K
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15
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Clean
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The Echo Dispatch