John Coster

Eighth review of Digital contention in a divided society published in Estudios Irlandeses

The eighth review of Digital Contention in a Divided Society has been published in Estudios Irlandeses . Sarah Ritt (University of Vienna) provides a very comprehensive reflection on the book's key themes.…

Leicester Community Media Spring Events I'm excited to share a set of community-focused activities taking place across Leicester in spring 2026 that may be of interest to volunteers and organisations involved in community media, local storytelling, and civic participation. These events offer practical opportunities to develop skills in community reporting, hosting and facilitating public activities, and sharing ideas about how local media contributes to a sense of belonging, shared history, and understanding of the places we live in and come from.

Exciting community events in Leicester this spring will explore language, heritage, radio, and local history. How might community media volunteers use these moments to build skills, share stories, and strengthen a sense of belonging in the places we live?

Delighted to be on the Board of Jurors for the 9th Kaduna International Film Festival from 25th August in Nigeria 🇳🇬 .... still open for submissions lnkd.in/edKFWwss

I dug into my storage boxes and brought a selection of radio’s and recording devices to talk about with visitors to the Saturday Heritage Fair organised by @docmediacentre.bsky.social

This was my view for the day at the Saturday Heritage Fair organised by @docmediacentre.bsky.social. We captures loads of great interviews and will post them out on @soarsound.uk next week 👏🏻

Harkesh from Evington Echo deep in conversation as a community reporter at today’s Saturday Heritage Fair organised by @docmediacentre.bsky.social and taking place at Leicester Adult Education College - a great venue!

We had a lot to talk about on our shared table with Sanskar Radio, Evington Echo, @soarsound.uk & @radiolear.uk. Thanks to @docmediacentre.bsky.social for a well run and lively Heritage Fair event today 👌🏻

It was lovely to spend the day chatting with other community media volunteers at the Saturday Heritage Fair organised by @docmediacentre.bsky.social

It’s always good when community reporters capture more and more stories because they just like chatting with interesting people. Thanks to @docmediacentre.bsky.social for a lovely Heritage Fair today 🙏🏻

Spotlight on Heritage – Scrapbooking with Tina Barton In this episode of Spotlight on Heritage, John Coster and Rob Watson meet artist and creative educator Tina Barton to talk about the value of scrapbooking as a way of preserving personal and family memories. Recorded in the Basement Gallery at the Leicester Adult Education Centre, the discussion looks ahead to the Saturday Heritage Fair, where Tina will be running a hands-on scrapbooking drop-in session alongside other creative workshops and displays. Tina describes scrapbooking as more than just a craft activity. It’s a way for people to explore their own stories, reconnect with the past, and record moments that might otherwise be lost.

How do we turn everyday memories into part of our shared heritage? In this week’s Spotlight on Heritage, Tina Barton talks with John Coster and Rob Watson about scrapbooking as a creative way to preserve personal stories. Listen now on Soar Sound Radio.

Final measure up in Hansom Hall .... our 9th FREE heritage event since 2015 hosted at the Leicester Adult Education Centre takes place this weekend on 11th October 10am-3pm .... join us at the Saturday Heritage Fair doc-media-centre.org/2025/09/07/s...

Heritage Fair next Saturday (11th). We will be there, if local, why not pop along !

In Leicester on DAB, and online...

Final measure up in Hansom Hall .... our 9th FREE heritage event since 2015 hosted at the Leicester Adult Education Centre takes place this weekend on 11th October 10am-3pm .... join us at the Saturday Heritage Fair doc-media-centre.org/2025/09/07/s...

Saturday Heritage Fair on 11th October (10:00-15:00) at the Leicester Adult Education Centre is open to the public to explore and engage with the display stands, free talks, documentary screening, and workshops on offer

doc-media-centre.org/2025/09/07/s...

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Saturday Heritage Fair on 11th October (10:00-15:00) at the Leicester Adult Education Centre is open to the public to explore and engage with the display stands, free talks, documentary screening, and workshops on offer

doc-media-centre.org/2025/09/07/s...

BBC Leicester’s “Only Station Made in Leicester” Claim – and What Came Next BBC Radio Leicester’s claim to be “the only station made in Leicester for Leicester” has been challenged, with the BBC now admitting the promotion overstated its case. In a Freedom of Information response, the BBC acknowledged the vital role of community radio, regretting the campaign overlooked their contribution. This episode highlights the importance of collaboration and respect across the city’s media landscape.

BBC Radio Leicester admitted it overstated its claim to be “the only station made in Leicester for Leicester.” How should recognition of community radio’s role shape the future of local broadcasting in a city with such diverse voices?

Saturday Heritage Fair Returns Saturday Heritage Fair is a FREE city centre heritage event on Saturday 11th October between 10:00-15:00 at the Leicester Adult Education Centre, 54 Belvoir Street, LE1 6QL. Saturday Heritage Fair …

Programme: Saturday Heritage Fair on 11th October (10:00-15:00) at the Leicester Adult Education Centre is open to the public to explore and engage with the display stands, free talks, documentary screening, and workshops on offer.
doc-media-centre.org/2025/09/07/s...

Thanks to the 8th Kaduna International Film Festival KADIFF team for making the S24 Television Film Production Unit so welcome ✊️ hope my involvement in the panel provided some helpful insight ... see you in 2026! Nigeria 🇳🇬

Who Will Help? Challenging the Narrative Around Personal Items in Heritage Spaces By John Coster, Director, Independent Heritage Network Imagine you’ve just experienced a bereavement. A box of personal belongings – school reports, passports, old photographs, perhaps mementos fro…

Who Will Help? Challenging the Narrative Around Personal Items in Heritage Spaces

doc-media-centre.org/2025/08/10/w...

Who Will Help? Challenging the Narrative Around Personal Items in Heritage Spaces By John Coster, Director, Independent Heritage Network Imagine you’ve just experienced a bereavement. A box of personal belongings – school reports, passports, old photographs, perhaps mementos fro…

Who Will Help? Challenging the Narrative Around Personal Items in Heritage Spaces

doc-media-centre.org/2025/08/10/w...

‘Suspended Disbelief’ Available on Amazon or directly from me at a discount price. The Holocaust. The darkest chapter in the history of humankind. A pivotal period in humanity’s struggle with the dangers of di…

My new website contains a page on my book on the Holocaust 'Suspended Disbelief'
julianharrisonconsultant.com/suspended-di...

ICYMI - join the Cities and Memory artist community on WhatsApp to chat with sound artists, musicians and field recordists from Birmingham to Borneo.

Stop by and introduce yourself - it's a great way to connect with like-minded folks: chat.whatsapp.com/IiXUvD7vWof8...

Leicester Leicester Libraries Reorganisation – Proposal for the Development of Community Media Hubs This proposal outlines an opportunity to integrate Community Media Hubs into Leicester’s network of libraries and community centres as part of the current reorganisation proposals by Leicester City Council. These hubs will serve as vital platforms for locally based civic participation, digital inclusion, media literacy, cultural, civic and democratic engagement—offering residents the means to share their voices, stories, and knowledge through a range of community-driven media formats.

Could your local library become a space for storytelling, podcasts, and community news? We’re proposing Community Media Hubs as part of the Leicester libraries consultation. What do you think? Share your views and help shape the future of our libraries.

Great post, Rob

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It's really great to work with @docmediacentre.bsky.social on these programmes. We are carving out a niche space to explore and discuss ideas related to art, culture and heritage in Leicester and beyond...

Exciting news! We have a brand new sound player that allows you to explore our full database of 7,000+ sounds in lots of new ways.

You can search by artist name, by country, city or any title keyword, as well as selecting sounds from individual projects. Check it out: citiesandmemory.com#player