‘STOKIE’ Nanna to co-host a brand new show celebrating her home City
A Stoke-on-Trent Nanna is set to feature in a brand new show which will be broadcast on New Year’s Eve.
After months of searching for a local Nanna – Marie Bird, of Trentham – was chosen by the team at Claybody Theatre to join experienced radio and events presenter Dan Townley for the Hootennana show.
Mum of two Marie (pictured) works as a community and engagement activity co-ordinator for The Indi Club and has never before had any experience in the arts or media industry – until now.
The 50-year-old, who also has a 14-month old granddaughter, will not only be co-hosting with Dan, but will also be interviewing various guests at the ‘Hoot Party’ for the show, which will be available to stream for free online from 8pm on New Year’s Eve.
“I have never, ever done anything like this in my life,” says Marie.
“I had met Deborah (McAndrew) and Conrad (Nelson) from Claybody Theatre a few times and they said they were searching for a local Nanna to co-host the show – which is to celebrate Stoke as well as all of our brilliant Nannas.
“But when they asked me to do this I couldn’t believe it. I never imagined I’d be asked to co-host a show and it’s been amazing to be involved.
“I’ve loved getting to know Dan. He has been great and helped to really put me at ease.”
Dan said: “Marie is absolutely fantastic and an incredible personality – the moment I met her, I knew she was going to be brilliant and I’m sure everyone watching Hootenanna will say the same thing.
“She is exactly what we were looking for – a proper Stokie nanna with bags of personality.”
As well as gaining a whole new experience, Marie says being a part Hootenanna has also helped to change her own outlook on the City she has always called home.
“Being a part of Hootennana has been a massive learning curve for me. You don’t realise just what goes on behind the scenes of something like this and how much work is involved,” adds Marie.
“It’s been an unbelievable experience, but it has also made me think of Stoke-on-Trent differently too.
“Our City can get such a negative press at times and sometimes people from the area put themselves and where they live down, but Hootenanna is really something positive for Stoke and it’s great to have more good things publicised.
“I have felt very proud of Stoke since I started on the show. I’ve learned about so many great things and have made relationships with some brilliant people – I feel very proud of where I’m from and we need more things like this.”
Deborah McAndrew, artistic director of Claybody Theatre, said: “It’s been a busy time searching for a local Nanna and we were over the moon when Marie agreed to co-host with Dan – the two make a great duo and will no doubt put a smile on everyone’s faces.
“The Hootenanna party room is going to be a very busy one on New Year’s Eve – but it’s also going to be a fantastic evening celebrating the City of Stoke-on-Trent.”
Hootenanna will be streamed online via Claybody Theatre’s website – www.claybodytheatre.com – on New Year’s Eve from 8pm.
Those watching will be able to experience the Hootenanna ‘party room’ in the build up to ringing in the new year at midnight where Dan and Marie will be greeting and chatting to guests.
A team of six community reporters will also be sharing news plus there will be a host of surprises and celebrity guests popping in to say hello. A special headline band will soon be revealed.
Claybody Theatre are based at the Dipping House, Spode Works, Stoke, and received funding from Arts Council England – which is Lottery Funded – and Stoke-on-Trent City Council for Hootenanna.
