Dave's Blog

  Standing The Norm On Its' Head There are a number of "common sense" rules for running a successful business and it is my contention that one of the most important has been immortalised by Sir Richard Branson!) In my early days working for the Boots Company Ltd. it was impressed upon me that the customer was always right (even if they were wrong)!  This statement is a maxim that still holds true today. The belief and standing instruction was   "always take care of the customer!" Every business course I have ever attended has always placed its' focus on the same point - that being - the customer is "king" and must always be "taken care of and put first!".  However, Mr Branson has added a further dimension to this!  He has taken the situation, and stood it on its head, and I have to say that I totally agree with him! He states "Clients Do Not Come First!  Employees Come First!  If you take care of your employees, they will take care o...

So having completed our fact-finding mission Dave and I submitted our findings to the Council, but (to cut a long story short) the project was curtailed because Dave had accepted a promotion and that meant he had to move to another local authority. This effectively brought an end to the plans as far as we were concerned and I returned to working with music and musicians, and dreaming of someday having a radio presence. Eventually I moved to Devon  (where I still live) - a move that proved to be very worthwhile. I retrained and reskilled and became qualified as a life coach but I also set up an artist management business and predominantly began working with bands.  For one particular band I put together a major 6 week tour (something that they had never done before) and took them to have 3 tracks recorded in a professional studio (owned at the time by 10cc's touring keyboard player Steve)  During this tour I became acquainted with a number of local radio presenters that re...

Hi today is a crisp late summer day here in North Devon and I have been out and about – it feels like autumn is just around the corner. My car has now been serviced and MOT need and the bill will arrive with me soon. So today I feel that I want to give you just a little insight regarding some of the work I do…… One of my earliest productions (Musical Director) I am a therapist, life coach and musician on my own account  But professionally.... . For many years I have been involved in the entertainment industry – playing in bands, broadcasting, and for the past 20 years or so I have been a senior member of a team in a company that provides theatrical drapes and backdrops plus lighting effects to the World’s entertainment industry Working with this company has enabled me to experience places that I could only dream off as a child and meeting people that I have only been able to admire from afar. However I still remember the words that my Dad said to me when I was a teenager and I had ...

Hi and welcome to the third part of this series of insights into my life that was leading to:- how I became and still am a broadcaster (and more) It has been an interesting journey for me and filled with WoW moments all along the way. So when we left the story last time I promised a bit of a wow moment so here goes….. Dave Wycherley and I were tasked by Halton Borough Council to investigate how they could help the up-and-coming musicians of Widnes and Runcorn.  After some research we identified that around the county several local authorities had provided Rehearsal space (the old church/the citadel) but others had gone a stage further and had provided recording facilities. So we just had to go and investigate! The first place we went to was a “studio“ near Ormskirk – sadly this was a great example of how not to build a recording studio – it was basically a rehearsal space – and even that was definitely lacking. It was located in the heart of an industrial estate without any form of...

Welcome to today’s post I have 1st to apologise for missing yesterday’s (thanks to a rather upset tummy) Because of this we were unable to go to the caravan and sadly had to disappoint the friends we were supposed to be meeting there. That said today I feel a lot more like my normal self and have just come back from a walk around the pier and harbour in the sunshine. It is surprising that there is a high number of people around – the car parks are full, boats appear to be fully laden as they make their way out into the open ocean (or channel) The water is really calm and a beautiful shade of blue. The shops and restaurants along the harbour side appear to be doing a brisk trade as are the gift shops and all along the harbour you lungs are filled with the heady mix of sea air and the aroma of Fish and Chips.      oooOOOooo Thanks for being there and thank you for reading this post! Please check back again on Monday for the next update Have a great day, be safe be careful a...

Good Morning and Merrie Meet Welcome to today's blog! "Flat Calm - next stop America"  It is a beautiful, blue sky day and as you can see in the photo the sea is a wonderful Flat Calm. It is at times like this when living in North Devon has significant plus points that come into play. The crowds have diminished, the roads are much quieter and safer and we are able to enjoy the late Summer Sunshine in comfort. This weekend is #3 with friends and the caravans, it is also "hopefully" the last one we will spend with a leaking shower unit. If I am lucky, I might get some time to write a few forward posts for the blogs, get some lyrics on paper for the latest album I want to record PLUS get some more photographs up on the Moor. BUT THEN AGAIN -  I may do none of those things and just CHILL! We will have to see. Anyway - whatever you choose to do with your weekend make it a great one and enjoy oooOOOooo Thanks for being there and thank you for reading this post! Please...

Hi and welcome to my Personal Blog At 7.30am this morning I was on a mission!   Image - ©2021 wytchwynd photography We had run out of black rubbish bags and the alarming way we generate rubbish chez nous means that this was a far from satisfactory situation. So whilst I was wandering the streets making my way to the local Premier store that proudly proclaims that it is open at 7.30am every morning, there we the normal people exercising both themselves and their pampered pooches BUT there were NO BLACK BAGS anywhere because the early morning shop was CLOSED! But, what I did come across was the stunning sight of the Landmark Theatre bathed in the most beautiful morning sunlight and standing against a stunning backdrop of grey clouds interspersed with patches of blue sky.   I was so in awe of the sight I just had to take the photograph for this blog. ......and what of the black bags? A friendly neighbour just happened to have a spare one and saved the day! oooOOOooo Tha...

Hi and welcome to my Personal Blog  Now I am the first to admit that I am not a full on eco-warrior but I do feel that trees being under an unnecessary threat (in my personal opinion) is not only bad for the trees in question, it will ultimately have an effect upon the environment (which may not be so good for us either!)* ©2021 wytchwynd photography To elaborate:- This tree has stood happily (to the bes t of my knowledge) and has been doing no harm to anyone for the past 20+ years. But now all of a sudden and "in the name of progress" it is in danger! I know that during the past 18 months, whilst being a necessary part of the eco system, it has also provided a home for a family of Magpies, something that had not been seen in any quantity on this section of the industrial estate prior to the Covid situation. So although it may be too late to stop the tree being removed and the verge being ripped up to make way for a footpath that will possibly never be used, I urge you to thi...

Hi and welcome to the first part in a series of posts about my life as the presenter of radio shows and the twists and turns along the way...... I thought that this way I could provide a small insight into another aspect of my life  - that of "The Merlin" - presenter on  Cauldron FM (The Sound Of Magick)   and  Capstone Radio - the sound of the North Devon Coast I began my radio "career" over 20 years ago when I was invited to be a guest on a radio station that was broadcasting under a Restricted Service Licence (meaning it was allowed to broadcast on FM for 4 weeks.  It was designed to provide a community based broadcast. The one I joined was HaltonFM and it was broadcasting to Runcorn / Widnes and part way towards Warrington. The presenter of the show I was on was a man called Dave Pichilingi (a name that was destined to become quite well known).  He went on to be a significant player within the local community - becoming a senior member of the staff at P...

Hi and welcome to this personal blog page of a self confessed hippie child of the 60's.  I was no stranger to the sounds of the "Underground" (and not the ones referred to in that famous pop song by Girls Aloud - a song that I did actually like) music scene. However, this photograph is the nearest thing I got to the cult movie  "Easy Rider" as I personally cannot be doing with motor bikes.  Unfortunately, I cannot credit the photographer because I have no idea who it was - but if it was you and you can tell me exactly when and where it was taken I will happily add a credit to your image. So moving on, the reason for this post being called "Waterlogged" and the attending image is the fact that some days I feel like that and the weekend just gone contained one of them. We had a lovely day on Saturday - went shopping (maybe spent a little more than we should have done), then we went for a lovely meal in Exeter (thank you Tina) and then took a steady and e...

Hi it's Dave Welcome to Friday's post from "Yours Truly" After bending you ear yesterday about "stuff" I decided that today I would write a lighter post.  Later today we are heading off to cause madness and mayhem at our caravan - we being Alison, Tina and I. ©2010 wytchwynd photography  ©2010 wytchwynd photography However the adventure really began last night (Thursday) when Alison and I had to go to our friends and  fellow caravan owners - The Stewart Family to pick up something affectionately known as "The Twatting Hammer" (I hope I have the strength to wield it). This remarkable piece of kit is ideal for knocking the pegs into the hard standing area (which almost has the strength of concrete) so we will be able to put the awning up. But first we have an important funeral to attend tomorrow morning and then back to the local golf club for a buffet.   Then mid afternoon I will be heading off to pick up the girls and away we go for our mad weekend...

Hi and welcome to today's blog post called "Getting Back To Normal" After the midsummer madness that takes over North Devon dies down, life returns to its' calmer, relaxed, chilled out state of being.  The beaches become much less populated, the litter mountains disappear, the roads return to being roads instead of pedestrian walkways interspersed with the inconvenient things called cars....... and generally life becomes much better! ©2021 wytchwynd photography Now please don't get me wrong   because I really do appreciate the fact that visitors bring a lot of revenue into the North Devon cash registers - holiday camps, shops, bars, transportation etc.  And this year, more than ever, their return has brought that much welcomed revenue in spades!   But that said, there is always a flip side....... .... this year it has been more noticeable than ever (because of the restrictions placed on travel to foreign parts) - that these increased visitor numbers bring with the...

Hi everyone it's DAve Thank you for joining me on today's blog post.   Today is Wednesday and I really hope that it is less hectic than yesterday.  After a full day at the office and with Alison confined to bed after a very disturbed night I had to go to Barnstaple after work and collect a replacement fridge, because the other one "bit the dust" Photo: "Three Suns"  ©2021 wytchphotog The photograph featured above almost got me into trouble........ I spotted the reflection of the sun in three different places at the same time and because it was an unusual sight I decided to capture the image - well people thought I was "casing the joint" and they threatened to "call the Police" until I explained what I was doing and showed them the image. Because of the water situation at the caravan we checked with Tina about her impending visit at the weekend and her response was a very definite "of course I am coming to our caravan, why wouldn'...

Hi and thank you for joining me on't blog today.  One which I am sorry to say is about venting off steam following recent events and a potentially ruined weekend away. Recently I had my caravan serviced and when I collected it I was told that they had discovered a small water leak - despite this "leak" not having manifest itself at any time prior to this service.  I was also told that they had managed to sort it out and that everything should be fine going forwards. Having parted with over £350 for said service, we took the caravan back to site and were really looking forwards to a nice, relaxing weekend with our friends. We arrived on site during Friday afternoon and went through all the set up processes and then with that done, we decided to make a drink.   I connected the water and when I went back out to get some more things from the car, the person next door told me that he had tightened the connection fitting because it was leaking. I thanked him and went back ...

Hi and today is the 1st September - where on earth has that year gone? I don't know about you but it really does not feel that long since we were celebrating my birthday back in January! So today I feel like talking a little about my love of the entertainment industry.  I came into this life at a very early age and despite all of his efforts Dad did not win the battles. Quite the contrary - he often spoke with pride about the work that the company I am part of do and my role within that company.  He marvelled at the fact that the work we do transports people into a different world for a couple of hours. And as I head towards my 21st year as a full time participant in this world of magick and entertainment,  it still does not feel real! -  b u t t h e n a g a i n Is it real or is it all an illusion?  

Hi it's DAve Well after a really nice weekend the time has come to go back to work but thankfully it is only a four day week. Yesterday  as I was walking up to collect my car from where it had been parked all over the weekend.  I spotted this in a tree - lined avenue in Ilfracombe.  I don't know what other people think but I personally think it is a thing of beauty. ©2021 Wytchwynd Photography I was going to add something else today but for the life of me I cannot remember what it was.  So on that note I am going to say BFN (Bye For Now) and I will be back again soon. Have a great day, Be safe, be careful and above all DON'T PREDICT THE FUTURE - CREATE IT! DAve

 Today is Owen’s birthday (how he managed to get to 19 nobody knows!) and he is well on the way to becoming a fully qualified electrician.  So he will soon be someone who has a career for life. Dawn has gone off to her new job this morning - talk about a baptism of fire!  It’s her first day with a new family and they are going for a walk up to The Cairn and over The Torrs (one of 3 hills that form part of the 3 Peaks Challenge - Best of Luck Dawn! Alison and I had planned a trip to Barnstaple prior to us all getting together at Adey’s for birthday afternoon. As things turned out I had to head over to Kentisbury to collect my Reel to Reel tape deck from a friend’s widow.   On the way home I and many other vehicles were diverted off the main road as a result of an accident on the “coast road”.  That diversion took well over an hour to get through. As a result the get together was relocated to our house and very pleasant it was too plus it meant we were able to see...

Today we decided that we needed to go to PC World, Barnstaple in order to try again to collect Dawn's watch, however, the watch had still not been delivered as had been advised.  It seems that the driver had been running late and as a result he decided that he would give up - so no items were delivered to the store.  That now means she has no idea when the watch will be delivered. After that we decided to head over to Lynmouth and go somewhere for Sunday Lunch.  We selected the Beggars Roost and made our way there, arriving in good time for lunch.  I went to pick up the menus and was horrified to discover the the prices were:- 1 course £17 each, 2 courses £23 each, and the full 3 courses £27 each and all of those prices did not include drinks! So from there we drove to the Hunter's Inn near Heddon's Mouth where we had a wonderful meal and drinks for a much more reasonable £51. Having eaten we took a steady drive back to Ilfracombe via Combe Martin ( the village that ...

Hi I thought I would tell you a little bit of background information without pre-empting the book that will be written one day in the not near future.  It is a progressing work so here are a few things that you may (or may not) know about me 1. I am a musician 2. I am a photographer 3. I am a father 4. I am a husband 5. I love Aston Martins (but have not yet owned one) - and have held a Competition Driving Licence 6. I try to be eco - friendly (hence the electric chariot) 7. I am a life coach / Personal Development Consultant 8. I have been involved in entertainment all of my life 9. My wife once said "anyone that goes out with Dave Baxter wants their head looking at!" 10. We are approaching our "Golden" Wedding So there you go Thank you for taking the time to read this piece of stuff Have great day,  Live a life of Power and Passion, Be safe, Be careful,  And above all  remember Don't Predict The Future - CREATE IT! DAve xx