BBC Radio Foyle

12/10/2026

Chef Shauna's Roast Cabbage
👓The Mark Patterson Show👓
[12.45]

Today Chef Shauna Froydenlund is fully embracing the change in the season ...

"Hi Mark, we’re now well and truly getting into the comfort food season! My recipe today is one of my favourite vegetables and my go to Autumn / Winter accompaniment with pretty much any roast or stew I cook at home. But to be honest it goes so well with a bit of steak or fish too. In my opinion it’s the best way to cook cabbage to get the most flavour out of it!

Roasted cabbage
Serves 2 as a generous accompaniment to a meal. You’ll also need a large, oven proof saucepan with a lid.

INGREDIENTS
1x Large pointed cabbage
2x Tbsp of rapeseed or vegetable oil
2x Cloves garlic
30g Butter
50ml Water

METHOD
- Preheat the oven to 160oC
- Tear off any of the dead leaves on the outside of the cabbage, then cut it evenly in half. Season well with salt
- Heat your saucepan until it’s very hot, add the cooking oil then place the cabbage down in the pan with the cut edge facing down
- Smash the garlic cloves and throw them in the pan alongside the cabbage
- Leave to roast on the high heat until it starts to get nice and caramelised
- Reduce the heat and add the butter followed by the water
- Place the lid on the saucepan and place in the oven
- Check the cabbage after about 40 minutes using a skewer, the thicker end should be lovely and soft. If it still feels a little firm then place back in the oven for another 10 minutes
- Serve with whatever main meal you’re having, pouring all the buttery cooking juices from the pan over the cabbage.

12/10/2026

Remembering Michael Canavan
👓The Mark Patterson Show👓

Today, we're marking the sad news that Derry businessman, politician and campaigner Michael Canavan has died. He was 102.

Some years back Michael was a contributor to the show, offering his wisdom on every thing from the socio-political to a call to restore a Siege cannon to the Derry Walls, to be fired on important occasions. He was quite the character. On his passing, the Foyle MP Colum Eastwood has said:

“By any measure Michael Canavan’s was a life well lived. He packed so much into his long life, from being involved in the civil rights movement, taking part in the Duke Street Civil Rights March, and the University for Derry campaign. He also worked closely with John Hume, in the credit union movement, as his election agent and in the founding of the SDLP.

Michael was an important voice during difficult times as the SDLP’s security spokesperson during the early days of the Troubles and was elected to the old Stormont representing his native Derry ... Our thoughts today are with Michael’s family, friends and all who knew him. I hope they can take comfort from the huge contribution he made throughout his life and the lasting legacy he leaves behind.”

10/10/2026

DUFFY DELIVERS AGAIN FOR DERRY!

Michael Duffy scored twice as Derry City booked their place in a third FAI Cup final in five years with a composed 2-0 victory over Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.

The Candystripes will take on Waterford at the Aviva Stadium on November 8th

09/10/2026

. Renegade Zoo - Live
👓The Mark Patterson Show

What a band. Renegade Zoo gave us a memorable session today in the Live Room. (Check out ‘guest guitarist’ on the Flying V)

09/10/2026

Eve Blair heads to the Ards Peninsula to meet the Alexander Family, of Ballyboley Dexters the second of the BBC Radio Ulster ‘Food Hero’ finalists in this year’s BBC Food & Farming Awards 2026 in Belfast.
BBC Sounds

09/10/2026

Gardener Gareth Austin: 'Wile Weather'
👓The Mark Patterson Show👓
[13.10]

"Yes Everyone,

Wile run of wet weather....but we got all the lawns cut this week...so I'm a happy bunny!!

Todays gardening:

Autumn Gold
Autumn leaf dispersal is in full swing and I can't stress the importance enough of capturing this bounty for improving soil health for years to come. These leaves are rich in carbon - around 45% so are a really valuable soil addition. As the leaves on plants change colour the plants absorb most of the major nutrients, hence why they are slow to break down and rely on fungi and bacteria to break them down - whereas kitchen waste and compost relies on worms. Bagged leaves break down faster than just piling them up - especially where you have holes in the bags and you add a handful of soil or a handful of grass clippings....or even a good cup of urine ;-)

Sugar Maple (pic 1)
One of the best trees for Autumn colour, this is the classic New England maple tree - tapped for making maple syrup. Wonderful green summer foliage turning spectacularly red in the Autumn. Acer saccharum is the fancy Sunday name for this tree and its a cracker for small and larger gardens.

Sumach Tree (pic 2)
Another glorious plant for Autumn colour - and this is a cracker for smaller courtyard gardens as it has a lovely shape and form.

Overwintering summer plants
Now's the time to be digging up the Geraniums, Fuchsia and other soft perennial plants from the summer tubs - if you have enough windowsills to keep them on!. Typically cut the plants back to a 1/3 of their size and pot them up into some smaller plants.

Garden tuff! G"

07/10/2026

Plans for derelict leisure centre site in Derry could create 100 jobs

The former Lisnagelvin leisure centre in Derry, which opened in the 1980s, has been vacant since it closed in 2015.

07/10/2026

£360,000 Makeover - A New Era for the Cathedral Quarter?
👓The Mark Patterson Show👓
[13.10]

1. We can confirm that the Department for Communities and the Council’s Regeneration Section is preparing to roll out a new fund to upgrade the shopfronts in the Cathedral Quarter inside Derry's Walls.

~ Up to 44 shop and business will be repainted, using a "pre-selected heritage-led colour palette" ie: different colour choices, but the look and feel to be consistent throughout.
~ Areas to include (pics): Pump Street, Artillery Street, London Street, Ferryquay Street and Bishop Street.
~ Each business fronts up 10%. The Scheme then pays the rest.
~ The main 90% is from the Department for Communities.

ALSO
2. We are being told that the unsightly shipping containers in Pump St (pics) should be gone 'in 4 weeks'. The street can then be fully reopened.

ALSO
3. We can report that a company has been appointed to develop design concepts for the 'Walled City Public Realm and Lighting Project'

~ This one is the Council in partnership with the Department for Communities
~ Enhancing public spaces and lighting within and around the historic Walled City.
~ Funded by the City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund.

A new era?

07/10/2026

North West Today had a special focus on the A5 this morning and that court ruling that was overturned yesterday.

Listen back here on BBC Sounds ⬇️

The mother of a young woman who died on the A5 says the upgrade will help save lives.

06/10/2026

Nathan Carter and Hugo put their song knowledge to the test.

Who will win?