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Profile: Barbara Sturgeon: A true Maid of Kent, award-winning Barbara Sturgeon began her radio career in 1983, with teabreak features and reports from the hot-spots of Northern Ireland!. She went on to present Drivetime on BBC Radio Kent, and her own lunchtime Barbara Sturgeon Show, which dealt with a broad range of political, social and human interest issues. At this time she received the Sony Local Radio Personality Of The Year Award for 1987 and 1988. Her live coverage of the birth of a baby got her a bronze nomination in 1989. After almost two years on BBC Radio Kent's flagship News and Current Affairs Breakfast Show, Barbara spent two years presenting for BBC Radio 2. Nationally known for her two-year period at BBC Radio 2, Barbara has drawn a regular audience since joining from BBC Radio Medway in 1983. She's reported from the troubles of Northern Ireland, and she's presented both Drivetime and Sunday's Radio Kent request show. Barbara has presented on the lunchtime news and current affairs show which have tackled a wide range from topical issues. Holder of two local radio personality awards from the Sony ceremonies, she's also fronted heavy conversation on such issues as the Channel Tunnel, a prominent landmark in Kent of course, as well as the Zeebrugge ferry disaster and on local politics interviewing the likes of Sir Geoffrey Howe and ex-Labour leader Neil Kinnock.
Other activities over the years include corporate presentations, media training in Norway and Sweden, videos and voice overs, stage appearances, pantomime and a regular newspaper column also keep Barbara busy. Family, friends and animals are high on her list of priorities... not to mention a rainy day, a good movie and a glass or two of something fizzy!
Back in her home county, her midday show (BBC Radio Kent 96.7 104.2 97.6 Monday to Friday 1200 - 1400) has continued to deal with the broader subjects that Barbara enjoys and in 1998 she received the RSPCA Local Media Award for her coverage of Animal Welfare Issues.
Whereabouts: Another broadcasting landmark was reached at the end of January 2004 when BBC Radio Kent's Barbara Sturgeon hung up her headphones at the BBC local station after 20 years service. She departed as one of the most recognised voices in the county, in order to pursue other interests both inside and outside the broadcasting world. Robert Wallace, Managing Director of BBC Radio Kent said: "Barbara is a professional broadcaster of the highest order and her impressive reputation extends well beyond the borders of Kent." Speaking on her decision to leave, Barbara said: "It's been a privilege to work for the BBC and to have met so many amazing people over the years. I'm sure our paths will cross again in the future."