At Radio 2 in the Park, Brig had the opportunity to sit down with presenter, journalist and vicar, Reverend Kate Bottley. We had a lovely chat about how she found Stirling and her life in the public eye.
Have you visited Stirling before?
“This wasn’t technically me, let me clarify this. My rugby team that I played for when I was nineteen at Leeds Trinity University came to play against Stirling University.
Some of the gentlemen got a little out of hand, and we were asked not to come back again. I don’t think it was personal, just so you know.
It was a long time ago, we’re talking thirty years – I had a different name then, anyway, it was before I was married.
We apologise wholeheartedly for the behaviour. I apologise on behalf of my rugby team from when I was nineteen.”
Are you liking Stirling more now?
“Stirling was great to us then and it’s been great to us now. The weather is glorious. The castle on the hill behind us – what a fantastic setting! It’s just such a beautiful place to be.
The warmth and the generosity of the crowd is palpable.”
Have you had a chance to explore the city?
“Not had much time to do that – that’s the aim tomorrow. So I’ll be staying in Glasgow tonight. The wonderful thing about it being quite a way away from where I live down in Sheffield is that I’m going to make the most of it. I’m going to see some stuff and experience some stuff.
I stayed in Glasgow last night, which was fun. Glasgow on a Saturday night – that was a joy. All manner of human life was there – that was great. I got involved in a hen night. I had some lovely religious people asking if I knew Jesus. I told him I did know him and he was fine, thank you very much.
It was splendid. I had a lovely time.”
What was the transition like from Vicar to Media Personality?
“I haven’t really transitioned. It’s still the same thing. It’s just my parish is a little bit weird now, my pulpit’s a little bit odd – a better microphone is housed in it.
I still do the traditional vicaring. I do weddings, christenings, funerals. I’m a supply vicar, like a supply teacher, so I don’t have my own church, I look after other people’s.
It’s still the same thing, people talk and I’m there to make people feel good. I try to bring a nice vibe wherever I am, I’m there to listen. I’m there to hold a presence for people.
It’s not really that big a change, it’s just slightly different. I’ve always been recognised – before I was a vicar I was a teacher. So I’ve never been able to walk around a supermarket and not have someone go: ‘Oh hello!’. It has always happened.
I love what I do, it’s such a joy.”
Have you found any similarities in the roles?
“Oh yeah, all the time! People want to talk to you – people just want to chat. I think it’s about our desire as human beings for connection.
I think that’s one of the things that, not only my faith can do, but also things like music and Radio 2 in the Park.
It can help people make connections, even if it is fleeting and brief, we make a connection with the person playing the music on stage, we make a connection with the person we’re standing next to in the crowd. We’re all here to celebrate and have a good time.
Life can be tricky and difficult, so let’s accentuate the positive and live it as fully as we can.”
What act at Radio 2 in the Park are you looking forward to the most?
“I was most excited to see Cast, I thought they were amazing. You don’t see many guitar-based bands coming through now. To see Cast do their thing – they are really good at what they do and I really enjoyed that.
I thought Appleton was brilliant as well.
Romesh Ranganathen’s hiphop set is always good, and I’m really excited about Vernon Kay closing the whole thing with his set.
I think the DJ Tent is a great place to be, the vibes are immaculate.”
Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to go into journalism?
“Always take a notebook everywhere you go – don’t rely on your phone to take your notes down.
The story you think you’re going to find is not always the story you find.”
Featured Image Credit: Adrian Martinez-Aidoo
Braw Magazine co-editor for Stirling University’s Brig and a third year English and Journalism student.
