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Rare and Devastating

Tim Mulvaney was told he had more chance of winning the lottery than of catching necrotising fasciitis. But it was the rare and devastating flesh-eating condition which he caught. The condition left him disfigured and partically paralysed. Originally from New York, he spoke to Mark Patterson after winning the right to live in Derry.

Life with a Guide Dog

What is it like to rely on a guide dog just to walk down the street? Bernadette Ferguson and Jenny McBride opened the eyes of Stephen McCauley when they came into Radio Foyle to talk about a new branch of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Powerhose听

Mariane's elderly father was approached by some men who offered to do some work on his drive.

Paying for Weight Loss听

A Derry man is considering taking out a bank loan for nearly thirty thousand pounds to pay for a weight loss operation. John, who's 24, weighs 25 stone. He's been trying to control his weight since he was a teenager, but with little success.

Holocaust Survivor 听

64 years since her liberation from Theresienstadt concentration Camp in Czechoslovakia, Joanna Millan came to Derry to tell her story. She told Mark how she survived, but lost her identity.

Moneygall to Washington 听

Family celebrations for the inauguration of President Barack Obama ranged from Moneygall in County Offally to Pennsylvania Avenue, in Washington. Mark spoke to Ollie Hays in Hays Pub in Moneygall, and also to one of the new president's relations, Henry Healy.

Eileen Gilchrist 听

In September 2005 Eileen Gilchrist's husband, Jim, was murdered on his way home from a bar in Derry. Now she's been offered eight and a half thousand pounds in compensation. She said it was an insult to her husband's memory. She, and her daughter, Catherine, spoke to Mark Patterson.

Robert Fisk 听

"In the space of just 17 months they created the borders of Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia, and most of the Middle East, and I have spent most of my entire career in Belfast and Sarajevo, Beirut and Baghdad, watching the people burn." Robert Fisk, the renowned Middle East correspondent, came to Derry just as Israeli forces widened their attacks in the Gaza Strip. He spoke to Mark Patterson.

Queue Jumping听

Children who queued from the early hours of the morning missed out on tickets to see Chris Brown - after older people pushed in front of them. told Mark what happened to her teenage granddaughter. Meanwhile, said people inside Cool Discs where the tickets were being sold were aware of people jumping the queue.

Dinah Remembers 听

Dinah Porter from Creggan has never been able to visit the grave of her brother, James, a war cemetery in Burmah. For the first time she laid a wreath in his honour during Remembrance commemorations at the War Memorial in Derry.

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Domestic violence 听

Moya Brennan, Noreen Ni Riann, and Brian Houston, came to Derry to raise awareness of domestic violence. And they visited Mark Patterson along with Marie Brown of Foyle Women's Aid.

Ringing up a phone bill 听

was contacted by a company called Geko, which offered a cheaper mobile phone service for his business. But six months after he signed a contract with them he's being asked - by ORANGE - to pay for phones which he never even switched on. gave this response to Jackie. - Orange confirmed that they would wipe out the bill after they were contacted by Radio Foyle.

Mother of the Year 听

Cathal Bell has autism, and has never spoken. He once grew so frustrated he used to scream for days at a time. He鈥檚 now 33 and still lives at home with his mother, Mary -听 this year鈥檚 听Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year.

Reopen the Tunnel 听

Commander Peter Campbell of The Honourable the Irish Society suggested that one of Derry's tunnels should be reopened.

March March March 听

Hugh rang Mark after hearing about a new Orange Order calendar, and suggested a new name for the home town of X-factor contestant Eoghan Quigg.

Psychic reaction 听

A visit of "psychic" Sally Morgan to the Millennium Forum in Derry brought full houses. And also a "huge reaction" when she claimed to be in contact with a man who'd been shot.

Post match trouble 听

There was disorder both during and after Linfield's 3-0 defeat by Derry. Fireworks and other missiles were thrown. Brandywell resident, Liam, says residents of the Brandywell area such as himself are bearing the brunt.

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The truth is out there

Strange lights in the sky were spotted by science teacher, , from St Brigid's College in Derry. Another listener, spoke to Mark around Christmas time after spotting a ball of fire in the sky.

Following the Foyle

Broadcaster and author, Ken McCormick revealed just a few of the tales in his new book "Following the Foyle" - the stories behind the hills named Bessie Bell and Mary Gray, how a barrel decided the political geography of the Foyle and the entwined branches of a matrimonial tree.

Claude Wilton

Eamon Melaugh, the charity worker, was among the many who paid tribute to the lawyer, civil rights activist and footballer, Claude Wilton. He died after a short illness.

Say nothing 'til you see Claude..禄

"Father" Brian Barr

Brian Barr has registered the births, deaths, and marriages of 16,000 people in Derry. He's been at it so long he's now registering the marriages of people whose births he also registered. And he spoke to Mark just before he bowed out as City Registrar.

More about Brian..禄

Ticket to Rile

Roy's family have been parking their car outside their home on Bishop Street in Derry for the past four years - without incident. But now he's been given a 拢30 fine for being too near a junction. He showed the spot to Barry Byrne on the Mark Patterson show.

Letters beyond the Grave

88,000 items of junk mail are sent every year to deceased people in Derry, according to data management company, the Read Group. Michael Hermann, from the group, told Mark they're trying to put a stop to it.

"Bizarre" Half Marathon

"I was in Derry doing the Waterside half marathon at the weekend. What a bizarre course it was! Half of it in a well know mental health institution and the other half of it round Dupont! It looked like Homer Simpsons nuclear power plant." - one listener's view of the city's big race sparked a reaction from one of the organisers, Noel McMonagle.

Have your say..禄

M50 takes Toll

Dublin's ring road, the M50, has a new way for motorists to pay its tolls. It's done electronically, by a camera that's supposed to recognise your number plate. But what happens if you get a letter looking for the money for a time when your car was parked outside your place of work? Sean O'Neill from the Roads Authority admitted to Mark the system has its problems.

Dying for a Drink?

Radio Ulster's William Crawley went on a journey himself to research his programme, "Dying for a Drink" - went teetotal, on a binge drinking session, and then talking about his own father's alcoholism. And he also shed some light on how Mark Patterson "led him astray".

Back Boiler

from Derry wanted to get in a new efficient central heating boiler. There was a grant available and he did all the research. Trouble was when he went to sign on the dotted line he was told he'd have to disconnect his back boiler. from "EAGA" which operates the warm homes scheme says there are good reasons for their position. Listener, , said as a builder he had experience of dual systems that did work.

Pipeline Hunger Strike

A primary school teacher from Rossport, Maura Harrington, stopped eating food after a pipelaying ship arrived in Broadhaven bay. She's one of a group who want Shell to stop laying pipes to a gas refinery in Co Mayo. She told Mark she never intended to become a campaigner.

Going Nuclear

With all the talk about rising electricity prices have we missed a trick by not considering going nuclear? Robert Andrews says the debate's turning.

First Kill

A former SAS man, Andy McNab, spoke to Mark about his "first kill", and why he would have considered joining the IRA if he'd been born in Creggan.

Titanic tale

A short story writer has unearthed a story which brings in the Titanic, a society photographer in Belfast, and a photographer's studio in Derry. Pamela Rea has now taken the elements of the story for a work of fiction for the London magazine, the Lady. Stephen McCauley spoke to her on Mark's programme.

Hurricane evacuee

Three years ago, the home of a Derry woman in New Orleans was devastated in Hurricane Katrina. Now Mona LeStrade's family are watching anxiously as she's moved out of her home again - this time, for the impending arrival of Hurricane Gustav. Her sister, Peggy O'Donnell, spoke to Stephen on Mark's show.

How Mona became a GI Bride..禄

Living with an allergy

You might have sniggered at the story of a plane being diverted because soup leaked on an allergic person. But allergies are no laughing matter to Derry woman Moya Reynolds. She has to carry a vial of adrenaline all the time - in case her son is suddenly siezed by an allergic reaction so severe it could be fatal. She spoke to Deirdre Donnelly on Mark's show.

Diverted plane: Is there a doctor on board?..禄

Assaults on teachers

One teacher's union is warning about increasing numbers of assaults on teachers. Not only by pupils but also by parents. Tony Carlin from the INTO trade union spoke to Deirdre Donnelly on Mark's show. He said one school was more concerned about appearing racist than protecting its teacher.

Plastered wrong leg

A four year old girl from Artigarvan, Megan Jack, broke her leg, and got it put in plaster. Except it was the wrong leg. Her mum, Rose, spoke to Deirdre Donnelly on the Mark Patterson show. The Western Trust says it takes very seriously such reported incidents and tsays it's investigating. But it says it can't comment on this case because of patient confidentiality.

Paul Bradley

The Waterside Half Marathon seems to bring out the best in people. Paul Bradley's wife, Veronica, was a runner herself. And when she died of cancer in 2005 Paul found himself running in her memory.

Up a Tree in Rosemount

Were you sketched many years ago by an eighteen year old artist named Bridget Murray? Some her work, originally sketched from life in the long-gone network of streets of Rosemount in Derry, went on exhibition called "Up a Tree in Rosemount". Mark asked her to explain exactly what the phrase means.

Frightening holiday experience

Marie Therese told Mark about her terrifying experience on a holiday of a lifetime in Egypt.

Peter Tatchell

The human rights activist, Peter Tatchell, spoke to Mark just before appearing at the Derry Feile. Mark chatted to him about his attempt to arrest the president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, about fears for his own life, what inspires him, and whether he views himself as an outsider.

30mph speed limit

It's a two lane road, but the maximum speed limit is just 30 miles per hour. Paul got caught for doing 40 on the Culmore Road in Derry - one of the city's main thoroughfares. The Association of British Drivers and DRD Road Service offered to drivers.

Noisy exhausts

Charlie put a young fellow on the spot after hearing the noise from his car's exhaust.

Plan your family to save the world?

The biggest contribution couples here can make to combating climate change would be to have only to children - or have fewer than you first intended. That's according to an editorial in BMJ.com. Family planning expert, professor John Guillebaud spoke to Stephen McCauley on Mark's show. He also heard from Derry father of nine, John Thompson.

Springtown family reunited

A Derry family who lost contact with each other in 1963 met up for the first time in Manchester in July. The Rankins, a family of seven children - lived at Hut 100 in Springtown Camp in Derry. They were fostered out to several different homes, and when they tried to contact each other, one brother, Daniel, remained elusive. Mark spoke to one of the family, Tommy Rankin, to Willie Deery, who was born in Springtown Camp, and also to Hugo MConnell from the Springtown Camp website.

Two at a time

Altnagelvin Hospital announced it's to introduce a strict new visiting policy which will limit the number of people allowed in to see patients to just two at a time. One former cancer patient, Bernadette, gave the move the thumbs up.

Debit Card fees

Ryanair's decision to charge a transaction fee for debit cards has been annoying Tony.

The Big Night

How are your memories of the "Big night"? Kathleen Barr spoke to Stephen McCauley on the Mark Patterson Show about the tradition... and proved it's still very much alive...

Kittens in sacks

Two wriggling hessian sacks appeared outside the Rainbow Rehoming Centre in Eglinton. Helen Davies told Stephen McCauley they were filled with kittens - some of them in a very bad way.

Click here to view photo

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End of the road for gas guzzler?

Nearly half of motorists will end up paying more road tax when new charges come into force next year. Nine million drivers will find themselves paying up to two hundred and forty five pounds a year extra鈥� Mark spoke to one driver, Andrew Doherty, who's decided to get rid of the big car, to avoid the big tax rise, and also to Sheila Rainger of the RAC Foundation.

Aussie Rules

Are our young Gaelic footballers being lured Down Under by the promise of big money? That's certainly the fear of some GAA officials after it emerged that a scout for Australian Football Rules has been talking to a number of players here. In fact, much to the annoyance of the GAA, a scouting session was held at Breffni Park in Cavan last Friday. Jim Stynes, Melbourne AFL President, and former GAA player, shares his thought with Mark on the issue.

The Great Derry Bap

Baps a staple part or our culture? Well they seem to think so up in Belfast as they are celebrating the humble bun's birthday. That got us thinking about the role of the humble bun here and who better to champion our baps than baker Paul McDaid of McDaid's Bakery whose recollections sparked a call from his past....And our bap debate got ringing in with their own memories that also included another memorable character.

Bring Back our Bins

Are we mature enough as a society to have litterbins on every street corner, even in residential areas? Nell McCafferty gives her view after witnessing one incident.

Foyle Punts

Albert Doherty brought a three foot scale model of a Foyle punt into studio to illustrate a once sinking tradition that's now very much afloat on the Foyle. And told Mark how he plans to row the 24 miles from Prehen to Greencastle in four and a half hours...

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Love and a Frosty reception

Creggan woman Anne Marie Keys met a barman, Mohamed Ali, in Egypt. Love blossomed, but he enountered a frosty reception when she brought him home to Derry. They spoke to Mark Patterson about life, love, and setting up a new soccer venture in Galliagh.

Sam challenges a litterlout

Sam told Mark how he'd challenged a middle aged man after watching him drop a cigarette packet out of his car window.

City centre owls

After the Ulster Wildlife Trust said fewer than 100 barn owls and short eared owls were left in Northern Ireland, Stephen and John revealed they'd spotted one in Creggan. And they also revealed a passion for wildlife.

Christian rock

Kilfennan Presbyterian Church's musical efforts to bring the word of God to young people met the disapproval of one Baptist pastor. Mark Bradfield said he didn't believe rock music was compatible with the Christ's message. Kilfennan's minister, , pointed out that many of the young performers had gone on to lead Christian lives.

Celtic Park

Derry GAA has a dream of making Celtic Park a 20,000 seater stadium. But it's been a constant subject of vandalism, as told Mark. The Association's has written to residents in the area to ask them to take responsibility for getting it stopped.

Jan de Vries

Mark talks to Jan de Vries, Complimentary Medicine Practioner, Bernadette who says he helped her and Simon Singh who says he'll offer 拢10,000 to anyone who can prove that Homeopathy works.

Young Fathers

Rory and Sean are from the Young fathers Project. They talk to Mark about what it's like to have children when you're a teenager.

Horse Fair

Derry鈥檚 oldest horse fair took place recently at the Brandywell. It has been running now for decades. Eve Blair went along to see what exactly goes on at the June Horse Fair also known as 鈥楾he 17th鈥�.

Carrageen Moss

Jim Moore has a recipe for one of the delicacies of our coastline - carrageen moss. And he let Mark Patterson share the secret.

Water power

Aidan Cusack鈥檚 got a device, basically a couple of electrodes stuck in a jar of water, which he claims he鈥檚 using to create hydrogen to run the car on. He spoke to Stephen McCauley on the Mark Patterson show.

Bare knuckle fighter

He was once described as the hardest man in Ireland, and a ferocious fighting machine. Bare knuckle fighter, Paddy Monaghan has an unbroken record of 114 fight wins. He counts Muhammad Ali amongst his close friends and has just written his autobiography. He spoke to Mark.

Tree dweller

Susan has a different idea for dealing with price rises.

Taxi fares

We've had increases in oil, coal, electricity. Now taxi drivers say their fares are going to have to go up.

Charlie, a local taxi driver, spoke to Mark Patterson.

Japanese knotweed

A plant that needs to be disposed of as 鈥渉azardous waste鈥� when it gets dug up is present on Fort George 鈥�
Derry鈥檚 landmark city centre site. Ilex, the development company, have confirmed that they鈥檙e taking measures to control Japanese knotweed before they can develop the 14 acres. from Invasive Species Ireland explains how the plant has to be dealt with. , Fort George鈥檚 site manager describes what's happening.

On the buses

A local woman, Mary, says she had a terrifying experience on a bus travelling from Belfast to Derry. She spoke to Mark Patterson. Translink said they were investigating the alleged incident, and appealed to passengers to act responsibly. They added that they had a strict no alcohol policy on their trains, buses and property.

Mary McGuigan

Who do you call when your enjoyment of a beauty spot is spoiled with broken glass, rubbish, a dead animal, and neglect? Mary McGuigan called Mark. He visited Edenreagh in Lettershandoney with her.

Ken Belshaw
Where will the new jobs that are needed in the north west come from? Ken Belshaw has already had a huge success with the company he founded - Grafton Recruitment. He has a few ideas, and he spoke to Mark Patterson, along with Ann Power, from the London School of Economics.

Joe McGann
Liverpudlian, Joe McGann, has been performing in "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Millennium Forum. Mark asked him what he thought of the music before he got the job offer...

Knockavoe school performs "Annie jr"
Knockavoe School in Strabane has become the first special school to produce a show in a professional theatre. They put on Annie Junior at the Alley Theatre in Strabane. Eve Blair went along to hear all about it.

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Mobility scooter problems
A listener, Gerry, raised his concerns about the difficulty of using a mobility scooter in Derry. It was a concern that struck a chord with local woman, Pauline, - and Aisling Irvine from Disability Action.

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Terrifying beetle
A caller enlists Mark's help in identifying a terrifying beetle.

Concerns about over the counter drugs

A listener contacted Mark fearful that many people are getting their kicks from over the counter drugs. He asked local woman, Carol, who works in a chemist's shop, how big a problem it is.

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School Report

The 大象传媒 has been giving young people the chance to be journalists for the day. It's part of a UK wide project called School Report. Here, Limavady High School pupils report on their views of Christmas.

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Wind Turbines

Barry Byrne meets students from Thornhill College and their teacher William Laverty to discuss the possibility of adding a wind turbine at the school.

Lunar Bulge

Ireland experienced unusually high tides recently. Mark spoke to Professor Andrew Cooper of the UU about the planetary phenomenon causing them.

Greg Stone - Hurricane Katrina

Born and raised in Derry's waterside, Professor Greg Stone is the Head of the Coastal Studies Institute in the University of Louisiana, Baton Rouge. Greg is a globally respected academic and was a key voice in the recent Horizon programme which looked at the politics surrounding the research into global warming. He spoke to Mark about New Orleans one year after Hurricane Katrina, and his ongoing concerns about changing ocean patterns.

Bonfire Night, Donegal Style.
As Old Donegal prepares for tonight's St Johns fires, Mark heard from writer and historian Conal Byrne that the fires have their basis long before saints or scholars.

Pat McArt
Pat McArt has announced his resignation as editor of the Derry Journal after almost a quarter of a century at the helm. He told Mark the reasons behind the decision as he looked back at the many memorable stories the Journal covered during his time as editor.

Gordon Banks
Goalkeeping legend and English World cup
winner Gordon Banks who was in town as a guest of Children In Crossfire. Gordon was accompanied
to the Radio Foyle studio by Children In Crossfire's Richard Moore.

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See a photo of Gordon and Mark behind the scenes...禄