A POPULAR podcast featuring tales of the natural world and social history around Bath has been nominated for the UK’s leading audio and radio awards.

Footprints, the monthly podcast created by Bathscape, has been shortlisted for Best Local Show at the Radio Academy ARIAS (Audio and Radio Industry Awards).

The podcast launched in March 2021 with a focus on walking and the annual Bathscape Walking Festival but, since then, the content has expanded to include local history and the natural heritage of the area.

Now in its second season, Footprints has had more than 4,500 unique listeners. The most popular episodes are ‘Radical Bath’, the history of protest in the city, and ‘Living Working Bath’ about working people and the expansion of Bath towards Twerton.

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate emergency and sustainable travel at Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: “We are very proud that the Footprints podcast has been nominated for an ARIA. Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the series and helped the Bathscape team to explore aspects of nature and history in Bath and tell some fascinating stories about the social history of the city. This is the second time it has been nominated, so hopefully this time we will be lucky.”

Other popular episodes include: ‘Emperor Haile Selassie in Bath’, which features a tour around Fairfield House and an interview with his great granddaughter, Esther; ‘Geology of Bath’ about William Smith the ‘Father of English Geology’ who created the first nationwide geological map; and ‘Bath in Film’, a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of hit Netflix series Bridgerton.

Episode 28 will be released this weekend to mark International Dawn Chorus Day and will feature local experts talking about birdsong. Upcoming episodes will include a special at Bath City Farm, a feature on countryside skills and a podcast takeover by young people.

The winners will be announced at the ARIAS Ceremony in London on Tuesday, May 7. Last year the podcast was nominated in two categories: Best Local Show and Best Grassroots Show.

The podcast is produced and presented by Pommy Harmer. You can find a full listing of Footprints episodes and show notes online.

Bathscape’s work is largely funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund with match funding from partners. To find out more visit the Bathscape website.