Buxton podcaster named Podcast of the Year at top national awards
A Buxton podcaster’s work has been named as Podcast of the Year at the national Independent Podcast Awards.
Maria Passingham’s podcast Great Days Out on the Bus from Buxton was named the overall Independent Podcast of the Year, and also picked up awards for the Best Artwork and Best Travel & Adventure categories.
It was also highly commended in the Best Regional category.
Maria said: “Great Days Out is a series of audio adventures around the Peak District, and is inspired by Buxton Town Team’s booklet of the same name.”
Maria moved to Buxton a couple of years ago but did little exploring of the town she now calls home so she picked up a Town Team booklet to plan some trips.
The podcast features Maria exploring peaceful walks, bustling tourist attractions and the people she meets along the way.
Maria brings her personality into the podcast and you can hear the birds as well as a field of donkeys she meets on her travels.
She said: “I didn’t have a car and I wanted a great day out.
“So, I spent the winter travelling on all the local routes with a friend – and realised that there’s a huge variety of places to discover and things to do if you hop on a bus in Buxton.”
Maria went to London for the Independent Podcast Awards and speaking of her win judges said: “This is a remarkable podcast. It is so hyper local and yet so completely immersive.
“The host is instantly charming, open and natural. Great Days Out is also a massive argument for the audio format.
“The soundscapes created felt truly authentic, the audio paints the picture in your head - you feel like you’re on the bus, in the field, in the pub alongside Maria.
“Many people underestimate the work required to create a podcast of this quality, and of this nature.
“This is exceptionally pure and so very well done.”
Maria added: “It’s a national award, and as a result the podcast is receiving promotion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and also on billboards in Leicester Square and Manchester Arndale.”
Buxton Town Team has also offered its congratulations to Maria for her ‘fantastic achievement’.
Maria’s podcast is available to stream from all major platforms.