Val Armstrong
{{Short description|Radio presenter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
Val Armstrong is an English radio presenter, broadcast journalist and head of presentation at CRFM, Carlisle. She is best known for her work on BBC Radio Cumbria.
{{Infobox presenter|image=|caption=|timeslot=|prevshow=|country=United Kingdom|style=Radio presenter and journalist|timeslot2=|station2=|show2=|station=CRFM Community Radio Station in Carlisle www.yourcrfm.co.uk|name=Val Armstrong|show=|children=|spouse=|birth_place=Lancaster, Lancashire, England|birth_date= October 1964 |website=|birth_name=Valerie Ann Armstrong}}
Career
Val Armstrong began working in radio at the age of 17. In 1982, she joined BBC Radio Carlisle - now BBC Radio Cumbria. She has worked as a journalist, producer, and presenter. She is experienced in presenting a wide range or programmes. Prior to her broadcasting career, Val had a Saturday job in a jeans shop and a worked part time in a cotton wool factory.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
She regularly raises funds and awareness for Macmillan Cancer Support, after battling cancer twice.{{cite web |title=BBC Radio Cumbria - Val Armstrong |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d76n |accessdate=2022-05-09 |work=BBC}} Armstrong kept a diary of her cancer journey for the BBC news website.{{cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Val |title=Val's Cancer Diary |date=9 August 2010 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cumbria/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8898000/8898432.stm |accessdate=2011-03-21 |publisher=BBC}}
She has raised thousands of pounds for a whole variety of charities - both local and national - across the years.
She is the current Chairman of Cumbria Women of the Year Committee and is a Girl Guide Ambassador. She has recently taken on the role as Ambassador for Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw. Armstrong is also a Patron of Blood Bikes, Cumbria. She is the former Chairwoman of Carlisle Breast Care Support, former President of Carlisle Musical Society and former Trustee of the Oaktree Animal Charity.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
In September 2023, Armstrong announced on air that she was to leave the BBC after 41 years of broadcasting, latterly having hosted a daily show on Radio Cumbria, citing the changes that were to take place to the local radio network. She broadcast her last show on 22 September 2023.
She announced on her last show she was training to become a celebrant.
In April 2024 it was announced that Val would return to radio. She joined the team at Carlisle's brand new community radio station CRFM - a non for profit station based in the city. She now presents the mid-morning show Monday to Thursday for the station and is also their Head of Presentation.
Personal life
Armstrong has previously battled breast cancer in both 2006 and 2010 and underwent a double mastectomy. She lives in Carlisle, England.{{cite web |title=BBC Radio Cumbria star Val in cancer battle |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/bbc-radio-cumbria-star-val-1417937.amp |accessdate=2010-05-09 |publisher=ChronicleLive}}
She revealed in 2019 she had been suffering from depression triggered by her anti-cancer medication.{{cite web |title=BBC Radio Cumbria's Val Armstrong is back on air after battling depression |date=31 August 2019 |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/17871065.bbc-radio-cumbrias-val-armstrong-back-air-battling-depression/ |accessdate=2019-08-31 |publisher=News and Star}}
Awards
In 2011, Armstrong was announced as ‘Cumbrian Woman Of The Year’.{{cite web |date=13 November 2020 |title=Cumbria Women Of The Year - Val Armstrong |url=http://www.cumbriawomenoftheyear.co.uk/winner/val-armstrong/ |accessdate=2011-05-09 |work=Cumbria Women Of The Year}}{{cite web |date=1 December 2011 |title=Presenter Val named as Cumbrian Woman of Year |url=https://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/news/17130142.presenter-val-named-as-cumbrian-woman-of-year/ |accessdate=2022-05-10 |work=Whitehaven News}}
In 2023, Armstrong was honoured by being given ‘The Freedom Of The City of Carlisle’ by Carlisle City Council - only the third woman in the city's history to be honoured with this title, and the only living female recipient. {{cite web |title=BBC Radio Cumbria's Val Armstrong given Carlisle freedom |date=8 February 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-64565554.amp |accessdate=2023-02-08 |publisher=BBC News}}{{cite web |title=Special ceremony held to appoint new freemen and woman of the city |date=8 February 2023 |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/23307190.special-ceremony-held-appoint-new-freemen-woman-city/ |accessdate=2023-02-08 |publisher=News and Star}}