After the long Bank Holiday washout, it was good to see an improvement on the weather front – not much but at least it was something! With so many people away I was fortunate to be given an extra hour today.

In the first hour I was joined by ANDREW SUMMERS who apart from having the distinction of turning down a job offer from Alan Sugar, admittedly when they were both 16 years old and at the same school, Andrew has moved from selling and publishing books, to writing them. Most, but not all, his books are linked to the history of Essex and he is also very interested in theories that the works of Shakespeare may well have a strong Essex connection.

You can listen again to all that Andrew had to say right here: – [audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Essex-Hundred.mp3|titles=Essex Hundred]

Andrew also kindly penned a poem all about PHOENIX FM which is re-produced here: –

In the second hour we heard again from local author and historian, Frances Clamp. For her subject this week, Frances again turned her spotlight on local cinemas, and in particular this week, to THE PARADE which opened in the 1920’s on a site opposite what was at one time the Amstrad headquarters. Once again you have a second chance to hear what Frances had to say on this subject right here: – [audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Bygones-5th-June1.mp3|titles=Bygones 5th June]

Well that’s me done for another week. If you can, please join me next Saturday at noon when we’ll do it all over again. Oh and by the way I’ll be joined next week by DAVE CLARKE who, amongst other things, has been closely involved in Billericay’s Town Twinning activities. Indeed it’s very much Billericay’s turn to be in the spotlight next week as Frances Clamp will be looking at Roman and Saxon times there.