It was great to be back in the studio today after a week off. Today’s show seemed to fly by, due mostly to my fascinating guest, Author, Theatre Critic, Actor and Director Andrew Ings.
Andrew Ings
You can Listen to our chat again here – Andrew Ings
If you would like to contact Andrew or order either of his current books, “Rockin’ At The 2i’s Coffee Bar” or “A Nipperkin of Bunkum” you can email him on andrew.ings@talk21.com
Last Monday evening I was at The Queens Theatre Hornchurch to see Harper perform. Harper are a new up and coming local band featuring my son Jamie on bass. Also appearing that evening was one of the most well known and respected faces on the Essex Music scene – Paolo Morena. I only managed to catch the last couple of songs from Paolo’s set but was immediately impressed with this talented man. He is a solo artist but performs with loops. This means that with the aid of technology Paolo builds up a music track as he goes, adding parts along the way to build a full sound that could be being performed by an entire band. Well I’m pleased to say that after speaking to Paolo and his manager Martin on the night, I’ve arranged for Paolo to come into Phoenix on 13th September for a chat and a live session on One 2 Three. I’m looking forward to finding out more about Paolo and especially how this looping technology works. We heard Paolo’s new single to get a sample of the finished product, Oh Yeah.
Finally, a traveller camp remains here at The Brentwood Centre after 8 days, despite calls from MP Eric Pickles for councils to deal swiftly with illegal sites.
In May last year Brentwood Borough Council took one hour and ten minutes to evict a group of travellers from the Brentwood Centre car park.
Staff at the Brentwood Centre spotted caravans and a large van enter the council-owned car park at about 10.30pm last Wednesday.
Ashley Culverwell, the council’s head of health, safety and localism, said: “We are taking action to move them on by seeking a possession order through the County Court at Basildon.”
When approached by the Brentwood Gazette last week, one traveller, Julia Loverage, said: “We don’t want any fuss. We’ve spoken to the council already. We’re just passing through and we’ll only be staying for about a week.”
Roger Davinson, chief executive of the Brentwood Centre, said the method of removing illegal travellers had become a “game”. “It happens about once a year,” he said. “We tell the council and eventually they move on. “We don’t have an issue with them personally. All I want to do is protect my premises and that’s it.”
During the eviction last May, the Gazette reported how travellers “scuffled with the guards, surged through security gates and set up camp”.
Eric Pickles said that while the council has powers to move unauthorised traveller sites quickly, the enforcement of those powers is dependent on police resources.
“No doubt they’ll get them moved on swiftly. In recent months Brentwood has moved travellers on quickly but we obviously live in a country where we have to follow due process.
