Author Archives: Steve Robertson

About Steve Robertson

Get in touch with me at any time if you're involved with a local organisation and I will be happy to feature you on Between The Lines - the Phoenix FM lunchtime show, midday to 2PM every Saturday.

Frankie’s Classic Car & Bike Festival and Vintage Market

This weekend on Between the Lines we were joined by Alan Mason, who was in the studio to talk about Frankie’s Classic Car & Bike Fest in aid of Saint Francis Hospice.

Alan gave us a few previews for what is coming up for the event taking place on Sunday the 3rd of September at the Ford Technical Centre, Dunton. Included will be celebrations of the 15th anniversary for the Mk1 Ford Focus and the 25th anniversary of the Escort Cosworth.

Alan Masom. Frankie's Car Fest

Alan Masom. Frankie’s Car Fest


The event has something for everyone, including the rockabilly band the 501s playing live and the Hornchurch Jive Bombers swinging in style.

More details are available at the website Frankie’s Classic Car Fest

Entrance on the day is just £5 and under 12s go free.

To listen again to the interview with Alan, click below.


EFL 2017-2018 Season Start

This weekend on Between the Lines we looked back at Friday evening’s football action, at the start of the season.

Sky Bet Championship 
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Milwall 
Barrie McKay with a storming goal. 
Sunderland 1-1 Derby  
Lewis Grabban equaliser from the penalty spot for the home team at the Stadium of light. 
 
Also looking back at the evening before’s Rugby League. 
Huddersfield 36-6 Wakefield Trinity 
Hull FC 32-16 Salford 
Leeds Rhinos 32-16 Wigan Warriors 
Where a Stevie Ward hat-trick helped the Rhinos to a 32-16 win. 
 
In the show itself we were looking at the Ladbrokes Premiership 12.30 kick-off between Celtic & Hearts. Ending with the home side winning 4-1 at Celtic Park.
 
National League action kept us occupied with the 12.30 kick-off.
Sutton United 2-0 Leyton Orient was the final score At Gander Green Lane.

In cricket, the 4th test between  England & South Africa 
At Old Trafford. 
England leading the series 2-1. 
 
We also looked ahead to other local sides with 3.00 kick-offs.
  
Sky Bet League One 
3pm Southend United v Blackburn Rovers 
Southend starting the season as play-off favourites. Blackburn start as favourites to win the championship. 
  
Sky Bet League Two 
3pm Accrington Stanley v Colchester United 
John McGreal’s team travel to the Wham Stadium. 
  
National League 
3pm Dagenham & Redbridge v Barrow 
John Still’s team at home for the first match of the season.


Standon Calling 2017: John Hassall & The April Rainers

We were lucky enough to chat to the members of the Denmark-based band The April Rainers, prior to their set on the Laundry Meadows stage at this year’s Standon Calling festival.

The band are based around the bassist, member of Libertines, John Hassall.
The April Rainers
The band spoke about their perceived influences and the new album, Wheels to Idyl.

John made it clear that the Libertines are still a fully-functioning band, who are “more on that off lately”.

To listen to the interview, click below.

Click here for the band’s Facebook page.


Standon Calling 2017: Cabbage

Prior to their set at the Laundry Meadows stage at this year’s Standon Calling, we spoke to one of the frontmen from the band Cabbage, Joe Martin.

Joe from Cabbage

Joe from Cabbage


Being described by the Guardian as “Manchester’s most exciting new band” Joe spoke to us about the meanings behind a number of the band’s songs.

Joe described the band as being politically motivated, with a number of messages in their songs.

For more details on the band, go to their Facebook page.

To listen to the interview, click below.


Standon Calling 2017: Plastic Mermaids

Before their set on the Laundry Meadows stage for this year’s Standon Calling, we got to chat to the guys from Plastic Mermaids.

Plastic Mermaids at Standon Calling

Plastic Mermaids at Standon Calling


From the Isle of Wight, the band have been busy working on their new album and spoke to us about their recent escapades and plans.

To listen again to the interview click below.

To find out more about the band, with all the social media links, click the following link:-

www.plasticmermaids.com


Wimbledon Middle Weekend

This weekend on Between the Lines we looked back at the first week of the Wimbledon fortnight, with British players into the second week.

We covered qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Lewis Hamilton starting the race from 8th on the grid.

Aaron Heanue looked at the latest transfer news, with details of Romelu Lukaku’s expected move to Old Trafford, reportedly snubbing Chelsea for Manchester United.

We also brought further news of the Lions v All Blacks test, ending in grid;ock with the last match finishing 15-15.

All this, along with some summer tunes in the weather, travel updates and local events.

Join us every Saturday from 1-3PM.


The Lions Beat the All Blacks

This weekend on Between the Lines, Aaron Heanue and Steve Robertson were looking back at The Lions beating All Blacks 24-21.

We also looked at the transfer news as the window opened, being the first of July. We’ll be keeping an eye on this for the next few weeks.

Also looking back at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Ricciardo winning and the controversy surrounding the Vettel and Hamilton incident.

Aaron was describing the latest kit launches for Premier League sides.

All this and updating the events guide and latest travel news.

Join us every Saturday from 1PM.


Le Mans Weekend

This weekend on Between the Lines Aaron Heanue looked at all the sport for the weekend.

With the Le Mans 24 Hour race starting, we looked at the options with a Toyota v Porsche battle expected at the front with the two teams the only ones contesting LMP1.

Aaron looked at the football transfer news and rumours. He also looked back at the England under 20 World Cup win – England’s first win since 1966!

We also looked at the Champions Trophy and ahead to the India v Pakistan final.

All this and the local events and up to date travel news.

Join the team for Between the Lines every Saturday from 1-3pm.


The Mantarays Play Live on Between the Lines

It’s always great to have live music on a Saturday lunchtime and this weekend was no exception. We were joined in the studio by Essex-based band The Manatarays.

The Mantarays

The Mantarays

Kyle, Sam, Matt & Luke played live for us, singing the following songs that they have written themselves after meeting at college:-

Eyes.
Leading on.
Take me Back.

To listen again to the session, click the link below:-

For more information, visit the band on facebook at facebook.com/TheMantaraysMusic/


Lochlan Bearman – Ready for the New Racing Season

Phoenix FM’s teenage racing driver Lochlan Bearman is counting down the days to the start of the 2017 season opener at Brands Hatch on April 9th.

The 5 times karting Champion made the step into the Ford Fiesta Junior Championship as the youngest driver on the grid when he was 14 last season and despite some poor luck finished 4th in the Championship.

Ready for the 2017 Championship

Fiesta Junior Driver Lochlan Bearman

“at the start of the season my objective was a top 10 finish but I realised after the first round at Silverstone that I could do well if we could get the car set-up optimally, however having been running 3rd and closing on 2nd towards the end of the season it was disappointing that the final 2 rounds went so wrong with an electrical fault and being put into the barriers respectively ruining both meetings” said the Essex based youngster.

This season he has been signed by the leading Jamsport Team and pre season testing has gone very well with Bearman topping the timesheets. It’s a massive change going into a big team with all of the support, knowledge and know-how they have. I immediately felt at home and I’m learning more all the time.

Lochlan is Ready for the Forthcoming Season

Lochlan is Ready for the Forthcoming Season

Testing went very well for me but we will know exactly where we are when the racing starts at Brands and I just cannot wait. I really want to win the Championship this year and feel that I’m in the right team to do this, there are still things that would support my challenge such as more testing and some car improvements but currently I don’t have the budget for that. I am very excited and feel positive for the season.

Bearman’s Championship quest kicks off with Rounds 1 and 2 at Brands Hatch on April 9th.