Actor William Hoyland is currently starring as Cooper in A Month Of Sundays, which is running at the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch until 15 October.
Robin Hooper and William Hoyland in A Month of Sundays at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. Photo: Mark Sepple
William has worked extensively with the most eminent theatre companies across the UK and he has also appeared in some of the world’s best-known films as well as numerous television hits. These include: Return of the Jedi, Gandhi, For Your Eyes Only, Scoop, Life on Mars, The Thick of It, Call the Midwife and Rules of Engagement.
Graham Stannard spoke to William about his current production and you can hear it again here.
Joined in the studio by Sharon Hawkins (Founder), Liz Smith (New Venue Manager) and Emma Dyos (PR Consultant) to talk about Biz’ee Women Networking.
ABOUT BIZ’EE WOMEN NETWORKING
Biz’ee Women meetings offer a relaxed approach to networking. For 2 hours a month per location (10am – 12 Noon), the group meet over coffee. Business women can be at any stage of their business from startup’s to established businesses, all are welcome. There are mini-intro’s allowing attendees to showcase their products and services, business interactive discussion time and the opportunity to have one-2-ones with other likeminded businesswomen. The meetings cost £7 if booked in advance or £10 on the day.
Biz’ee Women helps women nurture and grow their businesses.
A study of Biz’ee Women attendees showed that those who attended network events regularly saw over a 30% growth in their business.
Also on a personal development level the Biz’ee Women attendees cited the networking meetings as providing a great increase in confidence giving them opportunities they wouldn’t necessarily have envisaged for themselves
Locations are:
10am – 12pm on all days
Billericay – 2nd Monday of the Month
The Burstead Golf Club, Tye Common Road, CM12 9SS
Brentwood – 3rd Monday of the Month
Harvester, 101 London Rd, Brentwood, CM14 4NP
Pilgrims Hatch – 3rd Tuesday of the Month
The Black Horse, 420 Ongar Road, Pilgrims Hatch CM15 9JN.
Joined in the studio by Heads UP! who are Steven Duke (guitars), Steve Gee (basses/eub) Julia Austin-Brenes (saxes, flute) and Rick Wills (drums, percussion).
Heads UP! are a jazz quartet based in Essex playing melodic modern jazz with a bluesy, funky edge, blending new takes on standard tunes with original compositions and a healthy dose of world rhythms.
Interview
LIVE PERFORMANCE – Time After Time
LIVE PERFORMANCE – Caravan
LIVE PERFORMANCE – ALL BLUES (feat me on vocals!)
Drawing upon their varied musical backgrounds and influences, but making music for the future, Heads UP! are taking the next step forward in 2015/16.http://www.headsupjazz.co.uk/
Joined in the studio by The Senior Minster of Sawyers Church, Peter Jordan (previously a Metropolitan Police officer for 25 years) to talk about his part in fundraising for a new community building.
Here’s some more information about the walk:
Peter is going to walk the Crossrail route from Heathrow to Shenfield over three days (22nd, 23rd and 24th September). The new Crossrail route, which ends in Shenfield, will probably open around the same time as the new building, which will have a massive impact on the local community and is big news locally.
It’s fair to describe Andy J Gallagher as a bona fide stalwart of the Essex Music Scene. I saw Andy’s first band, The Shopkeeper Appeared, 24 years ago at the Pink Toothbrush in Rayleigh supporting Irish indie nonsense merchants The Sultans of Ping – another little known band, Radiohead, shared the support with Andy that day.
Andy came down today for his second session with Phoenix FM – the first being way back in 2009. With guitarist Millsy we had a chat about his musical career and played three songs for us, which you can see and hear below:
Andy has a new single, Sheena’s Big Night Out/Because We Are, out on JAC64 Records – the songs were produced by long-time collaborator and ex-Damned guitar/keyboard player Roman Jugg.
Lovely to be joined in the studio by two super vocalists who known as 2 Shoes – Charley Bird and Lucy Texeira.
Since appearing on X Factor the girls have been working more or less non stop, travelling all over the UK and Europe (the Ibiza trips sound super). The girls have also appeared on This Morning, hosting The Hub, Celebrity Juice and on this weeks Xtra Factor with their good friend Rylan Clark.
Lucy appeared in todays national paper with her new tribute act to Beyoncé (starting November 2016) see clip below.
The girls keep it as real as ever with their down to earth personalities, everyone needs a bit of 2 Shoes in their lives!
The Laindon Launch which will include walking tours around the former plotlands of Victoria Park and a chance to enjoy the new park designed by HAGS-SMP.
In the evening there is the opportunity to discuss Laindon’s past, present and future, where we will be presenting new artwork and ephemera at King Edward Community Centre.
Laindon Launch: Saturday 24th September 2016
17:00 – 18:30 Victoria Park, Victoria Road, Basildon, SS16 6RN
19:00 – 21:00 King Edward Community Centre, King Edward Road, SS15 6HL
There will be refreshments and snacks available. MORNING is a long-term art project that attempts to identify the correlation between a series of climbing frames, designed in the 1970s & situated in Victoria Park, Laindon, with the area’s inclusion in the Basildon New Town experiment, and their simultaneous periods of change.
When peeling back the layers of history that can be found in Victoria Park one can begin to learn about Basildon– from the Plotlands to the New Town experiment. MORNING’s aims were to consider this history while setting out to save and restore the park’s heritage climbing frames, giving them a new lease of life. They will be painted in a UV sensitive paint, so when a UV torch is shone on them at night, they will glow.
Follow us on Twitter or join the facebook event for the launch.
DID YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW WORK AT FORDS IN DAGENHAM BETWEEN 1968 – 1984?
Joined in the studio by Lucy Curtis to talk about Women’s Stories of Ford Dagenham.
Women’s Stories of Ford Dagenham will tell the stories of women who worked at the Ford plant between 1968 and 1984 and the Queen’s Theatre is appealing for people – male and female – to come forward with their memories of this time.
Anyone interested in taking part should visit the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch website at www.queens-theatre.co.uk, or call the Learning and Participation Department on 01708 462373 or write to: Women’s Stories of Ford Dagenham, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT or call 01708 462 373
Details
The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is delighted to announce it has received a £12,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting new project, Women’s Stories of Ford Dagenham.
This project runs in conjunction with the Queen’s Theatre’s newly-opened production of Made in Dagenham, a musical celebrating a momentous piece of local history and the women who led the fight for equal pay in the 1968 strikes at the Ford Dagenham plant.
I love having different musicians onto my radio show, all ages, all styles, that’s the pleasure of the job I do, giving people an opportunity to be heard. Occasionally you get to hear a voice so astounding it leaves you speechless and you know I bloody ramble for England! Today was that day and Lywis Cowles was the voice – simply amazing. His vocal ability and range is impressive yet he doesn’t over complicate a song, he doesn’t do vocal gymnastics although he sure could, you listen and its pure. I think I just met a future STAR!
Lywis Cowles… Life is too short to care what other people think – Be happy and always be proud of who you are.
Great to talk to Malcom Bigg who is the chairman for Talking Diabetes Brentwood and Robin Maynard who is also on the committee.
Malcolm and Robin came in to talk about their FAMILY FUN DAY 10am – 4pmSaturday 10th September just outside the BAYTREE CENTRE Brentwood CM14 4BX by the church ruins on the High Street. The Mayor of Brentwood will be opening the event.
We also talked about the signs and symptoms of Diabetes.
Health screenings, live music, cartoon character walkabouts, food, competitions, prizes and much more.
All money raise is going to Diabetes UK.
There are currently 3000 people in Brentwood with Diabetes and 300 who are undiagnosed. Get your free check on Saturday!
Joined in the studio by author Nicholas Barrett to talk about his debut work, Michaelmas Term (or why is that boy naked?).
Nicholas has had a varied working background from Administration, session drummer, stand up comedian and has during that time always written. He also shared a house with a ghost called Mr Goodman.
His fictional work, Michaelmas Termis based on some of his real life experiences, funny, witty and heart breaking. Its a story we have all experienced, growing up and our school days.
THE BOOK
Nicky has inexplicably passed a scholarship exam. Oops… He has now been earmarked for the oldest and most esteemed school in the area: Saint Onan’s Academy. Now his village friends think he’s a snob, and the posh boys think he’s a yokel. His new schoolmates include a Lord, a serial escapologist, oh… and an alien. His new teachers imbibe too much spirit, talk to spirits of a different kind, and call up demons. Can a boy from a village so small that it could be carpeted with a payday loan ever make his mark? Why is the Archaeology Society always determined to dig up the past? Michaelmas Term follows his struggle to find his place in the upper echelons of education (no talking at the back please…). Let us fervently hope that this seat of learning does not have a drawing pin on it…
REVIEWS
Nicholas has written a funny book you wont want to put down he has all the makings of the new tom sharp
Available at Amazon, Waterstones and all good bookshops.
Great to have Johnny Mack back in the studio to sing live and to talk about his album launch and Loose Lads TV show along with his LL co-presenter and rap artist, Billy Kabanda.
Johnny’s album, MY TIME, is launching Friday October 7th 7.30pm onwards with a host of singers and entertainment, including the man himself. Tickets available from Witham Town Hall from Monday 5th September (limited Tickets and no entry on the night without ticket). Part of the ticket sales will be going to the charity Brainwave which Johnny is closely involved with.
Tra Cee is on her second visit to the UK and Phoenix FM (she was on the show back in February) this time to record her video for Conversations in London. A whistle stop trip from Hammond, Indiana.
Joining Tra Cee in the studio, her Manager Reggie Barns and actor/voice over artist Vic Waghorn @Vic_Waghorn who have both made appearances in her video.
Fantastic to have Tra Cee singing live again in the studio and we got to hear her original material
THE WAY
FAVORITE SONG
CONVERSATIONS
Plus we got to hear Hearts and Symphony.
Interview Part One
Interview Part Two
Tra Cee should be back in the UK in 2017 and we hope to see her live with her band at Ronnie Scotts in London.
Tra Cee is also COO Songbird of Terror Records, Inc.
Young singer, songwriter Macauley Elvin came into Phoenix FM to talk about his music and to sing live.
Macauley is 19 and from Suffolk and has over come many obstacles to carry on his love of singing. Macauley was born with Asperger’s but he has certainly never let it hold him back.
Two live music performances:-
Lifeline
Hollow
We also got to listen to the single, Make this Happen.
Macauley is currently working with ChartHouse Music on releasing his Vido EP at the start of 2017.
Always a pleasure to see you Macauley and I love that aftershave you wear! x
Joined in the studio by stunning Rebecca Smith who is the current Miss Romford. Rebecca will be taking part in the Miss London City 2016 pageant shortly. This is Rebecca’s first pageant and her full time job is at Home Instead Senior Care, a job she loves.
As part of the pageant, Rebecca is hoping to raise money for Brainwave a children’s charity http://www.brainwave.org.uk/
Brainwave works with children with a wide range of conditions and developmental needs; including, cerebral palsy, genetic conditions, Down’s syndrome, autism and developmental delay. Brainwave assessments equip parents and carers with the necessary skills through the teaching of individually tailored programmes. Continuous support from the team and regular assessments with skilled therapists means that Brainwave is able to adjust the therapy required as the child grows and progresses, meaning that support is available for as long as needed.
Joined in the studio by singer songwriter, Georgia Box, definitely a rising star with a super voice, brilliant songs, awesome production and a stunning look! Her album is already in the top 100 of the ITUNES album charts and at number 3 in the singer songwriter chart!
We got to hear three tracks from Georgia, all from her EP, LOVE LANGUAGES
INTERVIEW WITH SAMPLE TRACKS YOURS & AGAIN
Live Performance of LOVE LANGUAGES the title track from the EP
Her current track, AGAIN is an outstanding and deserves to be heard, if this EP (LOVE LANGUAGES) doesn’t catapult this girl then I’ll eat my hat (I don’t wear a hat but I will eat someone else’s).
Joined in the studio by the “party popper, excitable and random” singer songwriter from Essex, Ms Leigh Luscious.
Leigh came in to talk about her brand new single WHOODEDOOP which is out now along with her debut album, THE LOOK. Both available on ITUNES and Leigh’s website.
Live performances of BEING WITH YOU & I’M GONNA GET OVER YOU.
For details on Leigh’s up and coming gigs check her website for details.
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We were delighted to welcome Everywhere into the Phoenix FM studio this week for their first interview and session.
Since their Hypemachine charting debut ‘Eddie’, Eveywhere’s music has been streamed millions of times on YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify. They made their first International appearance at the 2013 NME Awards in the UK, playing alongside Django Django and Palma Violets, and later went on to support the Kaiser Chiefs and headline Notting Hill Arts Club in London.
The band were formed in Sweden by frontman Max Berga, but when he relocated to London he reformed the band with fellow Londoners from France and Switzerland as well as England – hence the name!
We had a chat about how the current band got together and their current plans for playing live, writing and recording.
They also played some songs for us which you can see again below:
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I was joined today by Olly Langdon, the Artistic Director of Kilter Theatre, to talk about The Last Post, a production with a difference at the Queen’s Theatre … or rather NEAR the Queen’s Theatre.
It’s set on a tour bus. The bus takes 18 people so it’s an intimate space with the actors right in front of you and there’s even live music!
Step on board Mobile Sorting Office (MSO) 451 and be transported to a world where snail mail reigns supreme. Our pillar-box red van is brimming with vintage paraphernalia from a much-travelled life, with a thousand items of real mail. Meet Verity, the irrepressible heiress of an international pen-pal agency and Red, a redundant Post-Master and witness the unwrapping of a curious love story accompanied by “harmony-drenched, melancholy-tinged” live music, provided by Tomaz (who arrived one day in a jiffy bag)
After the show, stay for a tipple of sherry with Great Aunt Sofya and perhaps write that letter you’ve been meaning to send before popping it into our real (and functioning!) post box for delivery. Or if you’re stuck for inspiration you can pick up a postcard from our ‘Friends for Pens’ pin-board and write to a real life recipient who is waiting for your letter.
Performances will take place on Sunday 24th July at 2pm and 5pm.
Joined in the studio by Pam Court CEO of St Francis Hospice and Jane Merrigan PR & Communications Executive to talk about their recent Care Quality Commission award.
The inspection team from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) spent five days at Saint Francis Hospice in April and in its report published this week, it praised the “outstanding care and support” it provided to the community and said the management, staff and volunteers were “highly motivated and committed” to ensuring people benefited from the best possible care.
Joined in the studio by Natasha Radford who is the owner of The Chicken & Frog Bookshop, Ongar Road, Brentwood who has organised Brentwood Children’s Literary Festival for children (and their grown ups) from pre-schooler s to teens. The festival will take place 22nd–30th July 2016.
Tickets are now available online – thank you to Brentwood Theatre for running our box office.
Joined in the studio by the brilliant Lee Sargeant. Great talker and so passionate about music! I loved his three original tracks, one of my favourite vocal/guitar performances of 2016. Definitely be playing out his album later in the year.
Playing live, Saturday 16th July at the Village Beach Festival in Grays so get down there!
INTERVIEW
LIVE TRACKS Strolling On, Me & the Moon, Relationships plus a sneaky listen to blast of an exclusive a new track…
Joined in the studio by Lesley and John to discuss the Blue Flower Café – A support group for dementia carers
Blue Flower Café – A support group for dementia carers
The Blue Flower Café is a support group for dementia carers, run by dementia carers in the Brentwood area. It is the brainchild of Lesley, a local dementia carer, who sought the help of Essex Community Agents to get the club off the ground.
Carers can often feel isolated, as if others do not understand how their lives have changed. After a while, conversations with partners can seem a little lacking. Talking amongst a group of like-minded carers can help solve this.
Some challenges faced by carers of loved ones will have been successfully surmounted by other carers, who are happy to share their experiences. Not all problems can be solved but we can help each other a lot of the time by just talking to each other.
The purpose of the Blue Flower Café is to provide a fixed time, date and location in our diary so that dementia carers to meet on a regular basis for a chat with fellow carers, professionals and volunteers to share experiences and to help each other with the day to day problems they encounter.
All local dementia carers and their cared for loved ones are welcome to join us at the Blue Flower Café. We hope to help in many ways and maybe educate carers in some ways that they have not had to previously cope with.
We meet on the third Monday of each month for an hour and a half between 10.45am to 12.15pm at The Brentwood Theatre Café, 15 Shenfield Rd, Brentwood, CM15 8AG. The Blue Flower Café is free to attend, the Brentwood Theatre Café charge very reasonable prices for tea, coffee, etc.
Future Blue Flower Café dates are; 16th May, 20th June, 18th July, 15th August and 19th September. If these sessions are successful we will try and add another date, provisionally every 4th Wednesday of the month.
If you are interested in attending a Blue Flower Café session or would like to find out more, please contact the Right at Home (Brentwood, Billericay & Havering) office on 01277 811105 or email brentwood@rightathomeuk.com.
Community Agents is a partnership between Age UK Essex, the British Red Cross, Rural Community Council for Essex (RCCE),Essex Neighbourhood Watch and Essex County Council. For more information or to request the support of a Community Agent please contact them on:
Really interesting chat with Jim Shrubb who is a Town Crier. Jim explained about his work, the origins, traditions and also read out a few words from his carefully tied scrolls.
Sylvia kept us up to date with the latest news from The Billericay Readers Group and The Society of Woman Writers.
Also joining me this week is Harry Stacey, who is at Phoenix FM on work experience.
Sylvia contributes to national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Following her Freelance Writer of the Year award for Writing Magazine, she began work on FOLKLORE OF ESSEX which contributed to Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. Sylvia’s book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by the History Press is sold @ the British Library. This history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists dates from 1894 and includes pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature & poetry. Sylvia celebrates the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president. A chapter is dedicated to Joyce who meanders throughout the book which was reviewed in The Times, other dailies & YouTube. Sylvia is SWWJ’s Archivist. She work with several publishers including on-line specialists.Ebook titles are BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN & ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY, both downloadable via Kindle. later books are kindlised. 2,000 articles are linked to Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Suite 101. Film/audio clips now added.
Sylvia’s 10th book Barking & Dagenham From Old Photographs is selling well.
Joined in the studio by Holloway Road who are Jack Cooper and Robert Gulston. These guys are from Southend on Sea but listen to their music and they are modern Country Music all the way from Nashville.
Vocals are pitch perfect, harmonies are beautiful, guitar playing, perfect. Just the two guys today in the studio, the sound was incredible. What they sound like live with their full band must blow your musical mind.
Their original songs are thoughtful, well crafted and you feel yourself start to sing along to the chorus even if its the first time you hear it.
Definitely a band to watch, Holloway Road are rising fast.
They promised me a BBC Coffee Mug (stealing is so wrong) I am waiting…..
INTERVIEW Including GOOD THING GONE BAD
TRACK – WE SAID SO
TRACK – UNRELEASED
The boys striking a pose outside The Sugar Hut – Brentwood High Street.
ABOUT HOLLOWAY ROAD
Holloway Road are Jack Cooper and Robert Gulston, both originating from sunny Southend-On-Sea. But these aren’t your ordinary Essex Boys: Instead of tanning or getting their vajazzles done, they’recreating ‘free big in your face’ country pop music. Jack and Robert, being in their mid-twenties now, have had their fair share of experience writing and playing around the world. After attending the same school and working on musical projects together in the years since, Jack and Robert’s ability to write and produce stems from the idea of being able to write about being real and having a good time. Their influences include Florida Georgia Line, Kacey Musgraves, The Eagles, Mumford and Sons, and drinkin’ a beer!
Along with their debut, self-titled EP entering the Top 10 UK iTunes Country album charts, the duo have spent time in Nashville, been invited to play the Martin Guitar stage at the CMA Festival, toured with #1 hit writers John & Jacob, and performed at Country to Country Festival at the O2 Arena in London two years in a row. And they’re just getting started – with a string of UK and European dates in the spring and their second EP on the way, Holloway Road are well on their way to imprinting their own footprint in the country community.
Joined in the studio by Suffolk based band, Infrared Penguin – Andrew – Vocals, Ewan – Guitar, Will – Guitar, Billy – Bass and Jack – Drums.
The guys have not been together long but sound like they have been together for years. They are young and extremely talented, with their original tune CHILLIE n CHILL being a catchy number and mature beyond their years.
Hopefully see the guys back at Phoenix FM next year when their debut EP is released.
Joined in the studio by FALLING UNDER, who have just headlined Clacton Sea & Beach Festival after winning the Battle of the Bands Competition. The band are from Chelmsford and Newport! Max Webborn -Guitar/Lead Vocals, Ryan Phillips -Guitar/Vocals, Alex Orpin -Bass and Liam Vinnicombe -Drums.
Some really good hooks in their original music that keep the tracks in your head for the rest of the day.
Joined in the studio by Sue Mills who is a local artist from Hutton.
Sue talked about her art work, which is part of the Brentwood Art Trail and is currently being shown at Shenfield Library until the end of July.
Part of Sue’s artwork features paitnings of people with a skin condition, Vitiligo, which Sue has herself.
“I started painting these portraits to help spread awareness of the condition, which is where you lose your skin pigment and parts or all of your skin become white. I have gained much support on social media, especially the British Skin Foundation and Tiffany Grant, whose tattoo ‘went viral’ which said, ‘It’s called Vitiligo’.
Sue is also hoping to raise money for the British Skin Foundation by selling/raffling/auctioning one of my art works.
Joined in the studio by Yogesh Taylor who is the organiser of Village Beach Festival in Grays.
July 16 2016 11am – 7pm (FREE) Village Beach brings you an all day festival thatthe whole family can enjoy and get involved with a huge range of arts activity from musical theatre, literature, visual art, music and crafts which will be on offer across the day.
The line up includes something for all ages across the whole day – and best of all its completely FREE.
WHAT’S ON
This year five different stages will showcase the best of local bands and performers; Village Beach Main Stage, Thames Delta Stage, Perform Stage, Global Stage and Busking Beach Hut.
The Park’s green spaces, ‘the beach’, the riverside pathway and the marketplace will all host an eclectic mix of arts led activities, developed with some of the most creative and original arts organisations from around the region.
Joined in the studio by BLUES ENGINE, Katya Chernyakova (Vocals), Alex Cooray (Guitar) and Alex Liutai (Bass). Band member, Hamish Birchall (Drums), couldn’t be with us due to work commitments.
INTERVIEW
ACOUSTIC SESSION OF HUSH YOUR MOUTH, THIS LITTLE HEART & NOBODY KNOWS YOU WHEN YOUR DOWN AND OUT
Here at Mustard Seed we LOVE food!
We love to welcome you into our home and around our table.
We love to demonstrate and teach you fabulous recipes.
We love to produce wonderful food for your parties and celebrations.
We’re all about sharing and enjoying great home cooked food from all corners of the globe; Bold flavours and authentic ingredients; Rustic, generous dishes presented with love and care, not clinical precision!
Where possible we use our own home grown or locally sourced ingredients; and for our global themed events we source the most authentic ingredients from passionate, independent suppliers.
And everything we do is made and delivered with love, and a prayer to bless whoever receives it.
Fabulous live music at Phoenix FM today with the soulful vocals of Steve Brookstein along with his superb guitarist, Luka.
Steve is performing at The Brentwood Theatre on Wednesday 15th June with his full band line up, including the amazing guitarist Luca. It will be a beautiful night of soul classics and supporting Steve will be the stunning jazz vocalist Eileen Hunter.
Eileen Hunter possesses a beautiful, timeless voice. Drenched with the great vocal stylings of the classic forties and fifties women singers, her clearly-intoned, warm sound also sits comfortably in the Peyroux, Krall and Norah camp. Hunter is the gem in an overpopulated jewelbox of female vocalists.” Ian Shaw, BBC Jazz Award Winner
Joined in the studio by Gary Raymond to talk about his autobiography, BLAG, STEAL & BORROW. Gary gave us a little taster of what’s in the book and for those considering a music career or for those already trying to make it, this book will show you the funny, harsh and crazy side of the industry.
INTERVIEW
Release date 3rd June (Kindle) Hard back 10th June plus a signing at Waterstones High Street, Chelmsford –Saturday 18th June 12pm
THE BOOK
Gary Victor Raymond was born in 1960 in East London before the family upped sticks and moved to The Cockney Del Sol seaside town of Southend-On-Sea. The pie & mash loving son of a professional drummer and publican, he had a colourful upbringing that included living in a zoo, working in a dolphinarium, listening to glam rock and watching Bruce Lee movies – sadly having no hand-eye coordination meant that he was never able to follow in his father’s footsteps and take to the stage. But it was when he started working in the music industry that he made his mark, taking 3 unsigned lads from Essex into the top 20, making music chart history, winning a gold disc and having them forever immortalised in The Guinness Book of Records. These days the father of four, having survived cancer surgery, prefers to sit in front of the television with a cup of tea cheering on his beloved Tottenham Hotspur or watching The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones and any movie about East End gangsters, leaving behind him those days in the music industry. Gary has had a number of poems published and his thoughtful poem ‘The Thrill of the Kill’ was used in an anti-hunting campaign.
REVIEWS
“I literally creased over laughing which I have never done with a book before.”
– Alex Fearn, Diamond Days
“This is the story of the underdog making history – I give it 10/10”
– Paul Baker
“It’s a book that will make you cry, laugh out loud, and wonder how anyone really ‘makes it’ in the music industry these days.”
– Neil Jones, Arts Editor, Essex Standard
“A fascinating read. The annals of management hero worship await.”
Joined by local singer and songwriter, Matt Tubey.
Matt played live and talked about his music, good bit of studio banter too and a cracking good voice and songs. If you get a chance get along to one of his many gigs across Essex.
INTERVIEW PLUS LIVE PERFORMANCES (Long Time Coming, Keep on Keeping On, My Mental State and He Below Me)
Joined in the studio by Antiques a local band with some fantastically catch tunes. Adam Nichols, Vocals & Guitar, Bryn Daniel, Bass Guitar and Elliot Yarnall on Drums.
The boys have their EP Launch for HERE ONLY ONCE on the 10th June at O2 Academy Islington Angel Central, 16 Parkfield Street, N1 0PS London, United Kingdom 6pm onwards.
INTERVIEW PART ONE PLUS LIVE PERFORMANCE OF MASQUERADE
INTERVIEW PART TWO PLUS LIVE PERFORMANCE OF SALLY DONT BE SCARED
We are Antiques, a three piece Alternative Rock band from South Essex. We have spent countless hours in dingy, cold rehearsa…l rooms perfecting our own material that can’t be compared to any one artist or band. We have a Robert Smith of The Cure meets Queens of The Stone Age sound that makes us stand out in the crowd; enough to get noticed and remembered but not so much that we are considered outcasts in the Alt Rock scene.
Joined in the studio by Chris Chitticks to talk about the up and coming gig featuring some of the best cover bands in the UK. Its all in aid of Prostate Cancer UK. 40 thousand men are diagnosed each year with Prostate Cancer. Chris is a cancer survivor and guys, we need to make sure that you get checked! Its a simple blood test, if you are over 40, next time you get to your doctors, get checked.
The gig is called H.I. T.S 2015. H.I.T.S stands for Head in the Sand which is what men tend to do when they think about illness. So men (and wives, girlfriends) make sure you remind your guy to get that simple blood test at the doctors.
DATE: 10th September 2016
WHO’S PLAYING?
Glam Star – Playing all the Glam Star favorites and having seen them live, they are brilliant.
Coda – Led Zeppelin Tribute Band
Any Colour you Like – The UK’s top Pink Floyd Tribute Band
VENUE:-
THE TRACTOR SHED THEATRE an amazing venue
London Heys Farm, Latchingdon, Essex. CM3
TICKETS ARE £10.00 each and there is a maximum of 200 tickets for sale so don’t leave it too late to get yours.
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Michelle Ward spoke to the Spandau Ballet frontman about his forthcoming performance at this year’s Brentwood Festival, taking place this year here at the Brentwood Centre from 15-17 July.
Michelle asks Tony about his music origins, what he’s listening to now and we also got to find out what he thinks about the current Arsenal team …
Tony will be headlining on the weekend’s final day, Sunday 17 July. For tickets and more information visit brentwoodfestival.co.uk.
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I was joined in the studio by Robin Longman and Jess Kemp who are both Client Liaison Managers at The BeechesCare and Nursing Home in Brentwood.
Robin and Jess love their jobs, everyday is different and you can tell they have a real passion for their work and making the lives of others their priority.
The Beeches Care & Nursing Home have some great events coming up:-
June 2nd – A Right Royal Street Party – residents will be commemorating the Queen’s 90th birthday with fish and chips, ice cream van and a barbershop quartet. We will also be launching the Independent Living apartments on the lower ground floor, the final phase of The Beeches to open with private patios and parking for residents. Tours to be conducted on the day by appointment.
June 17th – National Care Home Open Day – Have a look around the Beeches, with entertainment throughout the day for residents. Book a visit with Robin and Jess to view the final few apartments.
National finalists at the National Care Awards – dignity in care award.
Dementia Awareness sessions from July onwards following dementia champion training for staff from the Alzheimer’s Society.
General Enquires
01277 561 019
For family members and staff
01277 690 300
The Beeches
Hubert Road, off London Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 4NA
Email: enquiries.beeches@signaturesl.co.uk
The Beeches
The Beeches, a wonderful place to call home.
The Beeches, our new care home in Brentwood offers the full spectrum of 24-hour residential and nursing care for individuals and couples. Whatever you need, whether it’s short term respite or convalescence, a comfortable home and some assistance with everyday tasks, or specialised dementia or end-of-life care, we have the expertise and the people to provide it. You and your family can have complete peace of mind, knowing you’ll never have to look elsewhere.
This elegant purpose-built property offers 99 spacious en suite private apartments, a variety of studio, one- and two-bedroom are available. Set within the most beautiful landscape gardens, meticulously tended by our resident gardening team. This provides a lovely environment for a relaxing stroll or an alfresco drink, ideal for sharing with friends and family. The Beeches has its very own cinema room – guaranteed to keep everyone entertained and a Signature Cafe that offers a welcoming, casual dining experience.
The home will boast Signature’s excellent standards of care, outstanding facilities and dedication to treating every member of our community with respect, dignity and the individuality they deserve.
Joined on the line by author Scott McGlynn to talk about his debut book – OUT.
OUT is a memoir that chronicles 28-year-old Scott McGlynn’s years of being bullied for being gay and how he overcame them. His writing takes a close look at his experiences growing up and learning to accept his true self. His mission is to end bullying once and for all. McGlynn’s autobiographical story about his struggles with peer pressure and coming to grips with his sexuality at a young age gives readers a personal insight into the life of a young man’s growth and his newfound ability to embrace who he is. His aim is to inspire people of all walks of life so that they can be proud of who they are. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Scott McGlynn, the author of OUT, is from Cardiff, Wales UK.
The book is available to buy on Amazon and all good bookshops.
Twitter @scottymcglynn and on Instagram @ScottyMcGlynn.
Joined in the studio by actor, MIKE EDMONDS to talk about the documentary of his life called, UNDER THE RADAR: THE MIKE EDMONDS STORY.
A great interview with a lovely man, who I spoke to along with award-winning Director, Simon Frith and personal friend and writer Sylvia Kent who arranged the interview.
The world premiere is on the 30th May at Park Inn Palace Hotel at 8.30pm. Entry is £5.00 contact http://southendfilmfestival.com/ this gives you an exclusive pass into the after show party at Southend Casino!
Simon has interviewed many amazing actors/directors for this film. Star Wars and Indiana Jones Producer, Robert Watts, Film Director and Python, Terry Gilliam, Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) Actor, Danny John Jules but to name a few.
Actor Mike Edmonds is from Southend, Essex. Having worked on Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Time Bandits, Flash Gordon, Harry Potter but to name a few. Mike has also toured with The Royal Shakespeare Company. Millions of children will also know him as Little Ron in the BBC Maid Marian and her Merry Men series.
Joined in the studio by Actor Kris Johnson and Producer Lucinda Rhodes about their film HOOLIGAN LEGACY.
INTERVIEW
The film shot on location in Essex is a gripping, gritty story of four men, no strangers to unlawful transgressions, who execute a daring football stadium robbery, but the volatile dynamic soon turns sour when the leader of the group becomes paranoid and begins to self destruct. Years later, after a stint in prison, the villainous leader is unrelenting in his path to retribution, he wants his years back and will take them from all of the men who know the true reasons for his prolonged captivity.
The film also hosts a selection of great actors, most hailing from Essex with Terri Dwyer playing the part of Kris’s wife in the film. Terri is a fine actress and has one of the most distinctive voices, she has appeared in Hollyoaks and a number of high profile TV shows.
The film will be out on the 30th May available on DVD, this is a certificate 18, so if you love gritty drama, violence, edge of your seat thrills along with the “proper” way that cockneys really talk and not a watered down PG version, you will love this film.
Joined in the studio by the talented singer, songwriter and all round lovely guy, Johnny Mac.
Johnny has just released a great new track, DOWN TO THE RIVER, which is one of his original songs.
When he is not writing his own material, Johnny is one busy guy gigging all over the country with tributes to Michael Buble, Gary Barlow and Ollie Murs. He simply doesn’t stop working.
Interview Part One with a sample of the brand new track DOWN TO THE RIVER
Interview Part Two with live performance of L.O.V.E.
Joined in the studio by Brentwood Mayor, Mark Reed, his Mother, Mike le Surf and Roger Davison (CEO Brentwood Centre) and Ce Ce the dog!
We talked to Mark about his year as Mayor and its a fantastic ten minute summary of his time as Mayor with a few interruptions from Ce Ce!
SNAP CHARITY
Mark is raising money for SNAP, Special Needs and Parents, a charity that supports hundreds of families across Essex and who work so hard to both fundraise and to deliver the best support possible for the families.
The ‘marathon’ walk will be taking place on Wednesday 11 May from 8am to 8pm in the foyer of The Brentwood Centre. Mark can be sponsored at https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Reed14/ and is looking to raise £1500, with £300 already promised from co-walkers.
PART ONE Sylvia talks Books, Victoria Wood and pickles.
PART TWO Molly Looby talks ZA (Zombie Apocalypse)
PART THREE Molly Looby talks NaNoWriMo, a must for all writers!
Joined in the studio this month by writer Molly Looby and yes that is her real name. It means that every account you can image, she can use her own name, rather than adding a 1, 2 or 5 to it!
Molly Looby is the author of ZA and many other unpublished works that are just on the verge of being published. She spends almost all of her time hunkered down at the desk under her stairs with her imaginary friends.
Achievements include a 315,000+ total NaNoWriMo word count, more about that in the interview, a Shakespeare Award for services to Literature created by her A’ level form tutor, and a Zombie Run medal.
Molly writes and writes, so success is only just around the corner. People who do, they succeed and I have no doubt that Molly will be a name to watch.
Sylvia contributes to national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Following her Freelance Writer of the Year award for Writing Magazine, she began work on FOLKLORE OF ESSEX which contributed to Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. Sylvia’s book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by the History Press is sold @ the British Library. This history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists dates from 1894 and includes pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature & poetry. Sylvia celebrates the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president. A chapter is dedicated to Joyce who meanders throughout the book which was reviewed in The Times, other dailies & YouTube. Sylvia is SWWJ’s Archivist. She work with several publishers including on-line specialists.Ebook titles are BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN & ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY, both downloadable via Kindle. later books are kindlised. 2,000 articles are linked to Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Suite 101. Film/audio clips now added.
Sylvia’s 10th book Barking & Dagenham From Old Photographs is selling well.
One of my favourite singer/songwriters and multi instrumentalist, Paolo Morena, joined me on the telephone to talk about his recent P.A.N.I.C. Award and to talk about his brand new single ITS ONLY LOVE.
Get the album THE MIGHTY SMALL out now http://paolomorena.com/
Delighted to be joined in the studio by Karen Roberts from CLIC Sargent (Cancer Support for the Young). They do an amazing job and if you would like to help this organisation raise funds in a fun way then….
Join thousands of other Hair-o’s across the UK on 25 May 2016, wear a wig for the day to support children and young people with cancer.
You can wig out anywhere; with colleagues, friends or at school!
Remy Kendall came in to talk about a little known condition called Madelung Deformity to raise awareness and also talk about a fundraising event:-
Charlottle, Kendall’s mother, set up http://madelungsawareness.org/ which is the only website dedicated to the condition. The site offers advice, help and raises funds which go to look into a cure or new treatments.
Remy has already completed a fun run to raise money and you will find her charity bracelets in many local shops. Remy is a budding singer with a great voice so we hope to have her back in the studio to sing live in the future.
Madelung’s Deformity is a rare wrist deformity that affects around 1 in 800,000 but this is just a rough guide as not everyone gets correctly diagnosed due to the rarity of it.
Madelung’s Deformity effects the Ulnar & radius bones in the forearm & wrist. they grow faster than they should and continue to grow when they should of stopped.
Madelung’s Deformity becomes more apparent during puberty (ages 8-12) due to the growth spurt that occurs during this time, it is more common in females than males.
There is no cure at present for Madelung’s Deformity it can be managed with pain medication, wrist supports & other coping techniques, which differs from person to person.
In some cases surgery is sometimes recommended.
Surgery may or may not work depending on the severity of the Madelung’s & it could make The wrist (wrists) worse. Once surgery is done it can not be undone.
Bilateral Madelung’s Deformity is when it presents in both wrists around 50% of Madelung sufferers have it in both wrists.
The Condriacs are Peter Spicer & Tony Slaven, a songwriting duo from Essex.
The guys are talented musicians, Peter on guitar and Tony on vocals. To my amazement, Tony has not been singing that long, he has a cracking voice. The songs are also extremely catchy.
We had a visit from half a dozen bombshells today … namely members of the Burlesque Bombshells!
Lindsay Burrell, otherwise known as Miss Cherry Bomb, and five of the Bombshells talked about how they got involved, the benefits of burlesque dancing and how the group have raised funds for good causes.
They also gave us a live demonstration and you can see their fantastic dance routine to Chris de Burgh’s Patricia The Stripper below:
Burlesque is for ladies of all shapes and sizes, backgrounds, experience and abilities. It’s fun, fascinating, fabulous and frivolous. Think poise, think glamour, think show girls and think empowerment.
It is also fantastic exercise and a great way to build confidence and meet new friends. Whether you are a complete novice or someone who has already dipped a toe, the Burlesque Bombshells is for you!
Through dance moves, techniques and props you can work through routines, look at costumes and accessories and explore the fabulous ‘burly’ world.
The classes takeplace at Danbury Sports Centre on Mondays at 8.15pm. For more information visit danburysportscentre.co.uk.
Click here to hear the whole interview and session:
It was a real pleasure to welcome Tom Hingley back to Phoenix FM!
Tom was the lead vocalist of Inspiral Carpets from 1989 until 2011, enojying three top 10 albums and nine top 40 singles in the UK.
He’s also released a number of albums, both solo and with former band The Lovers.
Tom is now back and releasing his first single unde the Tom Hingley Band name with fellow musicians Ste Pearce and Malcolm Law. “Beggar’s Hand” will be released on this year’s Record Store Day (Saturday 16 April) and the band are donating all proceeds to two charities – LifeShare and Hop Fest – who help the homeless popluation of Manchester and Liverpool.
He spoke to Michelle about the reasons behind recording the single and his current work with the new band. We were also treated to acoustic versions of three songs, which you can see again below:
You can keep up to date on Tom’s official website at tomhingley.co.uk where you can not only hear and buy his music, but also buy his beer, Tom Hingley’s Bitter, too!
Brentwood road racer Nikki Juniper has had a succesful career so far, winning the Women’s Road Series in 2014 and 2015.
Nikki was at Hanningfield Reservoir today, where she trains from time to time, ahead of her next race in the calendar – the Northumbrian Water “Alexandra Tour of the Reservoir” at Derwent Reservoir in County Durham on 16 and 17 April.
Michelle had a chat with Nikki about her cycling and you can hear it again here:
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Click below to listen to the whole interview and session again:
We had a visit from the brilliant Bea Munro live in the studio for the first time today – and hopefully not the last.
Bea is a 22 year old artist originally from Essex but now living in London. She spoke to Michelle about her debut album in which was recorded in Los Angeles with Grammy-nominated producer Greg Wells (who has also worked with Adele and Katy Perry). Bea has also just returned from Iceland where she was filming a video, so she’s been keeping busy!
Bea also treated us to live versions of two songs which you can see again below:
If you want to keep up to date with news about Bea’s releases and gigs then you can visit her Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud pages.
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Dundee band Vladimir popped in to Phoenix FM to play a live session this week.
The band comprise Ross, Peter, Sam and James and were also joined in the studio by Scott and Bob from their live crew who did a fantastic job of getting the sound right in the studio!
Vladimir have recently supported The Libertines and Sleaford Mods and also soundtracked a new Dr Martens advert late last year.
We had a chat about how the band got together and their current plans for playing live, writing and recording.
They also played some songs for us which you can see again below:
Joining Sylvia and myself in the studio this month was special guest writer Elizabeth Lord AKA Maggie Ford AKA Ivy! Ivy tells us the funny story on her publishing names during the interview. Ivy is now publishing under the name Maggie Ford having released previously under the name Elizabeth Lord.
With over 32 books under her belt, Ivy talked about her book A Mothers Love – By Maggie Ford
Growing up in London’s tough East End, young Sara Porter has had to learn to take care of herself. Her mother resents her maternal responsibilities and has never shown her daughter the slightest bit of love. Starved of affection, Sara vows not to let anyone get close and focuses instead on getting out of the East End. But still she hopes that one day she’ll find a real family to call her own…
Words of praise for Ivy’s work “Elizabeth Lord is a natural storyteller” Ruth Rendell
Sylvia contributes to national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Following her Freelance Writer of the Year award for Writing Magazine, she began work on FOLKLORE OF ESSEX which contributed to Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. Sylvia’s book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by the History Press is sold @ the British Library. This history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists dates from 1894 and includes pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature & poetry. Sylvia celebrates the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president. A chapter is dedicated to Joyce who meanders throughout the book which was reviewed in The Times, other dailies & YouTube. Sylvia is SWWJ’s Archivist. She work with several publishers including on-line specialists.Ebook titles are BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN & ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY, both downloadable via Kindle. later books are kindlised. 2,000 articles are linked to Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Suite 101. Film/audio clips now added.
Sylvia’s 10th book Barking & Dagenham From Old Photographs is selling well.
Joined in the studio by Natalie Mbunga who is a poet and singer from Romford, Essex. Accompanying Natalie, was pianist and artist, Jason Rose.
As well her singing, Natalie started Clarences Workshop in 2004 and visits schools all over London/Essex exploring Afro-Caribbean history.
You can hear the interview again here:
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Natalie also performed two pieces with Jason and you can see those performances here:
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Joined in the studio by Jane Bennett of Bennetts Funeral Directors, Penny Hollington from Hollington Associates and our very own Phoenix FM Chairman, Paul Golder, who spoke about this year’s Brentwood Community Firewalk.
Now in its third year, the Firewalk has raised over £31,500 for local and national charities. This year’s event will be held at a new venue – The Society of Old Brentwoods in Ashwells Road, Brentwood – on Saturday 29 October 2016 at 5pm. There will be a Halloween-themed party after the event!
If you are a business in Brentwood then you should be coming along to Biscotti Brentwood.
Luke Adams came in to talk about Biscotti and his enthusiasm is amazing. I am self employed and felt inspired by Luke’s talk on Marketing.
Biscotti – Its a great way of networking and only £5.00 per meeting!
About the Biscotti Brentwood Event
Venue: Marygreen Manor Hotel, London Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4NR – just off the M25 at Jct.28.
Marygreen Manor Hotel: relaxed drop-in networking to suit your schedule.
Meetings: The 1st Tuesday of every month from 9.15am until 11.45am.
All businesses are welcome, from start-ups to well-established corporations, organizations, charities and local authorities.
Both men and women are invited to attend and we encourage you to invite your business colleagues and other neighbouring companies, to help support the group and grow it into the leading monthly event in the United Kingdom.
Business Biscotti is what networking is all about – meeting and forming business relationships with like-minded people. From developing direct sales and forging partnerships to help generate new business, recommendations and testimonials.
Joined in the studio by singer/songwriter and man with the soulful voice, Steve Brookstein.
Great chatting with Steve about his album FORGOTTEN MAN and his fantastic book, GETTING OVER THE X plus Twitter, the Press, Steve’s outlook on life, new music ventures, acting and more.
Whatever you may have read about Steve in the press, take time to listen to this interview because I met a truly genuine, funny, music loving artist and you can hear that in everything Steve says – passionate about music and only interested in making music.
We played out tracks from his album FORGOTTEN MAN along with Steve’s personal picks from other artists. We got to hear a track from his talented wife, Eileen Hunter, with the title track from her album I MISS THE SKY.
INTERVIEW PART ONE – My first record, Influences, Trips to Cornwall – Sample of track SADIE – Steve Brookstein
INTERVIEW PART TWO – “If you can dream it – you’ve lived it”, Cassettes, P.A. Systems & Luther Vandross – Sample track BUSY BODY – Luther Van Dross
INTERVIEW PART THREE – Singing Coach, Heroes, Writing Music, Coffee Shop Fate – Sample track I MISS THE SKY – Eileen Hunter
INTERVIEW PART FOUR – Getting Over the X, X Factor, Max Clifford, American Politics, The Media, Fame, Wrong Pronunciations – Sample track CALIFORNIA DREAMING – Steve Brookstein
INTERVIEW PART FIVE – Age, Talent Shows, “I cant touch my toes”, Sliding Door Moments, Family, Acting, The Future, Twitter – Sample track FLYING EASY – Donny Hathaway
WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT STEVE’S VOICE
“F***ing Brilliant!” – Sir Tom Jones
‘Steve, totally mind blowing… any big name comparisons, he is right up there with them.’ Liane Carroll.
His short-noted delivery recalled the late Otis Redding.’ The late Jack Massarik, The Evening Standard
What do Madonna, Tom Jones, Stevie Wonder, Sister Sledge, Yusuf Islam, Boy George, Al Jarreau have in common? They have all worked with writer, producer, pianist Pete Adams! What a C.V. what a career in music and he has just released his debut album with a host of the finest musicians you can shake a.. well shaker at.
Picture the scene ……… The man they call the ” Chivalrous Hombre ” is on the run for a crime he did not commit. He stows away on a tall ship heading for South America. Once there, the adventure begins and there will be exciting escapades to undertake. Let the music take you on a journey to that South American port, listen and come along for the ride.
If you love your music, then make sure you check out the interview and you will hear some samples of the excellent music from his debut album DIRTY BOOTS available to download now.
Fantastic chat with a super talented and entertaining man, who is also seriously funky.
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We had a visit from Vernon Harris, who is not only a professional clinical hypnotherapist and psychotherapist but a lifestyle therapist as well.
Vernon chatted about his work, and how he can help people overcome problems with weight and stress.
He also helped to clear up a few misconceptions about hypnosis!
In the studio today the one man band that is Doozer McDooze. A great lyricist, punchy songs and the man of a thousand festivals. Doozer has the privellage of being a full time musican and you couldn’t imagine anyone happier than Doozer and his guitar.
He has a cracking gig lined up to promote his Brand New Album at The Fiddler’s Elbow in Camden, London on 18th June, so check out his website for more details, its gonna be a stonker of a gig.
Interview Part One and live performance of Not Going Back to That
Interview Part Two and live performance of Nice Down Here
Interview Part Three and live performance of I’m the worse businessman the World has ever seen
Joined in the studio by one of the UK’s leading jazz guitarists, Tony Sandeman and the beautiful vocalist, Julia Plumb – Quinn.
Tony was in the studio to about The Essex Easter Jazz Course which takes place in Brentwood each year. Tony and Julia both performed live in the studio and I was even lucky enough to get to sing as well!
If you love jazz, if you are a singer, sax player, pianist, drummer, bassist, percussionist or guitarist and would like to learn more from some of the top players in the country take a look at the details below.
“I loved being able to play all day and learn more theory quickly” – Andy Russell, (Sax)
“The band workshops helped to build my confidence” – David (Sax)
“The most enjoyable part for me was learning about structure and arrangements as well as the instrumental session” – Neil Sullivan (Percussion)
“I really enjoyed the lecture with the tutors as it was nice to see it all come together and to see them play. The instrumental tuition was a great chance to discuss/play and question” – Alison Hendry (Piano)
Whether you are new to jazz looking to explore this exciting music or a gigging professional seeking to improve your jazz repertoire and improvisational skills this is the course for you.
The course is endorsed by the Spike Robinson Foundation and hosted in the fantastic surroundings of the Brentwood School Music Department.
You will receive instrumental tuition to suit your level from some of the finest players on the UK jazz scene. These have included: Tony Sandeman (Guitar), Derek Nash, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Frank Sebastian and Zak Barret (Sax, Woodwind, Flute and Clarinet), Dan Banks (Piano and Keyboards), Marc Cecil (Drum Kit and Percussion), Dave Chamberlian and Jonti Fisher (Bass) and Georgina Jackson (Vocals).
The course is charged at £245 per place (or £200 for early bookings), for the four days of tuition, making it one of the most competitively priced jazz courses in the country (less than £8 per hour – or less than £7 per hour if you’re an early booker). Places will be strictly limited to seven per instrument to ensure instruments are not duplicated in the band sessions and that instrumental tuition is not over subscribed.
Following last year we expect a large take up so you are advised to book early and sign up to the blog for ongoing news approaching the course.
Joined in the studio by Jill Willis from THE VANILLA ROOM – Brentwood, who came in to talk about their fantastic spring hair sale plus what’s new in hair this spring.
The Vanilla Room is a much loved independent hair salon on Brentwood’s Wilsons Corner.
L’Oreal creative colour specialists as well as a Kerastase flagship salon, its renowned for its sophisticated styling and really personal service.t’s happening in salon this spring?
SPRING HAIR SALE. 50% off cut & style, or 25% off cut & style for new clients until end of April. Plus, our new Olaplex services, with ‘a touch of Olaplex’ from £20. Perfect for colour junkies.
We have all seen Fairtrade products at the supermarket, does buying an item in your weekly shopping make a difference? You BET IT DOES!
As part of Fairtrade Fortnight, I was joined in the studio by Patrick Kaberia Muthaura who is a Tea Producer from Kenya. Patrick is in the UK to promote the work of Fairtrade and to let you know what a massive difference buying Fairtrade products has made to his community.
Thank you to Patrick for a wonderful interview and we hope that you get the message out to everyone, plus I hope your football team won?
Joined in the studio by two of the members of the excellent Mike Lenson Band : Mike Lenson: Vocals & Guitar, Matt Weston: Drums. The remaining band members, Chris Firth: Bass, Abe Hampton: Keys, we will give a shout out to!
This brilliant soul, funky, reggae band are from Essex and have produced a stunning EP which is out now, available via their website.
We talked about the bands superb EP, heard a few samples of what you can expect and they performed an acoustic number live in the studio.
This lot are going to be getting loads of play on Phoenix FM and definitely one to see live! NEXT GIG The Bassment, Chelmsford (Essex Delta Blues Festival) 12th March 2016
We get to hear:-
Destination
Bring back the Sunshine
Shoot me Down
INTERVIEW PLUS SNIPPETS OF DESTINATION, BRING BACK THE SUNSHINE & SHOOT ME DOWN
Super American soul singer Tra Cee was in the UK for a few days and popped in to see us at Phoenix FM.
We’ve been playing Tra Cee’s track, FAVORITE SONG, for the last couple of weeks so it was a pleasure to meet the lady herself and have her sing live in the studio. Tra Cee is in the UK for a few days doing promotions and a photoshoot in London.
Mrs. Tracy Lewis, born in Chicago now living in Indiana and raising a beautiful family, has been singing since she could speak, winning her first talent show at the age of 6 singing Love Come Down by Evelyn Champagne King. In high school “Tra Cee” met Cabrina D. Smith aka “Mz Lady”, now her label mate, and they formed a group called The Players where they danced and rapped. At 17 years old Tra Cee filmed her first music video at Great America, covering Janet Jacksons’ “Control”.
Today Tra Cee is still singing, writing, and recording her own songs. Along side life-long best friend Mz Lady, Tra Cee is not only an artist on the Terror Records label, she is also the COO of the label and has held this position since October of 2013. With two song placements on “Reign of Terror” TR’s first MixTape, Tra Cee’s popularity is growing quickly.
While making music Tra Cee’s most influential artists are Patti LaBelle, Erykah Badu, Stephanie Mills, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Teena Marie, Peabo Bryson, Chaka Khan, and Anita Baker. With family and church being a huge part of her life Tra Cee also practices music in the church, she is on the praise and worship team as well as being a choir director.
Tra Cee will be releasing her next project in 2016 and the Terror Records Family will be providing the support for a successful and beautiful album.
Always a pleasure to have writer Sylvia Kent in the studio. Each month Sylvia brings a talented writer into Phoenix FM and this month was the turn of Amanda J Thomas.
Along with her writing, Amanda is a member of The Society of Women Writers and Journalists, The historical Novel Society, Brentwood Writer’s Circle, The Council for British Archaeology, The Kent Archaeological Society and that is to name only a few! As you can see, Amanda is extremely busy.
Amanda is a fascinating woman and plenty off air chatter followed the interview.
Amanda’s new book, Cholera – The Victorian Plague is out now.
Interview
Cholera – The Victorian Plague
Description
Discover the story of the disease that devastated the Victorian population, and brought about major changes in sanitation. Drawing on the latest scientific research and a wealth of archival material, Amanda Thomas uses first-hand accounts, blending personal stories with an overview of the history of the disease and its devastating after-effects on British society. This fascinating history of a catastrophic disease uncovers forgotten stories from each of the major cholera outbreaks in 1831-3, 1848-9, 1853-4 and 1866. Amanda Thomas reveals that Victorian theories about the disease were often closer to the truth than we might assume, among them the belief that cholera was spread by miasma, or foul air.
Sylvia contributes to national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Following her Freelance Writer of the Year award for Writing Magazine, she began work on FOLKLORE OF ESSEX which contributed to Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. Sylvia’s book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by the History Press is sold @ the British Library. This history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists dates from 1894 and includes pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature & poetry. Sylvia celebrates the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president. A chapter is dedicated to Joyce who meanders throughout the book which was reviewed in The Times, other dailies & YouTube. Sylvia is SWWJ’s Archivist. She work with several publishers including on-line specialists.Ebook titles are BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN & ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY, both downloadable via Kindle. later books are kindlised. 2,000 articles are linked to Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Suite 101. Film/audio clips now added.
Sylvia’s 10th book Barking & Dagenham From Old Photographs is selling well.
Joined in the studio by ANON, who is a Christian rap artist, performing along with his brother and musician MisteRLees.
The combination of the music and spiritual content is something that you wont hear everyday, its easy to forget you are listening to a religious message.
I’ll Be Good which was performed live, has a great hook and will prove to be a cross over from the Christian Music into mainstream.
Really lovely guys, both massively talented and always a pleasure to welcome the boys back into Phoenix FM.
Delighted to be joined in the studio by one of the UK’s most successful and hugely talented saxophonist, writer, arranger, producer and engineer, DEREK NASH.
A fancinating insight into DEREK’s life as one of the leading lights in the UK Jazz scene.
Derek talks about his early life in music, his writing, his passion for jazz, advice for musicians just starting out, how he became a member of The Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, plus working with Amy Winehouse, Jamie Callum, Tom Jones, Prince and much more.
TRACKS PLAYED
The Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet – You dig it you dig it, you dig?
Picante – Corona
Sax Appeal – Sticky Finger Boogie
INTERVIEW PART ONE (including music from The Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet – You’ve got to dig it, to dig it, you dig?).
INTERVIEW PART TWO (including music from Picante – Corona)
INTERVIEW PART THREE (including Sax Appeal album Funkadeen – Sticky Finger Boogie)
So many gigs to pick from the website but here are two for Essex.
Joined in the studio by Bob Simpson and Scott Waple to talk about their podcast, Mental Health Matters on TIME TO TALK DAY.
Bob and Scott produce a monthly Mental Health Matters programme, covering all aspects of Mental Health.
The programme and its guests are there to help others on their mental health recovery journey. Inspirational, informative and making a difference to peoples lives.
If you have a story about your mental health journey that you feel would help others, then please contact the team at mhmatters@outlook.com or radio@phoenixfm.com
Fitness In Mind™ is an award winning initiative designed to promote, encourage and provide physical activity as an aid to mental wellbeing.
Sport and physical activity are proven to boost self-esteem, reduce stress, and help prevent or reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, but getting active when you’re not feeling great isn’t easy. Low motivation, social anxiety, self-image issues, uncertainty regarding exercise, and financial expense, can all hinder us from using this vital and hugely enjoyable life tool.
At Fitness In Mind™ we strive to support individuals into fun physical activity, helping them establish and maintain a healthier lifestyle for both body and mind.
All our classes are run by specially selected, qualified instructors, and friendly Peer-Support Volunteers, giving expert tuition, emotional support, and guidance towards other useful organisations.
Joined in the studio by the burst of energy that is Leigh Luscious! Always an entertaining interview filled with stories, live music, Jedward, X Factor, her book, Big Brother and her beautiful live performance for Chelsey Sharp.
www.LEIGHLUSCIOUS.COM for physical copies of the album THE LOOK – otherwise its ITUNES
The Book THE LIFE OF LEIGH LUSCIOUS 2011 – 2015 Currently SOLD OUT but fingers crossed it should be back in March, check Leigh’s website for details.
PART ONE
INTRODUCTION. THE ALBUM THE LOOK. TRACK LOVE STRUCK. PLAYING GUITAR, JEDWARD FANDOM.
PART TWO
CHELSEY SHARP
VIDEO
LIVE PERFORMANCE DEDICATED TO CHELSEY SHARP – WORSHIP/CHELSEY’S SONG
PART THREE
HELLO MELISSA. THE ALBUM THE LOOK. A LATE CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR MICHELLE. THE CALENDAR. THE BOOK. HELLO LOTTEY. THE LOVE SONG. MORE JEDWARD DUBLIN CITY ROUNDERS. THE VOICE. YOU TUBE. BEING MUGGED. LIVE PERFORMANCE OF NEVER HAD YOUR HEART BROKEN.
Joined in the studio by Director, Film Maker and Writer, TOM PATON who came in to talk about his brand new sci fi film, PANDORICA.
PANDORICA is looking to be one of the hits of 2016. Don’t want to give too much away so listen to Tom’s interview which is also a must for anyone looking to delve into the world of film.
If you love SCI FI (as you know I do) you are going to love this!
The film will start it previews in MARCH/APRIL 2016 and you can take look at the trailer here.
Follow the website for more information on UK premier, Comic Con appearances.
Joined in the studio by Julian Whybra who is the foreman of The Mayflower Morris Men. A fascinating chat with Julian about the history of Morris Dancing.
NEW MEMBERS NEEDED!
The Mayflower Morris Men are looking for new members, all ages, besides the dancing, events, summer pub evenings, there is also a great social side to the group as you will hear in the interview.
Come and find out more on Saturday 30th January between 10am – 1pm :-
St Mary Magdalen Church, High street, Billericay. CM12 9BQ
CANT MAKE SATURDAY? They practise at St Mary Magdalen in the High Street every Thursday, starting at 8.00pm during school term times. As an experienced dancer or an absolute beginner you’ll be equally welcome.
The Mayflower Morris Men were formed in 1973 to dance the Morris in and around Billericay, to learn new dances, and to maintain the traditions of the Morris. Our side comes from all walks of life and has a spread of ages from the teens to the fifties. Some dance to keep fit, some because it’s part of the folk scene but all of us dance to enjoy ourselves. We have a full programme of fêtes, pub stops, and charity events throughout the spring and summer. There is no subscription and tuition is free (but you do need a pair of handkerchiefs!). We practise on Thursday evenings at 8 p.m. Come along, you’ll be made most welcome!
When well-presented, the Morris communicates to spectators something more than the simple enjoyment of watching a dance: there’s an almost tangible sense of harmony with Nature, of primæval magic, and of age-old pre-Dawn Rite conveyed. Enjoy it, and be sure to partake of the Morris’s good luck by contributing to the Bag and helping to keep a quintessential part of English rural tradition alive.
The Morris Dancing Season
Spring and summer are the seasons when you’ll see us dancing out and about in Billericay and the surrounding area. Just click on ‘Where to see us’ above and the dates and times of our season will appear.
In the autumn and winter we practise and perfect dances and teach new members. Complete beginners are always welcome. We always begin by teaching a stick dance from the village of Adderbury, Oxfordshire which has simple foot movements. We’d follow this by another one or two dances from the Adderbury tradition, perhaps a short-stick dance from Headington, and then introduce you to a handkerchief dance from Bampton which requires a bit of hands-and-feet co-ordination. Anyway, we aim to have you out dancing in time for Christmas and by the time the dancing season begins you should have four or five dances under your belt. There’s no age limit for members and tuition is free, so if you want to keep fit and enjoy yourself in learning a very old English pastime, give our Squire a call on 01277 650631 , and he’ll let you know the date and venue of our next practice session.
“Born in the East End of London in 1941, James Merriott is a local painter who has lived in Brentwood for over 40 years and has been painting watercolour for 35 years. He has had a love of art all his life and from a very early age was inspired by his uncle, Jack Marriott RI (1901 to 1968 ). Much of Jack’s work was English landscapes commissioned by various railway companies to be reproduced as poster and carriage panel. Although, like everybody else, setbacks have occurred from time to time, James considers that his life is a constant flow of good fortune. His career in the London Fire Brigade (1962 to 1978) was cut short with the onset of rheumatoid arthritis and the disease has remained with him ever since. To help cope with both pain and disability James turned to his love of art and with it developed a passion to portray the places he loves. In addition to art, his interests include old buildings of the county and butterfly conservation, all of which are evident in the enthusiasm he has for his work. The basis of his watercolours is simplicity and he demands of himself speed of execution to obtain results. He depends entirely on visiting the subjects he depicts, and wherever possible, paints from life. James’ achievements have meant that he has become very busy and he demonstrates and lectures to clubs and groups. He gives private tuition to fellow painters and undertakes commissioned work. In fact anything he is asked to do he feels privileged to take on.”
James gets under way, first of all laying a wash on the sky area, working on the table. He is working from an old painting he did years ago of Hadleigh Castle but is going to turn it into a snow scene. He has lightly drawn in the scene with a pencil and will build on that.
Sylvia contributes to national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Following her Freelance Writer of the Year award for Writing Magazine, she began work on FOLKLORE OF ESSEX which contributed to Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. Sylvia’s book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by the History Press is sold @ the British Library. This history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists dates from 1894 and includes pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature & poetry. Sylvia celebrates the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president. A chapter is dedicated to Joyce who meanders throughout the book which was reviewed in The Times, other dailies & YouTube. Sylvia is SWWJ’s Archivist. She work with several publishers including on-line specialists.Ebook titles are BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN & ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY, both downloadable via Kindle. later books are kindlised. 2,000 articles are linked to Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Suite 101. Film/audio clips now added.
Sylvia’s 10th book Barking & Dagenham From Old Photographs is selling well.
A pleasure to be joined in the studio by Pauline Steggles and Deborah Griffiths from the award winning charity, Homestart.
Homestart has been going for 25 years and offers a valuable service for Brentwood.
I have to say that Pauline is truly deserving of an award for the time she has given to families over the last 17 years. Very humbled to meet someone who gives so much back. Truly inspirational.
ABOUT HOME START
Receiving practical support, kindness and a listening ear from someone who truly understands can make all the difference to being able to cope during difficult or challenging times in life. The Brentwood based Charity Homestart has been providing families with practical and emotional help during such times for over 25 years but they may now be forced to stop.
This award winning charity* supports families struggling in a variety of situations with children under 5 years; as well as lending a practical hand in the home with children, volunteers are also an emotional support to a family at crisis point. Homestart has 30 dedicated and reliable trained volunteers who visit more than 100 families per year in need of support across the Brentwood area.
“Homestart brought me back from a very dark place as I was suffering from post-natal depression. They showed me kindness and gave me positive energy“, Tia explained.
Every recipient family has a different story to tell but they all share the same need for both practical and emotional help from someone who understands. Catherine explains how the charity helped her during a particular low point in her life, “… having lost a close relative, feeling overwhelmed looking after my twins, a toddler and the family home, Homestart helped not just practically but by listening to me and boosting my confidence.”
This warm and welcoming charity also runs a Family Playgroup enabling mothers and fathers with young children to meet and mix with others with the added benefit of trained volunteers on hand with advice and support. The group is another lifeline for families who find that it gives them structure to their day, the opportunity to meet others in similar situations, make friends and a chance for their young children to socialise with others. Jackie can’t praise the group enough, “The playgroup is an essential part of our week; it is safe and welcoming where I have met many mothers and fathers from diverse, multi-national backgrounds yet we have many things in common.”
An important outcome of the service provided is that recipients also gain confidence, hope and strength to improve their lives. Rosa who has 5 daughters first approached Homestart after the birth of her fourth daughter almost 6 years ago and she now volunteers for the charity herself, “… they have given me confidence, reassurance and encouraged me to apply for my first job as a mid-day assistant. When I first visited Homestart I had very low self-esteem, was very quiet and only spoke when being spoken to. I cannot praise the service enough. ”
Chairwoman of the charity, Pat Dedman, who began her career as a health visitor has seen first hand how families struggle and wishes the Charity had been around when she was out visiting new mothers and families in the community. She is passionate about the charity’s cause, “We are a preventative service – often families are at crisis point and without the help we provide their situations would seem overwhelming. Without further funding, now that we have lost our Lottery grant bid we will be forced to stop providing this crucial service to our local Brentwood families in their hour of need.”
Larchwood Children’s Centre Larchwood Gardens Brentwood CM15 9NG T 01277 263325E homestart@freenetname.co.uk
Richard Enever from the Brentwood Bus and Rail Users Association joined me to talk about the up and coming disruption at Brentwood Station. http://www.bbarua.org.uk/
Joined in the studio by Nick Sillitoe from the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower who came in to discuss their recent fundraising and up and coming events.
A great end to the year of Book Club with Sylvia Kent and our guest, the multi-award winning filmmaker, Director and Producer, Simon Frith.
Simon came in to talk about his work and in particular Under the Radar – The Mike Edmonds Story which is in post production with a release set for early in 2016. Simon has interviewed many amazing actors/directors for this film. Star Wars and Indiana Jones Producer, Robert Watts, Film Director and Python, Terry Gilliam, Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) Actor, Danny John Jules but to name a few.
Actor Mike Edmonds is from Southend, Essex. Having worked on Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Time Bandits, Flash Gordon, Harry Potter but to name a few. Mike has also toured with The Royal Shakespeare Company. Millions of children will also know him as Little Ron in the BBC Maid Marian and her Merry Men series.
Set in New England, The Secret History tells the story of a closely knit group of six classics students at a small, elite Vermont college, Hampden College, similar in many respects to Bennington College (in Bennington, Vermont) where Tartt was a student from 1982 to 1986.
“A beautifully written story, well-told, funny, sad, scary, and impossible to leave alone until I finished. . . . What a debut!” —John Grisham
The author
Donna Tartt was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, and is a graduate of Bennington College. She is the author of the novels The Secret History, The Little Friend, and The Goldfinch, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction 2014.
Sylvia contributes to national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Following her Freelance Writer of the Year award for Writing Magazine, she began work on FOLKLORE OF ESSEX which contributed to Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. Sylvia’s book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by the History Press is sold @ the British Library. This history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists dates from 1894 and includes pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature & poetry. Sylvia celebrates the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president. A chapter is dedicated to Joyce who meanders throughout the book which was reviewed in The Times, other dailies & YouTube. Sylvia is SWWJ’s Archivist. She work with several publishers including on-line specialists.Ebook titles are BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN & ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY, both downloadable via Kindle. later books are kindlised. 2,000 articles are linked to Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Suite 101. Film/audio clips now added.
Sylvia’s 10th book Barking & Dagenham From Old Photographs is selling well.
Chris Booth the Director of CHAPS will be here each month with a show on Health Issues. Loaded with information and straight forward talking. This month Chris talks Cardiovascular Disease.
WHO ARE CHAPS?
CHAPS is a Men’s Health Charity concerned with all aspects of men’s physical health, mental health and future well-being. We need such a charity because the health and lifespan of UK men is comparatively so poor, with health statistics lagging behind our neighbours in the western world.
CHAPS raises awareness by producing easy to read booklets, and a “Health Passport” covering all the major men’s health problems. These are also downloadable from our comprehensive website www.chaps.uk.com. If men are aware what can go wrong, they may take steps to prevent such problems.
We also run Health Events, usually at football stadia, where we provide FREE testing for heart and stroke risk, aortic aneurysm screening, diabetes, prostate and skin cancer screening. These events are funded by charity dinners, donations and sponsorship.
Joined in the studio by Janet Lee, on behalf of the Methodist Churches in Billericay.
This Christmas Day, Janet and others are providing lunch (free of charge and transport) for people who might otherwise be on their own this Christmas Day. This is open to people who live in the Billericay area.
They can meet all dietary requirements too.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. If you know a neighbour or someone who might appreciate some company on Christmas Day, a fantastic meal, carol singing, a quiz and to be picked up and dropped off for the lunch, get in contact before the 20th December – Janet 01277 622 297 or 01277 659 530.
This year we are planning a Christmas Day Lunch for those on their own at Queens Park Community Church, Billericay and want to spread the word, not only to those who may be eligible, but to others who may know of people in this situation who would appreciate some company on this special day. There is no charge and transport can be provided.
The lunch is at 1pm and we need responses by Sunday 20th December for catering purposes.
Joined in the studio by Charles Storer MBE who runs a UK humanitarian aid charity, Hope and Aid Direct.
NEW SOCKS?
You would have seen on the news the dreadful situation at the moment in Lesbos in Greece with over 5000 migrants arriving each day on flimsy and usually overcrowded rubber boats all along the coast facing Turkey. Lots of babies, and toddlers, and children, as well as all age groups, often traumatised, always wet from the waves, cold and afraid. To date, more than 3000people have died trying to make the crossing, yet 430,000 have made it to Lesvos this year along…..yesterday 80 boats, each with well over 30 people in, arrived along the north Lesvos coasts, and they continue to arrive all day and all night….
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Charles is putting together urgently needed aid and taking to Lesbos, what they need is:-
Waterproof and warm coats for all ages – waterproof is essential
New or good as new socks for all ages, male and female
Sleeping bags – MUST be in a draw string bag, or a stuff sack with compression straps, ideally at least ‘3 season’
Funding donations – to cover our high transport costs – Payable to Hope and Aid Direct and sent to me at 18 High Street, Ingatestone, Essex, CM4 9EE or paid through our website marked Lesvos appeal Essex. www.hopeandaiddirect.org.uk
WHERE CAN I LEAVE THE ITEMS?
Ingatestone Post Office are happy to receive all such donations, or you can drop off at PHOENIX FMSTUDIOS, all donations must be received in the next two weeks, no later than the 11th December.
FIND OUT MORE – MY INTERVIEW WITH CHARLES STORER MBE
Joined in the studio by the boys from Tenek (Peter Steer and Geoff Pinckney) who came in to talk about their amazing new album SMOKE & MIRRORS. A packed interview with great music from the album, musical conversations and humour.
We had exclusive plays from the album of Blue Man (snippets of which you can hear during the interview).
Currently on the A List at Phoenix with What Kind of Friend, the guys talked about their early music career supporting Gary Newman and their onwards success with the release of their third album together.
Having toured across the UK and Europe, Peter and Geoff plan to start promotion over in the USA assisted by their full time Manager Cheri Freund.
TRACKS PLAYED
What Kind of Friend
Blue Man
Everything Lost
Sunlight
PART ONE
PART TWO
OUTTAKES (COOKING WITH TENEK)
Additional
Summer included a return performance at ‘BAS 2015’ Festival (Basildon, UK) opening for De/Vision. July brought the announcement of having signed with Distortion Productions for the North American release of their upcoming third album, ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ (release Winter 2015). Both parties are extremely
excited about working together again having formed close ties during the production of, ‘Electronic Saviors 2’ [2012]. The band will contribute an exclusive track to, ‘Electronic Saviors 4’ [release early 2016]. Fall will
bring the release of tenek’s new single, ‘What Kind of Friend?’. tenek continues to be involved with music licensing opportunities to various industries globally. *Future performances (TBA) will now include two additional band members: Steve Clark (drums) and Patrick Bennett (bass).
Joined in the studio by writer Sylvia Kent and guest, Kate Wilkie, who is the Curator at The Cater Museum at Billericay.
Kate is new to the role of Curator but has been working at The Cater Museum for the last few years. She is delighted with the new post and hopes to bring new ideas, new exhibits and maybe a name for a particular two headed lamb!
Sylvia contributes to national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Following her Freelance Writer of the Year award for Writing Magazine, she began work on FOLKLORE OF ESSEX which contributed to Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. Sylvia’s book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by the History Press is sold @ the British Library. This history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists dates from 1894 and includes pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature & poetry. Sylvia celebrates the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president. A chapter is dedicated to Joyce who meanders throughout the book which was reviewed in The Times, other dailies & YouTube. Sylvia is SWWJ’s Archivist. She work with several publishers including on-line specialists.Ebook titles are BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN & ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY, both downloadable via Kindle. later books are kindlised. 2,000 articles are linked to Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Suite 101. Film/audio clips now added.
Sylvia’s 10th book Barking & Dagenham From Old Photographs is selling well.
We believe that the Bowen Technique is one of the most versatile and effective therapeutic treatments available today offering significant relief for many conditions. After taking a comprehensive case history and discussed your condition in detail, a treatment will consist of a series of gentle moves on skin or through light clothing, with the client usually lying on a bed or treatment couch, although it is possible to be treated seated. A session usually lasts up to an hour and frequently results in a deep sense of relaxation helping the body to recharge and balance itself.
Chris Booth the Director of CHAPS will be here each month with a show on Health Issues. Loaded with information and straight forward talking. This month Chris talks Skin Cancer.
PART ONE
PART TWO
WHO ARE CHAPS?
CHAPS is a Men’s Health Charity concerned with all aspects of men’s physical health, mental health and future well-being. We need such a charity because the health and lifespan of UK men is comparatively so poor, with health statistics lagging behind our neighbours in the western world.
CHAPS raises awareness by producing easy to read booklets, and a “Health Passport” covering all the major men’s health problems. These are also downloadable from our comprehensive website www.chaps.uk.com. If men are aware what can go wrong, they may take steps to prevent such problems.
We also run Health Events, usually at football stadia, where we provide FREE testing for heart and stroke risk, aortic aneurysm screening, diabetes, prostate and skin cancer screening. These events are funded by charity dinners, donations and sponsorship.
Joined in the studio by Andy and Jane Robb who lead the Christian Growth Centre Billericay.
To coincide with CGC third anniversary, on November 14th they launch the first of their Saturday night Encounter God events and at which we have as our guest speaker Amanda Wells who is over from Australia. More info here: http://eepurl.com/bC2jo1
And last, but not least, at the beginning of February 2016 we change our name to Revival Church Billericay.
A modern church for young and old, listen here to discover more…
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14TH ENCOUNTER GOD EVENT
Venue: The Billericay School, School Road, Billericay, CM12 9LH.
Time: 7.00pm – 9.30pm
Our Welcome Team will be on hand to direct you.
Admission is free but we will be taking up a thank offering to cover the costs of the event.
Fantastic live music in the studio with Glasgow based ALL SHE KNOWS -Ting (Keyboards) Gary (Vocals) Logan (Drums) George (Guitar) Ross (Bass)
As the Scottish accent is my personal favourite I thought I was in heaven where as my guests thought I was a maniac! ALL SHE KNOWS are one of Scotlands fastest rising young bands already having played shows in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and London’s O2 Arena.
The guys have their debut album out on the 15th November NOW THAT YOUR GONE. Their music is a mix of indie-pop, 80’s synthesizer chic.
Interview with Sharon Roberts, Eastern Regional Manager, of Diabetes UK.
Sharon joined me to discuss Talking Diabetes (Brentwood Local Group). They are holding their event day on Saturday 14th November from 10am – 4.30pm. Saturday also happens to be WORLD DIABETES DAY.
The event is completely free and a chance to hear some key speakers, do a little shopping at the market, lunch, drinks and talk about new medications. The event is open to Type 1 or Type 2 diabetics.
COMMUNITY CHURCH, DODDINGHURST ROAD, BRENTWOOD. ESSEX.
A tribute for Charles Myers from Cllr Vicky Davies.
BRENTWOOD Liberal Democrat
It is with immense sadness that we announce that Charles Myers, former Liberal Democrat councillor and group leader, has passed away after a long period of ill health.
Charles served as councillor for Pilgrims Hatch for twenty years before he retired in 2007. He leaves behind his wife Pauline, who also served as a councillor in Brentwood, and two adult sons. Our thoughts are with Pauline and their friends and family at this sad time.
Involved with Brentwood Liberal Democrats for over thirty years, he will be a sad loss to the party and much missed by his friends and colleagues. He was an active campaigner until the very end, even helping our Shenfield by-election with her nomination paperwork just three weeks ago and being as involved as he could in all our campaigns.
From 1996-97 he proudly served as Mayor of Brentwood.
Cllr Barry Aspinell, Group Leader, said:
“First and foremost, Charles was a gentleman and a kind man. He was a liberal to his very core and was supportive of us all, always willing to offer advice and assistance.
“The party has lost one of its very best, but for us, we have lost a friend.”
Joined in the studio for this months book club with Sylvia Kent and Andrew Summers.
ANDREW SUMMERS
Was born within the sound of Bow Bells (on a quiet day), 18 months after World War II ended. He is the oldest of three brothers and is the son of a Polish immigrant, Kazimierz who had spent two years in a Soviet labour camp and an English rose Diana who had worked as a code breaker at Bletchley Park.
Andrew went to primary school in Hackney and then on the prestigious Brooke House comprehensive school, one of the first comprehensives to be set up in England. Other alumni of Brooke House were the former Queens Park Rangers and England footballer Rodney Marsh and a budding entrepreneur called Alan Sugar. Andrew was offered a Saturday job on Sugar’s stall selling car radios in Ridley Road market. However this was turned down as it interfered with Saturday morning football and clashed with a paper round.
After leaving school with five O-levels (excluding English) Andrew went on to Erith Technical College and studied computing. The only snag being (it was early days of computing) the college didn’t actually have any computers and practical experience had to gained at Imperial College in London. Nevertheless Andrew did get 3 A-levels, an Ordinary National Diploma in business studies and O-level in English at the fifth attempt!
After leaving Erith Andrew worked variously at London Zoo, (had nothing to do with animals), was a waiter at Pontins in Blackpool, sold women’s coats in D.H Evans, electrical goods in Selfridges and helped in a mental hospital. Andrew had spell as an assistant accountant in a paper company, purchased typewriters for the fledgling British Telecom then started a small printing company in Leigh on Sea where in 1984 he co-authored his first book “Getting Value from Your Printer”. There are no records of any sales of this book!
In 1989 Andrew left the world of printing and after a late in life ‘gap year’ moved into selling books working for Direct Books then fierce rivals of the Book People. Andrew next move with books was into export, and along with Glenis his wife (48 years married in 2015) created a European wide business through International Schools.
Andrew’s foray into writing and publishing began in 2006 following a very poor historical tour of Leigh-on-Sea and Hadleigh Castle where it turned out that those on the tour knew more about the area than the guide. Andrew then teamed up with John Debenham who had just completed a History degree and a year later the Essex Hundred a county history in 100 poems rolled off the press. Since then 11 more titles have been authored or edited and published under the Essex Hundred brand – mainly Essex based history, but including sailing, Soviet labour camps and a short history of Belgium. Apart from writing Andrew and John give illustrated Historical talks around the county.
Andrew lives in Hadleigh, Essex with Glenis. They have two grown up children and four grandchildren. They have no cats or dogs.
Sylvia contributes to national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Following her Freelance Writer of the Year award for Writing Magazine, she began work on FOLKLORE OF ESSEX which contributed to Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. Sylvia’s book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by the History Press is sold @ the British Library. This history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists dates from 1894 and includes pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature & poetry. Sylvia celebrates the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president. A chapter is dedicated to Joyce who meanders throughout the book which was reviewed in The Times, other dailies & YouTube. Sylvia is SWWJ’s Archivist. She work with several publishers including on-line specialists.Ebook titles are BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN & ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY, both downloadable via Kindle. later books are kindlised. 2,000 articles are linked to Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Suite 101. Film/audio clips now added.
Sylvia’s 10th book Barking & Dagenham From Old Photographs is selling well.
Joined in the studio by film producer and director, Christopher Smith.
Over the past 2 years Christopher has been developing a documentary film that’s focused on Basildon, called New Town Utopia. http://modernmovingimage.com/newtownutopia/. The project is nearing completion.
The film is focused on the importance of creativity, art and culture to the town. All of the New Towns were designed to be ‘hubs’ for art and culture – in Basildon’s case its clear things may not have worked out as planned – and in the film he explores how the town has changed and why. It’s about Basildon but also touches on the roller coaster for many towns outside of major cites in the UK.
Christopher has spent considerable time observing and interviewing people from the town involved in arts and culture from the early days of the town to the present day. The characters in the film include a real range of artists and musicians from the town – from Steve Waters (the puppeteer behind Old Man Stan videos and bane of the local council) to folk and blues musician Phil Burdett, poets Ralph Dartford and Olmo Lazarus and other musicians and players in the early ’80s Towngate/electro scene that spawned Yazoo, Depeche Mode etc.
The film should be completed by the end of this year and will be targeting a run at film festivals around the world and then television broadcast and theatrical release. The documentary is already building a strong audience of fans across social media. The plan is that this project should show Basildon in a different light and hopefully inspire positive community action (a community outreach programme to work with the film is in the early planning stages).
YOUR CHANCE TO GET INVOLED
Most of the footage has been shot by Christopher and the crew over the past 18 months. However they’ve also begun looking for archive footage or personal footage of people in the town that could help twitter.com/modernmi modernmovingimage.com
Chris Booth the Director of CHAPS will be here each month with a show on Men’s Health Issues. Loaded with information and straight forward talking. This month Chris talks Prostate Cancer Awareness.
PART ONE
PART TWO
WHO ARE CHAPS?
CHAPS is a Men’s Health Charity concerned with all aspects of men’s physical health, mental health and future well-being. We need such a charity because the health and lifespan of UK men is comparatively so poor, with health statistics lagging behind our neighbours in the western world.
CHAPS raises awareness by producing easy to read booklets, and a “Health Passport” covering all the major men’s health problems. These are also downloadable from our comprehensive website www.chaps.uk.com. If men are aware what can go wrong, they may take steps to prevent such problems.
We also run Health Events, usually at football stadia, where we provide FREE testing for heart and stroke risk, aortic aneurysm screening, diabetes, prostate and skin cancer screening. These events are funded by charity dinners, donations and sponsorship.
Laughter and music merge into one when rock ‘n’ roll comedy double act Rayguns Look Real Enough take to the limelight. Armed with their trusty guitar and tambourine, loveable pals Ryan Beange and Matt Blair will set the stage alight with their hilarious gags and super cool tunes.
The duo will be appearing at the Queens Theatre in Hornchurch on 28 October and Michelle spoke to Ryan Beange about the act. You can hear the interview again here:
For more details about shows to keep the kids happy during half term, visit the Queens Theatre website.
It was a pleasure to interview the awarding Award-winning comedian and folk singer Richard Digance (who thought that I sounded rather posh.. if only for the introduction hahaha).
A great show coming to The Queens Theatre with Richard on Sunday 25 October at 7.30pm.
More about Richard Digance
There are few people who can sing, play guitar and tell stories all at the same time… and even fewer who have supported Steve Martin, the late Robin Williams or duetted with Brian May! With over 40 years in the business, Richard is one of the UK’s most successful entertainers. Armed with great tunes and sharp wit, he promises a unique mix of self-penned songs, rhymes and plenty of hilarious anecdotes from his life in showbiz.
And he’s certainly worked with the heavyweights – from an acoustic set with Status Quo to playing guitar with Queen icon Brian May, not to mention performing alongside The Moody Blues, Chris de Burgh, Marc Cohn and Elkie Brooks to name a few!
Starting out as a BBC comedy writer, Richard went on to support some of the world’s funniest people including superstar comedian Steve Martin in the USA and the late Robin Williams at the London Palladium. And today’s new generation of young comedians truly look up to him, with Ross Noble citing Richard as one of his main influences. Warm and charming, Richard easily engages with any crowd – from an audience of eight in the Falklands to half a million at Knebworth!
This truly multi-talented writer and performer has received a BAFTA nomination as a television entertainer, a Gold Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, a SONY Radio Award and is listed in the Virgin Anthology of Music as an influential writer of comedic songs. He has also been recently placed amongst The Magnificent Seven of Comedy alongside Tommy Cooper and Bob Monkhouse in a list compiled by The Sunday People.
A skilled wordsmith, younger audiences will know and love Richard from his regular appearances on Countdown’s Dictionary Corner. He has also penned several books, poems, plays and scripts.
GET TICKETS HERE
Sunday 25 October at 7.30pm
Richard Digance
The Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1QT
Tube: Hornchurch
Tickets: £16.50 | £20 | £23
Box Office: 01708 443333
Website: queens-theatre.co.uk<http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/>
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Sylvia& Michelle (knew I should of brushed my hair!).
Joined in the studio by Sylvia Kent for this months Book Club. We talked about The Chicken & Frog Bookshop and all the great work it continues to provide for the young and old in Brentwood. A truly individual gem of a bookshop, that offers as many adventures in store as books on its shelves. Sylvia also talked about her newspaper coverage, plus Billericay Readers Circle and more.
Sylvia contributes to national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Following her Freelance Writer of the Year award for Writing Magazine, she began work on FOLKLORE OF ESSEX which contributed to Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. Sylvia’s book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by the History Press is sold @ the British Library. This history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists dates from 1894 and includes pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature & poetry. Sylvia celebrates the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president. A chapter is dedicated to Joyce who meanders throughout the book which was reviewed in The Times, other dailies & YouTube. Sylvia is SWWJ’s Archivist. She work with several publishers including on-line specialists.Ebook titles are BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN & ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY, both downloadable via Kindle. later books are kindlised. 2,000 articles are linked to Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Suite 101. Film/audio clips now added.
Sylvia’s 10th book Barking & Dagenham From Old Photographs is selling well.
Alan Mason is the organiser of Frankie’s Classic Car & Bike Festival with Vintage Market taking place on Sunday 20th September 10am – 4pm.
Alan talks about how he got involved with the hospice and how he came up for the idea for the Festival which is in its 4th year.
Want a great family day out this weekend!
Essential information:
Location: Ford Motor Company, Dunton Technical Centre, Laindon, SS15 6EE.
Time: 10am-4pm.
Public Entry on the day: Adults £5
Under 12s free
Pre-booked classic vehicles: Cars £8 until 31st May, then £10.
Bikes £4 until 31st May, then £5.
Love cars? Love vintage markets? Live Music? And keeping the children occupied all day along with great food, beer and more, then pop along to:-
Frankie’s Classic Car & Bike Fest with Vintage Market – 20 September 2015
Our day dedicated to classic cars, bikes, vintage clothing, food, drink, and entertainment for all the family is back for its fourth year.
Join St Francis Hospice at the home of Essex’s motoring heritage, Dunton Technical Centre in Laindon to view our range of vehicles from across the years. Judging and awards will be in the following categories:
Concours cars – for the very best in show Show ‘n’ Shine cars. Split by:
Pre 1958
1958-196
1969-1979
1980-1995
Post 1995 – future classics
Bikes – split by category
THE HOSPICE
Saint Francis Hospice is an independent charity and one of the largest adult hospices in the UK. Our team of specialist consultants, doctors, nurses and a range of other health and social care professionals provide care and support to the individuals, their carers and family members, completely free of charge.
We serve the populations of Havering, Brentwood, Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge and West Essex. This year, we need to raise £7.3 million in voluntary income, so every donation from individuals and organisations is important to us. We also have a team of over 800 skilled and committed volunteers who help us keep our costs down and add huge value to the work we do.
Joined in the studio by Emma and Molly from Piccola. Piccola celebrated five years in Brentwood on Saturday, having opened in September 2010, Emma and Molly tell us more about the fantastic range of products.
Piccola has a brand new website, which will enable their worldwide customers to window shop all their beautiful products from their arm chairs.
Joined on the line by musician DAVE SHERRIF who will be performing at the stunning QUEENS THEATRE on SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 7.30PM
The multi-talented Dave Sherrif and the versatile Together Band are perform a mix of country music and popular songs. And also performing is the fabulous Carole Gordon.
Joined in the studio by Shilos Land. A great bunch of lads with some exciting new music, original and bloody catchy as hell.
Paul Copesteak, Callum Eve and Tony Eve are Shilos Land. We talked about their early music loves, their new EP released on the 25th September and up and coming gigs for 2016 plus much more.
You may remember the 1989 Hollywood blockbuster STEEL MAGNOLIAS – a bittersweet comedy of tears and laughter which starred Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakisand Sally Field.
The film has now hit the stage with the Queens’ talented resident company of actors, including Gilian Cally, Tina Gray, Sarah Mahony, Gemma Salter, Claire Storey and Lucy Wells bringing it to audiences in September and October.
Phoenix FM’s Xanthe Bearman spoken to Gilian Cally and you can hear the interview again below:
Fragile as magnolias yet tough as steel, six women share both joy and heartache in this renowned play by Robert Harling – all whilst changing hairstyles and swapping recipes!
Set in the ‘80s in a cosy beauty salon in small-town Louisiana, Steel Magnolias takes us on an emotional ride through the circle of life – all through hilarious, heartfelt everyday conversations.
Sassy beautician Truvy’s regulars include the fiercely protective M’Lynn and her beautiful headstrong daughter Shelby, new-in-town girl Annelle, sharp-tongued Ouiser and former first lady Clairee. All are thrown together in pursuit of looking their best and their bonds of friendship are as strong as steel – seeing them through births, deaths and marriages. Their heartfelt, inspiring stories will make everyone giggle, cry and appreciate the importance of true friends.
Playwright Robert Harling drew from his own Louisiana roots and family experiences when creating Steel Magnolias, which has gone on to become a huge stage and screen triumph. He has also written several successful screenplays including The First Wives Club, Laws of Attraction, Soapdish and Evening Star, the sequel to the famous film Terms of Endearment.
Steel Magnolias is directed by the superbly talented Liz Marsh – Liz previously directed the Queen’s hit Travels with My Aunt. Design is by Dinah England and lighting design by Chris Howcroft.
Steel Magnolias will be performed at the Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, from 18 September – 10 October. Tickets are from £12.50 – £27. Call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or book online at queens-theatre.co.uk.
PETER TALKS INDEPTH ABOUT THE WORK OF THE HOSPICE & SOME SUPRISING FACTS
FUNDRAISING PLUS UP & COMING EVENTS
Joined in the studio by Peter Stremes: PR & Communications Manager for St Francis Hospice for the monthly update on some cracking up and coming events.
Plus find out how much the hospice has raised at recent fundraisers.
We also talked about the importance of fundraising and the work that the hospice does outside of the hospice caring for people with life limiting conditions in the community.
Love cars? Love vintage markets? Live Music? And keeping the children occupied all day along with great food, beer and more, then pop along to:-
Frankie’s Classic Car & Bike Fest with Vintage Market – 20 September 2015
Our day dedicated to classic cars, bikes, vintage clothing, food, drink, and entertainment for all the family is back for its fourth year.
Join St Francis Hospice at the home of Essex’s motoring heritage, Dunton Technical Centre in Laindon to view our range of vehicles from across the years. Judging and awards will be in the following categories:
Concours cars – for the very best in show Show ‘n’ Shine cars. Split by:
Pre 1958
1958-196
1969-1979
1980-1995
Post 1995 – future classics
Bikes – split by category
Essential information:
Location: Ford Motor Company, Dunton Technical Centre, Laindon, SS15 6EE.
Time: 10am-4pm.
Public Entry on the day: Adults £5
Under 12s free
Pre-booked classic vehicles: Cars £8 until 31st May, then £10.
Bikes £4 until 31st May, then £5.
THE HOSPICE
Saint Francis Hospice is an independent charity and one of the largest adult hospices in the UK. Our team of specialist consultants, doctors, nurses and a range of other health and social care professionals provide care and support to the individuals, their carers and family members, completely free of charge.
We serve the populations of Havering, Brentwood, Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge and West Essex. This year, we need to raise £7.3 million in voluntary income, so every donation from individuals and organisations is important to us. We also have a team of over 800 skilled and committed volunteers who help us keep our costs down and add huge value to the work we do.
Hannah was celebrating her birthday and it was rude not to sing Happy Birthday and send some good wishes on my radio show. As I had Cam Southcott in the studio with his violin I thought I should accompany myself with the violin although I had never played it before.
You will be simply amazed by the ease in which I play and sing at the same time.
Let this musical sensation fill your ears and warm your heart.
I am available for Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and Company do’s.
Councillor William Russell,Chair of Community & Health Committee joined me in the studio to talk about Funding, Brentwood Lighting Up and more.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS Sunday 6th September
Funding
Looking for funding?
Brentwood Borough Council has signed up to GRANTnet to support community groups, organisations and individuals who are seeking funding from both the private and public sector. GRANTnet is a detailed database of thousands of funders. Once registered, you can access the site to carry out your own search. Please contact the Community Services Team if you would like advice or to discuss your funding application.
Brentwood Community Fund
The Council’s Brentwood Community Fund 2015 is now open for applications for a share of £40,300.
Individuals, groups and organisations can apply for grants of up to £3,500 for causes and projects that will improve the quality of life for local people and tackle the issues that they think are important.
The fund, which is in its fourth year, will open on Monday6th April and will run until Sunday6th September. The bids will be assessed and reported to the Community Services Committee in November, when a decision on the allocation of funding will be made. Previously it has helped fund a new war memorial in Doddinghurst; go towards buying emergency medical equipment to support the volunteers for Four Parishes First Responders; and money to help youngsters play cricket at Brentwood Cricket Club.
The projects should show they are sustainable long term and firmly support the community-based priorities in the Council’s Corporate Plan 2013-16 under the key themes of:
– Street Scene and Environment
– Localism
– A Prosperous Borough
– Housing, Health and Wellbeing
– A Safe Borough
A brilliant live acoustic performance from Roisin O’Hagan in the studio today. Roisin is a 17 year old singer/songwriter from Essex and as she says “Writing too many songs, spending too much time with a guitar” but boy can you tell! Pitch perfect, fantastic lyrics and chorus hooks like you wouldn’t believe.
Great to be joined by a singer, DJ, radio presenter and lead singer with Dr Zero & the Hotheads, Ian Foreman, who can blast out a soul/blues tune with ease. A quick cup of tea before hand and the Ian was like “that’s the warm up”.
Joined in the studio by Chris Booth FRCS, Clinical Director of CHAPS Men’s Health Charity.
FREE HEALTH CHECKS – Check website for details (next 19th August, Essex County Cricket Club)
CHAPS is a Men’s Health Charity concerned with all aspects of men’s physical health, mental health and future well-being. We need such a charity because the health and lifespan of UK men is comparatively so poor, with health statistics lagging behind our neighbours in the western world.
CHAPS raises awareness by producing easy to read booklets, and a “Health Passport” covering all the major men’s health problems. These are also downloadable from our comprehensive website www.chaps.uk.com. If men are aware what can go wrong, they may take steps to prevent such problems.
We also run Health Events, usually at football stadia, where we provide FREE testing for heart and stroke risk, aortic aneurysm screening, diabetes, prostate and skin cancer screening. These events are funded by charity dinners, donations and sponsorship.
Joined in the studio by Linda Beaney, writer, director and co founder of The New Venture Players who was here to talk about their production, ELLENS LOVE.
This is a true story of a woman in a male dominated world, she was one amazing lady and her story is incredible.
Linda has written and directed the play and came in to talk about the play and the work of The New Venture Players.
To see this fantastic production, which will be in the open air at the start of September, see below
AN ORIGINAL PLAY BASED ON THE LIFE OF MISS WILLMOTT OF WARLEY PLACE AND THE NOVEL
Great to talk to Jonny Mac, Producer, Engineer and DJ from the Warriors of the Dystotheque.
The band are composed of DJ / Producer / Engineers Jonny Mac, Sean and The Brothers Nylon; Mike and Nick Rufolo.
Jonny has produced, engineered and toured with the likes of The Happy Mondays, Orbital, Pop Will Eat Itself, The Prodigy and many more.
With a new track THE FUTURE IS OURS out now, I talked to Jonny about the his life in music whilst he was sat in his garden in Ireland soaking up the sun rays and you can sample of a few of the tunes during the interview.
WARRIORS OF THE DYSTOTHEQUE
The Warriors are forged from an alliance of transatlantic low-fi fanatics and leftfield DJ / Producers. Projecting an amalgamation of 60’s garage, broken beat, jazz,downtempo, house, techno, electronica, noise and psyche, their unusual sound, whether laid back, or dance floor oriented, could quite easily come from a dystopic future where truly bad taste, (the good bad taste) is outlawed.
Joined on the line by actor/musician, Cameron Jones to talk about the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, WORLD PREMIERE of ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN, an explosive rock ‘n’ roll musical opening on 21 August.
This brand new play has been specially written for the Queen’s and is bursting with fantastic rock ‘n’ roll melodies – all played live on stage by the Theatre’s own company of actor-musicians.
Cameron Jones
Starring as Johnny is the super-talented Cameron Jones. A huge hit with the critics, Cameron was nominated for a prestigious Off West End Award for his ultra-slick portrayal of the Narrator in the Queen’s widely-acclaimed spring finale Hot Stuff.
TICKETS –
Fri 21 Aug – Sat12 Sep
Tickets are from £12.50 – £27. By joining the Queen’s jump the QSeason Ticket scheme, customers can watch all three Queen’s Theatre productions this season – Roll Over Beethoven, bittersweet comedy Steel Magnolias and chilling thriller Don’t Look Now – from just £12.50 each. A WEEKENDER ticket is £49.50 (any night for £16.50 each) and the super value SAVER is £37.50 (Tuesday – Thursday, previews and matinees for just £12.50 each.)
Entertaining interview with The Burns Brothers Gerry slattery- Lead Vocals and Guitar Robert Shuffle- Guitar and Saxophone who are a duo who play all over Essex and beyond. Great when musicians just come in, sit down and play live without a fuss. Shows just how good these guys are too. The original track they played is stunning, check it out below. Plus Interview Four listen out for a gorgeous mention of the lovely Sue.
Classic line during the interview whilst playing My Darling Come to Me…. “If you don’t know it then don’t join in”….
For more gig dates go to http://burnsbros.yolasite.com/ and if you love your SKA MUSIC check them out on the 13th August at The Phoenix, Rainham, Essex.
Sunday 9th … The Phoenix, Rainham
Thursday 13th … Ska-Nite at The Phoenix, Rainham
Sunday 16th … The Phoenix, Rainham
Sunday 23rd … The Phoenix, Rainham
Thursday 27th … The Windmill, Upminster Bridge
Saturday 29th … Rock’n’Roll Paradise Show, West Cliff Theatre, Clacton
Sylvia contributes to national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Following her Freelance Writer of the Year award for Writing Magazine, she began work on FOLKLORE OF ESSEX which contributed to Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. Sylvia’s book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by the History Press is sold @ the British Library. This history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists dates from 1894 and includes pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature & poetry. Sylvia celebrates the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president. A chapter is dedicated to Joyce who meanders throughout the book which was reviewed in The Times, other dailies & YouTube. Sylvia is SWWJ’s Archivist. She work with several publishers including on-line specialists.Ebook titles are BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN & ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY, both downloadable via Kindle. later books are kindlised. 2,000 articles are linked to Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Suite 101. Film/audio clips now added.
Sylvia’s 10th book Barking & Dagenham From Old Photographs is selling well.
Click here to watch the interview and session again:
It’s lovely when someone comes all the way from Cornwall just to appear on Phoenix FM and it’s even better when they treat us to a fantastic musical performance!
Rosie Vanier, one-third of electronic band Rosie and the Goldbug, came down to visit Michelle Ward’s show to play some songs and talk about her life so far in music.
It’s been a long time since Rosie and the Goldbug were on the Phoenix FM playlist. We gave a lot of airplay to the excellent War Of The Roses single when it first came out and also caught the band at the Latitude Festival.
After a long quiet period the band are back and releasing new material again. Rosie has been described as “Kate Bush on crack with Goldfrapp on synths”, although it’s very unfair to suggest that either Rosie or Kate Bush would be on crack or that it would indeed enhance their work.
We definitely got to see the side of Rosie that channels Kate Bush, with excellent versions of three of the songs in her repetoire, which you can see in the video at the top of the page.
The band’s new single Hey You is out on 21 August and they will be playing a number of venues in Devon and Cornwall in August, with shows nearer to home hopefully coming before the end of the year.
You can keep up to date with news about the band by following them on Facebook and Twitter.
We started off the interview with laughing and so it continued. Its always a pleasure to have Keith Ball in the studio who is a fantastic singer/songwriter/arranger/drummer who fronts the amazing Kenny Ball Junior & his Jazzmen.
We got to hear two tracks from Keith:-
Jump Jive (Live)
Just like a Star (Cover of Corrine Bailey Rae)
Then we had a classic tracks from Keith’s Dad, Kenny Ball:-
I Still Love You All
The Poor People of Paris
Since last appearing on the show, over a year ago, the band has been touring all over the UK and Europe. http://www.kennyball.co.uk/home
The band have two gigs coming up locally so get along to see them!
Saturday 25th July 2015 (5pm) Parsloes Park
Parsloes Avenue , Dagenham , Essex , England . RM9
Website: www.lbbd.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Web_Events_listing.pdf
K.B. Open Air concert also featuring The Tremeloes ( more details to follow ) band on stage at 5.15 pm
Friday 14th August 2015 (7.30pm)
Palace Theatre
430 London Road , Westcliffe on Sea , Essex , England . SS0 9LA
Website: www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Box office: 01702 351135
S.H.
Every now and then you come across an amazing talent and it’s so good to be able to help get it out to the wider world!
We stumbled across 18-year-old Canvey blues singer/songwriter Chloe at the recent Village Green in Southend, where she graced the Main Stage in front of a few thousand people – and we wasted no time in booking her in to Phoenix FM for a chat and a session.
Chloe talked about her life, why she chose her particular musical path and the music that influences her.
She also played two of her own compositions – Tales of York Road and Won’t Make The Same Mistake Twice, and a cover of James Carr’s 1966 track Pouring Water On A Drowning Man.
You can see and hear the whole interview and session below:
At the moment you can keep an eye on Chloe’s progress on her Facebook page and or by listening to Phoenix FM as she’s sure to be back soon!
Joined in the studio by THE CROCKED MONSIEURS that’s Chris Howard (Lead Vocals, lead Guitar, Keyboards) and Colin Batters (Rhythm Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica). Fun interview with two talented musicians who just love producing their own unique brand of music.
We got to listen to three tracks from their album Borderin The Trainline with 13 original tracks.
For a copy of the album and gig dates check out the website.
PLEASE NOTE: All network marketing companies should be regulated by the DSA (Direct Selling Association) which stops any illegal actions like pyramid selling.
Joined in the studio by Susan Dines and Tina Hurley talking about a charity fundraiser for Headway Essex in memory of Ben Dines.
DATE: SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST
START: 12.30pm until 12am!
WHERE:
Selex sport and leisure club, gardiners lane, Basildon. SS14 3AP
Admission is £2 per adult and free admission for children.
It is a fun day to be held on the 1st August in memory of Ben Dines. He died aged 11 from a head injury after being hit by a car so are chosen charity to raise for is headway Essex.
There will be 2 games of football played during the day with a bouncy castle, face painting, sweet and cake stall and other activities. There is an all day bbq for food and a local dance troupe and baton twirling troupe will be providing entertainment. There is a raffle being held in the evening, this is followed by an auction of signed football items. All this is followed by a late night party to celebrate Ben, as this year would have been his 30th birthday
Joined in the studio by the very talented singer/songwriter/pianist Valerio Lysander.
Discovering Valerio’s music has been wonderful and to have him play live in the studio with note perfect vocal and piano performances was a joy. Plus, he’s a really nice guy too!
Valerio’s album, Tidal Mental Head is out now and for more information on how to get your copy and up and coming gigs http://www.valeriolysander.com/
Joined in the studio by Mike Le Surf to talk about plans to sell The Old House, Brentwood. Join the March this evening!
On Tuesday night councillors will be voting to decide whether: “the Head of Paid Service be granted delegated authority to dispose of the Old House”
OLD HOUSE is OUR HOUSE!
Tuesday 30th June Meet 6.30pm Old House Car Park (Ongar Road) March to Town Hall for meeting in council chamber at 7pm.
Bring banners and loud voices!Make your voice heard!
Town centre councillor Julie Morrissey (mobile 07957 353910) said: ” We marched against the Tories to save the Town Hall in 2011 and we are calling on residents again to march to the town hall on Tuesday evening and stop the sell-off of one of our treasured buildings. W saved the Town Hall and we will try our best to save Old House.”
Weald Road resident Mike Le-Surf (mobile 07958 015048) said: “Once again the Brentwood Tories have shown complete contempt for the borough’s residents. I was born and raised in this town and am sick to death of the Conservatives trying to sell off our history and our heritage. Short-term scummy economics seems to be the mantra of this pathetic administration.”
“It is felt by many residents that the Tories use the town centre as a “cash-cow” to fund pet projects in other areas. A few years ago the Conservatives changed to remit of the Assizes Trust Fund so that money promised specifically for Brentwood town centre could be used in Shenfield and Hutton. An absolute disgrace.”
Had a fabulous evening at Brentwood’s Thai Boulevard in South Street Brentwood. A delicious selection of food and everyone was looked after by the wonderful Amy and her staff.
Also joining their Karaoke launch night was actor and vocalist Troy Montero who is currently on tour in the UK. Troy gave us a quick verse or two accapella before heading off on his tour.
I asked Amy why she and her husband (the head chef) had chosen Brentwood to set up the restaurant….
Thai Boulevard prides itself on being the ultimate Thai dining experience, serving contemporary Thai cuisine whilst maintaining the authentic flavours of Thai culinary excellence.
Our reputation has enabled us to promote the art of Thai cuisine to the local people of Brentwood, Essex in their droves, allowing us to bring a piece of Thailand from our land to yours.
“Enjoy the world’s most craved Thai food”
Thai Boulevard’s reputation precedes its self as one of the best Thai restaurants in the county and we aim to maintain that reputation with exquisite service, a warm atmosphere and of course, excellent food.
We also offer free home delivery on Friday and Saturday with our takeaway menu (minimum order £20.00 within a 3 mile radius).
If you have any questions or would like to book a table for you and a friend, a business meeting or any other party of people, we’d only be too delighted to entertain you.
Great to talk to Nish Patel from Nish Patel from The Shenfield Wine Co about this weekend’s Jazz Festival which is taking place Sunday 28th June from 12pm onwards near Shenfield Library. The event has been organied by Shenfield’s Trade Clusters, ths free event will feature live music, hot dogs, strawberries and cream, and street entertainers. There will also be coffee, craft beer, paella, prosecco and Pimms available. Don’t worry if you are driving, as there’s plenty of car parking spaces.
Whilst Nish was on the telephone I got a few great recommendations for wines this summer so check out the interview.
DONT FORGET CHECK OUT MOLLY’S BLOG http://askmollybeauty.blogspot.co.uk/ and each week she also writes for The Brentwood Gazette/Chronicles across Essex and Hertfordshire Mercury
Dowse.Peter joined the rotary in 1996 whilst in charge of Kensington Police Station he became their president and then moved to Brentwood Breakfast Club. After being the Rotary Clubs presentin in 2004 he joined th Essex District Team as the Head of Youth in Essex for Rotary.
In 2013 he beame the Distric Governor for Rotary Essex and is now responsible for Young Writer and Young Photographer on Rotary Ntaional Team which covers great britan and ireland 29 districts and 50 thousand members.
Sylvia contributes to national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Following her Freelance Writer of the Year award for Writing Magazine, she began work on FOLKLORE OF ESSEX which contributed to Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. Sylvia’s book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by the History Press is sold @ the British Library. This history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists dates from 1894 and includes pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature & poetry. Sylvia celebrates the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president. A chapter is dedicated to Joyce who meanders throughout the book which was reviewed in The Times, other dailies & YouTube. Sylvia is SWWJ’s Archivist. She work with several publishers including on-line specialists.Ebook titles are BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN & ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY, both downloadable via Kindle. later books are kindlised. 2,000 articles are linked to Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Suite 101. Film/audio clips now added.
Sylvia’s 10th book Barking & Dagenham From Old Photographs is selling well.
A regular guest at Phoenix FM with HAPPY CLUB, author and self help Guru, Peter Jones, joined me to talk about his debut fictional book, THE GOOD GUYS GUIDE TO GETTING THE GIRL.
Peter’s debut novel (The Good Guy’s Guide To Getting The Girl) has just been revamped, re-released and is backed by the world’s biggest bookshop! If you like quirky rom-coms it could be your kinda thing.
What do you do when all the single girls have disappeared – and internet dating is yet to be invented?
Jason Smith, 29, self-confessed ‘good guy’, is single. Finally.
But now that he is, all the girls he’d happily give up one side of his bed for – like, for instance, his school crush Melanie Jackson, are long gone. Or married. Or crazy. Or inexplicably obsessed with the office heart-throb, Gary.
Or are they? Has Jason stumbled on a fool-proof way to meet the kind of exciting, fun woman he’s always dreamed about – or is he about to gamble his career, his friendships, and any hope of future romance, on a schoolboy fantasy?
I spoke to Burlesque Legend, Isabella Bliss who is staring in An Evening of Burlesque. A stunning night of sophisticated tease, tassels and titillation at the Queen’s Theatre on Wednesday 24 June at 7.30pm. Tickets are £17.50, £21 and £24. To book, call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or book online atqueens-theatre.co.uk
ABOUT THE SHOW
Direct from the West End, this internationally-acclaimed show comes to Hornchurch and is overflowing with shimmering showgirl antics, cabaret conundrums and plenty of comical farce!
The bevy of beauties includes: burlesque legend Isabella Bliss, complete with her own giant martini glass; songstress and star of the Edinburgh Festival Ivy Paige; the hilarious Madame Galina (“A rare synthesis of art and larkiness”, The Times); Amber Topaz – (“Sings with wit and passion”, The Telegraph); hula-hooping sensation Storm Hooper; star of the West End’s acclaimed Hurly Burly Show Ella Boo; sparks-flying, angle-grinding wonder Ooh la Lou and Count Adriano Fettucini, star unicyclist and a unique male circus burlesque. This fantastic show also features the superbly-choreographed Folly Mixtures troupe.
Says producer Michael Taylor: “The set list can include strutting Vegas showgirls in all their finery, a tutu too funny take on Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet, going nuts on Brazil’s Copacabana beach, a Roaring (with laughter) Twenties tribute to America’s Great Gatsby and international intrigue thanks to a James Bond finale, featuring a giant martini glass glamorously garnished by a splashing Bond Girl.”
An Evening of Burlesque has spent two years touring the world, enthralling a quarter of a million viewers. As seen from Milan to Minsk, Zurich to St Petersburg, Verona to Padova, Dresden to Dessau, audiences will absolutely adore this thrill-a-minute, fun-filled frolic into the bizarre world of burlesque and cutting-edge variety. It’s Vaudeville gone volatile: couture costumes, Royal Academy beauties, an oh-so-steamy musical score and mind-boggling speciality acts explode onto the stage in the wickedest show of the year!
Michael adds: “It’s all tease, no sleaze – combining musical and theatrical parody, magic, comedy and dance with the art of striptease – with corsets, killer heels and stockings aplenty! This is a slick and witty spectacle with sultry vocals, breathtaking choreography, mischief, magic, frivolity and fun. The show sparkles from its elaborately-decorated headdresses to its immaculately varnished toes!”
An Evening of Burlesque comes to the Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch on Wednesday 24 June at 7.30pm. Tickets are £17.50, £21 and £24. To book, call the Box Office on
John Wyndham MBE joined me in the studio to talk about The Brentwood Tattoo which looks like its going to be an absolutely amazing event in Brentwood. DONT MISS OUT… find out more from the interview or go to http://brentwoodtattoo.com/
Where
Saturday 11th July 2015. Gates Open 17:00. / Tattoo starts 18:45
Brentwood County High School Shenfield Common, Seven Arches Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 4JF
About
The Brentwood Tattoo is being held to honour the Brentwood Imperial Youth Band’s 25th Anniversary. A celebration of music and entertainment the Tattoo will bring together a cast of over 250 performers, a unique gathering showcasing the talents of youth musicians and the band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines School of Music. Performers from 12 groups will take part in the Tattoo, culminating in a Massed Bands finale that will feature Ceremonial Sunset – an event not to be missed.
A celebration of music and entertainment the Tattoo will bring together a cast of over 250 performers, a unique gathering showcasing the talents of youth musicians and the band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines School of Music.Performers from 12 groups will take part in the Tattoo, culminating in a Massed Bands finale that will feature Ceremonial Sunset – an event not to be missed.
TICKETS £15.00 each
700 hundred tickets have been sold already and there are approximately 300 to go, so if you want a ticket you had better be quick!
Joined in the studio by local author Laurie Ellingham who came in to talk about her debut book THE RELUCTANT CELEBRITY.
The book is getting rave reviews so secure yourself a copy (details below).
Great for any budding writers out there to listen to Laurie tell her background story into writing.
Laurie…. sorry if I had the air conditioning up a little bit too high, I really don’t mean to freeze my guests!
The Reluctant Celerity
Its a genius story and one that I think many of us have thought about… what if???
When property developer and loner, Jules Stewart, comes face-to-face with her former self grinning back from the front page of Britain’s most popular tabloid, escape is not an option.
With a new house determined to remain derelict, a nosy village determined to befriend her, and a gorgeous pub owner determined to undress her, life for Jules is difficult enough. But add a famous ex-boyfriend set to ruin her life (for the second time), a newspaper eager to expose her, and everyone she has ever knew desperate for their fifteen minutes of fame…
Can Jules protect herself from getting hurt again? Or will her perfectly built life crumble at the same rate as her house?
I was fortunate enough to see Electric Child House at last year’s Brentwood Festival and they are a superb live band, with brilliant songs and one hell of a vocalist. Can it get any better?… yes.. they are all young and good looking, result! You can catch them at The Brentwood Festival on the Saturday or at the EP launch on Thursday 18th June, 8.00pm at The Sebright Arms (details below).
Matt (Vox/Guitar) and Harry (Drums) came in to talk about their Debut EPGOOCHIE GOOCHIE GOO which is released 15th June. Shout out given to the rest of the band: Ronnie Mitchell – Guitars, Aaron Byford – George Coster – Bass.
Joined in the studio by Rosie Wren, Fundraising Assistant, of Headway Essex who came in to talk about the great work that this charity does as part of National Carers Week.
Headway Essex have some fantastic Fundraising Events Coming up:- 30th Anniversay Ball Friday 13th June (Tickets available) & The Colour 5K check the website for more details.
Headway Essex – Who they are and What Services they Provide.
Headway Essex cares for people who have acquired a brain injury and this may be through sporting or work accidents, road traffic accidents, assault, illness or disease.
Support is given in two ways. Through the Headway Centre, which is a day centre in Colchester where rehabilitation activities take place. These activities are designed to help people to rebuild their lives after brain injury. The centre has 72 places available each week.
Headway Essex also has a Community Support Service. The Community Support Team, provides telephone support, information on the different aspects of brain injury, support groups, training for carers, specialist literature on brain injury, home and hospital visits and educational talks. Currently over 300 families are supported across Essex.
Joined in the studio by Steve Willoughby, Managing Director of Home Instead Senior Care. Steve came in to talk about the Carer Advice Event on the 12th June, from 12-4pm at the Brentwood Cathedral Hall, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, CM15 8AT. The free event is aimed at offering solutions to many of the challenges faced by family carers in Brentwood, Billericay and Upminster.
DETAILS
The event will provide family carers with free advice and information about the services available to them in their local area. Exhibitors at the event will include: Home Instead Senior Care, Alzheimer’s Society, SEPT (South Essex Partnership Trust), Learning Disability Charities, Crossroads (Carer’s Trust), Brentwood Borough Council, a live-in care company, a care home, a mobility company and others. All of the organisations attending the event will be offering support, guidance, and legal advice.
Home Instead in Brentwood, Billericay and Upminster specialise in companionship care to older people in their own homes. Steve Willoughby, owner of Home Instead in Brentwood explained, “Events like these are so important because many families struggle to know where to turn to for support and advice, especially so when a crisis hits. There will be a number of local organisations there and everyone involved hopes the event will be both useful and insightful. I am delighted that so many organisations throughout the local community are set to be involved.”
Home Instead Senior Care specialises in providing older people with non-medical care, enabling them to remain in their own homes. Their award-winning service ranges from companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, post-discharge care, personal care, medication reminders, shopping and errands, to Alzheimer’s and Dementia care. Available from as little as 1 hour a day, seven days a week.
It was my pleasure to sit in on Eat My Brunch for Michelle today, especially as I got to meet the lovely Sylvia Kent and the equally lovely Sheila Norton in the May Book Club.
Sylvia and Sheila
Sheila was born in Romford and now lives near Chelmsford, Essex, and has been writing avidly since childhood. For most of her life she worked as a medical secretary, retiring early to concentrate on her writing.
Her first publications were children’s stories, but after twice winning first prize in the Writers’ News short story competitions in the 1990s, she began to have short stories published regularly in women’s magazines.
Her first novel, The Trouble With Ally was published in 2003 by Piatkus Books, and she went on to have a further seven books published with Piatkus, including three under the pseudonym of Olivia Ryan, before beginning to self-publish her novels on Amazon. Her earlier novels were all ‘rom coms’, but recently she has published two books set mainly in the 1960s, and now a new novel A Grand Thing which is a family story with grandparents at its heart.
Sheila is now working on a completely new project, having signed contracts with Ebury Press (a division of Penguin Random House) for a book for the Christmas market, with a cat as its central character!
Joined in the studio by Carol Finney BSc (HONS) CBT. Psychotherapist & EMDR Practioner who came in to talk about OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder) and treatments available.
For more information on Carol and the services provide visit:-
CBT Services Brentwood offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and EMDR throughout Essex
CBT deals with a wide range of conditions and problems including:
Anxiety Sleep problems
Depression
Pain Management
Bereavement
Worry
Trauma
PTSD
CBT is an “NHS Recommended Therapy”, and is identified by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (www.nice.org.uk)) as one of the main therapies to assist with depression, anxiety, and stress.
Joined in the studio by Nicky Smith from and Steve Willoughby to talk about Dementia Awareness Week and the monthly tea dances to help promote well being.
Did I manage to get any gossip from Producer Tom from the X Factor? Check the interview about for more details!
Have you got The X Factor? Well its your chance to shine and audition to Producers of the show at LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTRE this Saturday 23rd May starting at 9am and running throughout the day!
The POD will be at Lakeside, in you go, sing and take your chance! You don’t have to worry about being seen, you will only be singing for the Producers of the show.
What do I need to do?
Sing a verse and a chorus of your favourite song that shows off your voice to its best ability.
Dress to impress.
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 11-17 May this year and I was joined in the studio for the launch by Dave Kennard, Wayne Banks, Roger Davidson and Nicky Smith. We talked about Fitness in Mind and their upcoming events. You can hear the interview again here:
Author Peter Jones – Brilliant photography by Michelle Ward
ABOUT PETER
Author and self help master, Peter Jones, joined me in the studio with this months Happy Club. Hilarious and informative. This months topic is about the full moon and how it can cause you to feel.. well a little bit odd.
This book contains a 7-day eating plan suitable for ‘real men’ and anyone who prefers honest hearty food over salads and fancy vegetables. The plan even includes a dessert each day!
The recipes are easy to make and the measurements are given in metric, imperial and US cup units
More about Susan
Susan Hegedus, a freelance journalist and writer specialising in articles of local historical and religious interest.
Susan has been a freelance writer since 2001 and has contributed dozens of articles to various magazines and in particular religious periodicals such as The Catholic Herald, The Tablet, The Universe, the Church Times, The Church of England News and The Catholic Companion.
The Hidden Green Man in Essex Published by published by Country Books
The medieval churches of Essex house one of History’s best kept secrets. They are frequently inhabited by a mysterious carving of an ancient male head, with foliage, usually oak leaves, emerging from his mouth, ears, nose or eyes. He is surprisingly common and has many guises, concealed in nooks, roofs, sometimes barely discernable on fonts, but may also be found lurking on walls and hidden niches of churches.
The Hidden Green Man in Essex was published in 2011. It has 49 images of this charming character. I enjoyed my time wandering around medieval churches trying to spy this mysterious and ancient icon. This was a hobby the whole family enjoyed and I’m glad that the Green Man has found his way inside this book!
SUSAN ALSO CAME IN WITH HER FLUTE!!!!!!!!!! YOU CANT DO THAT AND NOT THINK I WONT ASK YOU FOR A TUNE!!!!!!!!!!! HERE SHE IS LIVE!
Author/Columnist Sylvia Kent comes in each month to present The Book Club on Phoenix FM.
I contribute to national, regional magazines and on-line journals. Most of my 9 books have been reprinted and are on sale in Waterstones, Sainsbury, WHSmith and others. ESSEX FOLKLORE helped Channel 5’s film COUNTY SECRETS. My book THE WOMAN WRITER, published by The History Press sells at the British Library. My history of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists from 1894 traces our pioneers who made their mark in journalism, literature and poetry. Within the book I celebrate the centenary of Joyce Grenfell, a former SWWJ president. A chapter is dedicated to Joyce who meanders throughout my book which was reviewed in The Times and other dailies, radio and YouTube. I’m SWWJ’s Archivist. On-line publisher JMD MEDIA of Derby published my first ebook BRENTWOOD: HISTORIC TOWN in spring. My 2nd ebook ST MARY MAGDALEN: BILLERICAY is downloadable via KINDLE. Online magazine www.Suite101.com publish my articles. Check Facebook,Twitter @sylviaakent & Linked-In Film/audio clips are now added. Check my index box at top left-hand side of this page. Currently researching my 10th book covering Barking & Dagenham.130,000 blog visits.
Twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid have enjoyed huge success across the globe over the years. They’ve just released their 10th studio album “Let’s Hear It For The Dogs”, preceded by single “You Built Me Up” which is currently sitting on the Phoenix FM A List.
James caught up with Craig about making the new album with producer David Inger and why they prefer playing live shows to making records!
You can find out more about the band and buy their new album from their official website – www.proclaimers.co.uk.
A flying visit into Phoenix from Duke Special who was on his way to Brighton’s Komedia to perform an acoustic gig and tracks from his new album Look out Machines and the single Nail on the Head.
There are so many sides to this artist. Over the last five years alone, he has undertaken musical projects based on the photography of Strand, Stielglitz and Steichen for the New York Met (‘Under the Dark Cloth’), written a concept album based on a Paul Auster novel and recorded by Steve Albini (‘The Silent World of Hector Mann’), crafted shows based on the music of Harry Nilsson and Belfast legend Ruby Murray, collaborated with Clannad and even had the time for a sideline in DJing by establishing his Gramophone Club. This summer, he’ll pen the score for a new musical adaptation of Gulliver’s Travels to be staged in Belfast by Youth Music Theatre UK.
Duke Special is performing next in Islington MAY (check out the website for full gig list).
Joined in the studio by the very bubbly and beautifully voiced Helen Connelly along with her co writer/guitarist Crazz.
Helen performed three outstanding tracks live in the studio from new brand new EP ‘Love, Life and Lyricality’ accompanied by gifted guitarist Crazz.
To find out that Helen has only been singing for three years really did make me go go wow. She has a mature, soulful, jazzy, strong and note perfect vocal. Listen to her beautiful vocal run downs. Nothing is over sung, its a pure joy to listen to her voice. Helen also sung with Crazz playing cajón (which is a Spanish drum) no guide for the tune and again the performance was outstanding.
My thoughts:- Great original tracks and a top live performer – another amazing talent from Essex.
Great fun to be joined in the studio by Julian “Rich” Clifford Vocals & Ernie (lead guitar) who came in to talk about their band Rich Clifford & The Young Once.
The band are made up of versatile and experienced musicians who will get your feet tapping and dance floor full with music from the heyday of Cliff and the Shadows and some great sounds from others including The Searchers, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, and Buddy Holly.
We also got to listen to two tracks from the band.
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