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Veterans in Action – 4000 Mile Walk to Come Through Brentwood and Billericay
Veterans In Action is a charity which helps veterans of the armed forces who have suffered the effects of war or who have found the transition to civilian life difficult, by helping them to
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The Great Really Good Gatsby and Alison Thea Skott
Alison Thea Skot joined Mike on the show today and chatted about the Queens latest production “The Great Gatsby” You can hear what Mike thought of the show and the interview with Alison right
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Get Naked or Keep Your Shirt On?
Well we’re all supposed to be Europeans now, so why is there such an intolerance here of naked flesh when over in the German city of Munich they have given people the go-ahead to
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Tales of Prague…
So it’s good to be back in Brentwood after almost a week away in Prague. I had a great time touring around this beautiful city and on today’s show I talked a bit about
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Hey It’s Friday
Yes, it’s Friday and another bonus show for me this week. After yesterday when we heard all about domestic abuse, today we heard a case in point involving a postman who shut his wife
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Men have rights too
I was joined in the studio today by GERALD CASH and on the phone, by ERIN PIZZEY to tell us about the event they are holding tomorrow in Brentwood at the Marygreen Manor Hotel.
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A concise history of Local Radio by Scott Ross
Excerpts from Scott's recent talk covering the last 100 years of radio!
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No wonder TV is on its deathbed
On today’s programme, we heard all about a 9-hour TV spectacular which aired last week in France. This wondrous programme consisted entirely of a man walking backwards through Tokyo – and yes it ran
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What is the world coming to?
Another “MAXIMUM MUSIC MONDAY” and with it being such a grey miserable day we certainly needed the music to cheer us up, but to cheer us up even more we took a peep at
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The Eco-friendly Greenhouse at Shenfield High School
Shenfield High School are attempting to build a eco-friendly greenhouse using plastic bottles, and prevocational studies teacher Andy Christiani came in to talk about it
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Eric Pickles and The Bishop of Chelmsford Open Essex Savers in Brentwood
Today saw the official opening of the Brentwood Branch of Essex Savers.net Credit Union. I popped along this morning to watch the proceedings and have a chat to those involved. First I spoke to
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Opportunities to save and earn money
On today’s, and for me bonus edition of the show, we heard all about the Nottingham woman who saved £3000 and saw her weight drop from around 25 Stone to 17 stone, in just
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It’s all about Theatre
Local playwright and actor Luke Coldham is attempting to encourage a whole new audience for his improvisation show at the Thameside on the 23rd May. Mike spoke to Luke about the birth and and
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Get ready to invade Ukraine – well one town anyway!
Being a Tuesday I was once again joined by CARL MERRY for another ESSEX TALE. This week’s tale was set in East Mersea at the height of the civil war between the Royalists and
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Do I save money or splash out on a treat?
On today’s programme we heard about the 14 year old American boy who’s shown the US Government how to save up to £240m a year just by changing the font used in printing government
Read More »A Musical Journey Across Europe – Choir For All Seasons
This Saturday at the Mayflower Hall, Chapel Street, Billericay, The Choir for All Seasons are holding a concert called Music on The Orient Express. This is described as a romantic musical journey across Europe,
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How the police have seen the light
It’s another MAXIMUM MUSIC MONDAY but we still had time to poke a little fun at the Metropolitan police. Now they’ve not been enjoying a great press of late and are also facing many
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Stella The Raw Food Goddess visits Phoenix
If you bring food into the studio Mike is going to eat it and thats exactly what happened here. Here the interview again with the Lovely and very clever Stella Phillips in between
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Faire Is the Heaven – The Stondon Singers at Brentwood Cathedral
David Schacht talks about the group's new concert
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Where am I?
On today’s programme we heard a truly Devilish tale from Carl Merry relating to the consequences of throwing caution to the wind and building a house on land known as the Devil’s Wood. It
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EKCO’s of the past
Some time ago I got the chance to talk with local publisher and author, Audrey Snee who should have been with me today had she not been prevented
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First Responders Want You! – and a song from Matthew Shepherd
Community First Responder volunteers are trained to attend emergency calls received by the ambulance service and provide care until the ambulance arrives. Following a 999 call, one of a group of trained volunteers is despatched to the patient by
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The Need for Vinyl and Mike and Claire talk Sex
Two and Two Make Sex opened this week at the Queens and Mike went along to see this brilliant farce which includes in its cast the lovely Claire Storey. An actress with an impressive
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James Torme and all that Jazz
James Torme and his brilliant band delighted audiences at a unlikely Leigh on Sea venue last week into a laid back Jazz speakeasy. Mike Jones watched the gig and afterwards got a chance to
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A Visit from D’Ukes and a Tale of Being Lost in Iceland
After their crowd pleasing performance at our recent Phoenix Fridays gig, it was great to welcome back to the studio, the finest Ukulele band in the known universe! – D’Ukes. Members Martin Burdikin, Jo
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All about poachers and politicians
Being Tuesday I was delighted to welcome back CARL MERRY with another ESSEX TALE. Today’s tale concerned a poacher of old by the name of Samuel Peacock who seems to have had a bit
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Lost in music and the garden, as well
It’s the start of the working week again but at least the weekend, and especially yesterday was good to us weather-wise. Anyway being a Monday we needed something to cheer
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Chaos at Billericay Town Council Meeting – Cllr Jules Bottazzi
Billericay Town Council had to cancel its full council meeting after around 280 people flocked to Billericay Day Centre. They swarmed the Chantry Way building in protest of Basildon Council’s proposals to build 2,300 homes on the town’s
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Queens Hospital A & E Romford – An Emergency – Watch Here
Brentwood’s nearest Accident and Emergency department at Queen’s Hospital Romford, sees about 400 patients a day Following a report by the Care Quality Commission that its A&E was “at times unsafe because of the
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I wonder if we’ve found the reason the Scots want independence!
On today’s, and for me, bonus edition of the show we heard about the Essex secondary school teacher just awarded £230k after slipping on a sachet of tomato ketchup. Well fair enough, if you’ve
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What would you wear for church?
Being a Tuesday it is, of course, ESSEX TALES day and we’ll come onto that in a moment but firstly we had time to take a look at a more recent story. This
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Who says you can’t make it big?
A few weeks ago on this show I got to talk to Erkan Ali of BE INSPIRED, about helping the business community to better achieve their goals, and today I got to talk with
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Paolo Morena live in the studio
The wonderful Paolo Morena joined us in the studio for a fantastic three song session and interview You can hear the whole interview here Or you can watch the film here
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Drive-in Movies come to Brentwood and a Cat Cafe
Another busy show today with a few gremlins at the start, but I managed to beat them off with a stick! CLASSICS of the silver screen will be shown al-fresco this year in Brentwood
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Danger! – Selfies
A packed show today but somehow I managed to cram it all in! I mentioned a new app out designed to keep your partner happy by automatically sending them cute messages – bound to
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Interview with the Queen’s Theatre’s Patrick O’Sullivan
Patrick O'Sullivan, Education and Outreach Manager, came into the show to talk about his role at the Theatre
Read More »Con Artists and thieves have been around a long time
On today’s show CARL MERRY related the ESSEX TALE of a long dead conman, Stephen Bunce and from rather more recent times we heard of two far less competent bank robbers on different sides
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Help from the skies and a spectacular event
On today’s show I was joined by WENDY MARCON from the ESSEX & HERTS AIR AMBULANCE TRUST. As the Trust Events Manager, Wendy is especially responsible for all the fundraising events, which are vitally
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Do you Believe in Half Price?
So inflation is down by nought point one percent? Well I can’t say I’ve noticed. But I have noticed all those phoney half price offers in supermarkets, including a block of cheddar, half price
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Prog Rock God Ian Anderson talks to Phoenix FM
Mike Jones chats to the Jethro Tull frontman about the past, present and future
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All the comforts of Home
As usual on a Tuesday I was joined for another ESSEX TALE, by Carl Merry who whilst moving away from demons, stuck with another strange creature. Last week we heard all about the Devil’s
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The Food of Love?
Another MAXIMUM MUSIC MONDAY is upon us, but in with all that music, we managed to squeeze in the story of a man who, sadly, dropped dead from embarrassment whilst buying a Valentines gift
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A One 2 Three Valentine’s Day Special – Guess The Mystery Voices!
Happy Valentine’s Day to those who have found love, in whatever shape or form, and to those who are still hunting, don’t give up. If you feel bad, send yourself a card. You must
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Between a rock and a hard place
On today’s show we learnt about the Canadian Rock Band, SKINNY PUPPY, allegedly demanding £400,000 from the US military for unauthorised use of their “music” to torment suspected terrorists in Guantanamo Bay. Seemingly people
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Anyone for some ham?
On today’s show I was joined by Pete Waters, one half of the World renowned home of amateur radio (sometimes known as HAM RADIO) in Essex, Waters & Stanton. Pete explained just what “HAM”
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A New Credit Union for Billericay, Street Pastors and The Big Promise, and Goodbye Pip!
Back in December Alison Davies from Essex Savers.net Credit Union came into Phoenix to tell us the good news that a new credit union branch was to open in Brentwood. Well we had some
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#TimeToTalk Day on Phoenix FM
Thursday 6 February was the first ever Time to Talk Day - 24 hours in which to start conversations about mental health, raise awareness and share the message that mental illness is nothing to
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Review: Our Man In Havana, Queen’s Theatre
Mike Jones was at the press review night of Our Man In Havana, a comedy thriller produced by and performed at the Queen's Theatre in Hornchurch
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William Hunter Way Project Scrapped – Russell Quirk
AFTER eight years of planning the deal for William Hunter Way’s multi-million pound redevelopment is to be scrapped. Brentwood Council have confirmed the project with Stockland is “set to be refused” after a development
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It’s Time To Talk
Thursday this week has been designated TIME TO TALK DAY and I was joined today by Mark Dale and Wayne Banks from the Basildon & South of England Disability Equality Forum, to explain
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Seconds Out – the place is on fire!
On today’s show we heard all about the boxer whose final appearance in the ring was as a corpse. It seems that he had wanted to be
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Mike Le Surf
Guests today were PPC Mike le Surf and Cllr Julie Morrisey who came into discuss the latest “good news ” figures ,Scotland ,Crime, Education and of course whats going on in Brentwood Politics.
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A step too far
Being a Tuesday I was pleased to welcome back CARL MERRY, but his tale today was a truly gruesome story which concerned the love of a girl by Viking twins who perished fighting each
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A truly political lesson
On today’s show I was privileged to meet up and chat with a legend of TV political reporting, BRIAN CURTOIS. For many years Brian was the BBC’s chief political correspondent who met and interviewed
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Leanne Louise Live in Studio 1 – Listen Here
Leanne Louise is a singer songwriter and occasional producer. 2013 saw Leanne opening Brownstock Festival and going onto win both ILUVLIVE and Live & Unsigned. Leanne will be appearing at Phoenix FM’s First ever
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William Hunter Way – Opposition Members Anger at Secrecy
Ian Edmonds and Graeme Clark explain their reaction to current negotiations
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Married? You Could be Part of a New World Record – The Big Promise – Listen Here
Every year more than a quarter of a million couples across the UK signify their commitment to each other by getting married – they make promises to each other that form the bedrock on
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Baby’s from Hell
On today’s programme we learnt about the woman from New York who is addicted to chewing on nappies and about the animated devil baby that has been terrorising New
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Doesn’t Monday come round quickly?
The weekends seem to just flash by and then here we are back at the start of another working week. The good news is that we have another MAXIMUM MUSIC MONDAY ONE-2-THREE Show.
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Richie Milton and Bill Farrow – Tales of Simon and Garfunkel, The Pioneers, Long John Baldry And Eastenders! – And Some Great Music Too
Well I have been looking forward today’s show for weeks. Back at Brentwood lighting up at the end of last November we had several great musicians perform on our stage in Crown Street Brentwood
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A bit of a wash out
Last week we heard all about an 11-year old American girl who got stuck in a washing machine whilst playing hide and seek, but now comes news of an Australian man who thought he
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AN EXPLOSIVE MEETING
Being a Monday we needed a couple of stories to cheer ourselves up and being of a somewhat warped nature, other people’s misfortunes always do it for me! First off we learnt about the
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Prismism Project Live from Studio 2 – Watch Here
Today I played out a great session I recorded in studio 2 earlier this week with Greg Hummell, also known as Prismism Project. Prismism Project is all about Alternative/ Electronic production, live looping &
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Mrs Brentwood and the 2014 Festivals
The lovely Laurie Edmonds popped in to see Mike today and brought exciting news about this years Brentwood Arts Festival and Brentwood Festival itself The Arts festival begins on 5th July and will
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A bit of a jam
On today’s show we heard all about the British man breathalysed by the French police for drink driving and why, although having consumed copious quantities of Champagne, wine and malt whisky, he escaped prosecution.
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It’s the start of a New Year so we mean business!
On today’s show I was joined by business consultant, ERKAN ALI from Be Collaboration, an organisation he founded with Gill Tiney. Gill, who has been in to see us a couple of times, would
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£10 to visit A & E – Manure from the Press Association?
So here is the news, or at least someone’s version of it. A third of GPs believe patients should be charged for some A&E visits, while most think Government changes will do nothing to
Read More »Happy New Year – The First One 2 Three of 2014 and The Shape of Things to Come
It was my privilege to host today’s One 2 Three, the first of 2014. Along with Scott Ross and Mike Jones we have been presenting this early afternoon show on Phoenix FM since last
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A real celebratory bash
For the final ONE-2-THREE Show of the year, I was delighted to be joined by FRANCES CLAMP for a New Year’s Eve BYGONES special. Frances talked about some of the legends surrounding the changing
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A right Royal “to do”!
Continuing the theme from Saturday we spent much of today’s show re-living the tracks that made 2013 such a great year for music, as well as pre-viewing some of the new releases which are
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A very Merry Santa!
On this our Christmas Eve edition of ONE-2-THREE we heard all about the Santa Claus who together with his female assistant came a cropper whilst riding his sleigh down a busy high street in
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Food for thought, maybe?
Christmas creeps up on you doesn’t it? With this in mind it did seem right to belt out a few more Christmas songs but not the full house we’ll be playing tomorrow. It might
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Oxjam 2013 – Listen Again Here
On Saturday 28th December it’s the return of Oxjam, a music festival that celebrates the local music scene and raises money for Oxfam- two undeniably great causes! After raising more than double the amount
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The spirit of Christmas lives on!
Following on from yesterday when we heard about various arguments erupting around decorating Christmas trees, we looked today at the woman who has put up a less than festive message in lights to her
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Christmas – The time of goodwill to all men
I’ve finally succumbed to the Christmas festivities and started putting up my decorations. I guess it’s getting the cards out next! With the Christmas spirit filling the air I decided to look today at
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William Hunter Way: Cllr Parker discusses the proposals
Keith Parker, Conservative councillor for Brizes & Doddinghurst, visited the show this week to talk about the proposals for William Hunter Way
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The Phoenix FM Daytime Collective – Santa (Thank you) ft. The Popettes
A brand new Christmas song for you this year courtesy of your Phoenix FM daytime presenters. The Phoenix FM Daytime Collective are: Bryan Powis Rob Jelly Michelle Ward Bob Simpson Mike Jones
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It’s all about money today!
For reasons I won’t bore you with, we’ve had a bit of a switch round this week, so somewhat surprisingly I found myself in the driving seat for today’s show. First off we heard about
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It’s all about Billericay today
On today’s show I was delighted to welcome CHARLES PHILLIPS who has just published THE STORY OF BILLERICAY. The book was 6 years in the writing and traces the town back to its earliest
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Essex Savers Credit Union Arrives in Brentwood
My guest today was Alison Davies, president of Essex Savers Net Credit Union The Archbishop of Canterbury recently said that one million families are now taking out payday loans every month as they struggle
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Crown Street Live – Listen Here
Another chance to hear all the acts who performed at Crown Street during this year's Lighting Up
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Living off the fat of the land, perhaps!
Being a Tuesday it was ESSEX TALES day. But before all that we learnt how you could have turned your excess fat into gold. Had you been in Dubai during Ramadan and signed up
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Why Santa might be a little late this year
Well last Saturday saw the big Christmas Light switch-ons in both Brentwood and Billericay but on today’s show we heard why Santa could be a little held up this year.
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Lighting Up Brentwood – ‘Tis the Season to be Jolly
‘Tis almost the season to be jolly… But with Father Christmas busy in his workshop and Lighting Up Brentwood tomorrow, I played a few Christmas tunes today to get us in the mood. We
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Weird and Wonderful Stories
Today seemed a good day for Weird and Wonderful stories… So I thought I would start by mentioning a local event of the same name. Weird and Wonderful I hear that there
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Mike Le-Surf and Julie Morrissey
The two Labour councillors join Mike Jones on One-2-Three
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Mike Jones talks to Eric Pickles
Mike Jones spoke to Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles at the opening of Brentwood Brewing Company’s new premises in Ongar Road, adjacent to Calcott Hall Farm Shop. A variety of topics were discussed
Read More »A rush for 2014 calendars
As it’s a Tuesday I was joined today by CARL MERRY for another ESSEX TALE. This week’s concerned a philosopher from Harwich, who made an interesting proposition on his deathbed in Brightlingsea, where he
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Some Unwelcome Visitors!
It’s the start of another working week so we definitely need something to cheer us up so with our colleague STEVE DAVIS braving the delicacies on offer in the jungle, we enjoyed the story
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Louise Moss from RSPB Rainham Marshes – We Make Fatballs!
Thanks to Louise Moss from RSPB Rainham Marshes today The Phoenix FM studio today felt like the Blue Peter studio at the BBC. We made fatballs! You can see the result of my effort
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Lizzie Allen and Tracey Cowling from Havering and Brentwood Bereavement Service
Havering and Brentwood Bereavement Service are a local non profit making registered charity, which since 1989 has been offering professional and confidential counselling to adults and more recently children who are struggling to come
Read More »More winners for Health & Safety
Hi. Yes it’s me back again on ONE -2-THREE, but this is not so much as a bonus show but rather a straight swap with Bob who covered me on Monday. On today’s show
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War of the Worlds a new tour! I chat to Jeff Wayne
The man behind one of the most successful concept albums ever is Jeff Wayne. War of the Worlds remains one of the best selling albums of all time in the UK with sales well
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A Cold place with a warm welcome
On today’s show we heard all about the hotel in Sweden made entirely of ice and snow that has just been ordered to install fire safety equipment. You’d think that if it caught fire
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Steve Davis in the Jungle and Sam Callahan says Goodbye to X Factor
Snooker star and Phoenix FM presenter Steve Davis has swapped his waistcoat for a khaki suit to appear in the latest series of ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ Here’s some top
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Rock Choir and Brentwood Lighting Up – Andrew Small
Rock Choir was started by musician Caroline Redman Lusher in 2005, and now people all over the UK are enjoying its mix of fun, friendship and community spirit. Well on 30th November Rock
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Phil Norton – The Billericay Street Pastors
A DEDICATED team of volunteers have started to hit the streets of Billericay to support late-night revellers and vulnerable people in need. The Billericay Street Pastors will be out in the town between 9pm and
Read More »A cake that’s a cut above the average
In the first hour of today’s show we heard some headline news about an American bride who to celebrate her wedding to a horror film fan executed a wedding cake in the shape of
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Looking for the “high” life perhaps
Well it is Monday again so we needed something to cheer ourselves up. So on today’s “music packed” show we looked at the house for sale in Bristol complete with a cannabis farm
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David Schacht from The Stondon Singers and a Warning about Conmen
The Stondon Singers are a mixed Chamber Choir, resident at the atmospheric Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore. On 12th November (next Tuesday) they will be performing their next concert “Watercolours” at St Laurence
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Russell Apologises and Brentwood Arts are in town
Following the furore in the media Brentwood First Councillor Russell Quirk came into the studio to explain the context and reasons behind his recent leaked email which stated that “The prospect of sharing such
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A tram journey with a difference and an ESSEX TALE
On today’s show we heard about a group of French teenagers, a bit worse for wear, who abducted a llama from a circus and took it on a tour
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Oops is this really the way to fight a war?
On today’s show we heard all about the Norwegian who really has made something out of nothing. I guess that many of us have heard about people who like to live in a virtual
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Arbutus Music and The Rhythm Of Life. Paul Golder Chats to Steve Hackett of Genesis and Happy Birthday Scott Ross
Last Thursday I had the pleasure to chat to Christine Gwynne and Frances Quintrell about their singing workshop “The Rhythm of Life” which was happening on Monday this week. I thought I would pop
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The Scrutiny debate without the Scrutineer
In what promised to be a heated debate following the previous week’s Council Full Meeting Ousted Chair Karen Chilvers (Lib Dem) Phil Baker (BWF) were invited to join Mike for One to Three. New
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Maddy Davies from Brentwood Connect and some Halloween Horror!
Brentwood Connect is about empowering local communities across Brentwood to support families in their locality who are struggling to function effectively. Brentwood Connect is working with Inspiration Youth Call and today, Maddy Davies a
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The cat’s whiskers
It was rather a sad day today as I was joined for the last time by Frances Clamp. Frances has been with me on this show for the last 3 years but
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It’s a dog’s life
Another maximum music Monday has arrived but apart from all that music, we had time to look at another couple of oddball stories. First off came news of the travel company who specialise in
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The Encore Harmony Singers
It was a great pleasure to be joined by The Encore Harmony Singers in Studio 2 at Phoenix. The Encore Harmony Singers are a group of eight singers that are well known in the
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The Rhythm of Life – Arbutus Music and Fun with Powis (Bob Simpson Sings!)
It was a great pleasure to welcome back to the studio Christine Gwynn from Arbutus Music who this time was joined by her colleague Francis Quintrell. Sing Special – Rhythm of Life, is a
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Do you have to be flush to eat here?
On today’s show we heard all about a new toilet themed restaurant which has just opened in Los Angeles. This glittering establishment boasts lavatories rather than chairs to sit
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It’s time to welcome back THE CROCKED MONSIEURS
Last June, when I was sitting in for MICHELLE WARD, I got to meet up with Chris Howard and Colin Batters, who are 2 members of South London based band, THE CROCKED MONSIEURS.
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Chinese Food, Pandas and Paul Merton speaks to Rob Jelly
The Man who wrote Rebecca Black’s “Friday” has Made A New Song Called “Chinese Food” And if you think Friday was bad, you need to listen to Alison Gold’s song “Chinese Food.” It’s about
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Rob West and The Backstage Centre
Mike’s Guest today was Rob West from the wonderful Backstage Centre at Purfllet. Its Londons newest Music and Theatre production and rehearsal facility To find out more about the Backstage Centre go to
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How about One for the road?
Being a Tuesday I was once again joined by my BYGONES mentor, Frances Clamp, but more of that anon. In the first hour of today’s show we heard about a very unusual case of
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Go with the flow – perhaps!
Another hectic ONE-2-THREE Show today with “Much More Music!” plus news of a man who can’t get a driving licence because he’s legally dead and of another man knocked senseless when his toilet exploded. I
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World Mental Health Day, Larry Pegg and Silly Stories
With one in four people suffering from a mental health problem, World Mental Health Day is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. Today, October 10th is World Mental Health Day,
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Jethro Tull Past Present and the Future
Mike was delighted to get the chance to talk to founding member Marin Barre about his time with Tull and what the future holds for them all. To find out what Mike Jones
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Barclay James Harvest – A Chat With John Lees
Formed in 1966 the band Barclay James Harvest created classic albums like Once Again (featuring the beautiful song Mockingbird), Barclay James Harvest And Other Short Stories and many others Founder member of the band John Lees is about to
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A dead loss
On today’s show we heard about a new dating site aimed at reaching a hitherto untapped market – THE DEAD. GhostSingles.com has some stunning profiles of potential love interests. They’re a pretty transparent lot
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How about a “wee dram”?
Hey it’s Monday yet again! Hope you had a great weekend but now it’s back to work so to try and cheer you up, in addition to playing some fabulous tunes, we also took
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X Factor’s Sam Callahan, A Lost Granny and Cheese and Pickle
Now that Sam Callahan has made it through boot camp on X Factor, This weekend we’ll see the final contestants revealed, as the judges’ houses stage of the competition airs. Sam’s now off to San
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And you’re back in the room… Ches Moulton, Hypnotherapist and Eric Pickles turns nasty.
Our friend Ches Moulton made a welcome return to Phoenix FM today. Until recently Ches presented a great show on Phoenix – Blues From Brentwood but left to concentrate on other things in his
Read More »Horsing around on the back seat!
On today’s show we heard about a couple of ladies who were pulled over by police on the Autobahn as their two passengers on the back seat were horses. Seemingly they’d just rescued the
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The law is an ass!
On today’s MAXIMUM MUSIC edition of the show we took a look at some of the daftest laws that exist around the world. For example amazingly enough it is illegal for single, divorced or
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Kaylen Castle – Amazing 16 year old Guitarist and Composer
I was totally knocked out by my talented young guest today, Kaylen Castle. Kaylen Castle plays the guitar. Nothing unusual about that then, but it’s the way he plays that interests me. Far from
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Rubbish and Bondage – Now there’s a Funny Thing
So have you been to the rubbish tip lately? Well I’m having a major clear out at home at the moment and I arrived at the tip the other day with a car
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Fire Service Dispute – The FBU visit Phoenix FM
With a four hour strike by Brentwood firefighters taking place between 12 and 4pm Mike invited FBU rep Nick Mayes into the studio to talk about the reasons why they were taking this action.
Read More »To wit To woo!
As it’s Tuesday I was pleased to welcome back Frances Clamp and even more delighted when she took me to visit two pubs in the Billericay of the 1960′s. Bot more of that anon!
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A drink to die for – and then get washed up on the beach!
Being a Monday it’s our MAXIMUM MUSIC edition of the show. But we still had time to hear about the woman in China who was bitten by the snake she’d attempted to pickle in
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Pygmalion ,Classic Cars ,Enchanted Festival and Steve Howe
Very very busy programme today I was joined by Tasha Blaauw and Jenny Lee from The Wesley Players who came into talk about the forthcoming Pygmalion and this weeks Brentwood Drama Festival
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Get to work slave!
On today’s show we heard about the Austrian woman who as she didn’t have enough money to hire labour to work on her farm, hit on the idea of posing as a dominatrix. When
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David does his bit
On today’s show I was delighted to welcome Dave Quaife, brother of PETE QUAIFE, the late legendary bass guitarist and founder of the 60′s group THE KINKS. Pete sadly died in 2010
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Paolo Morena Live – Weird and Wonderful with Colin Wade
A very busy but immensely enjoyable show today. I was joined in the studio by my two guests – first was Essex singer songwriter Paolo Morena – then Colin Wade from Brentwood Mind. Paolo
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Breakforcover! – Goodbye Stef and a Drunken Pig
Was a pleasure to sit in for Mike Jones on One 2 Three today. It was a good opportunity to pay tribute to Stef Cybichowsky, drummer with local band Breakforcover. I have been lucky
Read More »Fixing an election win – is that a Bounty or Black Magic?
Straight back from a few days holiday and what’s happened to summer? Well never mind, on today’s show we were transported temporarily to the sunshine and warmth, where in the midst of a presidential
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Strange Tails? When Animals Go Bad
Had fun sitting in for Scott Ross today. Here on Phoenix we try to bring you interesting and sometimes quirky news stories from around the world. Well today all I could seem to find
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Bay City Rollers – Les McKeown chats to Bob Simpson on Phoenix FM
I much enjoyed talking to the voice of The Bay City Rollers today – Les McKeown. Les is about to embark on a 41 date UK tour with his Les McKeown’s Legendary Bay City
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The Royal British Legion Youth Band Brentwood
Originally formed as a bugle band in 1990 the Brentwood Branch of The Royal British Legion formally adopted the Youth Band in March 1993. The band performs within various musical arenas from garden parties
Read More »Tales of undercover swans and another visit to the Chantry House
On today’s Show Frances Clamp returned to the Chantry House in Billericay. Last time we were there in March last year, Frances concentrated on the connections with the Pilgrim Fathers but today she concentrated
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The sky’s the limit!
On today’s show I was joined by PAM WITHRINGTON who is the Fundraising and Marketing Director for THE ESSEX & HERTS AIR AMBULANCE TRUST. Now a few weeks ago we were talking about the
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Domestic Abuse – Men Have Rights Too
Essex Police describe domestic abuse as incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those who are or have been intimate partners or family members. Domestic abuse is not just about
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One Million Cockroaches and Eric Pickles on those Short Skirts
One million cockroaches have reportedly escaped from a farm in China. The insects, which were being bred for use in traditional medicine, escaped from a facility in Dafeng, after an unknown person
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Dylan Howe on One to Three
Mike ‘s guest today was drummer Dylan Howe. Dylan spent many years on the road with Ian Dury and the Blockheads and is currently touring with Wilko Johnson. He is the son of
Read More »There’s no smoke without fire
On today’s Bygones feature we learnt about some of he rumours of what Henry VIII might have got up to during his visits to Blackmore but of that more later! In the first hour
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A direct report
Taking time out from her Bank Holiday, I was delighted today to welcome MADDY DAVIES, Project Assistant of BRENTWOOD CONNECT which is a new project backed by Essex County Council which aims to help people
Read More »Rock and Gibraltar
Taking a wide sweep across the musical spectrum and across Europe today we looked at the growing issues concerning Gibraltar Forever in the news these days Mike spoke to a Former MP who
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Andrew Ings Paolo Morena and the Traveller Camp
It was great to be back in the studio today after a week off. Today’s show seemed to fly by, due mostly to my fascinating guest, Author, Theatre Critic, Actor and Director Andrew Ings. You
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How about going for a night time spin in the car?
I guess we’ve all heard the joke about someone dying peacefully in their sleep – unlike their passengers. Well today we heard about a woman in New Zealand who drove for almost 200 miles,
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Life with the Lions – it’s a dog’s life
Amazing isn’t it you’ve worked hard all week looking longingly at the sunshine outside, get to the weekend and the clouds roll back in and then along comes the start of another working week
Read More »It’s art – but not as we know it!
Since Bob Simpson has yet again taken himself off on leave, I was delighted to be back with a bonus show this week. In between the music, we took our usual peek at some
Read More »Any Colour You Like
Late one Wednesday night listening to Curveballs I heard this fabulous Pink Floyd tribute band . I even had to pull the car over so I could listen to the whole performance So I
Read More »Someone somewhere wants your vote
Well here we are back at Tuesday but one without Frances Clamp. Mercifully Frances had left me some comprehensive notes on her chosen subject of BLACKMORE PRIORY, about which more later. In the first
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Credit where, where credit’s due
On today’s show we heard about the Russian who seems to have found a way to get back at the people we all seem to want to hate at present – the bankers! When
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Louise McKinlay on Crossrail and Councillors’ Case Loads …
... plus A Nasty Smell in Billericay and no e-cigarettes on Trains
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Meetings, A Fishy Tale and Brentwood’s MP in a reasonably priced car?
It was great to get together with a host of Phoenix FM presenters last night at one of our meetings. Good to meet some of our newest presenters and discuss some burning issues. Then
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Is nowhere safe from the cyber hackers?
Being a Tuesday it was time to welcome Frances Clamp who had a monster story to tell. But before all that we learnt about the potential horror lurking in the loo ready to pounce
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Want to get on – Well GO WEST young man!
A very special edition of ONE-2-THREE today as I got to speak with PETER COX, one half of the soul duo GO WEST. Peter has had a fantastic career in the music industry as
Read More »Careful how much you drink this weekend!
Yipee, it’s Friday and not just any Friday, but a Friday just ahead of a Bank Holiday weekend so we are all in demob mood – well at least those of us who are
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An absolute feast – all the way from South Africa
Bob’s loss is my gain. I was sitting in for BOB SIMPSON on today’s show so was fortunate to meet up with a lovely lady, JANA MEYER, who whilst hailing from South Africa, has
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A bit down in the mouth or bitten off more than they could chew
The last Tuesday in July – my how the year is marching on! And being a Tuesday I was again joined by Frances Clamp for our Brentwood & Billericay Bygones feature. But before all
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Pirates ahoy! No wonder Long John Silver had a pegleg
Here we are with another MAXIMUM MUSIC MONDAY. Well we might have enjoyed a fabulous crop of music but we just had to look at a couple of stories which to my mind would
Read More »Naked in the Saddle, a Seagull and some False Teeth. How silly can we get?
A packed show today that included some serious local news stories about Brentwood Borough Council and The Archbishop of Canterbury’s attack on payday lenders. But never mind about all that – what we really
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After a disturbed night are we truly “with it” today?
My word what a night we just went through. I got woken at about half past two by the thunder and heat but anyway here we are 12 hours later still awake on a
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A lesson in what you can add to improve your business and what you can’t!
I was joined on today’s show by local business coach, CLIVE MALONEY. Clive started out delivering training at the tender age of 15 and having managed teams of people under difficult circumstances claims to
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The cow jumped over the moon
I guess we all remember the old nursery rhyme about the cow jumping over the moon, but I doubt if anyone would ever have wondered what might happen if and when the cow returned
Read More »Snail Facials in a Heatwave
Great to sit in for the legendary Scott Ross today, even if one of our stories made my stomach turn just a little - A Japanese beauty salon is offering ‘snail facials’. The treatment
Read More »Concert in aid of the Brian Norris Charity Appeal with Basil Fawlty
There’s open air summer concert on the 25th August in the beautiful gardens of Ingatestone Hall. This will be a great opportunity to see some very talented artists featuring Soprano Jackie Pittman, Soul Singer
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It’s an ill wind
Hey I got to do a bonus edition of ONE-2-THREE today so I was able to dig up some more wonderful oddball news stories. I had intended to include one about a man found
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Does charity begin at home or the charity bin become your home?
It’s another Tuesday, and hey the sun is shining brightly. On today’s ONE-2-THREE Show we enjoyed some great music and the wonderful story of the American charity worker who gave her all to the
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An unusual wedding and a big bang!
Now this is the weather for me. Ideal for playing some great music, which is exactly what we did on today’s show. We also had a chuckle over two items of news which surfaced
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Traffic Jams and Summer Jazz
Such a shame that my expected guest Adrian Nation was unable to get to the studio today. He made a heroic effort to get here but an accident on the A12 Colchester by-pass meant
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A Rat and a Gag for The Opposition Allegedly
A very busy show to fit into two hours today, but somehow I managed it, with some stuttering along the way! My guest tomorrow on the show will be talented singer songwriter and musician
Read More »Fire Safety in The Home and the Workplace
Fire Safety in the home is always important Fire Officer Graham Richardson came into the studio to talk to Mike about General Fire Safety , Education Courses and to give information regarding Home
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A clash of colours, maybe?
It’s Tuesday again so I was delighted to welcome the smiling face of Frances Clamp. Today’s BYGONES feature harked back to the dark days of the second world war, and specifically to the Battle
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Dangerous Raspberries and a Wee Visit from the Postman
Monday’s One 2 Three on Phoenix brought a couple of stories about Royal Mail and their difficulty in dealing with raspberries and the tale of a postman who made an unusual delivery… A man
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£3,000,000 on Biscuits and a Six Minute Rant (Listen again here!)
Today’s One 2 Three included an unusually long rant from me about the way our elected politicians spend our money in this time of austerity. Essex County Council Spent over £40,000 on meals for
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Political Fizz – with Cllrs Le-Surf, Baker and Chilvers
Local politics are always a factor in the programme and today’s guests were councillors Mike Le-Surf (Lab), Phil Baker (Brentwood First) and Karen Chilvers (Lib Dem). A healthy debate included topics such as new
Read More »Going fishing? Bike it – you’ll like it
It’s Tuesday – and Frances Clamp is back from her holidays – whew! But more of that in a moment. First off we enjoyed a couple of tracks from today’s featured artist recorded by
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New ideas from the USA on how to bring up your kids
Well weatherwise the weekend was more like Autumn than summer, but in spite of that the summer events were in full swing – we at Phoenix were involved with no less than 3 events
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Where the future meets the past
It was a great pleasure to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr. Mark Reed to the studio today to talk about Saturday’s forthcoming STRAWBERRY FAIR. Listen again to what Cllr. Reed had to
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It’s a fair cop
Welcome to another maximum music edition of ONE-2-THREE. And boy did we have fun today with our new A list bursting full of no less than 30 songs. And on top of all that
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ABBA – Sing the Show – Mamma Mia and Lock your Car!
DANCING Queen and Waterloo are just two of the classic ABBA anthems on the ‘to-do-list’ at a special singing event for adults in Brentwood. Frances Quintrell and Christine Gwynn are hosting Sing the Show
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Calendar Girls
Next week at the Brentwood Theatre sees Ad Hoc Players presenting Calendar Girls. The show’s director, Wendi Sheard, popped into the studio to talk about the production. You can hear the interview again here
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Spies are everywhere
Well here we are again! Another Tuesday but I’ve been abandoned by Frances Clamp – well not completely as Frances provided me with some in depth notes on poverty in Brentwood and Billericay. You
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It’s that Monday feeling again!
Well it may be Monday but we’re already half way through that dreaded day and we had some great music to cheer ourselves up plus a few oddball stories on today’s show. First off
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Carmel Jane from Brentwood Rugby Club and Drivers – Beware of Romford!
My guest today was Carmel Jane from Brentwood Rugby Club. Carmel told us all about what’s going on at the club and some plans for the future – You can hear our chat again
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Jack Monroe and The High Commissioner for Jamaica
On todays show I was fortunate to have two guests. Jack Monroe has become a media sensation since she was forced to give up her full time job when she became pregnant. Since
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Could this be war?
Being a Tuesday I was joined in the second hour of the show, by Frances Clamp. Her subject today was markets and fairs held in Brentwood since 1227. Not a particularly war like subject
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Reasons to be cheerful!
It’s June, the sun is shining and at last the thermometer is showing signs of heading in the right direction. So inevitably today’s show was packed full of “summer fun” sounds including a couple
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News on the Web and Brentwood Tweetup
After establishing the award winning news web site YourThurrock.com Founder Michael Casey popped in to the studio to talk about that websites development and the launch in a few weeks time of his new
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Hair Powder? Well perhaps if you are going on stage!
Being a Tuesday I was delighted to welcome Frances Clamp, even though her chosen subject of Hair Powder connected with Billericay had left me floundering to discover what Frances may have been talking about.
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A sunny Bank Holiday – now there’s a thing!
A lovely sunny day and what’s more you are probably enjoying an extra day off. Great! A good day to laze in the garden with a bottle of wine listening to the radio and
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Witches, time warps and films
Not only was I all “fingers and thumbs” today, doing battle with the equipment – and losing (my fault – not the equipment!) but I think I must have transmitted some of my dodgy
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The Brentwood Awareness Walk and Talk – Tony Robinson and Wayne Banks
I popped along to Brentwood Mind the other day to have a chat with Tony Robinson and Wayne Banks about The Brentwood Awareness Walk and Talk event on Sunday Brentwood Mind along with the
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Sylvia Kent and Ian Yearsley talk about books ,writing and witches
Michelle was unwell so Mike Jones was in the chair and chatted to Sylvia Kent and Ian Yearsley who is a a writer and historian who was born in Ingatestone, Essex (UK) and now
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Being flown by an unlicensed pilot or life in the workhouse – which would you prefer?
Like the cavalry to the rescue, Frances Clamp returned from her holidays to present our Bygones feature today which was all about the the workhouses of old, and especially the workhouses that were located
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A sure fire bet or the chance of a lifetime? The choice is yours!
Being a Monday it was time for another MAXIMUM MUSIC MONDAY edition of One-2-Three. But not just music as we also had time to look at a couple of oddball stories that might have
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