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A big celebration day
Well it’s finally arrived, our 6th birthday bash which we are celebrating about 3 months late. Well we hoped the weather would be better but clearly that was not to be! Never mind a
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A lunch fit for Kings
An extra large bulging PACKED LUNCH today as we had an extra hour to feast on the music. No ghosts to surprise us today but FRANCES CLAMP did pop by with the history of
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The spirit moves – or does it?
Once again I was joined by THE ESSEX GHOST HUNTERS and after my experience of seemingly unearthly sounds during their last visit, I was unsure what to expect this time around. The main aim
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Ah – A bank holiday Saturday and the sun is shining!
Normally we swelter in the office all week and as soon as the weekend arrives (especially an extended Bank Holiday weekend), it chucks it down with rain. But this time it’s all the other
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Two trips down Memory Lane
We took not one but two trips down memory lane today. First off I was joined by JOHN DEBENHAM who is co-author with ANDREW SUMMERS, of a fabulous new book – London’s METROPOLITAN ESSEX.
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A Packed Lunch for a spring day
Well the weather may be a bit “iffy” but we managed to get through without it actually raining on us! No spooks or Frances Clamp this week, but Frances had left me some notes
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A “spirit” filled PACKED LUNCH
Well I knew it was going to be a spooky show today. It couldn’t be otherwise with guests like THE ESSEX GHOST HUNTERS. But even I was unprepared for the unaccountable “spooky” sound which
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Is there anybody out there?
Today we celebrated the birth of the father of radio Guglielmo Marconi. He would have been 139 next Saturday and to mark the occasion it will be open day at Sandford Mill Museum in
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A very creative Packed Lunch
Two weeks in a row and I’ve been lucky enough to have been joined by acts appearing at THE BRENTWOOD CENTRE. This week saw the annual CREATIVE SESSIONS which have been jointly
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If music be the food of love – play on
For this the first Saturday after the Easter break in an extended show, I was very fortunate to be joined by DREW LEVI, just one of the many artists and sports personalities appearing this
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Gissa Packed Lunch
Easter Saturday, the clocks go forward to British Summer Time tonight and yet the weatherman says that winter is still with us. And indeed the snow flurries have continued on and off all day.
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Is this really spring?
This weekend last year we were enjoying beautiful spring sunshine and warmth and now look at us! On top of that it’s our 6th birthday so we were looking forward to street parties, fireworks
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A very soggy lunch
A couple of weeks ago I really thought spring had sprung. How wrong can you be? After a week which started out with ice and snow now we have wind and rain – certainly
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A cold and soggy Packed Lunch
Just when we thought the spring was on its way, the icy tentacles of winter started to claw their way back with a thoroughly unpleasant day. A good day to seek cover to enjoy
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A Packed Lunch with a learning curve
Well we’ve finally got the worst two months of the year out of the way! The March hare has arrived and now we’re Springbound. To celebrate that fact we played a true variety of
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An Activity Related Packed Lunch
For this, the final Packed Lunch for February, I was joined by DOMINIQUE BRUNNING, the fundraising manager of the Chelmsford based, J’s Hospice. The J’s Hospice is primarily for people across Essex aged from
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A lunchbox bulging with music!
Whilst January seemed to drag on forever, we seem to me to be making much better headway in February – maybe it’s the lighter afternoons or just the recent milder conditions, whatever it is
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After two curries on the trot (!) a solid diet of music was the order of the day
After two nights indulging in my favourite Indian food, I needed a special diet today of music, music and yet more music to calm things down a shade! So from oldies by the likes
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A musical feast
Thank heavens we’ve got January behind us. The month seemed to go on forever and whilst it is still pretty chilly the days are getting longer so it was good to celebrate today with
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A Fevered Feast of Rock ‘N Roll
I was thrilled to be joined by Rock ‘N Roll/Rockabilly band FEVER. Fever is made up of Wil, his son Billy and Nick who popped in to chat to us briefly last November when
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Bringing the Happy Empire up to the table
We could all have been well and truly snowed up by this morning but the gods were shining on us so I was very lucky that neither I nor my guest BEN MILES were
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A cold but spooky Packed Lunch
Now as many of you will know we stream our shows via webcam, but when I got back home after today’s show I was surprised to be met by my wife (who had obviously
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A good first lunch box for 2013
Happy New Year one and all! For my first PACKED LUNCH for the New Year I was delighted to be joined by Steven Cooper. Steven who runs Haddon Events is often known as
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2012 – A true feast of music for a Jubilee Year
Well for the final show for this year, I thought I’d take a look back at some of the songs that made 2012 such a memorable year for music. Some years are absolute bummers
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Definitely a day to hold our Packed Lunch to be indoors!
Well the world didn’t end yesterday but I did wonder today if I should have given serious consideration to building an ark! It might be almost Christmas but the weather is anything but. Undaunted
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A Feast of Music ahead of Christmas
Well it is just 10 days to go to the big day (assuming, of course, that the world doesn’t end next Friday, but still for me a bit too soon to be churning out
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An extra large portion with a few surprises today!
In an extended edition of PACKED LUNCH today, after an initial panic that he might not make it in today, I was delighted to see a welcome return of local author, Patrick Forsyth. Now
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Brrr! An ideal day for roast chestnuts
December is here already and with it the start of the festive season. Whilst I was sitting cosily in our studio many of the Phoenix FM gang were out braving the cold busy lighting
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A GOOD DAY FOR AN INDOOR PACKED LUNCH
I can hardly believe it, this time last week I was sitting in the outside, cradling a beer and looking out through palm trees over a sun drenched beach leading down to the Atlantic
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A LUNCH TO REMEMBER
This being Remembrance Weekend, it was fitting that my guest today brought with him a story of war and reconciliation. Norman Wilson’s brother was one of the first British casualties of World
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A PICNIC FOR BONFIRE WEEKEND
Very unkindly, some people at the station have nicknamed me “The Firestarter”. This is on account of the problems I sometimes have grappling with the electronic equipment we have at the station. The plain
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THE FINAL SATURDAY OF “SUMMERTIME” 2012
Yes, the clocks go back tonight! I’m still waiting for the summer that never really started and already we had sleet today! How I hate those long dark winter evenings and short cold days.
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AN AUTUMN EXTRAVAGANZA OF MUSIC
Well the weekend is with us again and after the deluge we had yesterday, mercifully for a Saturday, dry and mild. Today’s show featured the usual mix of great new songs from Little Mix,
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A PACKED LUNCH BRIMMING WITH NEW MUSIC
Mid October already and it’s getting pretty chilly as well! As good a reason as any to ensure that our Packed Lunch today was full of some real goodies. And that it was, with
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Cushh live on Phoenix FM
Saskia and E from Cushh dropped in to play a couple of songs live on Scott Ross's Packed Lunch show
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SD-Jem
Brother and sister Denis and Shanel – who together are SD-JEM – have been singing and writing material together for about 4 years. The guys have their own website, sdjem.com and you can receive
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A STAR STUDDED PACKED LUNCH
What a fabulous show we had today! The Indoor Family Festival was taking place at THE BRENTWOOD CENTRE and I was privileged to be joined by two of the acts appearing live on stage this
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A LATE SUMMER PACKED LUNCH
We started the month of September with temperatures of 28 or 29 degrees – the sort of highs we have seen all too little of this summer, but whilst it might be sunny today,
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A BRIGHT SUN SIGN PACKED LUNCH
A mercifully sunny, if somewhat cool day, brightened up by my guest, PHILIPPA BARR who popped in to tell us about her experiences gained from the world of journalism which ultimately lead her to
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PLENTY OF “HAM” ON THE MENU TODAY
A big day for us today at Phoenix FM as apart from it being the date of our first PHOENIX IN THE FOYER gig with a host local talent performing and singing a heap
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NO DEVELOPMENTS TODAY
Well I had been expecting to be joined by a local photographer today but unfortunately he forgot. Well actually he blamed his wife saying that she made him go shopping! A pretty lame excuse
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A REALLY TALENTED GUEST AT THE LUNCH TABLE
Well the weekend’s here again and with that comes another PACKED LUNCH SHOW. And what a show we had today as I got to chat to a 17-year old star in the making from
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ANOTHER SOGGY BANK HOLIDAY PACKED LUNCH
You just have to admit we really have suffered this year with the Bank Holiday weather. We may have enjoyed extra bank holidays but every one without exception has been a huge disappointment weatherwise.
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THE IDEAL DAY TO PUT YOUR BLANKET ON THE GROUND
Wow, what a fabulous day! Brilliant sunshine coupled with balmy temperatures and today we had all the music to match the weather. Bags of summer fun sounds with the widest mix of music from
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A PACKED LUNCH FIT FOR THE OLYMPIANS
Once again the sun was shining (and we haven’t been able to say that too often on a Saturday this year)! This was the weekend the Olympic Games came to Essex – Hadleigh to
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A SUPER GOLDEN SATURDAY PACKED LUNCH
Today is Super Saturday with no les than 25 gold medals up for grabs at the Olympics. While we were on the air Team GB took no less than 3 golds and a silver.
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A PACKED LUNCH WITH SECRET INGREDIENTS
I was joined today by DAVID CLARK who made a welcome return to PHOENIX FM to disclose some of the hitherto secrets of the cold war era and our independent nuclear deterrent. Between 1958
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A VERY SOGGY PACKED LUNCH
Well the drive into the studio today was more like a cruise down the Thames than a drive on an A road! With the car producing a bow wave for most of the journey
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A PACKED LUNCH IN THE MUD
Well what a week it’s been. Yesterday the Olympic Flame went through Brentwood and coupled with this there were numerous associated celebratory events and sideshows. Mercifully the rain even stopped for a time. Today
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A MUSIC FILLED PACKED LUNCH
With summer seemingly finally with us – well at least it’s dry and sunny and at a weekend to boot, we celebrated with a show literally bursting at the seams with feelgood music for
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AN ASIAN PACKED LUNCH
On today’s show I was joined by local author and businessman, Patrick Forsyth. Now Patrick is one clever guy as he’s managed to combine all his experience of business travel into writing books, especially
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A TWINNED PACKED LUNCH
I was joined on today’s show by David Clark, the publicity officer for the Friends of Chauvigny, Billericay Town Twinning Association. No mere mortal is David, however, who apart from his town twinning activities
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ANOTHER FULL BLOW OUT
After the long Bank Holiday washout, it was good to see an improvement on the weather front – not much but at least it was something! With so many people away I was fortunate
Read More »A RIGHT ROYAL BANQUET
Another bank holiday weekend and once again the weather seems to know it’s a bank holiday! Mercifully today was dry and the sun even made an appearance for a while to lift temperatures and
Read More »WHAT A DAY FOR A PACKED PICNIC IN THE PARK
What a fabulous week it’s been and contrary to the forecast earlier this week, the weekend weather is proving to be a real treat. To celebrate this we had an extra large Packed Lunch
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A PACKED LUNCH FIT FOR A KING
After a week’s leave I came back to a veritable feast with both guests and music aplenty. First off I was joined by DANNY FRIEL and NATALIE GALLUZZO from ONE WISH – A SONG
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A TRADITIONAL MORRIS DANCE
Whilst, given the lack of sun and warmth, you could be forgiven for thinking we were in March rather than May, the spring blooms, blossom, lengthening of the days and the re-appearance of the
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A SOMEWHAT SOGGY PACKED LUNCH
I don’t know about you but I can’t believe that these cold, wet conditions can keep going for much longer. Sooner or later the sun must return to allow us to get back into
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JAZZ AT LUNCHTIME
Hello again. I was thrilled today, to welcome back JAZZ BLAACK, who had been my very first guest on the PACKED LUNCH SHOW, way back in October. She may be a mere 17 years
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NO LADY WRESTLERS HERE JUST ANOTHER VERY PACKED LUNCH
For a second week running our packed lunch was an extra large repast today, spread over a whole 3 hours! I was privileged today to be joined today by Ann Wiseall, a past president of
Read More »AN EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Easter Saturday and what happens, the sun disappears behind thick cloud, a northerly wind sets in and the temperature plummets! Not a good day for heading to the hills with a picnic, but quite
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A MEAL FIT FOR ANY PALETTE
On today’s PACKED LUNCH I was joined by local artist, JIM MERRIOTT and a more talented man would be hard to find. A one-time fireman forced to abandon that career by the onset of
Read More »A PICNIC FOR A BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY
Well after sitting in yesterday on EAT MY LUNCH, it was back to my regular Saturday PACKED LUNCH SHOW. I’m beginning to wonder if the management keep herding towards lunchtime shows because they think
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A REAL IRISH STEW FOR ANOTHER PACKED LUNCH
Having been away from my Packed Lunch for the past 3 weeks I had a welcome return and was joined at the table today by local author Celia Pyke who came along to discuss
Read More »BACK FOR A VERY BIG LUNCH
After a week off from the show, I was delighted to return today with a very full menu indeed. Today I was privileged to be joined by DREW-LEVI HUNTSMAN and JAE FROST. Now although still
Read More »A WELCOME RETURN TO LUNCH ON SATURDAY
Having been “sloping shoulders” for the last 3 weeks, I was really pleased to be back in harness this afternoon, especially as Brentwood based author, PATRICIA POUND came in to talk about her newly
Read More »A Packed Packed Lunch! 21 January 2012
‘Twas my great pleasure to sit in for Scott Ross on Packed Lunch today. It went something like this… EMF – Unbelievable Intro by me to the programme in which I announced to the world
Read More »THE LITTLE GREEN MEN ARE AMONG US!
For this the first PACKED LUNCH SHOW of 2012 I was joined by local author SUSAN HEGEDUS. Between bringing up her three children, since 2001 Susan has been contributing articles to various publications and
Read More »A NEW YEAR REVELRY
Without any guests this week, not even Frances Clamp, today’s PACKED LUNCH was stuffed full of some more of the goodies that made it to PHOENIX FM’s coveted “A”List during 2011. Last Tuesday whilst
Read More »A FESTIVE FEAST OF CHRISTMAS SONGS
Well we may have been a bit light on guests this week, but made up for this with a whole sackful of Christmas favourites past and present. One of the oldest songs played was
Read More »AN EARLY FESTIVE PACKED LUNCH
As an early treat for Christmas, I was joined by local singer KAREN LEE BURNETTE. Indeed I was doubly fortunate as Karen’s mother JAN BURNETTE who made recordings and did a fair
Read More »BACK FROM GERMANY WITH A LARGE PACKED LUNCH
Well first things first, must just express my appreciation to Andrew Babicz for doing such a sterling job on my behalf last week. Yes, last week I spent a couple of days away in
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Jim Reeve
Local author chats to Scott Ross about his experiences as a schoolboy in the war
Read More »AN EXTRA LARGE PACKED LUNCH
As Nikki Mills, PHOENIX FM’s very own confidante to the stars, was off today (probably hobnobbing with all her show biz friends) I got an extra hour this afternoon, which was just great. In the first
Read More »A VERY PACKED LUNCH INDEED!
Well another week has gone by. Where does the time go? A very packed show this week as I was joined by Dorothy Slevin who is a local singer, songwriter and poet. Dorothy,
Read More »BIG BONFIRE PACKED LUNCH SPECIAL
This week we started the show an hour later than usual – and not because I failed to adjust my clocks correctly last Sunday! Still two hours long, just running from 1 til 3
Read More »MUSIC MARATHON ON THE FINAL PACKED LUNCH IN SUMMERTIME
Well I was a bit light on live guests for this the final PACKED LUNCH show before the clocks go back, but in spite of this the sun was shining and the music mix
Read More »PACKED LUNCH – 22nd October 2011
For this my third show, I was privileged to be joined by local singer/songwriter, Chris Hobart. Apart from being lead singer in his own local cover band, 22nd Centur, Chris also performs solo and
Read More »PACKED LUNCH FOR 15TH OCTOBER 2011
Having been away all week, guests this week were thin on the ground with just our BRENTWOOD & BILLERICAY BYGONES feature provided by Frances Clamp. As such the lunchbox this week was crammed full
Read More »JAZZ BLAACK ON PACKED LUNCH – 8TH OCTOBER 2011
Today saw the first of my Saturday PACKED LUNCH shows. I was especially excited as for this first show I was joined by JAZZ BLAACK, a young and very talented recording artist from around
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