One of the great things about being a presenter on Phoenix is the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people, and as 2013 draws to a close I’ve been remembering those who’ve appeared on the Feelgood Saturday over the past 12 months. One person who made a particular impact on me was Petr Makarenko, one of the firefighters working at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant when one of the reactors ignited in 1986, whom I was thrilled to meet when he visited Billericay in April as part of a Europe-wide speaking tour. Petr’s story of bravery, survival against the odds and injustice was so powerful that I played it out again this morning – to find out more and to listen again visit my 20 April showpage.

No fewer than 24 individuals, groups and organisations have appeared on the show during the year, reflecting a diverse range of activities around Brentwood & Billericay and beyond. You can read more and listen again to each of them on my showpages:

12 January Brentwood Arts Cinema Club – programme of films for 2013

19 January Skidmarques – winter tyres & Chernobyl Children Life Line – South Essex Link – forthcoming holiday for children from Belarus

9 February Mud ‘n’ Madness – Rob Jelly & Bryan Powis

23 February Brentwood Borough Councillor William Lloyd – Brentwood First

2 March The Stondon Singers – Choral Masterpieces from Venice

9 March Girls from Brentwood Ursuline Convent School – Real Essex girls’ takes on Essex Book Festival’s debate on “What Next for Essex? From Essex Man to TOWIE – and beyond”

6 April Michelle Robinson – children’s author

4 May Brentwood Mayor Councillor Ann Coe – charity skydive & Early Doors Productions – Around the World in 80 Days

11 May Brentwood Operatic Society – And the World Goes ‘Round

18 May Billericay’s Cater Museum – Anglo Saxon re-enactment

22 June Eggheads Barry Simmons and Dave Rainford – St Francis Hosipce’s Big Yellow Quiz

29 June Chernobyl Children Life Line – South Essex Link – children from Belarus & Billericay Art Trail – “Togetherness”

27 July Jonjo Heuerman – 11 year old West Ham fan and fundraiser for Cancer Research UK

10 August Rhonda Merrick – blues/soul singer & Essex Dog Day – for PARC Essex, supporting families with children with special needs

31 August Brentwood Lions Club – Stock Charity Donkey Derby

21 September John Yarrow – Inspirational Irene from the Heart

28 September Holly Trees Primary School – Brentwood’s first Fairtrade school

12 October Early Doors Productions – Dracula

19 October Skidmarques – winter tyres

9 November Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary – getting involved

16 November Penny Blue Picture House – Brentwood’s new pop-up cinema

14 December Julie Jive & the Bigshots – 50s band live session

If you’ve appeared on the programme during the year, thank you for your part in helping to make each week a Feelgood Saturday. And looking ahead to next year, if you’re involved with something that you think might be of interest to people around Brentwood & Billericay, drop me a line at alan@phoenixfm.com.

Most importantly, thank you for listening – I hope you’ve enjoyed what you’ve heard, and that you’ll continue to do so. Have a very Happy New Year!