One 2 Three
Patrick Sherring
It was great to be joined by Rob Saggs who gave an update on the work of www.chesshomelss.org and how it had developed in recent years. Chess now works in eight local authority areas, including Brentwood and Chelmsford. He reminded us that if anyone sees a person who is homeless they should contact www.streetlink.org.uk Once someone has been referred, Chess will contact them on the street inside 24 hours. Someone who is homeless has by definition a sense of rejection. Rob commented that the first task was to overcome this and show that Chess offered both acceptance and help. If they are willing to be helped, and there is room within the temporary accommodation, they will be offered a place. They can stay for a maximum of two years. Provision had been improved during the pandemic, from six properties offering thirty two beds to thirteen properties with sixty six beds. Another improvement is that now everyone can stay in the accommodation all day. The help provided includes the opportunity to learn new and useful life skills. Chess have a team of forty three workers, including a recent recruit who had been homeless herself. Though some funding comes via various government agencies, it is often on short-term grants on specific initiatives. The charity is very pro-active in encouraging supporters to fundraise in many and creative ways. There was a recent very successful event with a rock choir at Chelmsford Cathedral. There is an up coming event at the Brentwood Theatre.
Each year there is a sleep out. Rob is keen to extend this so that one takes place in each of the local authorities where the charity works. the website www.chesshomelss.org is full of information about how you can be involved and help the organisation. Or give them a call on 01245 281 104.
Today’s playlist
Black Eyes Peas – I got a feeling
James Taylor – You got a friend
Coldplay – Higher Power – chosen by Rob. He said that as a Christian he loved the words of this secular song with the references to a higher power.
U2 – One tree hill – chosen by Rob. Bono wrote this emotional song in memory of his friend Greg Carroll, who was killed in a motor cycle crash in Dublin.
Dirty Loops – Breakdown – chosen by Rob. He is very enthusiastic about this band, whose music he only discovered two weeks ago.
Friday Teaser
Above, Carole King in 1971. Below in 2022. She is planning a concert tour.
Carole King celebrated her 80th birthday and is planning a concert tour for this year. We heard the title track from ‘Tapestry’. In 2020 Rolling Stone ranked this album as number 25 in the 500 Greatest albums of all time.
Can you believe that Robbie Williams is 48 years old? We heard his 2004 UK no 1, Radio.
For many years Mike Campbell was guitarist and songwriter with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. In 2018 he joined Fleetwood Mac on their world tour. He celebrated his 72nd birthday. We heard the Tom Petty track – The last DJ – from 2002.
Rob was in stunning form, with Carole King’s age correct and the closest of our four contestants with the ages of Robbie Williams and Mike Campbell. Patrick in Ingatestone also was correct with Carole King’s age. To quote an e-mail from Chris in Harlow, “Bob and I were rubbish today”. They failed to appear on the scoreboard today.
Beatles – Here comes the sun. Patrick had seen the Facebook post in the group Patrick Sherring on Phoenix FM informing that the feature chart would be from this week in 1969, so requested any tack from the Beatles. This track is from the 1969 LP Abbey Road, which Rolling Stone rates as the 5th Greatest album of all time.
Jason Mraz – Best friend
Bryan Adams – Never gonna rain – a new track from Bryan, and my favourite release so far in this year.
Jean Michell Jarre – Oxygene part 4.
The chart this week in
Three Motown tracks.
No 4. Stevie Wonder – For once in my life
No 5 Martha Reeves and the Vandellas – Dancing in the street. Originally released in 1964.
No 7 Diana Ross & the Supremes & the Temptations – I’m gonna make you love me.
RAH Band featuring Bella Hutton – One day we will smile again.
Dolly Parton – I will always love you
America – Ventura Highway – Remembering Willie Lennox RIP, drummer for the band for four decades who recently passed away.
Mickey Wax – Never gonna let you go.
Next week my guest is the Bishop of Bradwell, John Perumbalath. He will be talking about the season of Lent.
