Studio guests were founder Dan Skeates and volunteer Julia Lacey from from COOL TO BE KIND https://www.c2bk.co.uk Dan stated that the impetus for doing something was returning to Chelmsford from travelling in 2015 and finding many rough sleeper on the streets. In 2015 the Rucksack Project was launched. Over 300 rucksacks were donated. After the second project in 2016, C2BK was formed with five original members. The aim, “to do more”. They began with working with other outreach groups. Dan chairs the ‘Housing First sub-group’ which is part of the ‘Chelmsford Single Homeless and Rough Sleepers forum’. Julia spoke of her volunteer organisational work with drivers collecting items from Marks and Spencers that are placed in two community pantries. There is a need for another driver to join the volunteers. She also spoke about the Wednesday evening sessions in the layby next to Chelmsford library where help and advice is available. Dan noted that C2BK can facilitate the work of the practical organisations through raising money. Through Cool Collaborators they have helped other organisations outside Chelmsford. His impression was that there were the same number of rough sleepers on the streets as in 2015, but that mental health issues and the abuse of drugs had increased.
Information was available for rough sleepers and those wishing to help and support on https://www.streetsupport.net/chelmsford
The Rucksack Project will be happening again this coming Autumn. Information on the contents for the rucksacks and how to donate can be found via the website.
Notify local outreach organisations of a homeless person via https://www.streetlink.org.uk
Playlist
Elton Joh & Taaron Egerton – I’m gonna love me again. Played over the final credits of the film Rocketman. Winner of the 2019 Golden Globe best original song.
Shea Rafferty – Out of the blue.
Oasis – Whatever. Dan said the music of Oasis too him back to younger days.
Billy Joel – The longest time. Julia loves this track.
The Who – Magic bus. Dan grew up listening to his father’s collection of Who records. I chose this track unknown to Dan, who then told us that when he was travelling, he went on one of the last Magic Buses that ran from Athens to London. What a co-incidence !
Birthdays competition.
Above, Sarah Brightman as a member of Hot Gossip in 1978. She is in the centre at the front.
Below, Sarah Brightman in 2021.
Sarah Brightman recently celebrated her 62nd birthday. We heard, Hot Gossip – I lost my heart to a Starship trooper – UK no 6 from 1978.
Mark Knopfler, sing-songwriter and guitarist with Dire Straits is 73 years old. We heard their track from 1985 – Walk of life. As a single, a UK no 2 and USA no 7. From the Album – Brothers in Arms – no 1 in UK, USA and eleven more countries, having sold to date over 30 million copies.
Joe Jonas, one of the Jonas Brothers, is 33 year old. We heard the bands 2020 release – What a man gotta do. A UK no 22, USA no 16 and Top 20 in twelve more countries, including no 5 in Israel.
Thanks to everyone who took part in the competition today. Chris, Bob and Sian in Harlow. Sarah and Lee in Hastingwood. Julia and Dan in the studio. Chris, today in Whitby. Rhia and Mark in Wandsworth and Patrick in Ingatestone. Rhia was the winner today with three points for having the age correct for Joe Jonas. Mark had two points for being closest with Sarah Brightman and Mark Knopfler. Patrick had one point for giving the same age for Sarah Brightman as Mark.
Patrick wrote in his request that he would like to hear the Backstreet Boys. We heard – No place – a track from their 2019 album – DNA. The album was a UK no 7 and no 1 in USA, Australia, Canada and Switzerland.
Rina Sawayama – Hold the girl – from the station A list.
ISYLA – Where we dare – track released today
Chart this week in
No3 Clout – Substitute. Clout were a South African all girls band. This track was no 1 in South Africa, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Denmark and Belgium. A UK no 2 and USA no 67.
No 6 Justin Hayward – Forever Autumn. Peaked at no 5 in the chart. From the album Jeff Wayne’s Musical version of War of the worlds. In 2020 Prog described it as ‘the ultimate concept album’.
No 4 Darts – It’s raining. Peak position of no 4. For Chris, holidaying in Whitby and a HUGE Darts fan.
Jonny Morgan – Wired
Sophie Griffiths – It must be love
Audrey Hepburn – Moon river. From the soundtrack of the 1961 film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Academy Award winner for best original song for a film. 1962 Grammy Awards, Record of the year, Song of the year.