Revd Julie Hardy from the C of E churches in Kelvedon Hatch, Bentley Common and Navestock told us about how the churches were giving people opportunities of space and time to reflect on their lives during Lent. On Saturday mornings, 10.30 at at the St. Paul’s Bentley Common Centre there is ‘Lent meditation with colour’. A time of reflection followed by response through art and craft. On Tuesdays at 7.30 there is a Lent course at the Rectory, Kelvedon Hatch at 7.30. Theses activities run until Easter, when there is a planned Good Friday walk around the parish of Kelvedon Hatch. More information about activities and others at the three churches can be found via church Facebook pages and the link below.
https://www.benkelnav.org.uk
Playlist
Lighthouse Family – Ocean Drive – originally released in 1995, remixed in 1996 for the soundtrack of the British film – Jack and Sarah. UK no 11.
Ellie Button – After all. Track by the wife of last week’s guest Tim Button, Director of the charity working in Secondary Schools, Made for More, Chelmsford. Tim was one of my studio guests last week.
More information on Facebook – Ellie Button Music.
Pet shop Boy’s – It’s a sin – 1987 UK no 1 and also in ten more countries. USA no 9. Julie said that she had always been a fan of the Pet Shop Boys and had seen then live around the time of the release of this track. She felt that the emphasis on Lent is very often seen as about giving something up, much as the lyrics of this track. It can be a good idea to give up some activities or indulgencies that are bad for us or the planet. Julie is trying to cut back on single use plastic. Lent can also be a good time to take up something new.
Lauren Diagle – Rescue – track from the album – Look up child – released in 2018, the album won The Grammy, Billboard and CMA Dove awards for Best Christian album. It reached no 3 in the USA and 63 in the UK mainstream charts, as well as topping the Christian music charts. The album has sold over a million copies in the USA. Julie said that with all that is happening in the world, everyone wants to feel that someone will rescue them. For Christians, this is Jesus.
Candi Staton – You got the love. Released in 1986. Julie has always loved this dance track. Though not a Christian song, Julie said it has got obvious resonances with the Christian message of love and hope.
Birthdays
Above, Gary Numan in 1979.
Below, Gary Numan 2023.
Gary Numan is 65 years old (how is that possible?) We heard – Cars – his 1979 No 1 in the UK, Canada, USA no 9. Also no 16 in the UK in 1987 and No 17 in 1996.
Chris White, bassist and one of the main songwriters in the Zombies recently celebrated his 80th birthday. He wrote seven of the twelve tracks on Odessey and Oracle, the bands 1968 album. In the Rolling Stone 500 greatest albums of all time, in the 2003 list it was number 80. in the 2020 list, number 243. We heard – Time of the season – USA no 3 , Canada no 1.
Ronan Keating is aged 46 years old. We heard the track from 2000 – Life is a rollercoaster – No 1 UK and Ireland. Top 10 in eight more countries.
Thanks to Julie in the studio, Chris, Bob and Sarah in Harlow, Sian in Manchester, Chris in Guildford and Patrick in Ingatestone for taking part today.
Our joint winners today were Chris in Guildford and Sian in Manchester, each with four points. Bob in Harlow and Julie in the studio both scored one point.
Patrick requested Niall Horan – Heaven. This is his current single, having peaked in the UK singles chart at no 16.
Sting – Fields of gold. UK no 16, USA no 23. From the album – Ten Summers Tales. UK and USA no 2. Nominated for ten Grammy awards, winning three.
Lin-Manuel Miranda & Ben Platt – Story of tonight – from the soundtrack of Hamilton.
Tom Bright – Don’t forget me please. Recent release and from the PhoenixFM A list.
Chart this week in
No 3 Beach Boys – Barbara Ann – UK no 3, USA no 2, No 1 Austria, Switzerland and New Zealand. The record company decided to release this track as a single without telling the band.
No 17 Yardbirds – Shape of things to come. UK no 3, USA no 11. Identifies as the first psychedelic rock song. Jess Beck is on the left of the above photo, Jimmy Page second from the right.
No 20 The Kinks – Dedicated follower of fashion. UK no 4, no 1 Netherlands and New Zealand. A satirical song about the Carnaby Street fashion scene.
Hugh Masekela – Johannesburg Hi lite jive. From the 1971 album – Hugh Maskela and The Union of South Africa. Recorded in Los Angeles.
Jody and the Jerms – Started something – From the PhoenixFM A list.
Michelle Ward – Try – from the EP – Directions – more information on Facebook – Michelle Ward Music.
Join me on March 24th when my guest is Dan Pierce. He will be talking about the book he has written with Eleanor King called Prayer Gallery.