One 2 Three
Patrick Sherring
Andy Griffith visited the studio last year to talk about the vision of how Church of England churches in Essex could host people from Ukraine. The target was ten hosting hubs. These would be a group of churches hosting five guests. Andy stated, ” as it takes a village to raise a child, so the desire was all the church members would wrap themselves around the guests providing not just accommodation, but advice and wider support.” Social hubs would also be set up where the guests could weekly meet with other Ukrainians.
Above. Ukrainians met at Luton airport in 2022.
Eleven hosting hubs were set up, with 53 guests. Some were single, others in family groups of, for example, a child, a mother and a grandmother. A year on, the the guests eligible to work had found employment. Only two social hubs now operate, as the guests have integrated into the communities. Andy told three examples of how individuals had been affected by the help offered and received. One guest, from an Orthodox church background, talked about how the experience had changed her view of God. “I see God now as like the Ukrainian Red Cross, rushing forwards to help.” Another was on the last train leaving eastern Ukraine. After every stop, the railway track was dismantled to stop it being used by advancing Russian troops.
Andy emphasised that there is still a need for more hosts. There are literally thousands of refugees, many in Poland, Slovenia, Moldova and Hungary who would love to come to the UK. Anyone interested in hosting should get in touch with the various schemes that are running the UK or contact their local Church of England church.
Playlist
Guest and the host – You bring me joy. Andy had chosen this track when he previously came to Phoenix FM to talk about support through churches for Ukrainians in Essex.
Solomon Smith – Dissonance in the note. Track released today by this Cambridgeshire based artist. He says, ” the song speaks of the sadness of the ongoing war in Ukraine”. It is a track from his upcoming album – “Y’dig that”, available towards the end of July. More info on https://www.solomansmith.com
Andy chose three tracks that all tell of displaced people on the move.
Proclaimers – Letter from America.
Jimmy Cliff – Many rivers to cross
Keith and Kristy Getty – Immigrants song. This song is a retelling of the book of Ruth in the Hebrew Bible.
Birthdays
Above, Sonny and Cher in 1965.
Below, Cher in 2021.
On May 20th Cher celebrated her 77th birthday. We heard her 1998 release – Believe – no 1 in UK, USA and 21 more countries, selling over eleven million copies world-wide. The track won the Grammy award for best dance recording.
Gotye was born Wouter Audre Wally De Backer on 21st of May 1980. We heard his track from 2011 featuring Kimbra – Somebody that I used to know. No 1 in the UK, USA and 39 more countries. Grammy award winner for Record of the year and Best Pop Duo/group performance.
Leo Sayer recently celebrated his 75th birthday. We heard his 1976 release – You make me feel like dancing – No 1 in USA, Canada and New Zealand. UK no 2, Top 10 in four more countries. Grammy award winner f0r Best R&B song.
Thanks to Chris, Bob and Sarah in Harlow, Chris in Guildford, Sian from Manchester who was dancing all though the show and Andy in the studio for taking part. Our winner was with three points was Bob in Harlow, returning to winning ways.
A number of listeners requested any track by Tina Turner RIP. We heard a live recording from Wembley in 2000 – I heard it through the grapevine. Check out the amazing video.
Ger Eaton – Home again – new release from this Irish artist.
The Plan – Heartbeat – Sheffield based band who played in Brentwood last year.
Chart this week in
Continuing our look at the singles chart in May 1966.
No 1 Rolling Stones – Paint it black. No 1 in UK, USA, Canada and Netherlands. In 2018 No 213 in Rolling Stone 500 Greatest songs of all time.
No 4 Manfred Man – Pretty Flamingo – No 1 in UK, Ireland and Rhodesia. Top 10 in Norway and Sweden. USA no 29.
No 8 Mamas and Papas – Monday Monday – No 1 USA, Canada, South Africa. UK no 3. Top 5 in three more countries.
No 17 Simon & Garfunkle – Homeward bound. Written by Paul whilst waiting at a railway station waiting for a train to take him back to his lodgings in Brentwood. UK no 9, USA No 5, No 1 in New Zealand, Top 20 in six more countries.
Jamie Cullum – Edge of something – track from his 2013 album – Momentum – UK No 20, Portugal No 9, Spain No 10, Germany No 10, Austria No 12.
