One 2 Three
Patrick Sherring
Mark James, chaplain at Pleshey Retreat House and Laura Thurlow, supporting the charity UNiViDA joined me in the studio.
Many people have very busy and loud lives. Mark talked of the Retreat House being a place of peace, a place to be refreshed in search for a fuller life. This could be for a day, an overnight stay, or longer. Day retreats are organised, some arts based. Mark is running a day of photography and prayer on 6th of August. A stay could include an individual guided retreat. There are single rooms in the house, many rooms en-suite. Meals can be provided. Self catering accommodation is also available. All this is set in a large garden, in a small village surrounded by beautiful Essex countryside, just eighteen miles from Brentwood.
For more information about the house and the activities retreats offered, check out https://www.retreathousepleshey.com
Playlist
Lauren Diagle – Turbulent skies – from her self titled album, nominated for the 2024 Grammy Best Contemporary Christian album of the year.
Jody and the Jerms – Joy – new release for the band from Oxford.
Mark James’ music choices.
Beatles – Here comes the sun – track from the 1969 album – Abbey Road. No 5 in the 2020 Rolling Stone 500 Greatest albums of all time.
Billy Joel – Uptown girl – 1983 No 1 in UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. USA no3, Top 10 in seven more countries. 2nd bests selling single in UK in 1983.
Labi Siffre – Something inside so strong – 1987 UK no 4, Ireland no 2, Netherlands no 3. Winner of the Ivor Norvello award for the best song of the year musically and lyrically.
Birthdays competition
Phil Collins – Two hearts – UK no 6, USA and Canada no 1. From the sound track of the film – Buster – in which Phil played the lead role. Winner of the Grammy award for best song written for a film, Winner Golden Globe for best original song. Phil recently celebrated his 73rd birthday.
Harry Styles – As it was – lead single from his 3rd studio album – Harry’s house. No 1 in 45 countries. USA for 15 weeks, UK for 10 weeks. 150 million streams during 2022. 670 million streams to date on YouTube. Harry celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday.
Take That – Shine – 6th consecutive UK no 1, Top 10 in four more countries. Lead vocals from Mark Owen, who is 52 years old.
Thanks to Chris and Bob in Harlow, Chris in Guildford, Patrick in Ingatestone and Mark and Laura in the studio for taking part. The winner with 7 points was Chris in Guildford, who also won last week.
Spandau Ballet –Gold – UK no 2, Top 10 in 7 more countries, USA no 16. 4th single release from the album – True – No 1 in UK- New Zealand & Netherlands. USA no 19. We we are doing 1984 for the vintage chart, Patrick requested a track by one of the iconic bands of the decade.
Ed Sheeran & Luke Coombes – Life goes on – 2023 release. Song originally on Ed Sheeran’s 2023 album – (subtract) me.
Laura Thurlow from the Ingatestone Elim church talked about the charity UNiViDA that works with children from the Favelas in Fortaleza in northern Brazil. They add to the four hour school day by providing an additional four hours schooling for 260 students, aged 4 – 14 years. It is an all-round education including arts and IT. There are special projects and family events. There is also Christian teaching. Because of the conditions at home, clean water and nutritious meals are provided. There is a table top sale in aid of the charity at Ingatestone Elim church CM4 9EY on Saturday 10th of February from 10 am – 3 pm. Laura and her husband Sid and eight others will be travelling in October to work on renovation of the chapel that is part of the complex, which Laura described as “a safe place for the children to come and dream of a better lifer and better future”. Laura will come back to the studio and talk about the trip after they return. More information can be found via https://univida.org
Frank Sinatra – Brazil – Laura chose this track from the 1958 Grammy award nominated album – Come fly with me.
DC Pearce – Longtime listener, first time caller – from the album – Mindful systems – released in 2023.
Chart this week in 1984
No 4 Queen – Radio Ga Ga – No 1 in 19 countries, UK no 2, Top 20 in 9 more countries. We heard the 1985 Live Aid performance.
No 8 Eurythmics – Here comes the rain again. USA no 4, UK no 8.
No 13 Madonna – Holiday – UK no 5, Top 10 in 6 more countries. USA no 16.
The Kings Singers – And so it goes – a cappella version of the song Billy Joel wrote in 1989, final version released on the 1989 album – Storm front – USA and Australia no 1. UK no 4. The version by the Kings singers was on of the tracks chosen by Nick Alston from https://www.essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk
Brentwood School Big Band – MacArthur Park – version of Jimmy Webb’s 1968 song recorded in 2004.
