SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER
Hello again and welcome to the latest Phoenix FM newsletter! Here’s a look back on our programmes and interviews over the last month and a look forward to what’s coming up on the airwaves.
PHOENIX FM IS FINALLY COMING TO DAB!
We’re delighted to announce that Ofcom have awarded us a licence to operate a new small-scaled DAB multiplex, which will bring Phoenix FM to over 1 million new DAB listeners in Brentwood, Romford, Dagenham and Ilford. We hope to get on the digital airwaves in the Spring. No update on this since last month – we’re currently dragging through the legal process.
RACE NIGHT IN AID OF THE MARILLAC NEUROLOGICAL CENTRE – FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER
Taking place at Warley Park Golf Club, Magpie Lane, Little Warley CM13 3DX, this is a fundraiser for the Marillac organised by Phoenix FM’s Steve Roach. A table of 8 costs £280 and includes food and the chance to win a bottle of bubbly in each race. Corporate sponsorships are available from £500 upwards. Brentwood’s Marillac Neurological Care Centre offers 24-hour specialised nursing care for 52 residents with complex neurological conditions. Doors 7pm – event starts at 7.30pm.
The event is nearly sold out but we have one table left – contact Steve on 07952 498009 for more details.
INTERVIEWS
You may have missed some great interviews in August with local people, groups, charities and businesses …
We were very sad to lose our friend Francesca Spiteri in August. Michelle Ward broadcast a tribute show talking about Francesca’s life and work in the community.
Jane Bennett, Rev Julie Hardy, Bridget Holley and Anna Huntley came in to talk about Smashing The Stigma, a suicide awareness event, on Mike Porter’s breakfast show. Rev Julie Hardy came in to talk about Smashing The Stigma on Patrick Sherring’s show too.
Karen Boath and Tyler from SNAP came in to talk about how the organisation helps young people.
Former mayor Tony Sleep came in to talk about the Brentwood Twinning Association.
Tracy Tombides spoke about the DT38 Foundation, which raises awareness of testicular cancer.
Artist and Art Psychotherapist Irene Malvezi talked to organisers and participants at this year’s Brentwood Cafe Art, a sensory art exhibition organised by Frontline Partnership.
Martin and Bernadette Bateman from 1st Weald Brook Scouts visited Jo to talk about scouting in the modern day, and how you can help.
Sally Croft from The Marmalade Trust came in to talk about how to combat loneliness.
Charlotter Winder and Andy Furneaux came into the studio to talk about the Memory Walk in aid of Saint Francis Hospice.
Rob Saggs from Chelmsford homeless charity CHESS came in to give listeners an update on the organisation’s activities.
Colin Barber came in to talk about the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Brentwood Business Awards, hosted again this year by our very own Mike Porter.
Mark Searby came in for his regular film and DVD round up with Spencer Carter.
Karen Cole from Essex Business Partnership came in with Lauren Paton Smith to talk about the importance of first aid training in the workplace.
And don’t forget … Brentwood Foodbank needs your support. You can find out the latest news and what’s needed here.
MUSIC
We also interviewed some great singers and bands in August.
Madeline Christy has been putting in an extra shift at The Nightshift this month! Along with some great music you can hear her chatting to a number of country stars, including Noah Derkson, Chloe Jones, JaeCe Simon, Hannah Trim, Paige King Johnson, Harleymoon Kemp, The Brother Brothers and Katrina Cain.
Jo Bailey featured live music in the studio from indie band Sassyhiya. Essex band Monumental and local singer/songwriter Tom Cherry.
Paul Golder chatted to London band Fightmilk about their new album and mini-tour.
Michelle Ward chatted to Peter Steer from local electronic band Tin Gun, Neil and Sherin from Neil March and the Sound of Music, and to singer/songwriters Amelia McFall, Mayah Camara, Alan Dreezer and Neon She, who joined us on the line from Kyoto, Japan. Michelle also hosted a live session in the studio from The White Gates Band and James Smith.
Nick Field continues his 18th year of chatting to local and unsigned artists on his regular Curveballs show, including Not Soup, Will from metal trio Acorah and a Latitude Festival special with The Lottery Winners and Gaffa Tape Sandy.
Kev Piggott runs Phoenix FM’s weekly Open Mic Night at The Essex Arms in Brentwood every Monday from 8pm, and plays out the best of the performances from local unsigned artists on his Sunday Sessions show. This month saw new performances broadcast from some fantastic local performers – Callum Wood, Claudia Mack, Grace Brazier, Gracie Mae, Jane Oakman, Josh Barber, Richard Barker, Robbie Bunsell and Scott Wood
BOOK NEWS
Emma Marns chatted to local writer Sue Lesser on her Wednesday Words & Music show.
Dan Pierce visited to talk about his new book of poems and prayers.
Local writers Sylvia Kent and Olivia Hayfield came in to chat on Eat My Brunch’s Book Club.
SPORT
John Chubb is the host of our regular Saturday Sport show, bring you the latest news from our grass-roots clubs. And now the season has kicked off again, John has also returned with The Non League Show.
Daren Mootoo’s popular cricket show 98 Not Out is on every Thursday. This month Daren chatted to broadcaster Mark Pougatch, journalist Richard Clarke, podcaster Mark Machado and also to the Central Country Cricket Club from Barbados, who are currently touring Essex.
Steve Linton from Brentwood Town FC came in to talk about the new season with Jo Bailey.
Hervé Bessières came in to our Drive show to talk about the West Ham United Foundation and their projects.
Andy Gilson hosts our weekly Orient Hour – a show that’s just celebrated its 400th epsiode! – with a rotating panel of fans running through the latest Leyton Orient news, matches and rumours.
Our regular sports correspondent Jack Patmore is also writing and appearing regularly with news from our local non-league clubs including Brentwood Town, Billericay Town and Southend United.
PODCASTS
There are only so many hours in the day – but that doesn’t mean we can’t cram in more programmes! We also have podcasts which are produced regularly:
Rising Stars is a regular weekly podcast highlighting unsigned artists from around the world across every genre possible.
Mental Health Matters – our regular monthly look at Mental Health issues locally, nationally and globally, in partnership with the Essex Community Tree – is back on Phoenix FM. This month’s podcast deals with coping with anxiety and depression.
Made In Essex is a regular business podcast celebrating Essex entrepreneurship, presented by Jill Willis, co-founder at Attract & Engage, author and communications strategist. A new interview with Will Polston from North Star Thinking will be online very soon!
We also host QFM – the occasional show made by the children of Quilters Junior School in Billericay. The most recent edition is now online here.
COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER
We’ve already got some great guests lined up for the next month and beyond. You can see our full and ever-changing list here.
SO WHAT’S ON AIR?
Our yoga expert Michelle Spencer now has her own show, Midlife Mixup – a new weekly show for those people that identify as midlife, with lots of great music from the 80s, 90s and noughties.
On daytimes you can hear Mike Porter, Michelle Ward and Jo Bailey five days a week with local news, information, features and great music – lunchtimes are shared between Scott Ross (Mon/Tue), Bob Simpson (Wed), Roy Tyzack (Thu) and Patrick Sherring (Fri). Weekend breakfast is covered by Antonia Jones.
Evenings and weekends are also the home of our many specialist music shows including Synth City with Rob Harvey, Under The Radar with Andy Gardener, Resurrection with Paul Golder, Turn It Up with Vic Damhar, The Show That Goes Like This with Ben Simmons, Reggae Revival with Daren Mootoo, Curveballs with Nick Field, The Golden Years with Andy Gilson, The Bliss Disciples with Daniel Gregory, The Weekend Wind-Up with Spencer Carter, Geezers Pleasers and Cheesers with Mandy Cullen, Boogie Nights with Andy Furneaux, Classic Phoenix with Steve Robertson, The Sunday Sessions with Kev Piggott, Sunday Lunch with Tony Smith, Vicki Michelle’s Music Mix, GR80s with Xanthe Bearman, Wednesday Words & Music with Emma Marns and Living For The Weekend with Ian Cash.
None of the shows on Phoenix FM are “syndicated” – every single hour is created and produced exclusively for Phoenix FM by local people passionate about music and their community.
You can see our full schedule here.
IN THE PAPERS
Phoenix FM has had a regular page in the Brentwood Gazette since 2013 – you can see our recent columns here.
A BIG THANK YOU TO …
Phoenix FM is a not-for-profit organisation aiming to maintain a full-featured community radio station for Brentwood, Billericay and surrounding areas. Any money we raise goes straight back in the pot to broadcast more programmes on FM and online.
So we’d like to say a big thank you to our new supporter You & I Care, and also to our existing supporters and partners:
Anytime Fitness, Attract & Engage, Brandler Galleries, Brentwood Golf Club, Brentwood Spanish School, Brentwood Town FC, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, Essex Business Partnerships, Essex Community Tree Network, EV Charging Systems, Foxtel, Guided Learning, Hallmark Care Homes, Heralds Way Dental Clinic, Herongate Dental, Holiday Inn Brentwood, Hutton Spice, JWD Heating & Plumbing, Layalina, Malina Patisserie, The Mortgage Specialists, Not Just Travel, Pinney Talfourd, Saint Francis Hospice, SEH BAC and Shepherd Neame.
FEEDBACK
Is there anything you would like to see in a future newsletter? Email us straight back!
See you on 98FM and https://www.phoenixfm.com!
Thanks for reading and listening
The Phoenix FM team
Phoenix FM – 215,000 hours on air and counting
