NOVEMBER 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 (and we may be on DAB in Southend now too).  We hope to get on the digital airwaves in the Spring.  No update on this since last month – we’re still dragging through the legal process.

FUNDRAISING NEWS (1)

Thanks to Steve Roach who put in a mammoth effort to raise £7,222 at a fundraising Race Night for the Marillac organised by Phoenix FM’s Steve Roach. Stay tuned to hear more about the Marillac and the work they do on air.

FUNDRAISING NEWS (2)

Another great fundraising effort from our presenter Kev Piggott who, along with Scott Wood, organised a day of music at Romford’s Mercury Mall in aid of Paula Allibon.

Kev not only presents our own Sunday Sessions show every Sunday, but also organises the weekly Phoenix FM Open Mic Night at the Essex Arms in Brentwood, which takes place every Monday evening.

The event was a fundraiser for Saint Francis Hospice, and held in memory of Paula. Although she wasn’t a singer herself, she became a tremendous support to many of the aspiring singers and songwriters who performed. Paula rarely missed a Monday night and became an integral part of what is affectionately known as the “Open Mic family”.

Sadly, Paula passed away in May. Kev has planned this event in which many of the regular local young singers were able to play tribute through the music Paula enjoyed most. Over £1,150 was raised on the day for the hospice, who took excellent care of her when she was most in need.

INTERVIEWS

You may have missed some great interviews in October with local people, groups, charities and businesses …

Tracey Johnson, Partnerships Liaison Officer with NHS Talking Therapies joined Michelle Ward to talk about their services.

Alli Fudge-Smith and Karen Boath from SNAP came in to talk about their latest fundraising news.

Mike Porter spoke to Paul Newell and Ray Edwards from Saint Francis Hospice about Hospice Care Week.

Patrick Sherring welcomed Rob Saggs from homeless charity CHESS to talk about the Big Sleep Out.

Patrick also chatted to Tino To and Annie Bayley from the Hutton East Asian community, to Paul Beasley-Murray about his charity fundraising and to Rev Sharon Quilter about Black History Month.

In our regular local business slot, Karen Cole from Essex Business Partnership came in with Paul Walker from AD Business Recovery.

Local historian Margaret Mills came in to talk to Scott Ross about a whole load of Essex tales, including St Nicholas at Ingrave and St Mary in Great Warley, The Purleigh Colony, suffragette Anne Knight, Chelmsford Brenda … and Count Dracula!

Mike Davies from the Rayleigh Town Museum also came in to talk about Essex life in the Middle Ages.

Mark Searby came in for his regular film and DVD round up with Spencer Carter.

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 October.

Andy Gardener took a break from his usual indie and alternative music to chat to Brentwood’s very own Pixie Lott who was performing in Hey Joe’s. Andy also chatted with J Willgoose Esq from Public Service Broadcasting about the band’s new album.

Former England cricketer Mark Butcher took a break from the commentary box to talk to Daren Mootoo about his new album.

Jo Bailey chatted to local singer Sophie Griffiths and also caught up with Spandau Ballet legend Tony Hadley.

Nick Field continues to welcome local musicians to his Curveballs show, including Chemiqueen, Fallen Relic and Opensight, Chris from Edenflaw, Fransis and Will from Acorah.

Madeline Christy has been putting in an extra shift at The Nightshift this month once again.  Along with some great music you can hear her chatting to a number of country stars, including Zoe Jean Fowler, Benny Hagerty, Charly Reynolds, Jeorgia Rose and Tom Gibson.

Michelle Ward chatted with musicians Sano Hill & Emily Gray, John Serrano, Adam Wedd,

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, Dan Stracey, Dawn Hutton, Grace Brazier, Gracie Mae, Jayne Oakman, Joshua Lord, Katie Todd, Keira Taylor, Richard Barker, Robbie Bunsell and Scott Wood.

SPORT

John Chubb continues to cover grass roots sport as host of both the Saturday Sport show and our mid-week Non League Show.

Steve Linton from Brentwood Town FC came in to talk about the latest news from the club.

Daren Mootoo’s popular cricket show 98 Not Out is on every Thursday. This month Daren chatted to sports photographer Jon Wagstaff and journalists Richard Clarke and Rahul Patil.

Andy Gilson hosts our weekly Orient Hour with a rotating panel of fans running through the latest Leyton Orient news, matches and rumours.  Guests this month included Orient manager Richie Wellens and former player Kevin Lisbie.

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.

BOOK NEWS

Emma Marns’ Wednesday Words & Music talks about books from Susan Hill, Han King, Amanda Gorman, Benjamin Zephaniah and Dorothy Koomson.

Children’s author Kelly Kennedy visited the studio to talk about how her books help young people with anxiety.

Local author Sylvia Kent visited Michelle Ward for her regular monthly slot, with fellow author Lauren Chalk.

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.

Made In Essex is a regular business podcast celebrating Essex entrepreneurship, presented by Jill Willis, co-founder at Attract & Engage, author and communications strategist. This month Jill chats to Miles Adcock from Concurrent Technologies.

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 NOVEMBER

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?

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, Midlife Mixup with Michelle Spencer 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 , 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, JWD Heating & Plumbing, Layalina, Malina Patisserie, The Mortgage Specialists, Not Just Travel, Pinney Talfourd, Saint Francis Hospice, SEH BAC, Shepherd Neame, Virtual Assistant Whiz and You & I Care.

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 – 216,200 hours on air and counting