DECEMBER 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.
PRESENTERS’ PICKS
The whole Phoenix FM team pick their favourite single and album of 2024 – there’s some real variety! You can read their choices here.
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.
HE DOESN’T LOOK A DAY OVER 79 …
Scott Ross has been part of the Phoenix team since 2010 – and last month Phoenix FM presenters celebrated his 80th birthday on air! You can hear the special show here.
INTERVIEWS
You may have missed some great interviews in November with local people, groups, charities and businesses …
Showbiz legend Anita Harris gave an exclusive interview to Mike Porter to chat about her career.
Jo Bailey chatted to Karen Boath from local charity SNAP. Karen brought in a guest, Darrah Ryan from Parker Smith Inclusion, to talk about how local businesses can work with the third sector.
Charlotte Lewington of Mente Hermosa chatted to Michelle Ward about how her organisation aims to transform mental health and wellbeing in Essex.
Tracey Johnson, Partnership Liaison Officer with Vita Health Group and Mark Cox of Billericay Men’s Club came in to talk about Men’s Mental Health.
Sidra Naeem, Chair of Feed the Needy, came in to talk about mental health.
Paul Golder chatted to Essex social media expert Jon Morter about the campaign to get Mr Blue Sky to Christmas No 1.
Dennis Rensch, President of the Brentwood branch of the British Legion came in to talk about Remembrance Sunday.
Sally Sykes, Karen Cole and Clive Purdy from Essex Business Partnerships came in to talk about the recent budget.
David, Jamie and Samantha from Frontline Partnership came in to talk about their new inclusive club night, Starbust.
Bob Simpson spoke to Fiona Flaherty, a nurse consultant and nutrition practitioner who is an expert in mental health.
Spencer Carter chatted to Bill Wells and Chrissie O’Connor from The Hutton Players about their Christmas production.
James Pepper and (Phoenix FM’s very own) Andy Furneaux from Saint Francis Hospice came in to talk about Trustee Week and the hospice’s latest events.
Brian Hughes of Rainer Hughes Solicitors and Sarah Warmsley of Brentwood Connected came in to talk about Festive Shenfield.
Nick Sillitoe from the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower came in once again to talk about this year’s Billericay Christmas Market.
Rob Clarke visited the studio to talk about his new gluten-free food delivery service.
Kim Wilson came in to talk about her organisation Help He Home, which reunites lost pets with their owners in Brentwood and Billericay.
Colin Barber from The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce came in to talk about the Brentwood Business Awards.
Katherine Loveday from Kids Inspire visited to talk about the charity’s latest appeal.
Nick Field chatted to organiser Mark Woollard and exhibitor Andrew Lawden about this year’s Brentwood Comic Con.
Historian Sylvia Kent came in to talk about The Old House in Brentwood. Sylvia also came in with scriptwriters Anne Murray and Benita Cullingford about their journey from Essex to Hollywood.
Father Paul Hamilton from the churches St Nicholas and St. Stephens in Ingrave came in to talk about the importance of Advent.
Elanor and Julie from the Companye of Merrie Folk talked about their latest re-enactment.
Sophie Rickett talked about her experiences with Ingatestone Elim church and working with Univida in northern Brazil.
Lisa Matthews, Steve Bearpark and Nigel Bowdidge from Pandemonium talked about their latest production, A Tale Of Scrooge’s Christmas Party.
Local historian Margaret Mills came in to talk to Scott Ross about a whole load of Essex tales, including St Mary’s in Widford, Daniel Defoe’s Essex connections, the Boreham racetrack, and Dunmow’s Sir George Beaumont, a founder of the National Gallery.
Mike Davies from the Rayleigh Town Museum also came in to talk about crime and punishment in Essex 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 November.
Singer James Wade chatted to Spencer Carter and sang live in the studio.
Nick Field continues to welcome local musicians to his Curveballs show, including Joseph Morris, Seventh Fear and Motorcycle Display Team
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 Preston James, Cory Cross, Rylie Bourne and Nahzarah.
Michelle Ward chatted with musicians Thereza Bazar from Dollar, Darren Parry from the Grand Cru, Ed Holland from Hurricane Highway and Anna Pancaldi.
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, Carmen Mitchell, Claudia Mack, Grace Brazier, Gracie Mae, Hannah-Mae Duggan, Josh Barber, Joshua Lord, Katie Todd, Nathan Armin, Richard Barker, Robbie Bunsell, Ryan Bonnett, 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 BBC commentator Jonathan Agnew, Wisden editor Lawrence Booth, former test player Don Topley who is in Barbados covering the England tour and to journalist Huw Turbevill.
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 Director Matt Porter and former players Andy Scott and John Mackie.
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
Javelin legend Fatima Whitbread came in to talk about her new book, My Bright Shining Star.
Emma Marns’ Wednesday Words & Music talks about books from Gregory Maguire, Catriona Lally, Michael Morpurgo and Jane Borodale.
Aki McKenzi came in to talk about her debut novel Edge Of The Empire.
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 Ryan Bell from Tech Balance.
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 DECEMBER
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?
We welcomed a new presenter to the team in November – Roman Jugg, an Essex musician who was a member of punk legends The Damned for 10 years, although his career highlight has to be his appearance on The Young Ones! You can hear Roman’s new show, Truly Electric Camembert, every Monday at 8pm – and archived shows are here.
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 The Family Parks Group, and also to our existing supporters and partners:
Anytime Fitness, Attract & Engage, Brandler Galleries, Brentwood Golf Club, Brentwood Spanish School, Brentwood Town FC, Essex Business Partnerships, Essex Community Tree Network, Foxtel, Guided Learning, Heralds Way Dental Clinic, Herongate Dental, Holiday Inn Brentwood, Layalina, Malina Patisserie, The Mortgage Specialists, Pinney Talfourd, Saint Francis Hospice, 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 – 216,700 hours on air and counting
