FEBRUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER
January is FINALLY over so it’s time for another 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). Yes this is still happening, and we can still see the light at the end of the tunnel. Looking like we might be launching around May.
INTERVIEWS
You may have missed some great interviews in January with local people, groups, charities and businesses …
Andy Furneaux and Charlotte Winder from Saint Francis Hospice came in to talk about how you can recycle your Christmas tree.
Anne-Marie Wickham visited the Drive show to talk about mental health and wellbeing.
Julia Gellatley, founder of vegan organisation VIVA! spoke to Michelle Ward about how to incorporate vegan food in your diet.
Paula Harris Brett and Jackie Lowe from theatre group Havering Music Makers came in to talk about their new production of Wind in the Willows.
Michelle Ward chatted to fellow Phoenix FM presenter Chris Stagg about his new play, The Seance.
Jamie-Leigh Royan from Maldon Pantomime Society came in to talk about their new production of King Arthur – the pantomime.
Tracey Johnson of Vita Health Group, NHS Talking Therapies and Pastor Aaron Watts from Doddinghurst Road Community Church spoke to Michelle Ward about mental health help for young adults.
Victoria Miles Gale, volunteering manager at Saint Francis Hospice came in to talk about opportunities for new volunteers.
Pauline Randall came in to talk about her work as chaplain at Billericay & Little Burstead team ministry.
Life and fitness coach Jamie McKagan visited the studio to talk about anxiety and depression.
Brentwood art dealer John Brandler came in for another chat with Mike Porter.
Scott Ross chatted to local historian Margaret Mills about the Tudor lottery, Latton Priory, the Prittlewell Prince and Agnes Bertha Marshall, Walthamstow’s Ice Cream Queen.
Mike Davies from Rayleigh Town Museum spoke in the studio about crime and punishment through the ages.
Chris and Bob Waters spoke about their experiences in fundraising for Cancer Research UK.
Rev Dawn Butcher, the vicar of two Warley churches, Christ Church and St. Mary the Virgin, came in to talk about her daily life, and Pastor Ian Moore from Billericay came in to talk about his missionary work in the Congo.
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. The Foodbank is also looking for a new Project Director and you can find out more information here.
MUSIC
We also interviewed some great singers and bands in January.
Jo Bailey hosted live music from Southend singer/songwriter David Woodcock and Karis Taylor.
Michelle Ward chatted to 80s band The Korgis, German band The Deadnotes, Toronto’s Jaymze and also to Jakob Diest, who played live in the studio.
Ex-Damned guitarist Roman Jugg has been interviewing many local musicians and punk legends on his new show Truly Electric Camembert, including Vom Ritchie, Paul Tunkin, Baz Warne and Pat McNamara.
Nick Field spoke to Kent/Sussex punk duo Popclaw.
Madeline Christy has been working hard on The Nightshift again this month; along with some great music you can hear her chatting to a number of country stars, including Halle Kearns, JoJo DiSalvo, Kaleb Cohen and Kayley Bishop.
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, Josh Barber, Katie Todd, 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. This month he chatted to April Smith, coach at White Ensign and Southend United Ladies FC.
Steve Linton and Michaela Georgopoulos 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’s guests included Billericay Cricket Club coach Rachel Mitchell, former England star Roland Butcher, writer Richard “The Grumbler” Clarke and broadcaster Johnny Barran.
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 Assistant Manager Paul Terry, and there was a tribute to former player Mickey Bullock.
Reporter Alex Stripe covers the recent Leyton Orient matches with Stevenage and Reading, and John Chubb looks back on the O’s massive FA Cup win against Derby.
BOOK NEWS
Emma Marns’ Wednesday Words & Music talks about books from Sue Townsend, Emma Slade, Lopen Ani Pema Deki and Carol Ann Duffy.
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 Andy Thorne from Kestrel Group.
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 FEBRUARY
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 and Richard Connolly.
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, The Show That Goes Like This with Ben Simmons, Reggae Revival with Daren Mootoo, Truly Electric Camembert with Roman Jugg, Curveballs with Nick Field, The Golden Years with Andy Gilson, The Bliss Disciples with Daniel Gregory, The Weekend Wind-Up with Spencer Carter, TFI 90s with Chris Stagg, The Nightshift with Madeline Christy, 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, The Midlife Mixup with Michelle Spencer, Good For The Soul with Beth Linnell 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 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, The Family Parks Group, 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 – 218,200 hours on air and counting