The Ojays were right about me - I Love Music, any kinda music! Brought up on The Beatles, wandered through the seventies dancing to anything from reggae to Led Zepplin and took up the microphone and decks all around East London and Essex when I wasn't doing my boring day job. Entered the world of radio in July 2011 and feel home at last. Thanks for visiting. Send me a message or request via Facebook on the link below - you are most welcome.
It’s almost time for one of Billericay’s major annual events – The Billericay Soapbox Derby which raises thousands of pounds for charity. This year’s event takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 7th May. Today I was joined in the studio by Peter Greene and Les Sheppard from Billericay Rotary Club.
Peter and Les
You can listen to our chat about this great family fun event here –
You can find out more about the Soapbox Derby here
When my colleague, sports presenter Chris Hood told me he had a guest for my show I was unsure what to expect. Barry Galvin is a regular contributor to Chris’s show The Orient Hour on Sunday evenings, but Barry is also an accomplished singer/song writer, and it was in this guise that he joined me today.
Barry Galvin
I’m delighted to say that Barry was a fabulous guest who writes brilliant thoughtful songs and performs them flawlessly. My favourite was “Your Soulful Eyes” the final song he performed.
You can listen to the entire session and interview here –
Billericay Rugby Football Club is holding its annual BeeFest on April 28th from 10am until late at their club in Stock Road. Traditionally a day set aside, in part to thank all the members of the club, but also to mark the end of the rugby season.
This year is no different and there will be the usual bouncy castles; coconut shy; ball games; and the sale of BRFC merchandise and goodies as well as the traditional family 7’s tournament and plenty of hot food with a hog roast and barbecue as well as other food and drink being available.
This year the club are showing their support for FAB – the Fight Against Bullying. Bringing Awareness to a new social media movement, to stamp out bullying in all forms. Get involved and follow @FABcampaign. With a large and diverse membership it is the club’s priority to ensure that they continue to provide a safe and secure environment for all to enjoy, learn and develop their rugby.
There will be a large marquee as well as the club house available should we be forced inside due to bad weather
In addition, the club will be awarding their annual age group prizes and medals to the minis and junior members in the marquee by their respective age group coaches in the morning.
Truly a fun family day out and supported by the Brentwood Imperial Youth Band who will be performing during the day. So if your son or daughter is interested in rugby at any age then make sure you get along to Billericay Rugby Football Club, Stock Road, Billericay on 28th April.
The Streetlife Strollers are a Billericay walking and social group that meet in Lake Meadows in Billericay once a week.
Joining me in the studio today to tell us all about the group were Anne and Frank Woods,
Anne and Frank Woods
The Streetlife Strollers meet in Lake Meadows by the gates near the cafe every Tuesday morning at 10am. You don’t need to book, just turn up to take part in this friendly group.
You can listen to our chat here –
You can find out more information on The Streetlife Strollers by joining The Billericay Discussion Page on Facebook here
There is an enormous rise in the popularity of traditional board games. With Board Games Cafes opening across London and recently in Chelmsford it seems that many people are turning away from online gaming towards the more sociable side of gaming where your opponent is actually in the room with you.
I was pleased to discover that Billericay has it’s very own Board Games Club and joining me today to tell us all about it was Duncan Popham.
Duncan Popham
You can listen to our chat here –
If you would like to get involved or just find out more about the club their Facebook page is here
I had some VIP guests in the studio today, and what a pleasure it was!
A few weeks ago we received an email here in the studio from Toni Richardson. Toni is mum to her son Taylor.
Toni said in the email, “I wonder if you can help. I have a 17 year old son called Taylor, who has Cerebral Palsy. He loves his music and dancing and I wonder if it is possible to arrange a visit to look around your studios.”
Taylor and Toni
Well we were very pleased to arrange this and Taylor and Toni visited our studios in the Brentwood Centre and thoroughly enjoyed their visit. Presenter Bob Simpson gave them each a Phoenix FM Mug and played some of Taylor’s favourite music on air as well as a special message for Taylor from Rizzle Kicks, one of Taylor’s favourite bands.
Here’s a brief edit of Taylor’s time in the studio in which you can hear me chat to Toni –
If you go on to Youtube and search for Down With The Trumpets, Taylor D you can see an amazing video starring Taylor with a contribution from Rizzle Kicks themselves.
Here it is –
Taylor’s Mum was very grateful and in a later email to Phoenix said, “Just got back home and wanted to say thank you so much for your time today. We both really enjoyed the experience! It was lovely to meet you and it was fascinating learning a little about how a radio station works. Taylor has been full of it and says that he wants his own station now!!
The vocal group Blake are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. It was a great peasure today to talk to one of the founding members of Blake, Stephen Bowman.
Stephen Bowman
Blake’s first album shot to the public’s attention when it received the Classical Brit Award for Album of the year in 2008.
The debut album went straight to number One in the UK Classical Album Chart and into the Top Twenty Pop Chart.
With over a million albums sold, No.1 hits in ten countries and approaching 150 TV appearances around the globe, these three young men continue to enthral fans the world over.
You can listen to our chat below
Blakes new album is entitled The Anniversary Album out on the 30th March and you can find out more about Blake and their upcoming tour on their website – www.blakeofficial.com
With Scott Ross away today it was good to welcome Scott’s regular guest Brian Hughes to the studio.
Brian Hughes
Now in recent weeks, Brian has been looking at issues concerning property and leasing issues but today Brian turned his attention to issues relating to mediation in the event that a relationship should break down.
Both Brian and his late wife qualified as mediators so he is well placed to offer advice on this potentially thorny topic.
Listen again here to what Brian had to say on this subject today: –
I was very sad to hear of the passing of Ken Dodd this morning.
Back in September 2013 I was honoured to be able to interview Ken. It was one of the major highlights of my time at Phoenix FM and Ken was very generous, giving me a full half hour of his time. He was warm, very funny and engaging and talked about his childhood, his early days in showbusiness and a very funny interview with The Beatles.
You can listen to an edited version of that interview here –
The Lions Clubs of the British Isles are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs International.
Lion’s Patron, The Countess of Wessex hosted a Reception at Buckingham Palace yesterday (Wednesday) to help Lions Clubs mark this milestone.
Club President Trevor Hull represented Billericay Lions and joined with members from across the British Isles at the Centenary Reception together with the organisations’ charity partners.
Billericay Lions help their local community through fund-raising and organising events such as Santa’s Christmas Sleigh and the Billericay Beer Festival.
Lions Clubs International support major projects that address diabetes, youth, the environment, hunger relief, childhood cancer and sight issues affecting communities throughout the world.
You can see Trevor and his colleagues talking about The Lions Club of Billericay here –
