Podcasts about radio merseyside

Alan Bleasdale, the Liverpudlian screenwriter and playwright, is in the spotlight this week as a stage version of his iconic 1980's TV series 'Boys from the Blackstuff' opened at the National Theatre. Born in Liverpool, an only child who first went into teaching, his first public work was 'Scully' for Radio Merseyside, a kind of Liverpudlian Adrian Mole, which he wrote whilst he was still teaching. But it was 'Boys from the Blackstuff' that made him a household name with one of the characters, Yosser Hughes' line 'Gissa job' providing a chant on the stands of his beloved Liverpool Football Club. His work has courted controversy with successive governments, although he says he's not political, only voting for the first time at the age of 38. Now in his late 70's and 40 years on from the original television series, he's back in the spotlight. Stephen Smith talks to friends and colleagues about his work, phobias and how to tell if you're having a heart attack. Presenter: Stephen SmithPRODUCTION TEAMProducers: Julie Ball and Diane Richardson Researcher: Marianna Brain Editor: Bridget Harney Sound: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck ContributorsPeter Ansorge, former Script Producer, BBC Drama and Commissioning Editor, Drama C4James Graham, Playwright and ScreenwriterRobert Lindsay, ActorSir Michael Palin, Actor and AuthorTony Schumacher, Author and ScreenwriterTrevor Stent, former teaching colleague CREDITSBoys from the Blackstuff, BBC DramaDesert Island Discs, BBC R4GBH - Channel 4Scully's New Years Eve, BBC

Darren Fletcher presents the Friday Football Social with Nigel Reo-Coker, Paul Robinson and Clinton Morrison. The team discuss whether Jadon Sancho should apologise to manager Erik ten Hag with Rio Ferdinand dropping by to share his view on the situation at Manchester United. And how long will it take for Pochettino to turn Chelsea into a winning side? Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould gives us the latest on Everton who are set to have new owners after Farhad Moshiri agreed to sell his 94% stake to American investment fund 777 Partners. Jump to: 00:14 Intro 00:35 Erik ten Hag on Sancho 01:08 Rio Ferdinand 05:10 Should Sancho apologise? 24:35 Is Chelsea the impossible job? 32:55 Giulia Bould on Everton takeover

H Healer and clairvoyant John Cain stood in the local civic hall with his hands on a patient, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and a bottle of whiskey nearby. As you can imagine, he was not typical of many involved in the spiritualist movement, whose attitude at times can tend towards holier than thou. Cain was born in 1931 in the village of Eastham, Merseyside, near Liverpool. During his national service in the Army he was a physical training instructor, and he was also a boxer and black belt in Judo. In 1956 he started his own business as a blacksmith and he became incredibly successful, employing thirty people and driving a Rolls Royce; but he would soon give it all up to devote himself to giving spiritual healing for free to anyone in need. One day, he'd been sitting in the pub with his wife, as he did most evenings, when he noticed he could see something out of the corner of his eye that looked like shimmering mist. Instinctively, he believed this had to be some kind of ‘energy,' and he felt suddenly inclined to place his hands on a nearby person in the pub who he felt was in need of healing. As he did so, the person's pain, that they'd been feeling for a long while, suddenly disappeared. Cain is interviewed on an old radio show called ‘Beyond Belief' for Radio Merseyside, and presenter Kieran Devay says, “Cain smokes up to 50 cigarette a day, swears like a trooper, and is more than partial to Scotch Whisky. He works twelve hours a day, seven days a week. His wife Audrey acts as his secretary, dealing with the hundreds of letters he receives each week asking for his help.” Cain says, “Going back to when I was about five years old my mother suffered with migraines. I just used to rub her temples and the pain would disappear.  At the age of 14 I joined a boxing club. Later on, I practiced Judo for 25 years.” When members of his sports clubs would suffer sprains or other injuries, Cain found he could take away the pain by massaging and manipulating the injured areas of the body. “I found I could take the pain away – but didn't realise it was the gift of healing.” Cain says he was brought up in the Church of England but as a young man, his interest turned to Spiritualism and what spiritualists call a development circle, where people attempt to make communication with the dead. However, Cain didn't last long in the circle at his local spiritualist church, for understandable reasons; “We sat in the silence for an hour, and then you say what happened in that hour. Well, the lady sitting opposite me said, “You'll never believe whose been with me tonight John.” I said, “Well, go on, try me.” She said, “Well, I've had Long John Silver with me, and we've been walking for hours along the beach.” So, I said to her, “Did he tell you where the treasure's buried?” She said, “No,” so I said, “Well, let's go back into the silence, find out where he buried the treasure, and we'll all go and have a bloody good holiday in the Bahamas.” Then the lady sitting next to her said, “Isn't that funny Nancy, I've had his parrot sitting on my shoulder all night.” Well, I thought to myself, this is the time you bail out John!” After such nonsense, Cain decided he would leave the circle that night, but when he went back the following week to tell them this, one of the ladies in the group became upset and asked him how she would get her healing if he left the group. Cain didn't understand what she meant and so she explained that since he'd been attending the circle, her back pain had vanished. Then another lady in the group chipped in, telling Cain that she was in a lot of pain that evening and would he be kind enough to put his hands on her. Cain did as she asked, and her pain vanished. This was before Cain had become a healer, and he couldn't understand how this could be happening. At the same time, his daughter was suffering with a huge number of warts on one of her legs. “Not just a couple of warts, they were like fish scales,” said his wife.

Liz and Michelle are joined by singer, actor, television personality and Eurovision host Claire Sweeney. They chat about Claire's upcoming role in Coronation Street and of course all things Eurovision including revealing what the ‘alternative scouse commentary is all about and why they think this year the UK might win! KEY TAKEAWAYS  There have been some great acts in Eurovision across the years who remain well known today, Cliff Richard, Sandy Shaw and Lulu to name a few! Eurovision being hosted in the UK this year means a lot more of us will probably be watching, and reminiscing, over past years of the programme and what it meant to us. Liverpool is the perfect city to host Eurovision, the birthplace of so many great musical acts and a real music hub. There has been a search to find ‘the voice of Liverpool' to co-host alongside Claire and she couldn't be more excited by who has been chosen, a man named Paul Quinn with an encyclopaedic knowledge of Eurovision! If you want to hear the alternative scouse commentary to Eurovision you just have to press the red button to hear Claire and Paul, you can also tune into Radio Merseyside. Claire is everywhere at the moment because of Eurovision as well as, after manifesting for it for 15 years, a role on Coronation Street! Claire will be playing Tyrone's mum and will be appearing on screens in June. Singing was Claire's first love and this is something she shares with her 8-year-old son Jaxon. The UK hasn't won Eurovision for over 25 years, Liz, Michelle and Claire think this year could well be the year! BEST MOMENTS “It's fun to reminisce…it was such a part of our childhood I think”“It's lovely that the UK has stepped up and it's going to be in Liverpool the home of such incredible music acts”“Will we need an interpreter, will there be captions along the bottom?”“I think we're going to have a lot of ex-Eurovision artists turning up and in the vicinity” “In 1974 the UK didn't give any points to ABBA, isn't that shocking when they won!” If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, and review it on your podcast platform. We read every email sent to us at twowomenchatting@gmail.com so please get in touch! Check out our supporting blogs on this topic at www.twowomenchatting.com. EPISODE RESOURCES https://twitter.com/clairesweeney ABOUT THE HOSTSLiz Copping is a networking pro & event consultant, leaping out of her comfort zone to co-host this podcast.Lizcopping@outlook.com Insta @lizcoppingtwcMichelle Ford is a professional voice actor and empty nester pressing reset, enjoying a new career in podcasting!michelle@twowomenchatting.com Insta @michellefordtwc CONTACT METHOD https://www.instagram.com/twowomenchatting/ https://twitter.com/ChattingTwo https://www.facebook.com/twowomenchatting    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Les speaks to Sean Styles on Radio Merseyside about the Newcastle game and what's next for the Blues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A sad Farewell to the Enigmatic Don Woods who was laid to rest on his beloved Wirral Peninsular last Friday 11th November 2022. Don had always been very fit and healthy until fate struck his lungs a fateful blow about 8 weeks ago. I phoned Don early one Monday morning as was our arrangement. We loved to sit and chew the fat over the airwaves then remember an aspect of Don's songwriting. Don was struggling for breath for a few weeks before he suddenly went into hospital and here I am writing our blog after his death and subsequent funeral. As his illness progressed it became obvious that Don was feeling the loss of his wife Cynthia very deeply. It had only been a few weeks before all this happened that I had produced a podcast with Don recounting various aspects of his life and remembering how we had first met in the early days of BBC Radio at Radio Merseyside. I am still finding this a little overwhelming and the podcast will allow Don to tell you about his life and our friendship. He was talented, successful, versatile, enigmatic and fun to be around. Thanks for the memories Don and thanks for your valued friendship. You will be missed by many people who admired your love of music, your love of Wirral and your love of Wales. Our thoughts and prayers are with Don, Don's son, Steve, and all his family and friends. RIP Vince and Anne in Spain xx

 This is the 73rd episode of my podcast with Mr. Paul Whittle of https://the1888letter.com/, @1888letter.For this episode, we continue our interview series with Mr. Gavin Buckland and Mr. Steve Pye, as we discuss the English League, season by season starting with the 1982/83 season. Mr. Buckland is Everton's official statistician, Question of Sport script consultant, Radio Merseyside regular, Liverpool Echo Royal Blue podcaster.Mr. Pye is a blogger (‘That 1980s Sports Blog') and contributor to Guardian Sport Network/The Gooner. For any questions/comments, you may contact us:You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on Facebook under Soccernostalgia.https://linktr.ee/sp1873 Mr. Paul Whittle, @1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague You may also follow the podcast on spotify and now on Acast, Google podcasts, Apple podcasts and stitcher all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast'Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.Mr. Buckland's contact info:twitter: @GavinBuckland1 Mr. Pye's contact info:twitter: @1980sSportsBlogBlog: http://that1980ssportsblog.blogspot.com/ Link to Mr. Paul Whittle's book (Before the Premier League: A History of the Football League's Last Decades):https://the1888letter.com/book-before-the-premier-league/http://www.wibblepublishing.com/bpl.html Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Google Podcasts / Stitcher:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3kqKlbdqHeuXkPonEQxR7n?si=braO0O0XSoGca_Kn3b1p5g&nd=1https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast/id1601074369?i=1000566578482https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS84MzgyNzMucnNz/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xMDgwMDg1Mw==https://www.stitcher.com/show/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast/episode/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-73-english-league-season-1982-83-with-gavin-buckland-and-steve-pye-204108821  Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Uh8JQ6_-Y&t=8sBlog Link:https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2022/06/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-73.htmlSupport the Show.

@vincetracy and @robdaniels discussed the return of the #ChampionsLeague and the great performances by #ManCity and #Liverpool. Next we discussed the unprofessional conduct displayed by #ManUnited as they swarmed around referee #PeterBankes to make sure that #Brighton went down to 10 men. We discussed the dangers of international travel as #ManCity were diverted to #Liverpool airport and welcomed to the Capital of English football by #Radio Merseyside. Rob gave us the happenings of Spain's #LaLiga before we reviewed the great games in the #PremierLeague where #ManCity were imperious. Finally, we looked ahead and predicted the games ahead in the #Premier league.

Radio Merseyside presenter Ngunan Adamu and director, photographer and DJ Donnie Sunshine join Richie and special co-host Audrey from The Receipts podcast to talk all things Valentine's Day. @1Xtra on social #1XtraTalks 1Xtra Talks with Richie Brave is the biggest group chat of the week, with discussions about issues that affect the Black community in the UK.

I must say I have enjoyed the olympics....especially the friendship between the competitors,,, and the unbelievable skills of the young teenagers in the skateboarding,diving and gymnastics.....good to see respectful and well behaved youngsters displaying their talents instead of giving TV news coverage of complete morons throwing missiles at the police and the ambulance service....or acting like neanderthals at football matches.....even the boxers give each other a big hug after battering each other....let's hope some of this rubs off on the low life we have to put up with nowadays. s week my final travel feature takes us to Finland....not with Monty Lister but he strangely features in it....It was back n 2001 when I got a gig at a skiffle convention in Finland....I put a skiffle group together and off we went.....we arrived on a Friday...did the gig on the Saturday...spent Sunday looking around and back on the Monday....at the time I was working with Monty Lister on his Sunday morning programme on Radio Merseyside so I told him I would be missing on that day....the gig went very well on the Saturday night and the next day we were wandering around the town when a guy comes up to us and tells me how much he enjoyed the music and invited us to his restaurant for the afternoon....so we all jump in his car and he puts on a CD telling us this was the sort of music he liked.....first track was Monty Lister interviewing Bill Haley.....I couldn't believe it....he asked me if I knew this man....so I told him if I wasn't sitting in his car somewhere in the Arctic Circle I would be on the radio with him at that moment....took me a while to get over it....what were the chances of that? The story behind the Finland gig was I wrote a song for a dear friend of mine who was in one of the first skiffle groups in the area....called The Atlantics.....his name was John Lomax who I was inspired by in the late 50s....we became good friends when we met in the 90s which is when I wrote the song for him.....he sent it off to Hankasalmi in Finland where they have an annual skiffle convention.....we were then invited to go and perform there which we did....I put a small skiffle group together with John and we went there as The Atlantics....and had a great time.....so here is the song....The Story of Skiffle.

First we find out what-s on Don's mind with #Olympic Games #ClimateChange #Liverpool #Heritage and #Music...This week's "there and back in a day" features Northern Ireland......as explained in previous programmes these were travelogues made with Radio Merseyside's Monty Lister where we would travel to various places for one day...he would do the commentary and I would handle the sound.....so this one starts out at Liverpool Airport in the early hours of the morning and we land in Belfast where we are shown around the city before boarding a coach which takes us across country to the Mountains of Mourn where we stopped off for lunch and had a look around the area.....on the way there the coach driver pointed out some boats coming into the harbour and explained they were bringing back a cargo of eels for the local fishmonger trade....someone on the coach asked if we could see some eels.....the driver nods his head and takes a left off the carriageway and down this country road which was narrower that the coach....stops at a farm and goes and asks this chap if he could show his passengers some eels....the chap comes on to the coach with a huge box of LIVE eels all jumping about with him trying to keep them in the box....certainly livened up the day....only in Ireland.

After Don's rant....... This week's "there and back in a day" features Northern Ireland......as explained in previous programmes these were travelogues made with Radio Merseyside's Monty Lister where we would travel to various places for one day...he would do the commentary and I would handle the sound.....so this one starts out at Liverpool Airport in the early hours of the morning and we land in Belfast where we are shown around the city before boarding a coach which takes us across country to the Mountains of Mourn where we stopped off for lunch and had a look around the area.....on the way there the coach driver pointed out some boats coming into the harbour and explained they were bringing back a cargo of eels for the local fishmonger trade....someone on the coach asked if we could see some eels.....the driver nods his head and takes a left off the carriageway and down this country road which was narrower that the coach....stops at a farm and goes and asks this chap if he could show his passengers some eels....the chap comes on to the coach with a huge box of LIVE eels all jumping about with him trying to keep them

.....This week's "There and back in a day" feature with Radio Merseyside's Monty Lister takes us to Salzburg in Austria....again we started out from Speke Airport about 6.30 in the morning and arrived in Salzburg for our guided tour with Monty again interviewing travellers and me taking care of the sound......the first thing I noticed was the freshness of the air and the fabulous views of the surrounding mountains....we were taken to all the beauty spots and historic places ....but what stood out was our visit to the churchyard where they filmed part of the Sound of Music.....I couldn't believe how small it was.....virtually like a back yard....at about 6 in the evening everything closes and through the darkness I spotted a pub so we made for that....as we sat there with a beer I told Monty how it was just like one of our pubs with the same kind of customers....I then realised that the crowd were all off our plane....which explained it....it was then back on the plane and back to Liverpool with another travelogue in the bag. The song this week is one I wrote for my mate- wrestler Adrian Street.....it is a song which I originally tried to push to publishers and record companies with no success and when I met Adrian I decided to record it with him as it suited his image....when he moved to the States he made a video of it and got it on MTV....just a quick message to all you big time boffins in the music industry....the song paid off my mortgage...which shows how much YOU know....so here it is the classic "I'm In Love With Me".....beautifully sung by Adrian Street.

After the weekly news rant @donwoods tells @vincetracy about his invitation to meet #thepope and memories of his visit to #Rome with #MontyLister from #BBC #RadioMerseyside .......This week's "there and back in a day" feature from my days on Radio Merseyside with Monty Lister takes us to Rome...6.30 in the morning we took off from Speke Airport in Liverpool arrive in Rome around 9.30....to say Rome is stunning is an understatement....everywhere you look is famous....we were taken on a guided tour of the city with Monty doing his commentary and me recording him....first we saw the Trevi Fountain (made famous by Sinatra's Three Coins)....it is a lot smaller than you expect but magnificent....then past the Spanish Steps with rows of tourists sitting on them enjoying the sunshine...then off to the Pantheon which is spectacular....and you have to wonder how the dome was built with the equipment they had back then....apparently when Michael Angelo walked in and looked up he said it had to have been built by aliens.....we then went to the Vatican which is unbelievable...

Don's news rant followed by .....This week I would like to tell you about another day trip I did as Monty Lister's sound man for another of his travelogues on Radio Merseyside....this week we feature Bergen in Norway....there and back in a day....again we started out from Speke Airport at around 6 in the morning...off the plane at Bergen and on to the coach.....Bergen is a beautiful place,very picturesque,and we were taken to the small harbour in the town where we boarded a boat and were treated to a trip down the fjord......which was spectacular with Monty in his element describing the scenery and interviewing fellow passengers.....the views were stunning.....when we got back to the town we were then taken to the funicular railway which takes you to the top of the nearby mountain which again was spectacular...from the top you had a breathtaking view of Bergen and the fjords.....on returning back to earth Monty suggested going for a beer in a nearby pub where we could sit outside and enjoy the scenery.....Monty offered to get the drinks...while he was gone I switched on the recorder and said "Monty Lister is now buying a round of drinks...the last time this happened three wise men came from the east"....I then switched it off as Monty arrived with two bottles of beer....he told me they cost £7 each which explained why he was staggering a bit....14 quid for two bottles of beer......once he had recovered we went back to the coach and got the plane back to speke with another travelogue in the bag......during the week Monty phoned me and said he was editing the programme and was not amused by my comment which he obviously edited out.

Join @DonWoods for the weekly rant ...then.....Don, "This week I would like to tell you about another day trip I did as Monty Lister's sound man for another of his travelogues on Radio Merseyside....this week we feature Bergen in Norway.... again we started out from Speke Airport at around 6 in the morning... off the plane at Bergen and on to the coach.....Bergen is a beautiful place,very picturesque,and we were taken to the small harbour in the town where we boarded a boat and were treated to a trip down the fjord......which was spectacular with Monty in his element describing the scenery and interviewing fellow passengers.....the views were stunning.....when we got back to the town we were then taken to the funicular railway which takes you to the top of the nearby mountain which again was spectacular...from the top you had a breathtaking view of Bergen and the fjords.....on returning back to earth Monty suggested going for a beer in a nearby pub where we could sit outside and enjoy the scenery.....Monty offered to get the drinks...while he was gone I switched on the recorder and said "Monty Lister is now buying a round of drinks...the last time this happened three wise men came from the east"....I then switched it off as Monty arrived with two bottles of beer....he told me they cost £7 each which explained why he was staggering a bit....14 quid for two bottles of beer......once he had recovered we went back to the coach and got the plane back to speke with another travelogue in the bag......during the week Monty phoned me and said he was editing the programme and was not amused by my comment which he obviously edited out.

First the rant then..... This week I would like to tell you about another day trip I did as soundman for Monty Lister on Radio Merseyside back in the day....this one took us to Italy where we visited Pisa and Florence...there and back in a day.......sitting in Speke Airport in Liverpool at 6.30 in the morning and having a coffee looking at the leaning tower at 10 O'Clock......the leaning tower is a lot smaller than you expect....in fact you could walk past it if you didn't know it was there....so round the town we went with Monty doing his usual vocal descriptions and interviews with people then it was back on the coach and off to Florence which is very compact and our tour took us around some of the many art centres and museums....one of the roads reminded me of Mathew Street in Liverpool and when you get to the end of it you are taken by surprise by the largest cathedral in italy....about 30 yards in front of you....the magnificent Basilica....after the tour Monty and I decided to find a restaurant and have an authentic Italian Pizza....however we couldn't FIND a restaurant....when we eventually did find one we ordered a couple of pizzas which tasted like cardboard....then we left and after about 30 yards we came to a main road with about 50 restaurants.....say no more.....then it was back to the coach and got back to Liverpool about 10.30 with another of Monty's travelogues in the bag.

This is the 47th episode of my podcast with Mr. Paul Whittle of https://the1888letter.com/, @1888letter.For this episode, we continue our interview series with Mr. Gavin Buckland and Mr. Steve Pye, as we discuss the English League, season by season starting with the 1981/82 season. Mr. Buckland is a Everton's official statistician, Question of Sport script consultant, Radio Merseyside regular, Liverpool Echo Royal Blue podcaster.Mr. Pye is a blogger (‘That 1980s Sports Blog') and contributor to Guardian Sport Network/The Gooner. For any questions/comments, you may contact us:You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.Mr. Paul Whittle, @1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/You may also follow the podcast on spotify under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast'Mr. Buckland's contact info:twitter: @GavinBuckland1 Mr. Pye's contact info:twitter: @1980sSportsBlogBlog: http://that1980ssportsblog.blogspot.com/Blog Link:https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2021/06/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-47.htmlSupport the Show.

This week the subject of my Radio Merseyside day trips as soundman for Monty Lister takes us to Tromso in Norway for one of his many travelogues......Tromso (pronounced Trumsa) is the most northerly town on the planet so needless to say it was a bit nippy....around minus 30 degrees.....the object was to see the northern lights as you can't get any closer to them than Tromso.....we left Speke airport in Liverpool around 6.30 in the morning and arrived in Tromso at about 9 o'clock then on to a coach for a tour of the town which was set in solid ice with Monty doing his usual commentary.....we were then taken to a large yurt for lunch where we were entertained by a young lady on guitar singing local songs....we were then taken on the coach to a high point to see The Northern Lights....however it was so cloudy we didn't see them....close but no cigar....we were then treated to a lecture by Patrick Moore who educated us all on the Northern Lights...

I am sick and tired of hearing about Prince Harry...the Royals...Martin Bashir....and Dominic Cummings who was featured with his 7 hour grilling regarding his fierce criticism of the Government...with friends like him who needs enemies...this is the bloke who ignored lockdown and drove 300 miles to see his family then drove to a castle with his wife and kid to "test his eyesight" before driving back.....but it's O.K. because he has apologised... On a lighter note I have a daily browse through Facebook as there are some interesting entries but what I fail to see the point of is people showing what they had for dinner or photos of themselves on past holidays etc.....with inane comments like "nice pic"....I Sifting through the dross on TV there are some programmes I like...for example "Would I Lie To You" which is very funny and a great concept and my particular favourite "Room 101" where celebs rant about their particular hates....all of which I generally agree with.... The cast of Friends have recently had a reunion which was broadcast on TV.....I was a fan of the show as it was wonderfully written and acted....perfect cast - perfect script.... This week the subject of my Radio Merseyside day trips as soundman for Monty Lister takes us to Tromso in Norway for one of his many travelogues......Tromso (pronounced Trumsa) is the most northerly town on the planet so needless to say it was a bit nippy........we were then treated to a lecture by Patrick Moore who educated us all on the Northern Lights....he was very interesting and witty....we then went to a local pub where,in the corner,sat Patrick Moore so I wandered over and told him how much I enjoyed his lecture.. The song this week is the jingle I wrote for Monty which he used very week on his Sunday morning programme....great days great memories.

At the moment the news is all about Martin Bashir and his interview with Lady Diana 25 years ago which says it all....everyone jumping in with their theories about the damage it has done and the way he misled the world with his "false" evidence....personally I couldn't care less...Bashir is no worse than the rest of these chat presenters like Parkinson....Oprah Winfrey,,,Jonathan Ross...Graham Norton....and worst of all Piers Morgan who has those pregnant pauses during his interviews hoping the celeb will break down....IT'S GARBAGE....anyone can sit in a chair and read questions from a notepad.....let's move on from the problems of the rich and famous ....there are far more important problems in the world................. ...........When I worked on Radio Merseyside with Monty Lister there was a local travel company who organised DAY trips to various destinations abroad....where the plane would take off from Speke Airport in Liverpool at about 6 or 7 in the morning and get back about 10 at night.....Monty would arrange a free ticket for both of us in exchange for a half hour travelogue which he broadcast on his Sunday Morning programme....he would describe the tour as we did it and I was his soundman.........one of our many excursions was to Marrakech....yes there and back in a day....when we arrived there it was pouring with rain and cold with the locals gratefully thanking us for the welcome weather.....which the day trippers in their flowery shirts and shorts didn't go along with....we did a tour of the "Sooks" which is a massive market place with thousands of market stalls selling all sorts from pots and pans to shoes and fezzes....with characters walking alongside of you trying to sell you all sorts....not to mention the occasional horse and cart going past down the aisles....on our journey I decided to buy a souvenir miniature camel....I was told by the stall holder they were a pound....so I gave him a pound only to be told they only accept paper money....after asking how I was going to get my change he told me I had to buy five camels.....so I asked how much the larger camels were.....five pounds was his answer....so I said I'll have a large camel and a snd a small one for five pounds...after he had took his hands off the top of his head explaining that he had a family to feed he agreed....I loved the guy...what a character.....after our tour we got back to the coach and looking up the main road there was a roundabout with a bobby in the middle "directing" the traffic.....none of which was moving because the four roads leading to the roundabout contained thousands of cars...none of which were facing the same direction....we returned to Liverpool after a fascinating day......I doubt whether any of the traffic has moved yet. Over his many years on radio Monty has travelled the world and recorded his adventures for his programme....I did many jingles for him over the years and this is the one he used for his travelogues.....he was a great presenter and a good friend who has sadly passed away and who I will miss very much.

When I worked on Radio Merseyside with Monty Lister there was a local travel company who organised DAY trips to various destinations abroad....where the plane would take off from Speke Airport in Liverpool at about 6 or 7 in the morning and get back about 10 at night.....Monty would arrange a free ticket for both of us in exchange for a half hour travelogue which he broadcast on his Sunday Morning programme....he would describe the tour as we did it and I was his soundman.........one of our many excursions was to Marrakech....yes there and back in a day....when we arrived there it was pouring with rain and cold with the locals gratefully thanking us for the welcome weather.....which the day trippers in their flowery shirts and shorts didn't go along with....we did a tour of the "Sooks" which is a massive market place with thousands of market stalls selling all sorts from pots and pans to shoes and fezzes....with characters walking alongside of you trying to sell you all sorts....not to mention the occasional horse and cart going past down the aisles....

This is the 24th episode of my podcast with Mr. Paul Whittle of https://the1888letter.com/, @1888letter.For this episode, we start a new interview series with Mr. Gavin Buckland and Mr. Steve Pye, as we discuss the English League, season by season starting with the 1980/81 season. Mr. Buckland is a Everton's official statistician, Question of Sport script consultant, Radio Merseyside regular, Liverpool Echo Royal Blue podcaster.Mr. Pye is a blogger (‘That 1980s Sports Blog') and contributor to Guardian Sport Network/The Gooner. For any questions/comments, you may contact us:You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.Mr. Paul Whittle, @1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/You may also follow the podcast on spotify under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast'Mr. Buckland's contact info:twitter: @GavinBuckland1 Mr. Pye's contact info:twitter: @1980sSportsBlogBlog: http://that1980ssportsblog.blogspot.com/ Blog Link:https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2020/09/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-24.htmlSupport the Show.

After 42 years at Radio Merseyside, legendary phone-in presenter Roger Phillips turned off his mic for the last time on 28 August. In this episode, Roger shares his memorable guests, explains how the phone-in works behind the scenes, and tells us how he felt about the reaction to this retirement announcement.

In this episode of Campbell's Footballs, legendary football broadcaster Ray Stubbs joins me to discuss his time in football. We discuss: - Ray's footballing days at Tranmere Rovers and Bangor City - working at Radio Merseyside and other outlets - Lakeside stories with Bobby George - Presenting Grandstand, Football Focus, Final Score, MOTD and more - his relationships with Gary Lineker, Mark Lawrenson and Alan Hansen - Peter Ndlovu + lots more! You do not want to miss this., In association with Toby Johnson and Rory Hope Music,

From a chef and hairdresser - to becoming one of Liverpool’s leading on-air characters. In this hour of Radio Moments – Conversations, Pete Price tells of his early years on stage at a colourful time in Liverpool’s before making his debut on BBC Radio Merseyside. After more years as a comedian and singer, tempted back to Radio City, he was offered the late-night phone which he made his own.  Shunted from Radio City across Magic, City Gold and the first and subsequent incarnation of City Talk, the programme developed a life of its own. Pete opens up about how he helped his city through Hillsborough and the murder of Jamie Bulger. He talks too about the importance of sound management and gifted production, of the drama of great radio – and his fears about the future of the phone in genre itself – and about the future of radio talent. In his own words, this is the Pete Price story. Hear the whole ‘Radio Moments Conversations’ series here (https://podfollow.com/radiomoments-conversations) – and sign up for the regular podcast for this ongoing series. Music by Larry Bryant (http://www.larrybryant.com/) . 

Prince Andrew has hit the news headlines after his recent interview on the BBC....where he virtually denies all wrongdoing in the Epstein scandal....an appearance I felt was somewhat misguided.......... The TV Children In Need annual fundraising event has raised over 47 million pounds which will go towards a good cause....however with certain political parties promising to donate BILLIONS to better the country not forgetting intended high speed rail routes going BILLIONS over budget....... On the entertainment front we have the return of "I'm a celebrity get me out of here" which is very popular for some reason....I see they have stopped the killing of small creatures in the "trials" which is........ I was chatting to some friends about strange coincidences which most of us have had....the most unbelievable one I had was when I was working on Radio Merseyside with my pal And on the subject of Radio Merseyside the song this week is a jingle I wrote for Debbie Jones who had a daily competition where listeners had to guess what a certain sound ........

Prince Andrew has hit the news headlines after his recent interview on the BBC....where he virtually denies all wrongdoing in the Epstein scandal....an appearance I felt was somewhat misguided.......... The TV Children In Need annual fundraising event has raised over 47 million pounds which will go towards a good cause....however with certain political parties promising to donate BILLIONS to better the country not forgetting intended high speed rail routes going BILLIONS over budget....... On the entertainment front we have the return of "I'm a celebrity get me out of here" which is very popular for some reason....I see they have stopped the killing of small creatures in the "trials" which is........ I was chatting to some friends about strange coincidences which most of us have had....the most unbelievable one I had was when I was working on Radio Merseyside with my pal And on the subject of Radio Merseyside the song this week is a jingle I wrote for Debbie Jones who had a daily competition where listeners had to guess what a certain sound ........

Seven days of radio history in seven minutes. Memories from the week ending 22nd November 2019. Johnny Vaughan leaves Capital London breakfast; Mark Goodier vacates the chart chair; BBC Radio Merseyside launches; the death of former Radio 4 Controller Monica Sims; Absolute Radio 60s arrives; and  Follow the 'Radio Moments - This Week in History' weekly podcast  here (https://podfollow.com/1459316855)

Pete began in radio at Radio Merseyside, moving to Radio City in the '80s, on whose transmitters he has broadcast under several brand names over the years. He has become one of Liverpool's most famous voices, with universal recognition.  Here, on Radio City Talk on 27th October 2019, he reflects on his 40 years on air - with some choice vintage clips.

Why doesn't ITV understand that the viewers want to hear what the presenters on Good Morning Britain and the guests are saying....they don't want to listen to them all arguing and shouting at the same time....it's like an aviary full of crows,,,, I have enjoyed Strictly Come Dancing for many years....I like it because it involves actual TALENT from both the professionals and from the judges....plus the spectacle of athletic guys and beautifully sculpted ladies gliding across the dance floor.with great live music from a fabulous band.......and I think it can wave goodbye to a lot of its viewers. And there is a move afoot to stop the utilising of live insects on I'm a celebrity get me out of here.....I couldn't agree more....there is no need to kill these creatures in the name of entertainment....a better idea would be to scrap the whole thing including Ant and Dec....who are well past their sell by date. The youngsters have decided the over 70s should not be allowed to vote.....and they are out of touch with modern day life....so there you go.....and back in the day I wrote a couple of songs for two editions of "Newsnight" about the Knowsley North Bye Election....one of which was about Derek and I appeared in the programme along with him. Trick or Treating has hit the news.....they are trying bring in a law to ban over 12 year olds going from door to door because it intimidates householders...t....no poor old lady wants to open their door to a 6 foot teenager with a mask ....but again I fail to see the point of "trick or treat"....it's another piece of American nonsense which belongs over there... The song this week is the one which brought you and me together around 1980 when you worked on Radio Merseyside....we marched on the German Embassy with the song after they had criticised the area....this is the updated tribute to my favourite place..."Merseyside"

Why doesn't ITV understand that the viewers want to hear what the presenters on Good Morning Britain and the guests are saying....they don't want to listen to them all arguing and shouting at the same time....it's like an aviary full of crows,,,, I have enjoyed Strictly Come Dancing for many years....I like it because it involves actual TALENT from both the professionals and from the judges....plus the spectacle of athletic guys and beautifully sculpted ladies gliding across the dance floor.with great live music from a fabulous band.......and I think it can wave goodbye to a lot of its viewers. And there is a move afoot to stop the utilising of live insects on I'm a celebrity get me out of here.....I couldn't agree more....there is no need to kill these creatures in the name of entertainment....a better idea would be to scrap the whole thing including Ant and Dec....who are well past their sell by date. The youngsters have decided the over 70s should not be allowed to vote.....and they are out of touch with modern day life....so there you go.....and back in the day I wrote a couple of songs for two editions of "Newsnight" about the Knowsley North Bye Election....one of which was about Derek and I appeared in the programme along with him. Trick or Treating has hit the news.....they are trying bring in a law to ban over 12 year olds going from door to door because it intimidates householders...t....no poor old lady wants to open their door to a 6 foot teenager with a mask ....but again I fail to see the point of "trick or treat"....it's another piece of American nonsense which belongs over there... The song this week is the one which brought you and me together around 1980 when you worked on Radio Merseyside....we marched on the German Embassy with the song after they had criticised the area....this is the updated tribute to my favourite place..."Merseyside"

Just in case you didn't know...the Yanks landed on the moon 50 years ago and it seems to have received more coverage now than it did back then....personally I can't really see the point in space travel....we need to get things sorted out on this planet before we spend billions to find there's nothing actually out there.....the radio telescope at Jodrell Bank has also been featured on the news which is not far from where I live and I must say it is a very interesting place to visit.....there have been a lot of conspiracy theories about the moon landing and whether it was genuine.....I once visited Tromso in Norway to assist Monty Lister with one of his programmes for Radio Merseyside and met Patrick Moore.....I asked him if the moon landing was genuine and he nearly jumped down my throat shouting "Course it was!! I was there!!"....which was good enough for me.....great bloke by the way. On the same subject I was once on holiday in Florida and a hurricane had just caused serious damage to the south of the state....the TV were asking for donations to help those badly effected.....after a few pints I brought the subject up with a few people around the swimming pool (which wasn't a good idea)....my point being that the public were being asked to donate yet just up the coast was the Kennedy Space Centre which sends billions into space to find nothing...could they not solve the problem down south?.....I nearly caused an international incident...this guy stands up and strolls over like John Wayne and says "We don't see it that way buddy"....despite trying to convince them all I was fighting a losing battle....God Bless America. The BBC are joining up with ITV to provide another channel which ... wait for it...we will have to pay for!!...on top of our TV licence.......it will cost £5.99 a month WHICH IS SIX QUID minus one penny...but it SOUNDS better...and it will feature programmes from the past like Fawlty Towers and Dad's Army etc....you know...programmes we have seen a thousand times.....I'm not quite sure what planet these so called executives are on.....is there ANYONE out there who can supply ENTERTAINMENT?....doesn't look like it does it. On the music scene I was subjected to The Kaiser Chief's latest record whilst driving along in my car....it is called "People know how to love"....a title which is repeated over and over again....this seems to be the norm these days....I find it very irritating....whatever happened to good lyrics??.....ANYONE can write this sort of stuff....get one line and repeat it over and over....it's rubbish.....when you listen to great lyrics by the like of ABBA for example (and they are foreign) it makes you realise what we are missing.these days....then we have the over singing of songs....with vocalists balling and shouting and singing 10 notes when one will do....it obviously fits the bill these days but it aint music........and just a quickie on the Open Golf....it was nice to see Rory McIlroy missing those two foot putts....NOW he knows how I feel every week!!! The song this week is a message to us all....it is called "Exercise" and I wrote it back in the day for the Liverpool Health Authority who were promoting the benefits of exercise at the time....it got a lot of radio coverage and served the purpose....so here it is....get your shorts on and off we go....EXERCISE.

Just in case you didn't know...the Yanks landed on the moon 50 years ago and it seems to have received more coverage now than it did back then....personally I can't really see the point in space travel....we need to get things sorted out on this planet before we spend billions to find there's nothing actually out there.....the radio telescope at Jodrell Bank has also been featured on the news which is not far from where I live and I must say it is a very interesting place to visit.....there have been a lot of conspiracy theories about the moon landing and whether it was genuine.....I once visited Tromso in Norway to assist Monty Lister with one of his programmes for Radio Merseyside and met Patrick Moore.....I asked him if the moon landing was genuine and he nearly jumped down my throat shouting "Course it was!! I was there!!"....which was good enough for me.....great bloke by the way. On the same subject I was once on holiday in Florida and a hurricane had just caused serious damage to the south of the state....the TV were asking for donations to help those badly effected.....after a few pints I brought the subject up with a few people around the swimming pool (which wasn't a good idea)....my point being that the public were being asked to donate yet just up the coast was the Kennedy Space Centre which sends billions into space to find nothing...could they not solve the problem down south?.....I nearly caused an international incident...this guy stands up and strolls over like John Wayne and says "We don't see it that way buddy"....despite trying to convince them all I was fighting a losing battle....God Bless America. The BBC are joining up with ITV to provide another channel which ... wait for it...we will have to pay for!!...on top of our TV licence.......it will cost £5.99 a month WHICH IS SIX QUID minus one penny...but it SOUNDS better...and it will feature programmes from the past like Fawlty Towers and Dad's Army etc....you know...programmes we have seen a thousand times.....I'm not quite sure what planet these so called executives are on.....is there ANYONE out there who can supply ENTERTAINMENT?....doesn't look like it does it. On the music scene I was subjected to The Kaiser Chief's latest record whilst driving along in my car....it is called "People know how to love"....a title which is repeated over and over again....this seems to be the norm these days....I find it very irritating....whatever happened to good lyrics??.....ANYONE can write this sort of stuff....get one line and repeat it over and over....it's rubbish.....when you listen to great lyrics by the like of ABBA for example (and they are foreign) it makes you realise what we are missing.these days....then we have the over singing of songs....with vocalists balling and shouting and singing 10 notes when one will do....it obviously fits the bill these days but it aint music........and just a quickie on the Open Golf....it was nice to see Rory McIlroy missing those two foot putts....NOW he knows how I feel every week!!! The song this week is a message to us all....it is called "Exercise" and I wrote it back in the day for the Liverpool Health Authority who were promoting the benefits of exercise at the time....it got a lot of radio coverage and served the purpose....so here it is....get your shorts on and off we go....EXERCISE.

February 1991 turned out to be quite a momentous month: The first Gulf War ended; 10 Downing Street was attacked by the IRA; and in English football, ‘King’ Kenny Dalglish shocked everybody by unexpectedly resigning as manager of Liverpool. It was a pivotal moment in the season and came in the wake of one of the greatest FA Cup ties and Merseyside derbies ever seen. Everton came back four times in a helter-skelter, end-to-end classic forcing fierce local rivals Liverpool into a second 5th round replay. Joining host Mark to discuss that game, the background to it, and the fallout of Dalglish’s sudden departure from Anfield are former Everton and Scotland winger Pat Nevin, who played in that match; Gavin Buckland - Evertonian and regular on Radio Merseyside and the Liverpool Echo’s Royal Blue podcast - and writer, journalist and lifelong Red, Tony Evans - former football editor at The Times.

I was sad to hear of the loss of my dear friend Monty Lister who was a presenter on Radio Merseyside for many decades...I worked with him on his popular Sunday morning show "Tune Tonic" for 5 years....but knew him for many years before that...he interviewed many top entertainers from Bing Crosby to The Beatles (being the first to interview them)...he also produced many travelogues for his programme...for a lot of which I took care of the sound....we made trips all over Europe on one day excursions which has left me with many memories and anecdotes.....Monty was a gentleman and a good mate....and a broadcasting legend who I will never forget. We also lost another great character this week....Freddie Starr....Freddie was unpredictable and was difficult to control which sadly was his downfall but to me he was a comedy genius.....I remember seeing him many times with his band in the early sixties and it his massive talent was obvious then.....he was brilliant and a sad loss...they don't make 'em like him any more. 2.Still on the showbiz front Danny Baker has been on the news after his brainless tweet which was claimed was aimed at the royal birth....which he denies....the BBC have sacked him.....I always found Danny Baker to be a loudmouth who thought he was bigger than he was.....and this stupidity has put him in his place...a very silly man........and on the silly man front David Beckham has lost his driving licence for 6 months after being caught using his mobile phone whilst driving....nice to know he never got away with this one on a technicality....it isn't difficult complying with the law....it's there for the safety of others....when you choose to ignore the law you know exactly what you are doing....unless you are an idiot........maybe Dave will now realise he is the same as the rest of us. 3.I watched the BAFTAS as there was NOTHING worth watching on TV as usual....as I don't watch soaps I didn't have a clue who most of them were.....and I see Ant and Dec were up there for their contribution to Britain's Got Talent....I am at a total loss as to what they do on this show....giggling at the side of the stage must obviously deserve an award............and I went up to The Lakes for a couple of days and decided to spend a morning in Morecambe on the way....it has a delightful waterfront which has been recently renovated....what I had overlooked was it was 20 degrees so out come the trendy pensioners in their droves with their shaved heads...baseball caps...ill fitting huge shorts and flip flops and faded tattoos.....and not a chance of them moving to one side as you pass them....because they are just as tough as they used to be 50 years ago....or think they are.......I often wonder what these aliens see when they look in the mirror......in future I will be saving Morecambe for a dull windy day when they have all gone back to bed....and these are the one's who VOTE. 4.I have a good friend who is an Indian doctor....he is a brilliant surgeon....yet after he had been in the country for 10 years he was required to take an exam to achieve British citizenship......which was an hour long...he finished it in 5 minutes but had to stay for the hour......this chap SAVES LIVES with his special talents.....this country should be grateful for the likes of him and his compatriots...and should welcome them with open arms.....perhaps we should make burglars and muggers take exams and kick them out if they fail...that would make more sense...I know which one of the two I would rather be looking up at from the operating table. 5.I was at school when rock and roll broke out...and like many others learnt to play the guitar and formed a skiffle group....one of the lads came in one day and told me of a new record by Ricky Nelson called "Poor Little Fool" and wrote out the chords....all four of them....which gave us a step up from the three skiffle chords....I became a big fan of Ricky and enjoyed all his records especially the guitar solos which were played by a chap called James Burton....who went on to back all the greats like Sinatra and Elvis....so in 2008 I was asked if I would like to sing Ricky Nelson songs with James in a concert organised by a mate of mine called Doug Darroch.....needless to say I was well up for it.....the concert took place in a theatre in Birkenhead and I did an hour of Ricky's hits with the man I had admired for 40 years......everyone should have their moment...this was mine....I eventually did 8 concerts with James....thank you Dougy........the song this week is a live performance with James....the one which started it all for me all those years ago...Poor Little Fool.

The latest rip off is you will be getting charged when you draw your OWN money out of cash machines....those in control have come up with several reasons why they have to do this....the reason they seemed to have missed out is the correct one...which is the fact that they are a greedy grabbing bunch of selfish pigs who have no consideration for their fellow human beings....plus petrol is also going up for some unknown reason....the petrol companies must need a few more mansions.....it's very strange how the filling stations react instantly to price rises and relatively slowly when the price comes down....it's legal burglary. Speaking of burglars there was extensive news coverage of the 79 year old man who stabbed and killed a burglar who was threatening him in his home....the courts decreed it was lawful killing as he was acting in self defence....there has been a lot of support for this decision....it's a very interesting situation...quite rightly the general opinion is that the burglar shouldn't have been there and it was his choice which is right but what seems to be overlooked in these situations is the repercussions for the old guy....your life would change....they should start by issuing realistic sentences to those who burgle....there is far more to the situation than stealing items...it's easy to say what you would do if it happened to you but the reality is a different story.....a burglar has a choice....unfortunately in this case the burglar made the wrong one. Once again the neanderthals are out on the streets.....one of the competitors in the London Marathon was an elderly lady who was running for her charity and eventually finished some way behind the others....nothing wrong with that you might think....oh no....she has to take abuse from spectators and even organisers of the event shouting out that if she ate less she would be able to run faster and other moronic insults.....which proves that some of our wonderful population have yet to evolve.....if you are a total waste of space there is no need to show it with comments like this.......the upshot of it all was the lady needed to raise £1500 for her charity and she actually raised 10 grand....and if that isn't a huge two fingers to her critics I don't know what is......what it needs is to employ Mike Tyson to jog along behind the rest and see how brave these loud mouth bullies are then....I'd pay good money to watch that. .And still on the sporting front I watched about 10 minutes of the ladies cup final to try and see the point....sadly I didn't....the problem I have is the difference between this and the men's game....the two skills are light years apart....similarly with ladies rugby.....with the likes of tennis and athletics and even golf etc the difference isn't obvious.....which brings me to the lady athlete who has too much testosterone.....and has to bring it down if she wishes to compete against other women....which makes a bit of a mockery of sport.....the answer would be to have multi gender sport (when some have decided what gender they want to be) which would never happen because the ladies would disappear overnight....I don't think they would be shouting for equality then?.....or have I got it completely wrong....just an opinion.....I sometimes feel I must apologise for being a white anglo saxon straight male. The song this week is one which created our first meeting.....you were working on Radio Merseyside and I sent you this which resulted in us marching on the German Embassy....because they criticised Liverpool....how dare they!!.....this will bring back a few memories mate......here it is....the ultimate tribute to the big city...."Merseyside"

The latest rip off is you will be getting charged when you draw your OWN money out of cash machines....those in control have come up with several reasons why they have to do this....the reason they seemed to have missed out is the correct one...which is the fact that they are a greedy grabbing bunch of selfish pigs who have no consideration for their fellow human beings....plus petrol is also going up for some unknown reason....the petrol companies must need a few more mansions.....it's very strange how the filling stations react instantly to price rises and relatively slowly when the price comes down....it's legal burglary. Speaking of burglars there was extensive news coverage of the 79 year old man who stabbed and killed a burglar who was threatening him in his home....the courts decreed it was lawful killing as he was acting in self defence....there has been a lot of support for this decision....it's a very interesting situation...quite rightly the general opinion is that the burglar shouldn't have been there and it was his choice which is right but what seems to be overlooked in these situations is the repercussions for the old guy....your life would change....they should start by issuing realistic sentences to those who burgle....there is far more to the situation than stealing items...it's easy to say what you would do if it happened to you but the reality is a different story.....a burglar has a choice....unfortunately in this case the burglar made the wrong one. Once again the neanderthals are out on the streets.....one of the competitors in the London Marathon was an elderly lady who was running for her charity and eventually finished some way behind the others....nothing wrong with that you might think....oh no....she has to take abuse from spectators and even organisers of the event shouting out that if she ate less she would be able to run faster and other moronic insults.....which proves that some of our wonderful population have yet to evolve.....if you are a total waste of space there is no need to show it with comments like this.......the upshot of it all was the lady needed to raise £1500 for her charity and she actually raised 10 grand....and if that isn't a huge two fingers to her critics I don't know what is......what it needs is to employ Mike Tyson to jog along behind the rest and see how brave these loud mouth bullies are then....I'd pay good money to watch that. .And still on the sporting front I watched about 10 minutes of the ladies cup final to try and see the point....sadly I didn't....the problem I have is the difference between this and the men's game....the two skills are light years apart....similarly with ladies rugby.....with the likes of tennis and athletics and even golf etc the difference isn't obvious.....which brings me to the lady athlete who has too much testosterone.....and has to bring it down if she wishes to compete against other women....which makes a bit of a mockery of sport.....the answer would be to have multi gender sport (when some have decided what gender they want to be) which would never happen because the ladies would disappear overnight....I don't think they would be shouting for equality then?.....or have I got it completely wrong....just an opinion.....I sometimes feel I must apologise for being a white anglo saxon straight male. The song this week is one which created our first meeting.....you were working on Radio Merseyside and I sent you this which resulted in us marching on the German Embassy....because they criticised Liverpool....how dare they!!.....this will bring back a few memories mate......here it is....the ultimate tribute to the big city...."Merseyside"

Looks Unfamiliar is a podcast in which writer and occasional broadcaster Tim Worthington talks to a guest about some of the things that they remember that nobody else ever seems to. This is a collection of highlights from shows thirty one to thirty six, featuring Justin Lewis on Neither Fish Nor Flesh by Terence Trent D'Arby, Mark Thompson on Libby's Moonshine, Stephen Brotherstone and Dave Lawrence on The Lone Ranger by Quantum Jump, Stephen O'Brien on Old Fashioned Christmas by Anne Charleston and Ian Smith, Garreth F. Hirons on The Ghosts Of Oxford Street, Vikki Gregorich and Jeff Lewis on The Secret Cabaret, Emma Burnell on Melody Radio and Paul Cornell on Terry Wogan's insistence on playing records that resolutely refused to become hits. Along the way we'll be finding out what happens when you continually ask a radio station that doesn't have Ghostbusters to play Ghostbusters, revisiting the forgotten link between Rupert And The Frog Song and Cannibal Holocaust, debating the identity of 'soft lad who stood on a pole', celebrating the career of 'DJ Ron', revealing how to avoid getting mistaken for an extra on Neighbours, singing a medley of all two and a half records owned by Radio Merseyside, and trying not to think about what ‘Dog Of Finland’ might entail. Plus there's some little-heard extra bits of chat with Emma, Stephen and Mark as well as something you might not have heard before - Tim on Perfect Night In talking to Neil Perryman about the BBC edits of The Monkees... You can find more editions of Looks Unfamiliar at http://timworthington.org/

Here is the life-story of a rich BBC local radio character, imbued with the spirit of his City.  In this edition of Radiomoments 'Conversations', Billy Butler tells of his beginnings on a young BBC Radio Merseyside, and his memorable time at Radio City and its AM offshoots. He relates fond tales of his famous contests, his younger days on the Cavern scene, where he rubbed shoulders with the Beatles and his happiness and frustrations from almost fifty years in radio. In his own words, this is the Billy Butler story. The whole 'Conversations' series can be found [here](https://www.davidlloydradio.com/conversations). Music by L[arry Bryant](http://www.larrybryant.com/).

Looks Unfamiliar is a podcast in which writer and occasional broadcaster Tim Worthington talks to a guest about some of the things that they remember that nobody else ever seems to. Joining Tim this time are writers Stephen Brotherstone And Dave Lawrence, who have been scarred for life by the lack of shared memories of The Lone Ranger by Quantum Jump, the Roger Moore And The Crimefighters books, CB Radio-themed comic 10-4 Action, ITV romantic comedy Pictures, ZX Spectrum immersive 'movie' Deus Ex Machina, and a Williams Furniture Superstore advert that gave viewers much more than was being offered in the sale. Along the way we'll be discussing what action to take if confronted with a robber carrying a stack of board games, revealing how Handel would have repelled invading hordes, working out the best way for mice to operate a typewriter, and singing a medley of all two and a half records owned by Radio Merseyside. You can hear more editions of Looks Unfamiliar at http://timworthington.org/

It strikes me that we have become a nation of moaners....especially the older generation....you go on Facebook and there they are with the grumbles and outrage about politicians and the way the country is run.....yet no-one does anything about it.....the easiest thing in the world is to criticise .....if you can do better get off you backside and get on with it.....and we seem to be stuck in the past....we keep harping back to the good old days with endless programmes on The Beatles etc....with old guys forming bands and going out with their shades and cowboy hats....and playing for nothing.....very strange....coupled with this we have the P.C. brigade...the feminists...and the easily offended telling us what we can and can't say or do.....there's only a handful of them so why not just sweep them aside and ignore them?....I certainly do. 2,I watched The Greatest Showman over Xmas....a great film which I thoroughly enjoyed....great songs....also unfortunately Mary Poppins was on.....now I have always been told I look like Dick Van Dyke (can't see it myself) so my son tells my grandson while they are watching it "There's Granddad"....after which I was bombarded with questions from him about Mary Poppins....which I have never seen.......to make matters worse the next day Chitty Bang Bang was on.....which I have never seen...so I faced a lot more difficult questions about that one....my son found it all hilarious.....the nipper will go back to school and tell all the kids his Granddad is a film star..........why did I have to be Dick Van Dyke?....why couldn't I have been The Fonz? 3.I also watched Michael Macintyre who I quite like but his show is becoming very samey....and he had a comic on who sounded like he'd had a comedy by-pass....do people not know what "funny" is these days?.....the P.C. brigade have seen off the ones who could actually make us laugh.....and I noticed Lee Evans was on one of the channels so I had a look to see if he had improved in any way.....'fraid not.....he was dreadful...and after 5 minutes I couldn't take any more.....yet he was playing to a full stadium which says it all......it's a shame that the younger generation don't know what comedy is as they have never seen any. 4.I watched The Voice the other night and they featured Lonnie Donegan's son (I notice you put this up on Facebook)...he was good but are we expected to believe that Tom Jones didn't know him?.....and the job they made of the song Lonnie wrote for Tom....rehearsed or what......"it was meant to be"...yeah sure..........Lonnie would now be 87 so he must have had the lad late......we owe a lot to Lonnie who started us all off with skiffle in the late 50s....it gave us the ability to play simple stuff.....eg Tom Dooley only had two chords...........but the problem with talent shows is they are too contrived for my liking.....we have grannie and the family in the wings ...why?....and they go on and get "judged"......they should put acts on who are good enough and give them TV exposure and let them take it from there...."judging" shouldn't come into it....then they would learn the game. 5.The song this week is called "Worrizit?" and is a jingle I wrote back in the day for Debbie Jones on Radio Merseyside......it was a daily competition on her radio programme where the listener would hear a noise and ring in and try and guess what the noise was....it was quite popular at the time.....I have just found this in a drawer in my studio....I haven't heard it for years....sadly it never made the top 20...can't imagine why.....

It strikes me that we have become a nation of moaners....especially the older generation....you go on Facebook and there they are with the grumbles and outrage about politicians and the way the country is run.....yet no-one does anything about it.....the easiest thing in the world is to criticise .....if you can do better get off you backside and get on with it.....and we seem to be stuck in the past....we keep harping back to the good old days with endless programmes on The Beatles etc....with old guys forming bands and going out with their shades and cowboy hats....and playing for nothing.....very strange....coupled with this we have the P.C. brigade...the feminists...and the easily offended telling us what we can and can't say or do.....there's only a handful of them so why not just sweep them aside and ignore them?....I certainly do. 2,I watched The Greatest Showman over Xmas....a great film which I thoroughly enjoyed....great songs....also unfortunately Mary Poppins was on.....now I have always been told I look like Dick Van Dyke (can't see it myself) so my son tells my grandson while they are watching it "There's Granddad"....after which I was bombarded with questions from him about Mary Poppins....which I have never seen.......to make matters worse the next day Chitty Bang Bang was on.....which I have never seen...so I faced a lot more difficult questions about that one....my son found it all hilarious.....the nipper will go back to school and tell all the kids his Granddad is a film star..........why did I have to be Dick Van Dyke?....why couldn't I have been The Fonz? 3.I also watched Michael Macintyre who I quite like but his show is becoming very samey....and he had a comic on who sounded like he'd had a comedy by-pass....do people not know what "funny" is these days?.....the P.C. brigade have seen off the ones who could actually make us laugh.....and I noticed Lee Evans was on one of the channels so I had a look to see if he had improved in any way.....'fraid not.....he was dreadful...and after 5 minutes I couldn't take any more.....yet he was playing to a full stadium which says it all......it's a shame that the younger generation don't know what comedy is as they have never seen any. 4.I watched The Voice the other night and they featured Lonnie Donegan's son (I notice you put this up on Facebook)...he was good but are we expected to believe that Tom Jones didn't know him?.....and the job they made of the song Lonnie wrote for Tom....rehearsed or what......"it was meant to be"...yeah sure..........Lonnie would now be 87 so he must have had the lad late......we owe a lot to Lonnie who started us all off with skiffle in the late 50s....it gave us the ability to play simple stuff.....eg Tom Dooley only had two chords...........but the problem with talent shows is they are too contrived for my liking.....we have grannie and the family in the wings ...why?....and they go on and get "judged"......they should put acts on who are good enough and give them TV exposure and let them take it from there...."judging" shouldn't come into it....then they would learn the game. 5.The song this week is called "Worrizit?" and is a jingle I wrote back in the day for Debbie Jones on Radio Merseyside......it was a daily competition on her radio programme where the listener would hear a noise and ring in and try and guess what the noise was....it was quite popular at the time.....I have just found this in a drawer in my studio....I haven't heard it for years....sadly it never made the top 20...can't imagine why.....

.I was beginning to wonder what Bradley Walsh does in his spare time...then I realised he doesn't have any....because he is NEVER off the television......last Saturday for example....3.30 The Chase with Bradley Walsh....8.oo The London Studios with contributions from various celebs including....you guessed it...Bradley Walsh....9.00 Bradley Walsh presents a programme on puppets......not forgetting Doctor Who and Law and Order and The Palladium....oh yes and he has a feature coming where he travels abroad with his son.....not forgetting East Enders..............it's not that I dislike the bloke........but it would be nice to have a different face on the tele FOR A CHANGE......Kathryn Ryan is another....she is virtually on every quiz panel....and I've yet to find out what she actually does....I think she is a comedienne......I'll take her word for that. 2.Radio Merseyside (your favourite station) has not renewed Billy Butler's contract for the coming year.....this has caused outrage on Facebook......Billy is now 76 and has been on the station for 47 years and was told in no uncertain terms that he was out.....the public response has been overwhelming....despite the fact he was only on two afternoons each week.....apparently the powers that be are looking to attract a younger audience....obviously not realising that youngsters don't listen to the radio nowadays.....I think one of the problems is that the present hierarchy are from Manchester and don't get scouse humour....thus they scrubbed Billy's "Hold Your Plums" feature which was popular all over the world.....however....knowing Billy he will sort something out.....I think the BBC owes him a bit more than a swift goodbye....but that's the way it goes in the entertainment business. 3.I was interested in a TV interview with The Searchers......or the two original ones....John McNally and Frank Allen (the bass player that took over from Tony Jackson back in the day) are retiring.....but it was obvious McNally wanted to carry on (...as "The Searcher"?)......Frank said he had had enough of road repairs and diversion signs which added hours on to the travelling......or could it be he couldn't face one more rendition of Needles and Pinsa........I can see his point.....I packed in playing professionally a bout five years ago because I was sick of it after 50 odd years....some carry on for the ego trip....hence the shades and cowboy hats etc. which is fine but not for me....I keep my hand in by jamming once a week for our fundraising organisation (The Cheshire Cats) which I enjoy but have no desire to go back on the road......it's a young world out there....let 'em get on with it. 4.HMV are going under apparently.......when will the high street realise that you have to move with the times.....I've said it for years...the music biz has had it....the glory days and the champagne breakfasts are over.....it's all about the internet these days and PRICE.....the general public are not interested in loyalty they want things as cheap as they can get them.........and with modern technology you can make a record in your bedroom and put it on YouTube where it goes world wide....so who needs Abbey Road or the radio play?....and it's difficult getting publicity on television.....unless they can fit you in around Bradley Walsh. 5.The song this week is a little tribute to Billy Butler.....I was asked to write this for him and Wally Scott back in the day.....it was designed as a theme tune for his popular programme "Hold Your Plums" which was a quiz game featuring a one arm bandit...hence the rather double entendre title......I don't think the beeb used it....obviously not P.C......can't imagine why.....when I hear it now I suppose some folk might be "easily offended"....as if I could care less....it's a shame George Formby isn't still around....he would have taken it to the top of the charts.

.I was beginning to wonder what Bradley Walsh does in his spare time...then I realised he doesn't have any....because he is NEVER off the television......last Saturday for example....3.30 The Chase with Bradley Walsh....8.oo The London Studios with contributions from various celebs including....you guessed it...Bradley Walsh....9.00 Bradley Walsh presents a programme on puppets......not forgetting Doctor Who and Law and Order and The Palladium....oh yes and he has a feature coming where he travels abroad with his son.....not forgetting East Enders..............it's not that I dislike the bloke........but it would be nice to have a different face on the tele FOR A CHANGE......Kathryn Ryan is another....she is virtually on every quiz panel....and I've yet to find out what she actually does....I think she is a comedienne......I'll take her word for that. 2.Radio Merseyside (your favourite station) has not renewed Billy Butler's contract for the coming year.....this has caused outrage on Facebook......Billy is now 76 and has been on the station for 47 years and was told in no uncertain terms that he was out.....the public response has been overwhelming....despite the fact he was only on two afternoons each week.....apparently the powers that be are looking to attract a younger audience....obviously not realising that youngsters don't listen to the radio nowadays.....I think one of the problems is that the present hierarchy are from Manchester and don't get scouse humour....thus they scrubbed Billy's "Hold Your Plums" feature which was popular all over the world.....however....knowing Billy he will sort something out.....I think the BBC owes him a bit more than a swift goodbye....but that's the way it goes in the entertainment business. 3.I was interested in a TV interview with The Searchers......or the two original ones....John McNally and Frank Allen (the bass player that took over from Tony Jackson back in the day) are retiring.....but it was obvious McNally wanted to carry on (...as "The Searcher"?)......Frank said he had had enough of road repairs and diversion signs which added hours on to the travelling......or could it be he couldn't face one more rendition of Needles and Pinsa........I can see his point.....I packed in playing professionally a bout five years ago because I was sick of it after 50 odd years....some carry on for the ego trip....hence the shades and cowboy hats etc. which is fine but not for me....I keep my hand in by jamming once a week for our fundraising organisation (The Cheshire Cats) which I enjoy but have no desire to go back on the road......it's a young world out there....let 'em get on with it. 4.HMV are going under apparently.......when will the high street realise that you have to move with the times.....I've said it for years...the music biz has had it....the glory days and the champagne breakfasts are over.....it's all about the internet these days and PRICE.....the general public are not interested in loyalty they want things as cheap as they can get them.........and with modern technology you can make a record in your bedroom and put it on YouTube where it goes world wide....so who needs Abbey Road or the radio play?....and it's difficult getting publicity on television.....unless they can fit you in around Bradley Walsh. 5.The song this week is a little tribute to Billy Butler.....I was asked to write this for him and Wally Scott back in the day.....it was designed as a theme tune for his popular programme "Hold Your Plums" which was a quiz game featuring a one arm bandit...hence the rather double entendre title......I don't think the beeb used it....obviously not P.C......can't imagine why.....when I hear it now I suppose some folk might be "easily offended"....as if I could care less....it's a shame George Formby isn't still around....he would have taken it to the top of the charts.

This edition includes: UN Humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian regions, Jamie McGoldrick, describes the humanitarian consequences of recent and prolonged conflict between Palestinian forces in Gaza and the Israeli government; Radio Merseyside’s Spencer Leigh delves into the delights of The Beatle's White Album as it reaches its 50th anniversary; following the death of the Scottish Review editor, Kenneth Roy, we return to the Long Interview he recorded with Isabel Fraser in 2016, and in the Reporter's Notebook, Dave Lee, the BBC’s man in San Francisco, gives his account of the terrible devastation caused by wild fire in Northern California.

.We are experiencing 25 degrees each day which we are not geared up to....there are the standard thunderstorms and flash flooding in various parts of the country but mostly blazing sunshine....personally 15 to 20 degrees suits me....but it has worked well for various big events like the tall Ships which have been in Liverpool over the weekend and the Wirral Bikeathon with cyclists hurtling round Birkenhead Park and massive family events with brass bands and those wonderful young ladies marching around and spinning their sticks and throwing them in the air....so for once the weather has been kind. 2.I had to laugh (mainly in despair) when I heard that Stanstead Airport had been brought to a standstill because the unit which refills the planes with fuel had been struck by lightning and was out of action...thus all flights had to be cancelled...then we have the outcry...angry passengers who had been left stranded...and were going to miss their holiday...I'm not quite sure what the airport was supposed to do....perhaps have a word with the lightning and tell it not to do it again....or let them all get on the plane and see if they make it off the ground?...IT'S FOR YOUR SAFETY YOU PLONKERS !!!!....the plane can't fly without fuel...get it? 3.However the nice weather also attracts the morons to the beach where they all gather together in close proximity and eventually go home leaving their trash behind them...ranging from plastic water bottles to baby's nappies....what never ceases to puzzle me is why they all gather in a cluster....we have a 5 mile beach here but the neanderthalls all roll up and set up next to each other....crammed into about 50 yards....with miles of empty beach either side....and the media have been going on about the litter ...coming out with wonderful statements suggesting on the spot fines.......it won't make any difference....you can't legislate for idiots...because they can't see what they are doing wrong....they have yet to evolve. 4.I watched an audience with Cliff Richard from 1999....I must say I enjoyed it...he sings well he moves well ....he looks good and is squeaky clean...so I don't know why I'm not a fan....I did like his early stuff with The Shadows...and his later stuff with those John Farrah productions....but there's something that doesn't quite click with me.....it was nice to see Sir John Mills in the audience...I had the pleasure of meeting him when I worked on Radio Merseyside....he was a delightful man...and I told him how much I enjoyed "Ice Cold In Alex" when he downs that pint of bitter at the end....he put his hand on my arm and said "Lager...it was lager...and the take you saw was about the 15th and I was p****d"....great bloke. 5.The song this week is was the first one I wrote for wrestler Adrian Street back in 1980 and led to a very interesting musical journey....he used this to enter the wrestling ring and we ended up making two albums with me going to the States and appearing on TV....this song and some of the others got MTV coverage and were featured in a film called Grunt-The Wrestling Movie...and all from a chance meeting in a recording studio in Chester.

.We are experiencing 25 degrees each day which we are not geared up to....there are the standard thunderstorms and flash flooding in various parts of the country but mostly blazing sunshine....personally 15 to 20 degrees suits me....but it has worked well for various big events like the tall Ships which have been in Liverpool over the weekend and the Wirral Bikeathon with cyclists hurtling round Birkenhead Park and massive family events with brass bands and those wonderful young ladies marching around and spinning their sticks and throwing them in the air....so for once the weather has been kind. 2.I had to laugh (mainly in despair) when I heard that Stanstead Airport had been brought to a standstill because the unit which refills the planes with fuel had been struck by lightning and was out of action...thus all flights had to be cancelled...then we have the outcry...angry passengers who had been left stranded...and were going to miss their holiday...I'm not quite sure what the airport was supposed to do....perhaps have a word with the lightning and tell it not to do it again....or let them all get on the plane and see if they make it off the ground?...IT'S FOR YOUR SAFETY YOU PLONKERS !!!!....the plane can't fly without fuel...get it? 3.However the nice weather also attracts the morons to the beach where they all gather together in close proximity and eventually go home leaving their trash behind them...ranging from plastic water bottles to baby's nappies....what never ceases to puzzle me is why they all gather in a cluster....we have a 5 mile beach here but the neanderthalls all roll up and set up next to each other....crammed into about 50 yards....with miles of empty beach either side....and the media have been going on about the litter ...coming out with wonderful statements suggesting on the spot fines.......it won't make any difference....you can't legislate for idiots...because they can't see what they are doing wrong....they have yet to evolve. 4.I watched an audience with Cliff Richard from 1999....I must say I enjoyed it...he sings well he moves well ....he looks good and is squeaky clean...so I don't know why I'm not a fan....I did like his early stuff with The Shadows...and his later stuff with those John Farrah productions....but there's something that doesn't quite click with me.....it was nice to see Sir John Mills in the audience...I had the pleasure of meeting him when I worked on Radio Merseyside....he was a delightful man...and I told him how much I enjoyed "Ice Cold In Alex" when he downs that pint of bitter at the end....he put his hand on my arm and said "Lager...it was lager...and the take you saw was about the 15th and I was p****d"....great bloke. 5.The song this week is was the first one I wrote for wrestler Adrian Street back in 1980 and led to a very interesting musical journey....he used this to enter the wrestling ring and we ended up making two albums with me going to the States and appearing on TV....this song and some of the others got MTV coverage and were featured in a film called Grunt-The Wrestling Movie...and all from a chance meeting in a recording studio in Chester.

The song this week is entitled "Seasons" and came about atfer a conversation I had with a chap a while ago....he had emigrated to Australia and decided he had made a mistake....he was originally from Wirral and I mentioned hot weather and "barbies" to which he replied he was fed up with the heat etc...I casually mentioned the fact that I enjoy the seasons and he said that was it...that is what he misses most....this was the inspiration behind the song which ended up on one of my DVDs of the area. Theresa May had a cough during her speech at the Tory Conference...which has become BIG NEWS....it was a COUGH that's all...we all get them...the BBC news coverage was pathetic...as always...I thought she did really well...but the stupid BBC have to make a major issue of it with unfunny comedy clips.GROW UP!!!!....I am an admthe pressure while others keep in the background and share the glory but not the disasters....and I'm getting a bit sick of politicians thinking they are showbiz personalities with their modern hairstyles etc....they should concentrate on doing their job !!! And still with the useless BBC....a car crashed in London and injured 12 people....it wasn't a terror attack...but just in case the BBC send a helicopter up with full news crew taking aerial pictures of the situation ending up with a disappointed statement that it wasn't a terror attack....cost of the whole thing ONE MILLION !!!....what a total waste of money...MY MONEY !!...what a pity they couldn't sensationalise the situation like they do with everything else...the BBC are rubbish..I watched a programme about chat shows going wrong which featured amongst others Jerry Lewis being interviewed and he was so rude to the interviewer....he simply answered Yes or No to the questions with a bored look on his face....I could never stand him anyway....and Denzel Washington was the same....these "stars" need a reality check and should remember who put them there in the first place....the programme also featured Wogan trying to interview that drunken idiot George Best....dreadful...I remember Jimmy Nail turning up at Radio City in Liverpool and a young lad who worked there asked him for his autograph to which he got "I haven't got time for that sort of thing" and brushed past him...haven't heard much of Mr.Nail lately....I wonder why. And finally...I am delighted to announce that my composition Googi The Liverpool Duck has entered the charts at NUMBER 6 !!....however NOT the charts we know....it's the Bottom Of The Pops chart which is featured on Radio Merseyside on Sunday...the programme is presented by a chap called Graham Mack and is really good....he has asked the local population to vote for the worst novelty records ever made...they are all in there...Benny Hill...Bernard Bresslaw...the number one was The Barron Knights....but hey there is still time...I was very disappointed when Googi never made the classical music charts but this has made up for it.

The song this week is entitled "Seasons" and came about atfer a conversation I had with a chap a while ago....he had emigrated to Australia and decided he had made a mistake....he was originally from Wirral and I mentioned hot weather and "barbies" to which he replied he was fed up with the heat etc...I casually mentioned the fact that I enjoy the seasons and he said that was it...that is what he misses most....this was the inspiration behind the song which ended up on one of my DVDs of the area. Theresa May had a cough during her speech at the Tory Conference...which has become BIG NEWS....it was a COUGH that's all...we all get them...the BBC news coverage was pathetic...as always...I thought she did really well...but the stupid BBC have to make a major issue of it with unfunny comedy clips.GROW UP!!!!....I am an admthe pressure while others keep in the background and share the glory but not the disasters....and I'm getting a bit sick of politicians thinking they are showbiz personalities with their modern hairstyles etc....they should concentrate on doing their job !!! And still with the useless BBC....a car crashed in London and injured 12 people....it wasn't a terror attack...but just in case the BBC send a helicopter up with full news crew taking aerial pictures of the situation ending up with a disappointed statement that it wasn't a terror attack....cost of the whole thing ONE MILLION !!!....what a total waste of money...MY MONEY !!...what a pity they couldn't sensationalise the situation like they do with everything else...the BBC are rubbish..I watched a programme about chat shows going wrong which featured amongst others Jerry Lewis being interviewed and he was so rude to the interviewer....he simply answered Yes or No to the questions with a bored look on his face....I could never stand him anyway....and Denzel Washington was the same....these "stars" need a reality check and should remember who put them there in the first place....the programme also featured Wogan trying to interview that drunken idiot George Best....dreadful...I remember Jimmy Nail turning up at Radio City in Liverpool and a young lad who worked there asked him for his autograph to which he got "I haven't got time for that sort of thing" and brushed past him...haven't heard much of Mr.Nail lately....I wonder why. And finally...I am delighted to announce that my composition Googi The Liverpool Duck has entered the charts at NUMBER 6 !!....however NOT the charts we know....it's the Bottom Of The Pops chart which is featured on Radio Merseyside on Sunday...the programme is presented by a chap called Graham Mack and is really good....he has asked the local population to vote for the worst novelty records ever made...they are all in there...Benny Hill...Bernard Bresslaw...the number one was The Barron Knights....but hey there is still time...I was very disappointed when Googi never made the classical music charts but this has made up for it.

The song I've sent you this week is called "Long Live The Isle of Man"and came about from a song I was asked to write about #Blackpool.....I sent it to Norman Wisdom who lived over there ....I met him a few years later when we interviewed him for Radio Merseyside....the song got plays on #Manx radio. A short film has been made called Run...Hide...Tell... which instructs holiday makers what to do if faced with a terrorist attack....this is what TV has been reduced to...talk about scare mongering.... I watched #Rafa Nadal's 5 hour epic at Wimbledon....which he sadly lost.....I watched a fascinating programme presented by Sue Barker where she looked up some of the past Wimbledon champions and covered the time Billy Jean King pushed for "equality"... On the subject on money....the interest rate on our savings is now a massive 0.03%...which is 3/100 of 1% if my maths serves me right. I also watched the programme on the making of #SergeantPepper.....which I am not a particular fan of....#Beatles were the subject of mass hysteria which snowballed to such an extent that anything they did "must be good"....

The song I've sent you this week is called "Long Live The Isle of Man"and came about from a song I was asked to write about #Blackpool.....I sent it to Norman Wisdom who lived over there ....I met him a few years later when we interviewed him for Radio Merseyside....the song got plays on #Manx radio. A short film has been made called Run...Hide...Tell... which instructs holiday makers what to do if faced with a terrorist attack....this is what TV has been reduced to...talk about scare mongering.... I watched #Rafa Nadal's 5 hour epic at Wimbledon....which he sadly lost.....I watched a fascinating programme presented by Sue Barker where she looked up some of the past Wimbledon champions and covered the time Billy Jean King pushed for "equality"... On the subject on money....the interest rate on our savings is now a massive 0.03%...which is 3/100 of 1% if my maths serves me right. I also watched the programme on the making of #SergeantPepper.....which I am not a particular fan of....#Beatles were the subject of mass hysteria which snowballed to such an extent that anything they did "must be good"....

The song I have sent you this week is one that got away….it was an idea I came up with a long time ago while wandering through Liverpool…I was so impressed by some of the buskers…especially those in the subways where they get natural amplification and reverb…. And ”Subway Songman” was born…these guys play to an ever changing audience of thousands and most of them are better than most so called “stars”….the words say it all…I never did much with it so it stayed in my drawer until now….I might re-incarnate it. The Jimmy Savile scandal rolls on and is filling the news…..the BBC are taking a lot of stick over this…quite rightly so…and Tony Blackburn has been sacked over some past indescretion…I understand it to be not giving correct evidence in times past….in other words obstruction…I think a few more heads will roll on this one…..what seems to be overlooked is the amount of money Savile raised for charity…not that this is any sort of excuse but this was probably the reason for the cover up. I always regarded him as a complete talentless buffoon but obviously if he was of financial benefit blind eyes must have been turned ….I must say it is all quite riveting …I wonder who will be next…I bet there are a few knees knocking. I’ve just got back from a few days in The Lakes…the weather was great…frosty with clear skies…perfect for walking…on the way back down the M6 motorway as usual cars were hurtling past at ridiculous speeds despite the zero temperature and warning of ice on roads….then on the radio comes a report stating that there’s been a record number of speeding prosecutions involving cars travelling at over 100 mph…what I fail to understand is why the law doesn’t come down big time on these idiots….fine them thousands of pounds and ban them for life…problem solved….but you will naturally still get the brainless moron who continues to totally disregard the law…AND the human rights brigade must not be offended of course….God forbid…Or why not re-direct some of the money spent on sending some bloke into space to do summersaults and fill the motorway with speed cameras?…they would soon make the money back. Other news items have included Richard Branson’s replacement rocket ship which he intends to take people 60 miles above the Earth…despite the first one crashing and killing the pilot….is it me or is there any point to all this?…I’m sure it will be a wonderful experience for the passengers but personally I think they should all be declared insane. And the Flying Scotsman has made its first trip since its 10 year makeover…from London to York…£450 a ticket…and it has caused such a stir that it had to stop because over enthusiastic trainspotters strayed on to the line….words fail me…and one chap set his camera up to capture it going past only to have the historic event blocked by a Virgin train going the other way….priceless…as I said the other week we did an item on it about 12 years ago when I worked on Radio Merseyside…it was on display in Llangollen and we interviewed the driver on the footplate…it was HOT…very HOT!! I watched The Brits on TV last Wednesday….it was on the cards that Adele would clean up…which she did….she deserves her superstardom although I’m not a fan….couldn’t see the point of Ant and Dec and neither could anyone else by the look of the audience….and what was Alan Carr doing there?….I thought for a minute he was going to sing….I was just about to leave town!!…his squawking voice is enough…and isn’t it about musicians?…the highlight was the Bowie tribute….absolutely fabulous band and a classic performance from the young lady called “Lord”….I thought it was sensational and totally stole the show. And there has been some very bad news….”Benidorm” is set for ANOTHER series….roll up all you has beens for your free holiday in Espana.

The song I have sent you this week is one that got away….it was an idea I came up with a long time ago while wandering through Liverpool…I was so impressed by some of the buskers…especially those in the subways where they get natural amplification and reverb…. And ”Subway Songman” was born…these guys play to an ever changing audience of thousands and most of them are better than most so called “stars”….the words say it all…I never did much with it so it stayed in my drawer until now….I might re-incarnate it. The Jimmy Savile scandal rolls on and is filling the news…..the BBC are taking a lot of stick over this…quite rightly so…and Tony Blackburn has been sacked over some past indescretion…I understand it to be not giving correct evidence in times past….in other words obstruction…I think a few more heads will roll on this one…..what seems to be overlooked is the amount of money Savile raised for charity…not that this is any sort of excuse but this was probably the reason for the cover up. I always regarded him as a complete talentless buffoon but obviously if he was of financial benefit blind eyes must have been turned ….I must say it is all quite riveting …I wonder who will be next…I bet there are a few knees knocking. I’ve just got back from a few days in The Lakes…the weather was great…frosty with clear skies…perfect for walking…on the way back down the M6 motorway as usual cars were hurtling past at ridiculous speeds despite the zero temperature and warning of ice on roads….then on the radio comes a report stating that there’s been a record number of speeding prosecutions involving cars travelling at over 100 mph…what I fail to understand is why the law doesn’t come down big time on these idiots….fine them thousands of pounds and ban them for life…problem solved….but you will naturally still get the brainless moron who continues to totally disregard the law…AND the human rights brigade must not be offended of course….God forbid…Or why not re-direct some of the money spent on sending some bloke into space to do summersaults and fill the motorway with speed cameras?…they would soon make the money back. Other news items have included Richard Branson’s replacement rocket ship which he intends to take people 60 miles above the Earth…despite the first one crashing and killing the pilot….is it me or is there any point to all this?…I’m sure it will be a wonderful experience for the passengers but personally I think they should all be declared insane. And the Flying Scotsman has made its first trip since its 10 year makeover…from London to York…£450 a ticket…and it has caused such a stir that it had to stop because over enthusiastic trainspotters strayed on to the line….words fail me…and one chap set his camera up to capture it going past only to have the historic event blocked by a Virgin train going the other way….priceless…as I said the other week we did an item on it about 12 years ago when I worked on Radio Merseyside…it was on display in Llangollen and we interviewed the driver on the footplate…it was HOT…very HOT!! I watched The Brits on TV last Wednesday….it was on the cards that Adele would clean up…which she did….she deserves her superstardom although I’m not a fan….couldn’t see the point of Ant and Dec and neither could anyone else by the look of the audience….and what was Alan Carr doing there?….I thought for a minute he was going to sing….I was just about to leave town!!…his squawking voice is enough…and isn’t it about musicians?…the highlight was the Bowie tribute….absolutely fabulous band and a classic performance from the young lady called “Lord”….I thought it was sensational and totally stole the show. And there has been some very bad news….”Benidorm” is set for ANOTHER series….roll up all you has beens for your free holiday in Espana.

The song I have sent you this week is one I wrote for my pal… wrestler Adrian Street….he used to enter the ring to it….”Imagine What I Could Do To You” Back in the day I took it down to RCA Records along with other stuff and was told it was possibly the worst record in the history of music (probably is)…however it ended up on MTV in America and in a movie called “Grunt”. At the time I put the quote from RCA on the sleeve along with a health warning…..I included this on an album I produced for Adrian…which has recently surfaced again and two record companies want to release it on blue vinyl…so take that RCA !! 2.Every week we have a jam session at a local venue where we raise money for sick kids charities…www.thecheshirecats.co.uk …this week we had a special guest in the shape of legendary songwriter Barry Mason. He sang a selection of his hits and told the story behind them … including Delilah…The Last Waltz…Bicyclettes de Belsize….and others by Tom Jones..Englebert…Des O’Connor and the Drifters etc….I put a band together to back him and we put a LOT of work in…and with only one rehearsal with Barry we stormed the place which was packed to the rafters. It was a great night and nice of the man to help our fundraising…and he looks incredible for his age. 3.There is a programme on TV called “The Jump” where celebs are trained to race down toboggan runs and carry out ski jumps…I’ve always thought this was an accident waiting to happen and it has….Olympian Beth Tweddle ended up with a broken neck and is still in hospital and there were several other injuries…I remember last year Mike Tyndall came a cropper on the ski jump and was very lucky not to do some serious damage to himself…the fact that he is a rugby player built like a brick outhouse probably helped. We all like to see celebs making fools of themselves but we don’t want to see them getting injured….can’t see the show lasting. 4.There has been quite a bit of news coverage on the big walkout by the fans at a Liverpool game….the club were going to raise the price of front seats to £77 each…..but have since backed down…which means they didn’t need to do it in the first place….oh sorry…I forgot about GREED!!!!...they are having a laugh….they could let the fans in free and STILL make a fortune….mind you anyone who pays silly prices to watch a football match needs help…..these club owners couldn’t give a monkeys for the fans. 5.The Flying Scotsman has been put back into service after ten years of repairwork…it is a fabulous piece of machinery and is highly respected all over the world…and…wait for it…I have been on the footplate…it was about 11 years ago when I worked with Monty Lister on Radio Merseyside…he was mad keen on locomotives so we did a programme on this famous train when it was on display in Llangollen…we interviewed the driver and I remember it being VERY hot in there…..our outings took us all over the place and I have even flown in a second world war plane (the name of which escapes me)…and been in an igloo in Norway…to name a few….great days.

The song I have sent you this week is one I wrote for my pal… wrestler Adrian Street….he used to enter the ring to it….”Imagine What I Could Do To You” Back in the day I took it down to RCA Records along with other stuff and was told it was possibly the worst record in the history of music (probably is)…however it ended up on MTV in America and in a movie called “Grunt”. At the time I put the quote from RCA on the sleeve along with a health warning…..I included this on an album I produced for Adrian…which has recently surfaced again and two record companies want to release it on blue vinyl…so take that RCA !! 2.Every week we have a jam session at a local venue where we raise money for sick kids charities…www.thecheshirecats.co.uk …this week we had a special guest in the shape of legendary songwriter Barry Mason. He sang a selection of his hits and told the story behind them … including Delilah…The Last Waltz…Bicyclettes de Belsize….and others by Tom Jones..Englebert…Des O’Connor and the Drifters etc….I put a band together to back him and we put a LOT of work in…and with only one rehearsal with Barry we stormed the place which was packed to the rafters. It was a great night and nice of the man to help our fundraising…and he looks incredible for his age. 3.There is a programme on TV called “The Jump” where celebs are trained to race down toboggan runs and carry out ski jumps…I’ve always thought this was an accident waiting to happen and it has….Olympian Beth Tweddle ended up with a broken neck and is still in hospital and there were several other injuries…I remember last year Mike Tyndall came a cropper on the ski jump and was very lucky not to do some serious damage to himself…the fact that he is a rugby player built like a brick outhouse probably helped. We all like to see celebs making fools of themselves but we don’t want to see them getting injured….can’t see the show lasting. 4.There has been quite a bit of news coverage on the big walkout by the fans at a Liverpool game….the club were going to raise the price of front seats to £77 each…..but have since backed down…which means they didn’t need to do it in the first place….oh sorry…I forgot about GREED!!!!...they are having a laugh….they could let the fans in free and STILL make a fortune….mind you anyone who pays silly prices to watch a football match needs help…..these club owners couldn’t give a monkeys for the fans. 5.The Flying Scotsman has been put back into service after ten years of repairwork…it is a fabulous piece of machinery and is highly respected all over the world…and…wait for it…I have been on the footplate…it was about 11 years ago when I worked with Monty Lister on Radio Merseyside…he was mad keen on locomotives so we did a programme on this famous train when it was on display in Llangollen…we interviewed the driver and I remember it being VERY hot in there…..our outings took us all over the place and I have even flown in a second world war plane (the name of which escapes me)…and been in an igloo in Norway…to name a few….great days.

The song I have sent you this week “There’s No Santa Claus”…is from the musical I wrote for Radio City in the 80’s. I revolves around a little kid who doesn’t believe in Father Christmas….he wakes up on Christmas Day and hasn’t got any presents…thus proving his point…he then sings this song which asks some good questions…he eventually finds out how wrong he is…but you’ll have to wait til next week for the next instalment. This was the demo the kid worked from….the backing is in his key….that’s my excuse. I watched One Direction on Jonathan Ross….I know I am from a different generation but I’m blowed if I can see what they have….they have sold millions of records so I am obviously wrong…they are so BORING ….For me “bands” have to PLAY….for example McFly or The Sterophonics etc….that’s talent…just don’t get these boy/girl bands who are totally dependant on musicians.........and I don’t know whose idea it was to have Piers Morgan on ITV Breakfast television….it’s like a punishment….he is unbearable….I’ve never heard such a false laugh….sorry…guffaw. The problem I have with modern music is the production is “compressed”…and the use of vocoders makes it all sound the same….come back good old reel to reel all is forgiven…..the days when you had to play all the way through and sing in tune without assistance. There was a recent discussion on TV regarding the cost of court proceedings…and how those who WIN their case are hit with huge solicitors bills. They had the MP who was recently accused of sexual assault….got cleared in court and ended up with a £130.000 bill from his barristers........This is the problem with this country….it’s the greed which goes un-noticed…especially in the legal profession….how can this sort of fee be justified…the bloke was INNOCENT!!! Now he’s virtually bankrupt........... It’s like these hotels who charge 14000 pounds a NIGHT to rich idiots who don’t know what to do with their money….pure scavengers…it’s a disgrace….and the rest of us are asked to send £3 to help an underprivileged kiddie. This week I went to see my old pal Monty Lister who is now in a care home….on the way I collected another good friend of mine called Cliff Crozier….who was a headmaster in various schools in my area. He was telling me about his intended trip to Canada and about his recent non-stop activities…including a presentation to him of a telegram from the Queen….yes Cliff is 100 years old !!...an absolute one-off…he was telling me about the protocol which has to be observed during the presentation….where “no speeches” should take place etc…however the mayor of Wirral decided he would make the presentation and jumped up and gave a speech…..no comment…..I took a photo of Cliff and put it on my website…check it out …. www.donwoods.co.uk.....He says age is just a number which you simply ignore. Monty Lister worked on Radio Merseyside,as you know,and was the first person to interview The Beatles….he became a friend of mine when I used to produce jingles for the station back in the day…he asked me if I would help him out with his Sunday morning programme….as I was out gigging on the two or three nights before I didn’t really fancy it…but he said it would only be for a few weeks….5 years later I was still there!! But in that time I accompanied him and did the sound on his many travelogues he did for his programme…they included day trips to the likes of Rome,Marakech,Norway,Venice etc etc….and as Cliff was always there as well we have plenty to talk about on our visits to him.

The song I have sent you this week “There’s No Santa Claus”…is from the musical I wrote for Radio City in the 80’s. I revolves around a little kid who doesn’t believe in Father Christmas….he wakes up on Christmas Day and hasn’t got any presents…thus proving his point…he then sings this song which asks some good questions…he eventually finds out how wrong he is…but you’ll have to wait til next week for the next instalment. This was the demo the kid worked from….the backing is in his key….that’s my excuse. I watched One Direction on Jonathan Ross….I know I am from a different generation but I’m blowed if I can see what they have….they have sold millions of records so I am obviously wrong…they are so BORING ….For me “bands” have to PLAY….for example McFly or The Sterophonics etc….that’s talent…just don’t get these boy/girl bands who are totally dependant on musicians.........and I don’t know whose idea it was to have Piers Morgan on ITV Breakfast television….it’s like a punishment….he is unbearable….I’ve never heard such a false laugh….sorry…guffaw. The problem I have with modern music is the production is “compressed”…and the use of vocoders makes it all sound the same….come back good old reel to reel all is forgiven…..the days when you had to play all the way through and sing in tune without assistance. There was a recent discussion on TV regarding the cost of court proceedings…and how those who WIN their case are hit with huge solicitors bills. They had the MP who was recently accused of sexual assault….got cleared in court and ended up with a £130.000 bill from his barristers........This is the problem with this country….it’s the greed which goes un-noticed…especially in the legal profession….how can this sort of fee be justified…the bloke was INNOCENT!!! Now he’s virtually bankrupt........... It’s like these hotels who charge 14000 pounds a NIGHT to rich idiots who don’t know what to do with their money….pure scavengers…it’s a disgrace….and the rest of us are asked to send £3 to help an underprivileged kiddie. This week I went to see my old pal Monty Lister who is now in a care home….on the way I collected another good friend of mine called Cliff Crozier….who was a headmaster in various schools in my area. He was telling me about his intended trip to Canada and about his recent non-stop activities…including a presentation to him of a telegram from the Queen….yes Cliff is 100 years old !!...an absolute one-off…he was telling me about the protocol which has to be observed during the presentation….where “no speeches” should take place etc…however the mayor of Wirral decided he would make the presentation and jumped up and gave a speech…..no comment…..I took a photo of Cliff and put it on my website…check it out …. www.donwoods.co.uk.....He says age is just a number which you simply ignore. Monty Lister worked on Radio Merseyside,as you know,and was the first person to interview The Beatles….he became a friend of mine when I used to produce jingles for the station back in the day…he asked me if I would help him out with his Sunday morning programme….as I was out gigging on the two or three nights before I didn’t really fancy it…but he said it would only be for a few weeks….5 years later I was still there!! But in that time I accompanied him and did the sound on his many travelogues he did for his programme…they included day trips to the likes of Rome,Marakech,Norway,Venice etc etc….and as Cliff was always there as well we have plenty to talk about on our visits to him.

The song I have sent you this week is called “More Than A River” and was featured in Radio Merseyside’s tribute to The Mersey….Billy Butler did a live programme from the promenade in new Brighton and gave me a ring and asked me if I would come along and play one of my songs of the river live….couldn’t do it at the allotted time as we were presenting a cheque for £3000 to a local children’s hospice called Claire House…this was on behalf of The Cheshire Cats which is our local organistion which raises money for sick kids…. Some interesting news this week….the police have been criticized for spending time on stupid complaints…for example a woman complained that someone in her sons school rubbed nettles on his arm and he got a rash… Talking of the shortage of money….we can’t afford to pay nurses a decent salary…we can’t afford to make houses affordable…etc…YET the THREE BILLION to renovate the Houses of Parliament will be found… If The Houses of Parliament are such an iconic tourist attraction why not just let it stand and build a church hall for the politicians to fall asleep in?... And speaking of money well spent I wonder how the satellite with the dud batteries is getting on on that comet?. There has been a increase in fatal traffic accidents recently….the news reported this week that a car ploughed into a bus queue killing several people including two kids….the car was allegedly doing 70 mph and driven by a 24 year old….who I think had no insurance and has got a three year sentence…. .... lastly there was some bloke who put his wedding photos on twitter or facebook showing him in tears because he was so in love…then came the lowlifes out of the woodwork with horrible nasty comments…

The song I have sent you this week is called “More Than A River” and was featured in Radio Merseyside’s tribute to The Mersey….Billy Butler did a live programme from the promenade in new Brighton and gave me a ring and asked me if I would come along and play one of my songs of the river live….couldn’t do it at the allotted time as we were presenting a cheque for £3000 to a local children’s hospice called Claire House…this was on behalf of The Cheshire Cats which is our local organistion which raises money for sick kids…. Some interesting news this week….the police have been criticized for spending time on stupid complaints…for example a woman complained that someone in her sons school rubbed nettles on his arm and he got a rash… Talking of the shortage of money….we can’t afford to pay nurses a decent salary…we can’t afford to make houses affordable…etc…YET the THREE BILLION to renovate the Houses of Parliament will be found… If The Houses of Parliament are such an iconic tourist attraction why not just let it stand and build a church hall for the politicians to fall asleep in?... And speaking of money well spent I wonder how the satellite with the dud batteries is getting on on that comet?. There has been a increase in fatal traffic accidents recently….the news reported this week that a car ploughed into a bus queue killing several people including two kids….the car was allegedly doing 70 mph and driven by a 24 year old….who I think had no insurance and has got a three year sentence…. .... lastly there was some bloke who put his wedding photos on twitter or facebook showing him in tears because he was so in love…then came the lowlifes out of the woodwork with horrible nasty comments…

The first of five essays on the voice and radio - all delivered by seasoned broadcasters and practitioners. Actor Samuel West explores the art of performance and declarative language. How should an actor speak? What is the best way to read poetry on the radio? How does radio drama get by without images? Are the pictures really better?Recorded in front of an audience at the British Academy in London in October 2014 as part of a series of events marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dylan Thomas, himself one of the best known radio voices of all time.Subsequent essays from the British Academy come from veteran Irish broadcaster Olivia O'Leary, Professor of Media David Hendy, Radio Merseyside's phone-in host Roger Phillips and Radio 4's Fi Glover - all sharing their varied perspectives on the art of radio.Producer: Tim Dee.

I had a fall and dislocated my shoulder last week and off I went to A & E……I also needed stitches in my ear….the doctor involved was telling me he treated Jimmy Krankie when he fell off the beanstalk during the Glasgow panto five years ago….when I told him that Jimmy was singing one of songs at the time we were both a bit flaggergasted…..small world or what. Reminded me of the time I was invited to form a skiffle group and and appear at a big concert in Finland…I was working on Radio Merseyside at the time with Monty Lister…the show took place in Hankasalmi which is 500 miles north of Helsinki…after which a guy invited us to his restaurant and on the way put on a CD of Rock and Roll…and what comes on…Monty Lister interviewing Bill Haley in 1958……at the precise time I would have been on the radio with him that morning….some co-incidence? The Northern Lights have been on full view in Scotland….can’t see them from here….I once went (with Monty Lister) to Tromso in Norway…the most northern town in the world…to do a radio programme on the famous Lights….despite the fact you couldn’t be any closer we couldn’t see them through the clouds…so I have YET to see them….I did however meet Patrick Moore and have a chat over a beer…great character…sad loss. Watched a programme on B.B.King….fascinating…I’ve never been a blues fan but I really enjoyed the documentary……he is living proof that if you want to be a success you really have to WANT to do it. His classic line was “I don’t do chords”…as B.B. sings then throws in riffs…never plays and sings at the same time…he’s now 88 and much respected by all the top guys. On the news front it has all been a bit depressing…blanket coverage on the two terrorists who killed the soldier have got life sentences…outside there were mass protests wanting hanging to be brought back…all carrying home made wooden gallows….and the Irish bomber whose trial was abandoned because he had received a letter (mistakenly) saying there would be no further action…there has been a backlash on that…but people have to realise WE don’t count…what we think or feel makes n difference to those in power who merely pay us lip service…that’s how it’s always been and that’s how it will always stay. Don’t even get me going on “human rights”. and finally…..there is a move afoot to give lonely old folk,who have nobody, food bags for £2……along with a distinct probability that the minimum wage is going up by 70p or something…then in the same breath we hear that the top bankers are getting 140% rise….while the staff get 3%...they don’t call it “bonus” any more…it’s a payrise…which makes it O.K. Then we have the highly intelligent Wayne Rooney getting £300 thousand a week……which is the wages of 600 soldiers….now there’s food for thought. There’s THEM and there’s US……end of.

I had a fall and dislocated my shoulder last week and off I went to A & E……I also needed stitches in my ear….the doctor involved was telling me he treated Jimmy Krankie when he fell off the beanstalk during the Glasgow panto five years ago….when I told him that Jimmy was singing one of songs at the time we were both a bit flaggergasted…..small world or what. Reminded me of the time I was invited to form a skiffle group and and appear at a big concert in Finland…I was working on Radio Merseyside at the time with Monty Lister…the show took place in Hankasalmi which is 500 miles north of Helsinki…after which a guy invited us to his restaurant and on the way put on a CD of Rock and Roll…and what comes on…Monty Lister interviewing Bill Haley in 1958……at the precise time I would have been on the radio with him that morning….some co-incidence? The Northern Lights have been on full view in Scotland….can’t see them from here….I once went (with Monty Lister) to Tromso in Norway…the most northern town in the world…to do a radio programme on the famous Lights….despite the fact you couldn’t be any closer we couldn’t see them through the clouds…so I have YET to see them….I did however meet Patrick Moore and have a chat over a beer…great character…sad loss. Watched a programme on B.B.King….fascinating…I’ve never been a blues fan but I really enjoyed the documentary……he is living proof that if you want to be a success you really have to WANT to do it. His classic line was “I don’t do chords”…as B.B. sings then throws in riffs…never plays and sings at the same time…he’s now 88 and much respected by all the top guys. On the news front it has all been a bit depressing…blanket coverage on the two terrorists who killed the soldier have got life sentences…outside there were mass protests wanting hanging to be brought back…all carrying home made wooden gallows….and the Irish bomber whose trial was abandoned because he had received a letter (mistakenly) saying there would be no further action…there has been a backlash on that…but people have to realise WE don’t count…what we think or feel makes n difference to those in power who merely pay us lip service…that’s how it’s always been and that’s how it will always stay. Don’t even get me going on “human rights”. and finally…..there is a move afoot to give lonely old folk,who have nobody, food bags for £2……along with a distinct probability that the minimum wage is going up by 70p or something…then in the same breath we hear that the top bankers are getting 140% rise….while the staff get 3%...they don’t call it “bonus” any more…it’s a payrise…which makes it O.K. Then we have the highly intelligent Wayne Rooney getting £300 thousand a week……which is the wages of 600 soldiers….now there’s food for thought. There’s THEM and there’s US……end of.

The dreadful shooting in Newtown USA takes precedence then...We lost Patrick Moore this week..Don had the pleasure of meeting him a while back when he was involved in programme for Radio Merseyside which took him to Tromso in Norway to see the Northern Lights-Tromso being the most northern town in the world..needless to say it was too cloudy so he didn't see them but Patrick was giving a short lecture while he was there and he had a chance to chat to him afterwards..and he was a delight and educated me on several points .Rod Stewart had a Christmas show on the tele..it was definitely the Rod show....no-one else got a look in .....he had a fabulous band for him to croak in front of..dreadful whoever told him he could croon needs arresting ..he had two guests ;Michael Buble and Kylie..who were each invited to sing a duet with old Rod and that was it ---also prattled on about how Scottish he was then proceeded to sing Auld Lang Syne at the end of his boring show and GOT IT WRONG!!...On the other hand McFly also had a show of their own and they were fabulous...great personalities and great LIVE music...those guys can play....and they had two guests...Bruno Mars and his band who were great and Al Murray (the pub landlord) who did his comedy act and was then invited to play drums with the McFly boys....and what a drummer..brilliant (apparently he started out as a drummer) ;THAT'S what entertainment is all about..;take note all you legends...I read that when Mike Tyson parted from his then wife Robin Givens he continued to call round and see her...he popped round one day unannounced and found Brad Pitt (before he was famous) in bed with her I'd have paid good money to see the look on Brad's face...DOH!!.....

The last hour of so of the transit of Venus on 6th June 2012 will be visible during sunrise from northwest of England. The following links should answer most if not all your queries. Listen to a short interview above on Radio Merseyside with Roger Phillips today. For details of the Yuri Gagarin talk download […] The post Transit of Venus and the Great British Story appeared first on AstrotalkUK.