WELCOMING BBC ESSEX RADIO'S PRESENTER RAY CLARK AT OUR u3a AND THE STORY OF RADIO CAROLINE

 

It was so lovely to meet our guest speaker Ray Clark and his wife at u3a Billericay on Friday. BBC Essex radio presenter gave us a wonderful talk about his early life and times on board the Radio Caroline ship during the 60s and 70s. A packed audience enjoyed a great afternoon and happily identified with those crazy times in music and radio.  Ray's book Radio Caroline - The True Story of the Boat that Rocked is certain to be a best seller.

Jo Jo Moyes and SK being interviewed by Ray

Ray's memory is certainly good, as he remembered the time he visited the Cater Museum where I was a trustee and he interviewed me for a programme linked to our museum. Ray also wanted to know about that year's book that I had just completed and was being published by The History Press entitled The Woman Writer. Since then,I've written more and just celebrating my 13th book. Many Essex writers are grateful to BBC Essex and the part that Ray played with the Essex Book Festivals in earlier years - many of us feeling very nervous - but he always put us at ease.

Brentwood Writers'  Circle members posing with Ray and BBC Essex presenters

JANE AUSTEN'S FIRST BOOK - ALL AUTHORS WILL KNOW HOW IT FEELS WHEN THEIR FIRST BOOK IS ABOUT TO BE PUBLISHED (INCLUDING JANE AUSTEN)!

COURTESY OF "ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY"

Profession: Novelist

Nationality: 

English

Biography: 

Novelist Jane Austen is now regarded as one of the greatest writers of social manners in the English language. During her lifetime Austen published just four novels anonymously, focusing on everyday domestic life of the English middle class, before her early death at 41.

Austen's first novel was "Sense and Sensibility" in 1811. "Pride and Prejudice" (1813), her second, remains her most popular. Its lively heroine Elizabeth Bennett was Austen's favorite character and its hero Mr Darcy has become a model for the Romantic figure. In recent times, Colin Firth's portrayal of Mr Darcy in the 1995 BBC production has been particularly acclaimed.

Two further novels were published after her death in 1817.

Austen's stories continue to resonate and modern adaptations of her works are regularly produced and range from such films as "Clueless" (1995) to the book and film "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies".

Born: December 16, 1775
Birthplace: Steventon, Hampshire, England
Star Sign: Sagittarius

Died: July 18, 1817 (aged 41)
Cause of Death: Addison's disease

SO SAD TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF BARRY CRYER - A SUPER FUNNY COMEDIAN AND HUMOROUS WRITER

So very sad to hear the new of the passing of  Barry Cryer two days ago, at the age of 86. Barry was a super comedian and writer linked so much to British comedy, radio and film, has died at the age of 86.

The news prompted tributes posted on social media. Stephen Fry wrote: “Such sad news, one of the absolute greats of British comedy, Barry Cryer, is no more. A glorious, gorgeous, hilarious and gifted writer and performer who straddled all the comic traditions. Universally beloved … farewell, Baz.”  Barry worked with other stars of British entertainment including Morecambe and Wise, Tommy Cooper,  Spike Milligan, Les Dawson and the two  Ronnies among others. 

In the early days, Barry was spotted by David Frost, who invited him to write for The Frost Report, which first aired in 1 the mid-60s. 

I much appreciated his advice when writing a feature for Essex Life Magazine some years back when we made contact regarding his charity work in Goodmayes Hospital.  A charming, funny man. Warm thoughts to his loving family. 

BURNS NIGHT AND LOCAL CELEBRATIONS TAKING PLACE THIS WEEK IN BILLERICAY!

 IT'S SCOTTISH WEEK! 

Robert Burns  

Bard

Description

Robert Burns, also known familiarly as Rabbie Burns, the National Bard, Bard of Ayrshire, the Ploughman Poet and various other names and epithets, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide.

Born: 25 January 1759, Alloway  Died: 21 July 1796, Dumfries

Tonight is, of course, Burns' Night, so Billericay's local microbrewery team have organised a week of Scottish celebrations. Unfortunately the Burns Night Supper tonight and the Whisky Tasting on Thursday are now truly sold out but the Scottish theme continues through the week. The team have a couple of kegs from Scottish breweries Loch Lomond and Tempest for customers to try and their brewer Rick has made a cranachan version of Woody's Bark. For those of you unfamiliar with this traditional Scottish dessert, it's based on oats, cream, raspberries and whisky - can't wait to try some! Sounds wonderful and I will have a try at creating this fascinating sounding dish in my kitchen.

Cranachan Scottish dessert

Cranachan is a traditional Scottish dessert. It was originally a celebration of harvest, made following the raspberry harvest in June. The dessert of cream and fresh seasonal raspberries is bolstered by Scottish oats and whisky. It has been called 'the uncontested king of Scottish dessert'.

Credit: Wendy Pike l to r:  Dave Golding, Ethan Kannor, Head Brewer at Brentwood, Roland Kannor, MD at Brentwood, me and Trevor Jeffery, Director Billericay.

On Saturday evening in the micropub Trevor and his team  are inviting you to wear Scottish fancy dress with a prize for the best costume - so get out your tartan and have a great time.  

Service options: Drive-through · No-contact delivery

A 3-min walk from Billericay Library

Address: 

54 Chapel St, Billericay CM12 9LS

Hours: 

Closes soon ⋅ 9PM ⋅ Opens 3PM Wed

Phone: 01277 500121

TALKING PICTURES TV - FABULOUS SLICES OF FILM AND TELEVISION NOSTALGIA - ACROSS SEVERAL CHANNELS - SEE BELOW

Talking Pictures TV MD Sarah Cronin-Stanley and father Noel Cronin

I've often written about my interest in films and television programmes from the past, so was delighted to discover Talking Pictures TV (found it on Freeview Channel 81) which made its appearance in May 2015. Recently, the Hertfordshire Life Magazine published my six-page article which so many people have enjoyed reading. 

Today, 23 January at 5pm, you will enjoy watching the The Footage Detectives. Mike Read and Noel Cronin show us some pre-WWII footage of Germany, a lost episode of a series teaching English starring Hattie Jacques and footage of Radio Essex. Next Sunday, 30th January at 5pm, the chaps are on their virtual travels once again, reliving the family holidays of the 1950s. Don’t miss this slice of nostalgia.

More filming is taking place as we speak and the team at Talking Pictures have been filming more episodes of The Footage Detectives this week. Lots of amazing guests have been lined up, including Frank Muir’s son, Jamie Muir with unseen Peter Sellers footage, Patsy Blower, Larry the Lamb and Gay Emma from Badger’s Bend. 
 
Also in the Talking Pictures studio this week has been the wonderful Caroline Munro. She’s been filming more introductions for all you Cellar Dwellers. The Cellar Club (Friday at 9pm) really does go from strength to strength. The team have found more unusual, films for you. This week’s triple-bill includes The Abominable Dr Phibes (1971). This comedy horror is a camp classic and stars the magnificent Vincent Price, who is clearly enjoying every minute of his performance. And there’s a very familiar face as the photos of the doctor’s late wife. (Clue: she introduces the film).
 
If you were at the Festival of Film in Stockport last year, you will have seen Frazer Hines in conversation with Melvyn Hayes. Happily, we recorded the event, and you can watch Melvyn regaling us all with his funniest stories on Tuesday at 3.25pm in Talking Pictures with Melvyn Hayes.
 
This week’s episode of Maigret (Saturday at 8pm) has as its guest star, Margaretta Scott. Margaretta was in lots of British films of the 1930s and 40s and moved easily into television. Her career was given a boost in the 1970s when she played Mrs Pumphrey, owner of Tricky Woo the dog, in All Creatures Great and Small. She went on to star in Together, which you can see every Monday and Wednesday at 9am.

You can watch Talking Pictures TV on Virgin 445, Freesat 306, Freeview or Youview 81 or on the Sky digital satellite platform, channel 328.

A RECENT LITTLE BOOK SIGNING AT W H SMITH IN BRENTWOOD

I truly can't resist a book shop, particularly when my own books are resting on the shelves waiting to be signed and purchased.  Well, the publishers also like their authors to visit the stores where they are sold.  Book shop managers and staff are always welcoming and delightful and often spend just a little time talking about the latest titles. I was delighted to meet the super James recently at W H Smith in Brentwood when I popped in. My latest book is Brentwood in 50 Buildings and I am lucky in having my book tour planned for later this year. I rather missed out due to covid raising its ugly head!   

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A SPECIAL ORIGINAL STAR WARS' FRIEND MIKE EDMONDS - CHECK OUT "UNDER THE RADAR" FAME

Here's one birthday boy today with more than the usual share of cards - Mike Edmonds, well-known actor who has appeared in many films and on the London stage. Always a good friend whom I first interviewed twenty years ago.  Today is his special birthday and we will  drink his health and send him our love and greetings from so many of his fans here in Essex and from around the world. Check him out in the 1977 film Star Wars' credits.  

Mike Edmonds  is an English actor who played Logray in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. He was also one of Jabba the Hutt's puppeteers in the same film. He controlled Jabba's tail.

Mike Edmonds | Wookieepedia

REMEMBERING MY SUPER LADY MAGAZINE

Arline Usden in 2007

I must confess to having a soft spot for The Lady magazine, well, their then editor Arline Usden liked my articles enough to publish quite a few of them in the early 1990s. It is always rewarding for a writer to see their byline, which seems to give that little extra confidence and encouragement to look around, research and begin new projects which lead to publication in their and other journals.  

The staff members of this weekly magazine were like no other. Many of them had spent years working in their quaint building at 39/40 Bedford Street, in London 's Covent Garden, and I always felt so welcome when I turned up for a cup of tea. As the magazine had so much earlier history, particularly with my rather special Society of Women Writers and Journalists (founded in 1894), I was delighted to be invited to  look through their archives stored in the basement to take pics of their first edition in 1885. 

During my investigations at the start of one of my books The Woman Writer I knew I had to include at least one chapter devoted to The Lady, as I discovered that many of the pioneers of our own Society had also had work accepted by their very first editor Nora Heald.  She was followed by Rita Shell in 1895.  It was Rita, one of our eventual SWWJ  Vice-Presidents who set up social projects for women, including championing many worthwhile causes such as encouraging women to stand for election to their local Board of Guardians and improving conditions for female hospital nursing staff. Her weekly salary was £7 and this mother of four boys continued as editor until 1925. An amazing woman. 

So much has happened in the annals of The Lady magazine which is still owned and run by the Bowles family. By 1959 it was in the hands of Tom Bowles, grandson of the founder Thomas Gibson Bowles, where it remained until 2008, when Tom handed it over to his nephew Ben Budworth. Ben believed passionately that The Lady could still be relevant for today's woman, and he started the huge changes that have now occurred at Covent Garden. In 2009 Rachel Johnson was hired as the magazine's ninth editor and they celebrated The Lady's 125th anniversary in Feb 2010. Things were about to change, and boy - did they go apace. 

The Lady journal left its famous address in 2019 and is now based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. Check website:  www.lady.co.uk

BBC RADIO'S 4'S GARDENERS' QUESTION TIME - YOU CAN LISTEN AGAIN ON SUNDAYS 2.00pm!

Super programme today on BBC Radio 4 - really good  this afternoon listening to all the experts on GQT. I've been a long time listener and have enjoyed meeting most of the team locally or at the annual Royal Horticultural Society gatherings at London's Chelsea Flower Show and at other wonderful garden venues.  The team members are discussing compost today (my favourite subject at the moment) and I can remember chatting about this important horticultural topic many years back with the compost guru Bob Flowerdew.  Here is Bob snapped with my then editor of Sa'adia, the first national magazine for Botswana - Comfort Smith. 

VISITING A VERY SPECIAL BRENTWOOD BOOKSHOP LIKE NO OTHER IN ESSEX

Despite the challenging problems we've all experienced over the last 20 months, an unexpected delightful highlight for me at Christmas was meeting Natasha Radford in her fascinating bookshop in Crown Street, Brentwood - just a minute away from the Bay Tree Centre. Last time we met was in a radio studio broadcast for Phoenix 98fm.

Natasha and husband Jim own this specialist children's bookshop which is a treasure trove of wonderful books for children and also has a tuition centre on site. Their passion for children’s books is evident and they are committed to providing a community-centred shop right in the heart of Brentwood conveniently sited in the middle of one of the town's most interesting and ancient areas - 30 Crown Street. The Chicken and Frog stocks all kinds of fascinating books, across all categories, as well as being an interesting venue for youngsters to drop in for free story times and rhythm & rhyme sessions, or book in for affordable tuition sessions. (always check first regarding opening/closing times) 

Natasha provides ideas for a different kind of children's birthday party at the venue and a phone call beforehand is a good idea to discover what they have available in their busy schedule of events for the community. 

I was particularly pleased to recognise in the colourful display tables, books written and published by some of my author friends. The Chicken and Frog Bookshop is a fabulous emporium,  stocking a huge range of beautiful books, and offering affordable tuition, parties, story-time, rhythm & rhyme sessions, Tonies, Game Workshop, author & illustrator visits, CPD and school library services.

Since my pre-covid visit, Natasha and Jim have added yet another room catering this time for older readers and adults, so I was delighted to see some of my own local historical books among similar books  included in her display. 

Why not give the bookshop a ring or drop by and discover for yourself the amazing attractions that Natasha has to offer at the Chicken and Frog Bookshop - 30 Crown Street, Brentwood CM14 4BA Chicken & Frog Bookshop   01277 230068

Contact Amaya to book in.

Brentwood Spanish School is in Brentwood, Essex.

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Brentwood Spanish school

Starting in January 2022

Venue: in the chicken and frog bookshop CM14 4BA

Native teacher