His Worship, The Mayor of Spelthorne, Councillor Andrew Hirst, joined Jonathan for the first WEBSTER'S WEEK interview.
He told listeners about his year as Mayor and his work as an arborialist and answered questions about the local council.
His choice of music was
The Beatles - "We can work it out" and The Eagles with "Hotel California"
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Friday 14th March 2008
Adam Courtney and Emma Heseltine from our local newspaper The Surrey Herald were in the studio, this time answering questions rather than asking them.
Adam told listeners about recent news stories including the opening of Terminal 5 at Heathrow (that same day) and about the stories which he has covered.
Emma confessed to her love of writing which led her into journalism and answered questions sent in by email.
Both reporters explained about the successful campaigns mounted by The Herald which obtained massive local support - most noticeably the one against the proposed closure of the A & E department at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey and the current one to save local Post Offices from being closed down.
Emma also announced that she will be running the London Marathon on 13th April on behelf of the White Lodge Centre, a local charity. This will be featured on WEBSTER'S WEEK and on the Hospital Radio Wey website.
Emma chose Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan singing, "Especially for you"
and Adam's choice was "Gold" by Spandau Ballet
Our special GOOD FRIDAY programme featured a message by the Bishop of Guildford, The Rt Reverend Christopher Hill especially for the patients, staff and listeners of Hospital Radio Wey.
The Bishop talked about his time in the Welsh Mountains and explained the significance of the Good Friday Story and sent his good wishes and blessing to Hospital Radio Wey.
Bishop Christopher will be interviewed by Jonathan in a future WEBSTER'S WEEK programme
Jonathan's guest was Nancy Miller, manager of independent estate agency Chase Buchanan.
Nancy answered questions about the volatile housing market and gave some very sound advice about buying an selling properties is this area.
Listeners were reassured that despite alarming headlines about the drop in property values it was more the case that the rise had slowed done but still represented very good value . Her outlook was optimistic.
Nancy chose Valerie sung by Amy Whitehouse and Fast Car by Tracy Chapman as her favourite songs to be played during the show
Today's guest was Natasha Phillips from Justice for Families, a co-ordinating campaign for a just system in Family Law with particular emphasis on adoption.
Natasha is the author of an on-line Manual of Divorce which seeks to guide people through this complicated and traumatic experience.
She gave comprehensive and helpful answers to listeners' questions during the programme.
Natasha's music choices were Fragma - Toca's Miracle and Belief by John Mayer and she read a short poem by Pablo Neruda
In the studio was Community Police Officer, Anita Clark, from Surrey Constabulary to tell listeners about her work across the local area which includes St Peter's Hospital.
Anita explained the duties she regularly performs and stressed the police commitment to dealing with crimes such as burglary, vandalism and anti-social behaviour and answered questions from listeners.
She gave a lot of good advice about crime prevention and reinforced how important it is that people keep the police informed of local problems.
For her music choices Anita picked American Pie by Don McLean and Rock The Boat by Hues Corporation.
Jonathan's guest today was actress CAROLE BOYD - star of THE ARCHERS in which she plays Ambridge's 'busy-body' Lynda Snell. Carole talked extensively about the long running programme in which she has starred for 21 years and answered many questions from listeners and from Jonathan himself.
She told us about over 300 audio books she has recorded and her one-woman shows as well as her more recent appearances as part of her group 'Infinite Riches' performing on cruise liners and in stately homes.
In her inimitable and hilariously entertaining way Carole slipped into character as Lynda and also as one of the many people she plays in 'Postman Pat' - with a new series now in production.
As Jonathan admitted after the show, it was the most entertaining and amusing interview he can remember and at times both Jonathan and his guest were in fits of laughter.
Carole also spoke about the new Stroke Unit as St Peter's which she opened two weeks ago and her husband, Patrick's, stroke and took the opportunity, on air, to thank the hospital staff by name.
For her music Carole chose The Overture from Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky and Paul McCartney performing 'Blackbird Singing'
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The Reverend
Richard Cook
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Something of a busy studio today as Jonathan interviewed three guests all from the Woking area. Dr Zafir Iqbal, a muslim, and community officer for Woking Council. Richard Cook, a Church of England vicar and Khalil Martin an Englishman who has embraced Islam. All three are involved in the faith communities' joint initiative within the local community.
In a fascinating interview the guests answered the many questions put by Jonathan and many which had come from listeners, not least about the suspicions and fears about Islam which people may have. They were positive and very frank and much was learned from their experiences with a hope that better understanding will greatly benefit the community.
The music of their choice was a piece by Ravi Shakar the classical Indian sitar player who once co-operated with George Harrison of the Beatles, The Byrds - Mr Tambourine Man and part of Bach's 1st Brandenburg Concerto
Jonathan confessed that he was far from being an expert on pop music when he interviewed lead singer of Red Eyed Suburbanites, songwriter, musician, author and music journalist Pippa Lang on WEBSTER'S WEEK.
Pippa told us about her 25 years writing for Mojo, Melody Maker and Metal Hammer magazines and her love of music as a player, vocalist and writer.
We heard about the pop stars she has met, reviewed and even helped on their way to success.
For the first time on British Radio HRW featured two eclectic songs by Red Eyed Suburbanites and Pippa's personal choices of music for the show were Bob Marley with Three Little Birds and Duffy singing the current top download song - Mercy.
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meets Madge and the crew |
CAPE to CAPE 2008
Since they set out on their 2,200 mile round trip from Cornwall to Cap Ferret in western France HRW has followed and reported on this epic fund raising trek in aid of MacMillan Cancer. The two interpid local ladies, Barbara Morris and Vicki Holliday, kept Hospital Radio Wey updated each day during their week long journey.
Today they were Jonathan's guests on WEBSTER'S WEEK and it was a great joy to have 'Madge', Barbara's 1953 Singer Roadster, at the studio where it attracted much local interest from staff and visitors to the hospital and also provided a great photo opportunity.
Barbara and Vicki told listeners about their exciting journey, their experiences and the very important money raised for the charity. The organisers 'fined' them for being late or missing check points but, of course, this cash all went to boost the charity funds.
This was a wonderful insight into Barbara's love of 'old cars' and she paid tribute to Vicki's outstanding contribution as the navigator.
For their music choices Brabara opted for Bunny Berigan's "I can't get started" and Vicki's choice was Izzy singing "Be still my Soul". We found a rare recording of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" sung in French to introduce the interview.
It was a privilege to welcome Mrs Rosemary Dane to the studio - two days earlier it would have been Her Worship Councillor Dane, Mayor of Elmbridge but Rosemary had just completed her year as mayor and has not stood again for election to the Council after serving for 20 years as an elected member. She talked about her exciting and busy year as Mayor which she thoroughly enjoyed and paid tribute to her husband Michael, her 'consort ' and to her fellow councillors.
We heard about her charities and her support for the Walton Firs Foundation and her involvement with The Walton Charity. Rosemary was also a founder member of Shepperton's Ladies Circle and the National Secretary of the Association.
Rosemary, like Jonathan, is a cordon bleu cook so they had to talk about that common interest.
Rosemary picked Cym Rhondda sung by a Welsh male voice choir in Welsh reminding her of her schooling in Wales and with summer in mind chose Cliff Richard singing Summer Holiday.
Community leaders are always welcome guests and this week John Hirsh the chairman of LOSRA, the Lower Sunbury Residents’ Association joined Jonathan in the studio.
John, a retired Chief Superintendent and Borough Commander of the Metropolitan Police talked about the long history of LOSRA- over 36 years – in which this effective local community group has had many outstanding successes in protecting the local environment. There was good advice for other, perhaps younger, community groups on how to run effective campaigns.
Over-development, over-burdened infrastructure,
crime and
affordable housing and LOSRA’s relationship with councillors and local
authorities were amongst the many subjects touched upon in the
interview.
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It was a particular pleasure for Jonathan to meet the Bishop of Guildford, The Rt. Reverend Christopher Hill at his delightful home which is also his place of work.
During the interview Jonathan asked the Bishop about his duties and responsibilities as Bishop of the Diocese in which we broadcast. He was able to explain the role of the church in the modern world and talked about his own experiences working in the Christian, multi-faith and secular parts of the community. He told us how he has succeeded in visiting all the churches in his large Diocese and paid tribute particularly to the hospital chaplaincy services.
On Good Friday WEBSTER'S WEEK featured a special message to HRW listeners from Bishop Christopher
During the interview we played two songs from our chosen singer of the week, Cliff Richard -. The Saviour's Day and the The Milennium Prayer and the interview ended with a special blessing from the Bishop for those in our hospitals
mmunity leaders
Visit of THE HIGH SHERIFF OF SURREY to HOSPITAL RADIO WEY
Mrs Sally Varah was greeted by Programme Controller, Mike Atkinson and committee member Roger Manley, to whom we are indebted for the photographs, when she arrived at the Radio Station. The local press were also there to record this important visit by the Queen’s legal representative in the County.
The High Sheriff talked about her ancient office,
the oldest
secular post in
Mrs Varah talked about the many initiatives in which she is involved especially in the rehabilitation of young people through sport.
Her late husband, Michael, was the son of The Reverend Chad Varah founder of the Samaritans and they met when in their teens. Michael had been an international athlete and Jonathan disclosed that he and Michael had been school friends all those years ago.
A full report with more pictures will be available soon on our web site.
For her music The High Sheriff chose Vivaldi’s Gloria in Excelsis and ‘Send in The Clowns’ – Michael's favourite song
Having clocked up 21 years as Conservative MP for Spelthorne it was a singular pleasure to have the very experienced parliamentarian DAVID WILSHIRE MP as our guest in the studio. Mr Wilshire talked about the changes he has seen at Westminster over the years and the various jobs he has held; as an Opposition Whip; his involvement in the delagtion to the Council of Europe and as a Parliamentary Private Secretary.
He very much embraced and supported transparency over MPs expenses but condemned the media for their unjustified attacks on MPs
He expressed his concern about over development in his constituency and explained how he tackles the many questions and problems brought to him by constituents. On the subject of Heathrow Airport he explained how his constituents were almost equally divided over expansion plans.
Not willing to be drawn into party politics he nonethless felt that the present goverment would go its full term and likened it to the last administration of John Major in this respect.
David told us about his earlier years having been born in Bristol and his hobbies and interests such as cider making, photography and gardening but also that he had to give up his French Horn playing when he got married - not surprising really.
His music choices were the Wurzles singing the amusing ' Blackbird Song' which reminds him of 'home' and with his great love of Gilbert and Sullivan we played part of the Overture to The Pirates of Penzance.