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Archives for January 2008

The Glass Box for Thursday.

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Eddie Mair | 16:25 UK time, Thursday, 31 January 2008

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In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

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Jack and Vera yesterday

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

Tax Returns.

Eddie Mair | 13:52 UK time, Thursday, 31 January 2008

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Sorry for swearing there.

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We're hearing there may be a problem today with people filing online in time for tonight's deadline. What's your experience?

1408 UPDATE: HM Revenue and Customs tell us:

"The Self Assessment Online system is temporarily unavailable to some customers. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and are working to restore the service as soon as possible."

1545 UPDATE: You now have until TOMORROW!

"HMRC's Self Assessment on-line filing service has experienced technical difficulties this morning which has meant that some tax payers have experienced difficulties filing on-line. The system is now rapidly returning to normal levels of service. A record number of 3.6 million taxpayers have already successfully filed on-line with 104,000 filing today.

HMRC takes any disruption of service very seriously and to reflect this no-one who files electronically or by paper by midnight Friday 1 February will face a penalty.

We very much regret any inconvenience this may have caused."

Spooky.

Eddie Mair | 13:35 UK time, Thursday, 31 January 2008

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I asked in the newsletter whether people felt, as I do, that today should be Friday.

A lot of people feel the same way. Michael Smith emailed: "Yes, today should be Friday. But why? Very unsettling." Charlie in Southampton felt the same way. As did Lipton Leigh.

What has happened? Did the Government give us two Wednesdays and hope we wouldn't notice? Has a hole been ripped in the space-time continuum? What the hell IS the ?

Anyhoo. Tomorrow, or Saturday as I will think of it, will be a very long day.

DAB

Eddie Mair | 17:36 UK time, Wednesday, 30 January 2008

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OK OR NO?

The Glass Box for Wednesday

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Eddie Mair | 16:21 UK time, Wednesday, 30 January 2008

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In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

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Jack and Vera yesterday

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

Offensive?

Eddie Mair | 12:58 UK time, Wednesday, 30 January 2008

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We're trying to get the airline involved in to come on the programme. The ASA has already agreed.

This is the view of the airline:

ASA QUANGO RULES PICTURE OF FULLY CLOTHED GIRL IS OFFENSIVE

Ryanair today condemned the latest absurd ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority quango which claims that the attached picture of a fully clothed model, which ran in three UK daily newspapers "appeared to link teenage girls with sexually provocative behaviour and was irresponsible and likely to cause serious or widespread offence".

Ryanair criticised this ruling as remarkable even by the absurd standards of the ASA quango. Ryanair wonders how the attached picture of a fully clothed model can be irresponsible or offensive, when it appeared in mainstream British newspapers which frequently run pictures of topless models or photographs of celebrities in various stages of undress.

The ASA quango also bizarrely claimed that this ad would not have been found offensive if it ran in the tabloids, but was offensive because it appeared in the Herald, the Daily Mail and the Scottish Mail. This is clearly subjective censorship and not impartial regulation of advertising.

Criticising this latest silly judgement from the ASA quango, Ryanair’s Peter Sherrard said:

"The ASA becomes more Monty Pythonesque by the day. This latest ruling shows how absurd and out of touch this quango really is. It is remarkable that a picture of a fully clothed model is now claimed to cause "serious or widespread offence", when many of the UK’s leading daily newspaper regularly run pictures of topless or partially dressed females without causing any serious or widespread offence.

"This isn’t advertising regulation, it is simply censorship. This bunch of unelected self appointed dimwits are clearly incapable of fairly and impartially ruling on advertising.

"At a time when TV and media advertising is full of suggestive and provocative images, Ryanair believes that there is nothing either irresponsible or offensive in the attached advert. Consequently we will not be withdrawing this ad and we will not provide the ASA (Absurd Silly Asses) with any of the undertakings they seek."

From Florida,

Eddie Mair | 10:28 UK time, Wednesday, 30 January 2008

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Roberto says

"Here are some Primary Photos of the people of Miami Florida voting in one precinct. This was taken on the 29-I-2008 @7:00AM Miami Time. There was another photo from a member of the Libertarian Party who allowed me to take a photo of his campaign sticker. He told me that People who are not Republicans and Democrats cannot vote in the Florida Primaries."

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Cauliflower 2!

Eddie Mair | 10:03 UK time, Wednesday, 30 January 2008

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What a response! Lots of emails about cauliflowers...and a recipe or two too. Do let us know if you try any of them...just click on Comment

Fi Bird says: "I was really pleased to hear Polly Tyrer encouraging children to cook, even cauliflower – bravo, bravo. However, may I add one comment with regard to the recipe for kids, during salt awareness week – please don’t add salt to the baked potato especially if you are adding cheese? Children aged 7-10 only need no more than 5g of salt a day (and younger children less). During Stirrin’Stuff’s children’s cookery workshop we add no salt but when we make pesto I then ask if there is salt in the recipe, ‘no’ the children reply with confidence - but then I tell them about parmesan cheese and this hardly even features on our processed food black list."

Lisa in Edinburgh sends this "from the cranks recipe book!

1 medium potato
1 medium onion
1 medium cauliflower
1oz butter
1 pint veg stock
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
ground nutmeg to taste
1 pint milk
salt and pepper to taste

1. chop potato and onion and saute in pan with butter until onion transparent
2. break cauliflower into florets and throw in too with stock, nutmeg and parsley
3. bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes
4. add milk, allow to cool and blend

ta da! totally child-friendly too..."

We got this from exuberantFlower:
"Cauliflower Paprikash
Make sauce of 2 tbs butter, onion, 2 tbspn flour,tsp horseradish,cup sour cream, cup yogurt. Add 2 tsp paprika and salt and pepper.
Steam florets of Cauliflower.Add to sauce.
Cook 12 oz. noodles.
Spoon sauce over noodles.
Top with dill, chives and extra paprika.
Yummy!"

Fred in Ilford emailed: "I snapped up 2 caulis this afternoon in the market. I've had cauliflower in curry and other Indian dishes; stir fry and other Chinese and Thai dishes; with cheese; in picalilli; raw and of course as meat and 2 veg."

Bethan recommended Re: Cauliflowers..."Jamie Oliver's 'Incredible baked cauliflower and broccoli cannelloni'."

Sabrina wrote: "For 18 years I have been cooking it very little because I was under the impression my husband didn't like it. It turns out, for which I don't blame him, he just doesn't like it over-cooked as it is almost invariably served in most households and restaurants.
But lightly cooked with a good cheese sauce, or even lightly cooked with just butter, stir fried with potatoes and chilli, coriander, cumin and turmeric, any of the many Indian recipes, in Spanish omelette (very unauthentic!!) it goes down a treat.
I would be very sorry to lose the cauliflower."

"How about a cauliflower smoothie?" asked Andrew Reece.

Peter Hood says: "Cauliflower can be used in a curry, as your interviewee indicated. Also, the recipe cauliflower cheese can be made more interesting;

Make up a roux frying in shallot and garlic, add the flower and then water to taste; add the cheese and let it melt into the roux adding more water as necessary, then add freshly ground pepper, and parsley.
Meanwhile your cauliflower should be steaming in the steamer, with potatoes on the lower level, and additionally some leek with the cauliflower in the top level. The smell of the onions, garlic and the onion smell of leek is divine.

I use cauliflower regularly, and I appreciate the British farmer. I look with apprehension to the days when other countries out shop us as they grow richer, and I look with apprehension to the forthcoming energy shortages that will impair farming.

Until recently we've not had an energy policy, since the early 80s when it was a curriculum feature on the politics and technology component of my philosophy and politics degree.

Everything is connected, and thus the nuclear debate has to be aired honestly! No greens for the greens if we have no nuclear power. ;->"


Janet Amoroso recommends this: "Cauliflower Moussaka is a lovely recipe and definitely a cauli recipe with a difference. I found this recipe in Saralh Brown's 'Vegetarian Cookbook', published by Dorling Kindersley Ltd, 1984.

Ingredients:

Tomato Sauce:
450g tomatoes, skinned and coarsely chopped; 2 sticks celery, finely chopped; 1 med onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 1 tsp chopped marjoram; 15ml or 1tbsp tomato puree.

Cheese Sauce:
40g butter
25g wholewheat flour
2 eggs
50g grated cheese

olive oil for frying
350g aubergines, thickly sliced

Put all sauce ingredients into a pan, cover and simmer gently for 15 mins or until you have a thick sauce. Stir occasionally. It can cook for 30 mins without harm.

Bring milk to boil and poach cauliflower for 5 minutes. Drain reserving the milk. Add enough water to make it up to 300ml. Chop cauli finely and season well.

Heat butter until it foams, sprinkle over flour and stir it in and cook gently for 2-3 mins. Add reserved cauli milk gradually, stirring well until thoroughly mixed. Simmer gently for 5 mins.

Allow to cool and then whisk in the eggs and cheese and season well. Preheat oven to gas mark 4, 180 Celsius.

Meanwhile, heat 30ml oil in a large frying pan and lightly fry aubergine slices on both sides (I steam them instead!). Drain on kitchen paper.

Mix half of the cheese sauce with the cauli. Lightly grease 1.7 litre (£ pint) ovenproof dish. Put in a layer of aubergines, then one of cauli mixture, and cover with tomato sauce. Continue in this order until all ingredients used, finishing with a layer of aubergines. Cover with the rest of the cheese sauce and bake for 30 mins.

Serve hot (Serves 4) Enjoy!"

Jay Venn says "They are brilliant, if not overcooked. Here is a recipe born of necessity in a visit to the Welsh Marches, and it is world class (she says modestly) It takes ten minutes start to finish.

1 white or green cauliflower

Vinaigrette made with a ‘nutty’ flavoured oil (walnut or sesame are particularly good) and the vinegar of your choice – or what you have to hand

Sunflower seeds

Big bunch of watercress, washed and chopped

Break the cauliflower into florets and steam it until it is tender but not soggy

Toast the sunflower seeds, and mix them, hot, in the serving bowl with the vinaigrette. It will sizzle a bit, very pleasing.

Chuck in the (hot) cauliflower and the watercress. The watercress will wilt somewhat.

Serve immediately, still warm or serve cool. Either is good."

Deborah gives us her "family favourite:

Cauliflower
4 potatoes
5 ripe tomatoes (or 1 tin chopped tomatoes)
1 teaspoon cumin seed
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 fresh chilli
1 tablespoons of oil

Method
Prepare the cauiflower by washing thoroughly and cutting it into small florettes
Scrub and cut the potatoes (without peeling) into small cubes
Cut up the tomatoes

Heat the oil and add the cumin seeds and turmeric and chilli, Once the seeds start popping add the potatoes, stir in and fry up quickly, after about a minute turn down the heat and add the cauliflower pieces, stir again and add a small amount of water. Lay the tomotoes on top, cover and lower heat. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Uncover, test for seasoning, add salt and remove chilli. Leave to stand for a couple of minutes. Serve with yoghurt or chutney and naan bread."


Tristram writes: "A response to your call for cauliflower recipes: The twentieth-century surrealist Lee Miller served her artistically-minded guests a pair of cauliflower 'breasts' in pink sauce.

Then there was this: "Hello. Just a wee note with a recipe for cauliflower

CAULIFLOWER AND BANANA SALAD

Mix cauliflower florets with sliced bananas and mayonnaise.

It may sound like a strange combination, but it tastes great, honest!!
Shirley Pearson
Stornoway"

And howsabout thisfrom Fionnuala Quinn: "Cauliflower! As I listen to PM, I have, right now, cauliflower cooking for my children's tea. (ages 3, 5 and 7). They have all eaten it since babies and love it.

We get it from our local organic box scheme. It is a fantastic vegetable, which we add to various staple receipies, and I would be mad to se it go.

Cannot we get rid of strangely coloured and textured sweets instead?"

Dr Valerie Stewart wrote: "As it happens, I'm cooking a cauliflower cheese right now. However, here's a suggestion for making cream of cauliflower soup slightly different and 'gosh, what's that flavour?' ... steep a camomile teabag in the stock you use for the soup for about five minutes. That's from my stock of recipes using secret ingredients, and I think you'd find it delicious.

Right. I'm about to tuck into cauliflower cheese made with local cheese and local crusty bread and butter. Yummy. "

Jan says: "Cauliflower can be simmered whole for a few minutes before you cook pasta (in the same water) then remove the cauli and while the pasta is cooking chop it up and saute with chopped garlic in a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Mix the drained cooked pasta with the cauliflower and serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese and seasoned with black pepper"

Jenny Ball reveals: "I was just cooking an early tea when you mentioned the possible demise of the cauliflower. I'm cooking a stir fry of cauliflower, onions, pepper, leeks, any other veg I can find, with bacon. When its cooked I stir in some creme fraiche and crumble Blacksticks Blue (an award winning delicious soft blue British cheese) on top. Its delicious.
Long live the cauliflower!"

A lovely recipe from Judith Calderbank: "Butter bean & cauliflower salad

Tin butter beans
1 cauliflower
40z button mushrooms
6 tblsp green herb dressing

Cook cauliflower florets in boiling water for 3 mins.
Put in bowl with beans and sliced mushrooms.
Add dressing toss well & serve.
( Green herb dressing - heaped tablesp parsley
tabsp mint chopped , chopped chives, clove garlic 5 0z natural yoghurt, 4 fl oz oil juice 1/2 lemon salt & pepper) "

John Roberts said: "Too much on cauliflowers. As Mark Twain noted (in Puddin'Head Wilson): "Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.""

James Lindesay suggests this: "CAULIFLOWER ‘ALLA SICILIANA’

This vegetable gets mixed reviews in the cookery literature. Elizabeth David, no less, disliked its ‘coarse flavour and soggy texture’, but others have found distinctive and interesting things to do with its dramatic curds. The Indians cook cauliflower well, and so do the Italians; this recipe is one of a number that claim to be the Sicilian way with the vegetable. What they have in common is that the cauliflower is braised in olive oil and stock (or wine).

1 large fresh cauliflower
200ml vegetable stock (homemade or a cube)
75ml extra virgin olive oil
25g sultanas
25g pine nuts, lightly toasted in a dry pan
3 tbsp capers
3 cloves of garlic (peeled and sliced)
A bunch of coriander leaves (about 10g), finely chopped
the usual seasoning
lemon juice

Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC. Strip the cauliflower of its leaves and stalk, and cut into 2cm slices. Lay the slices in a small roasting tin. Pour over the stock, and sprinkle 1tbs. Cover with foil and cook in the oven until tender (about 45 minutes). The foil should be removed about halfway through.

While the cauliflower is cooking, prepare the dressing. Soak the sultanas in hot water until soft (about 5 min). Put the remaining olive oil in a pan with the garlic slices and warm over a low heat for 5 minutes. Then remove the garlic and add the sultanas, pine nuts, capers and chopped coriander.

Drain the cauliflower and place in serving dish. Cover with the dressing, and season with salt, black pepper and lemon juice to taste. "


D O'Kelly wrote: "Cauliflower Soup: with the stock from boiling cauliflower, and milk, make a white sauce with sauteed onion and lots and lots of chopped sauteed garlic. Add cauliflower and heat through. "


John Perkins in Cumbria wrote: "The kids loved them raw - just about the only vegetable they would eat!"


We clearly have listeners of all ages: My son Harry (4 and a half years old) listened to your item on cauliflower (he is a PM fan) and said "I love cauliflower". Bob Bowie, Nettlestead, Kent"

Sarah in Worthing contacted us: "How I agree with the nice woman talking about cauliflower you just had on. My kids love it - in fact, they ask for cauliflower cheese for dinner often.

A very underrated veg - break it into florets, toss it in some oil and ground cumin and roast for about 20mins. Or braise it in olive oil, red wine and chilli. Yum!"

And last but not least: "The best way to cook cauliflower is to cut it into little florests and cook it slowly in carrot and coriander soup. The flavours balance each other beautifully. Everyone I serve this to absolutely loves it. Try it and see. Phyllis Brighouse, Wirral"


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A cauliflower the day before yesterday.

Cauliflower.

Eddie Mair | 13:45 UK time, Tuesday, 29 January 2008

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British cauliflowers could vanish from our plates unless farmers get paid more for them. The National Union of Farmers says its members get less and less of the retail value of the cauliflower, and unless that changes, it won't make sense to produce them.

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A cauliflower yesterday.

This is something farmers have talked about for a while. There was last May and example of pricing problems across the English Channel ten years ago.

We're going to talk about the cauliflower on the programme tonight. If it's recipes you want, howsabout Creamed cauliflower and Stilton soup or Sausages, Stilton and mustard mash with sauteed cauliflower or Cauliflower and pea soup with blue cheese and damson scones .

On the programme: Polly Tyrer, who has and this delightful recipe for Baked Cauliflower Cheese Potatoes.

INGREDIENTS:

1 baking potato

salt & ground black pepper

oil

2 cauliflower florets

15g/ ½ oz butter

50g/2oz grated cheddar cheese

to serve: cherry tomatoes & cucumber

METHOD:

1. Set the oven to 200C/400F/ Gas Mark 6. Wash the potato and dry with paper towel. Prick with a fork and rub with a little oil and salt. Bake in the oven for about 1 hour until the potato is soft all the way through.

1. Meanwhile trim the cauliflower into small florets about the size of a large marble. Cook in boiling water for a few minutes until just tender. Drain well.

2. Cut the jacket potato in half and scoop the inside out into a bowl. Add the butter, 45g/1 ½ oz of the grated cheese and season with a little salt and pepper. Mash together, add the cauliflower and gently stir through the potato. Pile this mixture back into the potato skin and set on a small baking tray.

3. Scatter the remaining 15g/ ½ oz of cheese over the top of the potato. Bake in the oven until golden brown on top and hot all the way through.

The Glass Box for Tuesday

Eddie Mair | 13:38 UK time, Tuesday, 29 January 2008

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In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

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Jack and Vera yesterday

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

Our running order

Eddie Mair | 12:25 UK time, Tuesday, 29 January 2008

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as advertised in the PM newsletter...

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As Florida votes...

Eddie Mair | 10:13 UK time, Tuesday, 29 January 2008

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...what better time to hear from our good friend Roberto C. Alvarez-Galloso. He says: "enclosed are some photos of Miami Florida during the closing days of the Florida Primaries of 2008. I hope to send more photos as the voting progresses on the 29th of January 2008."

We are standing by...as is Kevin Connolly with his report from Florida for PM tonight.

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Jack and Vera yesterday.

Kenny Richey.

Eddie Mair | 09:51 UK time, Tuesday, 29 January 2008

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Ann Marie wrote last week asking if she could hear again our interview with Kenny Richey.

Here it is.

The Glass Box for Monday.

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Eddie Mair | 16:37 UK time, Monday, 28 January 2008

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In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

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Jack and Vera yesterday

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

Colombia.

Eddie Mair | 14:55 UK time, Monday, 28 January 2008

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Michael Buchanan will report from the country tonight.

He says: "The release of 2 women by FARC rebels earlier this month has once again focused Colombian - and indeed international - minds on the plight of the remaining hostages.

The freeing of the women - the first such release by the left-wing rebels in years - has raised the hopes of other hostages´ families that more could be liberated soon.

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The most high profile hostage is Ingrid Betancourt, a French Colombian who was campaigning for the Presidency in 2002 when she was captured. Nothing has been heard of her since this video of her was broadcast in November

Her husband told me that its quite possible, given her high value status, that she could be last to be freed even if the Colombian government and the FARC can reach some agreement.

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Bolivar Plaza is set to be mobbed on Feb 4 when a massive anti-FARC rally has been called. TV, radio and roadside posters are encouraging everyone to gather to urge the rebels to free all the hostages, although in truth few Colombians expect that to happen anytime soon - after more than 4 decades of living with the FARC, they feel extremely jaded. I´m not sure if Ken Livingstone's help will be required on that day to help with the pigeons.


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Despite Colombia´s reputation as one of the world´s most dangerous countries, it has taken great strides forward in recent years. Crime has been reduced significantly and the economy is booming. In Bogota, the most striking feature of the city is its sheer size - everywhere seems to take 30 - 45 minutes to reach, no matter where you start from - and the traffic. The only way for a foreigner to travel is by taxi, which is an experience. Horns are blaring constantly and a red light is merely a suggestion as to what a vehicle should do.

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Finally, a shot of what most people think of when you mention ´óÏó´«Ã½."

Albania!

Eddie Mair | 12:06 UK time, Monday, 28 January 2008

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Mark Mardell reports for us tonight - you can read more on Mark's Blog and enjoy these snaps that accompany his report.

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Jack and Vera yesterday

The Furrowed Brow

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Eddie Mair | 10:26 UK time, Monday, 28 January 2008

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The place for serious talk on topics of your choice...

Awayday 2.

Eddie Mair | 09:49 UK time, Sunday, 27 January 2008

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Sorry for not posting any more yesterday. The afternoon session overran, a wedding party arrived next door and it all got a bit confusing!

Our venue was correctly identified on the previous thread....this was our view...

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...and here was the room we were in all day...

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...it was very nice, and they looked after us very well. Beautiful old building. So old in fact, that in the fire exit signs, the little man is wearing a top hat.

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Jack and Vera yesterday

A lot of the day was taken up with what, to anyone else would be rather dreary...us finding new ways of organising ourselves to make our output as good as it can be at a time of budget cuts.

Unrelated to money was a general agreement that Friday Letters should go. No decision has been taken yet, that's for our bosses, and I know they'll want to take YOUR view into consideration. It was felt the slot was anachronistic, given the new ways people can communicate more fully with the programme. We would, of course, keep open our phone line and postal address...indeed we want to be MORE responsive to listeners' ideas and comments. But the traditional Friday slot...which followed a traditional daily slot on PM, we felt was too cumbersome. For example, after our recent interview with Kenny Richey, there was a huge listener response which we reflected the next day on air, rather than wait till the Friday. We did a follow up interview too, which we thought added more value than waiting three days and running some comments in the Letters slot. And of course this blog offers listeners with internet access a much fuller dialogue with other listeners and the programme. But I stress that the letterline would remain open, and we would listen to comments and ideas there every day as we always do, and, as with the Kenny Richey experience, use them on air as appropriate.

So what do YOU think?

Hello from the PM Awayday!

Eddie Mair | 13:42 UK time, Saturday, 26 January 2008

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We are here at a Central London location.

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We arrived around 9, and heard a presentation on who our audiences are...as you can see this is about more than PM...

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Here are some of the people listening to that...

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Then we heard from a former Big Boss at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ who has been listening critically to our programmes for us in recent weeks. Some useful criticism. He, and the other chap who talked about audiences, both cited the PM blog, and the comments on our "future of PM" thread. So trust me, the feedback there is being used in our discussions here.

The boss of Radio 4 has arrived during this lunch hour and will speak to us shortly.

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I can assure you that so far these still all contain water.

More to come later. We'll also hear Rupert talk about iPM, and all the different programme groups will feedback their ideas. I was on the PM group, along with Carolyn, Roger, Hugh and others. Some interesting thoughts. One PM regular item looks like it's for the chop....but we'll see.


The Glass Box for Friday

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Eddie Mair | 17:28 UK time, Friday, 25 January 2008

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for some reason went wonky...showing comments from last week.

Try leaving your comments here!

Would you build a giant wind farm here?

Eddie Mair | 15:26 UK time, Friday, 25 January 2008

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We'll talk about story tonight - about place.

The future of PM.

Eddie Mair | 11:37 UK time, Friday, 25 January 2008

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Thinking caps on please - we're going to be serious for a moment.

Tomorrow, as many people as we can muster from our department will take part in an awayday. People from PM, BH, The World at One, Broadcasting House, iPM and The World This Weekend will all be there, thinking big thoughts about our programmes.

We're not sure this has been tried before but would you like to take part, in a virtual, bloggy way?

With regard to PM, all areas will be up for discussion. What are we getting right? Where does it go wrong? You might want to think in particular about how we engage with our audience. Dunno. I don't want to force your thinking down a particular path.

Among the things on the formal agenda, a research manager will talk to us about our changing audience. A senior Radio 4 figure will talk about the network and its ambitions for our future.

But I just wondered what you thought. Big thoughts about big things maybe...the nature of news, its delivery in the modern age blah blah...or more detailed stuff about where headlines go and the stories we choose.

The floor is yours.

In response to a mountain of requests for a photo of Jack and Vera, here it is.

Eddie Mair | 10:21 UK time, Friday, 25 January 2008

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Jack and Vera yesterday.

Some morning amusement for you...

Eddie Mair | 09:45 UK time, Friday, 25 January 2008

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from last night's "Late Show with David Letterman" on CBS.

Bond. James Bond.

Eddie Mair | 09:42 UK time, Friday, 25 January 2008

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We had quite a heated discussion yesterday - several discussions in fact - about covering the James Bond launch. Was it editorially justified? Would we do it for any other movie? What should be IN the coverage? At every meeting views were canvassed, and there was no agreement...but lots of passion.

In the end, we of course mentioned the film name and gave it three minutes of airtime, but the coverage was not uncritical. What did you think?

Coming in this morning,

Eddie Mair | 09:30 UK time, Friday, 25 January 2008

Comments

a plane was about to swoop low over the tube train. I could have waited a moment to get a better shot, but then I wouldn't have caught the train.

I wish I'd waited. A: I'm here too early, and B: the plane looks really far away, and it wasn't.

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Jack and Vera yesterday.

The Beach.

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Eddie Mair | 06:21 UK time, Friday, 25 January 2008

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What is the Beach?

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It's a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like you are the only one around, but you can leave your footprints for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness.

If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there.

Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question.

The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Friday morning. This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.

Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.

There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.

The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.

Crime and the fear of crime.

Eddie Mair | 17:26 UK time, Thursday, 24 January 2008

Comments

You heard Nick Ross. What do you think? is a link with more information about Nick Ross's involvement in the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science.

The Glass Box for Thursday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 16:01 UK time, Thursday, 24 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glasscc.jpg
Jack and Vera yesterday

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

Something to cheer Peter Hain

Eddie Mair | 14:04 UK time, Thursday, 24 January 2008

Comments

and anyone else who might be gloomy today.

It came in response to today's PM newsletter from Joyce Hitchcock. Thank you Joyce.

"Dear Eddie, This has nothing to do with current events, but since they are so dreary anyway, thought you would enjoy a laugh.

Supermarket check-out assistants generally ask if help is required with packing, especially if the customer is an oldie like me! Recently when asked the question I replied that I could manage. Then added, "unless George Clooney is on duty today" to which the cashier politely said "I'm sorry Madam, I'm new here and I don't know their names".

That Capital Gains Tax story in full.

Eddie Mair | 10:36 UK time, Thursday, 24 January 2008

Comments

Well, not quite. is how the ´óÏó´«Ã½ is reporting it and is a little something on the Institute of Directors' website.

Heath Ledger

Eddie Mair | 10:15 UK time, Thursday, 24 January 2008

Comments

heath.jpg

Last night we heard from the head of the New York bureau for the showbusiness bible Variety, Dade Hayes about the problems film companies might have in marketing movies featuring the late Heath Ledger. The forthcoming Batman film in particular featured the actor in its early campaigns. Today Variety carries piece - from where the above photo comes.

Annasee

Eddie Mair | 10:11 UK time, Thursday, 24 January 2008

Comments

sent in this photo with a full explanation. I was going to post that, then thought it would be more fun to have a caption competition. Any ideas?

caption.JPG


At last something educational on this Blog.

Eddie Mair | 10:07 UK time, Thursday, 24 January 2008

Comments

shrea.JPG

DIWyman says "I am back from working in Shrewsbury. It's full of history but I found this memorial dedicated to Robert Cadman. He attempted to fly across the River Severn from the spire of St Mary's. The plaque marks his early demise!"

shre.JPG

The Three Little Cowboy Builders

Eddie Mair | 17:57 UK time, Wednesday, 23 January 2008

Comments

What do you think? Please add your comment.

Here's how PA reported it:

A children's story based on the Three Little Pigs was rejected for a
Government-backed award after judges became concerned it would offend Muslims.
The animated virtual book for primary school children - The Three Little Cowboy
Builders - was also criticised for its potential to offend builders.
The row centred on the Bett awards, which were backed by Becta, the
Government's technology agency for schools.
The judges' remarks, reported on the education technology website Merlin John
Online, included: "Is it true that all builders are cowboys, builders get their
work blown down, and builders are like pigs?
"The idea of taking a traditional tale and retelling a story is fine, but it
should not alienate parts of the workforce (building trade).
"Judges would not recommend this product to the Muslim community in
particular."
Ann Curtis, whose company Shoo Fly Publishing produced the CD-Rom, said the
criticisms were unjustified and could even "propagate a racist stance".
She said: "I felt disbelief, to be honest.
"As a small company, we have a strong ethical and moral grounding.
"We support the rights of all children in the world to have access to
education.
"To be told that we cynically set out to alienate minority groups is a very
narrow-minded view that I'm sure does not represent the general view in the
country."
Ms Curtis said the group had received messages of support from the local
community, including Muslims.
The book had already won an award in a separate competition.
But the Bett award's backers - Becta, the Besa trade association and EMAP
Education - said the book was rejected for a range of reasons.
In a joint statement, they said: "The reason The Three Little Cowboy Builders,
from Shoo Fly Publishing, was not shortlisted was that it failed to reach the
required standard across a number of criteria.
"The feedback makes clear that the issues highlighted were a small selection
from a much broader range of comments.
"In particular, the product was not sufficiently convincing on curriculum and
innovation grounds to be shortlisted.
"There was a very high standard of entries to this year's awards and four
high-quality products were eventually shortlisted in this category."
The statement said the competition aimed to "reward inclusive and accessible
designs" and was judged by a panel of 70 people, including many teachers.
"The Bett awards are designed to represent the values and requirements of the
teaching community and the education sector as a whole.
"To this end the awards are judged by teachers and others involved within the
education sector and their views are transparently reflected as a part of the
judging process."

The Glass Box for Wednesday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 16:56 UK time, Wednesday, 23 January 2008

Comments

Comment here!

The Government's latest ideas for tackling obesity in England

Eddie Mair | 13:26 UK time, Wednesday, 23 January 2008

Comments

are outlined on page, which also has a link to the full report. We'll talk about it tonight.

The Glass Box for Tuesday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 15:06 UK time, Tuesday, 22 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glassbb.jpg
Jack and Vera yesterday

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

Worried about the markets? Already standing on a ledge? 2

Eddie Mair | 14:18 UK time, Tuesday, 22 January 2008

Comments

The US may have cut interest rates but we're all on stand by for a big fall on Wall Street.

1450 UPDATE: "US stocks plunged at the open Tuesday amid a global financial market panic that prompted an
unprecedented 75 basis-point rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged below 12,000 points with a tumble of 419.94 points (3.47 percent) to 11,67936 and the Nasdaq slumped 100.06 points (4.28 percent) to 2,239.96. The broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index shed 49.77 points
(3.76 points (3.76 percent) to 1,275.42."

If you're struggling to cope, here is something else to make your sides burst with laughter.

The Academy Award nominations.

Eddie Mair | 13:51 UK time, Tuesday, 22 January 2008

Comments

Here are the highlights:

BEST ACTRESS:

Cate Blanchett, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age";
Julie Christie, "Away From Her";
Liz Dawn, "Coronation Street"
Marion Cotillard, "La Vie En Rose";
Laura Linney, "The Savages";
Ellen Page, "Juno."

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

Cate Blanchett, "I'm Not There";
Ruby Dee, "American Gangster";
Saoirse Ronan, "Atonement";
Amy Ryan, "Gone Baby Gone";
Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton,"
Liz Dawn, "Coronation Street"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

Casey Affleck, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford";
Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men";
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Charlie Wilson's War";
Hal Holbrook, "Into the Wild";
Bill Tarmey, "Coronation Street";
Tom Wilkinson, "Michael Clayton."

BEST ACTOR:

George Clooney, "Michael Clayton,"
Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood,"
Johnny Depp for "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,"
Bill Tarmey, "Coronation Street",
Viggo Mortensen, "Eastern Promises";
Tommy Lee Jones, "In the Valley of Elah."

Worried about the markets? Already standing on a ledge?

Eddie Mair | 13:11 UK time, Tuesday, 22 January 2008

Comments

Here are some pictures of lovely flowers to cheer you up.

Fearless Fred's mysterious

Eddie Mair | 11:44 UK time, Tuesday, 22 January 2008

Comments

"trade show" "went swimmingly" he tells me.

And here is the evidence:

tradec.JPG
Jack and Vera yesterday

And now our analysis of the money markets so far today.

Eddie Mair | 11:41 UK time, Tuesday, 22 January 2008

Comments

roller.jpg

The Glass Box for Monday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 17:02 UK time, Monday, 21 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glassaa.jpg
Jack and Vera yesterday

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

The Furrowed Brow

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 06:54 UK time, Monday, 21 January 2008

Comments

is the place where you can raise serious issues of your own.

Facebook

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 17:45 UK time, Friday, 18 January 2008

Comments

Here is the link you need.

Airport location.

Eddie Mair | 17:15 UK time, Friday, 18 January 2008

Comments

Your thoughts?

The Glass Box for Friday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 16:37 UK time, Friday, 18 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glassaa.jpg
Jack and Vera yesterday

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

The BA crash-landing.

Eddie Mair | 15:23 UK time, Friday, 18 January 2008

Comments

We're hoping to hear from the pilot, Peter Burkill on the programme tonight.

planeb.jpg
Jack and Vera yesterday.

Vera Duckworth RIP.

Eddie Mair | 15:09 UK time, Friday, 18 January 2008

Comments

vera.jpg
Jack and Vera yesterday.

The British Council, modern diplomacy and the Foreign Office.

Eddie Mair | 12:56 UK time, Friday, 18 January 2008

Comments

Simon Jenkins writes about all three in today. He'll joins us live, along with someone who takes issue with some of his views.

Of course you should feel free to let us know what you think.

Kenny Richey update.

Eddie Mair | 10:50 UK time, Friday, 18 January 2008

Comments

He appeared on our programme on Tuesday. Today in The Times, Melanie Reid writes about

Trade.

Eddie Mair | 10:22 UK time, Friday, 18 January 2008

Comments

What DOES Fearless Fred do exactly?

He has sent these pics: "just in case anyone wants to see them"...of behind the scenes at the setting up of a trade show. "I'm here at the ICE exhibition in Earl's Court, and as you can see, it's not exactly looking as if it'll all be ready for Monday!"

trade.JPG

tradea.JPG

tradeb.JPG



The Beach.

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 06:05 UK time, Friday, 18 January 2008

Comments

Relax.

beacha.jpg

The Glass Box for Thursday.

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 16:44 UK time, Thursday, 17 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glassdd.jpg

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

The Heathrow incident.

Eddie Mair | 15:24 UK time, Thursday, 17 January 2008

Comments

News that the southern runway might be about to re-open caused a discussion between me and Jasper the editor. I was trying to explain how it would be OK, and drew a handy diagram.

Whatever graphics you see on the Ten O'Clock News tonight, they will be pants compared to this:

map.jpg

Eco-towns.

Eddie Mair | 14:26 UK time, Thursday, 17 January 2008

Comments

Here's the draft intro for a piece we're doing tonight:

"Gordon Brown wants to build 10 new "eco-towns" on brownfield sites across the UK, each containing 20,000 houses. One of the models for these new developments, is the Swedish town of Hammarby Sjostod, just south of Stockholm. It's an example of high-density, low-carbon housing, where your own waste can power your car, cook your food and heat your home. Fortunately, they clean it first. For PM, Yvonne Murray reports from Stockholm."

And Yvonne sends this for the Blog:

"here's a picture of the lake, around which Stockholm's eco-town is built. It's part of the Baltic Sea, so it's very cold standing beside it. In the foreground is the little ferry boat which takes residents across to downtown Stockholm. The developers say it's a nice social experience to take the ferry to work. Sorry about the quality of the pic, I'm waiting for Gillian to furnish me with a brand-new mega-pixel camera phone..."

Gillian runs our entire office and I'm sure will look on this request favourably.

eco.JPG

Freebies.

Eddie Mair | 14:00 UK time, Thursday, 17 January 2008

Comments

In the programme tonight we're going to talk about in Media Guardian.

Don't know if you buy or read the Independent, but if it was free...what would you think? And if you normally take another paper, would you be tempted to switch?

Are these daffs?

Eddie Mair | 09:59 UK time, Thursday, 17 January 2008

Comments

Spotted this morning near me:

springa.JPG

Failed asylum seekers and GPs.

Eddie Mair | 17:36 UK time, Wednesday, 16 January 2008

Comments

Your view?

Helen Newlove

Eddie Mair | 17:09 UK time, Wednesday, 16 January 2008

Comments

was heard at length at the start of our programme. What did you think of her views?

The Glass Box for Wednesday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 16:34 UK time, Wednesday, 16 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glasscc.jpg

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

As promised in the newsletter

Eddie Mair | 13:08 UK time, Wednesday, 16 January 2008

Comments

I've recorded an interview with the Japanese Foreign Ministry about . Tomohiko Taniguchi mentioned in the interview the videos on the website of one party in this dispute - the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. There's a link to them .

Bread in the fridge.

Eddie Mair | 12:48 UK time, Wednesday, 16 January 2008

Comments

A senior editorial person in the office is insisting to me that it's OK to keep bread in the fridge. I am of the view that that's a surefire way to make it go stale faster.

I know that this isn't terribly important, but we did a little search online and got contradictory advice.

Any thoughts?

bread.jpg

Some bread yesterday.

That Blue Peter prop

Eddie Mair | 10:25 UK time, Wednesday, 16 January 2008

Comments

that I pass every day on the way in. I should have taken something to show scale. It's HUGE.

wheel.jpg

The Glass Box for Tuesday.

Post categories: ,Ìý

Eddie Mair | 16:36 UK time, Tuesday, 15 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glassbb.jpg

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

Kenny Richey

Eddie Mair | 13:32 UK time, Tuesday, 15 January 2008

Comments

is free, after in the United States - many of them on Death Row.

If you imagine that freedom brings joy...well, in this case you'd be wrong. I've just recorded an interview with him. You'll be able to hear it tonight.

Chairs

Eddie Mair | 10:28 UK time, Tuesday, 15 January 2008

Comments

to go with the tables of recent days: this stack is right next to the tables. Tomorrow I may snap a giant Blue Peter prop that's stacked up here at TV Centre..

chairs.jpg


The Glass Box for Monday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 16:43 UK time, Monday, 14 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glassaa.jpg

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

I realise

Eddie Mair | 16:10 UK time, Monday, 14 January 2008

Comments

I've been a bit quiet today. I wish I could say it's on account of being very busy or doing something time-consuming. In fact I just didn't have a whole lot to say. Until now. I've just done a delightful interview (she was delightful, not me) with one of Britain's Golden Globes winners. We thought it might be nice to give a winner the chance to make an acceptance speech since there was no ceremony. Hope you enjoy it.

And the tea has arrived. Hurrah.

The Furrowed Brow

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 06:40 UK time, Monday, 14 January 2008

Comments

The place where you can start talking about whatever serious topic is on your mind.

Hugh in Balakot for Broadcasting House.

Eddie Mair | 06:33 UK time, Saturday, 12 January 2008

Comments

Included on the breakfast menu on Broadcasting House on Sunday at 0900, a report from Balakot - the Pakistan town almost entirely destroyed in the October 2005 south-Asia earthquake which killed at least 75,000 people.

Destroyed, but still inhabited. Balakot people tell Hugh Sykes they are not happy with government plans to create an earthquake-proof 'New Balakot' fifteen miles away. They want the town rebuilt where it is. Hear about it on BH on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Hugh sent these photos and words from Balakot:

hughaa.JPG
"Prefab: Hundreds of metal, prefab houses have been put up in Balakot, thanks to the Saudi government.


hughab.JPG
Tents: The tent near the centre of the photo is a primary school.

hughac.JPG
Survivors: Between fifteen and twenty thousand children were killed by the earthquake, when school buildings collapsed on top of them.


hughad.JPG
Lucky: Zarkham (8 years old now) was thrown across his classroom and hit on theforehead by a falling brick. It's a startling scar, but Zarkham is cheerful and seems fine.

hughae.JPG
Shack: Five-year-old Qinza with her mother in the shack her family has built next to the one remaining wall of their old home. Qinza says she wants to live in a 'good house', not a prefab - and her family say they don't want to move to 'New Balakot'.

hughaf.JPG
Revival: Fruit stall in the rebuilt Balakot bazaar, which mostly collapsed in the earthquake.

hughag.JPG
Memories: By the light of a storm lantern - because of a power cut - a Balakot pharmacist and his assistant look at a book of photographs of the town before and after the earthquake."

The Glass Box for Friday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 16:05 UK time, Friday, 11 January 2008

Comments

is the place where you are welcome to comment on the performance of PM tonight.

if you'd like to start a discussion on the content of a story on the other hand - click on The Furrowed Brow on the right.

Naming and shaming Roger Sawyer.

Eddie Mair | 15:51 UK time, Friday, 11 January 2008

Comments


Friday letters means that throughout the afternoon, PM production staff troupe in and out of studio S1, where I am logged in ready for the programme, to record "voice-ups" for the slot.

It has become traditional that the PM editor, Mr Roger Sawyer, sends out spoof messages in my name via our "enps" system while he's in recording his bit. Once, one of his diatribes made it into Media Guardian, who understandably thought the rant was from me. It was, after all in character.

Today, Roger, who is compiling our entries for the Sony awards at the moment, sent this out:

"Let's get this straight...If we win a Sony this year, it's all down to me. If we don't, it's YOUR fault. And I will tell everyone as much. Be sure to leak this enps to media guardian."

Clearly, revenge is a dish best served cold. Besides this post, which will make him go bright red...what else can I plan against him?

Wibble.

Eddie Mair | 10:34 UK time, Friday, 11 January 2008

Comments

Morning. Thought I would test whether I can post photos again. Snapped this on the way in. I think it's from the old chairman's office.

chairs.jpg

The Beach

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 05:14 UK time, Friday, 11 January 2008

Comments

Relax...

Nuclear.

Eddie Mair | 16:35 UK time, Thursday, 10 January 2008

Comments

Let us know what you think by clicking on comment.

There's more from the ´óÏó´«Ã½ .

The Glass Box for Thursday.

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 16:32 UK time, Thursday, 10 January 2008

Comments

This is the place to have your say on how PM did tonight bringing you the news. Be frank, be honest, don't be rude. We can take the criticism, and, should you have it, any praise. Suggestions are welcome too. The producers will read what's written here and respond.

Funding the arts

Eddie Mair | 14:22 UK time, Thursday, 10 January 2008

Comments

is something we'll discuss tonight - in the light of and widespread concern about what is up to. Sam West will be on PM tonight, as will, we hope, someone from Arts Council England.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is just brilliant.

Eddie Mair | 09:15 UK time, Thursday, 10 January 2008

Comments

It is the best broadcasting organisation in the world. It is simply superb. I love it. Love love love love love it.

Love it.

It really is great. It is so sunny and warm today. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I went to visit the Truth Commission yesterday.

The Glass Box for Wednesday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 16:47 UK time, Wednesday, 9 January 2008

Comments

Please comment here on the content of tonight's programme.But not a word against Carolyn who has a stinking cold but is still filling in while I attend the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Truth Commission.

Comeback Kid?

Sequin | 09:37 UK time, Wednesday, 9 January 2008

Comments

Stayed up far too late last night watching the US presidential stuff. What a turnaround - and how wrong the pundits proved to be.....

Anyway, I'm in the chair just for today. Ed's off on some course or other learning how to present a news programme after all these years. When I last did the programme in October the blog was going through one of its funny turns, so nice to hear it's been behaving itself. Or have I just jinxed it by saying that? Crikey. I'd better shut up....

See you later...

Sequin

Lifelong Learning

Eddie Mair | 17:21 UK time, Tuesday, 8 January 2008

Comments

and the Government's proposals. What's been your experience?

US Elections.

Eddie Mair | 16:35 UK time, Tuesday, 8 January 2008

Comments

Can't get enough of them? Planning to be up all night pouring hot coffee down your throat? is full of useful information.

The Glass Box for Tuesday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 16:21 UK time, Tuesday, 8 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glassboxd.jpg
(unable to update this photo for the moment. Sorry about the boredom)

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

Ooh. Just noticed. New Radio 4 Logo.

Eddie Mair | 14:45 UK time, Tuesday, 8 January 2008

Comments

Good News.

Eddie Mair | 10:36 UK time, Tuesday, 8 January 2008

Comments

It seemed to go down well last night. Among the links we've been sent, Davy Mitchell sends ´óÏó´«Ã½ Backstage mashup...and Paul Sergeant
says "it might be too late, but you were asking for positive news stories to end the show on. I have a friend who started up a blog which provides a positive news story every day - perhaps you could find something there?

Rubbish.

Eddie Mair | 10:32 UK time, Tuesday, 8 January 2008

Comments

Now look. I have said from the start that what I write here is rubbish. To those people who appear to have been offended by my remark last night about the content of the blog being rubbish - I was referring to THIS rubbish! I mean - it's RUBBISH!

THIS, on the other hand, is lovely:

Oops I was hoping to post a pic here sent in by DIY but I'm getting an odd error message I have not seen before. Let me investigate. I should also say that Blogsy is having a look at the helpful suggestions on a previous thread about tweaking the New Blog. I too miss the numbers on the comments. He will get back to me/you.

No go areas.

Eddie Mair | 17:44 UK time, Monday, 7 January 2008

Comments

What do YOU think of what The Rt Rev Dr Michael Nazir-Ali wrote in yesterday's ...and all the comment about it?

The Glass Box for Monday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 16:16 UK time, Monday, 7 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glassboxd.jpg

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

The Beach!

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 14:25 UK time, Monday, 7 January 2008

Comments

I'm starting a new one to mark our new beginning. This will hopefully be more fun than usual!

What is the Beach?

It's a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like you are the only one around, but you can leave your footprints for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness.

If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there.

Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question.

The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Friday morning. This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.

Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.

There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.

The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.

So...what do we think of the New Blog so far?

Eddie Mair | 13:49 UK time, Monday, 7 January 2008

Comments

I can see people have been posting feedback elsewhere...but for ease, and as people experiment, feel free to let us know your overall thoughts in this thread.

The Furrowed Brow.

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 13:47 UK time, Monday, 7 January 2008

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Finally starting this week's Brow...thought I'd better wait till the new system was up and running.

THIS is the thread you should use to start discussions on serious topics of your own choosing.

This comment has been hidden due to moderation.

Eddie Mair | 12:40 UK time, Monday, 7 January 2008

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I think the New Blog is here!

Eddie Mair | 12:25 UK time, Monday, 7 January 2008

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In the style of the blog, I'm not REALLY sure...but I tried to post a comment on the "Quiet" thread and had to go through the rigmarole. Slightly amused by the bit saying "This blog will be open for comments until Wednesday 07 January 2009." I wonder what happens then?

Quiet, isn't it?

Eddie Mair | 12:21 UK time, Monday, 7 January 2008

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Is it lunchtime yet?

Rupert tells me the New Blog will be here at lunchtime.

Eddie Mair | 10:25 UK time, Monday, 7 January 2008

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Today.

I don't know whether this is a good or bad sign but when I tried to post an entry a moment ago I got the BIGGEST error message ever.

I wonder what I did wrong?

Wow. This brave new world is just INCREDIBLE.

Eddie Mair | 10:22 UK time, Monday, 7 January 2008

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Ahem.

Below, with a new FAQ, the new log in system from Monday...

Eddie Mair | 15:37 UK time, Friday, 4 January 2008

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Our technical people have sent us this:

"We hope that the new system we are using (called 'DNA') will be much more stable than the old one, as it has already proved to be reliable in handling all the traffic from the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s message boards like the Archers and communities such as 606. This is the first time we've tried it on the blogs though, so if there are any teething problems please bear with us.

The new system has some differences, the main ones being that you will have to register with the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Single Sign On system before you can post, and that the comments will be ordered with the latest comments at the top."

FAQ

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 15:21 UK time, Friday, 4 January 2008

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WHAT THE HELL IS THIS BLOG?

Since you ask, the word "blog" is the shortened version of the word "weblog" - which is a log of someone's life on the world wide web. The PM blog is written by me, the presenter of PM. I'm Eddie Mair. Hello. When I'm not Eddie Mair I might be Carolyn Quinn. But enough about my weekends.

WHAT ARE ALL THESE STRANGE LINKS...THE GLASS BOX...THE BEACH..THE FURROWED BROW?

They're places which serve specific purposes. The Glass Box is where you can comment on the content of PM. What you thought of the interviews, the reports, the running order or anything else. The Furrowed Brow is where serious discussion takes place about whatever you like. And the Beach? Well, that's a very special place. Why not click on the Signpost to the Beach to find out more...?

HOW DO I ADD A COMMENT OF MY OWN?

It couldn't be simpler. Well, it could, but we hope it's not too tricky.

First you have to register to use the blog by following the 'create your membership' link, and clicking on the link in a verification email. Once registered, you simply fill in the box at the bottom of the page and submit your comment. Your first few comments will be checked by our moderators before they appear on the blog as with old system, but after that they will now appear straight away.

WHY AM I HAVING PROBLEMS REGISTERING?!

Have you paid your taxes? What about the TV licence? If you're up to date with those, the most common problem when registering is entering the wrong email address or the verification email from the ´óÏó´«Ã½ ending up in your spam or junk mail folder. I mean, come on. What are you playing at? If you've checked these and you still can't post then you can contact the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Central Communities Team here /messageboards/newguide/feedback_form.shtml They live in a village, you know.

WHY DO WE NEED TO REGISTER BEFORE WE CAN POST A COMMENT?

You've got a lot of questions haven't you? Registering helps protect the boards against spam and other meat-based products. Registering will also allow you to track your comments and message board posts, and once you've posted a few times your comments will appear on the site straight away, instead of having to wait for the moderators to check them first. That's right. You read it correctly. But it still seems unreal, doesn't it?

I ALREADY POST ON HAVE YOUR SAY OR THE MESSAGEBOARDS - DO I NEED A NEW ACCOUNT?

No, you can use your existing account. You will be prompted to accept the terms and conditions of the site before you post but that only takes a click.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY MEMBER NAME AND MY NICKNAME?

When you register for bbc.co.uk membership you will be asked to create a 'Member Name'. This will act as both your sign-in name and your default Nickname. Member Names must be unique so you might not get the one you want.
After you have registered, you can create a new 'Nickname'. Your Nickname is the name that appears above your messages. Nicknames don't need to be unique so you can have any name you want. We advise you to change your nickname at least once, as it increases the security of your account.
If you would like a different Nickname, you can change it to anything you like, as long as it doesn't break the House Rules and still carry on using the same account.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A UNIT TRUST AND A PENSION SCHEME?

This was more than adequately covered in an old French and Saunders sketch. It may still be available on DVD.

WILL I HAVE TO ENTER MY PASSWORD EVERY TIME I COMMENT?

No, you can tick the 'remember me' box when you sign into the site and your details will be remembered unless you sign out or delete the cookies from your computer. Don't do this on a shared computer in a library or office though, or other people may be able to access your account. Idiot.

HOW DO I COMPLAIN ABOUT A COMMENT?

Oh you're that sort are you? Actually, there can be all sorts of opportunities for offence and we don't want that sort of thing so if you see something that you believe breaks the House Rules /messageboards/newguide/house_rules.shtml of the blog then please alert the moderators by clicking on the 'complain about this post' link. The moderators will examine the comment you complained about to see if it breaks the house rules and take appropriate action. The PM blog is post-moderated /messageboards/newguide/checking_messages.shtml so all comments will be checked by the moderators within a short time of them appearing on the site.


Please don't use the 'complain about this post' button if you disagree with someone else's views - you can post your own comments to explaining why your view is different.

For more on moderation, have a look here if you are very very bored: /messageboards/newguide/checking_messages.shtml

WHY HAS MY COMMENT DISAPPEARED?

David Nixon sometimes moderates at the weekends. Also, please be patient - your comment is being checked by the moderators.
• If there is no problem with your comment it should reappear shortly, though please bear in mind that the moderators will sometimes have to refer to other ´óÏó´«Ã½ staff or even the lawyers to check whether a post is ok.
• Your first few posts will not appear on the blog immediately. This is because all comments by new members are pre-moderated, which means that they need to be checked by a moderator before they appear. This may take a while (because the moderators read thousands of postings a day), so please come back later to see your comment on the blog and check the responses. After you have used the new system for a while, you will become a trusted user and your posts will appear immediately - as long as they don't break the House Rules.
• If your message breaks our House Rules it will be removed permanently and you will be sent an email explaining why, along with a copy of your message.

WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT BEFORE POSTING AGAIN?

There is a three minute delay (sometimes referred to as 'speedbumping') that forces you to wait between comments on the board - this is there to discourage chat from derailing discussions and to help cut down on short or one-word comments and spam. Although it can sometimes be frustrating, it's really not that long, so please just be patient. The timer starts from when you submitted your last post and includes any time spent writing the next one, so if you want to fill the time, just write a longer post.

OTHER QUESTIONS

If you have a question about the new software that hasn't been answered above or here /messageboards/newguide/faq_index.shtml then please contact the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Central Communities Team via the feedback form here /messageboards/newguide/feedback_form.shtml
If you have questions about life and the universe, you may want to consult a clergyman, or other person of faith. Or perhaps someone of no faith. It really is up to you. Frankly, if you're looking for answers on a blog FAQ you've got what's coming to you.

WHAT'S ALL THIS STUFF ABOUT FROGGERS AND FROGGING? DO YOU HATE THE FRENCH?

There's no call for that. Even from its earliest days, people who commented on the blog pointed out that it was a combination of a blog of Eddie's entries, and a forum of comments. Blog + forum = frog. Bloggers are also known as froggers, while blogging becomes frogging. You're sorry you asked, aren't you?

AND THE FROGGERS' REFUGE?

The Froggers' refuge was originally set up by a very eager frogger Jonnie to provide somewhere else to go when the real PM blog wasn't working properly. It's still a place were froggers meet up and talk to each other. It also stores a lot of photos and songs, and is generally well worth a visit.

ANY TIPS ON HOW I SHOULD BEHAVE HERE?

Be nice. The PM Blog should be a happy place, and is best when people are discussing not arguing. You might not agree with the comments of a fellow blogger, but please be constructive in your criticism.
Do not feed "the trolls". If an inflammatory comment appears from a newcomer, then please think carefully before responding. "Trolls", as they are known, intentionally post derogatory/inflammatory messages about sensitive topics in an established online community in order to bait regular users into responding.

WHAT'S THE HISTORY OF THE PM BLOG?

The PM Blog began, quietly, accidentally even, on August 17th 2006, and since then it has grown to become one of the biggest and most successful ´óÏó´«Ã½ blogs. We don't know why.

IS IT TRUE PADDY O'CONNELL'S BEEN FIRED?
Yes.

AND CLARE ENGLISH?

Yup. Different reason, though.

January 7th is coming

Eddie Mair | 14:56 UK time, Friday, 4 January 2008

Comments

and I am told that by the end of the day (Brian) we'll have a handy guide for you on how the Blog will work from Monday.

Sorry for the 502 hell of today and recent days. Maybe it's deliberately playing up so that the contrast on Monday is more vivid.

Or not...

The Glass Box for Friday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 13:01 UK time, Friday, 4 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glassboxd.jpg

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

According to

Eddie Mair | 10:14 UK time, Friday, 4 January 2008

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, people in China are not allowed to see these:

From Pakistan,

Eddie Mair | 10:06 UK time, Friday, 4 January 2008

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yesterday...Hugh Sykes sent this:

"It happened exactly a week ago. It seems much longer. First there was blurred footage of a white headscarf suddenly falling out of sight. And the orange flash of an explosion. Then a photograph of a man with a pistol in his hand pointing it directly at Benazir.

And the chilling image which has already become iconic: two men staring coldly at the camera, one in the background, partly obscured by the scarf on his head - and in front of him, an almost comic-book villain in dark glasses. His severed head was recovered after the suicide blast, and appears in 'Wanted' notices in the newspapers, a half-smile on its face as it rests on a mortuary shelf.

And now, of course, the election has been postponed. But, even after a delay, will it be free and fair? At least two independent organisations here think they are sure to be rigged.

And a newspaper has already published a full-page guide to 'the Art of Rigging'. The government angrily denounce this as 'scurrilous.' They say the presence of foreign observers will ensure a fair poll.

And the media are still operating under restrictions imposed during the Emergency - some TV channels are off the air.

bena.JPG
Rigging: Some newspapers ignore the press restrictions that carry penalties of a year in gaol or a heavy fine.

benb.JPG
Blocked: Some TV channels are off the air because of a government ordinance.


benc.JPG
Protest: Journalists protest against the media clampdown (PEMRA is the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority).

bend.JPG
Children: Unsettling use of children - far too young to understand the banners they are being forced to carry - by a Christian group protesting about government action against judges and journalists. Suffer the little children. They were certainly suffering - not a smile among them, and rough treatment by the adults in charge.

bene.JPG
Focus: Pakistanis are avid newspaper readers, especially at times like this.

benf.JPG
Wanted: Grim advert in one of the papers this week. Rs. 1 Crore is ten million rupees - about £80,000."

White Hell Update.

Eddie Mair | 09:57 UK time, Friday, 4 January 2008

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Brian sent this in last night. I just hope he's ok:

snowm.JPG
"5.15pm Queenstown Road, London: Wandsworth traffic brought to a halt by drifting snow. Bus passengers forced to continue on foot."

The 502 Beach.

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 07:00 UK time, Friday, 4 January 2008

Comments

Will THIS really be the last Beach to be afflicted by 502 errors? And will we need a new one on Monday anyway?

I do not know the answer to either of those questions....

The Glass Box for Thursday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 16:42 UK time, Thursday, 3 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glassboxg.JPG

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

Bored with weather coverage?

Eddie Mair | 06:42 UK time, Thursday, 3 January 2008

Comments

Finding that conditions are, for January, really rather unremarkable? Why not email a picture of the unremarkable conditions to pm@bbc.co.uk? We'll post the best ones here. Please mark your email: "JANUARY WEATHER".

0945 UPDATE:

Here is TV centre, captured moments ago. As you can see, the snow is deep and crisp and deep.

snow.jpg

1205 UPDATE:

Carol (Otto's mummy) sends this snowbound shot:

snowa.JPG

1245:

Isobel says: "looking snowy in Rome too (this is the view from the roof of my office)

snowb.JPG

Jason has sent a picture in which the early morning frost makes part of the grass look frosty. It's much too white and so we cannot add it here.

1310:

Jess sends this scene from Leeds:

snowc.JPG

1325:

Teresa Frost (yes really) says: "Light dusting of snow in my garden near Folkestone - seems normal enough January weather to me."

snowd.JPG

1330:

Bridget Box in Cardiff says: "Here's the dull view from my office window - the marks are not rain, it's a very dirty window"
snowe.JPG

1340:

Andrew Knight MBCS says: "Here’s a photo from the less than snow covered Lytham-St-Annes in Lancashire:

snowf.JPG

1355:

Gillian says: "How can anyone expect me to go out today with all this snow on my car and on the drive?!"

snowg.JPG

1405:

Neil is worried whether he'll make it to work tomorrow through this:

snowh.JPG

1425:

The Intermittent Horse says: "Looks like I’m stuck at the office overnight unless this lot clears away"

snowi.JPG

1445: Through the snow you can perhaps make out some detail on this snap from Jonnie which apparently shows Bournemouth Pier looking westward toward Sandbanks and Poole.

snowj.JPG

1500:

Philipo writes:

"I have just taken delivery of 400 Euro Pallets, these are used to carry sand and gravel to builders merchants outlets in Brunstrom."

snowk.JPG

Peter Coghlan sends this shot...if indeed you can make it out...of "a snow-covered Azalea under the steel-grey skies in Broadstone, Dorset"

snowl.JPG

The Glass Box for Wednesday

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 15:52 UK time, Wednesday, 2 January 2008

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In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glassboxe.JPG

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

People have

Eddie Mair | 09:45 UK time, Wednesday, 2 January 2008

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returned to the office in numbers today. Martha is back at the WATO desk and almost everyone is nursing a cold. Please do not sit too close to the radio tonight and certainly DO NOT listen on digital with headphones. You are sure to become infected and I would just feel terrible.

There is snow forecast for London tomorrow. Rob McElwee was on the telly this morning predicting a couple of centimetres which of course means the entire place will grind to a halt. I remember after one slight snowfall a few years back I offered a producer colleague a lift of about a mile to the nearest mainline railway station after PM. It took two hours. We ended up listening to Donald Rumsfeld speeches trying to identify good soundbites (we found one) - such is our dedication to work.

Dogs

Eddie Mair | 17:23 UK time, Tuesday, 1 January 2008

Comments

You heard our interview with Sylvia Van Atta from 'Many Tears Rescue' in Llanelli .....what do you think?

The Glass Box for New Year's Day

Post categories:

Eddie Mair | 15:17 UK time, Tuesday, 1 January 2008

Comments

In the PM office we meet every night after the programme in this Glass Box:

glassboxf.JPG

We talk about the content of the programme and try to give an honest assessment of what worked and what didn't...the things we missed and the places where our ambitions were not met. THIS virtual glass box you are looking at is where you are invited - indeed encouraged - to be honest about our hour. Members of the production team will read it, and the editor should comment too. Click on The Glass Box link on the right of the page to read previous entries.

GOOD NEWS...

Eddie Mair | 15:10 UK time, Tuesday, 1 January 2008

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Ken Dodd is .

ken.jpg


Sewage.

Eddie Mair | 10:45 UK time, Tuesday, 1 January 2008

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Let's face it - we brought you plenty of that during 2007 and this year will be no exception. Look!

stink.JPG

stinky.JPG

Andrew Bomford writes:

"C.S.O. is not a slick American crime drama, but an altogether more prosaic event, known to those in the water treatment business as a "combined sewer overflow". At least once a week, often after heavy rain, a storm drain will overflow and pour untreated sewage into the Thames. 150 years ago, in 1858, CSO's were continuous events, and the Thames became so putrid it was referred to as "the great stink". Disraeli said the river was like "a Stygian pool reeking with ineffable and unbearable horror." The Victorian solution to the problem - the massive network of London sewers - have been working for the last century and a half, and are now about to see their first major upgrade." The photos show Andrew with Rob Smith, from Thames Water who appears in Andrew's report which you can hear tonight. Oh yes.

Happy New Year

Eddie Mair | 09:51 UK time, Tuesday, 1 January 2008

Comments

from all of us at PM and iPM.

It is relatively quiet this morning. You can't find a coffee shop open for love nor money. Tonight's editor, Jeremy, is thumbing through the London Review of Books, and producers on the World at One are bellowing into phones trying to raise guests in far flung parts of the world. There are one or two persistent coughs guaranteeing we'll all be ill before Burns' Night.

Yesterday we almost got an interview with the Kenyan high commissioner to London - His excellency Joseph Muchemi. Indeed we spoke to him many times. Each time we started recording the interview (he was on a mobile phone in Kenya) the line went Dalek-like. Then we'd stop, and he'd say "is this any better?" and it was. So we'd start again, and then it would get worse. We spent quite a long time trying and he was very patient, but in the end we were beaten by the technology. Maybe today.

But do you know what? We have a song in our hearts and are excited about the year ahead. And to keep us cheery here are some random photos from the archive.

bd.JPG

lytham.JPG

nickb.jpg

tonya.jpg

robine.jpg

puzx.gif

I was wondering what 2007 meant to you?

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