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Mo Farah, Tamsin Greig, Jamie Lawson and Robert Winston

The amazing athlete Mo Farah, top actress Tamsin Greig and fabulous author Lord Robert Winston are Chris's Friday guests. Plus there's brilliant live music from Jamie Lawson who serenades everyone in the studio.

2 hours, 59 minutes

Music Played

  • Adam Ant

    Goody Two Shoes

    • Wave Party (Various Artists).
    • Columbia.
    • 15.
  • Josef Salvat

    Closer

    • Night Swim.
    • Sony Music.
  • Shirley Bassey

    Goldfinger

    • Heartbeat - The 60's Gold Collection.
    • Global Television.
  • Jamiroquai

    Cosmic Girl

    • Simply The Best Radio Hits (Various).
    • Warner E.S.P..
  • Scissor Sisters

    I Don't Feel Like Dancin'

    • (CD Single).
    • Polydor.
  • The Jam

    A Town Called Malice

    • Jam Story.
    • Universal.
  • Electric Light Orchestra

    When The Night Comes

    • Alone In The Universe.
    • Columbia.
  • Elvis Costello & The Attractions

    Watching the Detectives

    • Elvis Costello & Attractions- The Man.
    • Imp Records.
  • Sam Smith

    Like I Can

    • (CD Single).
    • Capitol.
    • 007.
  • Eddie Cochran

    Somethin' Else

    • The Eddie Cochran Story.
    • EMI.
    • 16.
  • Jodie Abacus

    She's In Love With The Weekend

    • (CD Single).
    • Household.
    • 001.
  • The Killers

    Mr Brightside

    • (CD Single).
    • Island.
  • Gregory Porter

    Liquid Spirit (Radio 2 In Concert, 21 Jul 2016)

  • Bellowhead

    New York Girls

    • (CD Single).
    • Navigator Records.
    • 2.
  • The Weeknd

    Can't Feel My Face

    • Beauty Behind The Madness.
    • Republic.
    • 7.
  • Pratt & McClain

    Happy Days

    • Television's Greatest Hits Volume 3 70s & 80s.
    • Silva Screen Records Ltd.
  • ABC

    The Flames Of Desire

    • (CD Single).
    • EMI.
    • 001.
  • Jamie Lawson

    Wasn't Expecting That [Live]

  • Jamie Lawson

    Someone For Everyone [Live]

  • Ed Sheeran

    Don't

    • X.
    • Asylum.
    • 4.
  • Jamie Lawson

    Cold in Ohio [Live]

  • Black Eyed Peas

    I Gotta Feeling

    • (CD Single).
    • Interscope.
    • 4.
  • Olly Murs

    You Don鈥檛 Know Love

    • (CD Single).
    • RCA.
  • John Lennon

    We Can Work It Out [Live]

    Performer: Jamie Lawson. Composer: Paul McCartney.

Pause for Thought

Pause for Thought

From Nick Baines, the Bishop of Leeds:

I have a theory about children's books. It's not original: children's books are mainly read by adults. By adults, for adults. Remember when Harry Potter was just starting out on literary life and the publisher had to use two covers: one for kids and a different one for grown-ups ... just so the latter wouldn't get embarrassed on a train?

I think part of the reason for this might be that loads of adults are learning that imagination is not just for the little ones, and words open up new worlds of wonder.

I remember being accused of using simple language in one of my books. Accused, I think, because the reviewer thought I should posh up a bit and be more academic. But, the genius of good communication is to make the complex simple, not the simple complex.

I am no stranger to this. Every time I open the gospels I am confronted by stories and images. This stuff isn't meant to hit you with some solid truth, but to get your imagination working - sneaking round the back of your mind when you're not expecting it, and scratching away at your memory. "Where God is," says Jesus, "is like a mustard seed."

What?! What's that supposed to mean? Use your imagination! Something tiny grows in unlikely places into a whacking big tree in whose branches the birds make their nests - and the tree doesn't get to choose which birds. Get it? God is to be found where there is hiddenness, outrageous growth, unlikely generosity, hospitality. You get the idea?

A couple of days ago I was in a primary school at Low Moor in Bradford. I was giving certificates to young leaders who, together, had made a difference to their local community in a variety of ways. They had learned to look for what others didn't see - like litter and the absence of birds - and did a rubbish collection and built bird boxes. They learned to be surprised by the difference they could make. Leading meant taking responsibility instead of waiting for others to do it for them. Brilliant.

And they were full of imagination at a world they are still discovering.

So, keep the books coming. Keep the stories rolling. Keep the imagination fired up - and try growing up into a child.

Broadcast

  • Fri 22 Jul 2016 06:30

Farewell Chris Evans: The best bits from his last shows at Radio 2

After eight years of hosting the Breakfast Show, Chris Evans leaves Radio 2.

500 Words

大象传媒 Radio 2's story-writing competition for kids.