This does make PM@40 seem a bit feeble.
Still. 60 is the new 40.
Archives for December 2010
water water...
A little message from Lady Sue:
Dr. Peter Maguire being eight days without water and calling on the Republic of Ireland for water? Suggesting using the allocation of 20 litres of precious water to flush loos? Use the water for cooking, cleaning, dishes first, before collecting it for loo flushing use.
We (here in County Leitrim, ROI with our own water supply from rain water and spring water) have been 15 days without water and having to drive six miles on icy roads to get to a stream (see attached picture and note the ice surrounding it) in order to fill containers so we have any water at all.
Instead of using your precious water allocation just to flush loos, you need to get baby wipes and antibacterial gel for hand washing and be a little more sensible about using what water you have and also (get off your butt) and get to a stream/water pump.
Why are Tescos and other water pipe leaks just letting water gush out onto the street? Why isn't anyone there collecting that water? I have water in baths and every possible container to conserve it.
Don't think me entirely unsympathetic - we have absolutely struggled here (no central heating, never mind no water! and temperatures of minus 15C outside, minus 10C inside - filled bath for loo flushing purposes froze over, as did the s-bends in the bathroom basins).
What I'd like to hear is some wonderful recipe suggestions for cooking a good dinner without water. I've become adept but it might be worth doing a "fun" piece on it. For instance, baking/roasting spuds instead of boiling them. Get Nigella! Get Jamie! Don't forget they can only use an ounce or two of water to wash veges before capturing that water for loo flushing.
Happy New Year!
Lady Sue
Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I possess.....
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you sticking with PM over this festive period.
On this afternoon's programme we've got a report from our Chief Political Correspondent Norman Smith about David Cameron's "Happiness" index. It's a measure of how good we, as citizens, are feeling about our lives. But Norman asks, what can MPs tell us about being happy - and are politicians really the best people to be trying to keep our spirits up?
To mark it, the Labour frontbencher, Chris Bryant has written a special poem for PM. Here it is.
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Merry Christmas
I imagine you'll gather round your radio on Christmas day at 5.30pm to hear the world according to iPM. But if you're fast asleep by this point having eaten too much or slumped in front of the telly, worry not.
You can listen again to the programme or download iton our podcast page.
We spoke to one listener, in the programme that is, called Dr Priscilla Noble-Mathews. She got in touch earlier this year after hearing a show we made which discussed the ordination of women priests.
We invited Dr Noble-Mathews to come and talk to us and decided to devote our entire programme to hearing about her extraordinary life.
She was born in 1927, she's been a barrister, joined the War Office in the 1950s and now in her eighties, she works as a locum GP in Sussex. She also volunteers to work alongside the 999 teams at accident scenes.
Everything we do on iPM starts with a listener suggestion. If you have an idea or an experience you'd like to share with us, email ipm [at] bbc.co.uk
Brian Hanrahan
As ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News reports here, has died.
Brian covering the Falklands War in 1982
Press Association report at 0918: "³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ REPORTER HANRAHAN DIES, By Robert Dex, Press Association Media Correspondent.
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ journalist Brian Hanrahan, best known for his coverage of the Falklands War, has died at the age of 61, the corporation reported. He famously told the nation how he watched Harrier jets take off and "counted them all out, and I counted them all back". He spent more than 20 years at the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳."
Strictly iPM
Sprinkling showbiz stardust, reading Strictly Your News - our weekly round-up of things happening to listeners - it's Strictly Come Dancing's Anton Strictly Du Beke.
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"War's Greatest Picture" is hanging in my living room
"I have an original of Herbert Mason's photo of St Paul's. My grandparents ran a pub. On the morning after the fire, Herbert Mason came in and gave the photo to my grandfather."
It is by Daily Mail photographer Herbert Mason. The Mail described it as 'War's Greatest Picture' when they printed it on 31 December 1940 (the photo was taken two days before).
We invited Susan and another listener, Rosamund Forester, a London Blue Badge tour guide, to climb St Paul's and talk about the photograph. We stood looking at the spot from which it was taken.
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If you have an suggestion for the programme, email ipm [at] bbc.co.uk
Domestic violence
We featured a piece of writing by a woman who had experienced violence at the hands of her partner. If you'd like some information about domestic abuse, you might find this section of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Action Line website useful.
Can you imagine a Britain where all drugs are legal?
Our Home Editor Mark Easton asks that question on his blog and in PM tonight you'll hear two essays we commissioned for tonight's programme...we asked two people to imagine what Britain would be like five years after drugs decriminalisation.
Angry email of the day. (Sent twice)
LOOK I listen to wireless 4 for interlectual programs. NOT some childish nonsene about a monkey guessing the result of The Ashes. FOR GODS SAKE GROW UP !!! Yours EAMONN.
Sometimes things don't make it onto the programme.
A PM Newsletter subscriber writes:
"Dear Eddie & team
I caught all of PM tonight apart from the first 5 mins, and was extremely disappointed there was no coverage on the late great who died today.
This man has made major contributions to politics and world peace, and the omission was very disappointing.
While I enjoyed the light fluffy bit at the end of the programme about old films on blighty, surely this could have been broadcast another day to create space for an item on Richard Holbrook?
I am addicted to the programme and you get the mix right 99% of the time, but this was a disappointing oversight.
For the record I was extremely happy with the level of coverage on wikileaks / Julian Assange earlier, but suggest you need an item on how to pronounce his name. The Baroness took it it a new level tonight!
Keep up the great work.
Very best wishes, and a happy Christmas!
Sue Reeve
Uley, Gloucestershire"
Sue - thanks for all that. As it happens, we did prepare some coverage of Mr Holbrooke. We had clips from a Radio 4 Profile programme and an interview I recorded during yesterday afternoon with . There was a lot of time pressure last night. Between recording our Rubin interview and going on air, the Assange story grew and so did our coverage, with a slot that was planned to take up about 6 minutes taking probably nearer 13 by the time you include all our updates.
During a very fluid programme, our Holbrooke coverage was in and out of the running order several times while we were on air. In the end, there was extra time pressure because our forensics interviews over-ran their alloted time and a decision was taken that there had already been some Holbrooke coverage on the network. In addition, as you can hear below, our phone line to James Rubin was not the best. So on balance, the item went. But here is what we were planning to do:
"Tributes have been paid to the American diplomat Richard Holbrooke who's died at the age of 69.
The foreign secretary Williams Hague said he was "a remarkable diplomat and public servant who served his country with great distinction". Referring to his work on the Dayton Peace Accords, the Foreign Secretary said Mr Holbrooke "saved countless lives and helped pull an entire country back from the brink. His death is a sore loss to international diplomacy."
In a moment we'll hear another view from the United States - but before that, a chance to hear again parts of a profile of Mr Holbrooke broadcast on Radio 4 in March last year. Mr Holbrooke's third wife, the journalist Kati Marton, was asked if he had any faults:
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Kati Marton also told Radio 4's Profile programme that when he started going out with her - having known her for a long time- he gave her a piece of paper detailing every time he'd seen her in nine years, including spotting her in a lift.
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James Rubin was a diplomat and served in the state department under Bill Clinton. He worked with Richard Holbrooke.
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Disappeared Britain
You can see them by clicking . (Look for Digitised Films in the column on the left)
A History of the World in Three Coins...
Well, two coins and a medal really. The Keeper of Coins and Medals at in Cambridge, Mark Blackburn (above) was nominated for an iPM New Year's Honour.
We invited him to choose three coins in his collection to tell us about and couldn't resist our own tribute to A History of the World...
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If you'd like to nominate someone for an iPM New Year's Honour, email iPM [@] bbc.co.uk, putting HONOUR in the subject line.
You can also write to iPM New Year's Honours, Room G601, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ TV Centre, London W12 7RJ. The deadline is Monday.
More information and the terms and conditions are here on the PM blog.
iPM Honour nominee: Bob Paxman on PTSD
Bob used to be in the SAS, but his days in the regiment were cut short thanks to post-traumatic stress disorder - PTSD - which he was told couldn't be treated.
But that didn't stop Bob searching out therapies - one of which worked for him. And Bob didn't stop there. He set up a charity called , to try to help other people suffering from PTSD.
Our reporter Becky Milligan met him to hear more - as you might expect when it comes to his job in special forces he's not able to talk about specific operations.
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If you'd like to nominate someone for an iPM New Year's Honour, email iPM [@] bbc.co.uk, putting HONOUR in the subject line.
You can also write to iPM New Year's Honours, Room G601, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ TV Centre, London W12 7RJ. The deadline is Monday.
More information and the terms and conditions are here on the PM blog.
How to nominate someone for an iPM New Year's Honour
Please email iPM [@] bbc.co.uk, putting HONOUR in the subject line. You can also write to iPM New Year's Honours, Room G601, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ TV Centre, London W12 7RJ. The deadline is Monday.
More information and the terms and conditions are here on the PM blog.
Hugh in Damascus
On PM last night, Hugh Sykes reported from Syria. Here are some of his photographs and words from Damascus:
Shopping Damascus
Cultural Damascus
Nightlife Damascus
Relaxed Damascus
Dry cleaning Damascus
Fancy dress Damascus
International Damascus (the previous day's British papers)
Friendly Damascus
Stern Damascus
Mysterious Damascus
Clean Damascus
Crooked House, Damascus
Friday Damascus
Sleepy Damascus
How to nominate someone for an iPM New Year's Honour
Please email iPM [@] bbc.co.uk, putting HONOUR in the subject line. You can also write to iPM New Year's Honours, Room G601, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ TV Centre, London W12 7RJ. The deadline is Monday.
More information and the terms and conditions are here on the PM blog.
Hugh in Beirut
Hugh reported from Beirut last night - here are some of his latest photos and words from the famous city by the sea.
International Beirut
Confident Beirut
Funny Beirut
Laid-back Beirut
Old Beirut
Independent Beirut
Smart Beirut (new Four Seasons Hotel)
Birthday Beirut
Christmas Beirut
Smog Beirut
Hopeful Beirut
Devastated Beirut. All that's left of Martyrs' Square.
Remembered Beirut. Martyrs' Square before the civil war.
Upshares Downshares CD
Soon I hope we'll be able to update you on the money that's been raised.
In the meantime, here are more satisfied customers:
The master recording
"Just received the Upshares Downshares CD - well worth waiting for! Congratulations to all of your team who were involved in its production, and particularly to whoever came up with the idea in the first place! The fact that it must have raised a lot of money for Children In Need greatly enhances its value. With many thanks, Tony Clayden"
"In yesterday morning's post I received my "Upshares Downshares" CD. It is brillaint! Thank you so much - especially the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Philharmonic tracks (66/67) along with the Bonus Tracks at the end. Thank you so much !! Richard J. Howlett"
It's still possible some people who ordered will not have received their CD. If that's you, please drop us an email: pm@bbc.co.uk.
iPM Honours: navigating the floods
"Since the terrible floods in Cumbria, Heather has worked tirelessly - often without sleep - to help the people affected. She lives in a totally different part of the country so is living out of a suitcase. She deserves all the praise and attention she can get, plus a good nights sleep."
Writes listener Phiala Mehring who nominated Heather for an iPM Honour. ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ reporter Caz Graham went to a snowy Cumbria to meet Heather
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If there 's someone you think deserves an iPM Honour, please email iPM [@] bbc.co.uk, putting HONOUR in the subject line. You can also write to iPM New Year's Honours, Room G601, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ TV Centre, London W12 7RJ.
More information and the terms and conditions are here on the PM blog.
When religious music is banned from your wedding
If you get married in a register office you might find your choice of music a bit restricted. The rules for civil ceremonies bar religious music - so you can forget Ave Maria.
But how the rule is applied can vary, according to listener and harp player Anna Christensen. She regularly plays at register office weddings and has found that while some registrars turn a blind eye to the odd religious tune, others are sticklers for the rule.
Radio 4's Kathy Clugson went to meet Anna while she was warming up for a wedding.
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You can on Kathy's website
Update: Tsk. Tsk. Have amended 'registry' to 'register' office - our apologies.
Michael Buchanan in Helmand
Michael Buchanan reports live tonight from Helmand province in Afghanistan.
He writes:
I've been to prison. Not a confession of a personal indiscretion but merely refering to a visit to see how Helmand's main jail is coping. The male prisoners - those convicted of ordinary crimes, kidnapping, theft, etc - were busy working away on trinkets and garments that will be sold on the open market. They get to keep 40% of the profits, which most send to their families.
The prison also houses those convicted of involvement in the insurgency, and has a small wing for women as well, where some of the inmates live with their children.
All the inmates get fed 3 times per day, and though I didn't see it, I suspect their food is tastier than the gruel that I've been eating for the past few days. Welcome to the world of the US marines' MREs - Meals, Ready to Eat.
Each MRE also contains a treat, and one man I was with got this little gem:
In case you are wondering, they are (I think) Uncle Sam, the American eagle and the top of the Statue of Liberty.
Hugh Sykes in Jerusalem
On PM tonight, Hugh Sykes reports on a candle-lit vigil which is being held in Israel outside the Prime Minister's Jerusalem home. It's in honour of the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, who's been held prisoner by Hamas in Gaza for the past four and a half years.
Robi Damelin and her family photo wall in her flat in Tel Aviv.
One of those attending the vigil is Robi Damelin, the mother of another soldier who was shot dead by a sniper in 2002. Her son David, who was killed by a Palestinian sniper in 2002. The sniper's name is on a list of prisoners who may be released in exchange for the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Robi believes the exchange should take place. She told us why on PM.
David Damelin, who was killed by a Palestinian sniper in 2002.
Pudsey has your cheques.
Pudsey has now been given almost all the cheques we've received. It may be a few weeks until they're cashed but at least they are in safe hands. And yes we ARE still sending out CDs with more on their way from our supplier. Once again this lunchtime dedicated colleagues spent their free time stuffing envelopes.
Thank you for all the money we've received. We are still totalling everything and will report back on how many we sold and how much money we raised. In the meantime thank you from us and the big bear.
Michael Buchanan in Afghanistan
"How do you turn willing but unskilled and illiterate young men into professional police officers? Put a brawny, no-nonsense Glaswegian in charge.
As promised, I've finally managed to get away from military bases and speak to some ordinary Afghans. These pictures were taken in Marjah, where I've been visiting with the aid of the US marines for the past few days (more about that on Broadcasting House on Sunday)
You can't really call Marjah a town - its more a collection of settlements, each of varying size. Cotton is one of the staple cash crops around here (as well as poppy) but the progress of the past couple of months is seen in the small bazaars that pop up at various road junctions and by the fact that many more children are now going to school, however makeshift their surroundings."
Hello Halle
As part of our ongoing series on the effect of the government spending cuts in Greater Manchester Andrew Bomford has been to the Halle Orchestra, which has experienced a cut of £150,000 in its funding from the Arts Council. That's about 7% off a grant of £2.2 million. Andrew has been talking to the Halle's famous conductor Sir Mark Elder, who has some controversial views on the funding of the arts in Britain, and also recording some sound of a rehearsal for tonight's concert at the Bridgewater Hall of Dvorak's Slavonic Dances. You can hear all that tonight. In the meantime here are some photos:
Name ten things you didn't like when you were 25 that you like now.
"Photography, Contemporary art, Porcelain, Table linen/napkin rings, Baseball, Boats, Peace and quiet/staying in, South Africa, Jesus Christ, Glass"
Michael Buchanan in Afghanistan
"Afghanistan for me so far has been a succession of military bases. My destination was Lashkar Gah but thanks to some RAF engineering problems it actually took me more than 2 days to get there. First stop was Camp Roberts at Kandahar airport, which someone told me is currently the world's busiest airport. I've no idea whether that's true, but it's certainly abuzz with helicopters, military planes, charter flights and small unmarked aircraft. Hotel Kandahar will certainly never be the same again.
Eventually, a forty minute flight took me to Camp Bastion, the British headquarters in Afghanistan. It's a vast soulless complex stuck in the middle of the desert. There isn't a neighbouring Afghan for a country mile, which raises the question of who exactly will use these vast buildings that are currently under construction.
Being stuck here for 6 months at a time means that regiments and soldiers try to make themselves feel at home as much as possible.
Finally, I got to Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital and was soon ensconced in another military complex. This one is a lot smaller, and consequently more intimate, but is still filled with the hardware necessary to fight a counter insurgency.
I swear I will eventually leave the military bases but until I do, my first two impressions of Helmand are that is has the most amazingly clear, star-filled sky - and that it regularly covers you in dust."
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