FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2007
St Andrew’s Day
THE UNEXPLAINED
All joking aside, the events I reported happening on Sicily are genuinely mysterious. There’s nothing light-hearted about the spontaneous combustion of domestic appliances, after all. And despite the best effort of everyone from the Pope to the Physics Departments of several Italian universities, nobody seems to know what happened. There have so far been two ‘bouts’ of events. I’ll keep you informed if there’s another.
TRUCKSHUNTER GEMS
I played Road To Nowhere by Talking Heads as being a song typical of a happy marriage between record and promo video. The main theme of the video was - perhaps predictably - scenes of long straight roads disappearing into the distant horizon. The eye-catcher, though, was a small white box in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen throughout the video. Various running figures appeared in it; it was quite mesmeric after a while. At least it made quite an impression on me! You, on the other hand, may have forgotten it entirely. I wish I knew who directed it. Do you?
At home, we have a DVD of some of the promo videos directed by Michel Goudry; they’re truly awesome. Two of them are Chemical Brothers tracks - Let Forever Be features a dozen versions of the same lass doing slightly different things at the same time (if you see what I mean) and Star Guitar (which won a video award) is the view out of the window of an express train where passing buildings are synchronised with the rhythms of the song. And Kylie Minogue’s Welcome To My World is amazing; it’s a kind of repeated short journey around a Parisian neighbourhood - but each time she passes the same spot, Kylie meets up with all the previous Kylies we’ve just seen.
I explained all those really badly, didn’t I? If you’ve seen the videos, you’ll know exactly which ones I’m talking about. If you haven’t, try YouTube!
I also played the BBC’s showjumping theme music for Patricia in Low Fell. Many years ago, I was told that it was called A Musical Joke and was written by Mozart’s dad - but I’m unable to confirm any of that now. Can anyone help me out?
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Yes, Kev, you’re right. Anglo-Saxon ‘hazel wellspring’ is now Haswell.
As for today.....what does ‘bottle’ mean in place-names like Shilbottle, Walbottle and Newbottle?
THE BLOG
I started this blog on 1 November so we’re now a month old. As Morecambe and Wise used to say....’What do you think of it so far?’ (And don’t say ‘rubbish’ - unless , of course, that’s what you really think!) I’d be very interested to know what your impressions of it are - and you ARE allowed to be honest. Does the blog’s content interest you? Should I be excluding some items and including others that have so far remained absent? Am I wasting my time doing it at all? Or should I - we - develop it in some way. I understand, for instance, that there are ways of adding audio to a blog; would you like me to find out how? Would you like this blog to be ‘affiliated’ to the BBC’s other, ‘proper’, programme blogs and thus become ‘official’?
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2007
THE ‘AUBERGINE STORY’
As you will see from my response to Kev on yesterday’s blog, it wasn’t an easy decision to include this on The Nightshift this morning. For those not ‘in the know’, this all started with a brief mention of the story on the Nightshift Newsreel. Loz seems to have been so taken with it that he did some investigative journalism, unearthed the details in all their lurid glory and sent them to me. In recognition of his hard work - and because not all the stories we cover can be innocently trivial - I decided to tell everyone the sordid truth about The Gynaecologist and The Aubergine. And you must admit - it IS one of the more heroically unlikely tales of 2007. You really couldn’t make it up, could you? Not that you’d want to, mind you.
I am already regretting its inclusion, though. Railton Howes, who was busy putting together his Howe’s Fishing programme this morning - and a man with whom I have the most cordial of all relationships - burst into the studio just before I went on air foaming at the mouth and waving his arms around. Let’s just say he questioned my ideas of tastefulness (or lack of it). I was able to calm him down by changing the subject to the price of fish but I suspect I haven’t heard the last of ‘The Aubergine Story’.
CONDOMS
Today’s blog is becoming increasingly unsavoury as I now turn my attention once again to the disreputable Chinese company which is making hair-bands out of used condoms. The practise has been condemned by a Health and Safety inspector called Dong. Helpfully, Loz has provided the picture below so you can make your own mind up about whether the process is worth the result.
CUDDLY MICROBES
Thanks to everyone who emailed me with the contact details of these awesomely wonderful cuddly toys. For the record, it’s giantmicrobes.com. I know what MY partner’s going to get for Christmas.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Murder-path is - as I’m sure you knew - Morpeth. We do not, of course, know the nature of the crime commemorated in this unusual name; it all happened a very long time ago - at least 1,400 years ago, in fact. But it’s rare for actual events to give rise to place-names; another local example is Sockburn (in County Durham), which means ‘the place where a council met’.
So have you figured out what we now call the place the Anglo-Saxons called ‘hazel wells’? It’s in County Durham.
GEMS
Today’s special tracks were Abba’s Slipping Through My Fingers (from the Visitors album of 1981) - an almost painful evocation of the emotions of parenthood - and the Swedish Polka, from the opera Roslagen written by Swedish composer Alfven.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
THE ‘AUBERGINE STORY’
As you will see from my response to Kev on yesterday’s blog, it wasn’t an easy decision to include this on The Nightshift this morning. For those not ‘in the know’, this all started with a brief mention of the story on the Nightshift Newsreel. Loz seems to have been so taken with it that he did some investigative journalism, unearthed the details in all their lurid glory and sent them to me. In recognition of his hard work - and because not all the stories we cover can be innocently trivial - I decided to tell everyone the sordid truth about The Gynaecologist and The Aubergine. And you must admit - it IS one of the more heroically unlikely tales of 2007. You really couldn’t make it up, could you? Not that you’d want to, mind you.
I am already regretting its inclusion, though. Railton Howes, who was busy putting together his Howe’s Fishing programme this morning - and a man with whom I have the most cordial of all relationships - burst into the studio just before I went on air foaming at the mouth and waving his arms around. Let’s just say he questioned my ideas of tastefulness (or lack of it). I was able to calm him down by changing the subject to the price of fish but I suspect I haven’t heard the last of ‘The Aubergine Story’.
CONDOMS
Today’s blog is becoming increasingly unsavoury as I now turn my attention once again to the disreputable Chinese company which is making hair-bands out of used condoms. The practise has been condemned by a Health and Safety inspector called Dong. Helpfully, Loz has provided the picture below so you can make your own mind up about whether the process is worth the result.
CUDDLY MICROBESThanks to everyone who emailed me with the contact details of these awesomely wonderful cuddly toys. For the record, it’s giantmicrobes.com. I know what MY partner’s going to get for Christmas.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Murder-path is - as I’m sure you knew - Morpeth. We do not, of course, know the nature of the crime commemorated in this unusual name; it all happened a very long time ago - at least 1,400 years ago, in fact. But it’s rare for actual events to give rise to place-names; another local example is Sockburn (in County Durham), which means ‘the place where a council met’.
So have you figured out what we now call the place the Anglo-Saxons called ‘hazel wells’? It’s in County Durham.
GEMS
Today’s special tracks were Abba’s Slipping Through My Fingers (from the Visitors album of 1981) - an almost painful evocation of the emotions of parenthood - and the Swedish Polka, from the opera Roslagen written by Swedish composer Alfven.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2007
TOILET FACTS
When I came across this list of statistics I knew they were destined for The Nightshift - that’s the kind of programme it is! It’s the awesome scale of them that got me. On average, we all go to the toilet 2,500 times a year! Two thousand five hundred. Channel 4 made a documentary last year which showed how much effluent that represents. It’s a lot. And the fact that only 30% of the world’s population uses toilet paper prompts the obvious question - what does the rest of the world use?
All of which reminds me.....on one of next week’s programmes I’m hoping to run an item about a factor of global warming which I think we’re not taking seriously enough: methane. In the cracking new series The Power of the Planet last night, we were shown what would happen if the Siberian permafrost should melt. It’s made of half-decayed vegetable matter which would immediately start fermenting and give off countless tons of methane - a gas far more poisonous to the Earth in general - and to us in particular - than either ozone or carbon dioxide. And that’s without taking into account the damage already being done by belching, flatulating, defecating cattle and other livestock. I tell you - I’m worried!
THE HAPPINESS WORKOUT
I suspect that I’m guilty of not taking these happiness tips seriously enough. They were well-researched, though, and deserve a repeat run here. After all, we’re not all as contented with our lot as we sometimes like to think.....
....make a note of three things that went well today, and why;
....identify your strengths and every week aim to use them in new, creative ways;
....imagine - and write about - your best possible self in 10 years’ time;
....write someone athankyou letter;
....commit 5 acts if kindness a week;
You can’t really go wrong with that lot, can you?
WHAT’S IN A NAME
Hill-island is, of course, Durham. Kev has made an interesting comment on this - and the legend of St Cuthbert - on this blog.
So.....where is the ‘murder-path’?
TRUCKSHUNTER GEMS
The ‘special’ tracks of music you heard last nght were, firstly, Words of Love, which Buddy Holly recorded in 1957 and The Beatles covered - beautifully - in 1964 on Beatles For Sale and secondly, (I’m No) Superman, the inspired choice of theme-tune for Scrubs. It was recorded in 2002 by Laszlo Bane.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
TOILET FACTS
When I came across this list of statistics I knew they were destined for The Nightshift - that’s the kind of programme it is! It’s the awesome scale of them that got me. On average, we all go to the toilet 2,500 times a year! Two thousand five hundred. Channel 4 made a documentary last year which showed how much effluent that represents. It’s a lot. And the fact that only 30% of the world’s population uses toilet paper prompts the obvious question - what does the rest of the world use?
All of which reminds me.....on one of next week’s programmes I’m hoping to run an item about a factor of global warming which I think we’re not taking seriously enough: methane. In the cracking new series The Power of the Planet last night, we were shown what would happen if the Siberian permafrost should melt. It’s made of half-decayed vegetable matter which would immediately start fermenting and give off countless tons of methane - a gas far more poisonous to the Earth in general - and to us in particular - than either ozone or carbon dioxide. And that’s without taking into account the damage already being done by belching, flatulating, defecating cattle and other livestock. I tell you - I’m worried!
THE HAPPINESS WORKOUT
I suspect that I’m guilty of not taking these happiness tips seriously enough. They were well-researched, though, and deserve a repeat run here. After all, we’re not all as contented with our lot as we sometimes like to think.....
....make a note of three things that went well today, and why;
....identify your strengths and every week aim to use them in new, creative ways;
....imagine - and write about - your best possible self in 10 years’ time;
....write someone athankyou letter;
....commit 5 acts if kindness a week;
You can’t really go wrong with that lot, can you?
WHAT’S IN A NAME
Hill-island is, of course, Durham. Kev has made an interesting comment on this - and the legend of St Cuthbert - on this blog.
So.....where is the ‘murder-path’?
TRUCKSHUNTER GEMS
The ‘special’ tracks of music you heard last nght were, firstly, Words of Love, which Buddy Holly recorded in 1957 and The Beatles covered - beautifully - in 1964 on Beatles For Sale and secondly, (I’m No) Superman, the inspired choice of theme-tune for Scrubs. It was recorded in 2002 by Laszlo Bane.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2007
FORGOTTEN ANNIVERSARIES
A big thankyou once again to Peter in South Shields who keeps my knuckles well and truly rapped by sending me frequent reminders of all the important or just quirky anniversaries I keep on missing. Tonight’s list was typical......11 November 1790: chrysanthemums are introduced to England from China ( - I thought they came from Japan?)......12 November 1956: the world’s largest glacier is discovered ( - it’s 208 miles long and 60 miles wide, but Peter doesn’t say where it is).....13 November 1002: King Ethelred (the Unready one?) orders all the Danes in England to be slaughtered ( - why?).......14 November 1896: the urban speed limit is raised from 4mph to 14mph.....15 November 1923: German hyperinflation peaks at 4,200,000,000 marks to the dollar!
I don’t know where Peter gets his information. Perhaps he has his own database of anniversary trivia. Keep them coming Peter!
Brian in Kenton telephones me once in a while too - with anniversaries of Britain’s worst railway accidents - an admittedly mawkish but nevertheless fascinating subject. He called me this morning to remind me about the Lewisham Disaster of 1957. Three trains were involved and there were 199 casualties, including 90 deaths. I’m meant to mention it on its anniversary day, 4 December. That, however, is my birthday - so I thought I’d mention it today instead!
If you think I’ve missed any important - or utterly trivial - anniversaries, do what Peter and Brian do. Get in touch.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The rock band UB40 took their name from the old unemployment benefit signing-on card. Thanks to Loz for expanding on the answer via email. Apparently, the band’s first album was called Signing Off and its cover was a facsimile of a UB40 card. Loz even sent me a picture of it.
From now on, the questions will all be about local place-names, starting with.....which local place’s name means ‘hill-island’?
TRUCKSHUNTER GEMS
The first ‘special track’ I played today was Swingin’ On A Star performed by Big Dee Irwin and Little Eva. It was released in 1962 and I played it for no other reason than I found it when I was digging around in my collection of 45s the other day. Did you remember it? And what became of Dee and Eva?
Our Listen To The Banned track this week was Nellie The Nudist Queen. It was performed by Ross and Sargent (whoever they were) and was released - and promptly banned by the BBC - in 1933.
MARY HOPKIN
Blogster and listener Pat shares my enthusiasm for the sweetness of Mary Hopkin’s voice and tells me she’s still going strong. I’m really glad to hear it, Pat. Her version of No Business Like Show Business (on the Post Card album) is truly awesome. Her website is at: www.maryhopkin.com.
MIND-TEASER
Here's another of Kev's 'mind-teasers'.
Take a look at this. What TWO words can you see?
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
FORGOTTEN ANNIVERSARIES
A big thankyou once again to Peter in South Shields who keeps my knuckles well and truly rapped by sending me frequent reminders of all the important or just quirky anniversaries I keep on missing. Tonight’s list was typical......11 November 1790: chrysanthemums are introduced to England from China ( - I thought they came from Japan?)......12 November 1956: the world’s largest glacier is discovered ( - it’s 208 miles long and 60 miles wide, but Peter doesn’t say where it is).....13 November 1002: King Ethelred (the Unready one?) orders all the Danes in England to be slaughtered ( - why?).......14 November 1896: the urban speed limit is raised from 4mph to 14mph.....15 November 1923: German hyperinflation peaks at 4,200,000,000 marks to the dollar!
I don’t know where Peter gets his information. Perhaps he has his own database of anniversary trivia. Keep them coming Peter!
Brian in Kenton telephones me once in a while too - with anniversaries of Britain’s worst railway accidents - an admittedly mawkish but nevertheless fascinating subject. He called me this morning to remind me about the Lewisham Disaster of 1957. Three trains were involved and there were 199 casualties, including 90 deaths. I’m meant to mention it on its anniversary day, 4 December. That, however, is my birthday - so I thought I’d mention it today instead!
If you think I’ve missed any important - or utterly trivial - anniversaries, do what Peter and Brian do. Get in touch.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The rock band UB40 took their name from the old unemployment benefit signing-on card. Thanks to Loz for expanding on the answer via email. Apparently, the band’s first album was called Signing Off and its cover was a facsimile of a UB40 card. Loz even sent me a picture of it.
From now on, the questions will all be about local place-names, starting with.....which local place’s name means ‘hill-island’?
TRUCKSHUNTER GEMS
The first ‘special track’ I played today was Swingin’ On A Star performed by Big Dee Irwin and Little Eva. It was released in 1962 and I played it for no other reason than I found it when I was digging around in my collection of 45s the other day. Did you remember it? And what became of Dee and Eva?
Our Listen To The Banned track this week was Nellie The Nudist Queen. It was performed by Ross and Sargent (whoever they were) and was released - and promptly banned by the BBC - in 1933.
MARY HOPKIN
Blogster and listener Pat shares my enthusiasm for the sweetness of Mary Hopkin’s voice and tells me she’s still going strong. I’m really glad to hear it, Pat. Her version of No Business Like Show Business (on the Post Card album) is truly awesome. Her website is at: www.maryhopkin.com.
MIND-TEASER
Here's another of Kev's 'mind-teasers'.
Take a look at this. What TWO words can you see?
CONTACT MEPost comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2007
URBAN AWARDS
I’m ashamed to say that a singular honour recently bestowed upon the city of Newcastle went unremarked on The Nightshift. On Friday 9 November, the Academy of Urbanism (an organisation previously unknown to me) handed out its European Awards and Tyneside’s name cropped up twice. In the Great Place Award, Newcastle and Gateshead’s Quaysides were narrowly beaten by the Peace and Winter Gardens in Sheffield - London’s South Bank came third. And - in the Great Neighbourhood Award - things were even better. Dublin’s Temple Bar came third, London’s Soho came second but the winner was......Grainger Town in Newcastle. Congratulations to all concerned - and my apologies for not trumpeting these victories loudly and clearly on The Nightshift.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA
Call me warped and twisted, but I thought this was one of the funniest stories we’ve ever had on The Nightshift. In case you missed it.........An American soft-toy maker has produced a range based on microscopic images of bugs and viruses. So, for £5.95, your child can now cuddle a six-inch high Typhoid Fever, Black Death, Rabies, E-coli, Salmonella, Halitosis, Malaria or Flu. The toys are allegedly proving very popular with grown-ups, so if you’re wondering what to give your loved one this Christmas, why not give them Syphilis?
I’m crying with laughter just typing this. If anyone knows a local or internet stockist, please respond here on the blog.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Gateshead can variously mean either ‘headland of goats’ (the only really ‘innocent’ explanation), ‘the goat’s head’ (possibly a sacrificial totem) or ‘the end of the road’ (a sentiment with which people far more unkind than me may well agree).
Today’s query concerns the rock-band name UB40. Where did THAT come from?
LOCAL TRACK
Kellyburn Brae - a personal local favourite of mine - was sung by Benny Graham.
BLOGGING
Naturally, I’m delighted that the army of British bloggers is growing by the hour. There are now 4m of us; almost 15% of internet users write a blog; and 20% of them post once a day (like I do). When Grosvenor, The Nightshift’s mascot rat, arrives he should be proud of us! If you want to search though blogs to find one that might interest you, use a special blog-search engine. Google has a very effective one. In the meantime, these are the blogs I’ve seen recommended.....
There’s bitchy opinion on music industry news at xrrf.blogspot.com....former Tory insider Iain Dale has a lively blog at iaindale.blogspot.com......a north Norfolk househusband makes a perfect modern Mr Pooter at privatesecretdiary.com.....and shinyshiny.tv evaluates all the latest gadgets from a female point of view.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
URBAN AWARDS
I’m ashamed to say that a singular honour recently bestowed upon the city of Newcastle went unremarked on The Nightshift. On Friday 9 November, the Academy of Urbanism (an organisation previously unknown to me) handed out its European Awards and Tyneside’s name cropped up twice. In the Great Place Award, Newcastle and Gateshead’s Quaysides were narrowly beaten by the Peace and Winter Gardens in Sheffield - London’s South Bank came third. And - in the Great Neighbourhood Award - things were even better. Dublin’s Temple Bar came third, London’s Soho came second but the winner was......Grainger Town in Newcastle. Congratulations to all concerned - and my apologies for not trumpeting these victories loudly and clearly on The Nightshift.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA
Call me warped and twisted, but I thought this was one of the funniest stories we’ve ever had on The Nightshift. In case you missed it.........An American soft-toy maker has produced a range based on microscopic images of bugs and viruses. So, for £5.95, your child can now cuddle a six-inch high Typhoid Fever, Black Death, Rabies, E-coli, Salmonella, Halitosis, Malaria or Flu. The toys are allegedly proving very popular with grown-ups, so if you’re wondering what to give your loved one this Christmas, why not give them Syphilis?
I’m crying with laughter just typing this. If anyone knows a local or internet stockist, please respond here on the blog.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Gateshead can variously mean either ‘headland of goats’ (the only really ‘innocent’ explanation), ‘the goat’s head’ (possibly a sacrificial totem) or ‘the end of the road’ (a sentiment with which people far more unkind than me may well agree).
Today’s query concerns the rock-band name UB40. Where did THAT come from?
LOCAL TRACK
Kellyburn Brae - a personal local favourite of mine - was sung by Benny Graham.
BLOGGING
Naturally, I’m delighted that the army of British bloggers is growing by the hour. There are now 4m of us; almost 15% of internet users write a blog; and 20% of them post once a day (like I do). When Grosvenor, The Nightshift’s mascot rat, arrives he should be proud of us! If you want to search though blogs to find one that might interest you, use a special blog-search engine. Google has a very effective one. In the meantime, these are the blogs I’ve seen recommended.....
There’s bitchy opinion on music industry news at xrrf.blogspot.com....former Tory insider Iain Dale has a lively blog at iaindale.blogspot.com......a north Norfolk househusband makes a perfect modern Mr Pooter at privatesecretdiary.com.....and shinyshiny.tv evaluates all the latest gadgets from a female point of view.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2007
I’m sorry this posting is appearing late. I had to leave Newcastle for Cardiff as soon as I finished pre-recording and have only just returned.
MY CRAP HOLIDAY
This feature of The Nightshift is lifted from The Observer newspaper; it's always made me smile and I hope you like it too. It also serves as a reminder that not all holidays are the idyllic, get-away-from-it-all, escapes we may have been expecting when we booked them. If you’ve had any holiday experiences you would prefer to forget, I’d like to hear from you. Use this blog or contact me as below.
BRIDGES: THE LAST WORD
Chris and Jojo emailed from New Zealand to tell us about a particularly unnerving bridge there. “We have a single lane bridge in Whakatane which has a train track as well. You have to wait at the lights if there is a train coming over the bridge. Once the train has passed over the bridge, the lights turn green and you can then drive over; it freaks you out the first time you cross it - specially as it’s about 1km long!’ Quite so, Chris, quite so.
TRUCKSHUNTERS CERTIFICATE
Between us, Kev and I have been able to render his design for a Truckshunters Membership Certificate in a format usable on this blog. Here it is....
.Pretty neat, huh? Well done, Kev - and my apologies again for trying to run before I can even crawl on this blog!
Kev has answered my concerns about the expense of producing and posting these Certificates by suggesting that we make them ‘e-certs’. I would simply fill in the blanks and email each member’s certificate to them. Those benighted souls without computers would, of course, need their certs ‘snailmailed’. I guess I could just about afford that out of my own pocket - I doubt very much indeed that the BBC would pay for them.
Kev and I would appreciate your views on the draft Certificate.
Another reminder: if you’d like me to post a picture on the blog, please feel free to send it to me but PLEASE make sure it’s less than about 750 Mb in size. I write this blog on my Mac at home and don’t want it overwhelmed!!!
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The 'land of foreigners' is, of course, Wales. The irony is that the real ‘foreigners’ were the Anglo-Saxons who gave the country its name! The Welsh for Wales is Cymru (cum-ree) which means ‘brothers together’. It sounds very similar to Cumbria and indeed the two words are directly related; Welsh was spoken in Cumbria until the 17th century (or so I’m told).
Tonight’s question........where did the rock band UB40 get their name?
THE NIGHTSHIFT CLASSIC
This week’s classic was the wonderful Canon by Pachelbel.
NAMES
I’ve received an email from Adrian Calvo-Valderrama asking me to spell out on-air the name of this blog - which I have now done. Adrian is French and - o lucky man - lives and works in Paris. Hasn’t he got a delightfully exotic name, though? It rolls around your tongue like a chocolate profiterole! Adrian Calvo-Valderrama. Magic. I think the previously most exotic - or at least most sonorous - emailer’s name to the programme was Andy Tanglewood. I do wonder if the name-holders themselves rejoice in names like this or not. I once worked with a lass called Dawn Rainbow and asked her. I’m glad to say she liked her name as much as everyone else did. I do wonder, though, about the wisdom of Mr and Mrs Healey calling their son Austin - although BBC Radio Newcastle’s own Railton Howes is also named after a car and doesn’t seem to have suffered as a result!
Do you know anyone with an exotic or sonorous name?
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
I’m sorry this posting is appearing late. I had to leave Newcastle for Cardiff as soon as I finished pre-recording and have only just returned.
MY CRAP HOLIDAY
This feature of The Nightshift is lifted from The Observer newspaper; it's always made me smile and I hope you like it too. It also serves as a reminder that not all holidays are the idyllic, get-away-from-it-all, escapes we may have been expecting when we booked them. If you’ve had any holiday experiences you would prefer to forget, I’d like to hear from you. Use this blog or contact me as below.
BRIDGES: THE LAST WORD
Chris and Jojo emailed from New Zealand to tell us about a particularly unnerving bridge there. “We have a single lane bridge in Whakatane which has a train track as well. You have to wait at the lights if there is a train coming over the bridge. Once the train has passed over the bridge, the lights turn green and you can then drive over; it freaks you out the first time you cross it - specially as it’s about 1km long!’ Quite so, Chris, quite so.
TRUCKSHUNTERS CERTIFICATE
Between us, Kev and I have been able to render his design for a Truckshunters Membership Certificate in a format usable on this blog. Here it is....
.Pretty neat, huh? Well done, Kev - and my apologies again for trying to run before I can even crawl on this blog!Kev has answered my concerns about the expense of producing and posting these Certificates by suggesting that we make them ‘e-certs’. I would simply fill in the blanks and email each member’s certificate to them. Those benighted souls without computers would, of course, need their certs ‘snailmailed’. I guess I could just about afford that out of my own pocket - I doubt very much indeed that the BBC would pay for them.
Kev and I would appreciate your views on the draft Certificate.
Another reminder: if you’d like me to post a picture on the blog, please feel free to send it to me but PLEASE make sure it’s less than about 750 Mb in size. I write this blog on my Mac at home and don’t want it overwhelmed!!!
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The 'land of foreigners' is, of course, Wales. The irony is that the real ‘foreigners’ were the Anglo-Saxons who gave the country its name! The Welsh for Wales is Cymru (cum-ree) which means ‘brothers together’. It sounds very similar to Cumbria and indeed the two words are directly related; Welsh was spoken in Cumbria until the 17th century (or so I’m told).
Tonight’s question........where did the rock band UB40 get their name?
THE NIGHTSHIFT CLASSIC
This week’s classic was the wonderful Canon by Pachelbel.
NAMES
I’ve received an email from Adrian Calvo-Valderrama asking me to spell out on-air the name of this blog - which I have now done. Adrian is French and - o lucky man - lives and works in Paris. Hasn’t he got a delightfully exotic name, though? It rolls around your tongue like a chocolate profiterole! Adrian Calvo-Valderrama. Magic. I think the previously most exotic - or at least most sonorous - emailer’s name to the programme was Andy Tanglewood. I do wonder if the name-holders themselves rejoice in names like this or not. I once worked with a lass called Dawn Rainbow and asked her. I’m glad to say she liked her name as much as everyone else did. I do wonder, though, about the wisdom of Mr and Mrs Healey calling their son Austin - although BBC Radio Newcastle’s own Railton Howes is also named after a car and doesn’t seem to have suffered as a result!
Do you know anyone with an exotic or sonorous name?
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
WEDNESDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2007
REQUESTS
I’m happy to play any requests you may have - provided, of course, they are in the BBC music library here and I can access them. If you do request a track, though, please tell me not just what and why, but also when. I know the ‘audience profile’ changes substantially as the night wears on and it isn’t always clear to me when you might be listening out for the track you’ve asked to hear. So please indicate - within, say, one hour - when you would like the track played.
TRUCKSHUNTERS CERTIFICATE
I obviously still have much to learn about blogging. Firstly, I’ve been saying on air that it’s possible to load pictures as part of your comment. As you will see from yesterday’s posting, I seem to have been lying to you. Loz has found it impossible and HE should know, after all! Sorry if my ignorance has caused anyone grief.
To kinda make amends, here are a couple of Loz's pictures.
Also, Kev has come up with an awesome design for the Truckshunters Membership Certificate which I can’t show you because it doesn’t seem to be in the correct format. Sorry, Kev. I wonder if it can be converted into a jpeg. Or is that what it is already?
I think maybe I should slow things down a bit until I actually know what I’m doing.
COWS
Wasn’t the response to this throwaway item interesting? Both the weatherman (Steve Weston) and listener Val in Chapel House told gruesome stories about fatal bovine attacks. I had no idea! Although, as I said on-air, I often felt a little uneasy walking my dog Taxi on the Town Moor when the cattle were there for the summer. They are BIG animals and they don’t always take kindly to people wandering across that particular pasture. Is the story of the attack on Hunter’s Moor true?
GROSVENOR TRUCKSHUNTER ROBINSON THE FIRST
My misleading information notwithstanding, I still hope Loz’s offer to name a rat after me stands. What a singular honour! Alan Savage, keeper of the Millennium Arboretum at Cramlington, once flattered me by naming an oak sapling after me. You can still see it by the footbridge over the A189. And now I can’t wait to see the rat! My reputation is spreading. Loz’s website, incidentally, is lhpianotuning.co.uk. Quits, Loz?
TRUCKSHUNTER GEM
I really had been mooching down amongst my old 45s when I came across Those Were The Days. I used to like the ‘purity’ of Mary Hopkins’ voice and bought two other tracks by her - Goodbye and Temma Harbour - as well as her Postcards album. I don’t regret the purchases in the slightest. I wonder what’s become of her?
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
REQUESTS
I’m happy to play any requests you may have - provided, of course, they are in the BBC music library here and I can access them. If you do request a track, though, please tell me not just what and why, but also when. I know the ‘audience profile’ changes substantially as the night wears on and it isn’t always clear to me when you might be listening out for the track you’ve asked to hear. So please indicate - within, say, one hour - when you would like the track played.
TRUCKSHUNTERS CERTIFICATE
I obviously still have much to learn about blogging. Firstly, I’ve been saying on air that it’s possible to load pictures as part of your comment. As you will see from yesterday’s posting, I seem to have been lying to you. Loz has found it impossible and HE should know, after all! Sorry if my ignorance has caused anyone grief.
To kinda make amends, here are a couple of Loz's pictures.
Also, Kev has come up with an awesome design for the Truckshunters Membership Certificate which I can’t show you because it doesn’t seem to be in the correct format. Sorry, Kev. I wonder if it can be converted into a jpeg. Or is that what it is already?I think maybe I should slow things down a bit until I actually know what I’m doing.
COWS
Wasn’t the response to this throwaway item interesting? Both the weatherman (Steve Weston) and listener Val in Chapel House told gruesome stories about fatal bovine attacks. I had no idea! Although, as I said on-air, I often felt a little uneasy walking my dog Taxi on the Town Moor when the cattle were there for the summer. They are BIG animals and they don’t always take kindly to people wandering across that particular pasture. Is the story of the attack on Hunter’s Moor true?
GROSVENOR TRUCKSHUNTER ROBINSON THE FIRST
My misleading information notwithstanding, I still hope Loz’s offer to name a rat after me stands. What a singular honour! Alan Savage, keeper of the Millennium Arboretum at Cramlington, once flattered me by naming an oak sapling after me. You can still see it by the footbridge over the A189. And now I can’t wait to see the rat! My reputation is spreading. Loz’s website, incidentally, is lhpianotuning.co.uk. Quits, Loz?
TRUCKSHUNTER GEM
I really had been mooching down amongst my old 45s when I came across Those Were The Days. I used to like the ‘purity’ of Mary Hopkins’ voice and bought two other tracks by her - Goodbye and Temma Harbour - as well as her Postcards album. I don’t regret the purchases in the slightest. I wonder what’s become of her?
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2007
MODEL RAILWAYS
You’ve got to admit, haven’t you, how heavily ironic it is that Rod Stewart - of all people - is a model railway enthusiast. A raunchy rebel with such a carefully-built reputation for woman-chasing doesn’t quite match up to the HO-gauge nerd of folklore. Perhaps even more surprisingly, his enthusiasm is shared, as we heard, by Phil Collins, Lionel Richie, Roger Daltry and - for pity’s sake - Bruce Springsteen.
So what is it about model trains? The periodic fairs held at Gateshead Stadium are testament to their enduring popularity - there was one last weekend. I almost went there myself because - yes, I have to admit it - I’m a big fan too. Along (apparently) with Hermann Goering. I hope that’s all I have in common with him.
Do any Truckshunters have a train set? With a name like ours, we ought to have one really. Come on - out yourself as a model train enthusiast and I promise I won’t ridicule you on-air any more than I will ridicule myself. I promise.
Maybe - just maybe - we should start a Nightshift layout. With Auden’s Night Mail playing on a continuous loop!
BRIDGES BRIDGES BRIDGES
It’s a short hop from railways to bridges. The Know Your North-East question about the bridge on which the Tyne and Sydney Harbour Bridges were modelled has generated considerable heat and - eventually - light as well. Here, I must thank Loz for the monograph he sent me about this. It was exhaustively researched and cogently presented. Loz - I’m overawed. Working at BBC Radio Newcastle, you very quickly learn that our listeners can provide the answer to virtually any question you care to ask. You are collectively a huge and apparently inexhaustible mine of knowledge, experience and information. What a resource I have at my disposal!
SOCIAL NETWORKING
The internet address of the social networking site for older people which I mentioned on today’s programme is SagaZone. If you try it, can I have a report please?
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Suomi is what the Finns call Finland. Interestingly, it’s thought to mean ‘fish-scale people’ from the fish skins the ancient Finns are thought to have worn. Which is why we call them Finns - the word really is related to modern English fin.
Today’s question is......which nation’s English name means ‘the foreigners’?
LISTEN TO THE BANNED
Today’s track - banned by the BBC in 1932 - was She Was Only The Postmaster’s Daughter But... performed by the Durium Dance Band. Awful, wasn’t it?
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
MODEL RAILWAYS
You’ve got to admit, haven’t you, how heavily ironic it is that Rod Stewart - of all people - is a model railway enthusiast. A raunchy rebel with such a carefully-built reputation for woman-chasing doesn’t quite match up to the HO-gauge nerd of folklore. Perhaps even more surprisingly, his enthusiasm is shared, as we heard, by Phil Collins, Lionel Richie, Roger Daltry and - for pity’s sake - Bruce Springsteen.
So what is it about model trains? The periodic fairs held at Gateshead Stadium are testament to their enduring popularity - there was one last weekend. I almost went there myself because - yes, I have to admit it - I’m a big fan too. Along (apparently) with Hermann Goering. I hope that’s all I have in common with him.
Do any Truckshunters have a train set? With a name like ours, we ought to have one really. Come on - out yourself as a model train enthusiast and I promise I won’t ridicule you on-air any more than I will ridicule myself. I promise.
Maybe - just maybe - we should start a Nightshift layout. With Auden’s Night Mail playing on a continuous loop!
BRIDGES BRIDGES BRIDGES
It’s a short hop from railways to bridges. The Know Your North-East question about the bridge on which the Tyne and Sydney Harbour Bridges were modelled has generated considerable heat and - eventually - light as well. Here, I must thank Loz for the monograph he sent me about this. It was exhaustively researched and cogently presented. Loz - I’m overawed. Working at BBC Radio Newcastle, you very quickly learn that our listeners can provide the answer to virtually any question you care to ask. You are collectively a huge and apparently inexhaustible mine of knowledge, experience and information. What a resource I have at my disposal!
SOCIAL NETWORKING
The internet address of the social networking site for older people which I mentioned on today’s programme is SagaZone. If you try it, can I have a report please?
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Suomi is what the Finns call Finland. Interestingly, it’s thought to mean ‘fish-scale people’ from the fish skins the ancient Finns are thought to have worn. Which is why we call them Finns - the word really is related to modern English fin.
Today’s question is......which nation’s English name means ‘the foreigners’?
LISTEN TO THE BANNED
Today’s track - banned by the BBC in 1932 - was She Was Only The Postmaster’s Daughter But... performed by the Durium Dance Band. Awful, wasn’t it?
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER
ALFIE JOEY
Due to my innate stupidity, I gave you the wrong date for Alfie's first show. It's actually on Monday 26 November. Sorry.
THE LONDON DOG WALK
I thought this was a really charming idea. Dogs featured in some of the best and most popular stories ever told, of course, and to have some of them commemorated with plaques and benches round the bandstand in Battersea Park is really touching. Gromit, Lassie, Greyfriars Bobby, Bullseye (from Oliver Twist) and Toto will all be there. It's made we wonder, though, why so many other animals go unremembered - or at least uncommemorated - especially if they played important roles in the real world. The famous World War I pigeons, perhaps. Or Copenhagen, the Duke of Wellington's horse. And here in the north-east we should surely have
some sort of memorial to the humble pit-pony, whose life was as dark and miserable - and often just as short - as the pitman's himself. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I like it. A sculpture of a miner and his gallowa would be truly awe-inspiring in Durham City's Market Place - a fitting replacement for the statue of the appalling Marquess of Londonderry which has besmirched it for far too long.
JESMOND
Whatever anyone else tells you, there is no doubt at all that Jesmond does not mean 'Jesus' mound'. It is Anglo-Saxon Old English 'Ousemouth', altered by the Normans to sound pleasanter to their ears. Nor does Pity Me mean ' small lake' (petit mere). And don't get me started on Quakinghouses or Glororum.....
Today's What's In A Name question is......What's the English name of the country its natives call Suomi?
THE WATER OF TYNE
Lorraine Bulloch, of Heaton, asked to hear this in our local music slot. I hope she doesn't mind me saying that I think it's awful. Surely Sting and Jimmy Nail could have dropped the mid-Atlantic popsong accent; it's not The Wahder 'f Dine, after all. Sorry, Lorraine.
A LETTER TO THE GUARDIAN
'First Worcester is flooded and now Tabasco. Can we expect to see a thousand islands under water by the end of the year?'
I thought that was clever!
ER.....
Kev has just sent me an intriguing set of visual puzzles and booby-traps. Read the words in this triangle aloud.
Notice anything odd?
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
ALFIE JOEY
Due to my innate stupidity, I gave you the wrong date for Alfie's first show. It's actually on Monday 26 November. Sorry.
THE LONDON DOG WALK
I thought this was a really charming idea. Dogs featured in some of the best and most popular stories ever told, of course, and to have some of them commemorated with plaques and benches round the bandstand in Battersea Park is really touching. Gromit, Lassie, Greyfriars Bobby, Bullseye (from Oliver Twist) and Toto will all be there. It's made we wonder, though, why so many other animals go unremembered - or at least uncommemorated - especially if they played important roles in the real world. The famous World War I pigeons, perhaps. Or Copenhagen, the Duke of Wellington's horse. And here in the north-east we should surely have
some sort of memorial to the humble pit-pony, whose life was as dark and miserable - and often just as short - as the pitman's himself. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I like it. A sculpture of a miner and his gallowa would be truly awe-inspiring in Durham City's Market Place - a fitting replacement for the statue of the appalling Marquess of Londonderry which has besmirched it for far too long.
JESMOND
Whatever anyone else tells you, there is no doubt at all that Jesmond does not mean 'Jesus' mound'. It is Anglo-Saxon Old English 'Ousemouth', altered by the Normans to sound pleasanter to their ears. Nor does Pity Me mean ' small lake' (petit mere). And don't get me started on Quakinghouses or Glororum.....
Today's What's In A Name question is......What's the English name of the country its natives call Suomi?
THE WATER OF TYNE
Lorraine Bulloch, of Heaton, asked to hear this in our local music slot. I hope she doesn't mind me saying that I think it's awful. Surely Sting and Jimmy Nail could have dropped the mid-Atlantic popsong accent; it's not The Wahder 'f Dine, after all. Sorry, Lorraine.
A LETTER TO THE GUARDIAN
'First Worcester is flooded and now Tabasco. Can we expect to see a thousand islands under water by the end of the year?'
I thought that was clever!
ER.....
Kev has just sent me an intriguing set of visual puzzles and booby-traps. Read the words in this triangle aloud.
Notice anything odd?
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
FRIDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2007
NIC
It wasn’t an easy decision to ‘go public’ about my reasons for visiting Cardiff in Wednesday’s posting. On balance, though, I decided that you may as well know what was topmost on my mind as not know. After all, many of you have shared your innermost worries and concerns with me. Your reaction to Wednesday’s posting was stunning. I was genuinely moved by the many messages I received from you.
When I wrote Wednesday’s posting I did not, of course, know what was going to happen the very next day - yesterday. Again, your messages have been awesome in their kindness, comfort and generosity of spirit. Truckshunters are obviously very special people - the night seems to bring out the best in the Truckshunter ‘family’. And that’s what we are really, isn’t it? A family.
I am a very lucky radio presenter indeed and I’ll do my best never to forget it.
It’s impossible for me to thank individually everyone who has responded over the last few days - by email, text, phonecall and blog. Thankyou all.
I hope Kev doesn’t mind if I quote part of an email he sent me - it typifies feelings and thoughts so many of you have expressed. Perhaps his words might also bring comfort to anyone else who is experiencing pain similar to mine right now.
‘..if you truly feel for someone then you hurt when they hurt......it is natural to feel as you do; there is nothing selfish about it - you wouldn't be human if you didn't. Unfortunately there is no magic cure, no tablet to take away the feeling. I can't say anything to make you feel less pain. I can only promise you that the anguish DOES lessen but you will never be the same again. Some things can't be forgotten or ignored, or shouldn't be forgotten or ignored, especially when it happens to those we hold dear.
.....those who grieve and hurt when friends and loved ones fall ill get no help at all - they are left simply to 'cope'. It is not selfish to ask for help - you only suffer differently. Feelings of guilt are a common reaction, but why on Earth feel guilty about something that you have no control over?
My advice (for all that its worth) is not to let these feelings become the dominant part of your persona. It's very difficult but it is possible....’
Thankyou ALL.
CHILDREN IN NEED (CIN)
Today’s the ‘big day’ for the BBC’s annual CIN appeal. So please, whatever else you do, make sure you give as much as you possibly can to the many thousands of people who are exerting themselves - sometimes simply in order to look foolish! - to make the lives of children everywhere a little better. WE WANT YOUR MONEY.
ALFIE JOEY
You can’t fail to have noticed that these are fast-changing times at BBC Radio Newcastle - indeed, many of you have commented on the fact. Next week sees the formal arrival of the new presenter of our afternoon programme. Alfie Joey - a name to conjure with if ever there was one - starts his first shift at 1300 on Monday. Be sure to listen - I can guarantee you’ll be hooked!
Meanwhile, I’ll be recording a chat with Jonathan Miles - our new mid-morning presenter - next week. You’ll be able to hear it on Thursday’s and Sunday’s Nightshifts.
THEME OF THE WEEK
Listener Petra wrote to me asking to hear a dozen different theme tunes! From her list, I chose Listen With Mother because that’s exactly what I used to do when I was a bairn. The tune brought back instant memories for me. I hope it had the same effect on you. It’s called Berceuse and is part of the charming Dolly Suite by French composer Faure.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
NIC
It wasn’t an easy decision to ‘go public’ about my reasons for visiting Cardiff in Wednesday’s posting. On balance, though, I decided that you may as well know what was topmost on my mind as not know. After all, many of you have shared your innermost worries and concerns with me. Your reaction to Wednesday’s posting was stunning. I was genuinely moved by the many messages I received from you.
When I wrote Wednesday’s posting I did not, of course, know what was going to happen the very next day - yesterday. Again, your messages have been awesome in their kindness, comfort and generosity of spirit. Truckshunters are obviously very special people - the night seems to bring out the best in the Truckshunter ‘family’. And that’s what we are really, isn’t it? A family.
I am a very lucky radio presenter indeed and I’ll do my best never to forget it.
It’s impossible for me to thank individually everyone who has responded over the last few days - by email, text, phonecall and blog. Thankyou all.
I hope Kev doesn’t mind if I quote part of an email he sent me - it typifies feelings and thoughts so many of you have expressed. Perhaps his words might also bring comfort to anyone else who is experiencing pain similar to mine right now.
‘..if you truly feel for someone then you hurt when they hurt......it is natural to feel as you do; there is nothing selfish about it - you wouldn't be human if you didn't. Unfortunately there is no magic cure, no tablet to take away the feeling. I can't say anything to make you feel less pain. I can only promise you that the anguish DOES lessen but you will never be the same again. Some things can't be forgotten or ignored, or shouldn't be forgotten or ignored, especially when it happens to those we hold dear.
.....those who grieve and hurt when friends and loved ones fall ill get no help at all - they are left simply to 'cope'. It is not selfish to ask for help - you only suffer differently. Feelings of guilt are a common reaction, but why on Earth feel guilty about something that you have no control over?
My advice (for all that its worth) is not to let these feelings become the dominant part of your persona. It's very difficult but it is possible....’
Thankyou ALL.
CHILDREN IN NEED (CIN)
Today’s the ‘big day’ for the BBC’s annual CIN appeal. So please, whatever else you do, make sure you give as much as you possibly can to the many thousands of people who are exerting themselves - sometimes simply in order to look foolish! - to make the lives of children everywhere a little better. WE WANT YOUR MONEY.
ALFIE JOEY
You can’t fail to have noticed that these are fast-changing times at BBC Radio Newcastle - indeed, many of you have commented on the fact. Next week sees the formal arrival of the new presenter of our afternoon programme. Alfie Joey - a name to conjure with if ever there was one - starts his first shift at 1300 on Monday. Be sure to listen - I can guarantee you’ll be hooked!
Meanwhile, I’ll be recording a chat with Jonathan Miles - our new mid-morning presenter - next week. You’ll be able to hear it on Thursday’s and Sunday’s Nightshifts.
THEME OF THE WEEK
Listener Petra wrote to me asking to hear a dozen different theme tunes! From her list, I chose Listen With Mother because that’s exactly what I used to do when I was a bairn. The tune brought back instant memories for me. I hope it had the same effect on you. It’s called Berceuse and is part of the charming Dolly Suite by French composer Faure.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
WEDNESDAY 14 NOVEMBER
HEREFORD AND CARDIFF
As you probably know, I was away last weekend ( - the Saturday and Sunday Nightshifts were prerecorded last week) visiting old friends of mine in Hereford and then Cardiff. Hereford’s a pleasant enough spot I suppose, although it’s extraordinarily busy for such a small city and its cathedral (again, pleasant enough) is like a pimply parish church compared to Durham. I guess we’re used to being overawed by our great buildings here in the north-east. We’ve been kind of ‘spoilt’ by their sheer monumentality so that many of England’s greatest sites appear rather puny in our eyes.
Having said all that, it’s worth noting that not all of our most amazing buildings are as mind-bogglingly awesome as Durham Cathedral or Bamburgh Castle. The tiny, and very well-hidden, parish church at Old Bewick in Northumberland is a gem you can cuddle up to; the Saxon church at Old Seaham on the Durham coast has stood sentinel there for almost 1,400 years; and the church at Escomb, near Bishop Auckland (also Saxon) is said to be the oldest complete building above ground in all of England. Another kind of unsung north-east ‘hero’ to add to the Nightshift list.
MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE (MND)
The friends I visited in Cardiff are called Nic (the Welsh-language spelling!) and Trish. Nic is my oldest friend - I met him at University 40 years ago. Last Spring he was diagnosed with MND. At the time, there were no visible symptoms. There are now.
It was shocking to see such an independent-minded, lively and active man ravaged by this iniquitous disease. It does its damage by preventing the ‘motor neurones’ - the messages from the brain to the muscles - from working. Gradually, the muscles stop working altogether and simply shrivel. It’s truly terrifying and utterly merciless. It’s not just moving, gripping and other ‘activities’ which are affected. Muscles are, of course, involved with simple actions like speaking and swallowing, both of which are getting more and more difficult for Nic.
To be honest, I’m not coping particularly well with the situation. I know that sounds unforgivably selfish and I don’t mean it to. Nic is, of course, the one who needs the help and support of those around him. But they are devastated, too. I wish I didn’t feel so completely powerless - helpless - in the face of this ruthless and incurable illness that Nic and his wife are confronting so bravely.
I left Cardiff a humbled and very angry person. If ANYONE EVER says to me ‘God works in mysterious ways......’ or ‘God is working his purpose out.....’ or ‘this is happening for a reason’.....I will personally pour something disgusting over them and will have to be restrained from doing something much worse.
Nic is my oldest friend. If you have any experience of this situation, please help me. Please.
KNOW YOUR NORTH-EAST
BBC Radio Newcastle is 36. The blue touch paper was lit in January 1971. If you have any ideas how we Truckshunters can celebrate the station’s 37th birthday in January, let me know.
Today’s question is an easy one: what does the place-name Jesmond mean?
NIGHTSHIFT CLASSIC
Tonight’s Classic was Adiemus by the modern Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. I played it to honour my next-door neighbours, who remembered it used as a backing-track for a Building Society ad!
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
HEREFORD AND CARDIFF
As you probably know, I was away last weekend ( - the Saturday and Sunday Nightshifts were prerecorded last week) visiting old friends of mine in Hereford and then Cardiff. Hereford’s a pleasant enough spot I suppose, although it’s extraordinarily busy for such a small city and its cathedral (again, pleasant enough) is like a pimply parish church compared to Durham. I guess we’re used to being overawed by our great buildings here in the north-east. We’ve been kind of ‘spoilt’ by their sheer monumentality so that many of England’s greatest sites appear rather puny in our eyes.
Having said all that, it’s worth noting that not all of our most amazing buildings are as mind-bogglingly awesome as Durham Cathedral or Bamburgh Castle. The tiny, and very well-hidden, parish church at Old Bewick in Northumberland is a gem you can cuddle up to; the Saxon church at Old Seaham on the Durham coast has stood sentinel there for almost 1,400 years; and the church at Escomb, near Bishop Auckland (also Saxon) is said to be the oldest complete building above ground in all of England. Another kind of unsung north-east ‘hero’ to add to the Nightshift list.
MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE (MND)
The friends I visited in Cardiff are called Nic (the Welsh-language spelling!) and Trish. Nic is my oldest friend - I met him at University 40 years ago. Last Spring he was diagnosed with MND. At the time, there were no visible symptoms. There are now.
It was shocking to see such an independent-minded, lively and active man ravaged by this iniquitous disease. It does its damage by preventing the ‘motor neurones’ - the messages from the brain to the muscles - from working. Gradually, the muscles stop working altogether and simply shrivel. It’s truly terrifying and utterly merciless. It’s not just moving, gripping and other ‘activities’ which are affected. Muscles are, of course, involved with simple actions like speaking and swallowing, both of which are getting more and more difficult for Nic.
To be honest, I’m not coping particularly well with the situation. I know that sounds unforgivably selfish and I don’t mean it to. Nic is, of course, the one who needs the help and support of those around him. But they are devastated, too. I wish I didn’t feel so completely powerless - helpless - in the face of this ruthless and incurable illness that Nic and his wife are confronting so bravely.
I left Cardiff a humbled and very angry person. If ANYONE EVER says to me ‘God works in mysterious ways......’ or ‘God is working his purpose out.....’ or ‘this is happening for a reason’.....I will personally pour something disgusting over them and will have to be restrained from doing something much worse.
Nic is my oldest friend. If you have any experience of this situation, please help me. Please.
KNOW YOUR NORTH-EAST
BBC Radio Newcastle is 36. The blue touch paper was lit in January 1971. If you have any ideas how we Truckshunters can celebrate the station’s 37th birthday in January, let me know.
Today’s question is an easy one: what does the place-name Jesmond mean?
NIGHTSHIFT CLASSIC
Tonight’s Classic was Adiemus by the modern Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. I played it to honour my next-door neighbours, who remembered it used as a backing-track for a Building Society ad!
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2007
HOW THE PROGRAMME ‘WORKS’
I went to see Iolanthe at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle last night. On the way out, I was accosted (in the friendliest possible way) by a listener called Frank who asked if I would be going straight to the studio to broadcast the programme. Er.......
Frank was mortified (his word) to discover that the programmes are only ‘live’ between 0600 and 0630, Mondays to Fridays. At all other times, they are prerecorded. So, in the interests of BBC honesty, this is how I do it.
When I finish my ‘live’ slot each morning at 0630, I prerecord the next day’s programme. All the music you hear (except for the nightly ‘special track) is already in the BBC’s computer so I record the ‘links’ (the sections of spoken word) between them. This means that the programme is not recorded in ‘real-time’, as they say these days. I record my voice and slot it in between tracks of music, trails and jingles.
When I’ve finished doing that, the prerecorded programme is put onto an automatic timer which ‘fires’ when the programme is due to start.
When I arrive in the studio at 0530 each morning (Mondays to Fridays), I take over the airwaves at about 0559 and shut down the automatic timer. And then, of course, the whole process begins again.
On two days a week I have to prerecord two programmes to make sure there is a Nightshift on Saturdays and Sundays.
If it all sounds too easy - believe me, it isn’t. Things can - and do - go wrong all the time. But that’s another story.
Iolanthe, by the way, was quite good. I’ve been a Gilbert and Sullivan fan all my adult life but, looking round the audience at the theatre, I did start to wonder whether their relevance to the 21st century was questionable. I saw perhaps 20 or so people under 40; the vast majority of the audience was much older than that. Perhaps G&S has become too much of an acquired taste.
KNOW YOUR NORTH EAST
The two preserved hermit’s cells are at Warkworth (upstream from the castle) and at Chester-le-Street, where the Anker’s House Museum is part of St Mary’s church.
NIGHTSHIFT CLASSIC
......was the first movement of Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight’ Sonata. If there’s a piece of classical music you would like me to play in the small hours, get in touch.
THIS BLOG
I am on leave tomorrow (Friday) and next Monday and Tuesday. The next blog posting will be next Wednesday, 14 November.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
HOW THE PROGRAMME ‘WORKS’
I went to see Iolanthe at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle last night. On the way out, I was accosted (in the friendliest possible way) by a listener called Frank who asked if I would be going straight to the studio to broadcast the programme. Er.......
Frank was mortified (his word) to discover that the programmes are only ‘live’ between 0600 and 0630, Mondays to Fridays. At all other times, they are prerecorded. So, in the interests of BBC honesty, this is how I do it.
When I finish my ‘live’ slot each morning at 0630, I prerecord the next day’s programme. All the music you hear (except for the nightly ‘special track) is already in the BBC’s computer so I record the ‘links’ (the sections of spoken word) between them. This means that the programme is not recorded in ‘real-time’, as they say these days. I record my voice and slot it in between tracks of music, trails and jingles.
When I’ve finished doing that, the prerecorded programme is put onto an automatic timer which ‘fires’ when the programme is due to start.
When I arrive in the studio at 0530 each morning (Mondays to Fridays), I take over the airwaves at about 0559 and shut down the automatic timer. And then, of course, the whole process begins again.
On two days a week I have to prerecord two programmes to make sure there is a Nightshift on Saturdays and Sundays.
If it all sounds too easy - believe me, it isn’t. Things can - and do - go wrong all the time. But that’s another story.
Iolanthe, by the way, was quite good. I’ve been a Gilbert and Sullivan fan all my adult life but, looking round the audience at the theatre, I did start to wonder whether their relevance to the 21st century was questionable. I saw perhaps 20 or so people under 40; the vast majority of the audience was much older than that. Perhaps G&S has become too much of an acquired taste.
KNOW YOUR NORTH EAST
The two preserved hermit’s cells are at Warkworth (upstream from the castle) and at Chester-le-Street, where the Anker’s House Museum is part of St Mary’s church.
NIGHTSHIFT CLASSIC
......was the first movement of Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight’ Sonata. If there’s a piece of classical music you would like me to play in the small hours, get in touch.
THIS BLOG
I am on leave tomorrow (Friday) and next Monday and Tuesday. The next blog posting will be next Wednesday, 14 November.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
WEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2007
THIS BLOG
Thanks for all the advice - here and at the BBC - about how to access this blog. I think we’ve got the hang of it now. Even Gilly in Meadowfield seems to have mastered it!
BBC ENGLISH
The BBC has long been held up as a bastion (what exactly IS a ‘bastion’?) of good-quality English; good grammar, faultless pronunciation and - of course - the right word in the right place. So it comes as quite a shock to learn that there are folk who think it’s no such thing. And it’s even more shocking to have to agree with them - at least partly.
Many people assume that I’m the sort of finicky pedant who gets upset at any new word, or old word ‘misused’. But I don’t. Well, not really. The meanings of words have been changing ceaselessly and steadily for centuries. Silly once meant ‘blessed by God’, nice used to mean ‘dainty’, meat was anything you ate (not just meat) and a deer could be any animal at all. So it ill behoves us (if that’s the right way to put it) to complain about the same process happening now. Who cares if replica means - strictly speaking - an exact copy rather than just a model or reproduction?
Needless to say, I do have bees in my bonnet about some usages. For some reason, I get narked whenever I hear decimate used to mean ‘almost wipe out’. It means ‘reduce by 10%’. And the BBC is almost solely responsible for the total misuse of literally to mean its exact opposite. Sports commentators are always saying stuff like ‘the players have literally built a wall around the penalty area’ when this is precisely what they have not done.
Anyway, let’s face it. Some new words are delightful. Prequel and prevenge encapsulate complex ideas in single words and I’m ashamed to say that I couldn’t manage without cool and OK. OK? Cool.
Everyone gets ‘airiated’ (as my nana used to say) about certain words. Claire texted the programme to say she explodes in fury whenever she hears lend and borrow confused. Is this confusion a local thing?
It would be good to hear about your least favourite language innovation or mistake. And are the BBC’s standards really falling?
SCOTLAND V ENGLAND
The on-air comparison I made between our two nations after 8 years of the Scottish Parliament generated a fiery response, ranging from ‘let’s all move to Scotland NOW’ to ‘the Scots can only afford to do all this because the English subsidise them’. Is that true?
KNOW YOUR NORTH-EAST
Thanks for all the information you’ve sent me about the world’s first ever dog-show, held in Newcastle in 1859.
Today’s question is about the location of the two preserved hermit’s cells in the north-east. Do you know where they are?
NIGHTSHIFT SHOWSTOPPER
Windmills Of Your Mind was written and performed by Noel Harrison as the theme song of The Thomas Crown Affair, although there’s no obvious link between song and film that I can see. Lovely song, though. And it's kept Noel in royalty-fed comfort ever since.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
THIS BLOG
Thanks for all the advice - here and at the BBC - about how to access this blog. I think we’ve got the hang of it now. Even Gilly in Meadowfield seems to have mastered it!
BBC ENGLISH
The BBC has long been held up as a bastion (what exactly IS a ‘bastion’?) of good-quality English; good grammar, faultless pronunciation and - of course - the right word in the right place. So it comes as quite a shock to learn that there are folk who think it’s no such thing. And it’s even more shocking to have to agree with them - at least partly.
Many people assume that I’m the sort of finicky pedant who gets upset at any new word, or old word ‘misused’. But I don’t. Well, not really. The meanings of words have been changing ceaselessly and steadily for centuries. Silly once meant ‘blessed by God’, nice used to mean ‘dainty’, meat was anything you ate (not just meat) and a deer could be any animal at all. So it ill behoves us (if that’s the right way to put it) to complain about the same process happening now. Who cares if replica means - strictly speaking - an exact copy rather than just a model or reproduction?
Needless to say, I do have bees in my bonnet about some usages. For some reason, I get narked whenever I hear decimate used to mean ‘almost wipe out’. It means ‘reduce by 10%’. And the BBC is almost solely responsible for the total misuse of literally to mean its exact opposite. Sports commentators are always saying stuff like ‘the players have literally built a wall around the penalty area’ when this is precisely what they have not done.
Anyway, let’s face it. Some new words are delightful. Prequel and prevenge encapsulate complex ideas in single words and I’m ashamed to say that I couldn’t manage without cool and OK. OK? Cool.
Everyone gets ‘airiated’ (as my nana used to say) about certain words. Claire texted the programme to say she explodes in fury whenever she hears lend and borrow confused. Is this confusion a local thing?
It would be good to hear about your least favourite language innovation or mistake. And are the BBC’s standards really falling?
SCOTLAND V ENGLAND
The on-air comparison I made between our two nations after 8 years of the Scottish Parliament generated a fiery response, ranging from ‘let’s all move to Scotland NOW’ to ‘the Scots can only afford to do all this because the English subsidise them’. Is that true?
KNOW YOUR NORTH-EAST
Thanks for all the information you’ve sent me about the world’s first ever dog-show, held in Newcastle in 1859.
Today’s question is about the location of the two preserved hermit’s cells in the north-east. Do you know where they are?
NIGHTSHIFT SHOWSTOPPER
Windmills Of Your Mind was written and performed by Noel Harrison as the theme song of The Thomas Crown Affair, although there’s no obvious link between song and film that I can see. Lovely song, though. And it's kept Noel in royalty-fed comfort ever since.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2007
THIS BLOG....
Quite a few listeners have had problems accessing (awful word) this blog. The problem appears to be that simply using a Search Engine like Google or Dogpile doesn’t work with blogs. Instead, you have to use a special Blogsearch Engine; Google is equipped with one. I didn’t know any of this when I started this thing. I guess you learn from experience. I’m just a bit worried about what else I don’t know. Anyway, if you can , please pass the message on to anyone you might know who has trouble accessing (yuk) this - or any other - blog. Thankyou.
JONATHAN MILES
You will probably have heard the trails we are broadcasting for Jonathan Miles, the new presenter of the mid-morning programme currently presented by Gilly Hope. Jonathan is new to the north-east and is still - quite literally - finding his way around. When he takes over the slot next Monday please give him a big warm welcome and tell everyone to listen in. Call him, even if it’s only to say ‘Hello and welcome to the north-east’!
MUSIC
Thanks for the deluge of requests for the ‘special’ music slot I introduced the other week. I’m glad you (generally) like what you hear and that you’re keen to hear more. The rough schedule of ‘types’ is....
- Mondays: local or world music, like the Maori and Geordie songs we’ve already heard.
- Tuesdays: Listen To The Banned - tracks which, for one reason or another (usually just the one reason!), have been banned by Uncle BBC.
- Wednesdays: Showstoppers, such as the Deborah Kerr and Ethel Merman songs I’ve played.
- Thursdays: Nightshift Classics - so far, Saint-Saens and Tchaikovsky but keep listening!
- Fridays: Theme of the Week - evocative or nostalgic theme tunes from tv, radio or film.
Please feel free (as you obviously do) to send in any requests or suggestions for music or even for new ‘types’. I like to ring the changes once in a while.
Speaking of music....
LISTEN TO THE BANNED
Today’s track was A Man What Takes His Time, recorded in 1933 by the astonishing Mae West - and promptly banned by the BBC. What a woman! I guess to modern eyes and ears, she seems almost incredibly camp and ludicrously suggestive. Nevertheless, I suspect that one or two of the people who heard the track would have been surprised at what she got away with. To some people, she’s shocking even now!
KNOW YOUR NORTH-EAST
West Cornforth and North Ormesby both share the doubtful honour of being nicknamed Doggie. Kev has supplied a couple of possible explanations which I will mention during the ‘live’ part of tomorrow’s (Wednesday’s) programme. Briefly, though....
- the dogger was the top seam of ironstone worked by the company that owned the ironworks;
- the company made fire-dogs;
- it also made the spikes that held railway chairs down onto the sleepers - dogs;
- the railway route had a dogleg in it;
- there were lots of dogs in West Cornforth (and also, presumably, in North Ormesby).
You pays your money and you takes your choice.
CHILDREN IN NEED (CIN)
CIN isn’t far away now and I don’t want this to be the first year I don’t do anything in support of it. Any suggestions would be gratefully received - especially if they involve YOU too!
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
THIS BLOG....
Quite a few listeners have had problems accessing (awful word) this blog. The problem appears to be that simply using a Search Engine like Google or Dogpile doesn’t work with blogs. Instead, you have to use a special Blogsearch Engine; Google is equipped with one. I didn’t know any of this when I started this thing. I guess you learn from experience. I’m just a bit worried about what else I don’t know. Anyway, if you can , please pass the message on to anyone you might know who has trouble accessing (yuk) this - or any other - blog. Thankyou.
JONATHAN MILES
You will probably have heard the trails we are broadcasting for Jonathan Miles, the new presenter of the mid-morning programme currently presented by Gilly Hope. Jonathan is new to the north-east and is still - quite literally - finding his way around. When he takes over the slot next Monday please give him a big warm welcome and tell everyone to listen in. Call him, even if it’s only to say ‘Hello and welcome to the north-east’!
MUSIC
Thanks for the deluge of requests for the ‘special’ music slot I introduced the other week. I’m glad you (generally) like what you hear and that you’re keen to hear more. The rough schedule of ‘types’ is....
- Mondays: local or world music, like the Maori and Geordie songs we’ve already heard.
- Tuesdays: Listen To The Banned - tracks which, for one reason or another (usually just the one reason!), have been banned by Uncle BBC.
- Wednesdays: Showstoppers, such as the Deborah Kerr and Ethel Merman songs I’ve played.
- Thursdays: Nightshift Classics - so far, Saint-Saens and Tchaikovsky but keep listening!
- Fridays: Theme of the Week - evocative or nostalgic theme tunes from tv, radio or film.
Please feel free (as you obviously do) to send in any requests or suggestions for music or even for new ‘types’. I like to ring the changes once in a while.
Speaking of music....
LISTEN TO THE BANNED
Today’s track was A Man What Takes His Time, recorded in 1933 by the astonishing Mae West - and promptly banned by the BBC. What a woman! I guess to modern eyes and ears, she seems almost incredibly camp and ludicrously suggestive. Nevertheless, I suspect that one or two of the people who heard the track would have been surprised at what she got away with. To some people, she’s shocking even now!
KNOW YOUR NORTH-EAST
West Cornforth and North Ormesby both share the doubtful honour of being nicknamed Doggie. Kev has supplied a couple of possible explanations which I will mention during the ‘live’ part of tomorrow’s (Wednesday’s) programme. Briefly, though....
- the dogger was the top seam of ironstone worked by the company that owned the ironworks;
- the company made fire-dogs;
- it also made the spikes that held railway chairs down onto the sleepers - dogs;
- the railway route had a dogleg in it;
- there were lots of dogs in West Cornforth (and also, presumably, in North Ormesby).
You pays your money and you takes your choice.
CHILDREN IN NEED (CIN)
CIN isn’t far away now and I don’t want this to be the first year I don’t do anything in support of it. Any suggestions would be gratefully received - especially if they involve YOU too!
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2007
Bonfire Night
TRUCKSHUNTERS....
...thanks for your comments so far; they’re very encouraging. Please keep them coming and PLEASE encourage as many people as possible to view the blog and comment on it - even critically and even if they can’t (or won’t) listen to The Nightshift. That’s just in case I’m called upon to justify the time I spend doing it!
BOWES STEAM RAILWAY
For those of you with the good sense to visit the Bowes Railway on its Santa Special Days, the relevant dates are the weekends of 1/2 and 8/9 December. You can get more information from (0191) 416 1847. Enjoy!
EUPHEMISMS
No, Kev - posting a blog isn’t a euphemism for anything - although it’s fairly typical of the way we use our language that it could easily be taken for one. Hence, I suppose, the success down the years of the sainted Kenneth Williams and his ilk. Thanks to Victorian prudery - they apparently really DID cover up the legs of pianos - almost anything can sound like a suggestive euphemism; indeed, reprobates like the Tipsy Duchess - whom it is far too late for God to preserve - thrived on that very fact. How well I remember her arriving by boat in the Tyne one Saturday ‘surrounded by seamen and holding fast to their bollards, the Reverend Unseemly Dogposture waving something unmistakable on the quayside’. We got away with a surprising amount of smut in them days.
Many of the actions, things or feelings that the Victorians were over-sensitive of were not even ‘suggestive’; dying and death, for example, have bequeathed us (if you pardon the pun) passing over/away, being taken, funeral director, casket, pushing up the daisies, promoted to glory, six feet under, being with the Lord or in a better place, shuffling off this mortal coil.......and any others you may care to think of. Modern (digital) versions include 'exported to a flat file' and 'sent to the archive'.
But it’s the toilet - and what we all do there - that has produced by far the largest number of euphemisms. Someone once reckoned there were over 170 of them. Where do you start? The littlest room, the boys’/men’s room, spend a penny, pay a visit, see a man about a dog, point percy at the snake pit, splash your boots......I’d be interested to hear how many more you can come up with. Let’s try and get as close to 170 as we can.
While we’re on the subject of euphemisms (and not smut)....I took a strange call from a listener called Edith this morning. In order to listen, she told me she had to set her alarm early and turn the volume on her radio way down so as not to wake anyone else in the house. Now that’s devotion! She called to add netty to the list of euphemisms for ‘toilet’ - itself, of course, a euphemism. But where does this peculiar - and very local - word originate. I know of at least two theories. Any ideas?
KNOW YOUR NORTH-EAST
The oldest railway in the world in continuous use is the Tanfield Railway, not far from Stanley in County Durham. It’s been working away uncomplainingly since 1725 - 100 years before the Stockton and Darlington Railway was opened. Its course includes the amazing Causey Arch - de facto, the world’s oldest railway bridge. If you haven’t been to the railway or the bridge (- it’s a very pleasant walk -) shame on you!
Today’s question is......there are very few places indeed that have ‘informal’ nicknames used by local people. West Cornforth in County Durham is one of them. What do local people call the village? Interestingly, North Ormesby (near Middlesbrough) has the same nickname.
If, by the way, you happen to know why this particular nickname has attached itself to these two places, TELL ME. Nobody seems to know.
GOING LOCAL
Today’s track was The Ballad of George Washington. I’ve liked it for many years and I hope you liked it too. Usually, opera singers sound awful singing ‘ordinary’ songs like this but, in this case, I reckon Graeme Danby makes a superb job of it. Even the backing of the Northern Sinfonia and Chorus adds to its charm.
If there’s a local track you would like to hear, get in touch in any of the usual ways.
TODAY.....
You probably know that I’m an Easington lad. In those parts, the only team to support is Sunderland. My brother has been subjecting himself to the emotional turmoil of Roker Park and the Stadium of Light for over 50 years and both he and his family are still gluttons for the same punishment. It was, therefore, with a certain undisguised satisfaction that I was able to mention - in the Today.... part of the programme - that it was on 5 November 1908 that Sunderland defeated Newcastle 1-9. This is still the biggest away victory of all time in the English First Division/Premiership.
Incidentally, comedian and tv presenter Russell Brand recently refused to call Sunerland ‘The Black Cats’ on the basis that the nickname is a pure invention and is in no way ‘traditional’. Is he right?
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
Bonfire Night
TRUCKSHUNTERS....
...thanks for your comments so far; they’re very encouraging. Please keep them coming and PLEASE encourage as many people as possible to view the blog and comment on it - even critically and even if they can’t (or won’t) listen to The Nightshift. That’s just in case I’m called upon to justify the time I spend doing it!
BOWES STEAM RAILWAY
For those of you with the good sense to visit the Bowes Railway on its Santa Special Days, the relevant dates are the weekends of 1/2 and 8/9 December. You can get more information from (0191) 416 1847. Enjoy!
EUPHEMISMS
No, Kev - posting a blog isn’t a euphemism for anything - although it’s fairly typical of the way we use our language that it could easily be taken for one. Hence, I suppose, the success down the years of the sainted Kenneth Williams and his ilk. Thanks to Victorian prudery - they apparently really DID cover up the legs of pianos - almost anything can sound like a suggestive euphemism; indeed, reprobates like the Tipsy Duchess - whom it is far too late for God to preserve - thrived on that very fact. How well I remember her arriving by boat in the Tyne one Saturday ‘surrounded by seamen and holding fast to their bollards, the Reverend Unseemly Dogposture waving something unmistakable on the quayside’. We got away with a surprising amount of smut in them days.
Many of the actions, things or feelings that the Victorians were over-sensitive of were not even ‘suggestive’; dying and death, for example, have bequeathed us (if you pardon the pun) passing over/away, being taken, funeral director, casket, pushing up the daisies, promoted to glory, six feet under, being with the Lord or in a better place, shuffling off this mortal coil.......and any others you may care to think of. Modern (digital) versions include 'exported to a flat file' and 'sent to the archive'.
But it’s the toilet - and what we all do there - that has produced by far the largest number of euphemisms. Someone once reckoned there were over 170 of them. Where do you start? The littlest room, the boys’/men’s room, spend a penny, pay a visit, see a man about a dog, point percy at the snake pit, splash your boots......I’d be interested to hear how many more you can come up with. Let’s try and get as close to 170 as we can.
While we’re on the subject of euphemisms (and not smut)....I took a strange call from a listener called Edith this morning. In order to listen, she told me she had to set her alarm early and turn the volume on her radio way down so as not to wake anyone else in the house. Now that’s devotion! She called to add netty to the list of euphemisms for ‘toilet’ - itself, of course, a euphemism. But where does this peculiar - and very local - word originate. I know of at least two theories. Any ideas?
KNOW YOUR NORTH-EAST
The oldest railway in the world in continuous use is the Tanfield Railway, not far from Stanley in County Durham. It’s been working away uncomplainingly since 1725 - 100 years before the Stockton and Darlington Railway was opened. Its course includes the amazing Causey Arch - de facto, the world’s oldest railway bridge. If you haven’t been to the railway or the bridge (- it’s a very pleasant walk -) shame on you!
Today’s question is......there are very few places indeed that have ‘informal’ nicknames used by local people. West Cornforth in County Durham is one of them. What do local people call the village? Interestingly, North Ormesby (near Middlesbrough) has the same nickname.
If, by the way, you happen to know why this particular nickname has attached itself to these two places, TELL ME. Nobody seems to know.
GOING LOCAL
Today’s track was The Ballad of George Washington. I’ve liked it for many years and I hope you liked it too. Usually, opera singers sound awful singing ‘ordinary’ songs like this but, in this case, I reckon Graeme Danby makes a superb job of it. Even the backing of the Northern Sinfonia and Chorus adds to its charm.
If there’s a local track you would like to hear, get in touch in any of the usual ways.
TODAY.....
You probably know that I’m an Easington lad. In those parts, the only team to support is Sunderland. My brother has been subjecting himself to the emotional turmoil of Roker Park and the Stadium of Light for over 50 years and both he and his family are still gluttons for the same punishment. It was, therefore, with a certain undisguised satisfaction that I was able to mention - in the Today.... part of the programme - that it was on 5 November 1908 that Sunderland defeated Newcastle 1-9. This is still the biggest away victory of all time in the English First Division/Premiership.
Incidentally, comedian and tv presenter Russell Brand recently refused to call Sunerland ‘The Black Cats’ on the basis that the nickname is a pure invention and is in no way ‘traditional’. Is he right?
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
FRIDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2007
INVENTIONS
Just for the record, this is the list of things invented in New Zealand, or by New Zealanders....the self-sealing lid, the wide-toothed shearing comb, the luggage carousel, Pavlova, the stamp-vending machine, the bobby pin, the electric fence, the jet-powered boat and Velcro.
Betty (in Chester-le-Street) called to say she remembered being told that the inventor of Velcro was inspired by the interlocking of the seeds on a dandelion ‘clock’.
And Les called to remind me that the yellow QuayLink electric buses on Tyneside were designed and made in New Zealand and shipped over - at some considerable expense. Amazingly, their engines can be started from a laptop in New Zealand. Isn’t nature wonderful?
And what’s a bobby-pin?
MORE INVENTIONS
The north-east is perhaps best-known for being the birthplace of railways and (thanks to Lord Armstrong) hydraulics. The other day we celebrated the birthday of Sir Joseph Wilson Swan, the Gateshead engineer who invented the world’s first usable electric lamp (- eat your heart out, Edison). And Jonathan Ive, designer of Apple's ubiquitous iPod (as well as their iMac computers) received his design training at Newcastle Polytechnic - as it then was.
But other, less ‘hefty’, innovations started life here. Andrews Liver Salts were invented by a man called Leach in the 1850s in Newcastle - they are named after St Andrew’s church where the original factory was. The hand-grenade known as a ‘Mills bomb’ was invented by a Sunderland golf-club designer called Sir William Mills in 1915. The pies you eat at 'the match' are the way they are thanks to the Gaudy family of Jarrow, who invented an industrial pie-lidding machine. Crisps were first flavoured at Hoggett’s factory in Gateshead in the 1920s. Mustard as we know it was first produced by Mrs Clements of Durham City in the 1780s. And - a good old stalwart, this one - the humble (but indispensable) windscreen wiper was invented by a Whitley Bay man called Gladstone Adams in 1905. New Zealand? Pah!
THE SIMONSIDE BRAG
Thanks for all your emails, calls and texts (especially those from Fred and Mietek) about this spooky local folktale which I told last night. It’s been scaring me witless since I was a bairn and I’m glad it seems to have had the same effect on you. Incidentally, some local people know the story as The Duergar.
Both Fred and Mietek asked if The Nighshift was available online as ‘listen again’. It isn’t. Nor is it downloadable as a podcast. Sorry.
MUSICAL MAYHEM
The Theme of the Week was Chi Mai, written by Ennio Morricone and used by the BBC as the theme to The Life and Times of David Lloyd George.
If there’s some theme music you would like to hear, get in touch.
KNOW YOUR NORTH-EAST
The novel which rocked the literary world in the 50s and which was written largely in the library at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea was Room at the Top, by John Braine.
Today’s question is....the world’s oldest railway in continuous use is in the north-east. Where?
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
INVENTIONS
Just for the record, this is the list of things invented in New Zealand, or by New Zealanders....the self-sealing lid, the wide-toothed shearing comb, the luggage carousel, Pavlova, the stamp-vending machine, the bobby pin, the electric fence, the jet-powered boat and Velcro.
Betty (in Chester-le-Street) called to say she remembered being told that the inventor of Velcro was inspired by the interlocking of the seeds on a dandelion ‘clock’.
And Les called to remind me that the yellow QuayLink electric buses on Tyneside were designed and made in New Zealand and shipped over - at some considerable expense. Amazingly, their engines can be started from a laptop in New Zealand. Isn’t nature wonderful?
And what’s a bobby-pin?
MORE INVENTIONS
The north-east is perhaps best-known for being the birthplace of railways and (thanks to Lord Armstrong) hydraulics. The other day we celebrated the birthday of Sir Joseph Wilson Swan, the Gateshead engineer who invented the world’s first usable electric lamp (- eat your heart out, Edison). And Jonathan Ive, designer of Apple's ubiquitous iPod (as well as their iMac computers) received his design training at Newcastle Polytechnic - as it then was.
But other, less ‘hefty’, innovations started life here. Andrews Liver Salts were invented by a man called Leach in the 1850s in Newcastle - they are named after St Andrew’s church where the original factory was. The hand-grenade known as a ‘Mills bomb’ was invented by a Sunderland golf-club designer called Sir William Mills in 1915. The pies you eat at 'the match' are the way they are thanks to the Gaudy family of Jarrow, who invented an industrial pie-lidding machine. Crisps were first flavoured at Hoggett’s factory in Gateshead in the 1920s. Mustard as we know it was first produced by Mrs Clements of Durham City in the 1780s. And - a good old stalwart, this one - the humble (but indispensable) windscreen wiper was invented by a Whitley Bay man called Gladstone Adams in 1905. New Zealand? Pah!
THE SIMONSIDE BRAG
Thanks for all your emails, calls and texts (especially those from Fred and Mietek) about this spooky local folktale which I told last night. It’s been scaring me witless since I was a bairn and I’m glad it seems to have had the same effect on you. Incidentally, some local people know the story as The Duergar.
Both Fred and Mietek asked if The Nighshift was available online as ‘listen again’. It isn’t. Nor is it downloadable as a podcast. Sorry.
MUSICAL MAYHEM
The Theme of the Week was Chi Mai, written by Ennio Morricone and used by the BBC as the theme to The Life and Times of David Lloyd George.
If there’s some theme music you would like to hear, get in touch.
KNOW YOUR NORTH-EAST
The novel which rocked the literary world in the 50s and which was written largely in the library at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea was Room at the Top, by John Braine.
Today’s question is....the world’s oldest railway in continuous use is in the north-east. Where?
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
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