'Tis the Season to be Jolly! Dec.2011 Blog.

Hullo There!
Welcome to the final blog of 2011 and what a year it's been.
January started out with my 'fall' and October seemed to think it was Spring-confused? I thought it would make a 'clever' starting paragraph,well that's my excuse anyhow.
The shoulder is almost back to normal in that as some folks told me I would now feel the 'dampness' from the weather-how true!I can now predict to people when we are about to have a 'damp' patch(outside of course)-although I could try making a bob or two on the side by going into folks homes,predicting 'oncoming' rising damp!You never know it may work and even help the unemployment figures by creating jobs within the private sector,although I guess it comes under the 'Big Society' remit - so no chance there,then! It was worth a shot I guess.
Hope you are finding the pre-Chistmas rush stress-free.This year I decided to start a bit earlier than last by getting everything ready-presents,cards,etc.Hope you did the same this year.Just 'chill out' now and look forward to the day itself.
I'll end my 'festive' ramblings by wishing you all the best,oh and do watch the ice when taking your post-Christmas lunch walk-hopefully we'll have a mild,ice-free Christmas.
T.T.F.N.
Stephen.

Of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness-Novemeber Blog.

Hullo There.
Welcome to the November Blog.
November always seems a 'dull' month to me-weatherwise with it's short days and long nights which seem to last for ages.There is some colour to be found in this 'grey' season and that's the bright red berries still on the trees.Thanks to an 'extended' summer(remember the start of October) my back garden is still putting on show of laveder,although once the autumn frosts kick in they will become a distant memory.
On the radio front,I'm still spending my time broadcasting both from my home studio and the one up at Hough Lane.Still putting out my SKEBA memories at home and Radio Days 'up there'.Saturday mornings up until the end of December finds me broadcasting also on Saturday mornings from home with both Powder River and Breakfast with Stephen from 8.30am.The only 'downside' to these early morning shifts is having to rise when it's still dark outside- and dull!
See you next month for my Christmas-type blog.
T.T.F.N,
Stephen.

Indian Summer-the October 2011 Blog.

With the recent few days breaking all previous records(very hot) over the last few days it's rather nice to work inside where it's a little cooler.
The term 'Indian Summer' is from the native American Indians,who looked forward to a warmer late September and with it an extended hunting season.It surely can't last and I guess in a few days time we'll be back to big coats and pullovers.Enjoy it while you can!
On the radio front we continue our Sundays with Paul Temple-and I stand corrected-the second story is actually The Conrad Case.
Meanwhile on Saturday mornings for the next 15 weeks,starting at 8.30 and going through to 10am we are broadcasting the western series Powder River,followed by my Breakfast with Stephen radio show-do catch them if you are able-but don't let the toast burn!
A whole mixture of programmes can be found throughout the week-check out our website for all the details.
Still 'taking stock' of where I'm at- I hope to make some major changes in 2012-more 'soul searching' and looking at where I am at the moment-I'll hopefully be able to share them with you nearer the time.
Happy Listening-T.T.F.N.
Stephen.

Autumn Sounds-The September 2011 Blog.

Hullo There!
As the summer turns to autumn and those days.... oh do get on with it!!
Yes,well September has arrived along with the return of Radio Days and that classic 1950s radio programme,Paul Temple.
After a summer break I'm back presenting music from the 20s-50s on Sunday afternoons from 1.30pm to 2.25pm.It's been nice to have shared some of my Radio Skeba memories with you and all being well,there are some more to come-this time from January -April 1982.These will probably be going out early next year.
Also on Sunday from 1pm Paul Temple will be starting a 16- week run with two 8-part serials-The Alex Affair and The Gilbert Case.-both thrilling radio drama for a Sunday afternoon's entertainment!If you're a fan of radio detectives,then don't miss a single episode!

Good news is that Doctor Who will be back on the airways from January 2012 with three stories in a 15 -week run on Sundays from 1.30pm.
2013 sees the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who and planned are two runs of the series,one of these in November with a possible 'regeneration'! More details nearer the time.
Until my next blog-
T.T.F.N.
Stephen.

HIGH SUMMER.- the August Blog.2011.

Hi There and Welcome to the August Blog.
With the summer in full swing everything at my home studio is going quite well.I've managed to master the art of 'switching' the server between home and the Hough Lane studio and vice-verse,so much so that your really can't see,or in radiospeak,hear the joint!
I'm making good use of the home-base this summer by not only continuing to share my Radio SKEBA memories from 1.30pm on Sundays afternoons,but also run recordings of both The Revival Show(when Rob is unavailable) and Country Legends while Ben takes a break.I guess that's what one would call 'team work'.
On a more personal note I'm actually now taking stock of my life-looking back at where I've been,looking at where I am at the present and trying to plan a more balanced life for at least the next 10 years.A lot of 'soul-searching' at the moment..As to if Radio Poplar is going to be a major player in my plans,I'm not quite sure as yet.After 30-some years of voluntary broadcasting work,I guess some sort of 'scaling down' is in the offing,spending more time doing other things.For the now I'm continuing to do my duties here and supporting other people.I'll keep you posted on this one.
Radio Days returns for its autumn run in September and will be broadcast from my home studio,here at Greenthorpe and I promise that you'll still be unable to 'hear' the joint at 2.25pm when I hand over to the Hough Lane studio for Howard's Joyful Sounds.
Take Care and T.T.F.N.
Stephen.

Summertime and the Listening is Easy.......

Hi There,
Welcome to the Radio Poplar July Blog.
For the next 9 weeks until September,Radio Days is taking a break and in its place I'll be presenting recordings made up at Seacroft Hospital for Radio SKEBA between August-November 1981-30 years ago!
Transfered from audio cassette onto CD,they still sound as fresh as the day they were made-even my voice sounds the same-despite years of abuse and hard drinking-just kidding there! I guess I must have stored them very carefully,even though the house was covered with dust during the 'refurb' in 2004.
Anyhow,they are all stacked up and ready to broadcast-Sunday afternoons from 1.30pm.I hope you enjoy them,especially the 80s 'chart' sounds!
Hancock's Half Hour continues until the end of August at 1pm,so please do enjoy that series also.

T.T.F.N.
Stephen.

Here Comes Summer-The June 2011 Blog.

Hello There!
Well after a May which was more akin to March and March which was,well like May I hope this month is going to be more like June!
On the radio front things are going quite well and my latest PR work to encourage listenership is with Aukids-who work with autistic children,young people and their parents.They publish a magazine(also online)and can be found on bothTwitter and Facebook.I have also been in touch with other autism groups who are going to include our station's info on their newsletter pages.
One other area I am working with is Downs Syndrome,where I hope to encourge this organisation to work with us.It's all part of Radio Poplar's re-mit to provide a radio service for those who may find something to make them feel less isolated within the community.
On the programme front we seem to be picking up more listeners,especially with Colin's JAZZ COCKTALL,which goes out Tuesdays at 8pm,repeated Fridays at 7pm.Also Lea and Jon's ALMOST FAMOUS-Wednesdays 7-9pm,featuring live studio sets and interviews with up and coming vocalists/bands.All good stuff!
On the Sunday 1-1.30pm slot 'HANCOCK'S HALF HOUR' is on 'offer'.This runs until August when we'll be presenting more vintage radio with PAUL TEMPLE.
T.T.F.N.
Stephen.

ONE MORNING IN MAY-May 2011 BLOG.

HULLO THERE!
Welcome to the Radio Poplar blog for May 2011.
The current series of Doctor Who comes to an end this month,but don't worry,the series will return in January 2012 for a 15-week series.
Lined up will be a dalek story and a story about vampires!Well,that will give you an excuse to hide behind the sofa!And if that was'nt enough,plans are afoot to run another series in 2013.

I am planning to continue presenting Radio Days until the Autumn,when I hope to give it a rest for the remainder of 2011.What will take its place I'm not quite sure at the moment.I'll keep you 'posted' on this one.
I guess to keep Radio Days 'fresh' I need to look for songs of which I don't have in my music library.I'm sure that there are many 20s-50s gems out there,waiting to be found.

On the Spring Bank Holiday Sunday I'll be presenting another programme of music,mainly from the 80s.Memories of my days at Radio SKEBA up at Seacroft and Killingbeck Hospitals.

Until my June blog,
T.T.F.N.
Stephen.

OUT LIKE A LION-The April 2011 Blog.

HULLO THERE!
Well here we are-another new month and the promise of longer,warmer days to look forward to.
On the radio front I am now back up the main studio,broadcasting live with Radio Days.
Still having the physio to get these very stiff shoulder muscles working proplerly.I'm also starting a new excercise where I have to grab a towel with my left hand,drop it behind my back,grab the end with my right hand and pull it up as far as I can.Believe me brother,it's agony-yet as they say-no gain without pain!
During my previous 'session' I had to lie on my front while my physio did an impression of kneading dough.I was asked to shout 'Stop!' should it get too painful!Let's just say the noises I started to make probably sparked a conversation amongst other patients from the film 'When Harry Met Sally' "I'll have what HE'S having!" Heaven knows what they were thinking!
As a result I seem to be making good progress and should be back to my old(less of the old,please!) self sometime soon.
T.T.F.N.

IN LIKE A LAMB-welcome to the March Blog.....

Hullo There!
Welcome to this month's ramblings of this and that.
The good news is that the shoulder has now healed,but I need to do some work on the muscles as they are still rather 'solid'!Having been to my second physio session last week,I woke up the following morning with a right arm feeling very much as though it had been through a mangle-and back!
Still broadcasting from my home studio-for the time being at least.I seem to have mastered all the 'connecting and dis-connecting' to the stream down to a fine art.At least nobody can see the joint!!Hopefully I'll be back in the 'big' studio within a few weeks-that's when 'Radio Days' will start up live again.
Over the last 6 weeks,or so I've been presenting recordings which were made in our small radio 'shack'- a small shed at the back of the hospital.For the next few week's I'll be presenting some programmes from last year from our Bramley studio.
Until my next blog-
T.T.F.N.
Stephen.

STILL STRAPPED UP IN FEBRUARY!

Hullo There!
As I write this February blog I'm still 'strapped up' as the right shoulder-broken 3 weeks ago is still healing-or as they say in medical terms - still 'Knitting'.At least I don't have to go down the outpatients at Leeds General Infirmary-discharged with 'honours'.The next stage in three week's time is to pay a second visit to the physiotherapist,but that's another story.
During my 'incapacity' I am still broadcasting from my home studio and I guess that will be the case for the next few weeks,when hopefully I'll have full use of my right arm.
Doctor Who is going out at 1pm,followed by one of our 1994-2004 recordings of 'Radio Days' from the shed up at St.Mary's Hospital-our old stomping ground.
Talking about St.Mary's-I'm informed that Maple House-the old Cedar and Maple wards-has been pulled down and replaced with another car park!
Well that's about all for now so until March-
T.T.F.N.
Stephen.

Danger-Black Ice!

Hullo There!
As I write this January blog my right arm is strapped up in a rather fetching pink foam sling and I am having to type with one hand,so please note-this is a slow blog!
The thing is on Sunday morning I slipped on a patch of black ice on my way out,walked back to pick up my specks-now in two halves and slipped again.The result being a broken right shoulder-good start to the year,eh?
The good news is that I managed to put out my radio broadcast the same afternoon and will hopefully be putting something out this Sunday,only this time from my home studio.I may put out an earlier broadcast to see if I sound different with two good shoulders!
Take care- and watch out for the black ice!!
T.T.F.N.
Stephen.