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Clare Teal presents the BBC Big Band in session with arranger Colin Skinner.
Monday 10 December 2012, 10:18
This morning former England rugby captain, Will Carling, introduced us to an incredible and heart-warming story about a young teacher from Lancashire. Jimmy Higham, an avid Rugby player, was coached by the same person as Will and went on to become a P.E. teacher. Shortly after his 25th birthday, in November 2010, he was tragically diagnosed with cancer. Despite suffering from this terminal illness, he continued to teach in his 'dream job' at Wellington College and made an amazing impact on the students and staff . Jimmy unfortunately lost his battle with cancer only 9 months after his diagnosis, at the young age of 26. But from darkness came a ray of light in the form of a recording.
Jimmy's friends and family always remarked on his great singing voice but he never pursued a musical career or entered TV talent shows as others encouraged. After his death, a university friend discovered an email Jimmy had sent him before he was diagnosed with cancer, which included a recording of him singing Stevie Wonder's, 'Isn't She Lovely'. Jimmy's friend went on to release the track and made it available for download. The proceeds from the single will go to the Jimmy Higham Bursary Fund, which...
Read more about An amazing man...
Monday 29 October 2012, 06:03
It's 5.56 on Monday morning - and now, it's not just me and a few other undeserving showbiz types who have been to see Mr Bond in action. The Twittersphere has been alive with nuggets of joy from the increasing thousands who are now party to all the shhh. . . moments. Some poor souls are pretending to try to find fault with Skyfall but I can smell their synthesis. Ne'er mind, there's always going to be someone who claims not to like steaming hot apple pie with melting ice cream. Imagine being one of those !
Not us my friends. Not us.
Have a fab week.
Peace and Love.
CE
2012
X.
Monday 10 September 2012, 11:32
Hey, aren't they all but particularly today. Hamilton at Monza, McIlroy in the golf, Murray tonight in New York and The Olympic and Paralympic Parade this afternoon. The only thing is I wish the kids could all get to see it live. Hopefully some sympathetic teachers might stick the telly on. In other news, Robbie was on the show today, listen again via the iplayer and at the Radio 2 Website, relaxed, happy and excited about his new music and his baby due anytime from now. And CarFest North was another magical weekend of cars, food, music, planes and dancing diggers and their arena pals.
God bless Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all who sail in her.
Tally ho. Gotta go.
Peace and Love
CE
2011
X.
Friday 7 September 2012, 11:59
I think (still whispering) that it's gonna be a gorgeous weekend for an awful lot of us. It's suntan weather down South today already. And my wife who is already oop North with the boys on the way to glamping at CarFest says it's stunning blue sky there as well. This is all rather bloomin' good news for one and all. And it's the finale of The Paralympics - plus The Parade Of Champions which is taking place in London on Monday. Which we hope to feature a lot on the programme a few hours earlier. As well as, of course, the small ingredient of Robbie Williams available for a bit of breaky banter....
Wednesday 29 August 2012, 12:48
And so post CarFest, me Tash and Nodge have come down with the DampCamp bug. I don't mind, it just serves to remind me of the what a fab weekend we have all had.
Noah and Tash are struggling a bit more with it, but a sustainable excuse to have a bed-in day together, cuddle up and watch a movie or two, in between random attacks from The Tickle Monster.
Now, did you hear today's Pause For Thought? It was delivered by a very special lady by the name of Stacey James. If you didn't catch it, please listen again on the iPlayer. She was on at 9.25 a.m. Wed 29th of August. An example of ultimate compassion...
Thursday 23 August 2012, 12:18
As exciting as Christmas except equally as nerve racking at the same time. I am sitting in my garden surrounded by site plans - notes, passes for friends and family and a head that is a ball of confusion. They say "it'll be alright on the night," well let's hope so bearing in mind there are actually three nights, if you count the seven thousand bods who have informed us they are arriving on Friday afternoon. Looking at the forecast for tonight around where I live, it does not read well, save I am having to type this blog in the shade of a rather large Redwood tree because the sun is so hot and...
Read more about So two sleeps to go to the first ever CarFest...
Thursday 23 August 2012, 11:43
So, two sleeps to go to the first ever CarFest. As exciting as Christmas except equally as nerve-racking at the same time.
I am sitting in my garden surrounded by site plans - notes, passes for friends and family, and a head that is a ball of confusion. They say "It'll be alright on the night," well let's hope so, bearing in mind there are actually three nights, if you count the seven thousand bods who have informed us they are arriving on Friday afternoon.
Looking at the forecast for tonight around where I live, it does not read well, save I am having to type this blog in the shade of a rather...
Friday 10 August 2012, 18:34
The last of our regularly scheduled Olympic breakkie shows ended at 10 o'clock today.
We're back on the air tomorrow from 10 until 1 and then Sunday 11 until 1. And then that'll be us for London 2012.
Now, how do we get to be at Rio 2016? I'm looking at perhaps taking up pole vaulting or perhaps archery - or bowls, do they do bowls?
Now need to go and carb up in preparation to watch the BMX. Becks and The PM are in the crowd. Too hot for me and my pale paper thin skin. Attractive, eh? Last but one 3.30am alarm call tomorrow. Shows don't start till later, but all the medallists arrive early...
Wednesday 8 August 2012, 15:06
...
There was a young boxer called Nicola, she was like Rocky only from Yorkshire (and a girl), she danced like Sugar Ray Leonard, and had all her opponents in a whirl.
My goodness me they don't come much tougher than this little fire cracker. She's my pick of the day today.
Put that in your blog and publish it.
Peace and Love
2012
CE
Live from T'Olympics.
X.
Monday 6 August 2012, 18:20
Truly amazing. A - bloomin- mazing. Are you getting my gist here ?
The weekend shows we have just done were a complete joy. Especially getting to chat to our marvellous athletes on a daily basis. I don't think I've ever seen such a daily tally of beaming smiles in my whole life.
Success equals relief it would seem, there for all to see. Relief and release, closure and the comprehension that perhaps, just perhaps - it was all worthwhile.
With only six days of competition left in what have been the most wonderful Games, I hope it never ends and I'll be mighty sad when it does.
But - enough...
