Archives for October 2007
Trick or treat - who's laughing?
Police forces across the country say they're expecting an increase in emergency calls tonight because of halloween.
A number of forces are claiming trick or treating can lead to anti-social behaviour. 5 live's, Stephen Chittenden went to find out if people would be answering their doors or pretending to be out this evening.
Tell us if you like the whole trick or treat thing?
"I am an American living here and I am tired of hearing the British bash Americans because of your twisted version of halloween. In America kids dress up and trick or treat ONLY on the 31st, and no one does the vandilism that seems to happen here. It is a lovely innocent kids holiday. Did you people not watch E.T? That scene where the kids are walking E.T. Through the neighbourhood and everyone is out, dressed up? That is what halloween is like in the States. I hate it here, it's just an excuse for vandals. Dont blame America for Britains yob problem - yobs spoil almost everything nice here."
"There's enough intimidation on the streets without another pointless American import." Roger
Rehab - behind closed doors
Pete Doherty, Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears - just 3 celebrities about as famous for their frequent trips into rehab as they are for their singing.
On Breakfast on Tuesday, 30th October we were behind the closed doors of rehab to find out what goes on. We were at a house in Hampshire run by Phoenix-Futures
Shelagh was there - finding out about a typical day and whether rehab works. It's not about celebrities popping in and out - but about people trying to wrestle with some serious issues.
We spoke to people like Pete, Adrian and Ian, Geoff and Warren 
We also spoke to Richard Phillips from Phoenix Futures, they run the unit we're visiting today and Claire Brown, the Editor of Drink and Drugs news about whether rehab actually works - you can hear the interview here (This requires Realplayer)
We also spoke to Jeff and Corina about how they came to be in rehab and they're experience of it - you can hear the interview here
We'd be interested in any views from people who've been in rehab - or know anyone who has? Maybe a member of your familiy works in this field? Have you had treatment? Did it work?
Confusion over autism
On the programme this morning we heard about the confusion over autism .
Half a million people have it - but many more of us fail to understand exactly what it is.
We spoke to Caroline Hattersley, the Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society, and model and actress Emma Nobel who's 7-year-old son Harry is autistic
You can listen to our interview here
(This requires Realplayer)
Muffed punts and Hail Marys
American Football will take over Wembley Stadium this weekend - and it's a proper league match not a showcase friendly. The Miami Dolphins take on the New York Giants in a match where league points are at stake.
We spoke to a couple of cheerleaders on the programme - Missy and Lilly came into the studio and we have been disscussing footballing terms that might baffle.
Listen to our interview with Missy and Lilly
A Hail Mary is when the ball is thrown into the end zone and players make a mad dash to catch it - as the clock ticks down - and a muffed punt occurs when there is an "uncontrolled touch" of the football after it is punted.
That's better.
Now, where were we?
Is it working?
The blog's been down. Is it working yet?
Would you step in?
On breakfast this morning, we've been asking would you step in if you saw a crime taking place? Well Kevin Downes, a physic teacher from Cheltenham, has just been given an award for foiling not just one, but three armed robberies. When he spoke to us he was quite matter of fact about the whole thing.
Listen to our interview with Kevin
Have you ever witnessed a crime? Did you get involved or walk on by? We want to hear your stories.
Sunrise over Britain
You've been sending your pictures to us. We'll post some here. You can text your pictures to 85058.
Sunrise over Bristol - Taz
"No fire, sunrise" - Nick, near Manchester Airport
This doesn't do it justice" - Rob, Burghfield Common
Mark in Dorset sent this one
Here's one I took of the view from our office window
Dave sent this one of Taunton
Stoke Gabriel in Devon - John
"I call this sunrise over Darrington" - Steve Rayne, Normanton
Live in Paris....
Nicky was live in Paris this morning - and will be appearing on Drive this afternoon and will present Weekend Breakfast from Paris tomorrow too.
But some emailer/texters weren't happy. Broadly they were asking why waste money sending him to Paris - and to add insult to some people's injury - he's Scottish so what's it got to do with him.
I'm the programme editor and there were discussions with the Controller of 5live Bob Shennan as soon as England qualified for the final. Last weekend Matt Smith had presented the Breakfast show on Saturday and Sunday from Paris - and we agreed that England's appearance in the final merited similar treatment.
Why? Well, 5live has the rights to commentate on the Rugby World Cup so across the station we've been keen to follow the tournament in detail and give maximum exposure to our coverage. Having a presenter like Nicky enables us to report more effectively on the build-up to the event. This is arguably the biggest sporting event featuring a UK team since the last rugby world cup final.
Inspire Johnny and Co
Which words would you use to inspire the England team to victory in the World Cup?
On Breakfast we've heard from actor Simon Callow doing his bit with a portion of Shakespeare's Henry VI and Kipling's If.
Listen to our take on Shakespeare's Henry VI
Listen to our take on Kipling's If
Do you have an inspirational message? Share them with us below.
Whose name is on the trophy?
We'll know on Saturday night. But we do know who'll be writing that name. On Breakfast we heard from engraver Colin Mabey who'll be in the Stade de France to put the winning name on the Webb Ellis Trophy.
He'll be wearing his lucky England rugby shirt - which he doesn't wash. What lucky charms do you have?
Listen back to the interview between Nicky and Colin - here.
We also spoke to Sir Michael Lyons, chairman of the BBC Trust about savings being announced today.
Your breakfast pix
What does your breakfast look like? Obesity is, we're told, going to be a problem affecting more than half the population. We asked people to send in pics of their breakfast. You can send them via the text number 85058
Check out the full gallery here to see what some of you have had for your breakfast this morning
Here are some of our favourites so far
Our very own Shelagh in the BBC canteen (she claims that it's not all for her)
The greedy pig breakfast from the Riverside Cafe in Beweley, eaten by me George Leonowicz
Milk shake and fags instead of nothing which is my usual, i'm still obese though, Emma from wales
Yum! This was sent in by an anonymous texter
Here's my six year old son Ben's breakfast toast. Jonny Wilkinson kicking for England. Cmon boys! Helen Harris, Bristol
Nothing like starting early hey!
Life in our schools
Thanks to all of you who posted comments about life in our schools yesterday. We had a great response. We'll be telling some of your stories over the next few days. If you didn't get round to it yesterday, then it's not too late to contribute now (see below).
The Secretary of State for Schools Ed Balls spoke to Shelagh and answered some of the issues you raised. Listen back to the interview here.
Schools - what's happening?
All day on Monday 15th October we want people to post here with their news of what life is like in Britain's schools. 
Maybe you are working towards your A Levels - perhaps you are a teacher dealing with a difficult class. You might be a headteacher worrying about your budget - or a governor concerned about league tables. Perhaps you are a parent and want to sing the praises of your child's school.
Whatever you story, whatever your view - we'd like to hear from you. Whether postive or negative, a well-trodden issue or a subject that rarely gets talked about - please post below.
We'll read all your posts - and follow up on any stories or themes that emerge.
You may be on half-term - doing homework, marking papers - or starting another busy week in the classroom. Let us know your view of life inside Britain's schools. Read the comments below and add your posts. You can read some previous comments here
Mac twists the knife
Kelvin Mackenzie had a pop at Gordon Brown and all Scots on Question Time on BBC1 last night.
Basically he said Scotland didn't belive in entrepreneurialism like London and the south-east. "The reality is that the Scots enjoy spending it, they don't enjoy creating it"
Prince Harry "dead"
Here's the controversial statue of a dead Prince Harry - it's called "Iraq War Memorial". We're talking about it on Breakfast this morning.
A powerful artistic statement - or bad taste?
Looking inside our schools
On Monday 15th October we're looking to get a detailed view of life in our schools - from the inside. We are keen for people to post their experiences - whether as a pupil, a teacher, a parent, a governor or otherwise connected with our schools.
The quality of education in our schools is one of the major political issues of the moment - with continuing arguments about testing, the quality of exams, the levels of funding, whether school buildings are good enough, bullying, obesity, school dinners.......the list just goes on.
But your posts on Monday 15th October don't have to be about any of those issues. You might have a different story to tell, a fresh perspective to give. We'll follow up some of the stories and themes on 5live. So please post your thoughts on that day - whatever your connection to schools.
Education and schooling are always in the news. Next week OFSTED will give its verdict on the state of our schools - there'll also be news of a regional breakdown of A Level and GCSE results. In Scotland's primary schools there are arguments raging about class sizes.
I'll swap you a cop
Police in Devon hope to start a new playground craze - collecting stickers of the force.
But will the PR offensive work? Afterall it's a crowded market with kids already collecting Shoot out, Panini, Pokemon and Yu-gi-oh cards. The final collection is still being worked on but we're told they'll look something like this....
Have you recovered from the floods ?
Pictures of the floods were all over our newspapers and TVs for weeks over the summer, but when stories drop out of the news it's easy to forget that many of you are still suffering from the aftermath. Let us know what's happening now. Are you still homeless ? Has your insurance company paid up ? Are you now planning to move ?
Balancing the books
Alistair Darling will tell us today about the government's spending plans - and how he intends to balance the books.
Find out all you need to know by going here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7030830.stm
There'll be full coverage this afternoon on 5live
Back to basics
Breakfast turned the clock back this morning - thanks to the unplanned collapse of much of the BBC computer network.
It happened at about 5am as the team were finalising scripts, making last minute adjustments. We rely on computers to edit audio, write scripts, do research - and also monitor listener reaction via texts and emails.
This morning, throughout the programme, we had none. The reason is - as yet - unknown.
Hopefully you won't have noticed except maybe for the rustle of paper with hastily written notes being passed around. At least those of you who complain about being able to hear presenters typing on air will have had a peaceful morning.
Madonna at Breakfast
This morning Nicky and Shelagh got to debate the pic by Leonardo Da Vinci that's just been found.
They were less than impressed with Leo's effort frankly. And vowed to do better. You can judge their attempts at "Madonna of the Yarnwinder".
In the beginning......
Should schoolchildren be taught the Biblical version of the creation? Creationists think they should - the argument raged on Breakfast this morning.
Listen to Professor Michael Reiss on the programme here
Hitting the wrong note...
what are the worst musical collaborations of all time?
A question that's been testing listeners to 6Music . They're counting the votes - and will play out the best and worst on Saturday (Oct 6).
Plenty of response from breakfast listeners too
Waddle & Hoddle - Diamomd Lights. Surely must figure in the worst top 10. Angus in Nottm
Kenny and Dolly with "islands in the stream"! PAIR-FECT! Bob in derry!
Hi its Joe Burnett. Arthur Mullard and Hilda Baker with Your the 1 that I want has got 2 b the worse duet ever!!
Worst collaboration? Wherever god shines his light by Cliff Richard and Van Morrison. So bad it made my teeth bleed.
ARFA MULLARD AND ILDA BAKER murdering you'r the one that I want
What's happening on November 1st ?
Gordon Brown might call an election on November 1st.
What have you got planned for that day?
On 1st Nov I'll be exercising my prerogative in Crewe before watching Rick Wakeman at Newark Palace Theatre with my mate Hobbit! Hooray! From Tim in Crewe
Its my birthday on that day. I shall be having a lovely meal. Dont want an election to spoil my special day. John shropshire
Nov 1st i will be voting. I am fed up with a government that doesn't care about its elderly,that messes up the school system,that gives into unions. Unions that seem to have a large percentage of workers that are not willing to put 100% into their work. I am only in my late 20s, I am a young person that wants a CHANGE of government. H, London
Nov 1st i'll be preparing 2 go 2 New York 2 run the New York Marathon 4 Barnsley Special Care Baby Unit & Cystinosis. Ian from Barnsley
More Tracy Beaker
...more Grange Hill ....more Art Attack ...less Pokemon... fewer foreign imports ?
Should that be the recipe for children's programmes? Ofcom the industry watchdog reckons there should be a debate about what some see as the decline in home grown production.
We spoke to Anna Home a former head of children's programmes at the BBC who said she'd like to see more programmes like Tracy Beaker.
Listen to Nicky speaking to Anna Home and Billy Macqueen, co-director of Darrall Macqueen, BAFTA Children's Independent production company of the year - listen back to the interview here.
Kerlon the circus seal
Kerlon is 19 and plays for Cruzeiro of Belo Horizonte, currently second in the Brazilian league. His trademark move? Flicking the ball into the air, and balancing it on his forehead as he runs at the defence - a bit like a circus seal (if seals played centre forward). The problem for the opposing team is how to get the ball back - you can see their attempts here.
Be careful - there is some strong language in the comments posted by people who have watched the clip.
Nicky spoke to our reporter in Rio, Tim Vickery to find out more about the Brazilian - listen back to the interview here.
Is it true?
The minor Tory grandee, Sir Somethingorother from party HQ, was out of breath as he bustled up to me outside the conference hall. "Is it true? Is it true," he said. "Is what true?". "They're saying Brown's called the election."
Blowing the whistle on bad behaviour
The FA reckon its time for a new attempt to improve behaviour on the football pitch. It's starting in junior leagues.
Chief executive Brian Barwick wants rules where only the captain can talk to the ref.
It's cold out there...
The Conservatives are putting on a fair show of togetherness, of sticking together against all odds. There's something vaguely inspirational about it. Like watching penguins in a snow-storm. More than that, though, it's been a good day for the Conservatives.
Driving towards the sound of gunfire
In an opulent suite at the Imperial Hotel, the party was getting into full swing. The bath had been filled with champagne: still in its bottles, admittedly. I was taking soundings on the Tories' plans to tax the super-rich from an ordinary grass-roots multi-millionaire.
Bring back the Blazer
These boys pictured on the Manchester Grammar School website may have an advantage over other schoolchildren. Why? Because they are wearing blazers.
On the programme this morning, the Tory schools spokesman Michael Gove put a passionate case forward for more schools to have traditional uniform - and claimed it could help drive standards up too.
Listen to Nicky's interview with Michael Gove
What do you think?
If David Cameron were...
.....a rock star, who would he be?
Jump to more content from this blog
About this blog
Subscribe to 5 live Breakfast
You can stay up to date with 5 live Breakfast via these feeds.
5 live Breakfast Feed(ATOM)
If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find our beginner's guide to RSS useful.
Podcast
5LNPI: Why can't we cope with the snow? 22 Dec 09
10:26 Tue, 22 Dec 09
Thousands of people were trapped in their cars overnight after snow and ice brought roads to a standstill. At airports, runways have been closed and many flights cancelled. Eurostar has this morning resumed a limited service. Why can't we cope with these wintry conditions? Was it any better in past? Where have you been where they deal with snow better than us? How have you been affected?
Download or subscribe to this programme's podcast
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~07~RS~)