Archives for January 2009
Michael Vaughan on England cricket....
The former England captain is on the programme at 10am today. 2009 is still in its infancy but English cricket has had a difficult year so far: Pietersen walked as captain before he was pushed, the team is currently in the West Indies without a coach, and as next week's first Test reaches its climax in Jamaica, 20 England players will be included in the IPL auction for the very first time.
UPDATE
You can listen to what Michael had to say below:
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Would you join the Territorial Army?
Can you teach a soldier everything they need to know in just six weeks? The Territorial Army is embarking on a crash-course training regime to get hundreds of part-time soldiers ready for action.
As part of a rolling scheme around the UK, Summer Challenge Wales hopes to recruit 150 more men and women - condensing an 18-month training programme into just six weeks.
Our reporter Mark Hutchings took up the challenge:
"I've always related to Private 'Can I be excused?' Godfrey in Dad's Army. I've never really seen myself in the front line. But if my country called, could I cut the mustard?
Well, mustard-cutting wasn't on the itinerary of the Territorial Army's open day in Cardiff. Tough, physical excercise was. First the weights to see how easily I could lift an ammunition box onto the back of a truck. I'd need a ceasefire to allow me time to load.
Does it matter to you how peers behave?
The House of Lords is embroiled in an ugly row over money.
To many people the Lords is an archane institution which doesn't have much relevance to our everyday lives. But the Lords has vital role to play when it comes to the laws of this country. The appointed and hereditary peers pass, amend and defeat legislation that's sent to them by MPs in the Commons.
Which is why this current row over sleaze is important. Four Labour peers have insisted they have not done anything wrong..but it's alleged that they were happy to negotiate fees of thousands of pounds with undercover reporters posing as businessmen, in return for help in advancing their interests by influencing legislation.
The tragic loss of a daughter
Today we're speaking to the family of Hayley Williams, who was killed when she fell from a theme park ride in Pembrokeshire in 2004.
Our reporter, Mark Hutchings, has blogged about the interview - here's his piece:
by 5live's Mark Hutchings:
I felt a pang of guilt. I was about to speak to the family of Hayley Williams (pictured right) - a 16 year-old whose fun-seeking approach to life ended in her death. Hayley fell from Oakwood Park's Hydro ride in Pembrokeshire in 2004. The day before, my daughter had walked away smiling from the same ride. Now, I was meeting Hayley''s family for their first extended interview.
Her parents Alan and Beverley (below right) told me how her personality had filled the house, how she'd sing to them every night.
Her sister Hannah, now 17, was on the same ride when the accident happened. She explained how she'd spent much of her mid-teens helping her parents cope and now wanted to ensure she lived her own life to the full, as Hayley had.
The family accept improvements have been made and that such accidents are rare but are calling for all theme parks to be subjected to stricter safety checks.
As I left, Alan said he missed being a taxi-driver for his daughter. Like many dads, I know what it's like to be a family cabbie. I tell myself never to complain again.
You can hear an interview with Hannah's parents here:
Your PMQs from Croydon
Every week we'd like to come to your workplace, your office, or your home to find out what issues you want MPs to discuss at PMQs.
Last week we were at a factory in Cheshire this week we were at the 99p Store in Croydon where we spoke to some students from Coulsdon College in Croydon - Tina Felton, Keir Beales, Oscar Jennings, Rochelle Scott, Jacob Rogers and Sarah Jones. Here's some of them in the back of our radio truck.
You can hear what they had to say by listening again to the programme on iPlayer.
If you would like to take part, post a message here or email the programme: victoria@bbc.co.uk.
The Setanta situation
In September 2008 Setanta, the sport subscription TV channel, changed its cancellation policy following complaints from listeners to this programme. Many of you told us it was nigh-on impossible to cancel your subscription. Since then we've still received some emails from you telling us you're still struggling to stop your subscription. So today we spoke to Richard Brook, Setanta's Director of Corporate Development. You can hear the interview here:
What will you be doing when history is made?
What will you be doing when history is made?
Victoria's at Starvin Marvin's diner (pictured) in London this morning, on the day America prepares to welcome its 44th president, but its first African American President.
Tell us this morning what you'll be doing at 17:00 today...
What should the world thank President Bush for?
It's his last full day in office today. So what will you remember him for?
UPDATE
Comedian and impersonator Rory Bremner was one of our guests this morning and we grabbed him as he came out of the studio. Here's his take on Dubya's last day in office.
Listen to Rory with Victoria:
Sign of the times?
In what is perhaps a sign of the times, schoolchildren in Bristol are being taught how to deal with stab wounds as part of their classes.
The course is being taught by student paramedics and shows them what to do if they come across someone who's been attacked with a knife.
You can hear Rowan's report in full below:
MPs' expenses stay secret after all..
A story we're covering on this morning's programme:
"The engine blew..the pilot did a hell of a job - he saved my life"
Read all about it on BBC Online.
Tell us when you thought your time was up on a flight you took...
Three sisters and a baby
When Alex Patrick was left infertile after a treatment for cancer her twin sister, Charlotte Pestell, and older sister, Helen Ritchie, joined forces to help her have a baby.
Charlotte donated eggs, which were fertilised with sperm from Alex's husband, Shaun, and the embryo was then implanted inside Helen who acted as the surrogate mum. Unbelievably, this is the second time they've helped their sister out.
Here's our interview (click the arrow to listen)
Here are Helen, Charlie and Charlotte:
And here's Alex with her two sons -- Charlie who's three and Oliver who's fifteen weeks old.
UPDATE
You can read more about the story on the BBC News site in the article'The two boys who have three mums'
Should children go free to football matches?
In Scotland they could do if politicians get their way. Labour sports spokesman in Scotland FRANK MCAVEETY says 60,000 seats go unfilled in the Scottish Premier League every week and that clubs should give them away to youngsters who will one day become paying customers. Good idea?
Prime Minister's Questions: What do you want discussed?
Prime Minister's Questions begins at midday and in an attempt to burst the Westminster bubble, every week we'd like to come to your workplace, your office, your home to find out what issues you want MPs to discuss at PMQs. So if you'd like to be live on the radio on a Wednesday lunchtime do email me at victoria@bbc.co.uk or text 85058 or post a message right here on the blog.
Wherever you work - it could be your home, a conventional office, a factory or the cab of your HGV - we really don't mind. We'll go anywhere we will.
Today we'll be live at Newland Engineering in Hyde, Cheshire...
At what age do children know right from wrong?
Scotland's Commissioner for Children tells us on the programme today that the criminal age of responsibillity in Scotland - at eight - is shameful and she wants it increased as soon as possible.
At the moment it's the lowest in Europe. In the rest of the UK, it's ten, still well below other European countries like France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Scottish ministers are thinking about increasing it to twelve. But there are no plans for change in the rest of Britain.
Our reporter Bob Walker went to meet 5 live listener Guy Eames and three of his five sons, Morgan, six, Oliver, seven, and Jake, 13, to ask them at what age they knew right from wrong. Click to listen:
Too fat to adopt
A couple from Leeds who want to adopt have been told they can't because one of them is too fat. Damien and Charlotte Hall contacted this programme after being told by Leeds City Council that Mr Hall's body mass index - or BMI - had to be below 40 before they could start the adoption process.
The Halls say they could offer a child a loving home but the council says adopted children need the best possible lifelong care - and Mr Hall's weight might impact on his long term ability to be an adoptive Dad. Victoria went to Damien and Charlotte's home in Leeds to meet them. Watch the video of the meeting below.
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Can the PM save your job?
Post your letter to Gordon Brown here - he's holding a "jobs summit" today.
Tell him how he can help save your job or get you a new one... and we'll forward them on to him.
Kevin Pietersen: a future with the England team?
He quit his job as captain when he realised he'd lost the support of senior players but he wants to continue to be part of the England team. Can he do that?
Jonathan Agnew, Dominic Cork and David Lloyd, a former England coach discussed the situation in the Test Match Special podcast
A world class batsman who might again flourish without the pressures of the captaincy perhaps, or someone who has been too headstrong and created too many problems?
Spend or save?
Gordon Brown says spend, David Cameron says save. The government says it's going to continue to put money into the economy - whilst the Conservative leader says he wants to make the country "richer and happier" and wants income tax on savings for basic rate taxpayers scrapped and an increase in the tax allowance for pensioners. Who's right? Maybe it's Nick Clegg the Liberal Democrat leader says "cutting savings tax will mean someone saving £100 will get only an extra 40p a year".
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