Shaun Ley's US Odyssey....in The Windy City...
"... Only it's not right now. I'm sitting in a rush hour traffic jam heading towards the airport. Slowly, very slowly.
Archives for October 2008
Nils' slot at 17.32
WHAT should we call it?
Photos to accompany Christopher Landau's reports:
On last night's programme, our religious affairs correspondent reported from Cologne in Germany, where the plan to build one of Europe's largest mosques by the largely Turkish Muslim community - on this site -
has won support from local church and civic leaders. This is the proposed new mosque:
But they've issued a challenge to the Turkish government, asking that Christians in Turkey should be able to worship freely at an historic church in Tarsus, the Turkish birthplace of St Paul.
(Catholics worshipping in Mersin, almost 20 miles from Tarsus.)
That church is currently run by the government - as a museum:
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Shaun Ley's US odyssey.
Shaun is in the US for The World This Weekend (Sunday 13.00) He is filing from nehind the scenes exclusively for the PM Blog. Read his first despatch here and today's follow-up here.
And he has just sent some more snaps. The one above is of Chicago...and here are shots of Shaun at a bus stop...and of...well I think the other one shrieks for itself.
Shaun Ley's US odyssey.
Shaun at breakfast in Chicago.
He writes:
"So how much does Barack Obama pay for a haircut?"
Watch the colours change! Autumn photo special!
All these pictures come from Richard Kilsby, who wrote:
"Here are some photos of where I live. North Yorkshire. The Oct ones were taken over a period of a few weeks. To demonstrate how quickly the Virginia Creeper grew over the summer I have included two taken in August just after I had a week away. The creeper crept all over the windows! For the technically minded the Virginia Creeper is also know as Boston Ivy - Parthenocissus tricuspidata. It has had the most vigourous growth for at least 30 years."
Early Riser?
iPM is on the air tomorrow at 0545. We want to know what our hundreds of thousands of listeners are DOING at that time on a Saturday morning. Click HERE to read more about Britain's early risers...and to share what YOU'RE up to.
The Beach.
The beach is a state of mind, where we escape from the must to the maybe and what if, where thoughts may be lightly etched on the shore or sculpted in the sand, admired and commented on by others, then swept away by the waves or jumped on by small children of all ages...
Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Resignation
What do you think?
More .
Spot the difference?
Well, it's not too tricky is it. But can you EXPLAIN the difference?
BTW: The fingers holding the poppy belong to Paddy O'Connell, and the lapel is that of Allan Little. We get a lot of celebs in the office, you know.
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Fast, expensive cars.
Nigel reported for us last night - he has this update for you:
"Remember our Ferrari from the auction yesterday? Well, it turned out no-one bid the £3 to £3.5-million they were hoping for.
Downturn hits classic cars?
Not quite. This car, one of only 107 McLaren F1 supercars ever made....
...reached twice its estimate, and a world record (say the auctioneers), at £2,530,000.
The McLaren Formula One boss, Ron Dennis, has reportedly promised Lewis Hamilton, his charging young driver, one of these if Mr Hamilton wins the world title both this year and next."
No Change Given.
As mentioned in the Newsletter, I was out and about this morning recording an item for this week's iPM. In essence, it's about parking meters that don't give change.
If you have an interest in this, or something from your own experience to add - please click here and leave a comment on the page it takes you to.
You have not been charged for reading this.
Shaun Ley's US odyssey.
Shaun is, as I suspect you already know, rather fantastic. You hear him on The World This Weekend, and The World at One. He appeared on PM recently as a VERY knowledgeable Dr Who fan. There's more about Shaun here.
Anyhoo. Shaun is "Stateside" as they say. Something happening there soon. And he has kindly agreed to pen a few words, when he has time, JUST FOR YOU!
I hope you feel loved. Here is Shaun's first despatch:
"Travel, they say, broadens the mind. In my case, it very nearly shortened my life, as well.
Autumn....
Lucky Joan Adamson: "Hi - view from my office window in Harefield ..."
Simon Girvan sends: "Autumn sunrise in Bredons Hardwick, Worcerstershire."
"I think I heard you say you were collecting seasonal photos. Or maybe that was another programme. That's what happens when you get to my age having spent most of your life listening to Radio 4 - including PM of course. Anyhow, on the off-chance I didn't imagine it - attached a photo of the old changing rooms on the playing field near my house. Keep up the good work. Best wishes, Simon Allen, Nottingham."
"Autumn in the Hope Valley. Best Wishes, Nora Crane"
Jonathan sends: "A perfect autumn evening - Saturday 27th. September, the beach at Wittering, Sussex, after a family party. Photograph by Louisa Leiserach."
"Rose hips on out gate and Rosie. David McNickle, St Albans"
From Christine Cook in Somerset
"Autumn in Oregon, US" - José Roque Guimarães, from Porto Alegre, Brazil.
"a photo of a misty sunrise over the River Medway at Teston in Kent, not far from our home, taken at the end of September this year. Regards, Janet"
"..taken in the grounds of Myerscough College, Lancashire on Tuesday afternoon in the sunshine. Cheers Kes Robinson"
"an autumnal pic of Lake Como, Elaine Hicks, (Co Down)"
"Autumn colours, Golitha Falls, Cornwall, from Hacon Edgley"
Christmas is coming...
...and this proves it.
The first SURE sign of the festive season is when the first discarded tree appears in a cage, outside the TV studios here at TV Centre. The photo below, taken at 7am on the 30th October, is the first tree of the season, indicating someone has been making a Christmas special.
Merry Christmas.
Russell Brand resigns from the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú.
What do you think?
Russell Brand, Jonathan Ross, Andrew Sachs and the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú.
If you'd like to read some of the earlier stuff - click here.
Or click on Comment if you want to say something about the latest. We expect to hear from Russell Brand shortly.
The Glass Box.
If you want to comment on Russell Brand please click THIS link.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Autumn....
If you want to comment on Russell Brand etc - click HERE
But for days, listeners have been sending us their photos of autumn (send yours to pm@bbc.co.uk...please mark them autumn)
Here are several more:
"Taken last Monday while on a group walk in Northumberland."...sent last Wednesday by SM Jenkins.
Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Statement: Brand and Ross suspended.
Statement from Mark Thompson, Director-General, Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú
"I would like to add my own personal and unreserved apology to Andrew Sachs, his family and to licence fee payers for the completely unacceptable broadcast on Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Radio 2.
Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú audiences accept that, in comedy, performers attempt to push the line of taste. However, this is not a marginal case. It is clear from the views expressed by the public that this broadcast has caused severe offence and I share that view.
Since Sunday, I have been in regular contact with the senior executives I tasked with handling this issue. The investigation that I instructed Tim Davie to conduct is nearing completion, and I am returning to London to review the findings and, in the coming days, announce what action we will take.
In the meantime, I have decided that it is not appropriate for either Russell Brand or Jonathan Ross to continue broadcasting on the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú until I have seen the full report of the actions of all concerned.
This gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team has angered licence payers. I am determined that we satisfy them that any lessons will be learnt and appropriate action taken. I have been asked to report to the Trust's Editorial Standards Committee before the end of this week and will discuss with the Trust the findings of the report and the actions I propose."
What do YOU think?
1350 UPDATE: A Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú editor writes....
What do you think of how the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú has responded SINCE the Brand/Ross story broke?
And is it important to you to hear directly from the Director General?
Click on comment to let us know.
And if you want to read other comments on the story - look on the right hand side (under Categories) for SPECIAL: Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross.
The PM blog has been THE forum for people to comment on this story. Janet Street- Porter mentions the reaction in today.
You like fast cars? You like art?
Later...here....both.
You may be cross about Russell Brand...
but maybe there's something YOU want to share that's not being talked about elsewhere. iPM is the programme that feeds on your ideas. Share them by clicking HERE.
Here are some of the things other listeners have already alerted us to...maybe there's something about these you can share?
If you DO want to talk about Mr Ross et al - click HERE
Autumn....
After our item last week on autumn, PM listeners have been sending in THEIR autumn photos. Feel free to add yours: send it to pm@bbc.co.uk.
"A small selection of many pictures taken at Sheffield Park today, Tuesday 21st October. My favourite image is that of the dragonfly resting on an autumn leaf....John Woodstock"
David in Bath sent this to us last Tuesday: 
"Dear Eddie, After listening to the piece on Stourhead on Monday's PM, I had to go down and check it out this afternoon. Although there is some colour, I still think Stourhead is best at the end of October/beginning of November - so I would recommend another 10-14 days time. Anyways I took a few pictures and enclose a couple"
Rob writes: Hi Eddie and the rest of the team. I went out for a long walk today around Baslow and Froggatt edges. Passed Nelson's monument on Birchen Edge on Trafalgar Day, the 203rd anniversary!"
Moira Stevens: "autumn in the garden".
"A picture of autumn, about 50 metres from my office - it's of one of our mature London plane trees overhanging the River Test. Hope you enjoy it! Alison Evans, Mottisfont, Romsey, Hampshire"
"The Glenelg-Skye ferry in the Scottish Highlands on October 10th. Autumn had already arrived....From Molly"
Domenica de Rosa sends: "Our cat Gus hunting apples..."
"We took this on October 18th at Sheffield Park.... gorgeous! Kate Naylor"
"This was at Wisley on Saturday, 18th October with Charlotte and my daughter, Lamorna.Thanks, Steve Kiley"
"View of Windsor Castle (& Horse) - Wednesday 22 October 2008 - Sarah King, Camberley"
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
In the programme tonight, more on Russell Brand etc
If you want to read or add to the original strand from last night - click HERE.
After 5pm we'll reflect the views of listeners and try hard to get someone from the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú to come to a microphone.
Autumn's message on our collective answering machine...
The debate about Russell Brand etc continues below. Not too late to add your comment to the hundreds received...do have a read.
Meanwhile, after an item a few weeks ago, PM listeners started sending in their photos of autumn. Every day we publish more on the Blog...
"The road outside our office...Best wishes, Vyle Hernia."
Rob says "Here is a photo of my son, Adam, playing in the leaves on Sunday morning at a local park. The photo was taken with a modern digital camera through the top lense of a 1950's Kodak DuaFlex2 hense the vintage effect."
"This photo was taken in Central Park New York, a touch of Autumn from Christine Cook Somerset"
"Westonbirt Arboretum. Sat 18th Oct. David Jones"
"Dear Eddie - I took this at Stourhead Gardens today. Patricia Burns"
"Dear Eddie and Co. Berries at the bottom of our garden (Salfords Surrey), Regards, Debbie White "
"This is Hampton Court - where I live. Well 20 mins walk away over Bushy Park. Saw these from the bus; you prompted me to walk over the park to take the pictures. Thank you! John Webb"...who also sends this: "Not many bright colours yet in this part of west London - whatever or wherever that is - but this fine beast surely deserves a place on the blog."
"Autumn with moon: From Cherry Heywood-Jones"
From John Maunder: "Picture taken from my garden overlooking the Tamar Valley to Devon from Cornwall. Chimney Rock Gunnislake."
We got this last week too: "This was taken on the Isle of Skye, Scotland at the weekend. Not exactly Autumnal colours, but a fast approaching shower of rain, that did soak us a few minutes later. Lorraine Gifford"
"Jephson Gardens in Leamington Spa. Garry Byles, Coventry"
Russell Brand, Jonathan Ross, Andrew Sachs and the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú.
The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú has apologised...you can read more .
In the programme tonight, we'll discuss all this. I'd like to know what YOU think. Feel free to leave a comment. We already had this email:
Autumn....
This is of Barbara Goody's garden in Exeter.
From Carrie Ward.
"Eddie & Team, Here's a nice autumnal picture I took this morning of the moon through wispy clouds. What? You wanted trees? Bah. All of us are trudging through slimy leaf- drifts, but some of us are looking at the stars, as Oscar Wilde might have said on an off-day. The Stainless Steel Cat".
"Cornus Eddy's White Wonder at Shucknall Court, Herefordshire. From Cessa
Moore."
"Autumn is just spectacular here. This taken from across the House Lake. "Lady Sue""
"My two sons enjoying the autumn sun in Ware, Hertfordshire! Andrew Francis"
"Attached is photo of a corner of my garden, in Wallington, Surrey. I took it on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, yesterday's wind and rain has rather spoilt the effect. I enjoyed the chap from Stourhead - his descriptions were so vivid I could see everything. Could we have him back to describe the effects of the first snows and then again when the spring bulbs are in full swing? Best Wishes AllotmentJo.
"Picture taken at Sheffield Park today 20/10/08. Lovely colours inspite of an overcast and at times damp day from Chris Pearce".
"Another photo from Kew gardens yesterday Best wishes Nick Day"
"Hi Eddie. I took this at Bridge of Dee on Monday 20th October about 1630. We sure know how to enjoy ourselves in Aberdeen but I suppose it makes a change from the more usual shopping trolley. Regards Monica Neville"
"Nuts! Don't forget the fruits of the forest! Oi 'ave bin out this morn and have bin to a secret place! Only known to for or foive 'undred peeps, to start gathering the nuts for making our stuffing for the Christmas foul. In these 'ard time the Squire gives us ten whole minutes a day to forrage in 'is undergrowth. He's a roight gent is our Squire, looks after his peeps roight proper 'e does! DiY :-)"
Taken last weekend "at Coleton Fishacre, near Kingswear, Devon. National Trust property once the home of the D'Oyly Cartes. Shelley French"
"Near Caswell, in Northamptonshire. Leaves are still pretty green around here, but the wind had stripped most off this tree. The crop has gone, but still some sunshine left. Robin Simmons"
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Autumn....
Kristin Susser sends this of the garden of Parham House, Storrington, West Sussex.
Nick Day sends this from Kew.
From Mike, from Norwich.
"Hi to all at PM. This picture was taken in the Japanese Garden at Tatton Hall in Cheshire last weekend. It is better than same time last year. Cheers, Dave Burn."
"Something beautiful from a Leylandii stump! Pam Erskine, Lingfield"
"St Michael's Mount a couple of weeks ago - still autumn though! Daffers, Brighton. x"
"Sheffield Park 20/10/2008, from Chris Pearce"
"Ogden water." from Stewart M.
From G. Fonfara.
And finally for now: "Dear Eddie, This is what autumn looks like here in Hamilton, (Ontario, Canada). Val Hamblin."
Downturn. Crisis. Recession.
Later in the programme, the suggestions our listeners made for a word to describe what we're going through. If you'd like to see the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Downturn page - it's .
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Email of the day:
"why can Sky News cover extensively the Queen's visit to Slovakia, but our own State TV ignore it? Is Murdoch less anti-Royalist than even the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú?
We have noticed recently that however many public engagements HM carries out, they are mostly ignored by you."
Mmmm.
In a brief
for an interview this afternoon, it says that a guest will say:
"it's a pretty big straw on the back of a rather sick donkey."
AnswerGate...
...is here.
The Beach.
"Welcome to The Beach, a very special place on the PM Blog.
The sun shines, the drinks are free, there are more than enough sun loungers and hammocks to go round, and the camels are friendly. So, take a break from your day to day stresses and strains and relax.
There are only two rules; 1) be nice to everyone, and 2) don't eat the petunias."
Show us where it hurts.
We're asking which aspect of the global crunch crisis downturn crunch crisis is hurting YOU most.
All you have to do is tell us the first bit of your postcode and then tick a box.
Easy!
Just CLICK HERE
Autumn....
"SUNRISE over Warrington on the morning of 17 10 08 - regards, Geoff Kelly, Warrington."
"Autumn colour at Sheffield Park, Sussex. Acrylics on canvas, 18th October '08. Kate Naylor."
From Maurice Loach.
"This is a photograph of our garden taken a few days ago, hope you like it. We loved the gardener from Stourhead, we visit the gardens there several times a year. It is a magical place at any time. From Caro Styles"
"The head gardener of Stourhead mentioned the red Japanese maple. By coincidence I have a photo of the Stourhead Garden featuring this maple as my computer screen saver, and only took the photo last Friday (17th Oct 2008)! Now back in Switzerland, where I live, it was wonderful to hear your feature on Stourhead; my favourite garden!!!
Best wishes, Matthew Cradock"
"Our cat, Jeronimo, under our autumnal Acer. Heather Atkinson".
"Japanese Maple at Westonbirt Arboretum", from Dan Fedigan, Cardiff
"Taken at the Beech Avenue, Chatsworth House, Derbyshire last weekend." Kate Thomas.
"Sunday 12/10/2008. Autumn in Hyde Park, London" - Rob Welham.
From Chris Brody.
From Phil Doidge.
"Cobwebs in the garden" From Olaf Theodore.
"One from Hertfordshire last weekend; another from the mountains behind Bologna, near Santa Lucia (forget it - it's a hamlet so tiny I don't think even the people who live there know where it is J ) Cheers. Tim Evans"
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
The Cumbria Rail Crash.
As the Rail Accident Investigation Branch puts it: "On Friday 23 February 2007 a Virgin West Coast train from London Euston to Glasgow derailed on 2B points at Lambrigg, near Grayrigg in Cumbria, while travelling at the authorised speed of 95mph (153 km/h). All nine carriages of the Class 390 Pendolino were derailed. There were at least 105 passengers and four crew on board. One passenger was fatally injured, 28 passengers, the train driver and one other crew member were seriously injured, and 59 passengers received minor injuries."
We'll talk about the findings of the RAIB report tonight. You can read it .
Jesus Christ sells out.
Here's a snap of the celebrated Scottish artist Peter Howson in front of one of the four huge oil paintings at the centre of his new show. Both painting and show are called Harrowing of Hell. Mr Howson is on PM with Nigel Wrench tonight. Nigel writes:
"Like it? (That's meant to be Christ on the right above the artist's shoulder).
One collector was impressed enough to buy the entire show, even before it opens tonight. The gallery, Flowers East in the art-heavy London district of Shoreditch, won't say who the collector is, nor what he/she paid.
The four oils, though, were each priced at "between £100,000 and £200,000".
Here's the whole of Harrowing of Hell. Imagine it six foot high by about seven foot wide. All the close-up photographs, by the way, are courtesy Flowers London.
Mr Howson was war artist in Bosnia in the early 1990s. He became a born-again Christian while being treated for alcohol and drug dependency in 2000. His work ever since has been religious in its subject matter.
While I was at the gallery the show was still being installed. Here are some of the drawings waiting to go up.
And, below, a close-up of one drawing, A Traitor's Love. Mr Howson acknowledges a debt to Caravaggio.
One more work: The Everlasting Man. The artist says, "Most crucifixions are pretty and this is meant to be the true suffering of Christ."
The gallery is in the area of London where the work of the likes of Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst came to prominence. Ms Emin still lives nearby.
Mr Hirst has also taken on religion in his work, but Mr Howson says bluntly: "Damien Hirst is a genius for money. He's not a genius in art.""
More and
Which gate is this?
Tell us what you think HERE.
Pointless quiz! Will you win our non-existent prize?
Remember OsbornMandleGate.......or whatever we called it? A listener wondered what we should call the latest "scandal".....well follow THIS link...to take part in a fun and POINTLESS quiz. Leave your answers there not here! Including to what the hell the images above represent...
Autumn....
From Alexander Jamison
"Our wee tree" - from Peter Munn.
"This summer and autumn has been great for misty scenes such as this of the Tamar Valley, greeting me every morning as I travel to work. I am sometimes late because I have to stop and take a few pics. This one was taken last Sat 18th Oct at 7 40am. in very low light looking toward Plymouth. Regards, Brian Carter."
Andy Thomas took this at Westonbirt Arboretum.
"Stourhead, last Sunday, October 12th. I go a lot, and this is the best I've ever experienced. Perfect weather, perfect air. Rhododendron time is always wonderful, but, as I told my husband, this was the best I've ever experienced. VERY special, and fantastic! Yours, Jan Eimstad"
"Autumn view of Eleanor Cross at Sledmere, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Matthew Hatton, North Yorkshire".
"Taken at Queenswood Arboetum in Herefordshire. Tanya Jefferies"
Colin Bickley says "Hope you like this. The abandoned Nutbrook Canal in Ilkeston Derbyshire. Taken on my way to work."
"I took this picture which is a reproduction of a child's drawing at the Wisley Gardens Autumn Show this weekend just passed. It's made from over 10000 apples harvested from the RHS Arboretum. Hoping this is good enough to get picked for the PM site. From a avid listener. Geoff Smith"
"Taken a few morning ago on the way to work, makes you feel good to be alive. Alastair Mallett, Chichester, West Sussex"
Taken 18 October after a wedding reception. Hernehill from Mount Ephraim - from Catherine Davis.
By way of a change: "Not trees shedding leaves, but some fungi at the base of a tree yesterday in the grounds of Culford School. Enjoy. Dermot"
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Hugh is back from his travels,
and brought us a gift.
WooooooooooooOOOOOOOO
This photo is sort-of explained in this strand. But it doesn't really matter.
Autumn
is .
Autumn....
"Salcombe Estuary, Saturday September 13th 2008 - by Diane Millman"
From Sid Bowerman, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear.
Fred Leefarr sends "Kew gardens last weekend!"
This comes to us from the Gonellas.
"Hubbard's Hills, Louth, in Lincolnshire, this autumn. By Kate Levey, for The Louth Heritage Group."
"Autumn colours at Sheffield Park Gardens" - from John Barnes.
"This is an ancient beech, deep in Fineshade Woods in Northants. We call it the Cathedral Tree because walking underneath is like entering a cathedral - dark, peaceful, soaring arches, hundreds of years old." Barrie Galpin
From George Norris: "Taken at 7.00 this morning" (sent on Monday, if you're worried about which morning it is.
"These were taken on 19th October, at Westonbirt Arboretum. It was stunning!
Heather"
From Janet Young.
"This picture looks out from the front of our home in northern France. Somewhere in the mist are five lovely cows and two very cute miniature ponies. When the doom and gloom is on the radio, I find cow watching to be a blood-pressure-reducing activity. Melanie Hancox"
Autumn....
...from Peter.
Verna sends: "Cornus alba sibirius - our hedge": 
From Big Sis: "Sissinghurst, last weekend. The pictures were taken in low light conditions, as I didn't get there til late due to hold ups on the M25, but it was very atmospheric going round the gardens in the failing light. One photo is of the garden, the other of the herb garden, showing physalis (chinese lanterns) which are very colourful at this time of the year."
More from Verna, who's in Norway: "View from the top of the road, looking south."
And finally for now: "In an uncharacteristically spontaneous moment of do-it-nowness, here are photos of the conkers I can't resist collecting every day when I take the dog for a walk. All these are from one tree at the top of our drive, and have been collected since last week. Any suggestions as to what I can use them for this year, once they no longer look fabulously conkerish and beautiful, would be gratefully received. Val P"
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
OsbornMandleGate?
An email arrives from Nick Baker: "So what shall we call this? The Mendelson, Osborne, Rothchild, Oleg Deripaska saga? Aluminum Gate?"
Your suggestion is welcome.
If you care, there is a transcript of Mr Osborne's news conference after the jump.
Autumn....
From Gordon Muir: This was "taken in the woods down the lane from our house, near South Queensferry."
"Autumn leaves Dhoon Glen, Isle of Man": Gary Weightman, Onchan, Isle of Man.
"Jonnie's Boston Ivy"
"I took this last weekend on a girls trip to Blackpool - no trees but an autumnal evening light....Regards, Mae Tron".
"We've got Autumn sunshine here in Rome - but no turning leaves yet. The sun is low in the sky - this was taken yesterday afternoon - and it's still warm enough to be lunching outside! Isobel". Isobel, we hate you.
Mark Annison
Autumn.
Thanks if you've taken the trouble to send us a photo.
"Dear Eddie and Team, Attached is photo' of a corner of my garden, in Wallington, Surrey. I took it on saturday morning. Unfortunately, yesterday's wind and rain has rather spoilt the effect. I enjoyed the chap from Stourhead (?)- his descriptions were so vivid I could see everything. Could we have him back to describe the effects of the first snows and then again when the spring bulbs are in full swing? I hope you like my photo!
Best Wishes Jo Howell (aka AllotmentJo)"
More to come
Flexible working.
You heard our discussion: what's your experience? Add a comment here.
Autumn. Got a photo?
These are photos I took yesterday in Windsor Great Park. There's a report today saying this is a . We'll have an interesting guest on the subject tonight - Alan Power, the Head Gardener at .
So why not send me YOUR best photos from this autumn? Just email them to pm@bbc.co.uk...and please put AUTUMN in the subject line.
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
As others see us.
(Photo:Chalak Abdulrahman/ New Londoners/ Dost/ PhotoVoice)
A book is being launched today at Tate Modern in London. There is a . We'll have a report on the programme from Andrew Bomford who writes:
"It contains photos and words from fifteen young unaccompanied asylum seekers, capturing vivid impressions of their new lives in Britain. It's an opportunity for the rest of us to see something through someone else's eyes - from young people who have escaped difficult lives in their own countries, trying to build a new life here, without the security of their own families."
(You can see and hear much more by clicking on the link "continue reading")
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
The plan for tonight.
As I speak, we're leading with : I've just recorded an interview with the man offered by the MoD, Rear Admiral Tony Johnston Bird Burt.
story, involving an assisted suicide clinic, will also feature.
We'll have an interview with the first woman to lead a congregation of men and women in an Islamic prayer service in the UK.
We MIGHT be talking about sex in public places. Oh and we'll have PM letters.
If all that sounds a bit much - try this.
Eddi and Paddy.
In this last postcard of the season, Karen says she "couldn't resist this one as it has both Eddi and Paddy on it".
And the back of the card tells us that "Eddi (left) is a female chimpanzee who was born at Monkey World in 2001."
"Paddy (right) is a male chimpanzee who was used as a photographer's prop in Spain". He is the dominant male. "Initially he was contented with his own company. Now he is a successful group leader...". Karen thinks both are "gorgeous although Eddi did seem to be throwing a hissy fit".
The Beach.
Oh most beautiful Beach of the programme PM,
Where the Froggers congregate even though you can't see them,
With camels and surf and castles of sand,
As a refuge from woes and seriousness it was planned,
With a bar in memory of a presenter most grand,
And imag'nery sun to get most safely tanned,
Renewed by our host, most every Friday,
Visitor, relax and enjoy, and please keep it tidy.
Green.
Just been speaking to Ed Miliband, the energy and climate change secretary. The essence of the interview was, I suppose, whether, in an economic downturn, people would be as green as they were in the good times. Are you as green as you were? Please do not add a comment if you're the Green Cross Man.
Safeguarding Adults.
The government wants your ideas on how to stop abuse of adults in the care system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For example, it's considering a national database so that if abuse is detected, the recommendations from serious case reviews are there for all to see.
Another area of concern is financial abuse. Sometimes, elderly people in care lose their savings and pensions after being ripped off by their own families, sometimes by staff. In future, banks and building societies might monitor accounts to check for unusual activity.
We'll talk about this tonight. If you'd like to read more about the consultation - click .
What's your mood?
Some time ago, before we all owned a bank and you could still get a loan, we had our Credit Crunch Crisis Crunch map, which revealed what people in Britain were most worried about (Alistair Darling's eyebrows, was the surprising top answer).
Now, on iPM, we're mapping again. It's very simple. Just click here to tell us how it's all going for you.
On a different subject, we might be covering the final US Presidential Debate tonight. Dunno if you saw it. (Justin Webb's essential blog entry is here). On my recent visit to the country, I saw both candidates in a music store. Just hanging around. I think a lot of this stuff about the punishing campaign schedule is just a load of media stuff and nonsense.
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Frogs.
"Dear Eddie
Welcome back, and I hope you're feeling better now. Sequin's done a spectacularly good job of making exactly the same bad news sound slightly different each day, but we've missed you. I hope you remembered to bring home souvenirs for every frogger, and that you didn't let your tan get streaky. Nothing worse than a bikini line on the radio, is there?
The attached photo, taken on Saturday by mittfh, shows the official Frog Prince, aka 'Sir Eric le Mair', clutching a bottle of finest 'Le Froglet' ... a cheeky Shiraz from, appropriately, the land of the frogs!
A pointless card, purchased during the weekend's Frogfest and posted today, should be on your desk tomorrow.
Fifi ;o)"
I will go check the post....
Sorry
I've been absent. Been working on a foreign radio station...but , I had to come back.
Reg Wilson's War
On the Reginald Wilson was part of an eight man RAF crew returning from a bombing raid over Berlin. Their plane was hit by a German aircraft and everyone was told to evacuate. Four people died instantly and four survived; Reginald spent 15 months as a prisoner of war. Here he is now:
Almost 60 years later, Mr Wilson set out on a personal quest to find his downed plane, a Halifax bomber, similar to this one.
Through a combination of memory and a retired German dentist who had drawn sketches of where the plane had come down near his house, Mr Wilson . But what he also discovered were the remains of one of his former crew, and on Thursday, Sgt Jackie Bremner will be buried with full military honours in Germany. Reginald says it will be an emotional day but it will also bring to an end an extraordinary story of luck and perseverance - both in 1944 and in recent years.
Is art recession-proof?
Nigel Wrench is at the to see if the booming contemporary art market will follow the stock exchanges and plummet in value.
Frieze, in Regents Park in London, is now one of the big three contemporary art fairs (the others are in Switzerland and Miami Beach in Florida) in a market that's been worth £10-billion a year.
Will all those who spent so much at the last month lose their shirts on their pickled calves? Nigel will be asking a collector and an expert this evening.
In the meantime. What would £7,000 (editor random amount) buy you at Frieze?
Here are three ideas, three pieces snapped by Nigel in the first hour of the press view this afternoon:
"To Fix The Gap In Your Head", by SebPantane.
Gallery, , London, £6,000
And
"Untitled " by Cathy Wilkes, (turner Prize nominee and yes it is a tea towel)
Gallery, , Glasgow, £7,000
Finally how about
"Two Bears" by Sergey Bratkov
, Moscow, £7,000
Which would you buy with our £7,000? With the stock markets is the art market is a better place to put your cash?
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
First mention of Christmas
Twinkle twinkle. It had to happen. The grumbles about Christmas coming early are as much a part of Christmas tradition as Christmas itself, aren't they?!
Reports today of a row in Coleford, Gloucestershire after volunteers decided to put up festive figures and tinsel in the town. Local councillor Denis Riley says " The fact that they've been put up this early suggests to me that it has nothing to do with the true meaning of Christmas and more to do with commercialism and bringing in shoppers".
Go on then, what's been your first Christmas sighting? Liz and Roger say they've seen mince pies "everywhere" and Christmas cakes.
Do you feel any different?
.....Now that you own such a huge stake in our high street banks?
Have you perhaps had a try at booking a corporate box for next year's Six Nations Rugby . Royal Bank of Scotland owns the corporat boxes at the venues, so we all do don't we, because we now own more than 60percent of RBS ?
Or maybe tried to get a ride on RBS' private jet, which is leased and parked at Paris airport?
no more sats for 14 year olds
Did you hear the minister Jim Knight talking about it?
Do you agree with the decision?
The Glass Box*
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
*Now 72% government-owned!
From the wilds of Alaska...
comes a puppy with snow on its nose...
He's padding around the tiny Alaskan village of Newtok, from where we'll have a report on the programme this evening. tomorrow - it's been postponed, sorry about that.
As the map above shows, Newtok (marked by the "A") is a rather remote community, populated by around 400 hardy souls of Yupik aboriginal people.
The village sits on the Ninglick river, but relentless flooding and erosion is forcing them to consider moving lock, stock and puppy to a new townsite several miles away. It won't be the first move for some: back in the 1950s, residents moved to their present location from an area also beset by flooding.
Stanley Tom is Newtok's administrator, and one of driving forces behind the planned relocation. He'll tell PM that the worsening erosion leaves his people with no choice but to move.
This map shows how the creeping erosion caused by the Ninglick threatens Newtok within the decade:
You can read more about Newtok's battle to relocate by clicking .
The programme editor ....
....tonight is Max.
...
Normally he's at home being the son of our reporter Terry Stiastny.
What do you think he'd like to see in the programme?
Blitz spirit ....
Fine example of it on London Underground westbound out of the city last night.
Making our way home - it was about 11.30pm - the lights suddenly went out and the train ground to a halt. We sat there for nearly an hour and a half in the dark - with various updates from the driver: "power failure" "I can't do anything till the signalman tells me to" " don't try and jump out of the train because they might put the power back on and you'd disappear in a puff of smoke" - that sort of thing. The train was pretty crowded. One man tried to jump out but couldn't scale the wall on either side of the tracks, so he got back on . But no-one got bad-tempered even though frustration was clearly building up as the minutes ticked by.
Makes you proud doesn't it?!
Best moment: Driver: " If anyone feels the need for er..er... please make your way to the last carriage where you can relieve yourself out of the back door".
Please don't try this in daylight.
The Glass Box.*
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
*Now 62% government-owned!
Er...
When we said that Eddie was back today, what we meant was that he wanted to be back today and fully intended to be back today but unfortunately he is feeling a bit under the weather so he's not actually back .... yet. He says sorry but is hoping to be back soon....
Anyway, we must all surely be feeling a sense of deja vu - financial crisis, government rescue package, press conferences by the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.
Shall we just re-broadcast one of last week's programmes ?!
so long, farewell
au revoir, not adieu!!
Thanks for having me. Ed's back on monday.
I'll be on Westminster Hour on Sunday night at 10pm as usual and back with Saturday PM next week.
TTFN
Carolyn
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Deliberate mistake...
...you may have noticed in earlier posting of Nigel Wrench's blog.
Finger trouble and incompetence by me to blame!! Too many pictures to post and too little time! I've had to call in the cavalry to help me ...... all is well now.
Sorry for confusion.
sequin
It's Oscars night
The Oscars of the architecture world, that is. The Stirling Prize. It's being awarded tomorrow night . Our very own Nigel Wrench will be reporting on it this evening - or at least we're really really hoping that he can, as long as some other crucial element to the global meltdown story doesn't develop in our time.
So, if all goes well, you'll be hearing from Nigel this evening. He's written this :
This station is in the running. Recognise it? Is it anywhere near you?
(photo copyright Mark Humphreys)
It's co-designed by the British Architects responsible for the Eden Project. Here's another shot:
(photo copyright Ger van der Flugt)
Nigel writes:
"The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) uses the word "heroic" to describe its soaring spaces and use of timber. On PM tonight I'll be talking to Sir Nicholas Grimshaw whose architectural practice is responsible for the station. Only likely to be local to you if you're in Amsterdam, as the photo below may indicate, if you're familiar with the skyline:
(photo copyright Mark Humphreys)
I thought you might like to see snaps of the five other nominated projects ( Riba says the award is for "the building that has made the greatest contribution to British architecture in the past year").
(photo copyright Tim Crocker)
Accordia, a housing development in Cambridge by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios/Alison Brooks Architects/Macreanor Lavington. One third of the homes are , in the jargon, "affordable".
(photo copyright Tim Griffith)
Manchester Civil Justice Centre by Denton Corker Marshall, an Australian architectural practice.
(Photo copyright Dennis Gilbert)
The Royal Festival Hall, London, £100 million restoration by Allies and Morrison.
(photo copyright Roland Halbe)
Nord Park Cable Railway, Austria, by Zaha Hadid Architects. Ms Hadid is the iconoclastic architect also responsible for the design of the controversial aquatic centre for London 2012.
(photo copyright Tim Soar)
And this is Westminster Academy, London, architecture by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, which the bookies have installed as the favourite.
Your thoughts?
The Beach.
"The PM Blog Beach is whatever you want it to be - a place to hang out with other bloggers, and be completely off topic.
"Over time it has developed its own identity, complete with camels, sand dunes, and a permanently stocked bar, but fundamentally it is a place to relax and have fun."
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Your money is safe...
.... in a safe. Apparently. Saving at home is the new banking out.
DI_Wyman might still have the right idea after all. A new mattress.
We've now got this extra element of the finance story to look at - the fact that some local councils invested in Icelandic banks, and could lose millions. Should the Government offer financial help to them as well? How far should the "bailing out" go? Do you know if your local authority is affected?
By the way, Perky, Operation "Give Up Chocolate in November" is on schedule. As always. Boo.
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Your help is requested...
IPM is looking for any buried news.
Feeling any more confident now?
I loved all your tips yesterday on how to feel positive. Maybe if you were running things the world would be a better place?!
Does today's announcement by the Chancellor , what the Prime Minister calls " a stability and restructuring plan" make you feel more reassured? If you are a saver with Icesave are you confident you can now get all your money back following Mr Darling's pledge of a 100 percent guarantee?
By the way, after our item on Postman Pat and Bob the Builder , have you had a chance to check out a new character for children www.colinthecoastguard.com - guidance from yesterday's Glass Box.
See you on the rollercoaster later.
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Bankers should be football managers
Just been reading an interesting contribution by Simon Barnes in the Times to the whole global financial meltdown story. The problem is panic and lack of belief he says so " the implication is obvious: if we all believed that there was money, there would be money. If we all had confidence the problem would no longer exist. The solution is psychological. We don't need money: we need belief".
He links this whole question of confidence in the City with confidence in sport. " The currency of sport is ability: but the fortunes of able, indeed brilliant athyuletes ebb and flow with the tides because of the question of confidence".
So let's boost our confidence. What's YOUR secret? If you're going through one of those low moments, how do you pick yourself up again? How do you believe in yourself
again?
Maybe chocolate is the only answer?
Name that cat - results and a new competition!
Hugh Sykes (for it is he) writes from Baghdad:
Remember Mrs Slocombe?
The competition to name the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Baghdad cat has come up with "Tigris" - which is quite neat!
And Amanda was right. She WAS pregnant. (Tigris, not Amanda, he hastens to add)
So as a result, we now have another competition - unconstrained by ITACU* (don't ask, but it was in a memo from the D-G today) - a name-that-kitten competition!
Phone lines are open. Calls will be charged at 10,000 Iraqi dinars per minute (This is beyond your jurisdiction, Mr. D-G.....)
Just call 0901OhNeverMind.
Tigris and TBC:
Tigris and TBC in (almost) perfect step:
Altogether now: "aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh"
*in case you were really desperate to know what ITACU is, here's part of the memo from our leader:
"Today we are announcing the launch of ITACU - the Interactive Technical Advice and Contracts Unit. Consultation with the Unit will now become a mandatory part of the process for running competitions, votes and awards - a requirement which will be reflected in Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú compliance forms"
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Somalia
We've got a fascinating report tonight from Mark Doyle in
It's dangerous, war-torn, hasn't had a government for two decades and Mark's been investigating the difficulties of getting aid through to the people there.
An African Union soldier on patrol in Mogadishu:
Mark Doyle visits an aid clinic:
The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú website has a special section devoted to Somalia, which you can access by clicking
to the lifeboats
What's happening in Germany?
And why has it taken so long for the Treasury to find out exactly what is happening in Germany?
Does anyone in HM Treasury speak German?
What's the German for "every man for himself?"
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
UN Children
A report by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has criticised the UK Government for failing to meet international standards on the treatment of children. In a number of vital areas - from juvenile justice to the rights of disabled children, from the protection of young asylum seekers to the right of children to privacy - the Government is failing to meet its obligations under international law.
On the programme this evening Andrew Bomford has a report on one area likely to be highlighted for particular concern - that's the numbers of young offenders being locked up. More than five times more 10 - 14 year olds are imprisoned now than twelve years ago and England and Wales now has the worst record in Europe. But one area bucking the trend is Sunderland which has gone from one of the highest rates of child custody to among the lowest - mostly through a series of innovative schemes for young offenders. In these pictures two young offenders are being supervised on a painting and decorating programme in which they refurbish a derelict house now being used by a community group for the families of drug addicts.
We can't show you their faces but you can hear their views and from other young offenders on tonight's PM programme.
reshuffle latest
He said he was a fighter, not a quitter. Now Peter Mandelson is back for a third time.
Funnily enough, I had a chat with Mr M last week at the Labour Party conference - I was asking him what he'd do when he finished him time as a Commissioner and he said he didn't know - maybe another career beckoned? I promise I would have told you if he'd said he was in top level talks with Gordon Brown about a return to government. Sadly he didn't! But he seemed in VERY good spirits.
Consensus so far. The Left are pretty horrified. Labour insiders tell me that this is something Gordon Brown had to do i.e. come up with a bold, controversial decision because he's been criticised for being so cautious up to now. But he's had to weigh that up against the fact that Peter Mandelson is a very divisive, controversial figure.
As for the other moves - John Hutton has always, I'm told, hankered after the job of Defence Secretary - so he gets his wish following the departure of Des Browne. And the unions and some in t he business community may well be happy to see Hutton go, if some of their recent comments are anything to go by.
Another blast from the past is back - Margaret Beckett - as a "cabinet enforcer" figure. She's always hailed by people within Labour as someone who can "steady the ship".
Other moves:
Geoff Hoon to Transport
Creation of a new cabinet job - Energy and Climate - going to Ed Miliband . What does that mean for Hillary Benn's Environment department?
Lots of reaction tonight - and we're also going to ask a cartoonist and a sketchwriter how they will greet the news
Cold as ice...
Hello,
We're watching the reshuffle. And just hearing confirmation of the rumours that Peter Mandelson might be returning to the Cabinet (- for an unprecedented third time. Loads more on the programme tonight about that..
And we'll be taking you to Iceland. Ray Furlong has been there, seeing how then financial crisis is affecting businesses. Here's what he's saying about the trip:
"I was on board a trawler today (here's the proof - it's catfish). Iceland used to be all about fish; they still talk about the cod war. But nowadays they've discovered investment banking. It's led to massive riches for some.... And now, nationalisation for others. Oh, and the currency has collapsed. The men on this boat are so fed up that they'd even contemplate joining the European Union. Which could mean our fisherman could fish their waters. So we would, belatedly, win the cod war - and the Icelanders would stop talking about it...
What's on board??
Cod war aside, Reykjavik bay is beautiful - especially at sunrise...
The Beach.
The Beach, The place to visit for a little rest and relaxation when real life gets too real. Off topic friendly chat.
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Skin of our teeth
Hello,
Paddy's gone for a lie down , I'm back from Birmingham and Ed's away.
Thought you might like a bit of insight into how we covered the David Cameron speech at the conference yesterday. Mr C was supposed to start at 2.30. In the end after various videos, speeches from candidates and warm up acts, he took to the stage at 3pm and spoke till just after 4pm. Gulp.
Like the "roadrunner" cartoon we then had a tremendous dash to get our package together for 5pm and the opening of PM. I sat in the hall to hear the speech - back in the office Sarah and Charlie were pinpointing clips and cutting them digitally on the computer. I meantime faced a bit of a challenge to get my usual reaction straight after the speech. The Conservative organising team had decided to have the Shadow Cabinet sitting up on a raised stage behind David Cameron - so I couldn't easily do an interview because they were 6 feet above me. Luckily I caught Chris Grayling's eye and he stepped off the stage to talk to me while the applause was dying down.
Brought my material back to where Sarah was sitting in the press room. 4.30pm. Ran upstairs to find Nick Assinder from the website Politics Home who has provided a summary for us at the end of every week . Batteries ran out on my recording machine. New batteries in. Finished recording short int with Nick Assinder at 4.40. Just time to run back downstairs and try to put all the pieces of the jigsaw together in time for 5pm.
Life in the fast lane! Fun, but frantic. It's good to be back.
Radio Four and Blogs
Thank you for having me here on this blog. Carolyn's back on Thursday, and Eddie returns a week or so later. Here's my closing statement posted with thanks.
The PM straplines will appear in coming weeks, and to our friend in Florida, if you click on the US map state by state you will find your other candidates!
After your tips on blogging, here's 1./ mine and 2/. a photo.
For BH this year, I've been to several big meetings of R4 listeners. There was a session at Hay where people woke up early, and walked in the rain to a meeting to tell us what should be on the Radio. BH has sent me to about 50 different parts of the country in the last year or so for those reports we like to do from outside London. But in all that time, I've never blogged.
It seems that the BH listener who sends an email to us or a letter or a photo does not get their view aired for other listeners. This is the case for the criticisms as well as all the other thoughts. I don't see how a weekly programme can have a daily blog, but I do think that PM listeners who care about their feedback are better-served.
There should not be a BH blog, but what do I tell BH listeners who want to get their message out in the way that the PM blogger can?
Anyway, here is a good time to send this from Liz Arundell. It's a spot the bee competition. The bee was spotted yesterday at Powys Castle. Bye for now.
The Glass Box.
Be your own radio critic! Tell us here, frankly, what you thought of tonight's programme. In the PM office we meet every night at 1800 in the Glass Box you see above. Add your comment here.
Someone rang the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú to say ...
PM
General
"I would like the programme to discuss the idea of having a Jubilee. This would greatly help out the country and it only happens every fifty years. Debts are written off by Kings. This would be a very good idea."
This is how Editors learn of calls to the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú about their programme (PM) followed by the nature of the the call (General.) I think the other categories include complaint, and the opposite of complaint, but clearly nothing for jubilees, jamborees, or knees-up generally.
Wonk News
Here's a that maps the changing fortunes of the US politicians amid the financial malarki. It's a tip from the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's Stephen Evans.
Meanwhile, over Number Ten Downing Street, there's still no word on the cabinet. (See Eddie's post last week, and insert cabinet into search.) Could something be about to happen?? If so, when? (Marc with a c says it's latter half of next week.)
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