Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme

Subject: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 01:04 PM

I'm cataloguing my collection of sound recordings and I've come to a copy of an extraordinary edition of Folk on 2, which celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of the broadcast of The Ballad of John Axon. This programme is pretty important, since it is in my opinion easily the best broadcast discussion of the radio ballads which has ever been made. What's more I have a good clean copy, which I would like to see properly archived, along with all relevant data.

Unaccountably, though, when I copied the programme I forgot to make a note of the actual date of transmission. However, it has to be within 7 days of July 2nd, that being the date of the original Axon broadcast. Therefore, I can work it out if any kind soul can jog my memory as to what night Folk on 2 went out in those days.

Many hopeful thanks.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: EBarnacle
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 01:13 PM

Does this mean that you will send copies to others for their archives?

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: Folkiedave
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 02:34 AM

All I can tell you Fred is that at that time I am pretty sure it was not "Folk on Friday" because there was a folk show on Radio Sheffield on a Friday and they didn't clash.

If the presenter was still Tony Capstick then it would probably have been Wednesday - but sorry - no proof.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GUEST,Jim Carroll
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 03:57 AM

Ta Fred,
Thanks to your information have been able to trace a copy - will send you the date when it arrives.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:19 AM

Fred, You could try contacting Jim Lloyd. I will send you his address privately. ROY

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:35 AM

EBarnacle,

Does this mean that you will send copies to others for their archives?

Not exactly. Over the years I've acquired a very large record collection, mainly of location and field recordings of traditional music and song from all over the planet. This includes a lot of radio broadcasts which I nowadays store in MP3 of course. Unfortunately, in years gone by, the only storage medium available was the good old sticking, jamming, hiss laden and liable to break at any minute cassette. So I've got hundreds of cassettes of everything from English farmworkers to East Asian zither players.

I don't want to see the colletcion broken up when I'm no longer here to enjoy it and, since it's a potentially a useful resource for future music students, I've willed the whole lot to the Institute of Popular Music at Liverpool University. Partly so that I can find stuff for my own purposes, and partly so that people will be able to use it once it's bequeathed, I am slowly cataloguing it in as much detail as is practical.

When I start digitising the cassettes, which is the next "phase" of the operation, then I'll be in a position to make copies for people with a genuine interest in the material. The problem is that the floodgates keep opening and deluging me in great piles of new records. So it's a bit like painting the Forth bridge.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 11:19 AM

Having ascertained the date, I forgot to mention what it was. Wednesday July 6th 1988.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 06:43 PM

Surely the BBC will have a record of this.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 05:08 AM

Personally, I wouldn't trust the BBC to keep a record of my underpants. If they can wipe the Madhhouse on Castle Street, to say nothing of various copies of the original radio ballads, I wouldn't like to calculate the chances of them still having a copy of a twenty year old edition of Folk on 2.

Anyway, it's no use me referring people to a hypothetical copy which may or not be in the archives of the BBC. The information needs to be catalogued along with my own copy.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 11 Feb 12 - 10:46 AM

I would love to have a copy of the Folk on 2 featuring the Radio Ballads - please!!

BTW the Beb might have wiped some of the original Radio Ballads but the Topic - or was it Argo? - LPs are still around: as are MP3s made from them.

What are still missing from the public domain are the Birmingham Ballads produced by Charles Parker sans MacColl and Seeger. These were "The Cry from the Cut" and "The Jewelry."

Also BTW Fred - I wonder if you have any other Folk on 2's or even Folkweaves?

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 12 - 11:13 AM

Some of the Original Radio Ballads can still be heard and downloaded from the BBC server(s):

Paste these links into Real Player:

rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/johnaxon.rm

rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/singingthefishing.rm

rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/songofaroad.rm

Whilst they play you can capture the sound using Audacity and Stereo Mix (XP has SM configured, for Win 7 you'll have to do this - Google search "configuring stereo mix windows 7"). Then you csn do a Save As ... MP3 (192 kbps is recommended).

Or you can simply download them by using Right-mouse-click / Save As ...

Or use Orbit which will download them, and which is restartable if the connection fails.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 11 Feb 12 - 12:11 PM

More links:

rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/fightgame.rm

rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/bighewer.rm

rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/bodyblow.rm

rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/travellingpeople.rm

rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/ontheedge.rm

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GMGough
Date: 11 Feb 12 - 04:22 PM

I have a note that Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger were interviewed by Jim Lloyd and the illustrated programme on the subject of The Radio Ballads was broadcast on BBC (Radio 2) on 29 June 1988

There are clips from various Radio Ballads and comments by Ewan and Peggy.

My cassette is very battered but I was able to ascertain that at the end of the broadcast the BBC announcer says that Folk on 2 "next week", will come from The BBC Stage at The Royal Show at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. Guests were to include the Yetties and Dave Burland.

Geoff

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 20 Mar 12 - 07:05 AM

Singing the Fishing will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra at 14.00 on Saturday 24 March 2012.

If you sit through Hancock's Half Hour at 14.30, you will come to Garrison Keillor's Radio Show at 15.00. It's from April 2011 and features Tom Rush.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 20 Mar 12 - 07:56 AM

I take it then that the Singing the Fishing will be from 14-00 to 14-30. If so they're only broadcasting half the programme.

Unfortunately, the BBC seem to have taken down all the radio ballads from their website, so you can no longer listen to it that way.

However, Amazon UK still have the Topic release of this amazing programme on CD for £6-40 (p&p included). Visit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Singing-Fishing-MacColl-Charles-Parker/dp/B00000JG3V

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: greg stephens
Date: 20 Mar 12 - 09:50 AM

GUEST CJB wrote earlier "What are still missing from the public domain are the Birmingham Ballads produced by Charles Parker sans MacColl and Seeger. These were "The Cry from the Cut" and "The Jewelry."
There was another one about the car making industry in Oxford. What was that called, anyone remember?

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 20 Mar 12 - 10:42 AM

I can't recall the title but I think it was written by Alisdair Clayre and included some stuff about a legendary tyre fitter (ala the Big Hewer) who was said to have fitted car tyres with his bare hands. I think said hero's nickname was Tiny.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GUEST,John Moulden
Date: 20 Mar 12 - 11:20 AM

The song was called The Tyre Fitter and the hero was called Tiny Newman.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 22 Mar 12 - 06:46 AM

Just correcting my earlier post, which surmised that the Beeb must be broadcasting an abridged edition of Singing the Fishing. I've just checked next week's Radio Times and it says the programme will last one hour. In other words it will be the complete programme.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 22 Mar 12 - 07:44 AM

Meanwhile, the BBC Radio 4 Extra site gives its duration as 30 minutes. The schedule for Saturday still shows;
14:00 The Radio Ballads Singing the Fishing
14:30 Hancock's Half Hour Anna and the King of Siam
15:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show Series 7 Episode 23 The American funny man welcomes singer Tom Rush and pianist Shai Wosner.
Tune in to find out which is right!

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: greg stephens
Date: 22 Mar 12 - 08:10 AM

I think Wymond Symes sang the Ballad of Tiny Newman. But wwat was the programme called??

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 22 Mar 12 - 08:29 AM

Dunno. Give up. The only way to find out is to tune in and see whether you get a 1/2 hr programme or a 1hr programme.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 22 Mar 12 - 09:26 AM

Hi Greg, It was me that sang 'Tiny Newman' in 'The Factory', one of the 'Landmarks' radio ballad series broadcast only in the BBC Midlands area. Producer Charles Parker, Music Peggy Seeger, Script by Alisdair Clayre, who I'm sad to say took his own life some years later. A sad loss of a very talented man. He produced a songbook too, called 100 Folk Songs, or some similiar title.   Incidentally, 'Tiny Newman' went to the tune of 'Hello Patsy Fagan' a Irish pop song featured by the The Four Ramblers group, one of whom was Val Doonican. Mentiion of this production brings me many happy memories but also sadness to think that Clayre and Parker are now dead, and I believe Wymond Symes is too. He wa a good singer.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 10:47 AM

BBC Radio 4 Extra - it's an hour of Singing the Fishing!

And next Saturday 31 March - The Big Hewer. A legend told by the men of the coalfields from the Tyne to the Vale of Neath. From 1961.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 25 Mar 12 - 02:07 PM

Curiously "Fishing" was only 30 minutes long.

It can be listened to (and recorded using Audacity (with i/p set to Stereo Mix) at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ljkzj/The_Radio_Ballads_Singing_the_Fishing/

Or it can be downloaded using RadioDownloader (which works from overseas) or get_iplayer

===

Details of The Big Hewer for Sat. 31 March 2012 are at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lm92q

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/radioballads/original/bighewer.shtml
===

And you guys (and myself) missed:

SWINGS AND ROUNDABOUTS - Monday 20 March 21:00-22:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/radioballads/2006/fairgrounds/index.shtml

Did anyone make a copy?

===

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 25 Mar 12 - 02:12 PM

Paste these links into Orbit to download the respective files:

rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/johnaxon.rm
rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/singingthefishing.rm
rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/songofaroad.rm
rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/fightgame.rm
rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/bighewer.rm
rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/bodyblow.rm
rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/travellingpeople.rm
rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/ontheedge.rm

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 25 Mar 12 - 03:26 PM

CJB, when I listened to it yesterday, it WAS an hour long -- even though the online radio schedule showed it as being only half an hour... odd!

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GMGough
Date: 25 Mar 12 - 03:35 PM

>CJB, when I listened to it yesterday, it WAS an hour long --

yes it was - wonderful programme.
on iPlayer the link to Singing The Fishing gives the first 30 mins.
the link to Tony Hancock at 14.30 gives the second half hour.

possible reason is the current budget constraints at the BBC (ie no time for attention to detail)

NB iPlayer links are usually only good for 7 days from the original broadcast. As previously noted: next week - The Big Hewer.

Best is buy the Cds if you have the cash ...

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 26 Mar 12 - 08:15 AM

If anyone listened for one hour then it appears that the file on iPlayer is not the file broadcast. And when was Hancock aired? Anyway the file from iPlayer states:

General
Complete name                   : C:\Downloads\The Radio Ballads Singing the Fishing 24-03-12.m4a
Format                           : MPEG-4
Format profile                   : Apple AAC audio with iTunes info
Codec ID                         : M4A
File size                        : 34.2 MiB
Duration                         : 36mn 0s
Overall bit rate                : 133 Kbps
Album                            : The Radio Ballads
Track name                      : The Radio Ballads: Singing the Fishing
Performer                        : BBC Radio 4 Extra
Genre                            : Podcast
Encoded date                     : 2012
Writing application             : Lavf53.6.0
Cover                            : Yes
Comment                         : Tales from the Norfolk and Scottish herring fleets with Ewan McColl's songs. Award-winning documentary from August 1960.

Audio
ID                               : 1
Format                           : AAC
Format/Info                      : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version                   : Version 4
Format profile                   : LC
Format settings, SBR             : No
Codec ID                         : 40
Duration                         : 36mn 0s
Bit rate mode                   : Constant
Bit rate                         : 128 Kbps
Channel(s)                      : 2 channels
Channel positions                : Front: L R
Sampling rate                   : 44.1 KHz
Stream size                      : 33.0 MiB (96%)

However this file is full length:

rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/radioballads/singingthefishing.rm

General
Complete name                   : C:\Downloads\BBC Radio - Radio Ballads - Originals WebRip (1958-1964)\singingthefishing.rm
Format                           : RealMedia
File size                        : 12.9 MiB
Duration                         : 55mn 49s
Overall bit rate                : 32.5 Kbps

Audio
ID                               : 0
Format                           : Cooker
Codec ID                         : cook
Codec ID/Info                   : Based on G.722.1, Real Player 6
Duration                         : 55mn 49s
Bit rate                         : 32.5 Kbps
Channel(s)                      : 2 channels
Sampling rate                   : 22.05 KHz
Bit depth                        : 16 bits
Stream size                      : 13.0 MiB

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 26 Mar 12 - 09:05 AM

The Hancock episode referred to at iPlayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b007n162/Hancocks_Half_Hour_Anna_and_the_King_of_Siam/ was actually aired on Wed 21/Mar/12 08:00 - duration: 30min.

The film of 'The King and I' inspires the lad's own unmusical and argumentative version. Stars Tony Hancock. From November 1956.

It is a classic and came from the BBC Treasure Hunt - that is it came from someone who home taped it in 1956.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 30 Mar 12 - 01:24 PM

Birmingham Ballad "Cry from the Cut" is now here - it is superb:

http://www.mediafire.com/?8yi2pivbm13n1

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_ballads

http://www.cpatrust.org.uk/Bham_ballads.htm

http://www.mustrad.org.uk/enth13.htm

http://www.pegseeger.com/html/radioballads.html

===

"It's a Hard Life for a Girl on the Cut" was written, apparently for the "Cry from the Cut" programme. The words can be found here : http://www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/hard_life.htm

===

AND there is a great version of the 'Cry from the Cut' here, it uses BBC archival interviews from canal folk from a separate programme from the BBC:

http://vimeo.com/17437484

===

The BBC 'Narrow Boats' LP can be found here:

http://www.oysterbroadcast.co.uk/click.html

===

The Folkweave Canals Trilogy can be found here:

http://www.oysterbroadcast.co.uk/click.html

===

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 31 Mar 12 - 12:25 PM

BTW if Ian Campbell & co. would like the source files in WAV format at 500MB each I'm sure it would be possible to send him them.

===

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 31 Mar 12 - 01:30 PM

Birmingham Ballads

"The Jewelry" starts off with an intro. from the BBC Home Service anouncer mentioning that this was the first of THREE programmes about Birmingham.

What were the other two?

Chris.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 01:55 PM

The 'lost' Birmingham Ballad "The Jewelry" is available at:

http://www.mediafire.com/index.php#8yi2pivbm13n1

===

The Birmingham Ballads

"Too Late Tommorrow" - the first of three(*) Radio Ballads produced by Charles Parker for the BBC Midland Home Service about the City of Birmingham.

This programme is about the Birmingham 'Jewelry Quarter' entitled:

"The Jewelry"

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_ballads

http://www.cpatrust.org.uk/Bham_ballads.htm

http://www.mustrad.org.uk/enth13.htm

http://www.pegseeger.com/html/radioballads.html

===

(*) hmm - 'three' - that's what the announcer clearly says. Well there's this one. Maybe "Cry from the Cut" and ...??

I wonder if the Radio Times for that period are online and could elicit what the really missing third programme?

===

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 06:22 PM

Burl above said; It was me that sang 'Tiny Newman' in 'The Factory', one of the 'Landmarks' radio ballad series broadcast only in the BBC Midlands area. Producer Charles Parker, Music Peggy Seeger, Script by Alisdair Clayre.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 06:46 PM

Aha - so an undocumented Birmingham Ballad is "The Factory." Now how on earth do we find a copy of that one!! Hmm - I have an idea ...

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 07:41 AM

In the search for programmes in the Radio Ballads format - here are three excellent ones.

=====

Sound the Jubilee

http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/articles/2007/03/17/abolition_sound_the_jubilee_feature.shtml

As part of the BBC Abolition season, Genevieve Tudor's Sunday Folk has a specially recorded radio version of the New Scorpion Band's Sound the Jubilee - music and readings from the history of slavery.

=====

Ballad of the Miners' Strike

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00r33b2

Date: Tue 02/Mar/10 22:30
Duration: 1hr

In specially commissioned songs to mark the 25th anniversary of the end of the miners' strike, Radio 2 explores how lives were changed by the year-long dispute (1984-85). The Ballad of the Miners' Strike is a forthright and powerful exploration of contrasting human experiences.

=====

The Lost Days of Steam

http://www.themusicwellhome.co.uk/programme.aspx?path=LostDaysOfSteam

A programme about various aspects of the railway industry featuring stories from railway workers and songs from folk singers who have an interest in railways past and present

=====

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 01:48 PM

Another original Radio Ballad - The Song of a Road aired on Saturday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00lfhq0/The_Radio_Ballads_The_Song_of_a_Road/

Available on BBC iPlayer for 7 days.

Can be downloaded using RadioDownloader or get_iplayer.

Seems like they're repeating the original Radio Ballads.

Wonder if they'll include the Birmingham Ballads too?

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 10 Apr 12 - 06:43 AM

Next to be aired on BBC Radio 4 Extra - Sat 14 Apr 2012 14:00 - then later for a week on iPlayer:

Radio Ballads - The Travelling People

Charles Parker's 1964 ballad documents the prejudice faced by those who lead the gipsy life. With music by Ewan MacColl.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01gkh6s

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ljkf6

Note that RadioDownloader will download this programme from iPlayer or try using get_iplayer

Both work from overseas.

Enjoy!!

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 10 Apr 12 - 08:01 AM

Does anyone have any contacts in the Beeb? Does anyone know how to campaign to the BBC Radio 4 Extra scheduling team to try and petition them to (re)broadcast the three Birmingham Ballads?

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 10 Apr 12 - 08:10 AM

Gillian Renolds is probably your best bet - worked in the Beeb and was cirman of Charles Parker Archive - not sure of her status in either nowadays.
Failing that - I have nae doot Malcolm Taylor could point you in the right direction
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 10 Apr 12 - 08:10 AM

Gillian Renolds is probably your best bet - worked in the Beeb and was cirman of Charles Parker Archive - not sure of her status in either nowadays.
Failing that - I have nae doot Malcolm Taylor could point you in the right direction
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 12:57 AM

New Radio Ballad: Titanic - "Never Again"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/Titanic-anniversary-.html

BBC Radio Solent

Live coverage throughout the anniversary week of the ceremonies and services in Southampton and in a series of Breakfast Show features, Titanic Streets, will meet with Southampton residents to reveal the unique Titanic history within their homes.

On April 15, from 6.00am-9.00am a special programme will reflect the North Atlantic memorial service with guests including relatives of the crew and Titanic experts. This includes a specially commissioned piece in the style of the famous BBC Radio Ballads, entitled Never Again. This Titanic lament has been written by Hampshire playwright Philip Glassborow, with contributions from folk-singer/songwriter Peggy Seeger.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston will also present a two hour documentary telling the story of the Titanic's final voyage and its impact on life in the South.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 01:07 AM

"Never Again"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00r00pb

Never Again - A lament for the Titanic : 15/04/2012
NEXT ON: Sunday, 08:30 on BBC Radio Solent
SYNOPSIS
BBC Radio Solent presents NEVER AGAIN, a Lament for the Titanic. Featuring new and specially-composed music by Peggy Seeger and Calum MacColl.

With the actual words of many people connected to the Titanic - survivors of the wreck, and relatives of those lost at sea.

And with accounts from newspapers of the time, and from the official public enquiry into the tragedy.

Swim To The Stars performed by Peggy Seeger. Composed by Peggy Seeger and Calum MacColl.

The Titanic performed by the late Mary Anne Canny.

This previously unpublished recording was kindly made available to the BBC by its producer, Jimmy McBride.

Musicians:

Audrey Palmer
Elizabeth David
Mollie Stannard
David Rhind-Tutt
Sammie Catling
Helen Williams
Mike Butler.

Recorded voices of survivors - and
relations of those involved in the wreck provided by the Southampton City Archive Oral History project and the BBC Archive.
Scenes from the Public Inquiry
and other contemporary accounts read
by:

Russell Boulter
Michael Haughey
Caroline Hunt
Christy McMullen
Hannah-Jane Churchman
Robert Hutchison
Stephanie Racine
Christopher McKay
Howard Mellor
Cecily O'Neill
Peter Russell
Dave Arnold
Andy McKeane
Tom Chenhall
Audrey Palmer
Philip Sherlock
Producer: Neil Sackley.
Written and directed by Philip Glassborow.

BROADCAST

Sun 15 Apr 20120 8:30
BBC Radio Solent

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 05:11 AM

Original Radio Ballads - Travelling People now at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01gkh6s/The_Radio_Ballads_Travelling_People/

Saturday, 14:00 on BBC Radio 4 Extra

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01gk3k5

Charles Parker Prize 2012

Synopsis - Sara Parker introduces the 3 winning radio features of the prize dedicated to her father's memory, and meets the student winners.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 09:12 AM

Never Again - A Lament for the Titanic

Sunday, 08:00 on BBC Radio 4 Extra

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01gnlmt

Synopsis

BBC Radio Solent's lament for the RMS Titanic. Featuring new and specially-composed music by Peggy Seeger and Calum MacColl.

Broadcasts
Sun 22 Apr 2012 08:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
Sun 22 Apr 2012 15:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
Sun 22 Apr 2012 20:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
Mon 23 Apr 2012 03:00BBC Radio 4 Extra

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: GMGough
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 10:48 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00r00pb

There is now a link on this page
to the programme on BBC iPlayer
(probably only UK only)

This particular iPlayer link is labelled
as expiring in six days ie 22/04/2012.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 12:28 PM

BBC iPlayer for audio progs. is available from overseas. I tested it in Barbados recently!!! Worked a treat.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 24 May 12 - 02:07 PM

Radio Ballads for Olympics on hold or abandoned?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/olympiad/other/ballads.html

Smooth Operations are ignoring all requests for info.

Seems like the whole exercise has been abandoned at licence payers expense. NOT GOOD.

This from BBC:

Dear Mr Brady
Reference CAS-1460485-5JBJVP

Thanks for contacting us regarding BBC Radio 2.

We understand you'd like more information about an upcoming series 'The Ballad[s] of the Games'.

All information about our programmes will either be on the BBC Media Centre website, and closer to transmission, the BBC programmes page at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes

Unfortunately there isn't any further information about this series at present and we're unable to assist further at this stage. BBC Audience Services receives hundreds of thousands of requests each year for information about programmes. We are pleased that we can usually provide answers to nearly all the enquiries we receive. However, occasionally the information requested is not available and, due to limitations of time and resource, we're unable to conduct the further research necessary to provide a comprehensive response. As you can appreciate, the expenditure to do this can only come from the licence fee, resulting in resources being diverted from the primary function of the BBC, which is to provide programmes. However, we'd advise that you check the above web page and listen out for any upcoming trails about the series.

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On the Smooth Operations website there is this:

http://www.ubcmedia.com/smoothoperations/operators/

Vince Hunt came to Smooth Operations in 1999 from the BBC in London where he was a news reporter and producer launching Five Live Breakfast, producing World Service radio news programmes and World Service TV coverage of the Gulf War and Omagh bomb. Within weeks he was in a car crossing the USA with Andy Kershaw making the series 'Promised Land'.

Since then he's worked across the range of Smooth Operations output, particularly on the Mike Harding Show, the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and the award-winning Radio Ballads series for BBC Radio 2. Vince is currently working on a further series of Ballads about the Olympics for BBC Radio 2.

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So one Vince Hunt (who?) is supposed to be working on the Radio Ballads for the Olympics. BUT SMOOTH OPERATIONS REFUSE TO DIVULGE DETAILS ABOUT THEM. I've emailed tham many times at: [e-mail]

So wft? NOT GOOD.

CJB.

Subject: RE: Radio Ballads Anniversary Programme
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 25 May 12 - 05:40 AM

Who is Vince Hunt? Not a Mudcatter I'm sure. So how come he's got the contract to produce six new Radio Ballads for the Olympics? I would opine that Smooth Operations and the venerable VH might just not have the passion that Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger and Charles Parker et al had for the original Radio Ballads. Does anyone have a different opinion?