Sorry about this folks. I meant to post the following about a week ago and just plain forgot. Anyway, the University of Bournemouth, Media Studies Department hosts a conference for Charles Parker, producer of the radio ballads, every year on the anniversary of his birth. The next one is on this Friday, 7 April 2006 at the Hotel Miramar, Bournemouth and the agenda is as follows:-

10.30        Coffee

11.00        Sean Street
        Welcome and Introduction

11.15         Gillian Reynolds and Sian Roberts
         The Charles Parker Archive, and the Connecting Histories Project

11.45        Ken Hall:
        Before and After the Radio Ballads: A look at Parker's work in regional radio features, 1949-57, how it influenced the Radio Ballads, and the effect of the Ballad style on his subsequent work

12.15         Sean Street
        Tales from Pigeon Inlet – Vernacular radio and social history in Newfoundland

12.45         Lunch

14.00        Graeme Miles
         Working with Charles Parker

14.30        Kate MCall
        The Ballad of Norman Corwin – a look at the work of the legendary American producer

15.00        Sara Parker and John Tams
        Voices of the People 2006: the evolution of the Radio Ballad 50 years on.

16.00         Tea.

16.15        Andy Cartwright
         "Then – Now" – spontaneous experience into radio poem.

16.45         Simon Elmes
        The Charles Parker Prize 2006

17.00         Close

For further information, or to confirm attendance, contact Sandie rose on 01202 595360 or srose@bournemouth.ac.uk.

Once again, apologies for the late posting. But if anyone from this forum makes it, I'll be glad to let them buy me a pint.

Cheers,

Fred McCormick.