Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Matt
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 03:39 PM

Now you can check it out for youself:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pgrp0

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: pavane
Date: 31 Dec 12 - 09:21 AM

I listened to Mike's last program, where the records were his own choice - only 2 (though very good) traditional songs in the whole hour, which is what has been disappointing to me in his programs. Yes, new songs but please, not exclusively. We understood that in most programs, the playlist was not his own choice, so we can't blame him for that. The request programs tended to be much better IMHO. Will the new guy have any more say in what is played? And back in the days of Folkweave, and Folk Song Cellar, we had many excellent amateur performers and beginners (like Sandy Denny in 1966), who no longer get any air time.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Dec 12 - 07:51 AM

So, let's see if MR has any provence now?...........

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Mr Red
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 01:38 PM

Some Festival organisers are businessmen - not Folkies.
Do you want me to name names?



Er PM me.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 01:25 PM

The evidence is all here on Mudcat which I've followed for a long time. If I had months to waste, I could go through the archives and make a list but I've got a life to live and can't be bothered.

I listen to the show every week (which is more than most people on this thread do - I know, another over-generalisation!) and quite like Mike but I also enjoy folk music shows presented by other presenters. It's the music that's important, not the presenter. I understand that Mike perceives that he has been treated unfairly and sympathise with him.

I saw Mike's live show last year and I do know the song "Bomber Moon". My dad was a bomber pilot in the last war.

I think that covers everything! Why are so many people on this board so aggressive and determined to start an argument.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 09:45 AM

And cowardly also applies to not using your real name to criticise someone else on a message board.

Dave H [ real name ]

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 05:09 AM

I think the BBC need to walk as though on egg shells, especially now.

Still overpaid and sexist. I see no increase in womens sport, despite the realization at the olimpics that they did to much mens' sport.

They have reduced the number of minor admin people earning mega bucks - but still generous and now we find them tax avoiding!

We can now add dubious employment practices. There are ways and ways to treat people. I read yesterday that the first some of the people at UBS knew they were sacked was when their swipe card no longer fitted in the door!

For a number of years, we used to help out at a local festival - do anything asked - a barn dance here or a pub there or do the bandstand - sometimes at short notice during the week. We did not ask for any money, although sometimes we got expenses. One year we were about to book time off from work and thought, the working programme has not arrived. This was the first we knew that they did not want us that year. Not a good way to find out. There is no good way to be sacked - but some are better than others.
FloraG

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Snuffy
Date: 31 Oct 12 - 01:27 PM

You mean like

"A proper sort of programme of the Mr Harding kind."

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Billy Mill
Date: 31 Oct 12 - 11:10 AM

Hasn't anyone wrote a song about this yet?

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 12 - 11:05 AM

cowardly sacking over the phone

Again I point out that he was not sacked but retired, and he was given nearly three month's notice of it. And what is "cowardly" about a senior manager ringing somebody personally to give them this news? Cowardly would have been to get a minion to send a form letter, an email or text message with no notice at all. Specialist music presenters on local radio get that sort of treatment all the time, sometimes without even the chance to do a final goodbye programme.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: alex s
Date: 31 Oct 12 - 07:30 AM

Chris Murray - how do you know that? How many is many? Got any hard evidence? Bet you don't.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 31 Oct 12 - 04:47 AM

I was one who ' moaned ' about him and to him, it's the cowardly sacking over the phone bit that annoys me.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 07:51 PM

Many of the people who are protesting about Mike leaving the programme have spent the last however-many-years-it-is moaning about him.

Spot on, Chris. Who remembers the debacles and fiasco's about the Radio 2 folk awards in which Mr H was the front man for the 'Folk Police'? I do. I am happy to provide links but I expect that if I did I would be accused of either cyber-bullying or stalking!

As they say oop 'ere. There's nowt so queer as folk!

DtG

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 07:23 PM

Many of the people who are protesting about Mike leaving the programme have spent the last however-many-years-it-is moaning about him.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 12:20 PM

it is a specialist music programme that needs an expert presenter - the one they have just sacked would be ideal

I completely agree with your first conclusion, but not your second. I'd say "adequate" but far from ideal. Mark Radcliffe will probably be the same, so our Honourable Friends need not get sidetracked. "Ideal" would be somebody a few decades younger with the folk equivalent of the broadcasting skills of an Andy Kershaw or Charlie Gillett. There are reasons that people like them won Sony Gold Awards, and describing every record as "cracking" and "the best ever" wasn't one of them.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Stu
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 12:09 PM

Mark Radcliffe is a great presenter, a musician who is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and articulate. He's a great choice as far as I'm concerned, though it'll never please a certain type of listener.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: alex s
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 11:57 AM

Right on the nail, Silas

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Silas
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 09:51 AM

Sorry Steve it aint as simple as that. If it was just a radio programme then yes, you would have a point, but it aint, it is a specialist music programme that needs an expert presenter - the one they have just sacked would be ideal.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 09:46 AM

This whole thing is getting completely ridiculous.

I'm sure he's a lovely bloke, but really?

Pressure for questions to be asked in Parliament?

Comparing himself with Savile and Ross/Brand, and suggesting that he should therefore keep the show because he's not been engaged in any illegal and repugnant activity?

(Assuming the Daily Mail hasn't completely misquoted him of course.
"Mr Harding, how do you feel about not getting your contract renewed whilst all this is coming out about Jimmy Savile?"
"Well I'm not very pleased to be honest."
"SACKED MIKE HARDING SLAMS SAVILE-PROTECTING BBC!!!!").

Long-serving radio presenter doesn't get contract renewed. Story over. Move on, nothing to see.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Silas
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 09:16 AM

Similar story about Mike. He was doing an outside broadcast and mentioned in the course of an interview that he was recording on something the size of a packet of fags whereas before he would have needed something the size of a suitcase. I emailed him to ask him what he was using, he not only told me, he told me where I could get one from. Then a week mor so later, he pointed me towards one that we being sold on ebay - he also gave me some really good advice on which mic to use etc.

What a guy - brilliant!

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: alex s
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 08:11 AM

Several years ago I contacted Mike via his show regarding an obscure folk song I was trying to trace.
He took the time and trouble to research it and found exactly what I was looking for.
He even apologised for the (slight) delay in getting back to me!

Good on yer, Mike: I wonder how many other presenters would go to so much trouble.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 08:04 PM

it is not tasteless, it is a fact.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 05:45 PM

Click on the Daily Mail link in Guest's post, Al.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 05:30 PM

Scuse my ignorance - where does Jimmy Saville come into the story?

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 05:18 PM

There's a lot of tilting at windmills going on. Mike Harding wasn't sacked, he was retired. He is a freelance on a contract and from his own account of it a senior manager took the trouble to ring him personally to let him know, with good notice, that his contract would not be renewed when it expired in three month's time. Whether you agree with him being let go or not, that's all perfectly legal, courteous and above board.The only reason it's a "fiasco" is that Harding then had a hissy fit and went to the likes of the Daily Mail and brought Jimmy Savile into the story, which was pretty tasteless of him really.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Tootler
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 03:39 PM

OK, so they have decided that it's time for a change of presenter. It happens.

However, if half of what I read about the way they went about it is true, the manner in which Mike Harding was told was - shall we say - less than honourable.

I listened to his programme occasionally and it was OK and Mike was an knowledgeable presenter and I don't really understand some of the more extreme venom shot at him. I suspect his brief was somewhat constrained and, like all BBC output obscessed with celebrities so it wasn't really representitive of the Folk Music world most of us know.

However what's done is done and it's time to move on.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: RamblinStu
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 02:15 PM

I was sorry to see the end of Folkwaves too.

The BBC seems to have an agenda to bugger up good folk music programmes.
OK they may have been old format, and it could be time for a change, BUT what new folk programmes are they introducing?    Can't think of one, can you?

Stuart Pendrill

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Mr Red
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 11:02 AM

So
Enlighten us ignoramuses (ignoramii?) This Radcliff chappy - what Folk pedigree does he have?
Andy Kershaw would have had more Cajun and melodeon - that is for sure.
Mike Harding was enthusiastic, maybe too much so but I am no expert on Folk on the radio - I prefer to make music rather than consume. Or dance, or steward at festvals, or make radio programmes Tues 7am-9 UK time - ie participate. But there is more scope for niche programmes than is catered for.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Black Belt Caterpillar Wrestler
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 08:25 AM

Both Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick stood in for Jim Lloyd on occasions. In my opinion John has the better style of presentation.
He also had a series of his own. "Sqeezing round the world" I think it was called.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 06:42 PM

When Andy Kershaw was dumped from Radio 1, there was also an Early Day Motion, introduced by Lembit Opik.

Look what happened to both of them.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 02:24 PM

Yes Dave, I do remember Martin Carthy doing the R2 folk programme for a while. I even recorded one of the shows (lost the cassette, arrgh). I do remember however that Martin's choice of records was extremely eclectic, as one would expect.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: johncharles
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 01:59 PM

Ahem! I have an impecunious record with regard to folk music which is second to anybody. A. Strong (Count).

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: BanjoRay
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 07:34 AM

Mark Radcliffe? Why not go all the way and bring in Count Arthur Strong?

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: ian268
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 05:58 AM

I like Mike Harding presenting the folk show. I like the way he offers the listener a piece of music and would say "see what you think" as if he was talking to you direct and he does not stray away from the music, offering lots of information about a track, who's playing on it, which album, label, forthcoming gigs etc. Too few presenters do this.

My only fear about Mark Radcliffe presenting it he may waffle a bit about other things. I hope I'm proved wrong. I did love by the way, Mark & Lard on Radio 1.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 05:15 AM

I must have been away somewhere when Tony [ the poison dwarf from Rotherham ] Capstick was presenting it.

Does anyone remember Martin Carthy doing a stint at it after Ralph McTell ?

Dave H

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 10:00 PM

British economy and social strata...must be pretty darn good...if this is an example of priority agenda.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle


little rancid pastries

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 09:28 PM

Get over it! No-one died!

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 07:03 PM

Thanks Georgina - you saved me having to refute Mr Hanson's statement.

I gave Tony a lift to Manchester and back one time for the show and met among others Don Mosey the excellent cricket commentator who could keep any audience amused for hours with Geoff Boycott stories alone.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 03:25 PM

rofl

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 03:05 PM

I reckon walkaboutverse would be good

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 01:05 PM

Dave Hunt would be a good alternative - especially if he took his collection of 78s with him.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 12:04 PM

"Early Day Motion" begs splendidly crude gags about 'constipation' and Politicians lack of moral 'fibre'...

... oh, and talking about Mike Harding....


< INSERT JOKE HERE >

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,davemc
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 11:52 AM

Old bloke with long innings, whom some like and others don't, doesn't get a new contract. I'd hardly describe that as a "fiasco", rather, something to be expected at some point. Now seems a good time for this boring format.

Bring on the changes!

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Puzzled of Barnsley
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 10:51 AM

Early Day Motions are rarely debated - therefore take little Parliamentary Time

http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/edms/

Tony Capstick presented the Radio 2 Folk Programme produced by Peter Pilbeam for a number of years. Georgina is correct.

BBC Folk radio presenters? They've only had one for 15 years! 53 when he started.

You will not get working performers to do it - not enough money for a lot of work.

You will not get young performers to do it for the same reason AND they are trying to make a name for themselves.

So you need a presenter who likes folk music. Name another.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 10:01 AM

Given the BBC's reliance on the same old names and the general age of it's Folk radio presenters, i'd not be surprised to see Tony Capsick And Cyril Tawney present it, get diggin' BBC

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Girl Friday
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 08:51 AM

Ok. compared with most matters of state- it does seem trivial, but compared to the attitude of the former parliament - not bad.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,guest - Jim Younger
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 08:18 AM

With you on that one, Chris Green. Well put.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Chris Green
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 07:09 AM

We're witnessing the systematic dismantling of our health service, the wholesale embuggerment of our education system and an unprecedented attempt by a UK government to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Is this really the best use of Parliamentary time? Seriously?

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Georgina Boyes
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 06:26 AM

Tony Capstick presented the Radio 2 Folk Programme for a number of years during the 1970's and 80's, when it was produced in Manchester by Peter Pilbeam.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Continuity Jones
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 04:14 AM

Well, although I think it's good that something as trivial as a DJs contract not being renewed can make it to parliament, I do think it's rather a waste of time. Mike Harding wasn't very good - he was ok, but nothing special at all - it's no surprise his contract wasn't renewed, really. Kershaw, who I cannot abide personally since reading his character assassination of an autobiography, was a good DJ. Peel was a good DJ. Harding was average. Radcliffe is a turd in the faucet and I wouldn't have chosen him, but Harding can't be too surprised. He was a 100 metre sprinter who always made 15 seconds.

I would have chosen Mary-Anne Kennedy.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 03:51 AM

Yes, early day motions remain open for signature.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 03:46 AM

Tony Capstick never presented the BBC Radio 2 programme , he did BBC local radio and anyway, he's dead.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,999
Date: 26 Oct 12 - 11:53 PM

Thank you SRD.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 26 Oct 12 - 09:01 PM

If it were possible then my choice to bring back would be Tony Capstick.

His (Tony's)choice would be Cyril Tawney.

Hey Ho

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: SRD
Date: 26 Oct 12 - 05:18 PM

It's an Early Day Motion (http://www.parliament.uk/edm ), simply a means to bring items to Parliament's notice. Very rarely effective unless planted by the government of the day.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,999
Date: 26 Oct 12 - 03:08 PM

Only five MPs supported the motion. Will others be allowed to add their names later? (Pardon my ignorance as to how your HoC works.)

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,999
Date: 26 Oct 12 - 02:18 PM

I know what y'all mean.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Oct 12 - 02:00 PM

Jon Benns for me. I've never got over his leaving Radio Cornwall.

Subject: RE: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: GUEST,Manc Man
Date: 26 Oct 12 - 01:52 PM

Well, I'll start a campaign to get Jim Lloyd back, he was much, much better!

Subject: Mike Harding Fiasco Reaches Parliament
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 26 Oct 12 - 01:18 PM

Watch out Smooth Ops, your days could be numbered for your obnoxious behaviour towards Mike Harding...


Mike Harding - Radio 2 - And - Parliament!