tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20002682073819420262010-03-19T07:12:45.752-07:00Stratford Community Radio - MYSCRBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-57398887806459616322010-03-19T07:12:00.001-07:002010-03-19T07:12:41.388-07:00This blog has moved<br /> This blog is now located at http://myscr.blogspot.com/.<br /> You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click <a href='http://myscr.blogspot.com/'>here</a>.<br /><br /> For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to<br /> http://myscr.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.<br /> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-5739888780645961632?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06140672889062253944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-43124789793445415852010-03-05T07:45:00.000-08:002010-03-05T08:53:29.656-08:00Portia Conn - SCR Live Acoustic SessionLocal singer/songwriter Portia Conn joins Adrian Styles live at Stratford Community Radio on Saturday 6th March! <br /><br />As a regular supporter of Stratford Community Radio, we welcome back Portia to find out what she's got planned for 2010 and discuss her recent debut single 'I Don't Care'.<br /> <br />Listen in to the interview from 12-1pm and hear Portia play some live acoustic tracks.<br /><br /><img title="Portia Conn" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="Portia Conn" src="http://www.myscr.co.uk/blog/images/portia-conn.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />'On The Road Show' is live from 12-1pm on Saturday featuring special guest Portia Conn<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-4312478979344541585?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628675273770029441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-72895751873806363872010-02-25T08:01:00.000-08:002010-02-25T08:55:32.839-08:00Kiki Dee - MYSCR Live InterviewAfter the technical difficulties that got into the works last Saturday morning we're hoping for a clear run this week. <br /><br />Furthermore, the proposed interview with Kiki Dee that was going to take place has been rearranged and will be happening this Saturday - 27th February.<br /><br />To hear Andy Garside's interview with Kiki along with the best of the 60's and 70's tune in from 10am on Saturday morning.<br /><br />See <a class="content-link"href="http://www.kikiandcarmelo.com">www.kikiandcarmelo.com</a> for the latest news on Kiki's 2010 tour.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-7289575187380636387?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628675273770029441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-45433401462014948922010-02-15T07:50:00.000-08:002010-02-15T08:57:37.090-08:00Live In Conversation With Kiki Dee<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px; height: 215px;" src="http://www.myscr.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/kiki-761204.jpg" border="0" alt="Live In Conversation With Kiki Dee" title="Live In Conversation With Kiki Dee" /><br /><br />As well as playing the normal selection of music from the 1960s and 1970s Andy Garside will be in conversation with singing star Kiki Dee from 10am on Saturday 20th February. <br /><br />Kiki will be speaking to us from her own studio and joins us in advance of her forthcoming appearance at Leamington Assembly (Leamington Spa) on Saturday 6th March. Stay tuned as at midday we welcome the ledgendry Steve Gibbons into the studio. <br /><br />For further information on Kiki's collaboration with Carmelo Luggeri visit <a class="content-link" href="http://www.kikiandcarmelo.com">http://www.kikiandcarmelo.com<br /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-4543340146201494892?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628675273770029441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-55235383380130581072010-02-14T03:32:00.000-08:002010-02-14T03:47:50.461-08:00Valentine Love Poem Competition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.myscr.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/TheWeatherMan-767956.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.myscr.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/TheWeatherMan-767672.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Last Friday we were delighted to welcome into the studio the winner of our Valentine Love Poem Competition, Tanya Lloyd. She read her winning poem and told listeners about her latest writing project. She has promised to come back again soon to read one or two of her short stories. <br /><br />Here is Tanya's winning entry, called The Weather Man:<br /><br />I don’t mind getting soaked right though,<br />I can dry off, with thoughts of you<br /><br />Under stormy skies, I’ll get wetter<br />‘cause I want to know you better<br /><br />Each drop of rain is a beat of my heart<br />but like this shower, it’s just the start<br /><br />My lust for you runs long, like a river<br />without your broadcast, I surely wither<br /><br />I don’t mind if it’s stormy weather, as<br />Mr Meteorologist, it gets us together.<br /><br /><br />Well done, Tanya and we look forward to you returning for another visit soon.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-5523538338013058107?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Jacquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841678117932895098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-62101139256553440262010-02-12T01:19:00.000-08:002010-02-12T01:53:25.109-08:00Portia Conn sings ‘I Don’t Care'<img title="Portia Conn" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="Portia Conn" src="http://www.myscr.co.uk/blog/images/portia-conn.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Last week, Portia Conn, a 17 year old music student at Stratford-upon-Avon College released her debut single, ‘I Don’t Care’. <br /><br />Portia, a singer/songwriter, is studying on the BTEC National Diploma in Music. The single was released following a successful launch party at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Cox’s Yard venue. LAB Records signed Portia last summer despite her only ever playing three shows. She has also signed with the US label, Tragic Hero. <br /><br />Portia said, “I am really excited about what the future holds for me, and yet at the same time, I want to keep my options open as I know the music business can be a pretty risky business. I have met a lot of cool people over the last six months and I consider myself very lucky to be where I am now.” <br /><br />James Maiden, Programme Co-ordinator for Music, commented, “I downloaded ‘I Don’t Care’ by Portia from ITunes last week. It is a fantastic piece of pure, melodic, pop music. Music at Stratford-upon-Avon College has always primarily been about success in the industry and I’m immensely pleased to see one of our first year students working so hard to realise her ambitions and dreams,<br /><br />“I am also incredibly excited to see how studying at Stratford-upon-Avon College can help Portia’s artistry develop during the next year or so. All we need now is for everyone to go online and download this excellent single and perhaps we can create a bit of noise about a very talented and committed young artist.”<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-6210113925655344026?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628675273770029441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-347070639794455782010-02-05T14:31:00.000-08:002010-02-05T14:33:24.724-08:00Monthly Songwriters’ Night – Everyone Welcome!Stratford Community Radio is delighted to invite all budding songwriters and entertainers to a monthly gathering which we will be sponsoring. Held on the<span style="font-weight:bold;"> first Thursday evening of every month</span>, in the back function room of the <span style="font-weight:bold;">White Swan Hotel</span> in Stratford, we will be giving new talent the chance to take the spotlight!<br /><br />Maybe you are part of a band or a solo performer, perhaps you sing acapella or write poetry - this is your chance to shine and showcase your talent in front of your peers.<br /><br />We will be waiting with a warm welcome from<span style="font-weight:bold;"> 8pm to 11.15pm </span>– don’t miss this chance to meet like-minded people and make new contacts. Who knows where it might lead?<br /><br />£2 Entry<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-34707063979445578?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Jacquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841678117932895098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-1565211963263260672010-02-03T08:13:00.000-08:002010-02-03T08:16:20.036-08:00Award-Winning Children’s Author Tells His Story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.myscr.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/MatthewFinchPic-745450.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://www.myscr.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/MatthewFinchPic-745010.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Last Friday local award-winning children’s author Matthew Finch dropped into the studio for a guest appearance on Happily Ever After. Matthew recently won recognition for his story called ‘Shark with the Mind of a Rabbit’ through the writer’s website, abctales.com. Writing under the name of M E Lehmann, he entered a competition and was delighted to be one of the ten entries winning the chance to have their story broadcast on a children’s digital radio station.<br /><br />During his appearance, he read a wonderful tale he had written, called ‘Polly and the Frog’, and he has promised to come back and read more of his work soon.<br /><br />Matthew explained how he had developed his craft of storytelling as a volunteer for the charity Volunteer Reading Help (VRH). This organisation trains volunteers and send them into schools to help children with their reading – children who have perhaps not had the best start in life and have no appreciation or love for reading. He told us how rewarding it was to see the children he was helping change their perception of books and stories.<br /><br />Matthew’s writing career is going from strength to strength. He will shortly be heading off to New York for discussions with literary agents, but we hope he will be back in the studio again before too long to update us on his success and share some more stories with us.<br /><br />Matthew is currently developing a website which will showcase his work, once it is up and running, we will let you have full details.<br /><br />If you are interested in finding out how to become a volunteer for Volunteer Reading Help, please visit their website www.vrh.org.uk<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-156521196326326067?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Jacquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841678117932895098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-56331200645674373422009-11-06T04:30:00.000-08:002009-11-06T04:35:18.136-08:00Happily Ever After Writing Competitons Terms and ConditionsHappily Ever After - Writing Competitions - Terms and Conditions<br />Please read these carefully before submitting your entry.<br /><br />1. Entry is open to any writer who lives, works or studies in the Stratford-upon-Avon area. Entries must be the original work of the entrant and must not currently be submitted for publication or any other competition or award.<br />2. All entries must be accompanied by a cover-sheet detailing the name, address, telephone number and age of the entrant, along with the correct word count. Entrants under 16 must have permission to enter granted by a responsible adult, which might be a parent or teacher.<br />3. All entries must be typed and on A4 paper. Short stories must be double-spaced. Poems must be single-spaced with double-spacing between each verse, if applicable. Entries cannot be returned.<br />4. Entries must be posted to Stratford Community Radio, 50 Henley Street, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 6QW to arrive before 5pm on the specified closing date. Alternatively entries may be emailed to happily-ever-after@live.co.uk, although we cannot be responsible for entries not received in time due to problems beyond our control.<br />5. Short stories must be a maximum of 2,000 words. Poems should be a maximum of 32 lines.<br />6. Entrants retain full copyright to their work.<br />7. Closing dates are detailed below. Entries received after these dates will not be considered.<br />8. Entries written for adult entertainment are accepted, however any entry containing language or references that listeners may consider offensive or inappropriate for afternoon transmission will not be considered.<br />9. Judges will select a First Place and Runner-up for each competition.<br />10. If other entries are received which the Judges feel deserve commendation, these entries may be selected to appear on the website at www.stratforduponavon.org.uk <br />11. Winners will be notified by the dates shown below by telephone on the number provided on the entry cover-sheet.<br />12. Winning entries and Runners-up will be published on www.stratforduponavon.org.uk and entry to this competition confirms agreement to such publication.<br />13. Writers of winning entries will be invited to the studio at 50 Henley Street, Stratford upon Avon, in order to read their winning entries live on the Happily Ever After Show. Writers may nominate a third party to read their winning entry on their behalf, if preferred.<br />14. The Judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.<br />15. No cash prizes will be awarded. <br />16. No alternative prizes will be awarded, however if prize-winners are not able to attend the studio on nominated dates, an alternative date may be offered in certain circumstances.<br />17. These Terms and Conditions may be subject to change from time to time, so it is the Entrant’s responsibility to check before submitting their work.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-5633120064567437342?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Jacquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841678117932895098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-34992253456894905792009-11-06T04:24:00.000-08:002009-11-06T04:28:23.781-08:00Happily Ever After Writing CompetitionsHappily Ever After, the weekly literary show on Stratford Community Radio,<br />is seeking out writing talent in the area. We want to hear from aspiring writers, <br />whether their preference is poetry, short stories, drama, comedy or full-length novels.<br /><br />To build on our early success, we are holding a series of WRITING COMPETITIONS!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Win the chance to read your work on the radio and have it published online</span><br /><br />Christmas Song Words<br />Ho-ho-ho! Write new words to your favourite Christmas tune!<br />Closing date: 4th December 2009<br /><br />Love Poetry<br />Just in time for Valentine’s Day, send us your love poem, happy or sad.<br />Closing date: 29th January 2010<br /><br />Fairytales<br />Write your own fairytale or put a new spin on an old one. Will it end Happily Ever After?<br />Closing date: 9th April 2010<br /><br />Haunted!<br />Will this be a ghost story, or is someone haunted by something else – a memory, a loss, a mistake?<br />Closing date: 18th June 2010<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Please refer to our Terms and Conditions of entry before submitting your work.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-3499225345689490579?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Jacquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841678117932895098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-57415767835120082972009-11-03T02:52:00.000-08:002009-11-03T02:57:03.954-08:00Happily Ever After…. Halloween Writing CompetitionLast Friday Jacqui welcomed into the studio the winners of the Happily Ever After Halloween Writing Competition. She had decorated the room with pumpkins, ghosts, witches, bats, spiders and skeletons to set the scene, and the winners read their winning entries during the show.<br /><br />Jacqui would like to thank her fellow Judges for their hard work and valuable contribution to the show. The panel consisted of Jacqui, alongside Adrian Styles, Stratford Community Radio’s Station Manager and musician; Annie Macmillan, storyteller and writer; Marion Morgan, musician and event organiser.<br /><br />Special thanks also go to everyone who entered the competition. The standard was very high which made the judging even more difficult. Winning entries will appear of <a class="content-link" href="http://stratforduponavon.org.uk">www.stratforduponavon.org.uk</a> – the community website for the people of Stratford.<br /><br />Halloween Writing Competition Winners:<br /><br />Best Short Story (Over 16) Winner – Maureen Taylor<br />Best Poem (Over 16) Winner – Pat Williams<br />Best Short Story (Under 16) Winner – Amy Witton<br />Best Short Story (Over 16) Runner up – Tanya Lloyd<br />Best Poem (Over 16) Runner up – Maria Freeman<br />Best Poem (Over 16) Highly Commended– Wendy Freeman<br />No eligible entries were received for Best Poem (Under 16)<br /><br />More writing competitions have been compiled and will be published here later this week.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-5741576783512008297?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Jacquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841678117932895098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-29880506748200675872009-11-03T02:19:00.000-08:002009-11-03T02:25:44.594-08:00Anything Could Happen Now!!!Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse - I have taken over updating the blog!! Now, anyone who knows me will tell you that I am about as technical as a drawing pin - in fact probably less so! By the end of the day the whole blog could be wiped out, but I will do my best to keep the world up-to-date on what's happening at the nerve centre that we call Stratford Community Radio. Watch this space.... Jacqui<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-2988050674820067587?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Jacquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841678117932895098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-82605365903099117922009-10-25T13:50:00.000-07:002009-10-25T14:00:22.205-07:00Stratford Christmas Lights 2010 AppealIt was just another day in the Stratford Community Radio studio last week when Town Councilor Maureen Beckett came in asking for donations for the appeal for next year’s Christmas Lights in Stratford.<br /><br />She told us about the difficulty the Christmas Lights Committee are having in raising sufficient funds to ensure we have festive lights in the town centre next year, and we think the people of Stratford would be happy to help.<br /><br />This year sees the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Stratford Christmas Lights and to mark the occasion new lighting displays have been arranged. The lights are funded by generous grants from the Town Council and the Town Trust, but these grants are by no means guaranteed, and are dependant on additional funding being raised from donations from local businesses, residents and visitors to the town.<br /><br />The Christmas Lights Committee is made up of only six people, but already they have sent letters out to all the businesses in the town asking for donations. A number of fundraising activities have been arranged, but the level of contribution has dropped this year, undoubtedly due to the recession. Cllr Beckett and her colleagues are doing everything they can to achieve the £18,000 needed to secure next year’s grants, but they need YOUR help!<br /><br />The Stratford Christmas Lights are considered to be one of the finest displays in the country. We are lucky to benefit from visitors to the town all year round, and it’s important they leave wanting to come back next year. So – please help! For more information or to find out where to send your donation, please go to the relevant website and do what you can to make sure that Stratford looks as beautiful next Christmas as it will do this year.<br /><br /><a class="content-link" href="http://www.visitstratforduponavon.co.uk/christmaslights/">http://www.visitstratforduponavon.co.uk/christmaslights/</a><br /><br />This year’s Christmas Lights will be switched on at 5pm on Thursday, 26th November by the Town Mayor, Cllr Mrs Jenny Fradgley<br /><br />Cllr Maureen Beckett will be appearing on ‘Over The Fence’ with Mandy Webb 12-2pm on Friday, 23rd October. Listen in and join in the debate by visiting the website <a class="content-link" href="http://www.myscr.co.uk">www.myscr.co.uk</a> and clicking the ‘Listen Live’ button.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-8260536590309911792?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-12546876874396762542009-10-04T13:18:00.000-07:002009-10-04T13:21:54.638-07:00Happily Ever After – Radio Book ReviewPenny Friedman and Sally Nailer joined presenter Jacqui Alexander in the studio of Stratford Community Radio last Friday to review ‘The Eyre Affair’ by Jasper Fforde.<br /><br />Penny and Sally are part of the Reading Group of the Stratford Soroptimists. The Reading Group was set up quite recently and the ladies borrow their books from Stratford Library.<br /><br />Penny told us “The heroine of the book, Thursday Next, is a literary detective, trying to catch the evil Acheron Hades, who is kidnapping characters from great novels and threatening to change the plots of the novels forever. It's a wacky, slightly Sci-Fi book, the first of a series of Thursday Next books, which have become a bit of a cult among some readers.”<br /><br />Both Penny and Sally enjoyed the book, although they said that some of their group found it a little difficult to get into. Sally told us that although not a page-turner, it is a compelling story. They plan to read other books in the Thursday Next series, of which they think there are currently four titles.<br /><br />Overall Mark for ‘The Eyre Affair’ by Jasper Fforde - 7/10<br /><br />The book the group is currently reading is 'Snow Falling on Cedars' by David Guterson, a beautifully written book set on a remote island off the west coast of the US in the 1950's.<br /><br />If you have read either of these books, please let us know what you thought of it.<br /><br />Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for women in management and professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women around the world. There is a UK division many local groups across the country.<br /><br />The Stratford group fundraises for international, national and local projects. Locally they are helping the Shakespeare Hospice, Warwickshire Air Ambulance and also maintaining a garden at Stratford Hospital. For information about the Stratford Soroptimists, please visit their website: <a class="content-link" href="http://soroptimist-gbi.co.uk/stratford-upon-avon-and-district/ ">http://soroptimist-gbi.co.uk/stratford-upon-avon-and-district/</a> <br /><br />Jacqui would like to thank the ladies of Stratford Soroptimists Reading Group for contributing to the show.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-1254687687439676254?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-33896610265252104552009-10-01T07:38:00.000-07:002009-10-02T00:34:19.958-07:00THEM IS ME drop into the Studio<img src="http://www.myscr.co.uk/blog/images/them-is-me.jpg" width="550" height="333" alt="Them Is Me" title="Them Is Me" /><br /><br />Photo: Jason Jervis<br /><br />On Friday we had another treat in the studio! Gary Stringer (vocals) and Jack Bessant (bass) from Them Is Me came for tea (along with their lovely PA, Martha) to talk to us about the gig they were doing that very evening at Cox’s Yard.<br /><br />Their names might well be familiar to you, as the guys were part of the very successful Reef, the Somerset band who had massive hits in the 90’s and early 00’s with albums like ‘Gold’ in 1995 and ‘Glow’ in 1997.<br /><br />The pair has teamed up with Nathan ‘Tugg’ Curran (drums) and Jonas Jalhay (guitar) to form Them Is Me and the band have spent the whole of September touring around the country and the response has been fantastic. Reef fans will remember that Tugg took over from Dominic Greensmith for the final months of the old band.<br /><br />This was the band’s first visit to Stratford but hopefully won’t be their last as they told us they think it’s a pretty little town! Adrian interviewed the guys and played several tracks from their debut album, also called Them Is Me.<br /><br />It has a lot of strong tracks and is a brilliant first album. You can buy the CD direct from the website for a bargain £8 – their first single and tee shirts are also available to buy online.<br /><br />The guys were both an absolute delight to have in the studio, friendly and chatty and not at all ‘rock and roll’, and we look forward to welcoming them back again soon.<br /><br />The band have some further dates coming up later this year – on 27th November at The Roadhouse, Manchester; 28th November at The Flapper, Birmingham; and 4th December at The Monto Water Rats, London.<br /><br />For more information, please visit the band’s website <a class="content-link" href="http://www.themisme.com">www.themisme.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-3389661026525210455?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-72105884698102377202009-09-22T06:50:00.001-07:002009-09-22T06:50:59.960-07:00THIS MUCH I KNOW – for your listening pleasure!Jackie King-Turner hosts a wonderful show on Saturdays between 1-2pm. It is a mix of great music, chosen by her guest and lively chat explaining why those tracks are important – think of it as Desert Island Discs without any raft-building experience necessary!<br /><br />Jackie has some fantastic people joining her over the next few weeks; here are some details to whet your appetites:<br /><br />12th September<br />Dame Yve Buckland<br />Chair of the Consumer Council for Water<br /><br />19th September<br />Dennis Hale<br />Advanced Driver Services<br /><br />26th September<br />Jackie is away this week, so this gives us another chance to listen to one of her previous shows<br /><br />3rd October<br />Jackie will be working as Compere at the Fashion Show and Costume Auction at Val Rainbow’s Autumn Souk taking place at Shipston High School today. This gives us another chance to listen to one of Jackie’s previous shows.<br /><br />5th December<br />Anna Mason<br />Distance Dieters<br />Anna returns to provide advice and guidance about healthy eating throughout the festive season.<br /><br />Other guests are yet to be confirmed. Watch this space for more details as we get them. <br /><br />Join Jackie and her guests on Saturdays at 1pm<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-7210588469810237720?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-522319684640507932009-09-21T01:40:00.000-07:002009-09-21T01:53:13.432-07:00InkTears On The RadioOn 5th September, IT entrepreneur and prize-winning author Anthony Howcroft was a guest on Jackie King-Turner’s show THIS MUCH I KNOW.<br /><br />The following day Anthony wrote about the experience on his website – this is what he said:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.inktears.com/Inktears/Welcome_files/droppedImage.png" height="84" width="184" alt="InkTears on Stratford Community Radio" /><br /><br />Sunday, 6 September 2009<br /><br />Yesterday I was the guest of Jackie King-Turner on her Stratford-based radio show. It’s the first time I’ve ever been on the radio (in person), so it was a completely fresh experience. One of my stories was previously read out on BBC Radio (actually Beetles and Butterflies - the current InkTears story of the month) and that was a surreal experience, as I could listen to the actor and radio host talk about my story but had no way to interact with them. This was a very different experience, as you sit in a studio and chat in a small intimate group and try to forget the other people eavesdropping on the airwaves.<br /><br />Like any new experience, it’s a little daunting at first, but Jackie and Sam (the engineer) soon put me at my ease and I throughly enjoyed the whole event. Having done lots of live online presentations for work, I can say that this is very different. In a work presentation you typically don’t get a break (although with a good pre-sales person, you build in ways to take a breather and gather your thoughts) while on the radio there is a short gap every few minutes where a song is played, and you can have a drink, relax a little and/or think about what you might be talking about next. I should point out that Jackie and Sam were often very busy during these periods, so the relaxation is for guests only - there was a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes! It is also rather strange to put your headset on to talk to each other, and be sitting directly in front of someone but hearing their voice through the headphones. That was one aspect which I found strangely reassuring though, as it reminded me of flying from Enstone in the SuperDimona (license expired now, sadly...). In an aeroplane the headphones are noise cancelling and the prop makes so much noise that you can’t hear a thing without them, so it kept surprising me when I took the headphones off and found I could still hear Jackie and Sam.<br /><br />Being on the radio also makes you acutely aware of sounds. I had never noticed that Jackie has such a good voice for radio before, or that my voice sounded so squeaky! Of course, like any presentation (especially those that are recorded) you come away thinking about how you could or should have answered this differently, or said that in a better way. I guess that’s why I’m a writer. You can keep going over the words until you get them exactly the way you want them. Then you can change them next week. Then the next. And the next.<br /><br />Still, lots of good plug opportunities were provided for InkTears. It was such good fun being on the show. Thanks Jackie! Thanks Sam!<br /><br />Anthony Howcroft <a class="content-link" href="http://www.inktears.com">www.inktears.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-52231968464050793?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-29333719517994372922009-09-15T06:19:00.000-07:002009-09-15T06:20:48.117-07:00Happily Ever After links with Stratford Soroptimist ClubWe are pleased to announce that Happily Ever After has formed its first association with a local reading group.<br /><br />Soroptimist International is a World-wide organisation for women, all committed to working for equality, development and peace. Internationally, they are currently raising funds for projects in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Uganda. The Stratford Club meets monthly and enjoys talks, fund-raising and social activities, and locally the members support the Shakespeare Hospice and Warwickshire Air Ambulance, as well as maintaining a garden at Stratford Hospital.<br /><br />Stratford Soroptimists now have a Reading Group which is a fairly recent addition to their activities. These ladies have widely varying tastes in literature, but hopefully over the course of the year they will all find something they enjoy among the titles they will be reading.<br /><br />Currently, the groups are reading ‘The Eyre Affair’ by Jasper Fforde. This is a wacky, slightly sci-fi book featuring a heroine called Thursday Next who is a literary detective on the trail of the evil villain of the story, who is kidnapping characters from great novels and threatening to change the plots of the novels forever!<br /><br />The book is the first in a series of Thursday Next titles, which have become a bit of a cult among some readers.<br /><br />The next book the group will be reading is ‘Snow Falling on the Cedars’ by David Guterson. This is a beautifully written tale set on a remote island off the West Coast of America in the 1950s.<br /><br />We would like to extend a warm welcome to the Club and we hope that every month one of two members will be able to come into the studio and review their latest read with our listeners.<br /><br />If you have read either of the titles mentioned above and would like to tell us what you thought, please send us a message! We look forward to hearing from you.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />Jacqui and the SCR Team<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-2933371951799437292?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-11588386417816561552009-09-08T05:21:00.000-07:002009-09-08T05:50:40.406-07:00Happily Ever After Writing Competition “Halloween”<span style="font-weight: bold;">Happily Ever After</span>, the new weekly literary show on <a class="content-link" href="http://www.myscr.co.uk/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stratford Community Radio</span></a>, is seeking out writing talent in the town. We want to hear from aspiring writers, whether their preference is poetry, short stories, drama, comedy or full-length novels.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.myscr.co.uk/blog/images/writing-competition.jpg" alt="Happily Ever After, Halloween Writing Competition" title="Happily Ever After, Halloween Writing Competition" border="0" height="159" width="550" /><br /><br /><br />To get our search underway, we are holding a <span style="font-weight: bold;">COMPETITION!</span> The theme is <span style="font-weight: bold;">HALLOWEEN</span> and entries can be in the form of a poem (maximum 32 lines) or short story (Maximum 1500 words). Your work can be scary, funny, fantasy, and for adults or for children.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Win the chance to appear on the radio and have your story or poem published online!</span><br /><br />Winners will be selected in two age groups – Under 16 and Over 16.<br /> <br />Each age group will have a First Place and Runner Up awarded for <span style="font-weight: bold;">BEST SHORT STORY</span> and also <span style="font-weight: bold;">BEST POEM</span>.<br /><br />All winning entries will be published on the website of <a class="content-link" href="http://www.stratforduponavon.org.uk/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">www.stratforduponavon.org.uk</span></a> and writers will be invited into the studio on Friday 30th October 2009 to read out their winning entries during Happily Ever After, between 4pm and 5pm. Nominated readers can read the winning work on behalf of writers, if preferred.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Send your entry to:</u></span><br /><br />Happily Ever After<br />Stratford Community Radio<br />50 Henley Street<br />Stratford-upon-Avon<br />CV37 6QW<br /><br />Closing date for entries is Friday, 9th October 2009. Entries received after this date will not be considered. Winners will be notified by Friday 23rd October 2009. See Terms and Conditions for further details. All entries must be typewritten with have a cover sheet detailing, name, address, age, telephone number. Short stories must be double-spaced and poems single-spaced, with double-spacing between verses, if applicable. Only one entry per person allowed. It will not be possible to return entries.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Terms and Conditions</u></span><br /><br />1. Entry is open to any writer who lives, works or studies in the Stratford-upon-Avon area. Entries must be the original work of the entrant and must not currently be submitted for publication or any other competition or award.<br />2. All entries must be accompanied by a cover-sheet detailing the name, address, telephone number and age of the entrant, along with the correct word count. Entrants under 16 must have permission to enter granted by a responsible adult, which might be a parent or teacher.<br />3. All entries must be typed and on A4 paper. Short stories must be double-spaced. Poems must be single-spaced with double-spacing between each verse, if applicable. Entries cannot be returned.<br />4. Short stories must be a maximum of 1,500 words. Poems should be a maximum of 32 lines.<br />5. Entrants retain full copyright to their work.<br />6. Closing date for entries is Friday, 9th October. Entries received after this date will not be considered.<br />7. Entries written for adults will be accepted, however any entry containing language or references that listeners may consider offensive or inappropriate for afternoon transmission will not be considered.<br />8. There are two categories for entrants – Under 16s and Over 16s.<br />9. Judges will select a First Place and Runner-up for Under 16s for Best Short Story and Best Poem, and for Over 16s for Best Short Story and Best Poem.<br />10. If other entries are received which the Judges feel deserve commendation, these entries may be selected to appear on the website at www.stratforduponavon.org.uk<br />11. Winners will be notified by Friday, 23rd October by telephone on the number provided on the entry cover-sheet.<br />12. Winning entries and Runners-up will be published on <a class="content-link" href="http://www.stratforduponavon.org.uk">www.stratforduponavon.org.uk</a> and entry to this competition confirms agreement to such publication.<br />13. Writers of winning entries will be invited to the studio at Henley Street on Friday, 30th October at 4pm in order to read their winning entries live on the Happily Ever After Show. Writers may nominate a third party to read their winning entry on their behalf, if preferred.<br />14. The Judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.<br />15. No cash prizes will be awarded.<br />16. No alternative prizes will be awarded, however if prize-winners are not able to attend the studio on 30th October 2009, an alternative date may be offered in certain circumstances.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-1158838641781656155?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-45930508723625341582009-09-02T07:53:00.000-07:002009-09-02T07:55:47.774-07:00Live Music on the Alternative Show this weekAfter a tremendous first solo spot last Friday, this week Peter Keynton-Hook raises the bar with a fantastic array of guests to entertain you while Val Rainbow is off sunning herself.<br /><br />The Alternative Show on 4th September – now a two hour slot from 2pm to 4pm every Friday, will feature Claude Walters, manager of Stratford Civic Hall, to update you with news from the Rother Street venue.<br /><br />Also appearing, and playing live is Marion Morgan, Stratforward BID Street Entertainment Co-ordinator and singer & musician of high regard. And while the microphone is still warm, Peter will be joined by a variety of buskers who have played in Stratford this summer, each playing one song live in the studio.<br /><br />There is also talk – as yet unconfirmed – that Marion will be joined by another musician for her live performance. You’ll just have to listen in at 2pm on Friday to find out who it is!<br /><br />Don’t forget to let Peter know that you are listening and enjoying the show. Email him during the show via the <a href="http://www.myscr.co.uk/contact-us/index.htm">MYSCR cotact form</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-4593050872362534158?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-1618870778268669852009-08-28T07:47:00.000-07:002009-08-28T07:49:15.215-07:00Peter Keynton-Hook is flying solo in the hot-seat!Resident DJ Val Rainbow, from the Alternative Show, is away on a well-deserved holiday for the next three weeks, so her co-host Peter Keynton-Hook is flying solo in the hot-seat!<br /><br />He’s got some fabulous guests lined up to keep us all entertained. Today’s guests are Caroline Purdy, Area Manager for Revital Health Food Shops; Sam Lloyd, Town Hosts Manager and Sam Gill, Entertainment Manager for Cox's Yard.<br /><br />They will all be joining Peter for a chat about their work and their plans, and of course he will also be playing some great music in between. Join Peter on the Alternative Show from 2-4pm today.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-161887077826866985?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-91679962567462466062009-06-10T04:51:00.000-07:002009-06-10T05:07:33.765-07:00Stratford upon Avon Forum<a href="http://www.stratforduponavon.org.uk"><img src="http://www.myscr.co.uk/blog/images/stratforduponavon.jpg" height="333" width="550" border="0" alt="Stratford upon Avon Forum" title="Stratford upon Avon Forum" /></a><br /><br /><a class="content-link" href="http://www.stratforduponavon.org.uk">www.stratforduponavon.org.uk</a> is a forum for the online community of Stratford upon Avon and visitors to the area. Talk about everything from local news/events and Stratford travel to Stratford upon Avon hotels, Stratford restaurants, shopping and Stratford attractions.<br /><br />The site covers all topics in and around Stratford town, its a good meeting point for locals and will have useful advice for tourists planning a visit to Stratford upon Avon.<br /><br />The site also features a specific area for Stratford Community Radio where listeners can post feedback on shows, ask questions and communicate with presenters.<br /><br />The aim of this site is to allow people to share useful advice on all things Stratford upon Avon.<br /><br />Join now for free @ <br /><a class="content-link" href="http://www.stratforduponavon.org.uk">www.stratforduponavon.org.uk</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-9167996256746246606?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-38495364119323411782009-04-18T09:14:00.001-07:002009-06-10T05:08:23.692-07:00Shakespeare Video - Taking The World By Storm"Taking The World By Storm", is a song written by Adrian Styles, station manager of <a class="content-link" href="http://www.myscr.co.uk">Stratford Community Radio</a>. This Shakespeare video was produced by Adrian Styles and directed by Ben Talbot. The cast includes well known actors "Bill Maynard" (Greengrass in Heartbeat) and David Bradley (Argus Filch, the caretaker in Harry Potter)<br /><br />The video is about the life of William Shakespeare played by Garrick Huscared. Garrick is a Stratford upon Avon based artist and runs Shakespeare's Gallery in Stratford upon Avon.<br /><br />It has been made to celebrate William Shakespeare's Birthday, on the 23rd April it will be Shakespeare's 444th birthday! It will be premiered on Saturday 18th April at Shakespeare's Gallery, Poets Arbour, Sheep Street, Stratford upon Avon. It will then screen again at the Stratford Picture House, Windsor Street, Stratford upon Avon on the 24th April. <br /><br />Happy birthday William Shakespeare.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5GD4WP8oqUk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5GD4WP8oqUk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-3849536411932341178?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-63296273309141112822009-03-24T07:41:00.000-07:002009-03-24T08:11:59.749-07:00On Air SignThe sign has been hung and the light glows when live on air. How cool it looks in blue. Tread quietly ................<br /><br /><img title="On Air Sign" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 550px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px" alt="On Air Sign" src="http://www.myscr.co.uk/blog/images/onair.jpg" border="0" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-6329627330914111282?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259563364194688238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000268207381942026.post-32747040140115476452009-03-12T05:13:00.000-07:002009-03-12T05:31:34.919-07:00Live Acoustic SessionsMYSCR has started live acoustic sessions on Saturday mornings from 12-1pm. We invite singer/songwriters to perform live on Stratford Community Radio. The first major artist session started with "Simon Fowler" of "Ocean Colour Scene" fame (In picture below). Last week we had local artist Porsche who played three of her own songs and will be a future guest on the station. If you're interested in performing LIVE on MYSCR please Contact us through the website.<br /><br /><img style="width: 550px; height: 333px;" src="http://www.myscr.co.uk/blog/images/ocean-colour-scene.jpg" border="0" alt="Simon Fowler, Ocean Colour Scene, Stratford Community Radio" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2000268207381942026-3274704014011547645?l=www.myscr.co.uk%2Fblog%2Findex.htm' alt='' /></div>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02092642976228414099noreply@blogger.com0