I’ve recently been interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, around young people attending A&E with an alcohol-related attendance. Here’s the interview, edited down from the two hour programme which is available on the iPlayer:
Obligatory Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this blog are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer or any other associated company/organisation.
I got asked to be a Guest Speaker on the BBC Three’s Free Speech. Free Speech is formatted like Question Time; members of the audience ask questions to a panel of politicians or others involved in politics. Yesterday was the live broadcast to the Nation from Liverpool Hope University. I arrived a few hours before the broadcast with butterflies in my stomach and a buzz of excitement.
I realised once the broadcast had started I realised my vibrant purple shirt made me stand out, more than I had intended to do so. I listened to the questions asked, answers from the panel and opinions of the audience members. The debate lived up when we came to my topic: drugs and alcohol.
Rick Edwards (the Presenter) came to ask about my experience working in the field.
I had been expecting to be introduced differently and to get two minutes of air time. But because the debate had been lively, I knew I had to cut it down. So I said my piece.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I learnt so much about the TV World. I think I looked good, sounded OK and did well considering it was my first time. If a simliar opportunity comes along in the future, at least I’d be less nervous as I now have some experience. I would like to thank everyone who encouraged me to do it as well as two special ladies for their expertise and advice (they know who they are!).
Obligatory Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this blog are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer or any other associated company/organisation.
I’ve set myself a challenge each month aimed at giving me new experiences. February’s challenge was to take a photo everyday. Here’s the photos I snapped:
1st – Coffee.
1st – Servers Down After Powercut.
2nd – Hair Cut.
2nd Time with “The Kids.”
4th – Owe, look what came through the post! Wicked (the musical) tickets!
5th – Snow.
6th – This pretty much somes up my day.
7th – Broadband problems meant I had to buy a landline phone. First time in years that I’ve had a landline!
8th – Went shopping for a Birthday card and saw this #funnycard
9th – Judith’s Birthday Meal.
9th – Clever table display, bought from the 99p Shop.
My iMac finally died.
12th – Ironing as I go.
13th – Traffic :-(.
14th – Unhelpful Siri.
15th – Look at the time! On nights.
17th – Sore feet. Been rushing around on nights.
18th – My plans for the day.
19th – Frost.
20th – Dylan & Russell attention seeking.
22nd – My nephew’s BIG Birthday.
23rd – Easy tea.
24th – A treat.
25th – The obsession with food continues. Omelet and rice.
26th – Smoked far too much today!
27th – Morning inspiration. Coffee before meeting? Why not!
27th – The Sun! Made me feel happier and more positive.
28th – A inspirational wall plaque!
All of these photos were taken with my iPhone 5. I did miss four days, however other days I took more than one photo because of the day’s events.
I really enjoyed this month’s challenge. It helped me to notice the positives in a otherwise dark and gloomy month. I like that the photos also serve as a sort of visual diary. Something I’ll definitely be doing again in the future.
It’s been announced this week that the BBC are making a 20% cut to their budget after they were told that the TV Licence fee would remain frozen for the next few years. Unsurprisingly it was mostly reported on the BBC with the headlines being: 2,000 job losses, more repeats, less quality dramas and entertainment being created. More information about where the cuts in the organisation they will be made can be found here: BBC cuts at a glance.
As a TV Licence payer I am proud of what the BBC does. I enjoy the various radio stations, and am loving some of the original advert-free TV they produce. Curtsy of the BBC, recently I’ve been enjoying:
Spooks – Sadly entering it’s final series.
(Image Copyright The Telegraph, 2011.)
I love the BBC Iplayer for catching up on TV I’ve missed and the other online services are brilliant as well.
I don’t want to sound like the BBC and I are happily married. Of course I don’t enjoy watching/listening to everything the BBC produce and there are certainly things I don’t like. But overall I do think it’s good value for money for me as a TV Licence payer. I think that the BBC could also be cleverer about selling what it makes Internationally to make back some of the money that it’s being forced to cut.
So my message to the BBC: Keep making good quality programmes (both TV and Radio) and consider what you can flog to the International Market to ensure the quality doesn’t slip.
Blog soon,
Antony
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Saturday 8 October 2011
About
Antony Simpson - Author, Blogger, Nurse & Witch.
Author of nine books.
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