I love Radio 4. And I mean really love it.
It's been my station of choice since I was 13. Admittedly, I did have a brief flirtation with Steve Wright in the Afternoon in the mid 80s (yes, I know, and I'm not proud it) and I'll admit that The Random Jottings of Hinge and Bracket was in fact on Radio 2, but basically, I'm a Radio 4 girl through and through.
It has kept me entertained during homesick nights at boarding school, distracted me through summers grading daffodil bulbs (the holiday job of choice in Lincolnshire), and been the background to many of the key moments in my life - (John Major's Desert Island Discs springs to mind - but I won't go into details as my mother reads this blog...).
And so, this goes some way to explain why the most exciting thing to happen to me in a long time has been presenting a short feature for this week's Gardeners' Question Time. It was recorded, a couple of weeks ago, at the new RSPB Wildlife Garden in Flatford, Suffolk which has been designed by Alex Johnson and Catherine Heatherington to show how you can create a wildlife friendly garden that doesn't have to look.. well.. messy.
With a wildlife crazy son and a poncey designer outlook, I have to say this concept appealed and the garden has plenty of simple ideas you can use without being 'in-your-face' educational. It's run by Shirley Boyle of the RSPB, who you can hear in the piece, with the help of intern Jacob Hunter and a whole raft of incredible volunteers. Best of all, it's literally buzzing with wildlife (including horse-flies as the producer, Lucy Dichmont can painfully attest) which my son would love.
But I'll admit what really caught my interest was the story of the two sisters who bequeathed the land to the RSPB - Sylvia and Margaret (Gargy) Richardson, who used to run a tearoom in the garden (seriously, tea and gardens, possibly my perfect pairing). They seemed to have been that wonderfully English combination of nature-loving eccentricity with a range of interesting pets, including a fox cub, rook and even a badger (pictured above). Admittedly, in my head they occasionally morph into Hinge and Bracket, but listening to 26 years of radio comedy can have this sort of side effect.
The piece will be going out on Radio 4 tomorrow (Friday) at 3pm and then repeats at 2pm on Sunday.(it's about 16 minutes in...).
PS On the same Radio 4 theme, my friend Bee's book, Talking About Jane Austen in Baghdad is being serialised on Woman's Hour this week - OK so it has nothing to do with kids or gardening but I'm very proud.
I aspire to be thought of like one of those eccentric ladies when I am gone. I think they must have been wonderful
Posted by: Helen | September 01, 2011 at 12:32 PM
This is so exciting and I can't wait to hear it. Well done you! Very cool. But I really think we need to know what key moment occured while listening to John Major's desert island discs. And if it's what I think it is then...oh dear...that is a shame for you.
Posted by: Lia Leendertz | September 01, 2011 at 02:48 PM
Helen - Totally agree. Being an eccentric old bird is one of the few really exciting things to look forward to in the ageing process.
Posted by: Dawn | September 01, 2011 at 02:50 PM
Oooh, cool - and a great thing to do. Although for a minute there I thought you were going to say you were a panelist!
I share your reverence for R4. One of my proudest moments was being interviewed by Jenni Murray on Woman's Hour (about technology, not gardening - in the days when I was a "real" journalist)...
Posted by: Jane Perrone | September 01, 2011 at 03:00 PM
Lia - I'm afraid it probably is, but in my defense he did choose Rhapsody in Blue...
Jane - Panellist? In my dreams! A Jenni Murray interview definitely counts as a Radio 4 top moment - is she as fierce as I imagine?
Posted by: Dawn | September 01, 2011 at 03:08 PM
Oh fab - well done. Like Jane I thought you were going to say you're a panellist. We obviously think most highly of you!
As well as aspiring to be an old bat in the Hinge and Bracket mould, I have regularly contributed to the laughter heard on I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue :)
Posted by: VP | September 02, 2011 at 12:26 AM
Will endeavour to listen. Radio 4 has been companion of choice for many years and I suspect will become an even closer friend during the coming winter months following our move from Blghty next week.
Posted by: Thursday | September 02, 2011 at 07:00 AM
VP - I thought I recognised that chuckle!
Thursday - It is as vital as Marmite for any ex-pats - and a lot more entertaining. Good luck with the move.
Posted by: Dawn | September 02, 2011 at 05:53 PM
I'll listen on Sunday or (more likely, given general busy-ness of family life) on the i-Player. I think I will be more interested to hear your voice than to listen to the piece. (Even if it is very good and very important.)
When reading posts, my brain inadvertently creates voices for bloggers. Clearly they are all wrong and the truth may be as disconcerting as the reality of a face from Radio 4 when seen for the first time.
I've linked from my post
http://tinyurl.com/3eqc4j5
to a photo of nasturtiums on Little Green Fingers. Hope this is ok.
Esther
Posted by: Esther Montgomery | September 03, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Esther - Oh dear. My voice is bound to be a huge disappointment (it is to me)! But you're right, I always think I know how bloggers will sound (and look) and I'm rarely close.
Please feel free to link to nasturtiums or indeed anything - it is always an honour.
Posted by: Dawn | September 06, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Tea , Chocolate Digestives, Gardens and Radio 4 - I don't think there is anything else required to make me very happy. Will be listening to the podcast in the next week, sounds really interesting. Just found your blog through a recommended list, greatly looking forward to reading. Best wishes, Cat
Posted by: cat davidson | September 07, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Cat - You're right! How could I have forgotten Chocolate Digestives? *smacks forehead in amazement* Really hooe you enjoy the podcast and thanks for visiting.
Posted by: Dawn | September 07, 2011 at 11:20 AM