Read on the Radio

05/09/2024

Join Sir John Tomlinson and me for an exploration of this opera great's life and work.

Abbey104 Monday 9 September 9am and Sunday 15 September 3pm.

Ask your smartspeaker to play Abbey 104.

22/07/2024

Help! Calling all Swifties.

I would like to record an interview with a Taylor Swift fan about her, her music and the fandom that surrounds her. In short someone who can explain to a non-swiftie why they should like and listen to her.

Please DM me if that's you.

Andrew

16/07/2024

Programme research doesn't come much better than this. The amazing Nicole Henry will be joining me on the show in a few weeks. So it was only right to see her on stage. What an amazing evening.

Thanks to Jeff Harnar for suggesting seeing Nicole.

08/07/2024

After a year of guesting remotely on the programme, Dorset Mind's Dee Swinton (below right) and I finally met at the amazing Sherborne Pride. Listen to Dee on Abbey104's Community Connections on the second week of every month.

21/06/2024

Next Monday at 9am - an absolute television legend, Peter Purves, joins me on Abbey104 Community Connections. Plenty of Dr Who and Blue Peter stories. And news of Peter's latest project...Henry House.

104.7FM, online at abbey104.com, via your smartspeaker, or the TuneIn App.

25/05/2024

On Abbey104 Community Connections this Monday at 9am:

We pay a return visit to Ramsay Street to say hello to Stefan Dennis, best known for playing the roguish Paul Robinson. So many interesting and funny stories to keep you entertained.

Author Damien Lewis is joining us to talk about his new book - SAS Great Escapes Three - and an upcoming appearance in Sherborne.

And Sadie Wilkins, co-founder of Sherborne Pride joins us to speak of this year's inaugural event.

We round off with Final Vinyl and an emotional song from Clive Dunn.

104.7FM in Sherborne, and around the world on Abbey104.com, via the TuneIn App (search Abbey) or ask your smartspeaker to play Abbey 104.

14/05/2024

Coming soon...the legendary Peter Purves joins us to talk Dr Who, Blue Peter and Crufts. We also chat about his role in a new pilot drama - Henry House.

Broadcast date to be announced.

12/05/2024

On our Abbey104 Community Connections on Monday at 9am, repeated Sunday at 3pm:

Radio & television broadcaster and best-selling author Sue Cook joins us to reflect on her incredible career and to talk about her love of writing books.

We talk Mechanical Music with BBC Radio Cornwall's James Dundon.

And Dee Swinton from Dorset Mind joins us to talk about Mental Health Awareness month.

We round off with an incredibly rare and memorable Final Vinyl.

104.7FM in Sherborne, around the world on www.abbey104.com, ask your smartspeaker to play Abbey 104, or via the TuneIn App (search Abbey 104).

11/05/2024

International bestselling author Damien Lewis joins us on our Abbey104 Community Connections show in a few weeks time to talk about his upcoming talk at Sherborne's Digby Hall on 14 June. More details and tickets available here:

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/dorset/the-digby-memorial-church-hall/damien-lewis-sas-sas-great-escapes/2024-06-14/19:00/t-lnmzxqq

07/05/2024

Remembering one of my oldest radio friends. Brian Moore passed away today aged only 52. I remember our days at BBC Radio Devon together. Brian was always destined for great things in radio and so it proved. You will be missed. Rest in peace Brian.

04/05/2024

Brand new to Abbey104 this Monday at 9am (repeated Sunday at 3): Community Connections. Taking Sherborne to the world and bringing the world to Sherborne.

The Queen of the West End, Rebecca Caine joins us to talk about her amazing career in musical theatre. Rebecca created the role of Cosette in the original London production of Les Misérables and played opposite Michael Crawford in The Phantom of the Opera.

We look ahead to the Sherborne Primary Care Network Health Fair with James Griffen.

And National Trust head gardener Sam Hickmott is with us for gardening hints and tips for May.

104.7FM in Sherborne, around the world in www.abbey104.com, ask you smartspeaker to play Abbey 104, or search Abbey104 on the TuneIn App.

29/04/2024

21/04/2024

More from the wonderfully talented Carolyn Montgomery live in London this Monday on the Abbey104 Community Breakfast Show from 8am.

104.7FM, online at Abbey104.com, via the TuneIn App or ask your smartspeaker to play Abbey 104.

14/04/2024

Join me and my guests for this week's Abbey104 Community Breakfast Show from 8am on Monday.

Our star guest, US vocal artist Dawn Derow, joins us from New York ahead of her UK concerts later this month.

Lead singer and friend of the show, Ian Churchward is with us to talks about his new album - Folk Rocktronica.

And our Author of the Month is Michael Flavin with news of his newly released book - The Voice Hearer published by Vulpine Press.

Add in our We're Going Places competition, traffic and travel, plenty of great music and your requests and dedications and you've got the best possible start to your week.

104.7FM in Sherborne, via abbey104.com, via the TuneIn App or ask your smartspeaker to play Abbey 104.

13/04/2024

Join me for the Abbey104 Community Breakfast Show this Monday from 8am as we meet our Author of the Month, Michael Flavin as we chat about his work.

104.7FM in Sherborne, via abbey104.com, via the TuneIn App or ask your smartspeaker to play Abbey 104.

23/03/2024

Join me for the Abbey104 Community Breakfast Show from 8am this Monday for a feast of features and music.

We are joined by Les Misérables legend Jeff Leyton for a candid discussion on his career, how he landed his seminal role as Jean Valjean, and how his rendition of The Confrontation with Russell Crowe became a worldwide viral sensation.

We look ahead to the Sherborne Castle Country Fair with rare breed enthusiasts Barry Graham and Celia Messer.

And we get excited about the reopening of Sherborne House as The Sherborne with Paul Newman from Dorset Visual Arts.

Add our We're Going Places competition and we have a very full show and a great start to your week.

104.7FM in Sherborne, via the TuneIn App (search Abbey 104) or ask your smartspeaker to play Abbey 104.

15/03/2024

On the Abbey104 Community Breakfast Show this Monday at 8am, join me and my guests for the best start to your week.

US star performer Jane Scheckter is our star guest. We hear how Barry Manilow was Jane's piano accompanist, stories from her days working with Bette Midler and other Hollywood luminaries, and how her fifth album took shape.

Our Author of the Month is Rachel Wolf whose ship-based thriller, Five Nights, has just been published. How did catching covid help Jane research for the story?

And I join local litter campaigner Amber Ling on a walk to discover just how bad the problem is in Sherborne.

Add music, traffic and travel, and our We're Going Places competition and it's a very full programme.

104.7FM in the town, online at abbey104.com, via your smartspeaker (say play Abbey 104) or via the TuneIn App (search Abbey 104).

04/03/2024

That surreal moment when it's 4pm in Vietnam but you're listening to your own Community Breakfast Show live.

02/03/2024

On a shorter but still sweet Abbey104 Community Breakfast Show from 9am on Monday:

Our star guest from Pebble Mill at One is Josephine Buchan. We chat about her television work and how she has made a huge difference in the lives of underprivileged youngsters.

We meet Chris Copeland from RNLI Sherborne Branch and Reverend Martin Lee from Sherborne Abbey ahead of a special Thanksgiving service to mark 200 years since the formation of the charity dedicated to saving lives at sea.

And it's the first Monday of the month so National Trust head gardener Sam Hickmott joins us to look ahead to the first shoots of spring and what we can do in our own gardens.

104.7FM, online at abbey104.com, via the TuneIn App (search Abbey) or ask your smartspeaker to play Abbey 104.

26/02/2024

Programme news: From Monday 6th May I shall be moving to present a new standalone programme on Abbey 104 .

'Community Connections' will be an arts, events and information based programme taking the best bits of my current Community Breakfast Show and bringing them together in a standalone programme.

We will join the best local arts and events news with our growing network of stars from around the world. Our popular segments on gardening, social support and authors will continue.

9am each Monday with a repeat between 3 and 4pm the following Sunday afternoon.

If you would like to join the fun from wherever you are in the world please email me at [email protected].

Community Connections: Linking our community with yours.

24/02/2024

On this week's Abbey104 Community Breakfast Show from 8am:

Our star guest is US performer and story teller Becca Kidwell; we're joined by Alan Dedicoat to pay a moving tribute to radio legend Steve Wright; and Parkinsons UK's Lauren Knight speaks about signs to look out for, support available and what her organisation can do to help those affected by this growing condition.

Plus lots of great music, your requests and dedications, traffic and travel, and our We're Going Places competition.

104.7FM, online at abbey104.com, via the TuneIn App (search Abbey) or ask your smartspeaker to play Abbey 104.

23/02/2024

Our Community Breakfast Show tribute to legendary broadcaster Steve Wright airs at 9.15am on Monday morning, then is available via readontheradio.com.

Alan Dedicoat joins me with stories of working with Steve, peeks behind the scenes, and how a short chat would often turn into a 2 hour conversation.

Join us on Abbey104 - 104.7FM in Sherborne, Abbey104.com, TuneIn (search Abbey) or ask your smartspeaker to play Abbey 104.

22/02/2024

Lovely to speak this afternoon to radio and TV presenter, and author Sue Cook. From being on air at the lauch of Capital Radio, to You and Yours on Radio 4, to TV's Nationwide, Crimewatch, Breakfast Time and Children in Need, Sue's career is an amazing story. And she's now a successful author.

Broadcast details to follow...