Community Matters

During his time on Newsweek, Andrew had worked on all location reports with Neil Blanks who in turn was in charge of recording and editing the interviews conducted by Andrew, with the pair discussing all aspects of the show together, including guests, locations and the assignments. In early December 2015, it was Neil who asked Andrew to return to broadcasting to do three interviews for his current QA Radio programme, The Neil Blanks Show, however once their winning combination was re-instated, the interviews just kept coming, and Community Matters was born. The title of The Neil Blanks Show became The Neil Blanks Show Ft Community Matters, but it was the Community Matters brand that was attracting the public’s imagination, and so the title stuck. Aside from chat within the show, the programme also played music, in order to break up the interviews, and on numerous occasions this music was recorded on location with a local artist or performed live in the studio during the broadcast. Andrew and Neil co-presented the show, with each voicing live links between the pre-recorded interviews, and in Andrew’s case conducting live interviews either over the phone or in the studio. From the first episode of Series 5 onward these would be extended to Andrew also doing live interviews on location. During the programme’s entire run, Neil desked the show, and did himself do several highly memorable interviews, including ones with Rear Admiral Richard Stokes at The America’s Cup, those taking part in The 2016 Pride March, Oral History Officer Jonathan Byrne and Exhibitions Manager Erica Munro at Bletchley Park, The Pompey History Society’s Colin Farmery, who was also interviewed a second time during a tour of Fratton Park football stadium, and members of The Pompey Pals Project. Other early interviews would see Neil in conversation with the likes of Cerion Trevon of Hampshire Cultural Trust, Mary Burgess of the Animal Star Awards, representatives of Paul Newman's charity Over The Wall, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels theatre director/actor Jean Paul McCrohan and Canon Peter Leonard the organiser of a series of religious discussions entitled Doctor Who Adventures In Time And Faith. Juliet Vorster, the co-founder of Phoenix Rising - Well Being For Body, Mind And Soul, and Think A New You Ltd, was interviewed by Neil, when she was having a sponsored head shaved to raise money for the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides wigs for young victims of cancer, and that of Cancer Active, Britain´s Number one holistic cancer information charity. Andrew, who became the lead interviewer, did a follow up interview with Canon Peter Leonard on the same subject, adding the Very Reverend David Brindley, Dean of Portsmouth, and that of other attendees to the piece.

The programme was never afraid to tackle highly controversial or hard hitting issues, including s*x, religion, politics, mental health, physical health, dementia, old age, sick children and that of parental bereavement, but always did so in a responsibly informative way, that kept in mind its core audience were hospital patients, and the fact its internet audience could potentially be of any age. It counter-balanced these interviews with much lighter ones that always reflected something that had happened or would be happening locally. Through the broadcasts Andrew and Neil had formed ties with numerous organisations, places and people within the area, including Med3 Music - Louise Mill’s music therapy group for those suffering mental health issues, DrumNation Tribe - Annette Wincott’s local drumming group, After Hours - Annette Wincott’s regular open mic nights and their participants, Richard Stride’s Groundlings Theatre, whose productions were a frequent source of interviews, and the Stamshaw And Tipner Community Centre, where courtesy of manager Angela Drury, Andrew and Neil had been DJ’s at several of their events. Portsmouth University also contributed to the programme, most noticeably on US Election Day 2016, and US Inauguration Day 2017, when firstly Doctor Tom Rodgers, then, Doctor Lee Sartain, spoke about the history of American politics, elections and inaugurations. Each of these continued to contribute in some way to the show’s success.

The programme has twice worked in conjunction with the ITV talent show The Voice, recording, interviewing and airing numerous musicians, at the local auditions, which were held at concert promoter Nick Courtney’s Southsea pub, Little Johnny Russell’s. Many of Community Matters interviews have been conducted within the Guildhall in Portsmouth, where throughout the first three series, Nigel Grundy of The Portsmouth Music Experience offered the programme free use of his studio. Within the hospital itself, Peter Mellor, the Director Of Corporate Affairs And Business Development appeared on the programme, firstly, to talk about the day to day running of the various departments including that of the troubled A & E, which was regularly forced to treat patients for up to four hours in ambulances prior to admission. When the matters weren’t resolved, Peter returned to answer more hard hitting questions set by the public. Pip Cowen Marketing & Communications Fundraising Apprentice at Portsmouth Hospitals Charity was also interviewed about various fundraising activities within the departments. In December 2016, Andrew and Neil were given special permission to interview nurses, doctors and porters on the wards about a typical Christmas Day in the hospital, and about how they personally would be spending that particular year’s Christmas.

On 7th March 2017, Community Matters were invited to The Houses Of Parliament to interview The Right Honourable Flick Drummond, the then MP for Portsmouth South, about the day to day life of an MP, the building's rooms and its history. The interview and tour around the Commons, Lords and all of the important rooms were recorded 15 days before an horrific attack on Westminster Bridge and within Parliament's grounds, that sadly saw five people killed, over 50 injured, and Parliament itself in lockdown, all of which, Flick Drummond returned to the programme to talk about before the month was out. Other Parliamentary support has come from The Right Honourable Penny Mordaunt MP, who as the Minister For Disabled People, Work and Health, and MP for Portsmouth North, gave her first short interview at Le Cafe Parisien’s Keep Portsmouth Green Exhibition on 2nd December 2016. Thereafter, having flown in from Washington DC, on 5th January 2018, Penny returned to Community Matters, as the newly appointed Secretary Of State For International Development, to talk about her life and her jobs, in a fascinating 50 minute interview which was recorded at her Lakeside office in North Harbour in Portsmouth. Caroline Dinenage MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Women, Equalities and Early Years and, the MP for Gosport, was interviewed at the We Can Read Website Launch. Stephen Morgan MP was interviewed as part of the programmes Local Election 2018 coverage from the count at Portsmouth’s Guildhall, and returned on Armed Forces Day.

The show’s biggest supporter and most regular contributor has been Councillor David Fuller, the Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth [2016-2017 /2019-2020], who meeting up with Andrew and Neil at numerous events always found time to be interviewed and went out of his way to help them in any way he could. The Lord Mayor visited the QA Radio studios on an official basis to appear on Community Matters, and exclusively gave his own yuletide message in the The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Broadcast, again as part of the show. The programme was allowed to interview David Fuller and six other Hampshire Mayors who were to do an abseil down the Spinnaker Tower, ahead of all other media, and were offered exclusive commentary by him as he descended the tower. For the recording of Community Matters : A Day In The Life…, on 12th April 2017, Andrew was given unlimited access to interview David Fuller, his staff and the people he met during the whole of his working day, and to interview whilst travelling in the Mayoral Limousine. The Lord Mayor’s engagements that day included a separate interview at the studios of Express FM, a Coffee Morning in the Guildhall’s Banqueting Room, an award ceremony and various demonstrations at the Military Preparation College for Training in Hilsea and a visit to the Lord Mayor’s Parlour by the aforementioned Med3 Music. Andrew was granted permission to be at each, and from research done, it is believed this is only the third time in radio broadcasting history that any Mayor has granted such unlimited access. Another regular contributor has been Councillor Lynn Hook, the Mayor Of Gosport [2016-2017]. Her successor Councillor Linda Batty was first interviewed, as Deputy Mayor on 11th February 2017, at round the world yachtsman Alex Thompson’s homecoming, then again on 12th November 2017, as Mayor Of Gosport [2017-2018], at the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade And Service Of Commemoration, and at the Mayor’s Parlour on 29th November 2017, for a full length interview that was later broadcast on the Community Matters 2017 Christmas Special. The 2018 – 2019, Mayor Of Gosport, Councillor Diane Furlong was first interviewed, as Deputy Mayor at the Gosport Winterfest Beer Festival at Thorngate Halls, and then on the day of her Mayor Making, and later for a similar 50 minute interview to her predecessor. Already interviewed as Deputy Lord Mayor at Rowans Hospice’s Lake of Lights ceremony 2016, Councillor Ken Ellcome’s inauguration to the post of the Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth [2017-18], was covered in its entirety, and saw both the outgoing and incoming Lord Mayor interviewed within the Guildhall. As Lord Mayor, Councillor Ellcome was also interviewed at the Portsmouth FC Promotion Party, The Great South Run 2017, The Palmerston Road Christmas Light Switch On And Fireworks, Charles Dickens 2018 Birthday Celebrations and the St Mary’s Community May Fayre 2018. Councillor Lee Mason, was first interviewed as the Deputy Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth, at The Fratton Family Festival 2017 on 17th September 2017, and then at both his accession to the post of Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth [2018-2019], and that of Diane Furlong’s. Interviews including The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Broadcast and The Three Portsmouth’s Tour, continued throughout his time in office.

For the shows of Friday 18th May 2018 and that of Friday 25th May 2018 , Andrew completed a three day marathon of interviews in Windsor for the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, talking to revellers, members of the public, celebrities, politicians and that of the worlds media. The guest list included, Councillor John Lenton the Mayor Of The Royal Borough of Windsor And Maidenhead, and his Mayoress Margaret Lenton, Canadian actress Ivanka, who appeared in the TV series Suits with Meghan, entertainment reporter Angela Bishop of Australia's Network 10, producers Maddison Axam and Kate Fisher from Australia's Today show, British TV personality Stacey Solomon, royal biographer Professor Chris Imafidon, and Veteran Royal watcher 83 year old Terry Hutt, who met King George VI when he was 3 and who has camped out at every royal birth, wedding and funeral since the coronation. Being greeted by Prince Charles lookalike Guy Ingle, Andrew also interviewed reporters Sophie Civerschs of the Dutch daily newspaper The Telegraph, Tanya Charry of the Spanish speaking Univision Network, Anna Rosetta of Spain’s Basque TV, and Trina of the Danish tabloid newspaper BT. He also interviewed a number of invited wedding guests who in order of appearance were as follows, George Chapman and his wife Davita, of Mental Health South East, Councillor John Singleton the Mayor Of Fylde, and his wife, Mayoress Geraldine Singleton MBE, the latter of whom was awarded the Member of the British Empire Medal for services to Charity and the Community, Sally and her son Ethan Hawes who is a young career, Graham Lewis of Whole Again Communities, who promotes healthy eating for the homeless, sea cadet leader Sarafina Willow, Nora Hardy who raised money for the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation and set up a type one diabetes support group within her school, Jennifer Peters the chairperson of Me Too & Co a charity supporting families with additional needs, and Julie the opera singer who has raised thousands of pounds for the Army Benevolent Fund. All these interviewees were interspersed with numerous royal watchers from all four corners of the globe including, Michelle from Melbourne Australia, Margo from San Francisco, Chrissy from New York, and the appropriately named Gayle Markle from Arkansas, who together with Andrew himself had attracted a lot of media attention with their rendition of the song, “Going To The Chapel.” The first of the two programmes, Community Matters : The Royal Wedding Special, saw Andrew phoning back dozens of live interviews and commentary with Neil airing them amidst his own parts of the show that included party music in QA Radio’s Royal Garden Party, and patriotic music in Wedding Night Of The Proms. During the broadcast, Anne Hughes of the National Trust revealed exclusive details about the Cliveden House Hotel where Meghan Markle and her mother Doria Ragland would be staying that night. It was at this time Andrew discovered that Prince William and Prince Harry were to conduct a walkabout later that afternoon. The broadcast also included four pre-recorded interviews Charles And Catherine : The Portsmouth Royal Wedding. with historian Dr John Steadman, Out Of Eden : A History Of Marriage, with Cannon Doctor Anthony Rustell, and Wedding Dresses : All You Need to Know with wedding dress designer Beverley Thorne. Community Matters : The Royal Wedding Special Part 2 featured a three hour documentary entitled, The Broadcaster's Journal : A Royal Wedding Story. This was the Royal Wedding as told from Andrew’s perspective, as a journalist covering the event, and his account of the three days he spent in Windsor, interviewing members of the public, the world’s media and that of the wedding guests. The programme highlighted the wedding day itself including a Goggle-box style section, with members of the public commenting on the wedding as it happened.

When asked in 2018 about Community Matters highlights, Andrew Hay said, "The thing I’m most proud about is the interviews I did with Med3 Music, The Evolve Symposium and Solent Mind, about mental health, talking to people with illness’s that ranged from schizophrenia to synaesthesia, and putting a new spin on the public’s perception. I’ve done interviews with, the charity Missing People, about dementia with Age UK, end of life care with Rowans Hospice, finding jobs for people with physical disabilities via Lily and Limes, Sure Leave Haslar, a horticultural therapy group for ex servicemen suffering mental health problems, We Can Read, an adult literacy programme, Ken Ross of Portsmouth Downs Syndrome Association, Williams Syndrome sufferer Katy Burrows, Dr Mohammed S Ali Mamun about the setting up of a hospital in Bangladesh through The £1 Hospital Charity, Ian McWatt of the children’s charity Caring Cancer Trust, Haley Raey and Tamsin Brainwood who talked about, Re-Charge, a singing workshop for the over 55’s, Dorinda Wolfe Murray of FirstLight Trust, a charity for armed forces veterans and those of the emergency services making the transition to Civy Street, Pauline Hoskins of The Elizabeth Foundation, an organisation for deaf children and their parents, Carolyn Payne of Victim Support, Brian Bracher of Portsmouth Together, a organisation that brings together charities and volunteers in the Portsmouth area, Janet Ayres of Sing For Water, a music based charity working in conjunction with Water Aid, to get impoverished people around the world better access to clean water, and fundraiser Chantelle Burton about getting aid to Aleppo in Syria. Added to this Pompey Pensioners, Empower Community Faith School, Fratton Big Local, The Seventh Day Evangelist Community Outreach and The South Coast Rabbit rescue were all interviewed at the Community May Fayre 2017 at St Mary's Church in Fratton. When vandals set fire to a charity mini bus, my subsequent interview with trustee Samantha Beggs of Marvels And Meltdowns about ADHD and Autism, prompted a Just Giving page to be set up. In a wide range of subjects I’ve interviewed everyone from people in the street and two local politicians about Brexit to that of Toby Beasley, the award winning head gardener at Osbourne House, and, Father Nicholas Spencer, a Benedictine monk telling us about day to day life in the monastery at Quarr Abbey. I’ve talked with numerous celebrities for the show including John Leeson, Dave Prowse, Peter Davison, Jacqueline Pearce, Hugo Myatt, Lisa Riley, Vicki Michelle, Bucks Fizz, Maggie Philbin, Peter Andre, 10cc, Jimmy Osmond, Alan Pascoe, Brendan Foster, Emmerdale’s Chris Chittel twice, Charles Hanson, Catherine Southon and Katherine Higgins from “Flog It”, Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules and Norman Lovett from Red Dwarf, Andrew-Lee Potts of Primeval, Anne Hegerty, round the world yachtsman Alex Thompson, Jane Merrow, Françoise Pascal, Jessica Martin, former Foreign Secretary and Leader of the Social Democratic Party Lord David Owen, Leslie Garrett, Freddie “Parrot Face” Davies, Peter Purves, Duncan Norvelle, Doctor Who writer Gary Russell, singer Sean Smith, Jimmy Tarbuck, Helen Skelton, Chelsea Halfpenny, Radzi Chinyanganya, Dame Kelly Holmes, X Factor winner Matt Terry, The Grumbleweeds, Jonathan Cohen, Wayne Dobson and former Secretary of State for Defence Michael Portillo. Chris Lubbe’s interview about South African apartheid and being Nelson Mandela’s bodyguard certainly stands out, as does the 41 minute interview I did with an alleged ghostly spirit called Samuel via medium Colin Flaherty. On an overnight paranormal investigation at the Old Beneficiary School, I interviewed psychic medium Mark Richardson, the Paranormal Intelligence Gathering Service’s Team Leader Sharon Wilson, and P.I.G.S Social Media Leader Audrey Claire-Régis.”

Andrew went on to add, “When the BBC turned up 28 seconds walk away from my back gate to film an episode of Doctor Who?, I was the first to reveal the exact location was the 17th Century Village in Rowner and further tracked its star Jodie Whittaker down to room 215 of the local Premier Inn. After speaking with Jodie, I also talked to her companions Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill, and literally one minute after the film unit had left I began an interview and tour with David Brightmore, who works for the 17th Century Village. Personally I loved interviewing Zippo's Circus ringmaster and former Blackpool Tower Circus ringmaster, Norman Barrett, whom I first met when I was five years of age. Marika Rauscher, a Christmas elf who also turned out to be a global award winning opera singer, was an absolute breath of fresh air in her inspirational and highly entertaining outlook on life. Soprano Leslie Garrett, and Freddie Mercury impersonator Gary Mullen, were also hilarious. Then there was climbing to the top of the mast at Boathouse 4, the interviews I conducted on Spitbank, a sea fort in the middle of the Solent, my interviews at High Down, the former Isle Of Wight rocket testing facility, my chat with mermaid performer Claudia Rubner, interviewing Soren Link, the Mayor Of Druisburg in Germany, Portsmouth's twin city, and singing with various choirs at Christmas, especially on the steps of the Guildhall with, the Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth, the Mayor Of Gosport and 1000 school children. I interviewed the 98 year old D-Day Veteran and long-standing Steward of Portsmouth Football Club, John Jenkins MBE, Charlotte Briere-Edney at the television studios of That's Solent TV, Lindsey, Chloe, and Lauren of the trio Timeless on Chloe’s living room floor, TV and stage actor David Burton, who made a round trip of 56 miles to come to the studios, guitarist and composer Tim Cheatle, Med3 Music singer Hannah Browning, Major Ian Urmston of the Salvation Army, and Kimberley Barrett at both years of the Milton Market Halloween Funday, and that of the Keep Milton Green's Have A Field Day Picnic. My interview with Tony Howes star of Emmerdale, Midsomer Murders, Casualty, Doctors and a lifetime of other roles, was filmed, as well as recorded, at the Groundlings Theatre, and in just over 24 hours had been watched by nearly 500 people on Facebook. Another memorable one has to be John Picton and Gerry, a real life Golden Eagle, the latter of which twice decided to unfurl its seven foot wing span, during the interview, hitting me on both occasions, but of equal note are musicians like, Lauren Stanley, Devin-Jade Eames, Jennifer Parker-Lummis, the Southsea Skiffle Orchestra and Pompey Pluckers. It was great to have former Newsweek guest Michael Gunton, the archivist at the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection, return to speak specifically about Doyle's time in Portsmouth. On Chinese New Years Day, I interviewed Albert Choi, the chairman of the Chinese Association in Portsmouth, about the traditions associated with the occasion, events happening in London and locally, The Chinese New Year Extravaganza at Portsmouth Guildhall, and that of the association itself. I am indebted to Councillor David Fuller, the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, who has given us endless interviews on location, in his parlour or at our studio, Flick Drummond MP, who took us on a tour of Parliament, where I also interviewed her, and to PR manager Jacquie Shaw who gave me unlimited access when Princess Anne visited Portsmouth’s Historical Dockyard."

Neil talked to Mick Lyons of the Portsmouth Hospital’s NHS Rocky Appeal about The Da Vinci Robot, to authors, Carol Westron, Charlie Cochrane, Len Tyler (LC Tyler), Mike Hollow, Dr Diana Bretherick, Pete Adams, Dr Nick Pamment, William Sutton, Linda Stratmann, Cal Moriarty, Quentin Bates and Matt Wingett about their books, and to researcher Nigel Gossop about children’s author Percy Westerman. Neil also interviewed representatives of the Isle Of Wight Steam Railway, the Watercress Line and Brading Station. When Andrew played the part of Henry Cole in the Victorian Festival of Christmas 2016, it was Neil who interviewed those taking part, including his own colleague. Andrew did the original interview with Matt Wingett, and did a follow up chat with Kind Hearts and Martinets author Pete Adams. Andrew has talked with writers, Mark Wheeler about the play Missing Dan Nolan, Mike Grogan about the play Private Henry Tandey, and Richard Stride, among many other productions, about the two pantomimes, Snow White and Aladdin, all of which were staged at Richard’s Groundlings Theatre, with the latter three receiving their full length world premiere broadcasts on Community Matters. Andrew did a Community Matters interview with director Carley Dawson, and the cast of the play Schizophrenia, which was immediately followed by Carley interviewing him, about his own mental health problems. This was used alongside other real life accounts of mental health from sufferers, medical professionals, the mother of an institutionalised girl, and various charities, all of whom became voices in the lead character's head, within the play. Schizophrenia, which was staged at the Groundlings Theatre also featured a poem written by Andrew, entitled Soldier Of The Mind. Andrew interviewed the Southsea Shakespeare Actors director Rob Bartlett, and lead actor, Aaron Holdaway, prior to the staging of a production of Richard III at The Square Tower. The Victorian Festival of Christmas 2017 saw Andrew being joined by, among numerous others, Father Christmas’s naughty, but adorable elf, Miss Chief Elf, who was played both years by the energetic and exuberant Marika Rauscher, a global award winning opera singer, whose musical talents can be heard in film trailers and soundtracks, including Madagascar 2, King Kong, War of the Worlds, The Da Vinci Code, Spider-man 3, The Fantastic Four, The Island, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. She re-joined Andrew for a further 9 minute interview as the elf, at the end of his supposed journey to the North Pole, and for a 51 minute chat about her life and career. All three of these formed various interspersed parts of the Community Matters 2017 Christmas Special, which was broadcast on 22nd December. The latter two segments were recorded on 13th December in the Ghan Boardroom, at the Grosvenor Hotel in London, thanks to Hotel Administrator, Linda Herron.

Other events covered have included the Service Of Commemoration and Parade to mark the 35th anniversary of the Falkland Conflict, the Portsmouth FC Promotion Party, The Great South Run 2016 and 2017, The P1 Grand Prix Powerboat Race, The 42nd Island Steam Show, the Community May Fayre at St Mary's Church in Fratton, the Portchester Gala and Parade, the Southsea Spectacular Vintage Bus Rally 2017, The Rural and And Seaside Show, the Southsea Food Festival, The Queen Alexandra Hospital Open Day, the annual Umbrella Festival, The Gunwharf Quays Light Switch On And Fireworks, twice, The Commercial Road Christmas Light Switch On And Fireworks, twice, The Palmerston Road Christmas Light Switch On And Fireworks, the Portsmouth Vegan Festival, the launch party of the newly opened Lord John Russell's pub, and a Burns Night Supper on board HMS Warrior, whilst other location reports have seen Andrew and Neil at the World War 1 Remembrance Centre, The Diving Museum, on an exclusive tour of South Parade Pier prior to is re-opening, The Southsea Castle Makers Market, and at an Isle Of Wight archaeological dig, in the grounds of Quarr Abbey, where sadly Andrew collapsed due to heat exhaustion. At Charles Dickens 2018 Birthday Celebrations in the house in which the author was born, Andrew interviewed Councillor Ken Ellcome, the Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth, Councillor Paul Godier of the Charles Dickens ward, Tim Suffolk, Chairman of the Dickens Fellowship. and Stephanie Winslade, the museum's historian.

On Monday the 13th of November 2017 Andrew recorded Community Matters Children In Need Special, interviewing three local Portsmouth children's charities and their CEO's. These were firstly, former Portsmouth FC footballer Mick Mellows, who runs Faith And Football, a community initiative that reaches out through sport to the city's youth and disadvantaged, Doug Hulme of Second Chance, whose organisation was formed in 1984 in order to help children who have been abused s*xually, physically or mentally, and indeed those with learning difficulties or who were impoverished, and finally, Carole Damper of The Robert's Centre, who runs a child focused charity with a range of services offering support and assistance to families in addressing situations of homelessness or dealing with issues of relationship breakdown. Community Matters Children In Need Special was aired at 2pm, immediately after the main show, on Friday 17th November 2017 to coincide with the BBC’s annual fundraiser, which was broadcast a 7.30pm, that night. On Wednesday 16 November 2016 Gunwharf Quays shopping centre and surrounding residencies had to be evacuated when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Portsmouth Harbour. Within minutes of the all clear, Andrew and Neil were on the scene, with Andrew interviewing evacuees, in the form of shopkeepers and residents, alongside that of Gunwharf Quays centre manager Colin Wilding, Ellie Morgan, PR Executive at the Spinnaker Tower, and Barry the concierge at Number One Portsmouth, a 26-story, 188 bedroom hotel skyscraper. Community Matters : The Evacuation Special was aired on Friday 18th November 2016. When the Russian cargo ship, Mekhanik Yartsev, got into trouble, near Portsmouth, on Boxing Day 2017, and began to list to one side, lifeboats and tugs were dispatched, and she anchored off Lee On The Solent, from where Andrew interviewed the National Coastwatch Institution's, watch-keeper Terry Austerberry.

Divided into Six seasons of 26 programmes each, Series Four incorporated some of the interviews conducted for Hay’s 2 new programmes London’s Calling and Roadshow UK, meaning that aside from their on-going commitment to local stories, Andrew contributed interviews conducted in London, The New Forest, Cardiff, Isle Of Wight, Surrey and Southampton. These included, Alison Rae, the Head of Tours and Visiting at the National Theatre, Tour Guide Lawrence Foukes at the Globe Theatre, Ronnie Coleman on board the replica of the Golden Hind, the Tower Of London’s newest Yeoman Warder Gary Burridge, Westminster Cathedral guide Peter Hughes, Southbank Sand Artist Chris Howarth, and Rock band Paranoid Rats, after their Trafalgar Square concert, together with Hilary Marshall of The New Forest Centre, Councillor Adrian Wiltshire, a Lyndhurst Historian, Alana Bubb, Lyndhurst Community Centre Manager, Cardiff Castle Tour Guide Georgia Vullinghs, the previously mentioned Ian McWatt of the Caring Cancer Trust in Ryde, who also spoke of his uncle being the actor/dancer Jack Buchanan, and his time as the Mayor Of Bude, Toby Beasley the head gardener at Osbourne House, and the former Mayor Of Ryde Brian Harris, of the Ryde District Heritage Centre who was interviewed about postcard artist Donald McGill. Endurance cyclist and fundraiser, Ian Gregory was interviewed by Andrew in Shide on the Isle Of Wight, on the eve of a 2000 mile bike ride across Australia, alongside representatives of the charities he was raising finance for. These were Prostrate Cancer UK, Isle Of Wight Zoo, Isle Of Wight Pride, Challenge And Adventure, which helps rehabilitate disadvantaged kids through outdoor activities, and Layla's Trust, which works with bereaved parents. Ian re-joined the programme on January 19th 2018 for a live phone interview from Glenelg, a suburb of Adelaide in Australia. On 26th November 2017, Andrew acted in a short film called Pia, which was produced by the award winning University For The Creative Arts, who are based in Farnham in Surrey, it co-starred the former President of the Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company, Ailis Duff, and was directed by the Los Angeles director and actress, Lainey Lipson, both of whom were interviewed for Community Matters, at the film’s Crondall Village Hall location. Also in Surrey, Andrew went to Hindhead, to interview business manager Anne Edwards about Undershaw, the former home of Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle, which is now, the Stepping Stones Upper School for children with chronic medical conditions such as hemiplegia, cerbral palsy and autism. He then interviewed magician and multiple sclerosis sufferer Wayne Dobson, at his Hindhead home. As stated two of Marika Rauscher’s interviews were recorded in the Ghan Boardroom, at the Grosvenor Hotel in London, whilst in the Presidential Suit of the Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton, Andrew interviewed Vic Mignogna and Chris Doohan, who play Captain James T Kirk and Chief Engineer Scotty in the web series Star Trek Continues, Gary Graham, the Vulcan Ambassador Soval from Star Trek : Enterprise, Terry Farrell, Jadzia Dax from Star Trek : Deep Space Nine, and Jerome St John Blake, who played a host of characters in Star Wars Episodes 1-3, including Mas Amedda, Orn Free Taa, Oppo Rancisis, Rune Haako, Horox Ryyder, Graxol Kelvynn, and Mik Regrap. Vic and Chris also reprised their roles for an exclusive “transporter room” photo shoot, and to act in a Community Matters trailer.

Series Five would be the biggest and boldest yet in terms of ideas, with Andrew doing live interviews from a different location each week. The live outside broadcasts began on Good Friday 30th March 2018, with Andrew finding the true meaning of Easter with Churches Together chairman Brian Cossins, and church goer Peter Halsey of Centrepeace, a listening and advice centre. The broadcast came live from Stoke Road Methodist Church in Gosport. Other Series Five interviews included, Forces Radio and Radio Haslar presenter Jim Barry, in his role of chairman of Thorngate Short Mat Bowling Club, Wendy Redman of Search, a hands on learning centre, Ann Yorke of Parkinson’s UK, Jo Satherley of Fareham Library, Andy Baker of The Makery, Hayley Hamlet of the One Community Information Centre, Diva Potter of The Children’s Roll Play Area, Leslie Paradise, a Mental Health Recovery Worker, from The Richmond Fellowship, and The Gosport Gang Show’s producer Bill Reed at Ferneham Hall in Fareham. Marisa Wall, a seventh generation fairground owner was interviewed in Walpole Park in Gosport, whilst a retired police forensic photographer, police intelligence officer, wildlife photographer, and Orangutan Appeal UK worker, Paul Bowers, was interviewed about his harbour view and life story, live from his Gosport Marina home. Graham Cross of the Southsea Model Village, was interviewed the same day as Clair Forsythe and Mark Zummer, who were hosting a Harry Potter Quiz Night, again in Southsea. Live interviews from the Groundlings Theatre included Artistic Director Richard Stride, veteran actor Dudley Meredith, and the return of Tony Howes and a videoed interview, on the occasion of the latter’s one man rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Actor David Burton made a second appearance on the show, this time at Groundlings to promote his forthcoming role of Colonel Hugh Pickering in My Fair Lady. Andrew covered the Pompulele 2018 Ukulele Festival, with its music and interviews. The Groundlings Drama School Lou Andrews and Jacqui Daniels were interviewed alongside nine year old West End performer Olivia Stevenson. Actress and WS sufferer Katy Burrows returned to the programme in Williams Syndrome Awareness Month. The Search For A Star competition at the Gaiety Bar on South Parade Pier was covered on the show, alongside interviews with host Russell Keith, and its performers, Jack Child, Hannah, Misty, Becky, Kelly, Loren Shaw, Ivor Howard, and Sam White aka rapper Wh**ey. The Local Elections 2018, saw Andrew, throughout the night, at the Portsmouth Guildhall count bringing Community Matters listeners, the results as they happened, and interviews from the following politicians, Stephen Morgan MP, Frank Jonas, former Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth, Donna Jones, the leader of the Portsmouth City Council, councillors :- Rob Wood, Peter Marcus, Ben Dowling, Rumal Khan, Jason Fazackerley, Jo Hooper, and Simon Bosher. The Community May Fayre 2018 at St Mary's Church in Fratton, included interviews with Councillor Ken Ellcome, the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Buckland Park Play Association's chairperson Maureen Mapelsden MBE, Holly Walker of Ickle Pickle a charity raising money for the local neonatal unit, Stef Langen co founder of Tonic Music a music therapy group for the mentally ill, Ray Mathews of BreathEasy Southsea, Detatchment Commander Carl Munms of the Army Cadets, the 23rd Portsmouth Scouts, Vivian Ezugha and Harriet of the Aspects Gallery, Lorraine Drinkwater the parish warden of Saint Mary's and the deputy parish warden at St Faith's, Linda Saunders of St Wilfreds Church, Debbie Hawkins of the Portsmouth Deaf Association, Neil of the Freemasons, Chris Newman of The Georgia Ramblers Jazz Quartet, actress Irene Skelton of the Phoenix Players, Neil Mogridge of the Pan Parade Steel Band, and for the second year Michelle Silver of the South Coast Rabbit Rescue Centre. Three days before the Groundlings Theatre’s production of the Bee Gees musical Boogie Child, Andrew interviewed writer and director Rob Blowers, together with actors and singers Russell Keith and Kelly Rooker. The fact Boogie Child’s first night was on a Thursday would have meant there was no time for pre-publicity but for the intervention of QA Radio’s committee member Gary Burnett, who had the interview played out four times daily for four days, in what would be termed Community Matters Extra. Terminal cancer survivor and Burlesque dancer Jem Ayres, who had first appeared on Community Matters at the Vegan Festival, was interviewed at her home in Hassocks near Brighton about the alternate therapies she used to overcome her illness, which included meditation, yoga, breath-work, tapping, detoxing, becoming a vegan, ta***ic energies, releasing blocks to her own pleasure, body empowerment, overcoming self doubt and deep routed emotions, and learning to love her cancer. During the 2018 Mayor Making ceremonies in both Portsmouth and Gosport, Andrew interviewed, Councillor Lee Mason the new lord mayor Of Portsmouth, Councillor Diane Furlong the new Mayor Of Gosport, Councillor David Fuller the new Deputy Lord Mayor, Leza Tremorian the new Deputy Lady Mayoress, Soren Link, the Mayor Of Druisburg , Councillor Peter Wade the new Mayor Of Havant and the Caen City Councillor M. Morgan Taillebois.

Following Community Matters coverage of the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, it was off to Fratton Park, for a charity football match, between the students and lecturers of Portsmouth University, in aid of Brain Tumor Research and Pompey In The Community, which saw interviews with, Councillor David Fuller the Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Hugh Adams who talked at length about Brain Tumor Research, Jack Collins the event organiser, Fiona Bristow of Pompey In The Community, and Professor Graham Gailbraith, the Vice Chancellor of Portsmouth University. The coverage of the Portsmouth Multihull Show, onboard various million pound yachts led to a boat trip across the River Solent over to the Isle of Wight, down the River Medina, and back round passed Osbourne House, Quarr Abbey and Spitbank Fort, with skipper Graham Moore interviewed, whilst at sea. The Good Mental Health Drop-In Café at the library in Guildhall Square, saw Andrew speaking to representatives of The Good Mental Health Co-operative, Talking Change, S.A.D- Stress, Anxiety & Depression, and Solent Mind, together with Zantelle, a women who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. For a celebration of ten years in broadcasting on 15th June 2018, Andrew recorded new versions of his previous shows, Sunday Requests, Oh Boy! and, Here & Now, which formed part of Community Matters : The Andrew Ross Hay 10th Anniversary Show. This programme also included his Newsweek interviews with Sir Patrick Moore and the then Mayor Of Gosport Chris Carter, alongside Andrew’s Community Matters guests, Lord David Owen, Nelson Mandela’s former bodyguard Chris Lubbe, Soprano Leslie Garrett, and of course The Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth, as was, Councillor David Fuller. The 2018 Sultan Show got its own “Action Special”, as Andrew was in a monster truck as it drove over 4 cars, steered a Steam Traction Engine around an arena, and rode a Segway, all whilst conducting various interviews. Project Opera’s Diva Gala at Cowes on the Isle Of Wight, featured the operatic talents of Marika Rauscher, Annalisa Vaughan and Clarice Williams, who of course were also interviewed. Helen Bennett was interviewed about the Summer Garden Party at the George Inn Finchdean, local historian Peter Brand about the homefront during the First World War, Opportunity Knocks comedian Mike Jerome about his career, and authors Christine Lawrence, Amanda Gary, Sue Ship, William Sutton and Emily Priest about an event called Typewriter Tales, and that of their careers. The Peppa Pig Family Funday at Highbury College and the Big Summer Sing were also covered, with Andrew dressing as Peppa Pig for the former and attending a music workshop for the latter, where by he and others had two hours to learn a medley of songs from Les Miserables before performing them on stage in concert. Armed Forces Day saw Councillor David Fuller the then Deputy Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth, and Stephen Morgan MP re-joining the show alongside Captain Alan Dickinson of the Fort Cumberland Guard, Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineer Staff Sergeant Mathew Crayford, World War 2 jeep historian 2nd Engineer Trevor Pearce of the 18 Maritime Sqn RCT, Amy Sturman the Deputy Head of Fundraising at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Sarah Ayton of the Women's Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust, Martin Dewhurst of the Military Police Living History Group, re-enactment actor Roger Glancefield from Fort Nelson, Chris Pennycook of Pompey Pals, Falklands Veterans Foundation and Sailors Society fundraiser Les Heyhoe, Beth and Jo-Jo of the 40’s singing group The Polka Dots aka The Dotty Duo, Verity Bailey and Ricky James of the Royal Marines Association Band, and the British Parachute Association’s Shane Cook, who “dropped in” for a chat from an aircraft 6000 feet above. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the NHS, Andrew interviewed Sarah Austin of Solent NHS Trust about the history of the National Health Service and her career in nursing.

Andrew interviewed, old friend, Doctor John Steadman about the history behind the 9 memorials in Portsmouth's Victoria Park, the cast of My Fair Lady including the highly talented Jordan White [Eliza Doolittle], Richard Stride [Henry Higgins], and David Burton [Colonel Hugh Pickering], the comedian, actor and ship’s entertainer Jeff Stevenson on a cruise stopover in Southampton, and Sarah Wilson, nee Smith formerly one half of the 2007 X-Factor finalist group Same Difference. Harleybellcreations colourist Kay Johnson coloured Andrew’s hair pink for a charity fundraiser, which it still was, when he interviewed Man About The House and George & Mildred star Brian Murphy, and his real life wife Hi De Hi star and author Linda Reagan. This was followed by Councillor Lee Mason the Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth’s 2018 Parlour Interview, and the Groundlings Theatre’s Comic Con, which in turn featured, Chewbacca actor Stephen Calcutt, Alan Austen, one of the Stormtroopers responsible for freezing Han Solo in Empire Strikes Back, Christopher Patrick Nolan who played Toshma Jefkin and Mathew Dale The Red Jedha Priest both from Rogue One, Ewok and Goblin Brian Wheeler from Return Of The Jedi and The Philosopher’s Stone, and Groundlings very own, Richard Stride, alias Obi Wan Kenobi’s double and Poggle The Lesser, from the films Attack Of The Clones and Revenge Of The Sith. Children's author Guy Bass was next, then it was off to Brighton to interview the Royal Pavilion’s guide and historian Darren Terry, and Vegan Veronica Powell about a free Vegan ice Cream Event. At this point Neil did a follow up interview with Portsmouth's Library's Clare Forsyth this time about a short story competition. Andrew’s interviews continued with, magician, illusionist and Britain's Got Talent finalist Jamie Raven, the former Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth [2009-2010], Terry Hall, in her capacity of chairman of Eastney Community Centre, Kirsty Ross, manager of The Rainbow Centre, which provides support for children, adults and those caring for them, who are affected by Cerebral Palsy, strokes, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and head injuries, Arthur Smith-Weston, about the history of photography, and that of its technological advancements, and guitarist Tim Cheatle in the Lord Mayor’s chair in the Council Chambers. Community Matters extensively covered The Guildhall Games Fest and the Clocktower Classics event, the latter in the company of Radio One and Saturday Superstore presenter Mike Read, whose interview was also filmed by That’s Solent TV. Music and an on stage interview from the same event came courtesy of local singer Phil Freeman. Andrew interviewed Neil’s niece Danielle Blanks and numerous others about a boxing night they were involved in and that of their charity Fight For Cancer, this was followed by interviews at the HSBC UK BMX National Series event in Rowner.

Community Matters Goes North saw Andrew in and around Manchester for The Manchester Northern Soul Festival, interviewing among others Stars In Their Eyes Lionel Ritchie singer Hamilton Brown, American Four Tops singer Malcolm McBride, aka The Mississippi Soulman, KFM Radio’s Dave Starr, Stu Bunion of the Rumble Fat Band, and Stax Of Soul. Elsewhere in Manchester, he chatted to Richard Kerrigan at the National Football Museum, and Johnathan Millicent, of the Museum Of Science And Industry. Then it was off to Stockton for a lengthy interview with Coronation Street actor Alan Rothwell, who played Ken’s brother David Barlow from 1960-1968, and returned to soap in 1985 playing he**in addict Nicholas Black in Brookside. Community Matters Goes North”, was aired on 31st August 2018. The following week saw a tribute to the actress Jacqueline Pearce, Servalan from Blakes 7, as in the week of her death, her December 2015 Community Matters interview was replayed, alongside a chat with Christine Taylor, the curator of Cumberland House aka Portsmouth’s Natural History Museum, and that of the World War One Remembrance Centre’s Charles Haskell, who not only guided listeners through the events of the Great War, but specifically answered Andrew’s questions on 1918, in a feature entitled, World War One : The Road To The End. Andrew talked with Tessa Short, the former Mayor Of Fareham about Titchfield's Millennium Tapestry and the history of the village itself, then it was off to Titchfield Abbey to speak with the author and historian Ken Groves about the abbey throughout the ages. Series 5 concluded on Friday 21st September 2018, with a three hour special with former Playaway presenter and Community Matters guest Jonathan Cohen on board the Paddle Steamer Waverley. Community Matters Playaway : The Waverley Special saw enthusiast Jonathan being interviewed about the history of the vessel and singing the Playaway theme tune with Andrew. Whilst on board the craft accidently got stuck under Yarmouth Pier, something that also found its way into the show.

Between series on the 4th October 2018, Andrew had a heart attack, but luckily had already recorded enough new material to complete the first four episodes of Series Six, which began on schedule on 26th October. Early guests for this season included, the Groundlings Theatre casts of Frankenstein, A Christmas Carol and Cinderella, the international crossover singer Gemma Louise Doyle, spiritual medium Derek Acorah, Councillor Lee M Mason, The Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth talking about his recent trip to America, taking part in the annual Christmas Broadcast, and at the New Years Day Swim, Councillor David Fuller, Deputy Lord Mayor and Chairman of Portsmouth Pride, chatting about the latter, Halloween actors at Carisbrook Castle, EastEnders actor John Partridge about his play The Case Of The Frightened Lady, Charles Haskell of the World War One Remembrance Centre, 96 year old Forgotten Veteran James Ockendon, whose father and namesake won a Victoria Cross in 1917, and Forgotten Veteran Martin Hulland.

These were followed by Phil Lyndon and Chris Mills from the locally produced film Fixer, which Andrew cameod in, George & Mildred actor Norman Eshley, Nabil Shabin alias Sil from Doctor Who, Marine Biologist Shanelle Kohler and many others at the Sea Bin Sea Change event, Filmakers James Reily, Oliver Mills, Joe Stringer, Jasper J Cumiskey, The Dickens Festival Choir, Councillor Diane Furlong, the Mayor Of Gosport, The Churches Together Choir, Abba Rival, Councillor Susan Bayford, the Mayor Of Fareham, Shep Woolley, and local poet Phillip Wilson, who later joined the Community Matters team as the show's Resident poet, Shuyan Lu of Portsmouth's Chinese Association, members of the Gosport BMX Club, and Carts Carter of the Gosport Wombles. 2019, began with participant Andrew interviewing New Years Day swimmers at Stokes Bay in Gosport, Paula Ried, talking about her fiancee sailor Alex Alley's current round the world record attempt, and Paul Samways of Portsmouth Calisthetics, a fitness expert who has previously been a diving instructor, yachtsman and who served as both a boating officer and station leader on a remote scientific research station in Antarctica. David Baynes of the Portsmouth Society For Neutical Research then followed, as did, the Scout's Head of Media and Communications Sam Poole who spoke about 110 years of Scouting in Hampshire, and Gareth Beeston and Nicole Thompson-Vassel of Other World Escapes. John Levene : The Mind Behind Benton, was an interview with the actor who from 1968 - 1975 played Sgt Benton in the Doctor Who TV series, but who here talks exclusively about his mental health struggle, his music, and his poetry. John had been so controversial and outspoken that the interview had been shelved for a month until it could be very tightly edited. Bond girl and Magpie presenter Jenny Hanley, who also played Sara Jameson / Hawkins in Softly Softly : Taskforce, joined Andrew for a video call interview, as did, EastEnders and Bugsy Malone actress Kathryn Apanowich. Andrew was also responsible for an interview conducted with Emma Ashley, a Space Communications Presenter at the National Space Centre in Leicester, Doctor Mark Field, the Senior Lecturer of Politics at Portsmouth University about Brexit, and The Right Reverend Christopher Foster, the Bishop Of Portsmouth.

Throughout Season Six, a slot called Retro Rewind had been introduced, whereby old interviews were given a second airing, this was initially as a fill in piece to ensure Andrew didn't have to work too hard after his heart attack. However, as his priorities began to change from January 2019 onwards, it became an essential tool to keep him in the programme week in week out. From February, and the announcement of Andrew's engagement to Lisa Spowart, his involvement in the show he had created became minimal, with new interviews being exceedingly rare. Neil was effectively presenting the show alone, at this time, and had to step up his own interview rate in order to keep the programme's content up to date. His guests included Dale Johnson of the Home Guard Reenactment Group, Mike Hollow, the author of the Blitz Detective, Martine Van Woudenberg the Managing Director of Waves Video, Captain Scarlett designer Brett Jones, author Laura Weston, chatting about George Edalji and Oscar Slater, true criminal cases that involved Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Tom Clarke Hill, the new voice of Tony The Tiger, Mark Silk, the new voice of Scooby Doo, Marvel Comics writer, Steve Engelheart, Joel Meadows, the Editor in Chief of Tripwire Magazine, Mark Hendley of Go Geeks, a cosplay group. Jason Liverpool, who spoke about wartime filming, and Chris Brunnen of the Portsmouth Ariel Tour Through Time.

The last episode of Series Six, the 156th overall, was transmitted on Good Friday, 19th April 2019, concluding with Andrew's interview with The Right Reverend Christopher Foster, the Bishop Of Portsmouth. Series Seven was due to return on Friday 31st May 2019, however on 18th May 2019, Andrew put out a Facebook statement revealing that he would not be returning for the next series.

"Having given this much consideration and pondered extensively on my feelings on the matter, I believe now may be the time to resign my position as co-presenter of Community Matters. In doing this, I have taken into account all that we have achieved, with charities, volunteer organisations, people putting on events, musicians, actors, authors, historians, celebrities, the online audience, and of course the patients of the Queen Alexandra Hospital. In creating the Community Matters name and brand, I wanted to express the importance of the local community, the people within it who are making such a difference, and to promote the wonderful city of Portsmouth, in which we are so lucky to live. Myself, and my colleague Neil Blanks, have given over our lives, sometimes 24 hours a day, to the programme and its contents, over this last 4 years. We have always strived to bring the outside world to the patients in the biggest and boldest way possible, even giving them live coverage from Windsor for last years Royal Wedding. When anyone told us things were impossible to do, we did them regardless.

I am proud to have been associated with numerous good causes and to have been able to promote both mental and physical health problems. As many of you will be aware I have had my own health issues including a heart attack, and this together with my recent engagement to Lisa J Spowart, has focused my mind and my priorities elsewhere. I have therefore not been able to commit to Season Six of the programme in the way the show requires, and now that we have reached the end of that series, I have decided not to proceed with another. Myself and Neil Blanks have discussed the idea of doing the occasional special, but it is my opinion this would detract from the programme we once had, and confuse a regular audience. Community Matters as far as I am concerned has therefore ceased transmission as of the last episode of Series Six.

My many thanks to Neil Blanks who has given me his continual support, and been gracious enough to go along with many of my more outlandish ideas. To QA Hospital Radio for continually believing in the programme, despite its sometimes controversial issues. To the Lord Mayor's Office, Councillor Lee Mason, the previous Lord Mayor and Councillor David Fuller, the present Lord Mayor, the latter of whom especially has gone out of his way to give us exclusives and programmes like A Day In The Life. My thanks also to my beloved Lisa, who has supported me in this action.

I believe in the need for a programme like ours and hope someone else will take up the challenge of doing a similar show for QA Hospital Radio both for the benefit of the patients, and to show a wider world what amazing people we have in our city, and what an incredible city that truly is."

Andrew Hay 18th May 2019.

From the 31st October 2018, Neil had presented a second show, that reverted back to the title of The Neil Blanks Show, and it would be within this programme that Community Matters successor, Talkback Portsmouth, would continue...

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