Films on free to air TV for the next 7 days

Hi everyone, here are Simons recommendations for the week ahead

Wednesday

Slumdog Millionaire

9:00pm - 11:20pm

Film4

American History X

10:00pm - 12:25am

ITV4

Thursday

This Is England

9:00pm - 11:00pm

Film4

Life Is Sweet

11:00pm - 1:05am

Film4

Friday

King Kong

10:15pm - 1:30am

ITV1 London

Saturday

Apollo 13

6:20pm - 9:00pm

ITV2

Sunday

13 Going on 30

5:10pm - 7:05pm

Five

Monday

Little Voice

9:00pm - 10:30pm

BBC4

Tuesday

Payback

9:00pm - 11:00pm

Five USA

Monthly feature with Karin Williams of the Citizens Advice Bureau

Hi everyone,

On the show today we heard from Karin Williams of the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Karin begun the interview by pointng out that from the 6th April this year, the age at which you can claim the state pensions is increasing for both men and women. If you were born after the 6th April 1959, you won't be able to get a state pension until your aged between 65 and 68 depending on when you were born. On a positive note, the number of qualifying years for the state pension is to be reduced to 30 years.

The next topic that Karin covered was claims to employment tribunals. When an employee wins a case, some employers don't pay the due compensation. From the 6th April, employees can ask a High Court Enforcement Officer to collect the debt if the employer doesn't pay and this will only cost £50. This change comes about as a result of campaigning by the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The next topic was about people who have paid £1000's for training courses only to find the training company becomes insolvent. The advice Karin gave is to pay by credit card for these services which then offer you some protection in such circumstances.

Also on the subject of training, Karin advised that from the 6th April, in any company with more than 250 employees, an employee now has a legal right to ask for time off for training and the employer must at least consider the idea. If the employer says no, the employee can legally challenge this using the employers grievance procedure.

For more information on anything that Karin covered, and anything else you need advice on, you can call into the Bureau at 64 London Road, St Albans, or give them a call on 01727 855269, or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk

Coming up this week....

Hi all,

Coming up this week we have:

Tuesday: we have our monthly interview at 5.35pm with Karin Williams of the Citizens Advice Bureau

Wednesday: we have the Film Guide at 5.30pm with Simon Carver

Thursday: at 5.35pm we have an interview with Katherine Narroway from Friday Folk

Happy Easter!

Interview with Carol Lodge of Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust

Hi everyone

On the show today we heard from Carol Lodge who is the Conservation and Planning Officer for Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

Carol told us that at this time of year the birds are getting busy and the dawn chorus is starting to get more noisy! Birds are currently starting to build nests, particulary in wetland areas.

It's still important to leave bird feed out and remember to keep your bird feeders clean. Dried seeds seeds are popular with most birds.

Carol also pointed out that if you have a pond in your garden you might start seeing frog spawn - even lizards have been recently spotted!

And of course, April is the time when lots of plants begin to flower, especially bluebells. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are running a series of bluebell walks at various locations on the 25th April, 29th April, 6th May and the 9th May. A minimum donation of £2 per person is asked and bluebells will be experienced at their most wonderful.

For more information on these walks, and for everything else to do with the Wildlife Trust visit www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk.

Playlist w/c 29th March 2010

Hi Bloggers

I cannot believe how ahead of the game I am this week! Normally, I am struggling to get the playlist out before Monday's show but this week I am almost a day early!!!

Below you will find our drivetime new music playlist for the coming week:

Arno Carstens - Heartbreak Monday
Codeine Velvet Club - Vanity Kills
Corinne Bailey Rae - Paris Nights / New York Mornings
Ella Chi - Cuz He Needed Me
Eliza Doolittle - Skinny Genes
Gabriella Cilmi - On A Mission
Goldfrapp - Rocket
Harper Simon - Shooting Star
Joshua Radin - I’d Rather Be With You
Katherine Jenkins - Fear of Falling
Lady Antebellum - Need You Now
Lisbee Stainton - Is Whispering
Lissie - In Sleep
London Community Gospel Choir (Feat. Paul Carrack) - Soul To Soul
Maria Mena - All This Time
Meat Loaf - Los Angeloser
Mica Paris - Born Again
Nell Bryden - Tonight
OneRepublic - Secrets
Paloma Faith - Upside Down
Paolo Nutini - Growing Up Beside You
Paul Weller - No Tears To Cry
Plan B - She Said
ROX - My Baby Left Me
Scouting For Girls - This Ain’t A Love Song
The Lucinda Belle Orchestra - My Voice & My 45 Strings
Timothy B Schmit - Ella Jean
Whitney Houston - Nothin’ But Love

Items in BOLD are new additions.

See you on the air!

Films On TV 24th - 30th March

Hi everyone, here are this weeks recommendations for free to air TV films from Simon.

Wednesday

Vice Versa
7:10pm - 9:00pm
Film4

Armageddon
9:00pm - 11:25pm
BBC3

Friday

28 Days Later
10:50pm - 1:00am
Channel 4


Saturday

The Magnificent Seven
5:25pm - 7:45pm
Five

The Break-Up
9:00pm - 11:10pm
ITV2


Sunday

Apollo 13
6:20pm - 9:00pm
ITV2

The Truman Show
6:55pm - 8:50pm
Film4

Monday

The Blues Brothers
11:00pm - 1:40am
ITV4


Tuesday

Falling Down
10:05pm - 12:20am
ITV4

Interview with Gwendoline Alderton - local interior designer

Hi everyone,

On the show today, we heard from Gwendoline Alderton who is a local interior designer.

Gwendoline decided to talk clutter in the house and the benefits of de-cluttering.

Hoarding your possesions can soon get out of control so the first thing to do is admit to yourself that you need to de-clutter.

Gwendoline recommended that you allow time to deal with it and start small. Break down the overall de-cluttering job into manageable chunks rathe than doing a whole house at once. Doing it this way can make the excerise a lot less daunting.

And be ruthless - when you're going through your belongings you need to remember 'do you really need to keep it?!'

De-cluttering can be very theraputic aswell as making the place you live look great again.

For more information on Gwendaline and her interior design services, visit www.ga-interiors.co.uk.

Neil

Playlist w/c 22nd March 2010

Hi Bloggers

Please find below our drivetime new music playlist for the forthcoming week:

Amy MacDonald - ALBUM: A Curious Thing
Ben Montague - Haunted
Codeine Velvet Club - Vanity Kills
Corinne Bailey Rae - Paris Nights / New York Mornings
Eliza Doolittle - Skinny Genes
Gabriella Cilmi - On A Mission
Goldfrapp - Rocket
Harper Simon - Shooting Star
Joan Armatrading - This Charming Life
Joshua Radin - I’d Rather Be With You
Katherine Jenkins - Fear of Falling
Lissie - In Sleep
London Community Gospel Choir (Feat. Paul Carrack) - Soul 2 Soul
Maria Mena - All This Time
Mica Paris - Born Again
OneRepublic - Secrets
Paloma Faith - Upside Down
Paul Weller - No Tears To Cry
Plan B - She Said
Rod Stewart - (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
ROX - My Baby Left Me
Simply Red - Beside You
The Lucinda Belle Orchestra - My Voice & My 45 Strings
Timothy B Schmit - Ella Jean
Whitney Houston - Nothin’ But Love

Items in BOLD are new additions.

Don't forget, if there's ever anything you want to hear on the show, please let us know and we'll see what we can do!

Telephone interview with Sharon O'Brien about fostering in West Herts

Hi everyone,

On the show today we had an interview with Sharon O'Brien about fostering and recruiting more foster carers in West Herts.

Sharon has been a foster carer for 11 years having previously been a child minder.

To be a good foster carer Sharon advised a good sense of humour aswell as being compassionate and understanding.

Lots of training is available if you're interested in being a foster carer. Currently a shortage of foster carers exists in Hertfordshire so if your interested in being a foster carer you can call 0800 917 0925 to be speak to the Herts fostering recruitment team who will be able to give you more information and guidance. For general information you can also check out www.fostering.net

Neil

New Ridiculously Difficult Music Question

Hi All

Here is our new ridiculously difficult music question:

What connects the 3 hits Love Grows (where my Rosemary goes) by Edison Lighthouse, Gimme Dat Ding by The Pipkins and Beach Baby by First Class?

If you think you know the answer and would like to win a CD, call the show on 01727 839926 when you hear the competition lines open (normally at about 4.15pm & sometimes again at 6.15pm)

Carers - A Chance To Be Heard!

On today's show we spoke to Councillor Roma Mills about the Listening to Carers Day, organised by the St Albans Local Strategic Partnership.

The Partnership brings local organisations together to work together and is hosting a Listening to Carers Day for unpaid family carers who live in St Albans District. This is the chance for people who look after someone at home who is frail, ill or disabled to meet other people in the same position, to share experiences and to speak up about the issues that are most important to them.

The event will be held on Tuesday 23rd March at the District Council offices from 10.00am to 2.45pm with a free buffet lunch provided. Local MP, Anne Main, will be opening the event and meeting local carers and Gordon Conochie, Policy and Parliamentary Officer, Princess Royal Trust for Carers will deliver the key note address.

Carers in Hertfordshire will be helping to organise the day, because we want local Carers to have the chance:

• To talk to one another about what is important to them
• To find out information about local services
• To agree what are the most important local issues
• To decide how to take these forward.

Members of the Local Strategic Partnership want to understand how their services can make carers’ lives easier so some of them will be joining the afternoon session to help to agree a local plan of action to address carers’ issues. Make your voice heard and come to the Listening to Carers Day, to book a place telephone the West Team on 01442 253344 – we can also help with travel expenses and with alternative care costs.

For more information, check out this page on the Council's website.

Films on TV Wednesday 17th - Tuesday 23rd March

Hi everyone

Here are Simon Carver's recommendations for films on free-to-air TV over the next 7 days:

Wednesday

In Good Company
6:50pm - 9:00pm
Film4

Thursday

Gallipoli
6:50pm - 9:00pm
Film4

Kes
11:05pm - 1:15am
ITV3

Friday

The Simpsons Movie
9:00pm - 10:50pm
Film4

Kill Bill Vol 1
10:00pm - 11:45pm
BBC3

Saturday

Nicholas Nickleby
5:25pm - 7:30pm
BBC2 London & South East

Sunday

Caramel
7:00pm - 8:30pm
BBC4

Monday

GoodFellas
11:00pm - 2:00am
ITV4

Tuesday

Scarface
10:00pm - 1:25am
ITV4

Calling All Writers (and Readers)!!!

Hi Bloggers

On yesterday's show Mark Clementson from the Verulam Writers Circle (VWC) joined us for our monthly feature showcasing local authors. The group meets weekly, alternating between St Michaels church hall and the local pub. They also have a newsletter called VERACITY. For more information check our their website.

Below are details of the local writers featured this month:

TOBY FROST - Author of the very successful Space Captain Smith trilogy
www.spacecaptainsmith.com

JENNY BARDEN - Organiser of Get Writing 2010 and fabulous writer of historical fiction.
www.jennybarden.com

STEVE BARLEY - Writer and tutor - a man that left a jb in the city to become a writer and a househusband!!
www.stevenbarley.com

Mark will be back on the show on the third Tuesday of each month.

The Gig Guide: Tracklisting - 12th March 2010

Greetings all,

Here's last week's selection of tunes for you. It was so good in fact, we managed to squeeze in an extra song, you lucky people :)


Torque – Fooling No-one
http://www.myspace.com/wearetorque

Tasha Fights Tigers – Lovesick Bloodlust
http://www.myspace.com/tashafightstigers

TRACK OF THE WEEK: Lovehead - ‘Sexy Disco’
http://www.myspace.com/officiallovehead

Polly Poison and her Electric Antidote‏ - Feels Right
http://www.myspace.com/electricantidote

Royal Flush – I Know You’re Thinking Of Him
http://www.myspace.com/royalflushtheband

OUTRO: Stereophonics – Just Looking


Until next week...

Chris

www.myspace.com/rvgigguide

Coming up this week....

We have lots to keep you listening this week:

Tuesday at 5.35pm: we have an interview with Mark Clementson of the Verulam Writers Circle

Wednesday at 5.30pm: we have the Film Guide with Simon Carver

Thursday at 5.35pm: we have an interview with Roma Mills about the St Albans Listening to Carers Day which is on the 23rd March

Friday at 6.30pm: we have the Gig Guide with Chris Saunders

Enjoy!

Neil

Interview with Laura Cronshaw from the Centre for Voluntary Services in St Albans

Hi everyone,

On the show today we heard from Laura from the Centre for Voluntary Services in St Albans (CVS).

Laura explained that around 600 charities and groups exist in St Albans and the CVS aims to give support, advice and training to these organisations aswell as helping them look for volunteers.

At the moment, St Albans has around 1500 volunteers. The biggest number of volunteers are under 25 and are from lots of different backgrounds and cultures.

For more information on voluntary positions available, contact the Centre for Voluntary Services in St Albans on 01727 852657 or you can go to www.cvsstalbans.org.uk or www.do-it.org.uk for more information.

Laura also talked about the position of being a Trustee for a charity. The CVS is holding an event on Monday 19th April 6pm - 8pm with local charities, and it's aimed at those who are interested in becoming a Trustee. The CVS is able to provide training in this area, and if you would like to attend the event, please book your place with the CVS.

Neil

Playlist w/c 15th March 2010

Hi Bloggers

Below is our drivetime new music playlist for the forthcoming week:

Amy MacDonald - ALBUM: A Curious Thing
Ben Montague - Haunted
Beverley Knight (feat. Chaka Khan) - Soul Survivor
Codeine Velvet Club - Vanity Kills
Corinne Bailey Rae - Paris Nights / New York Mornings
Gabriella Cilmi - On A Mission
Goldfrapp - Rocket
Harper Simon - Shooting Star
Joan Armatrading - This Charming Life
Lissie - In Sleep
Mica Paris - Born Again
Michael Bublé - Cry Me A River
OneRepublic - Secrets
Paloma Faith - Upside Down
Robbie Williams - Morning Sun
Rod Stewart - (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
ROX - My Baby Left Me
Simply Red - Beside You
Susan Boyle - You’ll See
The Lucinda Belle Orchestra - My Voice & My 45 Strings
Timothy B Schmit - Ella Jean
Whitney Houston - Nothin’ But Love

Items in BOLD are new additions

See you on the air in 27 mins!!!

Simon Carver's Film Recommendations

Welcome to this week's recommendations of films on free-to-air TV:

Wednesday

Dogma
9:00pm - 11:25pm
Film4

Thursday

The Graduate
10:55pm - 1:05am
ITV3

Friday

Lethal Weapon
9:00pm - 11:15pm
ITV4

Boiler Room
9:00pm - 11:20pm
Five USA

Arachnophobia
11:45pm - 1:25am
BBC1 London & South East

Saturday

She's the Man
9:00pm - 11:00pm
Film4

Easy Rider
11:00pm - 1:00am
Five USA

Sunday

City of Angels
4:45pm - 6:55pm
ITV3

Monday

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
9:00pm - 12:40am
Five

Tuesday

A History of Violence
11:20pm - 1:10am
Film4

Interview with Andy Jarosz - Travel Correspondent

Hi everyone,

On todays show we heard from Andy Jarosz, our travel correspondent. Andy explained that this is the busiest time of the year for booking a holiday. The UK is currently very popular possibly due to the weak euro, as in Turkey and mainland Europe.

Having a holiday is an essential time for relaxing and unwinding. To get the best rates, you could book early or even leave it to the last minute. Being flexible with your dates can sometimes mean you get a good deal.

Andy also advised to shop around for your currency to ensure you get the best deal.

Managing your spending money whilst on holiday can also be very important. Some all inclusive deals offer good value for money and with all inclusive holidays it's all paid for before you go so you might not need as much spending money.

Another travel tip was for those who might pay for an organised excursion. As an alternative, you could try getting the local bus to a destination instead which is just as good, can be alot cheaper and can also be a great adventure!

For more advice, tips and stories relating to travel, you can check out Andy's website at www.501places.com.

Neil

Playlist w/c 8th March 2010

Hi Bloggers



Below is our drivetime new music playlist for the forthcoming week:

Amy MacDonald - Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over

Ben Montague - Haunted

Beverley Knight (feat. Chaka Khan) - Soul Survivor

Boyzone - Gave It All Away

Corinne Bailey Rae - Paris Nights / New York Mornings

Gabriella Cilmi - On A Mission

Goldfrapp - Rocket

Harper Simon - Shooting Star

Johnny Cash - For The Good Times

Mary J Blige- I Am

Mica Paris - Born Again

Michael Bublé - Cry Me A River

Nerina Pallot - I Don’t Want To Go Out

Norah Jones - Stuck

Paloma Faith - Upside Down

Pixie Lott - Gravity

Robbie Williams - Morning Sun

Rod Stewart - (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher

ROX - My Baby Left Me

Simply Red - Beside You

Susan Boyle - You’ll See

The Lucinda Belle Orchestra - My Voice & My 45 Strings

Timothy B Schmit - Ella Jean

Will Kevans - Sand Makes A Pearl



Items in BOLD are new additions

Please feel free to leave comments about our playlist - but please be gentle!



Danny

<><

Interview with Nik Kershaw - Listen Again

Hi Bloggers

On last Thursday's show we were joined by Nik Kershaw. Unfortunately, the first few seconds of the recording were missed but we don't think this takes anything away from a great interview with an 80s legend. Click below to listen again:

Jonny's On The Blog!

That's right, Mr Sunday Lunch (Jonny Seabrook) has his own blog:



http://jonnyseabrook.blogspot.com



Please check it out and start following our favourite Sunday lunchtime presenter!



Danny

<><

Message From Elspeth Jackman - Art For Sale

There was a phase of my life not so long ago when I just couldn't put my brushes down, and now I have boxes and boxes of oil paintings. These are mostly of flowers and scenes that I put together for an exhibition at the St.Albans Abbey Refectory.and one at the St.Albans Central Library.

So, brain-wave! Someone else might like to have one, and Radio Verulam might like the money! Therefore, knock-down prices of £15 to £25, -some half price - for more information, email elspeth@radioverulam.com or telephone the studio 01727 839926.

Elspeth Jackman

Simon's film recommendations

Simon Carver's recommended viewing for films coming up on TV are:

Friday

The 40 Year Old Virgin
10:00pm - 12:25am
ITV2

Team America: World Police
10:50pm - 12:40am
Channel 4

Saturday

Superman Returns
9:00pm - 11:25pm
BBC3

Braveheart
9:00pm - 12:20am
Channel 4

Sunday

Bruce Almighty
7:25pm - 9:00pm
BBC3

Monday

Lake Placid
11:00pm - 12:35am
Channel 4

Carlito's Way
11:00pm - 1:50am
ITV4

Tuesday

Crank
10:05pm - 11:55pm
ITV4

Interview with Helen Lack from the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy

Hi everyone,

On the show today we heard from Helen Lack from the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE).

Helen told us that a fundraising quiz is talking place at the Three Compasses pub in Aldenham this Saturday night with all proceeds going to the NCYPE. The quiz starts at 7pm and along with many other prizes, a special edition Saracens t-shirt can be won.

Helen is also running the london marathon for the same charity. If you would like to sponsor her, click HERE.

For more information on the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy check out www.ncype.org.uk.

Neil

The Gig Guide: Tracklisting - Friday 26th February 2010

Greetings all,
Thanks to Mark from The Pocket Gods for coming in to (physically & metaphorically) launch the new album 'Plan Nub Behind The Fridge'. To buy it, visit their page (link below) for more details.


The Startover – Worst Case Scenario
http://www.myspace.com/thisisthestartover

TRACK OF THE WEEK: Spies – Lying Asleep In The River
http://www.myspace.com/_spies_

INTERVIEW: The Pocket Gods
‘Trailer Park On Mars’
‘Carry On Behind’
http://www.myspace.com/thepocketgods

OUTRO: Derek & The Dominos – Layla

On next Friday's show, Lovehead will be joining us to talk about their tracks, projects and upcoming gigs as well as all the usual banter that comes with it :)

Chris @
Radio Verulam 92.6FM
www.myspace.com/rvgigguide

Interview with Ali Hauser of Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust

Hi everyone,

On the show today we heard from Ali Hauser from the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. Ali talked about the 'Wetlands Water Voles Project' that she is working on at the moment. The project has been set up to protect water voles in Hertfordshire.

Unfortunatley, the population of water voles has decreased by 90% over the past few years so this is a really important project. However, you can still see them in the Lea Valley area although they are difficult to spot! The picture of a water vole will hopefully assist you in your search.

Even if you don't het to see any water voles, you should still get to see some dragon flies and some interesting birds.

For more information about water voles and everything else to do with the wildlife trust visit www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk.

Neil

Coming up this week....

Hi everyone,

Coming up this week we have....

Today: we have Ali Hauser of Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust being interviewed at 5.35pm

Wednesday: we'll hear from Ian Rogers of St Albans City football club at 5.10pm, and we have the Film Guide with Simon Carver at 5.30pm



Thursday: we have an interview with Nik Kershaw at 5.35pm

Friday: we have the Gig Guide with Chris Saunders at 6.30pm

Enjoy!

Neil