Originally it was to be called “Mike Powell…and all the trimmings” as it was a show to be launched at Sunday lunchtime between 1 and 4. It was to be aired on BBC Sussex, BBC Surrey and BBC Radio Solent in the slot that the brilliant Ed douglas had occupied so fantastically well for years. With his Flying Badgers and dressing gowns “slightly ajar” Ed’s shoes were a big pair to fill….
As always the people who really matter – our fantastic listeners – came to my support, encouraging me from the off and joining in with all the Connundrums, “Bargains of the Week” and chill out sessions using the most sublime music never heard on those 3 stations before.
We met a whole host of new people, sharing their fabulous views on life. The Genial Genealogist Chris Rolfe, the Gruesome Graphologist John Jamieson-David, the bird man Derek Lister, the wildlife expert Steve Davis, the astronomers extraordinaire Pete Lawrence and Ninian Boyle, the Canadian astrologer Phil Booooooth and while Mike’s Mysteries delved into the world of palmists, dowsers, psychics and shamans, we also saved everyone a fortune with “cheapest petrol prices”, best deals on the high street and a weekly roundup from the clued up people at Which?
I was proud of all my producers who went on to great things – including Vicky Bartlett and James Laidler who are now Senior Journalists on BBC Breakfast tv, Rachel Lynch who’s now a top dog at Sky tv, Anna Low who’s a wonderful Mummy, Ben Mitchell who’s an awesome teacher, Richard Jackson who’s risen to the top of Tesco management and Matt Graveling who’s doing fabulously on South Today. And it’s thanks to Matt that we’ve managed to blow the cobwebs off a small part of the last show together. Here’s a snippet of one tiny part of a magnificent 9 years from a Sunday family that didn’t want the fun to stop.
Thankfully it didn’t as many still meet up on the Mike Powell Listeners’ Group on Facebook and 4 years since the show came off air (13 February 2011) there’s hope we’ll soon be able to have a brand new mini radio programme/podcast on this website. Watch this space and in the meantime enjoy some of the voices of the lovely people who made Sunday afternoons so special for nearly a decade……
http://bit.ly/174BtB2
Lovely words Mike and it’s nice to know what your producers are doing now. I was lucky enough to listen to your Sunday afternoon programme since the beginning. I loved all your guests and my favourite one was Ian Wallace the dream man.
4 years on and my Sunday’s are still not the same, but at least we have our MMM on here and the face group page. You are my no1 favourite presenter, I could listen to your voice all day long. So hopefully very soon there will be a podcast on here.
Many thanks for putting the link up, it brought tears to my eyes like it did 4 years ago. Hope to hear your voice soon.
It was a privilege to listen to your programme from the start, also to come and meet you when we did the pumpkin programme, and also to meet up with other listeners on that day too.
You are greatly missed on a Sunday afternoon, but we hope to hear you on the airwaves very soon.
The friendships forged through your programme will never be broken and, yes, it is good that we can keep in contact here and also on Facebook too.
Wishing you well in your future ventures.
Many thanks both Dawn and Elaine – such lovely words.
I hope we can soon start podcasts or even regular internet radio programmes on this very website, so the gang can reconvene with no restrictions on what we can and can’t discuss. All the important topics and all the things that matter to real people. Watch this space! x
Have not heard you on Solent for a long while , have you left there or have you been having health problems again ? I do hope not .
Jane
Hi Jane – I have indeed left Solent after almost 2 decades!
Thanks for the concern over recent health problems but I’m happy to report that I’m feeling healthier now than I have in years. Thanks also for visiting the website and joining in…
Hi Mike ,
So pleased to know that you are keeping well . Sorry not to be hearing you on Solent anymore or seeing you do the weather on TV but hopefully we can keep up with you on your website .
Best regards , Jane
It was good to read your update on all the producers. I too miss your Sunday afternoon programmes, and never listen now. BBC Solent clearly didn’t appreciate an excellent presenter! It would be great if there could be internet radio or a podcast on here, but in the meantime, we have our lovely Facebook group where we can all keep in touch and support each other. x
Hi Mike, I’ve just had another listen to the snippet from your last show. it made me feel very sad, but glad we all stay in touch via the listeners’ group. x
5 years ago since your last radio programme. Any chance of you doing internet radio/ podcasts on this website, like you mentioned a year ago. Would be lovely to hear you again with all the interesting topics.
Mike, I used to love listening to your programme and I also loved Ed’s programme before you. Its a real shame neither of you are on the BBC south coast stations but good to at least hear you occasionally on BBCR2 news. If either of you would do a podcast it would work. I have got into these you tube v logs in a big way and some of these guys earn good money. I’m sure you could do something on your own at your own pace…..