The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM. Did we get the right lead story?
Were the interviews terrible, or the reporting bad? Or was it all great?
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
with Jasper.
sent us this in a lovely thank you card. Thank YOU Roberto..
tells me this is:
"me in my bikini at Instow"..
BTW: If you have a thought on the all new all singing all dancing PM website - do let us know.
of the building being erected across the road from Television Centre. It's the new ±«Óãtv Truth Centre. Completed by 2011, it will be where all ±«Óãtv staff, freelancers and freeloaders will learn that it's not right to rip people off, and conning the audience like some executive Del Boy is really not on.
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM. Did we get the right lead story?
Were the interviews terrible, or the reporting bad? Or was it all great?
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
Christopher has a live report tonight - here's a snap from his travels.
with Rupert making the best of what looked like (at around 1145) a quiet news day...
The Conservatives have new proposals out today. We're trying to get Mr Cameron on the programme to talk about them. Will post a link asap.
1224 UPDATE: Just spoken to Alan at the Conservatives and we're trying to get a link organised so you can read things for yourself. We hope to speak to Mr Cameron or one of his colleagues. So if, having read the stuff, you have a question, post it here and I'll try to ask it for you.
1233 UDPATE: And it is.
1555 UPDATE: the man who wrote the report Sir Robert Balchin - the Chairman of the Conservative Special Education Needs Commission will join me live. Again - if YOU HAVE A QUESTION ADD IT BY CLICKING ON COMMENT.
1800 UPDATE: Sir Robert Balchin interview is here.
not a place for film reviews. But The Simpsons Movie is very funny. And if you watch it you should stay till right at the end. Not least because an old friend of mine, Stuart McCowan, with whom I worked years ago in Glasgow, worked on the sound. Watch for his name to come up. He once made an audio advent calendar for me on Radio Scotland. And the sound effects for our live soap "Pelican Crossing". Clearly his career has gone absolutely nowhere.
This morning's pic was taken in the last hour, looking up at the sky above TV Centre. It's an odd colour unseen this summer.
Talk hear about serious stuff on your mind.
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM. Did we get the right lead story?
Were the interviews terrible, or the reporting bad? Or was it all great?
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
PA reports: "The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection today won its High Court claim that the Government is failing in its legal duty to ensure animal suffering is kept to a minimum in UK laboratories."
which I'm told HAS been edited to avoid the editor sounding "silly".
As you may or may not hear, there was a bit of a debate during the recording about whether we should edit.
What is the Beach?
It’s a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like you’re the only one around, but you can leave your ‘footprints’ for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness.
If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there.
Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question.
The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Friday morning. This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.
Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.
There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.
The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM. Did we get the right lead story?
Were the interviews terrible, or the reporting bad? Or was it all great?
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
"There was rain. Not so much coming down but coming sideways.
There was flooding water creeping towards me too.
But could I tell anyone this or anything else? Could I heck.
My satellite equipment fell foul of fellow broadcasters.
Put it this way, in playground terms it was like getting ready for a kick about with your friends, only to have bigger boys come and steal your ball.
Doesn't matter how much you clamour for it back, your voice is ignored.
Our colleagues on various TV channels had brought HUGE trucks with satellite dishes and TV wizardry, and our little PM radio dish was crowded out of the signal spectrum.
It meant I spent an hour hopelessly trying to dial in to out studio without success.
The rain kept coming.
At one stage I wondered if the swans paddling by might perhaps having carried my report tucked under a wing back to base. The didn't look friendly so I didn't ask. Health and safety an' all that being important here at the ±«Óãtv.
So sorry everyone, my news of Henley's plight in the floods went un-aired. Apologies if you were waiting on it."
Liz, sitting next to me, has just asked someone on the telephone.
The odd thing is, she's doing the Shambo the bullock story.
stars Jasper today - even though he's not editing. It's here.
arrive. Aperitif sends this postcard which comes from the DVLA. The blurb boasts "Now you can tax your vehicle the easy way...online or by phone." Aperitif wonders: "if one can use the bus is one likely to tax another vehicle whilst on it?"
And RJD offers this card from "where I live"...lovely.
Can this be ?
trouble last night getting things on air. Poor Matt had spent the day in Henley, and tried for the whole hour to get ion air but couldn't. We may ask him to post something here about his troubles a bit later.
We had a big editorial pow-wow about our relationship with Government after the programme last night. Perhaps more on that later too.
But the good news is that after a day of trying, a chap called Krish got our computers to work. They had been upgraded the night before, as I told you - but all six at our desk...mine, the editor's and the deputy's were all unable to play audio, which, let me tell you, makes it very hard to do our jobs! Anyway - all is well. Happy birthday Gillian.
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM. Did we get the right lead story?
Were the interviews terrible, or the reporting bad? Or was it all great?
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
When you visit a hospital do you feel the need to step into a small sanctuary? Perhaps one in a fetching turquoise colour that's the size of a small Tardis? An American artist, UK resident now, has made such a thing and called it "Artnaos". More about the name at 5 and why you might want to tell Artnaos all about your worries with Nigel Wrench who's been to see it in Birmingham. In the meantime, here's the artist, her creation and some of those worries.
Artist Sally Sheinman and the Artnaos portable sanctuary in the reception area of Birmingham Women's Hospital.
Worries posted by hospital visitors on the outside of the Artnaos pod.
I came across this scene at TV Centre. It appeared to be a re-enactment of that scene in the Austin Powers movie where they're all dancing to that groovy music, Austin is wearing purple and there are 1960s policemen. The music was blaring and they were clearly shooting it for TV. Newsnight, I imagine.
What do YOU think?
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM. Did we get the right lead story?
Were the interviews terrible, or the reporting bad? Or was it all great?
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
and it occurs to me I haven't got clearance to announce our "news". And the person who can give me that clearance is now away. For a while.
Um. I think I might just go ahead anyway when the day comes. Or at least drop a heavy hint.
with Jeremy (pictured on the lower right at The Glass Box) is here. Recorded 11.40
was part of the programme last night - tonight the same reporter, Christopher Landau has more for you. He writes:
"Last night on PM, I reported on the BUAV's legal challenge against the ±«Óãtv Office about its regulation of animal testing. Tonight, I'll be interviewing Professor Michael Ball, who advised the government on its policy in 1986 when the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act became law. The BUAV is challenging the ±«Óãtv Office over its implementation of the Act. Professor Ball is critical of the huge increase in the numbers of animals being tested, and welcomes the challenge at the High Court. He also happens to be father of Ed Balls, the new Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families"
"To Eddie and team. Went here last year twice!! Rained both times..TTFN...Plaid Cymru..."
Your bus is at TV Centre in London.
After Sir Stirling and Mr Enfield - what do YOU think?
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM. Did we get the right lead story?
Were the interviews terrible, or the reporting bad? Or was it all great?
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
Westminster tonight because of the power problems at TVC (see "Oddly"). Decision due shortly.
1545 UPDATE: The engineers are working hard and think the patch-job that's holding everything together right now will hold. So we're staying at TV Centre.
1640 UPDATE: There is a plan. If the power goes off, I will go to the radio car that sits outside the window, and send a signal to Westminster who will broadcast the recorded bits of the show. Or something.
at our 1430 editorial in the Glass Box, Rupert was talking us through the water story and saying we'd be looking at how for some people the power was going to go off. At that VERY moment, our entire office plunged into darkness. An emergency light stayed on, and all the computers and tellies were on - but all the lights went off and still are.
Here is the first ever footage taken inside a real Glass Box meeting..
1525 UPDATE: JUST as we were discussing moving the show to Westminster in the face of what appeared to be imminent system collapse, the lights came back on. We think we'll be fine. Huddle of bosses over to my left discussing a plan B - which will be decamping to our Millbank office. Trouble is - time is tight. If we don't move now, we're stuffed.
1528 UPDATE: News 24 and ±«Óãtv World had to combine for a while because of our power crisis. Think we're back.
he sends this picture from the upper Thames at Henley.
1408 UPDATE: Matt's next stop, Wallingford:
with Rupert mainly.
there's this charming echo of one of our favourites from last year:
And Aperitif says this has been lying around for ages (it's Passionate, 2005 by Matteo Varsi) and she was tempted to send it to ±«Óãtv "News" 'after the recent revelations'...
had a bit of an effect on the ±«Óãtv on Friday. Media Monkey at mediaguardian.co.uk reports:
"The apocalyptic weather that spread across London this morning caused mayhem for television channels. All ±«Óãtv channels broadcast over satellite - ±«Óãtv1 and ±«Óãtv2, News 24, C±«Óãtv and CBeebies - went off air between 11.41am and 11.53am as the huge main dish at TV Centre in west London couldn't cope with the intensity of the downpour. ±«Óãtv2 was broadcasting the Open golf from Carnoustie, where, ironically enough, the sun was out and play was continuing. Monkey wonders whether a higher force was sending the Beeb its own punishment over the recent spate of phone scams."
Here is a visual aid:
where you can raise serious topics. Seriously.
would have sent some snaps in time for his piece on Friday but what with one thing and another...
so here they are.
Hugh writes:
"You may or may not hear from the Turkey Team on PM on Monday - 'on merit' as they say....the final result of the Turkish elections on Sunday may not be clear before Thursday or Friday. Meanwhile, some snaps of people I've seen here over the past week....
Saadet Party supporter - small party, strongly Islamic, though not officially. One supporter on the minibus said "Allah hu Akbar" (God is Great), an older official quickly said "Shhh".
Eminey, a Kurdish woman showing her support for her favoured candidate...
...and her favoured candidate is: Nazmi Gur, a Kurd standing as an independent.
Snatched photo of Prime Minister Erdogan, on his way out of the town hall in Gaziantep (southern Tirkey, near Aleppo in Syria). Smart jackets, those security guys!
Erdogan supporters at a rally in Gaziantep. It was hot - 41 deg ...in the crowd of about twenty thousand, 120 people collapsed, according to the local TV. The Prime Minister spoke for about an hour.
More Erdogan supporters at the rally.
Old Turkey, near the copper bazaar in Gaziantep.
New Turkey - M1 shopping mall near Adana (mid-southern Turkey, near the Mediterranean). 9 screens at that cinema - films included Transformers, Die Hard 4.0 and Shrek 3.
Lovely children in a back-street in Gaziantep."
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM. Did we get the right lead story?
Were the interviews terrible, or the reporting bad? Or was it all great?
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
wrote on Blog - and will appear in PM tonight to talk about it.
like they're always imploring on the telly.
PLEASE paint a word picture and send those instead.
from Isobel:
I'm sure you don't want to see this if you're sitting in the rain in London, but this is the current view from the roof of my building (where we have a weather station)...as I write the weather station is reporting the current temperature as 34.3c
And this is as it was yesterday evening just before I left work......
V comforting to still listed to R4 weather forecasts about rain in Maidenhead though!
1253 UPDATE:
"Up here on Riddlesdown - that's in the parish of Sanderstead, which is part of Purley, which is in the GL borough of yer actual Croydon - we had 65mm of heavy rain from about 10 o'clock for a couple of hours with thunder & lightning: the thunder was very low frequency; I enjoyed it. Right now at 12.45 the Sun's out & it looks like the rain, as predicted, is off to the north. The Metcheck website has crashed due, presumably, to the huge number of us trying to access it. Cheers, Norman Fitch"
1410 UPDATE: a colleague sends this: You need to update your daily email. THIS 
man is currently enjoying a brief break in the clouds RIGHT outside your window!
if the sun had in fact set. But it's beginning to brighten.
Just watching the CPS do their big statement. There will be more on PM.
was a bit of a problem Blogwise - we're blaming the wet weather round here. But we're on the move.
With ref to a request from Molly on the postcard strand, please send to
PM Pointless Postcard Thingy,
Room G601
±«Óãtv News Centre,
London,
W12 7RJ.
In the meantime - the very first sign that Christmas is on its way. A photo of one of the cages outside the telly studios here at TVC - and I'm told it may be from the Christmas Extras special..
Oh and no sooner have I download that than info arrives which confirms what I was only joking about:
The radio 4 interactive team say: "everything is unwell at the moment.
Maidenhead is underwater, where the main servers are, there's a powercut, it's all chaotic. There are no services whatsover - all blogs are down"
What is the Beach?
It’s a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like you’re the only one around, but you can leave your ‘footprints’ for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness.
If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there.
Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question.
The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Friday morning. This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.
Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.
There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.
The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM. Did we get the right lead story?
Were the interviews terrible, or the reporting bad? Or was it all great?
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
and I will invite them to comment for your delight...
Ms P first:
and Mr Fred:
in memory of last year's Pointless Blog Postcard thingy. Postings to follow.
If you're going away and want to show us where, send your postcard to:
Pointless Blog Postcard Thingy,
PM,
Room G601,
±«Óãtv News Centre,
London
W12 7RJ.
Thank you.
THIS IS NOT A COMPETITION.
from the ±«Óãtv Star Terrace today. It turns out the ±«Óãtv just made up all of the stars who're on it. If you want to know more, call 098765432123454.
In the meantime Johnnie sends these:
Chris Jarvis and Cbeebies Radio producer Colin in Broadcasting house - but whereabouts?
A: The new drama studio. Note the two different textures of the staircase.
And here is a dramatic door:
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
What do YOU think?
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM. Did we get the right lead story? Were the interviews terrible, or the reporting bad? Or was it all great?
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
On the programme tonight we'll discuss a new Government discussion paper about supporting parents "in striking the right balance between protecting their children and allowing them to learn and explore safely". There's a link to the Government document . And of course feel free to add your comment.
About an hour ago I recorded an interview with Andy ( see the Presumed Consent thread ) and his friend who is donating one of his kidneys.
We'll air the interview tonight...and I'll post it on THIS thread shortly.
1520 UPDATE: HERE it is in its full form. An edited version will be on the programme.
This is Eloise and I chatting after our 11.30 meeting..
kinda quiet on a Wednesday in the office now. Martha and the World at One bunnies do the show from Westminster, so we just sit here, missing them.
Stand by for today's PM in the AM.
I always pass this...it proclaims a part of TV centre where the names of big stars of yesteryear litter the terrace. Tomorrow, I'll pick out a name.
What do you think?
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM. Did we get the right lead story? Were the interviews terrible, or the reporting bad? Or was it all great?
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
This is me and tonight's editor, Fiona, chatting about the programme after our 11.00 meeting..
1415 update: SORRY about the dodgy link THIS should work.
coffee on the way in.
Also on the way in, I passed a funeral cortege. What is the correct etiquette for showing respect when you're not wearing a hat, which I never do except at Easter? I remember reading a newspaper q and a column about it once but can't remember what the answer was. You're standing there and want to show you care, but somehow bowing the head doesn't seem enough....
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM. Did we get the right lead story? Were the interviews terrible, or the reporting bad? Or was it all great?
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
Yes here it is - our editor Peter Rippon discussing, pretty much uninterrupted, tonight's programme. Recorded at 11.30, just after our 11.00 meeting.
Here at the ±«Óãtv, we are masters at distortion and lies. If there's something you'd like us to embelish, or just make up from scratch - add it here, and we'll pop it on the air.
is of a cage with lots of plants on, outside the big telly studios. Watch out for them in a future series with Ms Tate.
The place to talk seriously about serious things.
Your thoughts on tonight's guest.
MONDAY MORNING UPDATE: In case you missed it, the piece from Friday's programme.
The introduction was along these lines...
We know from the PM blog that children with special educational needs are of great concern to PM listeners. You can click on a link on the blog now to read the history of our coverage which has been led by our reporter Yvonne Murray.
Tonight, Yvonne has a follow up to our last interview on the subject with the schools minister Lord Adonis.
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
in direct response to the strength of feeling expressed by listeners on the Blog. She writes:
"The last time the schools minister, Lord Adonis, appeared on the programme he said that the SEN Tribunal was free for parents.
By saying that, he said, he was simply relaying the views of the Tribunal itself. He suggested that we invite the Tribunal onto the programme to be able to explain itself more clearly. So we did. Lady Hughes, President of the SEN Tribunal (SENDIST) agreed to speak exclusively to PM.
In the interview we will air tonight she tells me that it does concern her that parents are spending a lot of money on independent assessments of their children and suggests that's an area which could be improved.
But she disagrees with suggestions that the Tribunal itself is a hostile arena and says parents do not need to pay for legal representation because the Tribunal is designed to help unrepresented parents get the necessary support for their children."
Hear the piece in full on the programme.
The plans for the programme tonight - Rupert and I recorded straight after our 11.00 meeting.
will form a part of the programme again tonight - in response to the big response we've had here previously. Yvonne who's done all the work on the story for months will provide me with more details in due course.
Also coming to the blog in a while - we hope - the AM version of PM. Stand by...
"Re. The ±«Óãtv's misrepresentation of the Queen's actions during a portrait session:
"They invited a journalist from The Guardian, the ±«Óãtv's alter ego, to comment on
the story. Aren't there any other press contributors from the opposite site of the
political spectrum that could be invited on to the programme? Or is this a Stalinist
±«Óãtv?"
You could try listening properly you cloth-eared buffoon. Kelvin MacKenzie was on the programme immediately after the chap from the Guardian - was given twice as long on the air and spent all of it lambasting the ±«Óãtv.
I looked at this snap on the computer did I realise how gloomy it looks. Our front door less than an hour ago. The weather, by the way, is sultry. I would say it's sultrier than Kate O'Mara.
What is the Beach?
It’s a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like you’re the only one around, but you can leave your ‘footprints’ for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness.
If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there.
Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question.
The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Friday morning. This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.
Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.
There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.
The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.
What do YOU think?
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
mandarin discussion meant our lovely trail couldn't go on air.
So here it is trail fans:
"The ±«Óãtv has apologised to the Queen for misrepresenting her. We'll have the full story at 5.
Also: a gloomy report about America's prospects in Iraq brings an optimistic response from President Bush - we'll hear from Washington.
Two 16 year old British girls have been arrested in Ghana, allegedly with three hundred thousands pounds worth of cocaine on them.
Plus the joys of learning mandarin, hanging upside down in Manchester and Hugh Sykes reports from Beirut a year after the war.
Join me if you can at 5.."
the PM website, which hasn't been updated since Val left, is being revamped and will be available in its new form soon. Stand by.
with more photos from before and after last year's war in Lebanon. They date from July/Aug 2006 and July 2007. They're from "Haret Hreik, the southern Beirut suburb where Hizbollah has most of its offices, and where many senior Hizbollah staff have (had) apartments.
I hope they are self-explanatory until you reach the photo of the three women walking anxiously towards the wreckage of their neighbourhood. That's from last year. The little boys with the Hizbollah flag wandered past on Monday this week - they then stopped and posed for me, but I think this snatched image is better.
The final photo shows a clothes shop where the windows still haven't been fixed. Most of the block above it was destroyed.
There is widespread support for Hizbollah in this part of Beirut - but there are also Haret Hreik residents who are fiercely critical of the Lebanese government for letting Hizbollah trump them by taking a clear lead with compensation and reconstruction. It's politics, stupid."
not allowed to tell you this but the latest Blog stats from the ±«Óãtv are in. PM is fourth in the list of Blogs in terms of page impressions: behind the leader (way out in front) Test Match Special, Chris Moyles, then the Radio 1 chart Blog (we're just behind them).
In terms of the number of approved comments for June, PM is WAY out in front.
But enough of all that.
A comment on the listener log for yesterday's programme says:
"Claimed the expression 'spitting feathers' was used in wrong context it should have
been 'spitting tacks'. "The expression used was wrong.""
Is it wrong?
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
is one of the items we're discussing tonight, specifically proposal for London. As it comes from a man Gordon Brown has appointed as health minister, it's possible this is the future of the NHS in the UK. The best starting point is probably
We'll debate it tonight.
PA Reports: Astronomers have captured faint images of the oldest and most distant galaxies ever seen, whose light has been travelling across the universe for more than 13 billion years. When the light began its journey only 500 million years had passed since the Big Bang which created the cosmos. Pallab will have more for us at five. To keep you going - try .
* come on - which film is that from?
"A year ago tomorrow, Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers from across the Lebanese border. It triggered a 34-day war - more than a hundred and fifty Israelis died, and the Lebanese death toll was more than a thousand. Israel didn't beat Hizbollah, and that failure led to political confusion in Israel and high level resignations in the armed forces, who have been accused of mismanaging the conflict.
And it was disastrous for Lebanon - numerous roads were bombed and bridges destroyed, and thousands of homes and blocks of flats were reduced to rubble in days of intense Israeli bombardment."
Hugh was in Lebanon and in Israel this time last year, and is back there.
On PM tonight, he reports from the northern Israeli town of Kiriyat Shmona, where more than a thousand Hizbollah rockets fell. He also hears from the mayor of Haifa - where eleven people died in rocket attacks.
And tomorrow, he's in the Hizbollah heartland in the southern suburbs of Beirut, where about three hundred high rise apartment blocks were destroyed (nearly 15,000 individual flats); he'll tell us about reconstruction there, and the mostly defiant mood of support for Hizbollah. In the same suburbs, he also hears some defiant criticism of the movement led by Sheik Hassan Nasrallah.
1420 UPDATE:
BEFORE - August 2006:
Katyusha rocket damage to a stairway at Danziger Comprehensive School, Kiriyat Shmona, Israel, after the 34-Day War in 2006: more than a thousand Katyushas exploded in and around the town.
Deputy-head, and maths teacher, Ofer Zafrani, pointing out shrapnel damage to a steel cabinet in a classroom.
Window and window frame destroyed in the art class. Three Katyushas hit the school - not an obvious target, but Kiriyat Shmona became 'a military base' during the war according to Ofer Zafrani. Students at the school confirm this, and say tanks and rocket launchers fired from near their homes.
AFTER - June 2007:
Danziger school renovated and recovered.
Students checking their exam results in the freshly painted corridors. Many of the students are still jumpy, and are easily startled by loud noises.
The entrance hall - all the windows in the school had to be replaced after the Katyusha explosions.
The view west from the school South Lebanon, where Hizbollah launched their rockets, is just the other side of that 850 metre (2700 feet) mountain. Kyriat Shmona is in a pan-handle of land, with Lebanon to the north and west, and Syria to the east.
our man in Tokyo (you remember the Harry Potter pics) will bring us a piece "about the use of the internet in elections..... is nothing whatsoever to do with it, but it's a YouTube clip of a party political broadcast by a candidate in the recent elections for Tokyo Governor.
Needless to say he lost."
room in Chicago last night. We asked for pictures. This is what we got:
really is this blurry.
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
meets a lot of famous people. His facebook site has these snaps:
"with Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel, September 2001"
"with President Obasanjo of Nigeria, February 2002"
"with Tony Blair at Downing Street, December 2002" 
"with President Museveni of Uganda, August 2005" 
"with President Chavez of Venezuela, October 2005" 
Clearly, this is all terribly impressive and I am anxious not to be outdone. So here is a snap of me this lunchtime, with none other than George South, our Broadcast Assistant today.
snap from my travels round TV centre is from the roof of the multi-storey car park...looking across to the new shopping development at White City they've been building since before the dawn of time. It opens next year and will boast 3,000 shops, 12 million restaurants, an ice rink, a Mosque and a space shuttle launch pad. As you can see, it's not quite there yet.
and his ideas. What did you think?
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
to pay the 50 grand fine we have to cough up thanks to Blue Peter. I am putting the fiver from the Eurovision sweep into the kitty. Please pledge as much as you can by clicking comment.
saunter into work of a morning, I often walk through the bit of TV centre next to the big telly studios. Outside, there is always a host of props and things. In September, you know Christmas is coming because trees and tinsel start appearing in preparation for the specials they record. The cages holding the props often have notes scribbled on wipe-off whiteboards such as "French and Saunders - do not throw out" or "Blue Peter - Friday".
It was outside studio 1 this morning that I spotted these. I think they're for Newsnight.
The place for the serious talk you seriously want.
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
From tonight's running order:
"America is witnessing its biggest mafia trial for several years. 78 year old Joey 'the clown' Lombardo and several other elderly men stand accused of a lifetime of mob-related violence and crime. There's huge media interest in the trial. And it comes hard on the heels of the last episode of the phenomenally successful 'Sopranos' being shown on US TV. So what lies behind the enduring fascination of the mafia - in real life and in fiction.
Nils Blythe will report from Chicago - and here are some of the people he met:
"This is a picture of a young Joseph Lombardo in 1954. He's now a frail 78 year-old on trial in Chicago"
"Jim Wagner is President of the Chicago Crime Commission and has spent many years fighting organized crime"
"The Untouchable Tours of Chicago during Al Capone's era still draw in the crowds. Tour guides "Southside" and "Porkchops"."
I mean VERY soon.
And it will change the Blog forever....
A brand new thing that you'll see at the top of the page....
What is the Beach?
It’s a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like you’re the only one around, but you can leave your ‘footprints’ for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness.
If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there.
Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question.
The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Friday morning. This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.
Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.
There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.
The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
this story - as written here by the Press Association:
Critics hit out today at plans to allow the taxman to take money straight out
of the bank accounts of habitual non-payers.
In a consultation paper, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) suggested officials
could freeze and then remove the amount owed without going through the courts
and even demand cash from the sale of land or property, including homes.
Tax campaigners said the proposals showed a disregard for people's rights and
called for safeguards to be put in place to protect individuals.
At present, HMRC can seize moveable property and sell it to pay tax debts but
has to get permission from a court to collect the money directly from a person's
bank account or to seize property like a person's home.
The consultation document states: "Taxpayers who owe money to HMRC frequently
have sufficient funds or assets to pay their debts, but choose to delay doing
so. HMRC currently lacks the full range of powers to ensure prompt payment."
The report adds that the additional powers "would ensure that taxpayers owing
debts to HMRC cannot escape payment where they have sufficient funds to meet
their debts".
If agreed, the proposals would mean HMRC would have the right to freeze an
amount equal to the outstanding debt within the bank account.
That sum would be paid over to HMRC after a specific period by the bank or
building society if other attempts to collect the debt proved fruitless.
If the debtor owns land or buildings, HMRC could demand the tax bill is paid
from the proceeds if the asset were sold. Meanwhile, HMRC would continue to
pursue the debt using other methods.
There would be a right to appeal but the HMRC's report said the large majority
of the 200,000 court orders currently sought each year for unpaid tax are
undefended.
The report also pledges the HMRC would take into account the effect action
would have on the debtor's ability to pay ordinary living expenses, in the same
way a court would.
But some tax experts have raised concern over the proposals.
Dr Eamonn Butler, director of the free-market think tank Adam Smith Institute,
said: "An interesting, ancient feature of Britain's common law was that when
people fall into debt, most of their goods could be sold - but not their home,
their bedding, or the tools of their trade.
"The law realised that people would never get out of debt if these things were
denied to them. But who cares about ancient rights, or such common-sense any
more? Not our over-mighty officials."
John Whiting, chairman of tax policy at the Chartered Institute of Taxation,
said: "We need to make sure that if Revenue and Customs has the powers, we have
the safeguards. It needs to be a fair package on all sides.
"We need to know where the line is and what are our powers to fend the taxman
off."
Matthew Sinclair, spokesman for the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "HMRC wants to
circumvent tried-and-tested court procedure that prevents unlawful seizure.
"People should be wary of bids for new powers like these because the tax man
has always maximised revenue and then dealt with questions and complaints
later.
"This measure moves the onus from them, to get the required permission from a
court, on to the individual taxpayer who must lodge any appeal of unfair
treatment afterwards. It is a step too far."
From the listener log:
PM
TX Date: 04/07/07
"This evening the programme had a gas expert on who was talking about gas cannisters having pressure relief valves which prevent them from blowing up. I feel that this kind of reporting may be giving potential terrorists ideas on explosive devices they could use."
I mean - how could we be so STUPID. Now someone could try to make a bomb!
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
And how happy do you think they are there?
one of our famed editors, has just put down the phone having spoken to a man he described as "the most boring in the world". We've decided not to put him on air.
The story is
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
in the place I'm not allowed to refer to on air as Honkers.
He writes:
Rupert tucks in. Chilli fish soup. Hot, hot, hot.
Rain rain rain. Even when it's not raining, it's been 94% relative humdity.
Chinese soldier on a Hong Kong tram.
She's still here - in Victoria Park.
Falun Gong members protesting in Hong Kong. When they try to do this in mainland China, they are bundled away.
Memo: Letter to K. Livingstone There is also No Eating or Drinking on the underground, so no burger or pasty odours.
"Quite a challenge"
Fab Fireworks at the end of the celebrations of the 10th Anniversary of the reunification of Hong Kong with the 'motherland'
I didn't know I was so famous - front page!
The Glass Box is the place where you can comment on what you heard on PM, interact with other listeners and get responses from the people who make the programme.
Just click on the "comment" link.
The Glass Box is named after the booth outside the PM studio where we all discuss the programme at 18.00 every weeknight. We try to be honest and constructive. Sometimes there is criticism, and the criticised get a chance to explain themselves.
The people who make PM will read the comments posted, and will sometimes respond.
If you want to post a comment about something that is on your mind but was not on the programme - use the link on the right to The Furrowed Brow. Also on the right, you'll find FAQ: try it. And why not visit The Beach?
Update on that update: we expect first details around the time we come on air.
We've heard a lot about school meals and attempts to improve them but how about this for an idea? A primary school in London has turned to the local gastro-pub for inspiration and the first results look promising. So chips and chicken nuggets have made way for risotto, cous cous and salad. Admittedly Thornhill Primary School is in trendy Islington, but its partnership with the local gastro pub, the Duke of Cambridge, is the sort of idea which is beginning to take shape in other schools elsewhere in the country. Andrew Bomford has a report on this - scheduled to run tomorrow - here's a flavour of what to expect:
Caroline Moore used to be a dinner lady - now she's the Head Chef - seen here laying out the food with Geetie Singh from the Duke of Cambridge.
Bowl of Cous Cous.
Bowl of salad
Caroline and Geetie.
An almost empty plate for Anthony.
Chicken Pie goes down well for Jimmy
lunch time at Thornhill Primary
Melon gets a thumbs up from Maya.
11.30 UPDATE: The menu at Thornhill Primary School for the next three weeks includes (all organic):
Lamb or vegetable stew, salad, fruit and cheese
Roast Chicken, root vegetables, broccoli, fresh fruit salad and cream
Chicken Risotto, salad, rhubarb crumble and cream
Fish or vegetable pie,
Lamb or vegetable Lasagne
Chicken or vegetable curry
Serious talk.
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