Spooky States
Photos from Halloween in Miami Florida
Roberto Carlos Alvarez-Galloso
Archives for October 2009
PM Glass Box for Friday
Don't be scared. PM's boss, Joanna Carr is editing the programme this evening and she will be looking at your comments. As you know we discuss what was good/bad/ugly in the programme when we meet in our glass box in the newsroom at 6pm. Jo will look at what you've had to say after that.
All the best,
sequin
The Last Pitmen Painter
Nigel Wrench writes:
This is a snap of the artist Norman Cornish whose work over more than seven decades has chronicled the life above and below ground of coal miners in County Durham.
Mr Cornish was just 14 when he began work on the mines. Now 90, he's the last survivor of the group that became known as the pitmen painters, their lives recorded in Lee Hall's hit play of that name, now touring Britain in a National Theatre production.
There's a retrospective of Norman Cornish's work in Newcastle opening today (details here https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/universitygallery/cornish/ ) and I've been speaking to him for this evening's PM.
I asked him if he began to sketch as an escape from the harsh reality of his everyday life as a miner.
He snorted contemptuously. "An itch I had to scratch," is how he describes the urge to draw. He still works every day.
Here, courtesy the artist and the University Gallery at Northumbria University, is some of his work.
The Beach
Look, the weather is getting grottier but that won't put us off will it? Join the crew on the beach and have fun.
Tonight's Upshares theme...
......is by the harpist Anna Christensen. Here's a picture of the trio performing.
AM glass box for Friday
Do you have any ideas you could share with us for tonight's programme? If so, drop them into the glass box before we have our meeting at 11am. Thanks, sequin.
PM Glass Box for Thursday
Hello,
Every evening after the programme we meet in our glass box to discuss what went well, and what didn't go so well. Sometimes the discussion can go on a bit! So why don't you tell us what you thought of the programme. Eloise Twisk is Editing again tonight and she'll look at your views when we emerge around 18.30.
all the best,
sequin
Tender
Nigel Wrench is in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne for us today and he writes:
Here's a snap of actors Kathryn Hunter and Forbes Masson as Romeo and Juliet, re-imagined as if Shakespeare's most famous lovers were in their seventies.
I should stress (a) that neither actor is a pensioner and that (b) the make-up artist was most anxious to point out that the stage lighting emphasises the effect of her work, so that they look older to the audience.
I thought Ms Hunter in particular looked the part as I interviewed them in the audio/visual room at Northern Stage in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, where this new play, A Tender Thing, has its first performance this evening, part of the annual Royal Shakespeare Company season here.
Kathryn Hunter is best known as the woman who played King Lear. A formidable actor.
Judge for yourself from some extracts on the radio later. There's also the (young rising star) writer of this play, Ben Power, some music composed by John Woolf, performed especially for PM, and the question: do these star-crossed lovers have to be young?
AM Glass box for Thursday
Do you have any ideas you could share with us for tonight's programme? If so, drop them into the glass box before we have our meeting at 11am. Thanks, sequin.
PM Glass Box for Wednesday
Hello, would you like to let us know what you thought of tonight's PM? Put your comments in the glass box and Eloise Twisk, tonight's editor, will take a look after our meeting which takes place at 6pm.
Thanks,
sequin
New addition
All together..... ahhhhhh. Funnyjoe wants to share these with you. He writes:
"Here are some snaps of my latest arrival to the family. Sam is about ten weeks in these photos and I know some of you wanted to see what he was like. he is full of life and boundless energy. Well here you are.
Funnyjoe. "
AM glass box for Wednesday
Do you have any ideas you could share with us for tonight's programme? If so, drop them into the glass box before we have our meeting at 11am. Thanks, sequin.
PM Glass Box for Tuesday
This is the place to let us know your thoughts about tonight's programme. Dan Mitchell is editing and will read your comments after we've had our own Glass Box meeting at 6pm.
Weather wiser
OK - so yesterday I tried to post some photos of Eddie and guests discussing the new style weather forecast. They were a little on the large side! My chums here have resized them for me so here they are - Denis Nowlan, R4 Network manager, Peter Gibbs and Eddie...
and 
am glass box for tuesday
Do you have any ideas you could share with us for tonight's programme? If so, drop them into the glass box before we have our meeting at 11am. Thanks, sequin.
When you were 7....
Did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up? The Schools secretary Ed Balls is proposing careers advice for 7 year olds. We're hearing from a careers adviser on PM this afternoon.
But did you have any idea at that age what you would like to do for a job in a later life? Fireman, train driver, nurse always used to be the favourites didn't they? Superstar maybe?
PM Glass box for monday
Sorry about giant photos on earlier weather item. I haven't been on the "how to reduce photos" course yet! Hope this photo of a nice autumnal glass box works. And if it does, maybe it will prompt you to tell Amanda Lewis, our editor today, what you thought of tonight's programme.
Ed's away for a few days, so I apologise in advance for any "blog blunders" I may make...
all the best,
sequin
AM Glass box for monday
Have you got any ideas about what you'd like to hear in tonight's programme? If so, put your ideas in the AM glass box. Amanda Lewis is editing today.
The economy.
±«Óãtv News has much more .
If on the other hand you'd rather gawp at a short video of a kitten, that's here too. Which did you choose? I'm curious.
The PM Glass Box.
In a real glass box every evening at 18.00, the PM production team meets to discuss the programme that's just finished. You're encouraged to do so here in this virtual glass box. Tonight's editor Jo Carr will read the comments and may well add her own.
The BNP on Question Time.
Question Time attracted 7.8 million viewers at its peak last night. So many people took an interest in what was happening. But last night I was with two people with a special interest in it.
Alan and Tom are neighbours in Shrewsbury. Alan is a big BNP supporter and Tom is fervently opposed. A few months back, in the wake of our iPM opinion poll on neighbourliness, we brought them together for their first real conversation in 18 years. They had a sharp and frank discussion in our Shrewsbury studio about their politics. You can hear it in full and read listeners' reactions here.
We wondered how Alan and Tom felt about Nick Griffin being on the programme, so last night I paid them a visit at their homes, before during and after Question Time. You can hear the item on tomorrow's iPM. You can podcast iPM in a few clicks by following this link.
Weather update.
Several things. First - get a load of this map - from the pages of Radio Times in March 1990. James Canovan sent it to us...he says there was a weather experiment at that time which "lasted only a few weeks; evidently the weather people got 'bored' with it.
Secondly, in PM tonight, we'll have a big weather announcement. You might even call it a Big Weather Announcement. But I wouldn't go so far as to call it a BIG weather announcement. Suffice to say, if you've taken an interest in our experiment, we'll have some news that will be of interest to you in PM.
The Beach
Oh most beautiful Beach of the programme PM,
Where the Froggers congregate even though you can't see them,
With camels and surf and castles of sand,
As a refuge from woes and seriousness it was planned,
With a bar in memory of a presenter most grand,
And imag'nery sun to get most safely tanned,
Renewed by our host, most every Friday,
Visitor, relax and enjoy, and please keep it tidy.
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
The PM team will meet in a real glass box at 11am. Why not be part of the meeting by sharing your thoughts in this virtual glass box?
Self service tills.
What's your experience? 
The great PM Weather Experiment.
...has caused quite a stir. In the , The Times ( and ), in , and The .
There's more information on the map you can see, at the .
Most of all, we want to hear from YOU. This is an experiment, and it's the views of listeners which will help shape what happens next. Please tell us what you think by clicking on Comments. We hope to have news of developments on the weather in tomorrow night's programme.
The BNP on Question Time.
What do you think? 
±«Óãtv News coverage .
1055 UPDATE: How about this perspective? "Reporters Without Borders is in full support with the ±«Óãtv's decision to interview Nick Griffin, MEP from the controversial British National Party. Under the human rights of free speech and press, it is none other than an obligation for an international and comprehensive media outlet, like the ±«Óãtv, to exercise its professional responsibility to interview all MPs and MEPs regardless of personal viewpoint. It is the same act of free press that allows the ±«Óãtv, and many other UK media outlets, to function uncensored, providing all news freely; something very special and unique to the United Kingdom. This same press freedom must be practised by the media outlets that benefit from it; putting aside all personal viewpoints. It is then that the UK media sets world precedence, by upholding a free press which allows for democratic and uncensored reporting, thought and debate. Only under press freedom, can freedom of scrutiny then take place, and the ugly face of racism and hate can be seen fully and then just as passionately, rejected."
Heather Blake
Reporters Without Borders"
1245 UPDATE: I'm grateful to LordBedd who's written on this strand pointing us to an article by Margaret Hodge. As it happens she is booked to appear on PM tonight. You can read the article .
The PM Glass Box.
In a real glass box every evening at 18.00, the PM production team meets to discuss the programme that's just finished. You're encouraged to do so here in this virtual glass box. Tonight's editor Eloise Twisk will read the comments and may well add her own.
Autumn.
Melanie Hancox sent this the other day: "a picture of the sunrise here this morning. In Normandy, France, not UK, I'm afraid. Picture does not do it justice."
Baggy, and a bit loose at the seams.
Nigel Wrench writes: "Here's Oliver Postgate and his most famous creation in 1974 (picture copyright ±«Óãtv). On PM this evening, an orchestral tribute to the work of Mr Postgate, who died in December last year. Some of the music to, among others, Bagpuss and Ivor the Engine, re-imagined by the North Sea Radio Orchestra, a group of contemporary chamber musicians. Bring back a few memories? More .
Email from an Upshares fan...
"I only just managed to change to radio 3 to avoid that racket and it suddenly struck me that an acquaintance of mine has a party piece where he burps that theme tune and maybe if I asked him nicely he might record it for you. please let me know if you think it's not too high brow for your program"
Obviously we said yes please and are now waiting for the mp3
The AM Glass Box.
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
The PM team will meet in a real glass box at 11am. Why not be part of the meeting by sharing your thoughts in this virtual glass box?
The great PM Weather Experiment.
...has caused quite a stir. In the , The Times ( and ), in , and The .
There's more information on the map you can see, at the .
Most of all, we want to hear from YOU. This is an experiment, and it's the views of listeners which will help shape what happens next. Please tell us what you think by clicking on Comments. We hope to have news of developments in Friday's PM.
Can you listen for a long time?
We're going to talk about tonight.
There is a lunchtime argument in our office.
One person says you can fit the entire global human population on the Isle of Wight. Another says that's an urban (or island) myth.
Can you help?
A postal strike looms...
..."The postal workers' union, the CWU, says it remains in contact with Royal Mail's management -- but by phone and email, rather than in direct talks." (Jack and Vera yesterday)
The PM Glass Box.
In a real glass box every evening at 18.00, the PM production team meets to discuss the programme that's just finished. You're encouraged to do so here in this virtual glass box. Tonight's editor Mark Frankel will read the comments and may well add his own.
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
The PM team will meet in a real glass box at 11am. Why not be part of the meeting by sharing your thoughts in this virtual glass box?
The great PM Weather Experiment.
...has caused quite a stir. In the , The Times ( and ), in , and The .
There's more information on the map you can see, at the .
Most of all, we want to hear from YOU. This is an experiment, and it's the views of listeners which will help shape what happens next. Please tell us what you think by clicking on Comments.
The "death of death".
A Church of England vicar, the Rev Ed Tomlinson has caused quite a stir with his comments on funerals. As says:
"A Kent priest has expressed his dismay at the number of funerals he leads with little or no Christian content. Writing on his blog Father Ed Tomlinson, of St Barnabas' Church, Tunbridge Wells, said such services left him feeling "like a lemon". Father Tomlinson questioned why people chose a church service when they do not want Christian input or songs.""
His original blog posting is , and his updated posting is .
Do you have a view on this?
Autumn.
"Hi Eddie, four autumnal pictures for you: first two are views of the river Dart in South Devon, second two taken at Stourhead in Wiltshire. Hope you like them. Best wishes
Beresford Campbell, Sutton, Surrey"
The PM Glass Box.
In a real glass box every evening at 18.00, the PM production team meets to discuss the programme that's just finished. You're encouraged to do so here in this virtual glass box. Tonight's editor Mark Frankel will read the comments and may well add his own.
Hugh sends...
"Views over north Waziristan towards south Waziristan, where the Pakistan army are fighting the Pakistan Taliban. Not easy country to fight in. (I took the photos from a plane flying home from Pakistan earlier this year)"
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
The PM team will meet in a real glass box at 11am. Why not be part of the meeting by sharing your thoughts in this virtual glass box?
The great PM Weather Experiment.
...has caused quite a stir. In the , The Times ( and ), in , and The .
There's more information on the map you can see, at the .
Most of all, we want to hear from YOU. This is an experiment, and it's the views of listeners which will help shape what happens next. Please tell us what you think by clicking on Comments.
Ludovic Kennedy has died.
Mr Kennedy, in 1955. 
±«Óãtv News coverage . The Daily Telegraph obituary is .
Stephen Gately.
The Press Complaints Commission has received more than 21,000 complaints about article in the Daily Mail.
Among its critics, Charlie Brooker who wrote article in The Guardian, in which he urged people to complain to the PCC under three articles of its code of practice, which you can read .
In the programme tonight we'll talk to the man who wrote about whether these complaints were "orchestrated" and if they were, whether they should carry less weight with the PCC. Your view is welcome.
The PM Glass Box.
In a real glass box every evening at 18.00, the PM production team meets to discuss the programme that's just finished. You're encouraged to do so here in this virtual glass box. Tonight's editor Amanda Lewis will read the comments and may well add her own.
Autumn.
Kevin Luff sends "a couple of pictures from the Tynwald National Park & Arboretum, St Johns, Isle of Man". 
Autumn is here.
This snap was taken yesterday at . The has some nice photos from readers today, and there's a lovely shot in today's Independent which I can't find online (my fault I'm sure, not theirs) but a search of their site for the Japanese maple finds .
Do you have any new autumn photos? Feel free to send them to pm@bbc.co.uk.
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
It's best to post before 10.00, so we can work ideas into our 11.00 meeting.
Tomorrow on iPM....are politicians able to just answer yes or no?
We put a listener's idea to the test.
You can podcast iPM in just a few clicks...starting here. (you just need an online computer, no need for a pod!)
The new PM weather forecast...
...has caused quite a stir. In the , The Times ( and ), in , and The .
There's more information on the map you can see, at the .
Most of all, we want to hear from YOU. This is an experiment, and it's the views of listeners which will help shape what happens next. Please tell us what you think by clicking on Comments.
PM Glass Box for Friday
Would you like to let us know what you think of tonight's programme. The PM team will meet in the glass box in our office at 6pm to discuss it. But here is your own space to give your comments. Dan is editing. Keep it clean!
sequin
Royal Variety
Just reading an article in the Daily Mail by its Showbusiness reporter Liz Thomas. Seems quite extraordinary - unless, of course, it's one of those planted stories from a newsagency to check how assiduous newsrooms are at checking stories!
Anyway, anyway. Liz Thomas reports that the Queen and Prince Philip "astonished West End theatregoers by slipping in quietly to see a play - without any sign of bodyguards or aides. The house lights had already gone down at the performance of War Horse and the show was about to start when the Queen, wearing a dark green dress, and her husband shuffled into their seats, muttering apologies.... one member of the audience said she was shocked when she realised who the latecomers were".
It set us thinking - have you ever found yourself sitting next to someone you would least expect to see at the theatre/cinema/show? What would you say if the Queen sat next to you?
The Beach
It's getting a bit chilly now, but still worth a trip to the beach.......
AM glass box for Friday
Hello.... would you like to share your thoughts with us before we go into our meeting at 11am. Has anything struck you today that might be worth discussing further on PM this evening?
The new PM weather forecast...
...has caused quite a stir. In the , The Times ( and ), in and the .
There's more information on the map you can see, at the .
Most of all, we want to hear from YOU. This is an experiment, and it's the views of listeners which will help shape what happens next. Please tell us what you think by clicking on Comments.
Yes or no answers?
You can hear the item in full on Saturday's iPM at 0545 on Radio 4.
Or why not subscribe to our podcast? You don't need a pod...you already have all the stuff you need...just click here.
The PM Glass Box.
Got a thought about tonight's PM? Share it here and the programme editor Amanda Lewis will have a look, and may well add a comment.
"Live" music: is it ok to mime?
There's a bit of a fuss over suggestions that X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole might mime on the show this weekend, in contrast to the contestants who have to sing live.
There's more in today's . But I wonder, beyond X-Factor, whether you mind miming in live music performances.
If you've paid to see your favourite star...does an energetic, mimed performance out-do an staid live one?
Do share by clicking on Comments.
More from Nigel at the Frieze Art Fair....he writes...
"....the dubious spelling, not to say taste, of an artist.
Turns out, it's a celebration of radio.
In a far corner of Frieze in Regent's Park in London, at the stand of Resonance FM, the volunteer-run London radio station dedicated to art.
All the signs are by the artist who calls himself Bob and Roberta Smith, who told me he genuinely thought Eddie spells his name "Mayer". You can just see a bit of Mr Smith in the hat to the right of the picture below.
Here's some more ( you may spot other spelling errorz ).
The portraits underneath, by the way, are by the young artist Jessica Voorsanger, also a dedicated Radio 4 fan.
And the two photos at the bottom relate to my favourite artwork at Frieze.
At the stand of the powerful London-based Swiss dealers Hauser and Wirth, by the Basel-born artist Christoph Buchel, a pair of his socks. Mr Buchel put a genuine set of keys to his apartment up for sale at the Basel Art Fair in the summer.
Iwan Wirth, one of the gallery founders, told me Mr Buchel prefers not to disclose the prices of his work. The artist is best-known for highly-politicised installations. At a Los Angeles gallery, he filled a store room with replicas of missiles and bombs. Visitors had to find the room for themselves.
If you did fancy the socks, by the way, expect little change from £20,000. They were still available last night. As Mr Wirth said, "The artist could create more.""
Nils.
There really WAS a listener who made a special train journey to see Nils last night, and missed him.
We've been in touch with him and it's all fine. Wasn't it nice of him to go to all that trouble?
In the programme tonight Nils might be able to answer questions we didn't have time for last night.
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
It's best to post before 10.00, so we can work ideas into our 11.00 meeting.
Nils at work. Or is it Val Doonican?
(that's Nils with the headphones on)
The new PM weather forecast...
...has caused quite a stir. In the , The Times ( and and in .
There's more information on the map you can see, at the .
Most of all, we want to hear from YOU. This is an experiment, and it's the views of listeners which will help shape what happens next. Please tell us what you think by clicking on Comments.
Splashing a bus stop.
MOTORIST COULD FACE PROSECUTION FOR PUDDLE DRENCHING
by James Woodward, Press Association.
A motorist who was filmed drenching children at a bus stop by going through a
puddle could face prosecution, police said today.
Auntie, by Grayson Perry.
Mr Perry, best known for his pots and picking up the 2003 Turner Prize while dressed as his alter ego Claire, is due to be live at the Frieze Art Fair in Regent's Park with Nigel Wrench later. In the meantime, here's part of his latest work, The Walthamstow Tapestry, 15 metres long and on display at the Victoria Miro Gallery in London.
Nigel writes: "At Frieze, now one of the world's biggest art fairs, I'll be asking whether anyone really owns an artwork. Is the film director Lord Attenborough right? He told The Times when announcing the sale of 50 works from his art collection: 'In all truth, art belongs to no-one, some of us are simply its temporary, fortunate custodians'. And: who is buying art in a recession? Anyone?"
The PM Glass Box.
This is the place where you're invited to comment on the content of tonight's PM. Tonight's editor Eloise Twisk will read your comments and may well add her own.
The PM weather forecast. More press reaction.
In the Times today, our new weather forecast (and the PM Blog!) are mentioned.
Chris Smyth writes: "The new-style PM forecast is shorn of all recommendations on what to wear, what to carry and how to feel about the day's conditions. Gone are the "spits and spots", "bits and pieces" and other less than meteorological terminology."
You can read his entire article .
In the same paper, Paul Simons gives the experiment the thumbs up. He writes:
"Hooray! Radio 4 has finally got the message that they've got to rethink their weather forecasts."
You can read more .
1140 UPDATE: This is the view in .
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
It's best to post before 10.00, so we can work ideas into our 11.00 meeting.
What do you think of the new weather forecast?
You are invited to leave your view by clicking on Comments.
If you'd like to read more about the map, click .
The death of Ian Wallace.
(Ian Wallace on the left of this picture which also features Steve Race at piano and (l-r) Denis Norden, Frank Muir and John Amis during filming of 'My Music For Christmas' (transmitted 27th December 1981).)
Press Association reports:
"MUD, GLORIOUS MUD SINGER DIES AGED 90
Distinguished opera singer and long-running Radio 4 panellist Ian Wallace has died at the age of 90, it was announced today. The singer, also a celebrated raconteur, was well-known to a generation for the performance of his signature tune The Hippopotamus Song, otherwise known as Mud, Glorious Mud.
Wallace died last night at his home in Highgate, north London, after a long
illness.
Family friend Tony Halstead said: "He was an actor, singer, broadcaster and a
raconteur. He was a real all-rounder."
London-born Wallace, a bass-baritone, trained as a lawyer after being educated
at Charterhouse, but never practised. He made his operatic debut after the end
of the Second World War with the New London Opera Company.
He went on to become a regular at Glyndebourne and headed the cast, alongside
Robert Morley, in a production of Fanny at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the
late 1950s.
Wallace was also well-known for his touring show in which he would perform
musical excerpts and humorous songs, as well as material from Gilbert and
Sullivan, and Flanders and Swann.
One of his better known achievements was his extensive record of appearances on
the ±«Óãtv ±«Óãtv Service, and then Radio 4, in the series My Music. During the
27-year duration of the programme, he did not miss a single show, notching up
more than 500 appearances as a panellist. Presenter Steve Race died earlier this
year.
Wallace, who was awarded an OBE for his charity work, wrote two volumes of
autobiography, Promise Me You'll Sing Mud and Nothing Quite Like It - both
titles inspired by his association with the Hippopotamus Song.
He is survived by his wife Patricia."
The PM Glass Box.
Your thoughts on tonight's programme - once it's started - are welcome here.
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
It's best to post before 10.00, so we can work ideas into our 11.00 meeting.
The new weather forecast.
Once you've heard it, click on Comments on the right, just above the map, to let us know what you think. We're testing the new-style weather for two weeks and your opinion will help shape what happens to it.
If you want to read more about why we're doing this, click here.
If you're looking at the map and thinking - "I'm on the line between two areas!" - click , where you'll find a handy list showing where you are exactly.
The controller of Radio 4 writes about the changes here.
The "youngest head teacher in the world" will be on PM tonight....
...and you can read more .
In PM tonight: a brand new weather forecast!
Stay tuned. We want to know what YOU think about our brand new weather forecast.
Why? A few weeks ago, an informal experiment among our listeners suggested that our nightly weather forecast didn't work for many of them: they couldn't remember the weather for their area.
So we asked our audience what would work for them, and had some fun trying out several ideas on air...including using birdsong and regional accents!
Because of the interest expressed in all this by listeners to PM and iPM, Radio 4 is using PM to test a brand new style of forecast. It's a sort of pilot scheme and your opinion will help shape how the new forecast is rolled out across the entire network.
The map you see here might help you - forecasters will use this map for the experimental forecasts, and there will be clear signposting of each region BEFORE each bit of weather. There will be other changes too.
YOUR OPINION MATTERS! Radio 4 isn't holding a vote but it does want to know the views of as many PM listeners as possible. So please listen in later.
In PM tonight - brand new weather!
This map will help shed some light on the forecast.
The PM Glass Box.
Every night the PM team meet in a glass box outside the studio to discuss the programme. You're invited to share your thoughts on the content of the programme here. The PM editor Joanna Carr will read the comments and may well add her own.
Countdown to the brand new weather.
On PM at 17.57. Much more on the programme tonight and here during the day.
It really is a first and we want to know what you think. Watch this space.
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
It's best to post before 10.00, so we can work ideas into our 11.00 meeting.
Upstairs Downstairs returns!
From today's .
The most important bit is this paragraph:
"Miss Thomas confirmed that the producers are trying to retain the original Upstairs, Downstairs theme tune. "We're talking to the original composer," she said. "It's never occurred to us to do anything different. I think we'll reorchestrate it slightly - perhaps come in on strings, and then morph it into more of a jazz sound.""
My thanks to a Mr O'Connell of TV Centre for pointing it out.
Here's a clue to something you can hear in iPM tomorrow at 05.45.
(Too early? Podcast it all here.)
The PM Glass Box
Comment on tonight's show here
The Beach
Even though Eddie is elsewhere today and can't supervise you, you are still very welcome to take a trip to the beach . Watch out though you don't stub your toe or slip on any seaweed....
The AM Glass Box.
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight, with my good friend, Carolyn Quinn.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
It's best to post before 10.00, so we can work ideas into our 11.00 meeting.
The PM Glass Box.
Every night, in an airbrushed-thin Glass Box like the one you see here, the PM team meets to talk about how marvellous the show was.
You may be of similar mind, or you may, on reflection, consider it to have been a pile of poop. Either way, you are encouraged to share, in well-mannered terms, your view.
Tonight's editor Mark "I'll be back" Frankel will read your comments and may well take them personally.
BREAKING NEWS...BLOG EXCLUSIVE...
...just hearing that you can expect some changes to the weather next week. And I don't mean a change in barometric pressure. More to come. But you'll find a clue in previous entries in this weather strand....
Jack and Jill went up the....er...um...
Here's a piece by Hugh Macknight at the Press Association - we plan to do something on this tonight.
"Traditional children's nursery rhymes could be heading for extinction, experts
warned today.
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
It's best to post before 10.00, so we can work ideas into our 11.00 meeting.
General Sir Richard Dannatt.
What do you think?
±«Óãtv News coverage .
Sorry you were out.
Has happened to you?
I'm keen to hear more, whether you're a Royal Mail customer or if you have some inside knowledge of how it all works. Please leave a comment.
The PM Glass Box.
In days of yore, if you didn't like something on PM, you could fume to us in a private letter, or write to Feedback and hope they'd read it out.
But since April 2007 PM listeners have been able to air their views in this public forum, which is moderated by people independent of the production team. You are encouraged to say what you think of tonight's PM. Tonight's PM editor Briony "when am I on the rota?" Harris, will read your comments and may well add her own.
Gurkha update.
Last month on PM we heard from a former Gurkha soldier as he headed to Britain following Joanna Lumley's campaign to allow ex-Gurkhas to settle here. Well Padam Bahadur Gurung, who spent 15 years in the army before leaving in 1984, has been here for a couple of weeks now, so we sent our reporter Michael Buchanan to meet him. You can hear his report tonight. Unless it doesn't run and appears on tomorrow's World at One. Anyway, here is Padam: 
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
It's best to post before 10.00, so we can work ideas into our 11.00 meeting.
Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal.
We'll hear from them in the programme tonight.
The telephone number is 0370 60 60 900, or you can go to their website .
Captain Cook and Climate Change.
No, this isn't him...silly. This is Dr Dennis Wheeler of the University of Sunderland, who's on the programme tonight talking his involvement in a scheme to use historical naval logbooks in research into climate change. The log books of Captain Cook and others are being used. There's more information .
The PM Glass Box.
In days of yore, if you didn't like something on PM, you could fume to us in a private letter, or write to Feedback and hope they'd read it out.
But since April 2007 PM listeners have been able to air their views in this public forum, which is moderated by people independent of the production team. You are encouraged to say what you think of tonight's PM. Tonight's PM editor Dan the Man, will read your comments and may well add his own.
Ray Furlong writes:
"I'm in Sweden today a pretty little port city called Helsingborg looking at the educational policies Michael Gove wants to import across the water if the Tories win the next election.
More precisely, he wants to borrow from the concept of 'free schools,' in which individuals, charities etc are able to set up schools which charge no fees. They then get paid, from the education budget, a fee for each pupil.
I've visited the Campeon free school here, and met Natalie and Julia (pictured) who say they're thriving in an environment which is more demanding and competitive than a normal state school.
The parents are also happy.
This is Christina, whose daughter attends Campeon.
She says 'thank god the government introduced free schools, the other state ones were a disaster.' And she knows, because she's got three kids and has experience of both types of schools.
There are also criticisms of the system, which I'll mention in my report tonight. But for now here's one more pic (bottom of the three): Christer Anderson, self-styled 'teacher, CEO, and entrepreneur' who set the school up. Here he's teaching his 16/17-yr-olds about free will...
He's fascinated to learn that we're interested in his school, and will now be joining the ranks of our listeners. We'll hear lots from him tonight - about profit, love affairs, and pedagogy...."
Sunrise,
, always.
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
It's best to post before 10.00, so we can work ideas into our 11.00 meeting.
Prizes Prizes Prizes!
We all love them, don't we?
Tonight, a Nobel prize winner will join us on the programme - Carol Greider. You can read more about her achievement .
I couldn't find a relevant Nobel picture. Sorry.
The PM Glass Box.
In days of yore, if you didn't like something on PM, you could fume to us in a private letter, or write to Feedback and hope they'd read it out.
Not any more. Each weeknight in this public forum, which is moderated by people independent of the production team, you can say what you think of tonight's PM. Tonight's PM editor Briony "No, Elton, I will not" Harris, will read your comments and may well add her own.
The PM Glass Box: Since April 2007.
The Supreme Court.
Danny Shaw reports for us tonight. The Court's website is . There's more on today's case . And here's a photo of Diana Ross.
Training.
Sorry that an attempt at train blogging on Friday went so horribly wrong I had to abort it. I took a pile of gismos with me. I'm sure with a bit of fiddling I could have used all the technology to send the train to the moon. But something happened and blogging proved impossible, at least without duplicate posts mysteriously appearing.
My blurry pictures of the English countryside hurtling by are still stored somewhere. Let me see if I can post them.
1231: Found the best one. Yes this is the best one. Somewhere between London and Stockport.
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
It's best to post before 10.00, so we can work ideas into our 11.00 meeting.
On iPM tomorrow: death.
Don't worry, it's not as gloomy as it sounds...you'll be able to read more here. In fact the worst thing is, you having to get up for 0545 to hear it. It is a follow-up to our Keith Floyd items, so if that's likely to give you the heeby-geebies, don't forget to listen anway. Is that even how to spell heeby-geebies? Can I be bothered checking?
As an alternative to rising early, you can podcast us in only a few clicks. And with this week's podcast, a free weather forecast. Though it's unlikely to be accurate.
Glass Box for Friday PM
We shall be heading off to our glass box after the programme to discuss what worked and what didn't. Use this glass box here to give us your thoughts, if you could. Mark Frankel is editing tonight and he will look through your contributions - he might even reply!
The Beach
It's still warm enough - just - to take off your shoes and socks and feel that sand between your toes. Careful though, the water might be freezing.
AM glass box
Hello, as you may realise, Eddie is doing Any Questions today, I am doing PM and I'm afraid we both thought the other was doing the AM glass box. Doh!
Anyway, here it is. We don't have our meeting till 11am and we are looking for ideas so if anything occurs to you, let us know.
all the best, Carolyn.
The PM Glass Box.
In days of yore, if you didn't like something on PM, you could fume to us in a private letter, or write to Feedback and hope they'd read it out.
Not any more. Each weeknight in this public forum, which is moderated by people independent of the production team, you can say what you think of tonight's PM. Tonight's PM editor Eloise Twisk, will read your comments and may well add her own.
From Hugh in Iraq:
"a dragon fly on one of cables one evening."
The AM Glass Box
Good morning.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
It's best to post before 10.00, so we can work ideas into our 11.00 meeting.
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