We were delighted to welcome Fran Parsons into the Simply Redhead Show to talk about the book of her poems ‘Rhymes of our Times ‘ which she is selling to raise money for charity including our wonderful St Peter & St James Hospice and the NHS. At 90 Fran is keen to pass on her positive attitude and zest for life and her shrewd, amusing and touching observational verse is a great antidote to the current climate of fear and apathy. Contact Judy Sharp on judysharp123@gmail.com

Lovely to welcome Kate Kent back to talk about the concert Coro Nuovo are putting on in aid of NHS charities along with Hurst musicians. The choir has over 40 members under the leadership of professional opera singer Andrew Rees and performs in many locations locally. The concert on 20th November 2021 is free to people working in the NHS or care in Sussex and will be in the fabulous New Bury Theatre at Hurstpierpoint College.

June and Mopsy We were delighted to chat to June Galgey about her work as a member of the Guild of Blue Badge Guides a rewarding but challenging occupation requiring two years training and exams. As it turned out, there are very few countries that June hasn’t visited so we were taken on a whirlwind world tour with some very amusing anecdotes …we look forward to hearing more soon.

Mopsy and I had great fun chatting to Richard Harris Volunteer Manager of Age Uk West Sussex Brighton and Hove. Apart from trying to recruit Mopsy as one of his volunteers he was a delightful guest unphased by the occasional technical hitch with our second computer! He was very interesting and explained that Age UK WSBH is keen to expand its range of services so is looking for more volunteers in different roles. For more information go to the website ageuk.org.uk

John Moore, Peter Desmond and Chris Lee A delightful eclectic mix of guests with volunteer hospital receptionist John Moore from the Balcombe bell ringers giving a fascinating insight into the art of bell ringing which you can apparently take anywhere in the world. He came to encourage more people to join in with what is a very sociable and knowledgeable activity. He was joined by Chris Lee and Peter Desmond promoting Fairtrade Lindfield and Fairer World with lots of information and tips on recy

Della Ferrari, Mopsy, Paul Stubbs and Wendy Great show with Della Ferrari talking about her extraordinary life and her book ‘The Reason’ and Paul Stubbs sharing some of his memories about the music he likes and the backgrounds of the bands performing.

Congratulations to the amazing Della Ferrari Lamden on the launch of her inspiring book ‘The Reason’ . Della is a real live wire and used to run the St Francis Club events -she has her own pet sitting business aptly named ‘Doggies and Moggies’ .

Lovely Natalie Porter came in to sing a Christmas song for us while Lucy did a spot of child minding! Natalie is one half of the duo ‘Dave n Nat ‘who perform at care homes and to the elderly for more details contact presenter Dave (doc) Hammond .

Lucy and Vince With Spring around the corner it was great to chat to Vince Hallett about going out on local walks. Vince takes groups on walks as part of the Mid Sussex Healthy Walks programme which aims to help people get fit and enjoy the countryside and offers a range of levels from beginner to experienced. A keen walker himself, Vince is also one of the team describing personally recommended walks for the Argus including Weir Wood (pictured here) and Cuckmere Haven.

A text to BBC Radio Sussex led to a spontaneous invitation for Mopsy and I to ‘guest host’ on the Jenni Barnet show. ‘Jenni was running a piece on what people were doing to keep them young at heart so I sent a text about our ‘Simply Redhead Show’ and producer Lainie Pringle rang straightaway to invite us in the next day. We had a great time-everyone was very friendly and Jenni was lovely’.

We had a bit of a ‘Cuckfest’ when guests Ojay from Cuckfield’s first fish and chip shop Cuckfish joined Sheila Mortimer and Doug Mower chairman of Cuckfield Tennis Club on the show. The Tennis Club celebrates its 100th anniversary next year and is keen to hear about past members. Thanks to Cuckfish owner Mustafa for sending in samples for us to try!

Michael Bicker and Marie Dance of Purple Shoes treated us to some original songs from their forthcoming album. Talented musicians themselves, they encourage others to join them at their open mic nights around Sussex..here they have regular sessions at Lindfield’s Stand Up Inn.

Jess Clayton

Simon Zec

Leon Kaye

Fun show with Jane Ellen and Leon Kaye from top local covers band 100 Monkeys singing live and Steyning’s ‘poet laureate’ tree surgeon Simon Zec reading from his book of verse ‘Death of the Suburb’

Lindfield Bonfire Society members master guy builder,t, and membership secretary, Mike Webster, tell us about 125 years celebrating Bonfire Night in Lindfield and 14 year old singer songwriter Jess Clayton with her mother Kath. Brilliant show thanks guys!

Ayesha, Sheila and Tom

Esther (Swoove) Featherstone

Steve Lloyd and Hilary Kennett

Marie Dance of Purple Shoes

It’s been a hectic time for guests on our show as Mopsy and I have been talking about the 10th Lindfield Arts Festival (LAF19) the 3rd Cuckfield Bookfest and The Big Swoove. We are lucky to have so much good stuff going on in our area. Steve Lloyd and Hilary Kennett organisers of the music and art at LAF ran through the extensive programme over the festival week while the hugely talented Marie Dance played some of her original music.

Guy Lloyd and Helen Hitchcock

Mopsy and I had a cracking afternoon of fun with two wonderful guests Guy Lloyd and Helen Hitchcock. We met Guy when his alter ego Vince Venus opened the 2019 Bolney Pram Race -a lovely man who wears a mean jumpsuit and was the fastest to be buzzed off Britain’s got Talent! Helen has just helped raise £15,000 for Kangaroos Disability Club by wing walking-this is while running her own clothing and jewellery business which involves regularly travelling to India.

Jenni Herrett

founder member of Kangaroos Disability Club. A very patient guest as we had a technical hitch with Myriad to start with -solved remotely by Paul B.-clever stuff. Kangaroos are celebrating their 25th year with Kanga Fest at Woodlands Meed. The club provides amazing support to children with disabilities up to the age of 18 including making wishes from their wish list come true ! For more information visit www.kangaroos.org.uk

Margaret and The Beast

Margaret Watson caused quite a stir when she arrived with her 6’ golden harp aka The Beast and went on to treat listeners to the most beautiful music ranging from Clapton and the Beatles to Greensleeves. Even passing staff stopped and stared and were entranced by the wonderful sound. Margaret performs at many functions and makes her own costumes but she really enjoys taking her harp into hospital wards and care homes where her music has a profoundly soothing effect.

David Mortimer

Arnie Wilson & Kate Coppock

Studio guest from the Sloop Blues Festival Kate Coppock of YMCA Positive Placements Project Mopsy and from Cuckfield Music Festival. We had a fabulous afternoon being entertained by Pete playing blues on his Fender Stratocaster ..more can be heard at the Sloop Blues Festival, David Mortimer on the first Cuckfield Music Festival, Kate Coppock from YMCA Positive Placement Project and Arnie Wilson on the totally bonkers Hannibal biennial event in the Alps.

Sue Hamilton and Dan Holt

It was a great pleasure to welcome Signposters into the studio. Dan is an avid weather watcher and gave us a live forecast for the next few weeks. He also talked about the storm of 1987 and more recently the Beast from the East. Sue, who produces the Signpost newsletter, also loves to write poetry and short stories and treated listeners to two of her quirky poems. We very much hope they will visit MDR again and thank you to Robin for organising the visit.

Laura Topper and Jason Salmon

We were delighted to welcome talented duo Laura Topper and Jason Salmon to Simply Redhead’s afternoon show. Radiating positivity Laura performed some of their original numbers accompanied by Jason on the amazing kora aka ‘Nora the Kora’. Laura and Jason host different events including helping women cope with the menopause. They will perform their melodic soothing music at private homes for a donation. More information is on Laura’s website www.lauratopper.com.

Rosie Elkin and Sammy Hall

Two lovely guests, Rosie Elkin and singer songwriter Sammy Hall. Rosie told us about Signposts, the charity she set up in Burgess Hill 15 years ago to help support people with learning difficulties. Mopsy and I visited Signposts and were bowled over by their friendly welcome. Lots of activities were on the go -a very inspiring place and we look forward to welcoming some of the Sign posters for a studio tour.

Lydia Gosling

Lovely to welcome Lydia Gosling on the Simply Redhead show. Lydia lives in Lewis and is a Pilates instructor - she is starting training as a presenter with Paul Halliday. Good to have you on board Lydia, Mopsy and I wish you every success

Sammie Hall

Singer songwriter Sammie Hall who studies songwriting with Herry Kaye at Rokskool performing her original songs on air. We are always happy to welcome musicians who wish to promote their music.

Maryan, Eugene, Mopsy & Arnie

It was Shake, Rattle and Yo Ho Ho as Mopsy and I hosted our annual Xmas Cheer programme. Our fabulous line up of guests included Cylvian Flynn singing live accompanied by Steve Lloyd on guitar and then giving a heartfelt accappela rendition of The Christmas Song. Arnie Wilson read some of his hilarious limericks and Eugene and Maryan d’Rosario told us about past Christmases in their homeland of Bangladesh. Local artist Sarah Reynolds talked about The Lots Art Group’s current exhibition In Waters

David Spear

David Spear, one of the first voices to broadcast out of the legendary broom cupboard that was Cuckfield Radio, came to see how things have changed since the radio merged with Colwell radio to become Mid Downs Radio. After qualifying as a hospital theatre technician, David hitched a ride on a truck to India and so loved that part of the world he now leads treks to Nepal and other exotic countries.

Mike Webster

He was full of information about the society and told us about the two uniforms Bonfire societies have-with Lindfield it’s navy and white stripes or WW1 Officers and nurses uniform. In the second half of the show Mike moved seamlessly into palaeontology as he is a bit of a fossil expert. We had no idea Cuckfield is a major source of dinosaur remains.

Arnie Wilson

Mopsy and I were delighted to chat to our latest member. Arnie has led a very full life including Ski Correspondent with the FT -he has interviewed a host of celebrities skied non stop for 365 days and published a book about that as well as a funny book of Limericks and a hilarious account of his days ‘Big Name Hunting ‘ . He has promised to come in again with some more tales. Check out Simply Redhead Show 3-5pm on Wednesdays.

Craig Gazey andSarah Reynolds

It was a pleasure to welcome ex Corrie star Craig Gazey and Lindfield Arts Festival graphics & programme designer Sarah Reynolds to the studio. Craig is launching his brand new stand up comedy routine ‘Vulnerable People’ at the Festival this year. A man of many talents, Craig has worked a lot with the RSC but is best known for his award winning performance as Graham Proctor on Coronation Street. We will definitely be there to cheer him on.

Maureen Welfare

It was great to talk to Maureen Welfare about the 2018 Adventurers Art Exhibition- pictured right here at the preview in the King Edward Hall, Lindfield.

Chris and Carl

This is Chris with his carer Carl happy to be in the studio on Wednesday.

Martin King

Artist, stand up comedian poet singer and lyricist Martin King came in with his new original CD White Sand Desire and Me proving that having Parkinson’s can’t keep a talented man from achieving his ambitions.

TOUCHSTONE

Well known local Folk Rock band TOUCHSTONE played a guest studio session for MDR presenter Peter Freer-Ash on his folk party show, on Thursday 19 July. Touchstone played four of their self-penned tracks live in the studio, some from existing albums, and one from an album due for release next year. The band has carved their own niche in the Mid Sussex music scene, writing and performing songs which reflect events of days gone by in Sussex.

Gabrielle Rafaello

Gabrielle Rafaello, Director of The Koorana Centre, came to tell us about the brilliant Carers Day she is organising on behalf of H Heath Town Council to give respite to carers in this area. This annual event is one way of helping those who are looking after others and who sometimes need a break. For more information visit The Koorana Centre website.

Jo

BSUH Chaplaincy Service Jo usually comes to talk to us about the annual Weald Theatre Panto where she is a regular part of the comedy routine. It was great to have her come to tell us about the important role the Chaplaincy Service plays in the two hospitals. Apart from offering solace and company to hospital patients the multi faith service carries out religious duties and visits to patients whose families are not local.

Florrie on Simply Redhead