Blog post

WC October 14.

I had a most enjoyable afternoon when I nipped over to the Wedgewood Rooms at Southsea to interview Andrew Roachford. It was the third time we had met and, as ever, he was in fine form. He gave me another fascinating interview and talked about his new album, The Beautiful Moment, the success of Roachford, his current band and working with Mike and the Mechanics.

Had a huge surprise in midweek when an interview with a major star of the last 50 years had finally been confirmed. It has been a life-long ambition and I had told a PR friend of mine that this was his task for 2013 – and it seems to have worked. All will be revealed soon. Two other major interviews have also been confirmed.

I am also now working hard on the 2012/13 Island Amateur Theatre Awards gala night at Shanklin Theatre on Tuesday November 19. Folowing the success of last year, the evening will also include live entertainment.

I ended the week with a Sunday pre-radio show coach trip around the Island with Celia Imrie, Fidelis Morgan and Andrea Miller. It was the first trip of Literatours and also featured the voices of Hugh Bonneville, Sian Thomas and Richard E Grant. A great idea and it worked so well. The trip began at Cowes Parade and around four hours later arrived back at the same place. The tour went via Yarmouth, Freshwater, the Military Road, Ventnor, Bonchurch, Shanklin, Newport, Carisbrooke and Calbourne. I had to leave the trip at around 12-45 in Shanklin to get the bus back to IW Radio.

The coach trip was so entertaining and many famous people, including literary giants, legendary poets, musicians, entertainment stars, actors and songwriters were mentioned en route. The readings, all by top actors, were quite brilliant. It was superbly scripted by Fidelis Morgan, a professional actor who also lives on the Island.

There are more trips planned and further information can be obtained from www.literatours.org.uk