This Week's Featured Track: Marli Harwood - It’s Called a Heart

Hi again

Here is my featured track for the forthcoming week:

Playlist w/c 31st January 2011

Hi Drivetimers

Here is our new music playlist for the forthcoming week:

Adele - Rolling In The Deep
Beady Eye - The Roller
Bob Geldof - Silly Pretty Thing
Bryan Ferry - Alphaville
Chris de Burgh - Go Where Your Heart Believes
Clare Maguire - The Last Dance
Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now
Edei- Loved
Elton John & Leon Russell - When Love Is Dying
Glenn Aitken - Just No
Imelda May vs Blue Jay Gonzalez - Inside Out
John Grant - Where Dreams Go To Die
Marli Harwood - It’s Called a Heart
Matisyahu - One Day
Pete Lawrie - Fell Into The River
Ron Sexsmith - Believe It When I See It
Rumer - Am I Forgiven
Sara Bareilles - King Of Anything
Sheryl Crow - Peaceful Feeling
Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue
Taio Cruz - Higher (feat. Kylie)
Tally Koren - Beauty of the Duty
Teddy Thompson - Looking For A Girl
The Drizabone Soul Family - Girlfriendz
The Script - If You Ever Come Back
Yellow Wire - Last Breath

Items in BOLD are new additions

We hope you enjoy these selections.  Let us know what you think.

Choose Next Month's Calendar Artist - Vote On The Blog!!!

Hi Drivetimers (& Lunchtime Verulamers!)

Let us know who you would like as our Calendar Artist for February.  There is a poll on our blog where you can cast your vote - choose between The Beatles, Elton John, The Kinks or The Rolling Stones.

The artist with the most votes will be the Calendar Artist for February.  Each day on Drivetime & on Jonathan Reynold's Lunchtime Verulam shows we will work through the winning artist's back catalogue.

The poll will stay open until 7pm on Monday so make your vote count!

Simon Carver's Recommendations For Films On Free To Air TV This Week...

Hi All

Below are Simon's recommendations for the best films on free-to-air TV for the next seven days:

Friday

Jerry Maguire
9:00pm - 11:45pm
Fiver

Saturday

Juno
9:00pm - 10:50pm
Film4


Sunday

Big
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Film4


Monday

Get Shorty
10:00pm - 12:10am
ITV4


Tuesday

The Hoax
11:15pm - 1:10am
BBC1 London


Wednesday

The Matrix
11:30pm - 2:05am
ITV2


Thursday

Die Hard 2
9:00pm - 11:20pm
Film4

Hertfordshire Roller Derby

Today we talked to Nicky Adkins from the Hertfordshire Roller Derby. Roller derby is a fast-paced, full-contact sport for the over 18's played on the more 'traditional' quad roller-skates

Two teams of five skate together, anti-clockwise around an oval track. A point scorer from each team attempts to continually lap the pack, scoring a point for each opposing girl she passes.

Originally played in the US in the 1920s, the sport has seen a huge revival in the past decade, arriving here in the UK in 2006.

Roller derby is a predominantly female sport, although men's leagues are emerging and men can also get involved by becoming referees and officials.

Roller derby is the fastest growing sport for females right now, with 40+ teams in the UK.

If you want to join the Hertfordshire Roller Derby please contact them first on their e-mail info@HellsBellesRollerGirls.co.uk

They train on Saturdays at Birchwood Leisure Centre 2pm -4pm

You can find more information on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Featured Track: Sara Bareilles - King of Anything

Here is this week's featured track:

Playlist w/c 24th January 2011

Hi Drivetimers

Here is our new music playlist for the forthcoming week:

Adele - Rolling In The Deep
Beady Eye - The Roller
Bob Geldof - Silly Pretty Thing
Bryan Ferry - Alphaville
Caro Emerald – Riveira Life
Cee Lo Green – It's OK
Chris de Burgh - Go Where Your Heart Believes
Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now
Edei- Loved
Elton John & Leon Russell - When Love Is Dying
Glenn Aitken - Just No
Imelda May vs Blue Jay Gonzalez - Inside Out
James Blunt - So Far Gone
Jamiroquai - Lifeline
John Grant - Where Dreams Go To Die
Matisyahu - One Day
Pearl and the Puppets - Because I Do
Rumer - Am I Forgiven
Sara Bareilles - King Of Anything
Sheryl Crow - Peaceful Feeling
Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue
Taio Cruz - Higher (feat. Kylie)
Tally Koren - Beauty of the Duty
Teddy Thompson - Looking For A Girl
The Drizabone Soul Family - Girlfriendz
Yellow Wire - Last Breath

Items in BOLD are new additions

We hope your enjoy our selection!

Monthly interview with Roma from Business Link

Today Roma talked about starting a new business.

If you have a new idea for a business, Roma suggests asking yourself some key questions. Areas recommended for consideration are.......is there a market for your product?..........do you have the capital to start the business up?

So, if it all looks viable, exploring the financial side of things in great detail is very important. Business Link can give you lots of market information, trends and overall support when starting up.

Roma also mentioned remembering key questions in a business plan including keeping an eye of cashflow, setting achievable goals and monitoring progress. Again Business Link is able to support all these aspects of a new and existing business through providing advice, aswell as organising workshops and training.

What's also really important is to challenge your cashflow on a regular business aswell as liaising with Business Link. This is a critical area that requires careful maintenance.

If you want to contact Business Link, the number is 08457 17 16 15 or check out www.businesslink.gov.uk/east.

Interviews next week.......

Interviews on West Herts Drivetime next week include:

Monday: it's our Business Feature with Roma Bhowmick


Wednesday: actor, writer and comedian, Felix Dexter, is giving an interview

Friday: Simon Carver will be here for the weekly Film Guide

Tune in........92.6FM!

Simon Carver's recommended TV films for the week ahead....

TONIGHT

Hitch
9:00pm - 11:20pm
Fiver

SATURDAY

An Affair to Remember
4:45pm - 6:55pm
Film4

SUNDAY

GoodFellas
11:00pm - 1:55am
ITV4

MONDAY

Dog Soldiers
11:10pm - 1:15am
Film4

TUESDAY

Brassed Off
9:00pm - 11:05pm
Film4

WEDNESDAY

Silkwood
11:35pm - 1:45am
BBC1 London

THURSDAY

Something's Gotta Give
11:00pm - 1:25am
ITV2

Travel Correspondent Andy Jarosz

This evening we heard from travel correspondent Andy Jarosz who told us of his recent trip to Central America, where he visited Mexico, El Salvador and Guetamala.Andy will be writing about his journey on his web site over the next few months.

Andy had spent Xmas away from ome and and spoke about the problems contacting family and friends on Xmas day due to communication problems and time zone differences.

A further topic covered was keeping your money safe in the hotel as Andy suffered 2 losses on his recent trip, his advice was to keep cash to a minimum , and use the hotel safes and keep your wallet and credit cards separate.
details for Andys trip can be found at his web site www.501places.com

Interview with Abbeyfield Society

This afternoon we chatted to Samantha Allen from Abbeyfield, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making the lives of older people easier and more fulfilling. Abbeyfield helps people to live independently by providing a range of services, all of which are linked to the local community. There are 700 houses and 80 care homes across England.

Samantha told us about their recent success in the Best Care Home awards. Tamar House, an Abbeyfield care home in Plymouth, beat over 2700 3* Care Quality Commission rated homes to win the title of Best Care Home in England! Further to this success, Bramwell House in Stockport and Epping Forest's Cunningham House won regional best care home for the North and South East!

For more information on the society go to http://www.abbeyfield.com/Pages/index.aspx

Monthly Feature with Mark Clementson of Verulam Writers Circle (VWC)

VWC is run by writers for writers and people of all ages are welcome to join the organisation.

Today Mark reminded us about the 'Get Writing 2011' conference at the
University of Hertfordshire. A few places are still available.

Lots of activities are being organised including.......workshops, talks, discussion, meetings with local and best selling authors. Chat with publishers, other writers, get feedback and maybe even some inspiration!

It's a really nice day, tea and coffee will be served, plus a bar will be open at the end
of the conference.

Mark also gave us a tip regarding a great new author called Ellen whose blog can be found at www.ellen-daydreamer.blogspot.com

VWC hold regular meetings. They next meet tomorrow evening at the White Hart pub in
St Albans. Further details can be found on the VWC website.

For more information about VWC and 'Get Writing 2011' - check out www.verulamwriterscircle.org.uk

Interviews this week....

Tomorrow Mark Clementson from Verulam Writers' Circle gives his monthly interview

On Wednesday, it's the Travel Feature with Andy Jarosz

And on Friday, it's the weekly Film Guide with Simon Carver

All on West Herts Drivetime.............92.6FM

Monthly Feature with Michelle Hart of St Albans Centre for Voluntary Services

Volunteering as a new years resolution......?

Several new roles are now available including being part of the collection team for Grove House. This opportunity is in the Harpenden and St Albans area.

Also available is a role with Victim Support, based in St Albans. The position involves giving emotional support to those who need it, providing information as appropriate and offering practical help.

If you're interested in discussing volunteer roles in the local area, the Centre for Voluntary Services (CVS) office is open Monday - Thursday 10am - 4pm. Details of around 400 voluntary jobs are held by St Albans CVS. Or check out www.cvsstalbans.org.uk The national volunteering website also holds details of opportunities in the locality www.do-it.org.uk.

Trustee roles are also available in the local area. A wide range of business related skills are really important to local organisations. Age Concern and Earthworks amoungst many others are looking for new Trustees. Promotional material will be advertised in the local press in the near future, plus an event is being organised for those who are interested in finding out more information.

The next CVS monthly feature is in February.

Playlist w/c 17th January 2011

Hi Drivetimers

Here is our new music playlist for the forthcoming week:

Adele - Rolling In The Deep
Avery Sunshine - I Got Sunshine
Bob Geldof - Silly Pretty Thing
Bruce Springsteen - Ain’t Good Enough For You
Bryan Ferry - Alphaville
Caro Emerald – Riveira Life
Cee Lo Green – It's OK
Chris de Burgh - Go Where Your Heart Believes
Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now
Edei - Loved
Elton John & Leon Russell - When Love Is Dying
Glenn Aitken - Just No
Ilse Delange - Next To Me
Imelda May vs Blue Jay Gonzalez - Inside Out
Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo ‘ole - Over The Rainbow
James Blunt - So Far Gone
Jamiroquai - Lifeline
Katie Melua - Twisted
Leddra Chapman - Edie
Matisyahu - One Day
Pearl and the Puppets - Because I Do
Rumer - Am I Forgiven
Sheryl Crow - Peaceful Feeling
Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue
Tally Koren - Beauty of the Duty
Teddy Thompson - Looking For A Girl
Yellow Wire - Last Breath

Items in BOLD are new additions

Enjoy!

Interview with Toby Frost - local Author

Toby explained that writing was something he had always wanted to do.

Toby has written several novels all about 'Space Captain Smith' which were first published in 2007. His influences are adventure stories and science fiction.

He's planning to write further material in the future and hopefully two short stories will be available next year. Other novels may also be published.

Toby considers himself to be early in his writing career and is leaving his options open as regards other directions he could take his writing.

Toby's advice to aspiring authors was to keep writing and keep reading!

For more information on this author, visit http://spacecaptainsmith.com/.

Today - interview with local author, Toby Frost

Today, Toby Frost will be giving an interview.

Toby studied law and was called to the Bar in 2001.

Since then, he has worked as a private tutor, a court clerk and a legal advisor to the motor industry.

Unable to become Great Britain’s foremost space explorer, he is content to just write about space exploration instead.

He has written three comedy novels so far about the adventures of Space Captain Isambard Smith: Space Captain Smith, God Emperor of Didcot and Wrath of the Lemming Men.

This Week's Featured Track: Bryan Ferry - Alphaville

My featured track for this week is the brand new track from Bryan Ferry; Alphaville. Taken from his forthcoming album Olympia and out on 7th February.

Playlist w/c 10th January 2011

Hi Drivetimers

With all the confusion around us being in a temporary studio, I completely forgot to post this week's Drivetime New Music Playlist:

Adele - Rolling In The Deep
Avery Sunshine - I Got Sunshine
Bruce Springsteen - Ain’t Good Enough For You
Caro Emerald – Riviera Life
Cee Lo Green – It’s OK
Cheryl Cole - The Flood
Chris de Burgh - Go Where Your Heart Believes
Diane Birch - Fools
Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now
Edei - Loved
Elton John & Leon Russell - When Love Is Dying
Ilse Delange - Next To Me
Imelda May vs Blue Jay Gonzalez - Inside Out
Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo ‘ole - Over The Rainbow
James Blunt - So Far Gone
Jamiroquai - Lifeline
Katie Melua - Twisted
Leddra Chapman - Edie
Matisyahu - One Day
Matt Cardle - When We Collide
Michael Jackson - Hold My Hand (Duet with Akon)
Pearl and the Puppets - Because I Do
Plain White T’s- Rhythm Of Love
Ruarri Joseph - An Orchard For An Apple
Rumer - Am I Forgiven
Scarlette Fever - Crash and Burn
Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue

Items in BOLD are new additions

We hope you enjoy the music we play!

Monthly Feature with St Albans Citizens Advice Bureau

Today Elizabeth Crampton from St Albans CAB talked about how people can access the CAB services. St Albans CAB provides a drop in service during the week to provide inital advice with further specialist advice available at a later date as maybe required.

The CAB is also providing a telephone adivce through a mini call centre - the number to call if you would like advice from this service is 08444 111444.

Elizabeth also talked about credit cards and recommended careful management of such debts as it is a common problem the CAB gives advice about.

Best to avoid late payment charges wherever possible and try and make the minimum payment. It's also sometimes possible to agree a lower rate of interest with your credit card provider.

The last subject Elizabeth mentioned concerned the Sale of Goods Act. Legally, products and services should be fit for purpose, supplied as advertised and be of a satisfactory quality. If they are not, consumers are protected by law. Retailers should replace a faulty product or provide a refund.

For more information about St Albans CAB, check out www.stalbans-cab.org

TV Film Recommendations from Simon Carver

TONIGHT

Gosford Park
9:00pm - 11:45pm
More4

SATURDAY

The Incredibles
8:50pm - 10:40pm
BBC3

SUNDAY

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
5:35pm - 7:30pm
Channel 4

MONDAY

Collateral
9:00pm - 11:15pm
Film4

TUESDAY

Final Destination 2
10:00pm - 11:45pm
E4

WEDNESDAY

The Terminator
10:00pm - 11:40pm
BBC3

THURSDAY

Hot Fuzz
9:00pm - 11:25pm
ITV2

Monthly Feature with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust

Today Tim Hill gave the monthly interview with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

The theme was about birds. During this time of year, birds need lots of food to ensure they are eating 30% of their body weight in food.

To help the various species of birds in the area, you could leave out some suitable food which is high in calories and protein. Peanuts and sunflower seeds are also great as bird feed.

Water is also very important for birds during the colder months. Leaving out clean water where birds can drink and wash is also really important.

Herts and Midlesex Wildlife Trust are also organising an all day event to at Verulam Park. Join them for lots of fun at Verulamium Park. How many birds will you be able to spot on the lake? Staff from Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust will be providing binoculars and event runs 11am - 3pm. A £3 donation is requested.

For more information on Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust visit http://www.blogger.com/www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

On the show this week..........

.........lots to listen to......

tomorrow Gwendoline Alderton will be doing the regular Interior Design Feature

And on Friday it's the Film Guide with Simon Carver

Playlist w/c 3rd January 2011

Hi Drivetimers

Below is our brand spanking new playlist for 2011:

Adele - Rolling In The Deep
Avery Sunshine - I Got Sunshine
Bruce Springsteen - Ain't Good Enough For You
Caro Emerald - Riviera Life
Cee-Lo Green - It's OK
Cheryl Cole - The Flood
Diane Birch - Fools
Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now
Edei - Loved
Ellie Goulding - Your Song
Ilse Delange - Next To Me
Imelda May vs Blue Jay Gonzalez - Inside Out
Israel 'IZ' Kamakawiwo 'ole - Over The Rainbow
James Blunt - So Far Gone
Jamiroquai - Lifeline
Katie Melua - Twisted
Leddra Chapman - Edie
Manic Street Preachers - Some Kind Of Nothingness
Matisyahu - One Day
Matt Cardle - When We Collide
Michael Jackson - Hold My Hand (Duet with Akon)
Paul Carrack - It Ain't Over ('Til It's Over) (feat. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
Pearl and the Puppets - Because I Do
Pixie Lott - Can't Make This Over
Ruarri Joseph - An Orchard For An Apple
Rumer - Am I Forgiven
Scarlette Fever - Crash and Burn
The Plain White T's - Rhythm Of Love

Items in BOLD are new additions

Our first featured track for 2011 is Duran Duran's new single All You Need Is Now