Chris' Film Club: '10 Things I Hate About You' (1999)

Continuing on the Shakesperean theme, Thursdays film is the modern retelling of 'Taming of the Shrew', '10 Things I Hate About You'.

A new kid must find a guy to date the meanest girl in school, the older sister of the girl he had a crush on, who cannot date until her older sister does.

Chris' Film Club: 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1999)

Wednesday's film is 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', released originally in 1999. Shakespeare's classic depicts lover's lives are complicated by city law, feuding faerie royalty and....love.

Chris' Film Club: Macbeth (1971)

The theme for the Film Club this week is Shakespeare, so I have gone for Roman Polanski's 1971 telling of Macbeth. Polanski is a master of suspense, tension and creepiness, and all three are in abundance in his telling of a good man gone mad in the pursuit of power.

Interior Design with Gwendoline Alderton

Today Gwendoline was in the studio once again to discuss interior design trends for 2015

Starting off with colour, white remains the choice to make in terms of a kitchen due to its modern look and elegance. A new colour to have is masala, a mixture of black and red. Gwendoline recommends this colour because it gives the impression of warmth and intimacy. She says it is ideally suited to big rooms. Custard yellow is another colour she recommends, saying its brightness makes it ideal for hallways and rooms that see plenty of gatherings.

Gwendoline says the patterns or shapes relating to space, such as the moon or stars, are popular now. Stars in particular are good to use in the home as they work well with a variety of materials and colours. In fact, keeping Christmas lights up may be a good idea due to their brightness and compatibility with stars.

For more information you can visit Gwendoline's website at:  www.ga-interiors.co.uk

The Radio Verulam Film Guide: 23rd January 2015

Honor, the youngest and usually nicest (although that isn't much of an achievement) member of the Friday Drive Time team, was in a bit of a foul mood today. The reason for this terrible temperament was that Danny had asked her to take her jacket off. Now Honor is very attached to her jacket, choosing to wear it when just lounging around, in bed and often when she showers. As a result of this request, which Danny thought quite reasonable, Honor threw a proper diva strop. She point blank refused to update the website, and told Danny that he can shine his own shoes from now on. Eventually she threw the whole contents of her bag (which amounted to a pack of gum, three billiard balls and the biography of Kenneth Williams) over a bemused Simon. Simon is very much used to being the dramatic one on a Friday, so this didn't sit well with him at all and he has sworn vengeance...

Ok, that was a lie, but Simon was in the studio to talk about the UK box office, the new releases in the cinema and his pick of films on free to air TV for the coming week.

Friday
Kingdom of Heaven
9.00pm – 11.55pm
More 4

Saturday
The Artist
10.00pm – 11.35pm
BBC2

Sunday
The Hangover
10.00pm – 12.05am
ITV2

Monday
The Visitor
12.25am – 2.05am
BBC1

Tuesday
Law-Abiding Citizen
11.05pm – 1.15am
Film4

Wednesday
The Godfather
9.00pm – 12.30am
Film4

Thursday
The Godfather II
9.00pm – 12.40am
Film4

New Music Playlist w/c 26th January 2015 & this week's featured track by Jools Holland & @MelanieCMusic

Hi Drivetimers

Here is our new music playlist for the forthcoming week:

Alle Farben (Feat. Graham Candy) - She Moves
Alvin Stardust - Tongue Tied
Black Star Riders - The Killer Instinct
Bob Dylan - Full Moon And Empty Arms
Carrie Underwood - Something In The Water
Dolly Parton - Unlikely Angel
Echosmith - Cool Kids
Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do
Gavin DeGraw - Fire
Gregory Porter & Laura Mvula - Water Under Bridges
Gretchen Peters - When All You Got Is A Hammer
Hozier - Take Me To Church
Jack Savoretti - Home
JD McPherson - Let The Good Times Roll
John & Jacob - Be My Girl
Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with Melanie C - I Wish
Kodaline - Honest
Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)
Meghan Trainor - Lips Are Movin'
Miles Graham - I Can't Love You Again
Ne‐Yo - Coming With You
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - Ballad Of The Mighty I
Queen - Love Kills
Rae Morris - Under The Shadows
Si Cranstoun - Never Gonna Let You Go
Texas - Start A Family
The Charlatans - Come Home Baby
The Waterboys - November Tale

Items in BOLD are new additions

This week's featured track is a cover of Stevie Wonder's I Wish by Jools Holland and Melanie C:

Chris' Film Club: Let The Right One In

Thursday's film is 'Let The Right One In', a 2008 Swedish film directed by Tomas Alfredson. It's about a young boy called Oskar, who develops a friendship with a vampire child called Eli. The film is gory in places, but also a strangely sweet, romantic, coming-of-age film.

Chris' Film Club: The Thing

Today's film is 'The Thing', John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic. It is about a remote Antarctic research station that comes in contact with alien life, one that isn't all that friendly. The film stars Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Donald Moffat, Richard Masur and Keith David.

Chris' Film Club: Cool Runnings

Continuing with the theme of snow, today's film is 'Cool Runnings'. It's a 'sort of true' story of the Jamaican bobsleigh team that took part in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. The film stars Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba and John Candy.

New Music Playlist w/c 19th January 2015 & this week's featured track by @JackSavoretti

Hi Drivetimers

Here is our new music playlist for the forthcoming week:

Alle Farben (Feat. Graham Candy) - She Moves
Alvin Stardust - Tongue Tied
Black Star Riders - The Killer Instinct
Bob Dylan - Full Moon And Empty Arms
Carrie Underwood - Something In The Water
Chris While & Julie Matthews - If This Were Your Last Day
Echosmith - Cool Kids
Gavin DeGraw - Fire
Gregory Porter & Laura Mvula - Water Under Bridges
Gretchen Peters - When All You Got Is A Hammer
Holly Johnson - Heaven's Eyes
Jack Savoretti - Home
JD McPherson - Let The Good Times Roll
John & Jacob - Be My Girl
Kodaline - Honest
Laura Welsh - Ghosts
Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)
Meghan Trainor - Lips Are Movin'
Miles Graham - I Can't Love You Again
Ne‐Yo - Coming With You
Queen - Love Kills
Rae Morris - Under The Shadows
Simple Minds - Let The Day Begin
Texas - Start A Family
The Charlatans - Come Home Baby
The Waterboys - November Tale

Items in BOLD are new additions

This week's featured track is Home by Jack Savoretti:

Chris' Film Club: On Her Majesty's Secret Service

The theme for the Film Club this week is 'snow', so I've picked 4 films that are set in snow, or that snow plays a major part in the plot. The first one is George Lazenby's one and only appearance as James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. The film is famous because it is the Bond film when our secret agent hero falls in love and gets married, only for it to end a little bit badly.


The film also stars Diana Rigg and Telly Savalas (as the iconic villain Blofeld) and the trailer can be seen below.

Lifestyle correspondent Lisa Pearson on new life resolutions @mummywhisperer

Joining us in the drive-time studio this afternoon was lifestyle correspondent Lisa Pearson who spoke to us about new life resolutions and conduct in the workplace. She provided three main tips, which were as follows:

1) If you can't say something kind, useful or positive, then don't bother.


2) Treat each other with respect, as you would wish to be treated, and give them the benefit of the doubt.


3) Speak your truth.


For more details, visit Lisa's blog at: http://mummywhispererblog.com/2015/01/new-life-resolutions/

The Radio Verulam Film Guide: 16th January 2015

Dear 'Danny',

The handsome and rugged Christopher Aikman is out of the office right now on an important fact-finding mission down at the pub and so cannot reply to your request of 'Oi Cris, rite sumfink funy a bout Symon 4 da fiilm guyde poddkast blogg, innit, u iz wel mega-lolz'.

The all-powerful Chris will get back to you as soon as possible. Until then, amuse yourself with this picture of a puppy playing in snow.



Ok, that was a lie, but Simon was in the studio to talk about the UK box office top 10, the new releases in the cinema this week and his pick of films on TV for the coming week.

Friday
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
12.30am – 1.55am
Channel 4

Saturday
The Naked Gun: from the Files of Police Squad!
12.15am – 1.50am
Channel 4

Sunday
The Battle of the Bulge
4.25pm – 7.40pm
ITV4

Monday
A Simple Plan
12.20am – 2.15am
BBC1

Tuesday
The Kite Runner
11.35pm – 1.35am
BBC1

Wednesday
Eagle Eye
9.00pm – 10.50pm
BBC3

Thursday
A Killing in a Small Town
9.00pm – 11.00pm
True Entertainment

@HarrietMaylin joins us to talk about @TotalLooks initiative "Nu Me"

Harriet Maylin joined us today to talk to us about her initiative "Nu Me" which provides a free makeover to cancer patients. This heartwarming and selfless initiative was inspired by a previous client of Harriet. If you suffer from a condition or know someone who does, please contact Harriet by visitng www.totallooks.co.uk or call 01582766009 or visit their salon at 

71A High Street

Harpenden

AL5 2SL

All us of at Radio Verulam know that we will be visiting soon!

Chris' Film Club: Kung Fu Panda

Dustin Hoffman voices Master Shifu, a kung fu master and mentor to Po (Jack Black), a panda who is destined to be a kung fu great, if he could get over his laziness and eating habits. This animated film is fun, bright and 'one for all the family', as the old cliche goes.

The film also stars Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, David Cross and Ian McShane.

Chris' Film Club: All the President's Men

Continuing the Dustin Hoffman theme for the week we've got the classic All the President's Men, which tells the true story of Carl Bernstein (Hoffman) and Bob Woodward (Robert Redford), two reporters who uncovered the Watergate scandal.

Tense and dramatic, it also stars Jason Robards (who won an Oscar for his work), Jack Warden and Hal Holbrook.

Monthly Travel Feature with @andyjarosz

Today Andy was back in the studio once again to discuss his recent trips to the Indonesian island of Bali and Singapore.

As a fan of Indonesian cuisine Andy was delighted with the kaleidoscope of flavours that featured during his stay, as well as the price. Andy said that a meal at a restaurant in a high-quality hotel costed as little as £7 a head. Without doubt the most bizarre food experience of the trip were the magic mushroom omelettes that were available at a pop-up surfer's village!

On the subject of surfing, Andy recommended Bali as a destination for anyone interested in water-sports in general, as the warm and beautifully clear water is ideal for activities like diving. The Pacific around Bali is also home to stunning coral reefs and varied wildlife.

On the return journey from Bali Andy spent a week in Singapore, which he hadn't visited for 15 years. He now believes Singapore now outclasses many, if not most, European cities due to its safety as a destination, great public transport and stunning modern architecture.


For more information, visit Andy's website: http://www.501places.com

New Music Playlist w/c 12th January 2015 & this week's featured track by @thecharlatans

Hi Drivetimers

Here is our new music playlist for the forthcoming week:

Alle Farben (Feat. Graham Candy) - She Moves
Ben Haenow - Something I Need
Carrie Underwood - Something In The Water
Chris While & Julie Matthews - If This Were Your Last Day
Echosmith - Cool Kids
Gavin DeGraw - Fire
Gregory Porter & Laura Mvula - Water Under Bridges
Holly Johnson - Heaven's Eyes
Hozier - Take Me To Church
Jamie Cullum - Don't You Know
John & Jacob - Be My Girl
Kodaline - Honest
Laura Welsh - Ghosts
Longfellow - Medic
Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)
Meghan Trainor - Lips Are Movin'
Olly Murs - Up (feat. Demi Lovato)
Paloma Faith - Leave While I'm Not Looking
Rae Morris - Under The Shadows
Rumer - Reach Out
Simple Minds - Let The Day Begin
Taylor Swift - Blank Space
The Charlatans - Come Home Baby
The Waterboys - November Tale
U2 - Every Breaking Wave
Within Temptation - Edge Of The World

Items in BOLD are new additions

This week's featured track is Come Home Baby by The Charlatans.

Consumer Advice Correspondent Elizabeth Crampton on Organising Your Finances

Joining us in the studio today was our Consumer Advice Correspondent Elizabeth Crampton who gave us some helpful tips on organising your finances effectively in the new year.

Her tips were as follows:

• Always check and analyse your bank statement. Firstly to prevent theft and fraud, but also to see what you spend most money on.

• Check your credit report to see what information credit agencies have about you.

• Price comparison websites can be useful when finding the best prices for your purchases. Some websites also offer vouchers and coupons for shopping with them.

• Check your investments frequently to ascertain whether they are performing satisfactorily or whether your money would be better invested elsewhere.

• Don't be afraid to seek professional financial advice as, whilst the initial expense may seem great, the long term financial benefits are likely greater.

• Start a pension early as it's never too early to save. As people begin to live longer, many are finding they have not saved efficiently enough to support their lifestyle.

• If you are in debt, get help before it's too late, whether that be from the Citizen's Advice Bureau or another external organisation.

• Create a will early to ensure your money ends up where you want it to, and not in the hands of the state.

For more information, head over to: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Eat Fit with Joanne Green @the_mgf

Joanne Green was in the studio today to discuss her Eat Fit program starting on Monday from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. Eat Fit is a initiative set up by the Michael Green Foundation which was founded by Joanne and her Daughter. Eat Fit aims to help people with Type 2 diabetes however it accepts anyone who wants to change their lifestyle.

For more information you can visit the website www.michaelgreenfoundation.org
You can also reach them on twitter with @the_mgf
Finally you can reach them and book your place on Eat Fit with the number 07870311192

Local musical comedian @VickyArlidge joins the Drivetime team ahead of her shows at the Maltings Arts Theatre

We were joined in the studio this afternoon by Vicky Arlidge, a local musical comedian. Her performances have reached almost 40,000 YouTube hits. In 2013 she was nominated for the Funny Women Best Show Award and her comic animations have made the 'official selection' of the St Albans Film Festival 2014 and the London Short Film Festival 2015. She has been composing music for TV and theatre for over 20 years and has BAFTA and EMMY nominated credits to her name.

Her show 'January Pinks' is on at the Maltings Arts Theatre on the 23rd and 24th of January at 9pm (doors opening at 8:15). Tickets cost £12 and are available from www.maltingsartstheatre.co.uk, in person from the St Albans Tourist Information Centre or by telephone: 0333 666 3366Her website can be found at www.vickyarlidge.com

New Year's resolutions and setting goals with Melanie Bundock

Today Melanie was in the studio to discuss resolutions and goal setting: major topics at this time of year.

First of all she disagreed with the tradition of setting yourself goals in January. She says that Winter is a time for self reflection rather than committing to big lifestyle changes. Instead she prefers to do such things in the springtime, when the weather isn't quite so gloomy.

However, she said that any day can be a new beginning and any goal is achievable. She says that breaking down your goals into more easily manageable chunks and setting yourself dated targets helps with this. Melanie used the story of how she released a meditation CD last year as an example.

For more information on Melanie and her work, visit her website at:  http://www.theraphealing.co.uk/

Thrifty Correspondent Penny Carr on being Thrifty in the New Year @beingmrsc

Joining us in the studio today was Penny Carr, our very own Thrifty Correspondent, who gave us some quick tips to save money in the new year.

Her tips today were as follows:

Utility Bills

• Don't compare utility bills with friends and family: your usages will all be different and will depend on a number of factors.
• Pay by direct debit and you could potentially receive a discount. Opt in for paperless billing and purchase both gas and electricity from the same company.
• Don't settle for the first package you find, a phone call to the utility company could perhaps net you a better deal. 

Supermarket Shopping

• Do not shop hungry: you'll end up spending more.
• Make a meal plan for the week and take a list of precisely the items you need, do not deviate!
• Become a 'super-market flirt': each supermarket is cheaper for different things.
• Own-brand lines are still great quality - e.g cereal/produce.
• Always use vouchers and sign up to loyalty schemes.

For similar tips, take a look at Penny's site: www.beingmrsc.com

New Music Playlist w/c 5th January 2015 & This Week's featured track by @AlleFarben

Hi Drivetimers

Happy new year!  Hope you had a great festive break and are looking forward to the return of your favourite radio show today from 4pm.  Here is our new music playlist for the forthcoming week:

Alle Farben (Feat. Graham Candy) - She Moves
Annie Lennox - Georgia On My Mind
Barbra Streisand & John Legend - What Kind Of Fool
Ben Haenow - Something I Need
Carrie Underwood - Something In The Water
Chris While & Julie Matthews - If This Were Your Last Day
Echosmith - Cool Kids
Gregory Porter & Laura Mvula - Water Under Bridges
Holly Johnson - Heaven's Eyes
Hozier - Take Me To Church
Jamie Cullum - Don't You Know
John & Jacob - Be My Girl
Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett - It Don’t Mean A Thing
Laura Welsh - Ghosts
Little Big Town - Day Drinking
Longfellow - Medic
Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)
Meghan Trainor - Lips Are Movin'
Olly Murs - Up (feat. Demi Lovato)
One Direction - Night Changes
Paloma Faith - Leave While I'm Not Looking
Rae Morris - Under The Shadows
Rumer - Reach Out
Sia - You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile
Simple Minds - Let The Day Begin
Taylor Swift - Blank Space
The Waterboys - November Tale
U2 - Every Breaking Wave
Within Temptation - Edge Of The World

Items in BOLD are new additions

This week's featured track is She Moves by Alle Farben featuring Graham Candy: