VIC BARLOW TAKES AN ALTERNATIVE LOOK AT LIFE IN MACCLESFIELD Sun was shining, I could live with a dodgy rental car
OUR new programming schedule starts this month and you can expect to hear new voices as well as the old favourites.
If you want to hear about all the local and national stories that are making the headlines tune in to Chris Woolard on the community show Monday to Thursday between 10am and 1pm.
Rob Bashforth is also with you every Thursday evening with his Stop The Press show.
Chris and Rob will also be featuring interviews with local people who are making the headlines.
Nick Wright remains in his ever-popular Rolled Gold slot every morning between 9 and 10. Nick is joined by his faithful friend DJ Dippy and will give you some giggles as well as playing some golden oldies and testing your musical knowledge with his pop teasers.
Nick will also be co-presenting the radio club with Trish Napier every Friday from 11am to 1pm. Scott Barton continues to wake you up every weekday morning from 7 and keep you informed of any problems on the roads and railways.
Chris Newton and his raiders of the lost archive can now be heard every Monday at 10pm. Jessica Foley moves to the afternoon slot between 1 and 3. We will announce exciting news about a new drive time presenter in the next couple of weeks – keep tuned in to 102.8 fm for updates. WHERE is the year going! We cannot believe we’re already in October – it must be because we are so busy out and about with you, the lovely people of Cheshire!
We loved being a part of the Macclesfield Half Marathon this weekend, it was great to see so many people turning up to both run and support – even our mascot Cheshire got involved! Did you come and say hello?
Well done to everyone who took part, success was had by all. It was this weekend also that we started our Cash Card Giveaway! We had our first winner call up this Monday with Ditchy in the Morning and she won herself a share of thousands. Want to get involved? Just look out for us at your nearest event and claim a card with your unique code and it could be YOU who wins! REGULAR readers of this column will know how Mrs B duped me into holidaying in Barbados on the pretence we were going to Norfolk.
Once my Visa card got over the shock I was quite looking forward to Captain Tobias Wilcox welcoming us to Sunshine Airways.
I was very disappointed when it turned out to be a bloke called Colin from Virgin Atlantic.
It was dark when we arrived in Bridgetown so I didn’t notice the spare wheel missing from the back of our little Jeep.
First thing the following morning I phoned the rental company.
“This is Jeanette at you car hire company how can I help you?”
“I don’t know how to tell you this, Jeanette, but the spare wheel has gone from the back of our rental car.”
“Don’t worry I have it here.”
“Isn’t it supposed to be attached to our Jeep?”
“No, it will just get stolen.”
“So, what happens if we get a puncture which, judging by the state of the roads, seems extremely likely?” “You just phone me.” “Then what?” ●● GIVEN the escalating Ukraine crisis, the deliberate goading of world leaders by Islamic State militants and the “I bring you the wheel.” “You’re kidding, right?” “I do it all the time.” I doubted Lewis Hamilton would approve of Jeanette’s wheel change operation but as she seemed so happy I didn’t comment.
I probably wouldn’t have been as considerate had I known that two of the tyres we did have were almost flat.
But hey-ho the sun was shining, the palms swayed gently and turtles swam in the warm ocean by our hotel. Barbados is a place of contrasting fortunes.
Only a few miles from the exquisite homes of the rich and famous tethered goats munch grass by the roadside while scraggy chickens scratch the dirt between dilapidated wooden homes.
If you like rum Barbados is definitely your spiritual home.
It’s actually cheaper in Barbados to drink rum than some soft drinks.
After a memorable evening at a beach bar one intoxicated musician asked me to name my favourite music.
To which I replied: “I distinct possibility of war you would have thought the EU had better things to discuss than the suction of don’t like reggae no no. I love it.”
Sorry, that wasn’t me that was 10CC.
What I said was: “I like Bob Marley,” and for some inexplicable reason he started playing Jingle Bells.
Maybe it was part of some Caribbean MegaMix?
Health and safety is definitely not a major concern in the West Indies.
On a short ocean cruise we were offered the opportunity to swim with the turtles.
In the US this involves attending a seminar before signing several personal waivers but not in Barbados.
“Look, there are the turtles,” I yelled.
The captain grabbed a snorkel asked if I could swim and said: “Get in.”
Two minutes later I was paddling around the Caribbean surrounded by turtles – job done.
There are so many wonderful things to like about Barbados, but standing at the top of Teggs Nose with my dogs today as the sun glistened off the reservoirs below, I was happy to be home.