Good afternoon.
They are the future, our pride and joy, the fruit of our loins and the subject of our unconditional love.
So why do so many people out there make life so difficult for our kids?
They are the future, our pride and joy, the fruit of our loins and the subject of our unconditional love.
So why do so many people out there make life so difficult for our kids?
Thurrock Council, bruised and battered by the good people of Chafford Hundred, the local MP Andrew McKinley, and us, have finally decided that all the kids there should be able to go to a school that is not a route march or a taxi journey away. Problem is, not all those places can be filled by the start of term: (a) because term has already started and (b) because the parents are having to re-apply. Bonkers.
Glen is the man with the chalk-duster and the cane. But who gets detention at 6?
(Younger viewers note: in the olden days we used chalk to write on black-boards before felt-tips and laminated boards came in. And you couldn't sniff chalk. Not that stupid, eh?).
In Ealing, there are people trying to flog toy mobile phones to tiny kids - even babies! Trading standards have reservations which, on a scale of one to nine, are a 999. Ronke is hanging on the line.
Fifty years ago our kids couldn't paddle in the Thames safely it was so polluted. Now they can snorkel, fish and do the whole Buzby Berkley number if they want. And the fish are much happier, too. A Thames pilot plays Mark Twain to our delightful Liz.
Devon is a very lovely little girl with agenetic disorder that condemned her to having one good leg and one stump. Give up? Limp away feeling sorry for herself? No way. She's set her heart on the stars and she's really achieved something special. I didn't believe it until I saw it; you will be swept off your feet. A clue: Marcus plays Gene Kelly for us.
Finally, Hard Fi are "really cool" and "their debut album went to Number 1" and they are "hot". How can you be "hot" and "cool" ? My life is confused by brilliant women like Faye the Boss and Lizzie the Brilliant News-editor. But they speak Klingon sometimes. Anyway. Steve meets the 'cool, hot' Hard Fi.
And, on this sad day for all lovers of all music, we have found something rather magical in the vaults - none shall sleep at 6.
Katie's on the Early Evening News, so Emma will be harmonising with me.
See you there.
Alastair
