Willi's Guide to Glitz and Glamour 1.1

Welcome along to the inaugral edition of 'Willi's Guide to Glitz and Glamour', this blog's commentary on the world of media and entertainment. This won't be an appreciation or review of the latest Doctor Who episode or update on who I think will win Celebrity Big Brother though they may get a mention. I'll be focusing on a variety of stories breaking in the realms of TV, radio, cinema and literature though I'm going to try and avoid being too sensationalist. I'll try. It is titled 'glitz and glamour' after all.

BBC Radio 5Live has a collection of trading faces in early 2010. Richard Bacon, who has strenuously denied being a contestant in the next Celeb BB, will be taking the mid-afternoon slot previously occupied by Simon Mayo who will take up presenting duties on Radio 2's drivetime show. Bacon may be seen as a somewhat downmarket replacement for an afternoon position, especially compared to the informative and effortless Mayo, however he has built up a strong niche following. Presenting 5Live's weeknight evening slot, his 'Special Half Hour' before the show's close is probably the type of item best reserved for a late-night cult following rather than a serious mainstream programme. It will be interesting to hear how Bacon presents serious news stories and whether he will steer away from his love of celebrity culture, no matter how tongue in cheek this may be.

Meanwhile I notice that hard-boiled invesitagtor Donal MacIntrye has been presenting Up All Night. Is Rhod Sharp on holiday? I'd only known about Donal through the investigative pieces that were shown on TV before listening to a similar programme of his on 5Live that is broadcast on Sunday evenings. The last few evenings he's been hosting Up All Night and whilst he may not be in the same calibre as Mr. Sharp, it'll be interesting to see how his sound develops fronting a lengthy show with plenty of air-time to fill.

Switching to TV and Eastenders was a predictable ratings hit over the holiday period. No doubt the main contributing factor was the festive cheer afforded to it's long suffering viewers (I count myself as one of them) through the murder of the villainous Archie Mitchell. Those 11 million or so who tuned in must have leapt with delight as the bust of Queen Victoria was thrust upon everyone's favourite TV sociopath. The inquest resembles the famous Simpsons 'Who Shot Mr. Burns' double-bill with nearly everyone in Walford having a valid reason to eradicate the blight of Archie Mitchell. From the blackmailed Ian Beale, hoping that wife Jayne wouldn't find the sex-tape made with Archie's woman scorned, Janine Butcher, to lovely Bradley whose hopelessly mis-matched love interest (Stacey) is pregnant by the poisionous pensioner. I really can't recall when the two slept together! Working in an environment littered with cheap magazines, anxious to ruin and reveal all of the soap storylines, it's not often too difficult to disseminate from their crude title headlines what is going to happen. I'm desperately trying to keep my eyes firmly on the floor in an attempt to not succumb to temptation of spoiling months of viewing.

My parents are traditional types and every week they have delivered their copy of the Radio Times which throughout the years I've also taken an interest in. Having moved away, the only time I will buy a television guide is at Christmas when I purchase the aforementioned publication. RT has become incredibly self-congratulatory when describing it's Christmas issue as 'legendary' though to a degree I cannot argue with this boast. Christmas is THE time of year when television supposedly comes into its own and we're treated to a concentration of new drama, comedy, entertainment and film that is generally much higher than at any other time. So holding the thick wedge that is the RT Christmas edition and turning it's pages, I am often captivated and full of anticipation. However I have bought into this hype for the last couple of years and never really found that any of the tele-visual 'gems' held my attention once I'd switched on. Despite my best intentions, the RT's pages are soon overlooked.

I'm not particularly a fan of current sitcoms (though I will admit the guilty pleasure of liking Miranda. Is that wrong?) so their Christmas specials hold no sway with me. Plus I can't be bothered to sit through three hours of countdowns involving 'xyz of the decade' with inane contributions from people desperate to have their fifteen minutes of fame. So I switched back to my radio. Now, I know I've mentioned 5Live already but I shall do again. One of the more startling events in the Christmas broadcasting schedule that I tuned into was the documentary piece entitled James, My Alcoholic Friend with likeable posho and former tennis player, Annabel Croft. It was Christmas Eve and venturng back towards the Home Counties along a bitterly cold M25, I pondered that this was a slightly bizarre early evening Christmas item, especially since I'd been previously listening to other stations pontificating on the usual fluff and who's bought the wife what and 'how are your last minute preparations for the big day going?'

The premise was that Croft had spent ten days sleeping rough in London (oh, the poor lamb, you must be thinking) and met James, a down on his luck fellow who had all the usual addictions. Obviously taken in by the chap, apparently a linguist who spoke five languages, count 'em, therefore he must be the right sort, she endeavours to trace him and see how he is getting on having heard of his descent into alcoholism when they initially met. The journey, sincere enough, is the typical trawl through the streets surrounded by the more undeserving poor and zombie-like creatures who regail a shocked Croft with stories of how James had taken their drink money and spent it on himself. Attempts at tracking James down were proving fruitless and I was beginning to wonder how many more junctions I could pass listening to the endless throng of people tell a distraught Annabel Croft that a man who used all his money to buy drink, ripped off his mates and had even been spotted with two black eyes, could well have passed away.

As it turned out, he wasn't dead and had been staying at a rehabilitation centre in Weston-Super-Mare. As his condition improved, we began to learn more about how his life as a Spanish rep and the constant pressure of forcing people to be happy and have a good time had been the forerunner to his own problems. Eventually, Croft and James go to visit his parents in Scotland and James tries to re-establish contact with his children. Despite criticism that the show became over-dramatised, long-winded and perhaps even slightly patronising, I thought it was a refreshing listen. It cut through the Christmas cheese and encroached upon the darker underbelly of the season.

That's it for now. Next week I'll be taking a look at more of what we can expect in the new year and examining what's making the entertainment headlines. Celebrity BB starts next week. Can I resist?

Focus on 2010: New Structure for the 'Collected Thoughts'

Hi everyone,

As mentioned in a previous post, there are going to be a few changes round here. The Collected Thoughts is to have a new structure which will be reviewed periodically to ensure I'm providing the content people wish to read. News, entertainment, arts and culture and of course, Wycombe Wanderers F.C are all to be 'sectioned' as it were, with regular publication guidelines rather than the random assortment of articles that have been in place so far. So here is a quick run-down on what you can expect to see from the new year onwards. You may detect a theme in the section titles...

Willi's Wycombe

Publication frequency: Every two-three weeks.

Similar to the existing Wycombe Wanderers blogs, there will be an updated blog every two-three weeks focusing on all things WWFC. I'll be giving the exile's perspective on the results, performances, transfers and goings on at the club throughout the season.

Willi's Guide to Glitz and Glamour

Publication frequency: Weekly.

Every week, I'll be providing a brief overview and commentary on what's caught my eye in the world of entertainment. Featuring insights into TV, film and radio, this is the alternative enterainment blog, not the musings of a reviewer or telly addict. I'll be following the shows, stories and people who shape contemporary entertainment.

Willi's News Review

Publication frequency: Weekly

A weekly condensed commentary on the news stories that have hit the headlines locally (to Bournemouth), nationally (UK) and globally. The main stories will be covered as well as some that you may have missed.

WilliWycombe; A Cultural Odyssey

Publication frequency: Monthly

Once a month, there will be an article focusing on a specific arts and culture theme, figure or story. Spanning the worlds of music, language, literature, travel etc, these feature pieces will aim to cover the whole cultural tapestry.

There we have it, the Collected Thoughts of Nobody Special will enjoy a structural overhaul in the comings weeks. I've very much enjoyed writing the blog in 2009 after a somewhat long hiatus in 2008 however it had become a disorganised mish-mash of various subjects and themes. Also, I'm hoping to get a monthly 'best of the blog' podcast up and running. I welcome any contributions, ideas, music that anyone may wish to provide. In the meantime, watch this space and happy reading.

WilliWycombe

All Work and No Play for Wycombe Wanderers At Christmas

The traditional Christmas fixtures are something uniquely special in England with most other European leagues opting for a mid-season break. The prospect of up to three games in a week over the holiday period is something many fans across the country savour. The schedule for Wycombe Wanderers will be no less intense with a Boxing Day trip to face Yeovil Town followed just two days later by a crucial home tie against fellow relegation battlers, Brighton & Hove Albion. The trio of matches is completed by the visit of an illustrious and upwardly mobile Norwich City side, managed by former Blues boss, Paul Lambert.

Since beating Stockport at home a few weeks ago, Wycombe haven't quite pushed on as well as they would have wished. With Stockport facing a continued financial crisis and looking doomed, one of Wycombe's big relegation rivals Tranmere rejuvenated and a whole melee of teams above all taking points from one another, it's vital that Wycombe make up ground over the next week. Following their last victory, Wycombe went down 1-0 at Carlisle United and drew 2-2 at home with Oldham Athletic. The Blues will be especially frustrated with the Oldham result and the other ramifications that have followed the game. It all seemed to be going so well when John Akinde finally found the net in his second loan spell at the club and put the Blues 1-0 up. Akinde was then sent off for elbowing Oldham defender Sean Gregan and will now miss the Christmas programme. Matt Harrold's penalty salvaged a late draw however last year's top scorer still appears to be struggling in coming to terms with League One football.

Akinde's absence may prove a blessing for Jon Paul-Pittman who could finally receive a run of games though he'll need the assistance of Harrold and the creative influences of Kevin Betsy and Matt Phillips to provide him with adequate service. Certainly the next two matches could be considered 'six-pointers' and hopefully a good result against Yeovil will be the catalyst that finally propels Wycombe out of the relegation zone as they head into the new year.

Merry Christmas from the 'Collected Thoughts'

Dear readers,

Merry Christmas and a happy new year from the Collected Thoughts of Nobody Special! Look out for some exciting changes to the blog in 2010 with many articles being syndicated through ezines.com as well (TBC). In the coming weeks, I'll be reformatting the content so that it's in clearly defined sections such as ones for news opinion, entertainment and of course, the Wycombe Wanderers section too. Hopefully this will make content easier to find and maybe even a add a touch of professionalism rather than having just the random assortment of pieces I'd assembled whilst experimenting with the blog. Don't forget, you can follow me on twitter too, just look up 'williwycombe' and if you ever feel the need to get in touch by email, simply drop me a line to willgeldart@hotmail.co.uk. I hope you've enjoyed reading this blog in its embryonic form and if you have any hints or suggestions you'd like to make then as always, I'd love to hear from you.

WilliWycombe

Great Expectations of the Celebrity Kind

Let's face it. Famous people are filth, aren't they? We hero-worship them, buy the merchandise they endorse, line their pockets and some people (see Tiger Woods' 'transgressions') even take their adoration of celebrity further and sleep with the buggers. Or get choked by them (see Ronnie Wood and young Russian lover). Yes, this past week has hopefully proved once and for all that famous people are a bunch of overpaid, egotistical maniacs. They seem to care little for the consequences of their actions (unless they get caught) and they have all the nasty failings we do, sometimes being even more exaggerated than your average Joe.

But they can still cheat on the wife, pass around 17 year old fans like sexual trophies and exhibit all manner of deviant behavior and we'll still fawn over them. It might take a while but as long as they have a wily PR team and don't 'do an OJ' or a 'Gary Glitter', we'll forgive them. After all, they're only human like the rest of us and it's their other talents that we admire them for. Basically, you can be a womanising (Clinton, Ashley Cole, Woods), woman beating (Tyson, Ronnie Wood) cretin but we'll view these flaws as quirks that merely re-affirm our shared humanity.

Of course, it's ridiculous to assume that those in the limelight are the moral bastions of society. Indeed, in their high pressure environments coupled with the sense of power they exude, they're probably more likely to fall foul of a multitude of sins. So why are we always so surprised when a figure we've awarded celebrity status is found to be less than perfect? We like to believe that somehow famous people, talented famous people at least, can provide the mythical role models we aspire to be whilst retaining a position of moral cleanliness.

The obvious truth is that celebrity indiscretions mirror those of the 'real world' and the great expectations we have, whilst perhaps being noble in intention, are unfeasible in practice. Not all celebrities and not all of us norms are doomed to indulge in the darker side of life though some of us will no doubt flirt with temptation and learn from those mistakes. The only difference is that if you're caught as a celebrity, the world will hear about it and you'll be pilloried in the public eye. It's time to remove the pedestal of celebrity values and concentrate on our own responsibilities and be less concerned with the misdemeanors of the rich and famous.

Waddock Makes His Mark on Wycombe

Wycombe Wanderers have now won three of their last four games and are revitalised under the stewardship of Gary Waddock. The Blues' recent form has brought fresh optimism that they may be able to beat the drop and survive their first season back in League One for five years. What's more, even your esteemed writer has been able to see the last two games, up close and personal at St. Mary's and Adams Park.

On-loan veteran winger Gareth Ainsworth arrived from Queens Park Rangers for a month to help kick-off the Waddock revolution in earnest, inspiring Wycombe to an impressive 2-0 away win at Millwall. The Blues followed this up with by beating relegation rivals Brentford 1-0 at Adams Park before their winning run was ended by a dominant Southampton side who ran out 1-0 winners on the south-coast. In a proverbial 'six-pointer', Wycombe came from behind to win 2-1 at home against Stockport to keep them in touch with those around them and send the Hatters to the bottom of the table.

In truth, Wycombe were outclassed in their encounter with Southampton and could have lost heavily were it not for the Saints' wastefulness in front of goal. If Wycombe fans were underwhelmed by a performance in which they struggled to retain possession and create a meaningful attack, they will be ecstatic with the character shown against Stockport. County scored with their only decent chance and it looked as if Wycombe were going to be dealt a cruel blow in their fight for survival. Instead, they displayed courage and spirit and the impressive Chris Westwood powered in the equaliser with a strong header reminiscent of his recent goal against Millwall. Scott Davies' winner typified the young midfielder's drive and eye for goal. Occasionally he will shoot wildly however his potential is evident and his talent is quickly being honed by playing first-time football.

As mentioned in the previous Wanderers blog, Gary Waddock isn't afraid of making necessary changes, regardless of individual reputation. Club captain and former Premier League star Michael Duberry found himself on the bench against Stockport with the returning Westwood forming a strong partnership in the centre of defence with the ever-improving Luke Oliver. Likewise, Ian Westlake was given a starting berth against Southampton but failed to impress and Matt Phillips found himself in the line-up to face Stockport and his pace and trickery had a major impact on the game. With Betsy and Phillips on both wings, Wycombe have two exciting outlets alongside Davies in the centre with John Mousinho or Tommy Doherty breaking up play.

Recent performances have been encouraging as Wycombe enter the intense Christmas period where they will play another 4 games before the end of the month. Their attacking intent is beginning to be complimented by solid defensive play and if Gareth Ainsworth extends his loan, the Blues will benefit even more from his quality and experience. Blues fans are daring to dream however Wycombe will need to ensure their performances match the enthusiasm and effort they displayed against Stockport and that they retain the same cohesion in their play. The escape starts here.


WilliWycombe is an exile from the fair town of High Wycombe and does not get to many games. His opinions are those of the exile, on the outside looking in and should be treated thusly.

How Low (Or High) Should You Go?

Let's face it. We're in the midst of a war (not that one). A war between those who think watching someone with enlarged mammaries eating animal testicles is great entertainment and those who foam at the mouth when they see people in Borders sipping a mochaccino and reading the latest Dan Brown novel. It's the the war on culture. Are you high or low? Except, wait a second. Traditional battle lines have become obscured by the post-modern factions who'll watch the most depressing garbage. However, as you must understand, they do so ironically with tongue firmly in cheek. That's not fair, you're either on one side or the other! The proles v the literati. The ignoramusses v the erudite. Or put plainly, the smart v the dumb. Right? So why are the smart allowing themselves to be led by the dumb? Or rather, why are they pretending to be led by the dumb whilst sniggering behind their backs and flaunting their own mock stupidity?

Some smart-arse laid into comedian David Mitchell's latest Observer piece on artificial intelligence and sex with his own flabbergasted smugness, lamenting how someone like Mitchell is put on the pedestal that should be reserved solely for the intelligensia. And then this detractor had the audacity to turn on Stephen Fry, Britain's (self-appointed and starting to get a bit annoying rather than charming) national treasue and bastion of the well-informed chattering classes. Mitchell's critic was missing the point. Although the article perhaps lacked a coherent flow, David Mitchell, comedian and persona, is not there to dissect the finer points of robotics and then add a few witty anecdotes that only an esteemed professor from the University of Whatshisface circa 1976-78 will dryly find amusing whilst stroking their outlandish facial hair. He's there to serve up his comic persona, one that many of his readers will already be familiar with, and provide a brief overview of his subject whilst making with the laughs along the way.

So where do folks like Mitchell come into the war on culture? He's a refreshing voice, not too dissimilar in opinion, as he has admitted himself, to Mark Corrigan, the character he plays so well on Channel 4's Peep Show. He's a kind of throwback and welcome change from the vapid rent-a-celebs who litter television and contribute nothing more than white smiles and the good fortune of being attractive to the opposite sex. A knowledgeable young (ish) man with an old head and a diverse set of interests, he happily commentates on the serious issues affecting culture whilst participating as guest or host on a variety of panel shows. QI, in particular, hosted by the aforementioned Fry is certainly no popcorn picnic despite it's comedic value and light-hearted approach to the depths of knowledge. Again, this is where the war on culture gets confusing and the brows of high and low converge and gauge each other's eyes out and then proceed to go out to dinner. McDonald's or Michelin restaurant, it would no longer matter, they are essentially now the same.

Mitchell occupies the same millieu of comedians/writers/celebrities or is that celebrities/comedians/writers (Mitchell, Fry, Charlie Brooker, Jimmy Carr etc) who may enjoy pontificating on serious news stories however they're not adverse to making the odd quip in reference to the latest reality TV star. High brow and low brow no longer know if they want to slit each other's throats or revel in their own smug satisfaction safe in assuming that no matter what they are or what they represent, there's an audience watching/reading/waiting in their thrall. The war is still on but it's all one big conspiracy theory being fought on the front line whilst those in the corridors of power concoct new concepts to keep us entertained. Or at least to keep us talking, no matter what side we're on. Low or high, there's no escaping the fact that we're all entrenched in both camps whether we like it or not. Desperate, kangaroo ingesting celebs or smug observers of culture, we're all destined to meet somewhere in the middle as picking a side and staying true becomes increasingly difficult.

A Day Is Done

Here is just a short poem.

A Day is Done

A day is done
The till is balanced
My heart jumps out and
Climbs back in again.

A day is done
My mouth is dry
I've spoken too much
Banal, inane, mischievous, bitter words
They all combine but I set them free
When a day is done.

The Results Business Shows No Mercy to Reputation

Six games, no win and a squad of underachievers low on confidence. Gary Waddock could be forgiven for thinking he's taken on a poisoned chalice at Wycombe Wanderers given his record so far. He may also feel that the club's fall, even under his guidance, could be irreversible. The Blues' defeat last night to Brighton and Hove Albion in a first round FA Cup replay saw the boss ring the changes following the humiliating 6-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town the previous Saturday.

Unfortunately it wasn't enough as Wanderers collapsed to a 2-0 defeat though by all accounts, the performance was an improvement. Those who witnessed the defeat to Huddersfield, live on Sky television, would perhaps argue that nothing could be worse. Granted, Huddersfield are a tidy, upwardly mobile side capable of playing attractive and incisive football. But the manner in which Wycombe were taken apart was abject at best and at its worst, demoralising for players and fans alike. There were pockets of Wycombe's play, mainly in the first-half when the scoreline was respectable, where they looked capable. There were neat exchanges in midfield and attempts to penetrate the channels and hurt the opposition with livewires Scott Davies and Kevin Betsy, talisman Tommy Doherty and re-called hero John Akinde offering a threat.

However, middle third of the pitch aside, in defence Wycombe were disorganised and sloppy, in attack they were toothless and devoid of ideas. Former Premiership defender and Wycombe captain Michael Duberry partnered Luke Oliver in the centre of the backline and so far this season both have managed to produce a series of error-strewn displays. Blues fans must be fondly recalling former defensive lynchpins Jamie Bates, Jason Cousins and Paul McCarthy with a renewed rose-tinted vigour. In his defence, Oliver looks like he is needing the kind of assistance that an in-form, experienced partner would provide and he was kept in the side at Brighton and performed admirably. Duberry may be experienced but in-form he isn't and the natives are restless.

By dropping players like Duberry and Matt Bloomfield, Waddock is follwing a refreshing tack. Unprepared to tolerate poor performance and stick to rigid systems and pick favourite players, he admitted that after the debacle at Huddersfield, the honeymoon was over. To be blandly matter of fact, Wycombe at present are staring relegation in the face and are going down with a whimper. With Millwall away next up followed by a crucial encounter with fellow strugglers Southampton, Waddock and Wycombe desperately need to get into the results business. If this means the collective team ego receiving a well-needed massage ahead of individual reputation, then so be it.

WilliWycombe is an exile from the fair town of High Wycombe and does not get to many games. His opinions are those of the exile, on the outside looking in and should be treated thusly.

Linguistic Inspiration? Can Flirting with the Classics Help the Poor Man of Europe?

What did the Romans do for Britain? One thing was to leave its shores with the gift of Latin. It is often described as a 'dead' language however it's about to make a comeback in state primary schools. A project orchestrated jointly by Peter Davies, a former President of the Association of School and College Leaders and the Esmee Fairbain Foundation will see the ancient discipline taught in 60 state primaries in Cambridgeshire.

Supporters of the scheme argue that the benefits are self-evident. Teaching children Latin will aid a child's understanding of the various patterns of language besides offering insights into history and civilisation. As part of the project, Latin would be just one of the proposed languages that will be learnt, alongside French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Punjabi. With an increasingly diverse population, what languages should Britian's children be taught and more pertinently which languages will hold the most relevance in the future?

There is no doubt that English remains, be it the first or second, a global tongue of choice. Those who do not class English as their native language will often learn it in some capacity, whether it be at school or for business. Still, Britain remains the poor man of Europe in terms of being linguistically challenged abroad with a survey by the European Commission in 2006 merely confirming this fact. One other finding of note was that 51% of EU nationals can hold a conversation in English however 62% of Britons cannot speak a foreign language. The well worn tale of the Briton shouting louder or speaking slowly in the hope of being understood is an image that projects such as this one in Cambridgeshire will hope to eradicate.

British children have traditionally been taught a combination of French, German and Spanish. Whilst the latter has a significant proportion of the world's population as speakers, Mandarin and Hindi have been ear-marked as the two considered the best for advancement.
Mandarin Chinese is officially the most widely spoken language on the planet, counting 1.1 billion of the world's population as speakers. With China's growing global stature, would learning Mandarin be advantageous for British children? It is already set to become the second most popular language in UK schools as headteachers aim to provide their pupils will the linguistic tools to assert themselves in the 21st century. Meanwhile Hindi has 490 million speakers worldwide with a contingent of Hindi speakers already living in Britain. Not to mention India's own status as an emerging superpower, Hindi is another language that will prove an asset, even more so as the global economy recovers.

If learning Latin as part of a structured framework that encompasses a variety of languages is successful then the benefits to Britain's under-equipped children are clear. A future generation able to converse freely with the world will enable Britain to further enhance its ambitions of becoming a specialised, knowledge-based economy. With the UK government making it compulsory for every primary school child from seven years old to learn a foreign tongue, studying more difficult languages such as Mandarin and Hindi from an earlier age will afford learners the time they require to grasp complexities such as the differing tones in Mandarin. For the future generation to be able to create trade opportunties in China and India and for Britain to lose the stigma of being an insular, one tongue nation, learning Latin and going back to the classics could be just the beginning. Finally, perhaps Britain can reach an enlightened understanding of the world in which the country truly takes part in a global conversation.

We Salute The Consummate Broadcaster!

Watching Everton vs Benfica in a Europa League group match is probably one game that perhaps only fans of the two sides are interested in alongside the cultured football spectator. You know the type. Their addiction to the game assumes an almost Wengeresque obsessive zeal. It isn't the football, though it isn't dull, that is holding my attention. It is the man presenting the action, Colin Murray, who I am interested in. No, not in that way but from the perspective that quite simply, he gets around. He's presented numerous music based shows on BBC Radio 1 and can be heard on 5Live's irreverent take on sports, 'Fighting Talk', as well as occasionally moonlighting as a presenter of Five's NFL coverage. Murray isn't the only broadcaster with more than one string to his bow.

Mark Lamaar is probably best known by most for appearing on TV's 'Shooting Stars' and 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks' however his fine record collection and cool radio style has made him a cult hit over the airwaves. Let's not forget a couple of British national treasures who have made the transition from comedy to becoming two accomplished broadcasters in their own right, namely well travelled Michael Palin and the ubiquitous Stephen Fry.

So is it easy to switch from one discipline to another? Certainly the aforementioned motley crew have earned recognition and command respect from audiences through virtue of the knowledge they impart and the mastery of their respective crafts. Transitions aren't always as easy as they seem with broadcasters often facing their own career crossroads to define their niche. 5Live's Richard Bacon, once famously sacked by children's TV show Blue Peter for admitting to taking cocaine, is one of the multi-skilled breed who has taken time to find his feet and whilst he has flitted between subjects, he was faced with the choice of fronting entertainment and music shows and going down the current affairs route and emerged as one of the BBC's brightest radio talents with a new afternoon slot on 5Live awaiting him in the new year.

With a seemingly never-ending plethora of interchangeable celebrities and broadcasters all vying for air-time, let's salute those who have carved out their own place in our collective consciousness through their endearing personalities, informed opinions and their ability to hold our attention whether they are espousing views on the latest reality TV show exit or a recent sporting triumph. Hurrah for the consumate broadcaster!

How Accountable is the Seaside Town Civic Leader?

Let's concentrate on local matters now and those issues that concern the pleasant environs of Bournemouth (in the south of England for those that weren't sure). This particular case however is not necessarily one that merely affects the corridors of power in this tourist destination.

A few weeks ago, it emerged that the Tory leader of the council, Cllr. Stephen MacLoughlin, had accessed pornographic material on a council computer, albeit not during office hours nor on council premises. So is Cllr. MacLoughlin's crime merely failing to abide by the council internet policy, or is it, as the leaking of the story would suggest, a more contemptable mistake, punishable by the local populous? Readers from the paper complained that viewing 'top-shelf' material was not the appropriate behaviour of a civil servant who should be promoting stronger family ties, not indulging in the ephemeral pleasures of the flesh.

So what should happen to MacLoughlin? In the eyes of authority, he has committed the sin of causing embarassessment to the Conservative Party, an offence that could deem expulsion and he failed to comply with the council's internet policy. Fellow councillors are also exasperated as to why the investigation into the affair was not previously made known to them with hints of an attempted cover-up.

As previously stated, some readers won't be surprised by these revelations. This type of story has probably been told in some guise since the beginning of time except the means and technology have now changed. Most of us though may still have misgivings that they centre around a man responsible for upholding morally decent civic values. Leering at women on the internet doesn't come under that umbrella although it is an activity that many members of society, no matter their standing, are guilty of indulging in. MacLoughlin has expressed sorrow for the incident but refuses to stand down despite pressure from his colleagues. The first meeting since the news became public, held on Friday 30th October, may have changed his mind.

From a moral perspective, what standards do we still demand from our leaders and can they be forgiven and afforded another chance when they fall short? Or are we right to yearn for strong figures, neither tempted or swayed by external distractions and always willing to assume responsibilty for their failings? The distinction needs to be made that there are moral misdemeanours and there are genuine crimes, punishable by law. Perhaps Cllr. MacLoughlin should fall on his sticky sword if his colleagues and those whom he serves view his behaviour as disreputable. Whether this lapse is an indictment of whether Cllr. MacLoughlin is capable of fulfilling his civic duties is subject to debate.

Two Points as Signs of Life Emerge

Since Gary Waddock took charge of Wycombe Wanderers, the Blues have notched two points against rivals Colchester United and Exeter City. Wycombe remain bottom of the League One table, two points adrift of Tranmere Rovers and six from safety but signs of life are beginning to emerge.

Jon Paul-Pitman continues to display what a valuable asset he is to the club and it was his late equaliser against Colchester that secured a point. Fortunes were reversed however when the Blues faced Exeter at St. James' Park on Saturday with Barry Corr's header, again a goal conceded from a set-piece, deep into stoppage time that denied Wycombe their first away win of the season and Waddock's first in charge.

There do remain concerns however the signs of promise from the team appear to have the fans reinvigorated with a crucial home game against Walsall next Saturday to look forward to. It will be interesting to see whether the new manager alters the playing personnel or whether he believes that there is enough quality in the squad to avoid relegation. Could it be the previous system and style of play that were to blame for poor results? Against Exeter, Waddock employed the much maligned 4-5-1 formation that his predecessor favoured. One thing is certain, the Blues need a win quickly to give them confidence as they head into deepest winter.

williwycombe is an exile from the fair town of High Wycombe so does not get to attend many matches. Therefore his views and opinions should be treated thusly and not dissected as if he were some expert who actually witnessed events unfold first hand.

Are We all Free to Make our Mind up About the BNP?

The BBC has defended itself against those who have criticised their decision to allow the British National Party leader Nick Griffin to appear on its flagship show, Question Time, this evening.

The director-general Mark Thompson has argued that not allowing the BNP on television would be 'censorship'. Meanwhile up to 300 police officers will line the television centre to prevent any disturbances from anti-racist campaigners escalating.

The BNP's recent success in this year's European elections, where they won 2 seats in the continental parliament, raised the extreme party's profile whose leader Griffin has made comments in the past such as 'the ultimate aim...still remains an all white-Britain' to the Financial Times in 2002.

He has also encouraged ferocious chagrin from the mainstream media fundamentally opposed to the party's principles. In the build up to the show, Griffin has already courted controversy this week by criticising former Army generals, including General Sir Richard Dannat, accusing them of being akin to Nazi war criminals for their involement in Afghanistan and Iraq, even going so far as to provocactively state that those Nazi generals were eventually hanged for waging illegal wars.

No matter what Griffin says and whatever reaction he provokes, should he be free to espouse views of hatred, often neatly packaged for the media he loathes to give them an acceptable facade, or should we censor and restrict partys like the BNP, in direct opposition to the spirit of democracy?

There is of course, as demonstrated by BNP successes at the ballot box, a danger that the propoganda machine of the far-right will cherry pick key issues that some members of the electorate can relate to; immigration, over-population, resource competition to name a few, thereby promoting the BNP's position on these subjects as an attractive one to those who are vulnerable and fearful of their own seat in society.

Democratically, despite protestations, the BNP are a legitimate political party and voters are entitled to choose to support them.

Most decent folk know that the veneer of respectability that the BNP have worked hard in recent years to cultivate, is nothing more than a sham with many newspapers exposing the often disturbed, criminal and downright weird element that reside in the inner sanctum of the party.

This is despite BNP claims of support from teachers, professors and other high ranking officials who the party count as their sympathisers. I am in no doubt that there are probably those who inhabit the lofty echelons of society who may sympathise with the BNP.

Immigration, multi-cultralism and British national identity are key issues that have been carefully tip-toed around for too long by the mainstream political parties. A population of 70 million in Britain within 20 years apparently does not keep Home Secretary Alan Johnson 'awake at night'.

But what of the issues surrounding infrastrucure, supply of resources and everything else this would entail?

It is these topics that the BNP touch upon that merit discussion, not the party's crude line on racial purity and immigrant repatriation. In allowing Nich Griffin on Question Time, a leader of a party whose constitution is inherently racist, the BBC awared him perhaps the finest political platform.

In their opinion, this may be democracy in action, but at what cost? Will the BNP attract more voters dissatisfied with the mainstream who might be looking for a protest vote or will Griffin be rightly exposed?

Taylor ‘walks away’ as Waddock and Kuhl Waltz into Wycombe

A whirlwind weekend in Wycombe Wanderers’ history has developed into a fresh mini-saga complete with a soap storyline accompaniment. Peter Taylor and his assistant Junior Lewis left the club by mutual consent on Friday afternoon leaving youth team coach Richard Dobson to take charge of the 3-2 defeat away at Gillingham the following day. Dobson was quoted as stating that his tenure would last for just one game and that he expected to be coaching the youth side on Monday.

On Tuesday afternoon it emerged that successful Aldershot Town boss Gary Waddock and his assistant Martin Kuhl are to take charge of the Chairboys in a chain of events that leaves many fans questioning Taylor’s departure and the quick-fire appointment of the new team at the helm. The official line coming out of the club has been that the decision to relieve Taylor of managerial duties was one made mutually with head of communications Alan Parry describing the former boss as an ‘honourable man’ who had seemingly taken the team as far as he possibly could.

Despite a disappointing start to the season, Taylor remains only the second manager to win promotion with the Blues during their Football League history and after just twelve games perhaps Chairman Steve Hayes’ patience was quickly wearing thin. Hayes has made it no secret that he is eager to transform the club into a force to be reckoned with in League One and no doubt the start to this campaign had left him, along with a section of the fan base, disillusioned. There are those however that subscribe to the belief that the problems lay not with the personnel but with the tactics employed and that this factor, combined with Taylor’s stubbornness or perceived reluctance to change the system, contributed to his exit.

When he resigned following the play-off defeat to Stockport County, former boss Paul Lambert insinuated that there were a few things that were not quite right behind the scenes at the club. It will interesting to see over the next few days and weeks whether lightning has struck twice and will Gary Waddock be able to change the team’s fortunes on the pitch?

New Government, New Dawn?

By the end of June 2010, it looks increasingly likely that Britain will be led by a new Conservative government faced with old questions; the economy, Afghanistan, confronting crime and the environment to name a few. Then there are those issues that will come to the forefront in subsequent years. Will Britain align with the United States on the world stage and agree to co-operate on solving problems in the Middle East and quelling the threats from Iran and North Korea? How will the Western superpowers deal with voracious China and the simmering veiled menace of former foe Russia? Energy and food security combined with climate change (man-made or part of a natural cycle, you decide) are also increasingly complex subjects for Britain as a member of the internatonal community to contribute towards solving.

This week at their annual party conference in Manchester, the Conservatives have been busily outlining their vision of the future. There is a focus on work, graft and the neccessity for massive cuts and public sector pay freezes. Critics have labelled the Tories bleak, the counter argument is that they are merely offering a heavy dose of realism that the country appreciates having been forced to swallow the soundbites of spin that have emmanated from New Labour for far too long.

Not completely enamoured by the Tories or David Cameron but seemingly desperate for some form of change, the British public need to know what changes they can expect, if any, from a new government. It is not entirely clear whether the new dawn will be positive or disasterous, not just for Britain but for everyone.

The Season So Far

Given the club rhetoric, long-suffering Blues fans could be forgiven for having entered this campaign with a sense of optimism, one that if it existed before, has since been severely diluted. The protracted 'takeover' (coup d'etat?) by local financial monolith and the self-proclaimed philanthropist (in terms of portraying himself as the only solution, the saviour, the bloke doing us a favour) Steve Hayes finally went through, halting manager Peter Taylor's advances in the transfer market. Supposedly this was going to usher in a new era of prosperity and limitless ambition with the Championship and the promise of a shiny new identikit stadium to house Wanderers and current tenants, the successful rugby union side, London Wasps. This sporting union would surely lay the foundations for an unstoppable enterprise that would ensure High Wycombe becomes the envy of the Home Counties. First, let us get on with the nasty business of dispatching with fallen giants Leeds, Charlton and Southampton then we can concentrate on the important task of plotting the downfall of the European greats.

Of course, things never do quite work out as those intended had hoped and after the 'bail out' was voted on, the bitterness and division amongst the fan base lingered and events on the pitch so far this season have done little to lift the cynicism. Languishing in the relegation zone with problems conceding goals and scoring them, the recipe for success is missing key ingredients including the notable absence of Tommy Doherty, struggling with injury and unable to participate in his own indomitable manner.

The opening day brought a courageous 3-2 defeat away at much fancied Charlton, a game and result which appeared to boost morale rather than dampen spirits. Even a subsequent defeat to Leeds was dismissed as par for the course in what was already regarded as a difficult beginning to the season. A point at home to a slick Southend side was given a mixed response. Whilst it was nice of the visitors to afford Wycombe their first notch on the league scoreboard, the manner in which Southend outclassed the Blues suggested that points were going to be exceedingly difficult to come by unless the team proved that they too have the ability to compete in the third tier. A 5—2 mauling at Norwich did little to prove doubters wrong and the critics were already starting to dissect the team's notable weaknesses. A home win against Bristol Rovers provided a brief respite as did a valuable away point at Hartlepool however the latest result, a 1-0 defeat at home to rivals MK Dons in the faux Bucks derby leaves Wanderers rooted near the bottom of the table and looking increasingly devoid of ideas.

The aforementioned Tommy Doherty's midfield presence is paradoxically essential to ensuring a better chance of success. The skill and graft he exerts on proceedings is often offset by a formidable temper that is also capable of contributing to the team's downfall in matches. Peter Taylor is also presented with a front line dilemma. At the other end, although the inclusion of ex-Chelsea and Stoke man Michael Dubbery has shored up the defence, putting the ball in the opposition net has proved difficult and the manager's selections have not always met with approval. Jon Paul-Pittman would do well to take note of Jermaine Defoe and remain a persistent goal scorer coming off the bench to perhaps one day merit a chance from the start. Matt Harrold is doing his best targetman impression however despite a goal against former club Southend, he has looked lacklustre in leading the line however the tactic employed of knocking the ball over his head cannot help. Meanwhile Stuart Beavon waits eagerly for an extended chance in the first -team, one that he may be afforded following his goal against Hartlepool.

The Tragedy of Afghanistan

The whole country is in a solelm mood as it reflects on the deaths of several more young men, heroically fallen in their prime. As Operation Panther's Claw, designed to surge forward to clear what were believed to be only remnants of Taliban insurgents, continues, it becomes more apparent that throughout its duration, we will be hearing daily of similar tragedies.

We will lament the woefully inept hand that the Armed Forces have been given by the Government and surely the in-fighting and bittnerness between politicans and those associated with the Forces will intensify. A few leaked excerpts from one solider depict a sorry tale where those 'in theatre' (what a callous and reductive phrase) are often misguided and hopelessly under-equipped to carry out the tasks given to them.

Operation Panther's Claw, combined with the U.S military offensive, Operation Strike of the Sword, is supposed to be winning the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. They have become weary of air strikes felling their countrymen so a strategy aimed at taking on a malleable and evolving enemy head-on was sought. What of the thoughts of the British publiic? Confronted by the latest losses, there has been a remarkable stoical resillience. Support for the Armed Forces has reached a fresh high. How many hearts and minds across the world will have to undergo untold physical and mental anguish before this bloody war is over?

Promotion, Shares and the Summer of BB

Hurrah! We finally did it. Wycombe Wanderers achieved what had eluded them for the past five years and won promotion to League One. Congratulations to the whole squad. The Chairboys can now look forward to visiting the thrilling fields of fallen giants Charlton Athletic, Norwich City, Leeds United and Southampton. This next season could be one of the truly memorable ones with so many exciting fixtures to look forward to, including re-uniting with old sparring partners, Colchester United.

When examining the finer details of the forthcoming season, it is fascinating to consider that a few short years ago, Wycombe were facing Charlton at The Valley when they were a Premiership side and now we will be playing them on an equal footing. Our first pre-season fixture saw us beat AFC Wimbledon 1-0 with none other than former Premier League 'star' Carl Cort on trial for the Blues. Swings and roundabouts.

Changing tack completely, I have recently attempted to get involved in the murky world of share dealing. Unfortunately I've fallen at the first hurdle and lost interest already. If anyone can provide a layman's guide to share dealing for dummies, please get in touch.

The summer of Big Brother (am I the only one watching it this year?) continues with some pleasant surprises. Narcissistic Kris has been given the boot by the voting public, proving that there is still human decency in the wider populous. Please take Marcus with you before he sexually assaults 'cock-blocker' Noirin who has already succeeded in casting a spell over the ever so respectful and well educated Sree and continues her man-eating spree unabated.

Oh, there is also something called The Ashes going on as well. Summer is here.

Radio Ga Ga, Football Crazy

It has certainly been a while since I 'blogged'! Back in late 2007 when I last posted, the recession was a mere blip on the horizon, not yet having thrown the world's economy into turmoil. Though a few months on in January 2008, I felt the pinch and a sign of things to come when I lost my job in a call centre, creating leads to sell onto mortgage advisors. The housing market was one of the first areas of a fragile economy to implode and we've all been crunched.

Alas, I digress. Now here we are already hurtling through 2009 at light speed and many find themselves struggling to find any form of employment, let alone something in a field that that they are interested in. Having graduated in 2007 and a few months later packed my bags for Bournemouth, I thought it was difficult enough when contacting media companies to get a foot in the door. A new wave of graduates this summer are no doubt going to find things even tougher. It might sound simplistic to say so but those graduating now really do need to assess their options in advance of leaving university if they hope to find suitable employment. Those lucky souls who will leave with 'vocational' degrees (i.e-those that are generally essential and valued in society, such as engineering, teaching etc) will probably be lucky enough to ride the storm and discover that there are an abundance of employers who need their specialised skills. For the rest of them, those like me who studied English for example, they need to hone their CVs, have completed some form of volunteering or work experience already or have something that they can claim as their niche to wave in front of employers to enable them to stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Having presented a few radio shows for the university station in Bangor, I now want to take that experience further. Last July I got involved with Hospital Radio Bedside, a community station for those staying in the Royal Bournemouth, Poole, Poole Maternity, Christchurch and Wimborne hospitals. It's a fantastic opportunity to help those in the local community, gain new skills and give a little something back. I'd recommend Hospital Radio to anyone, there is so many rewarding and fulfilling tasks to carry out that don't just involve being on-air.

This time of year is also a crucial one in domestic and European football. The team I support, Wycombe Wanderers might not be gracing the finest footballing cathedrals of Europe this spring but there is the extremely important matter of a promotion race in England's League 2 (the fourth tier in the national pyramid). For those who take a keen interest in matters further down the ladder, they will know that Wycombe have an unenviable recent history of failing at the last hurdle to clinch promotion. This season has been another rollercoaster, having been 9 points clear at the top at one point, now clawing desperately to the last automatic promotion spot with around 7/8 teams in the mix. This blogger wishes all at WWFC the best of luck and hopefully this will finally be our year. I'm hoping that there will be cause for celebration come the final whistle against Notts County on the last day of the season.