In the wee small hours this is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 fM
I tune in perhaps three or four times a year
And there it is
Like poetry, or a prayer
More about that tomorrow….it’s been a poetry led evening and I’m feeling suddenly melancholy
Sweet dreams ( thank you Philip xx)
So redolent of the matter of Albion. The forecast and its preceding companion piece, 'Sailing By' ( https://youtu.be/dFdas-kMF74?si=OTShc0aT2V4VZt-_). Amongst other things. Look forward to hearing about the poetry.
ReplyDeleteThank you Philip xx ( added)
DeleteI tune into the shipping forecast podcast when I am having trouble sleeping. I find it very soothing. The one from Victoria BC is awful, the poor man stumbles through it putting emphasis on all the wrong words until it makes absolutely no sense. Having been used to the BBC, I find it particularly jarring. Also fond of the forecast for farmers and growers, is that still a thing?
ReplyDeleteOh my,the BBC music made me daydream of waltzing,and praying...l hope you sleep well when you do, Mary
ReplyDeleteI hope so too john , you have a few ghosts to let go of
DeleteLee
DeleteI remember listening to the shipping forecasts and writing on a piece of clear plastic out over our chart, wind speeds, direction etc. I liked that they spoke clearly and slowly. Now it is all different as it is all on computers on boats. Gigi
ReplyDeleteSweet dreams and hope the melancholy lifts overnight, John Gigi
ReplyDeleteThank god for the BBC!
ReplyDeleteYou know, once, rehearsing an historical play, the director had us sit in a small museum recreation of a period sitting room. We had an oil lantern. He had a wonderful voice and he read poetry from the civil war era. It was magical. I will remember that night for all my life. Sleep well.
ReplyDeleteAnd that was Debby...
ReplyDeleteI listen to Radio 4 Extra these days so I miss all those classic snippets.
ReplyDeleteI'd long time wondered where 'Gibraltar Point' was, knowing that from its place in the sequence it had to be somewhere on the English east coast. So, just coupla days ago found (if you didn't already know) it's on the north side of The Wash. Why its name, I've no idea.,
ReplyDeleteWe have a similar daily broadcast for sea and inland waters. It is very soothing, and the broadcaster (with co-operation with national meteorological institute) takes a great pride to keep it a quality piece. It is an honour to radio reporter to be allowed to give the forecast. They actually rehearse it several times before their first time on air ;-)
ReplyDeleteUlvmor
I remember as a child hearing all these exotic sounding places - Dogger, Fisher, German Bight et al, and wondering where they were. There is something reassuring about the shipping forecast. I hope the melancholia has dispersed with the dawn. xx
ReplyDeleteThis soothing piece of music is called Sailing By, and was written by famous light music composer Ronald Binge. Jarvis Cocker once chose it as a Desert Island Discs radio programme selection because he said it helped him sleep.
ReplyDeleteScilly automatic
ReplyDeleteScilly everything as well as automatic. One of my favourite places in the world.
DeleteWonderful stuff. I hope the BBC never do away with it.
ReplyDeleteThe memory of lying there listening, waiting for the relevant shipping area to come round...and waking, realising that you slept and missed it!
ReplyDeleteAs a child I would have my little transistor radio under the bedclothes so my parents in the next room watching television wouldn't hear it. I would wait through the news and then the shipping forecast praying I could stay awake long enough for Book at Bedtime. Every single night the same routine, I loved the exotic sounds of the shipping areas and the sound of the seagulls and wind at the start.
ReplyDeleteLate to this but just had to say - I Love the shipping forecast x
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I remember Mrs Bale loving the shipping forecast in the sitcom As Time Goes By. And now I understand why.
ReplyDeleteMary in PA/USA
Anyone else remember the scene in black books with Fran and the shipping news? Tina in west oz
ReplyDelete