Radio Features

After leaving her trombone on the Number 373 bus in Walsall when she was at school, Alison was reunited with a similar instrument on Monday. It's probably true to say the the whole of mankind benefited by the original loss back in the early 1980's!

Alison makes sweet music - kind of...

Getting a tune out of the things is not that easy, although news-reader Claire managed a few notes and then we found that Paul from our online team passed many trombone exams when he was at school - and he can play the bass notes to The Stripper!

Another cartoon gem, but who really wrote it?

Planet Ray's cartoonist, still very much a mystery man, has been at work again.

It couldn't be him, could it?

All we know is that his name is Gordon - and after we were stood up by the Prime Minister at the end of last week (although we caught up with him on Monday) it occurred to me that our cartoonist and the Prime Minister could be one and the same person!

We did manage to speak to the PM (the real one) on Monday... and high ranking representatives from Planet Ray were in London on a secret mission earlier in the week. We really can't say anymore, but see Tom's section for a bit more info.

Nick adopts the 'Healty body, Healthy mind' pose

I'm not sure I want to know....

I usually get to work around 5am and home by 1pm, so what happens in the newsroom at BBC Essex later in the day is a bit of a mystery to me - even more so after seeing ace news man Nick Alliker exercising. I think management should be made aware.

Just wanna be your Teddy Bear

An unexpected studio guest joined us on Wednesday when producer Alison took part in 'National Bring your Panda to work day'.

Panda spins the hits

Panda, bless him, has been with Ali for many years - but the stress is starting to show.

Grab your partners

Thursday was May Day - don't worry we're not in distress - but we did hear about the Maypole at Tolleshunt D'Arcy, which is really a boat mast, and little Ivy aged seven who is the May queen at her school.

Borstal Manor Junior's Maypole Princess, 1979

Mum Lucy told us about her, and this took news girl Claire back to her childhood and her grand appearance as the May Princess.

Ground control to Major Tom

"Hullo blog-a-loggers...

"I'm not sure which was more strange - an afternoon on a top secret mission with Ray Clark or a morning spent with a giant fish! The first saw me and the old man up in London town recording something with a Lord which you'll hear soon.

The boys have been all over the plaice in this car

"It was most enjoyable apart from Ray nearly getting us thrown out of the country when his mobile phone went off.

As far as the fish goes, the morning went swimmingly but it was all a little cod (odd) standing next to an 18ft giant motorised sea bass!"

"Still stranger things will probably happen! I'm on holiday next week so I'll speak again on my return when I'll have exciting news of future happenings...

"Bonjour for now - Tom"

The Story That YOU Help to Write

Pauline started us off with the tale of Rob, Alison, Claire and Roger...

Where in Essex - this week's clues:

A bird, not batting = Finchingfield (Finch-in-field)
Do this before you strike the ball = Chalkwell
A productive chicken sitting comfortably = Layer de la Haye
Cross the Humber estuary = Hullbridge
Enjoy an after dinner drink in South Wales, The IOW and Essex = Newport