Radio Features

Sssh, I think I can hear one

The Planet Ray cuckoo watch continues. We've had reports of the illusive bird in Willingale, St. Osyth, Little Baddow, Heybridge Basin... but despite riding around the country lanes of our beautiful county on my bicycle, I've not caught up with one, and with the cuckoo rhyme in mind... time is running out, I'd best keep searching.

Have you heard the cuckoo?

Cuckoo, cuckoo, what do you do?
In April I open my bill;
In May I sing all day;
In June I change my tune;
In July away I fly;
In August away I must.

We even sent our man Major Tom off to Birds Green, near Fyfield to find a cuckoo. We certainly heard some beautiful bird song, but no cuckoo - worryingly.

We also heard someone shooting in the distance... which might explain why any sensible cuckoo would keep well away.

Yo, my man! Welcome to The Emperor

A royal radio legend visited the BBC Essex studios this week. Former offshore pirate and Radio 1 DJ, Emperor Rosko, came by to record a special show for this coming Bank Holiday Monday.

Radio Leg Ends - have MERCY!

I'd worked with The Emp before - and even met up with him in Las Vegas... all very showbiz, but I was working at the time. Rosko still makes occasional visits back to the UK, but is usually found at his home in Hollywood.

You can hear Rosko on BBC Essex on Bank Holiday Monday, 26, May at 5pm - following the Southend Airshow.

More Dengie Rap

Not only did the Dengie King of Rap, Cocker Freeman, make an appearance on the Ray Clark Breakfast Show last week, he's now recorded our very own rap for Planet Ray...

Strawberry Fields Forever

Tom writes: "Me and the old man who lives in a shoe (Ray Clark) love strawberries and have been getting steadily more excited as the season gets closer.

Ready Steady ... GO! Tom's cooking!

"Imagine our delirium when we heard rumour and speculation that the first Essex strawberries were ready at a farm in Great Baddow.

"We immediately dropped all the important work we were doing and headed over there to sample a few of the soft lovelies and they definitely passed the test.

"Then I went strawberry stupid and made some delicious deserts including one you can make yourself by following this link-a-dink to the BBC Good Food website.... [It tastes delicious - Ray]

"As you can see mine doesn't look exactly the same but I'm told they tasted ok - I didn't try one myself as I'm a bit of a coward and don't like custard.

Tom with strawberry tart... and Alison

"Alright strawberry fans, see you at the PYO."

The Story That You Write

What a great story this week, started by Julia, with contributions form Mary, Sandra and The Story Lady.

If you'd like to start one of our stories for another week then please e-mail me:

Where in Essex

Here we go with this weeks clues:

What an aircraft might do = Mayland
The subject of a Gilbert O'Sullivan song from the 70's next to a port = Tilbury Juxta Clare
HAIRY GEL (anagram) = Rayleigh
Sound your horn on the brow = Toot Hill, near Ongar
DO NOT BREW (anagram)- Brentwood