Radio Features

No small cats on Planet Ray

Have you seen 'The Big Cat'?

We sent our daring 'pussycat prowler' Natalie Wood off to West Hanningfield to track down the 'Beast of Billericay', you might be surprised to learn that she didn't find it. However, Planet Ray listener Brian and his daughter Robyn Etholle have their very own 'Big Cat.' Make way please for Henry.

Brian claims to have seen an even bigger 'big cat' around Braintree way, and our own Dave Monk thinks he's seen one as well. Sadly we have no pictures though.

All aboard

Did you see Oliver Cromwell as SHE passed through the county on Wednesday? - and Planet Ray has heard that SHE will be passing through again on 20th September.

Eleven minutes early at Boreham

She is the steam locomotive Oliver Cromwell, which has recently been refurbished and was running on its old route, from Liverpool St station to Norwich, and of course that route passes right through the middle of our county.

Plenty of Planet Ray listeners either saw it, or heard it, including Chris from Chelmsford who rushed out to see the engine and its train rush by.

Michael prized £250,000 out the dragons

Enter the Dragons

You never know when you'll meet old friends. When I was on holiday the Dragons on the Dragons Den gave an Essex business man £250,000 for his company to continue with their invention of a device that stops you putting petrol into a diesel car - seems a clever idea.

I missed that particular episode, but what a surprise - I went to school with that very same successful business man and hadn't spoken to him for more than 30-years, until Wednesday when we had him as a guest on The Ray Clark Breakfast Show. So I now know someone who, I think is going to be very rich - well done Mike!

The last Saturday of September

The end of summer must be near, if summer ever arrived this year, and that means it's almost time for Burnham Carnival, this year celebrating its 100th anniversary. Members of the BBC Essex team will be there, and, as always there'll be loads happening in the town all day and well into the evening with the famous illuminated procession.

Burnham Carnival 27 September

As mentioned last week, I've written the story of the first 100-years of the event, and the team at bbc.co.uk/essex have asked me to write a shorter version for them - look out for the links soon, and if you're looking for a good day out on the 27th then come to Burnham-on-Crouch (with hyphens) and say hello.

The story 'wot' you write

Interesting story this week, with fact and fiction getting together for our story about 'The Big Bang'

Interesting story of scientists wanting a groovier name for the experiment. Planet Ray listeners Terry and Helen suggest that we already have a 'circulatory collider system'. They say it's called the M25.