Radio Features

Darwin and HMS Beagle - my family's possible part in its demise!

Charles Darwin's life is being celebrated 200-years-on. The man who changed the way the world thought about many things circumnavigated the world on HMS Beagle.

Is Beagle's final resting place here?

But as famous as the ship was, nobody is really sure what happened to the vessel, although it's thought her remains lie beneath the mud in the River Roach at Paglesham.

I went off in search of the wreck this week and it seems that the reason for its demise might have been the need to move it ashore and onto the mud, rather than leave it midstream. This was done because the oyster fishermen complained about it getting in their way.

My ancestors were oyster dredger men on the Crouch and Roach, so could it be they are the ones responsible? Please don't consider prosecuting.

An historic find?

Following our feature on the Beagle on The Ray Clark Breakfast Show we had calls from Heather in Rochford - she has an anchor from the ship in her garden - and then I was sent to a pub in Maldon to track down the ship's wheel. Mine is such a hard job!

We'll get closer soon ...

In search of the martians

The plan was to go out to the Gunfleet Sands in the North Sea on Tuesday to take a look at the work being done in preparation of the wind farm installation. But with Force 8 northerly winds forecast, the voyage of discovery was postponed.

The sea cruise came about after the 'War of The Worlds spacecraft look-alike' that they use on the site came inshore earlier in the year and towered above the Dengie horizon.

A bit wet underfoot

The North Sea nearly came to see us on Tuesday, with most of the county struggling through the flood waters.

We were dealing with a 'flood' of calls (sorry), including one from the head teacher at Rayne school (Rayne, get it!).

Mr Wright couldn't get through the flood waters, nor could his colleagues, so Planet Ray came to the rescue and the decision was made, on-air, to close the school.

Standing room only - on the roof only!

Loads of Planet Ray listeners sent in some super photographs - take a look at the gallery for more of them. Thanks to Tony from Maldon Fire Station and John McLellan for the amazing pictures featured here.

The story 'wot' you write

Great Valentines themed story this week from John and Julia. Why not write a story for the future?

Planet Ray goes into another orbit for a week, back at 6am on Monday, 23, Feb. Glenn Speller will be taking care of the Breakfast Show next week.