Desert Island Disks with Harlow Hospital Radio

Apart from becoming an MP, my other secret dream has always been to appear on the Radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs. Well, today, I got my opportunity - almost. The tremendous Harlow Hospital Radio was celebrating its 40th anniversary, with an exhibition. HHR were also showing off their brand new studio and equipment. We were also joined by Councillor Mike Garnett, Vice-Chairman of Harlow Council.

I was invited on Ian Jackson's show which became a special kind of Desert Island Discs for HHR. I had told Ian of my records beforehand, which being a music fanatic, he had copies of - even the old LP record versions! Ian's knowledge of music is encyclopaediac and he knew the detailed history of almost every song.

My favourite records were as follows (with links to YouTube et al):

• Come on Aileen by Dexys Midnight Runners;
• Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney;
• Sad eyed Lady of the Lowlands by Bob Dylan;
• Vespers by Rachmaninov;
• Oxygene by Jean Michelle Jarre;
• Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield;
• Lord of the Dance by Michael Flatley;
• Love Me Do by the Beatles;
• The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll by Bob Dylan.

My luxury was of course Vanda! My book, the Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy. Its a moving story about human strength and weakness, with a very sad ending.

I love going to HHR events - they are sometimes wacky, but always with great humour and passion. All the volunteers who make the station such a success are utterly dedicated to good radio and serving the patients of the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com