It is with a heavy heart that we share the heart-breaking news of our dear friend and beloved colleague, Brian Rose, who passed away last week on Wednesday, the 15th of May.
Brian was more than just a broadcast legend. His vast knowledge of classical music and his fascinating discussions were gifts he generously shared with us all. During the challenging Covid lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, his soft tones brought calm and reassurance to so many. From his home studio—a space that filled him with immense pride and joy—he continued to touch our lives.
For many years, Brian was a loyal and dedicated member of Radio Harrow, presenting his own show, ‘In A Classical Mood’. He conducted countless interviews with local businesses and charities, hosted numerous events, and served as Radio Harrow’s Events Manager, leaving a positive mark on our community.
Brian was not just a pillar of Radio Harrow; he was a cornerstone of the wider Harrow community too. A member of several organisations, he was rightfully recognised as a Harrow Hero nominee, a testament to his unwavering commitment to making our world a better place.
His absence leaves a void that can never be filled. Brian will be deeply missed, and our hearts go out to his loved ones during this profoundly difficult time.
Also, let’s send our love to our Sunday team, where Brian was an integral part of the Request Show. They visited him regularly in the hospital, providing comfort and companionship in his final days.
View your stories, memories and condolences at our condolence page here.
Andrew Bottcher – Vice Chair
In this series of reviews, we’re putting some of our shows into the spotlight. Led and run entirely by volunteers, Radio Harrow broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from our studios in Northwick Park, and this week, we caught up with Pierre Petrou, who hosts Rock ‘N’ Rodeo Therapy!
Firstly, tell us about yourself. What brings you to Radio Harrow?
I used to live in north London and I was rushed to Northwick Park Hospital when they thought I was having a heart attack over 20 years ago! During my stay, I had a visit from the radio station and joined the team a few weeks after being discharged. (It was kidney stones in the end!) I love music and I write songs. Listeners will know all about me because I wear my heart on my sleeve during every show I host!
And now, the show. What is Rock ‘N’ Rodeo Therapy all about?
As the name suggests, it’s mainly rock ‘n’ roll from the 1950s onwards bringing listeners right up to date with today’s biggest country sounds. Sometimes I go back to the 1940s, even the 1920s if required! However, if it’s good enough, I will even play something from today’s charts. Effectively, it’s probably the only radio show in the world that caters across a hundred years of music – the 1920s to the 2020s. I also talk a lot about everyday life and seek listeners experiences on matters I need help with! The show has been likened to ‘reality radio’, as everyone gets involved and shares tips on all sorts of things, all interspersed with the world’s greatest songs.
What should listeners expect in a typical show?
Lots of songs, lots of chat, a few surprises, and various features like the Novelty Number, Joint Jukebox Jury, (where the listeners randomly choose a song), the Motown Moment, Spot the Intro, Pierre’s Pop, and the ‘Quarter-to / Sing-to’.
Do you have a radio idol?
I have a few. I grew up listening to radio when the DJs were big personalities, so I’ve naturally just followed that type of broadcasting. Graham Dene is one of my all time favourites because he seems to have the same types of music tastes as me, but importantly, he always has some interesting information about the songs and also makes his shows interactive. The other similar type of radio presenter I admire is Nick Risby. He is very down-to-earth and also involves the listener with a style of radio that is familiar.
Lastly, you’re stuck on a remote island for the rest of time! What would you bring with you for the ride?
A broadcasting studio and my music collection because the show must go on!
How to listen!
You can listen to Rock ‘N’ Rodeo Therapy every Sunday from 8pm via this website, on the TuneIn app, or through your smart speaker by telling it to ‘Play Radio Harrow’.
Contact the studio!
You can contact the studio during the show by calling 0208 869 3959 or by sending a WhatsApp to the same number. You can also email studio@radioharrow.org.
In this series of reviews, we’re putting some of our shows into the spotlight. Led and run entirely by volunteers, Radio Harrow broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from our studios in Northwick Park, and this week, we caught up with Brendan Murphy, who hosts The 60s Jukebox!
Firstly, tell us about yourself. What brings you to Radio Harrow?
I retired from a career in banking in 2018 & was keen to do something completely different. I started volunteering at a local food bank, and also joined Radio Harrow at the end of 2022. Radio work had always been of interest since my days of running a mobile disco in my 20s.
I found the Radio Harrow team welcoming & supportive from the outset . Once trained I was able to start the weekly “60s Jukebox “ show early in 2023.
And now, the show. What is The 60s Jukebox all about?
The “60s Jukebox “ show does what it says on the tin! I play tracks from a decade which , I consider, to be the best for music. So many genres emerged & came together in a melting pot of great sounds during the 1960s.
What should listeners expect in a typical show?
Listeners can expect to hear a great mix of music from the decade -pop, soul, rock, reggae & Motown. In addition to news and trivia facts from the 1960s the show has regular features- “Back2Back Beatles” and “I Can’t Believe it Didn’t do Better” featuring a song that surprisingly did not make UK Top 30.
Do you have a radio idol?
My radio idol is Johnnie Walker- he has good musical knowledge & and great taste in music. He also has a presenting style that is easy to listen to. Having started his career in the 1960s he still has a weekly show on Radio 2.
Lastly, you’re stuck on a remote island for the rest of time! Who would you bring with you for the ride?
Bear Grylls (with a saw!) may be a useful companion- he could chop down trees, build a shelter, forage for food and even make a vessel to sail away on!
How to listen!
You can listen to The 60s Jukebox with Brendan Murphy every Thursday from 2pm via this website, on the TuneIn app, or through your smart speaker by telling it to ‘Play Radio Harrow’.
Contact the studio!
You can contact the studio during the show by calling 0208 869 3959 or by sending a WhatsApp to the same number. You can also email studio@radioharrow.org.
In this Radio Harrow exclusive, Anneka and Oliver speak to Councillor Ramji Chauhan, the Mayor Of Harrow about raising awareness of dementia. The Mayor was in attendance of a Dementia Hub event at Northwick Park Hospital.
You can listen to the interview below
The Request Show were joined in studio by members of the Ruislip Running Club.
You can hear the interview below.
You can find out more about Ruislip Running Club on their website https://ruislip-rc.org.uk/ .
Gary Walker caught up with Nick DuGard for a chat about all things Wealdstone FC.
How to Listen
You can listen to Gary Walker on Afternoon Walker every Saturday afternoon from 3pm.
Gary chats to Willie Armstrong from The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are a “bag-rock” group that combines rock/pop music with bagpipes.
You can listen to the interview below
You can hear Gary Walker on Afternoon Walker every Saturday from 3pm.
In this series of reviews, we’re putting some of our shows into the spotlight. Led and run entirely by volunteers, Radio Harrow broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from our studios in Northwick Park, and this week, we caught up with David Reece, who hosts the breakfast show!
Firstly, tell us about yourself. What brings you to Radio Harrow?
I’ve been a volunteer at Radio Harrow since its previous guise as Radio Northwick Park. I joined in January 1999, starting first on the Request Show, to eventually getting my own show on Sunday afternoons in May of that year.
I initially joined to get radio experience as I thought I was the next Chris Moyles or Tarrant. This has evolved somewhat since then though. I love the freedom that comes with broadcasting on this station, as well as all the friendships I have made over the years. It’s the reason I am still here!
And now, the show. What is David Reece’s Breakfast Piece all about?
Breakfast is a special show as you are there when people first wake up in the morning. You are part of their routine and it’s a privilege to be included within that. The show is fun, uncontroversial and informative of the goings on in Harrow, with plenty of good music to start the day with.
What should listeners expect in a typical show?
I mainly play music from the 80s right the way through to the latest tracks, but you may hear the occasional surprise. You can expect up-to-date information on what to see and do in our Borough, as well as occasional features that include ‘Half Hour Harrow Facts’, ‘THREEme’ and ‘Early Learnings’ – You’ll have to tune in to find out what these are!
Do you have a radio idol?
Chris Tarrant played a part, but my main inspiration was Chris Moyles. He made, and continues to make radio sound so effortless and the fun that he has broadcasting on the radio is very enticing! I definitely want to emulate that ethos as much as I can. Radio is a bug that once you catch, you have it for life.
Lastly, you’re stuck on a remote island for the rest of time! Who would you bring with you for the ride?
What? Jaffa Cakes, Tea and a radio to listen to.
Who? My wife and daughter.
How to listen!
You can listen to David Reece’s Breakfast Piece every weekday from 7am via this website, on the TuneIn app, or through your smart speaker by telling it to ‘Play Radio Harrow’.
Contact the studio!
You can contact the studio during the show by calling 0208 869 3959 or by sending a Whatsapp to the same number. You can also email studio@radioharrow.org.
The “North West London Wellness: 21-Day Challenge” is all about empowering individuals to adopt healthier habits in various aspects of their lives. From nutrition and exercise to sleep, hydration, stress management, and social connections, each week will focus on a different dimension of well-being.
Each day, our Radio Harrow team will be tasked with giving a challenge for the following night’s team to try out, put into practice, and discuss on the show the next day which provides a platform for participants to share their experiences and learn from one another. We’ll also be joined by guest speakers who will have their input on how to have good wellbeing.
Whether you’re looking to improve your diet, boost your fitness routine, manage stress more effectively, or simply connect with others on a similar journey, this challenge has something for everyone.
We’ll be sharing details of the challenges on air, on our social media pages, and via our special 21 Days Challenge web-page.
Keep tuned in to Radio Harrow as we’ll be revealing the first challenge during the Request Show on Sunday 7th April!
Join Gary Walker as he chats to the sensational Justine Riddoch, a Tina Turner tribute act, about her upcoming tour.
In this exclusive interview, Brian speaks to Doctor Chris Nordstrom about A&E. Chris talks about what to expect when going to A&E and what you can do to help.
In this series of reviews, we’re putting some of our shows into the spotlight. Led and run entirely by volunteers, Radio Harrow broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from our studios in Northwick Park, and this week, we caught up with Gary Walker, who hosts Afternoon Walker.
Firstly, tell us about yourself. What brings you to Radio Harrow?
I worked as presenter in a number of roles in USA, mainly in the breakfast slot before making the decision to move to Africa. Whist in Africa, I did manage to make my way onto radio a few times, but spent much of the time hosting events and providing music from a selection of nearly a thousand CDs. When I moved to Harrow, I wanted to get back into radio and was fortunate to become the breakfast presenter for Harrow Community Radio which then became Radio Harrow. Following Covid, I have reduced my involvement to a weekly show.
And now, the show. What is Afternoon Walker all about?
The show is hopefully two hours of fun, packaged into an eclectic variety of music ranging from current chart hits to music through the decades. This includes my long-running feature – The Saturday BrainBuster, The Saturday Three for One (three great songs with a common theme), Interesting Stories in the News (a collection of fascinating things that have happened during the week) and The Wayback Machine (a look at a particular date in time talking about the important stories in the news of that date, what was popular in the cinema, and of course we play the number one song from that period). As a side note – The term Wayback Machine comes from an old cartoon show which was part of Bullwinkle the Moose where Mr. Peabody (a brilliant scientist) and his young protégé Sherman (a cartoon version of one of my past co-presenters) would go back in time using the “Wayback Machine”.
What should listeners expect in a typical week on the show?
Great music to appeal to people of all ages and lots of fun
Do you have a radio idol?
For me it is a toss-up between Paul Harvey and Casey Kassem. Both are American DJs from the 1980 and were widely syndicated.
Lastly, you’re stuck on a remote island for the rest of time! Who would you bring with you for the ride?
I would like a comfortable chair please.
How to listen!
You can listen to the Afternoon Walker every Saturday from 3pm via this website, on the TuneIn app, or through your smart speaker by telling it to ‘Play Radio Harrow’.
Contact the studio!
You can contact the studio during the show by calling 0208 869 3959 or by sending a Whatsapp to the same number. You can also email studio@radioharrow.org.
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