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 Sarika Unadkat, who hosts The Sunday Shuffle.
Firstly, tell us about yourself. What brings you to Radio Harrow?
I joined Radio Harrow’s predecessor Radio Northwick Park several years ago as a means to gain experience in radio and journalism which I was pursuing a career. It certainly helped with that, but what actually kept me was the charity side and the friends I made. I loved visiting patients and talking to strangers about their day and finding out about the music they loved and trying to cheer people up. The second biggest thing was the other volunteers at the station, hospital and community radio is special as it brings together the biggest variety of people of all different ages and backgrounds all coming together to be creative – it’s a unique environment that nothing else matches with! I’ve become solid friends with people I would have never otherwise encountered in life and it has been beautiful to experience that.
And now, the show. What is The Sunday Shuffle all about?
I love music – and i’m not just saying that like everyone normally does say it. I love music of all kinds and have hugely eclectic taste. I’m that person who has a gazillion genres listed in their Spotify Unwrapped at the end of the year. I’ve always loved discovering new music, but several years of volunteering at Radio Harrow and taking patient’s requests and working with a wide variety of people has educated me about so many great classics that I wouldn’t have been otherwise exposed to. So now I find that I like to consume every genre under the sun and I do get bored listening to just one thing for several hours. Growing up, I found that there’s not many shows that cater to people who like a bit of everything – and that’s where the Sunday Shuffle comes in, because I will literally go from playing a Stevie Wonder classic, to a Metallica anthem, to a South Asian hidden gem, to a Fred Again… dance banger – and so on it goes! It really is the show that will have something for everyone and be the space where if your ears are willing to be more opened you might hear something you definitely won’t be expecting.
What should listeners expect in a typical week on the show?
Expect high energy, lots of music jumping from one end to the other in terms of the spectrum of genres and a heavy dose of silliness. I love a tenuous link and often go overboard with a musical theme – but I do try to balance out the silly, with some splendid tunes and a Sunday chillout designed to soothe your soul.
Do you have a radio idol?
It’ll come as no surprise that much like my music taste, I listen to LOTS of different radio too. From the clear and concise news presenters like Mishal Hussain, to the warmth and entertainment of Greg James to the musical expertise of Annie Mac to name a few – there’s just so many people to choose from to pick one idol!
Lastly, you’re stuck on a remote island for the rest of time! Who would you bring with you for the ride?
A plane to get out of there – hahah!
How to listen!
You can listen to the Sunday Shuffle every Sunday from 11am 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 Sital Ladva, who hosts the Midweek Mix-Up every Wednesday
Firstly, tell us about yourself. What brings you to Radio Harrow?
I have been at Radio Harrow since 2005. I initially started there as I wanted to gain a bit of work experience after finishing uni and nearly 20 years later I am still there!
And now, the show. What is The Midweek Mix-Up all about?
The Midweek Mix-Up is a chance for me to play a whole variety of music to our lovely listeners and to give them that feeling of reaching the hump of the week. it can only get better from here!
What should listeners expect in a typical week on the show?
As I love all genres of music, listeners will be treated to anything from RnB and, Hip-Hop to Garage, Pop and Rock! This also includes my cheesy guilty pleasure and artist of the week.
Do you have a radio idol?
One of our volunteers from back in the day – Chris Stark currently at Capital radio!
Lastly, you’re stuck on a remote island for the rest of time! Who would you bring with you for the ride?
My boyfriend, ingredients for Pina Coladas and Craig David so he could sing to us!
How to listen!
You can hear Sital Ladva every week on Wednesdays from 8pm via radioharrow.org. You can also listen via the TuneIn mobile app or by telling your smart speaker 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 Neal Ford, who hosts 20th Century Boy every Tuesday evening.
Firstly, tell us about yourself. What brings you to Radio Harrow?
It was the summer of 2015 when my wife had finally had enough. “Stop moaning that you wish you’d been a radio presenter when you were younger and go and become one now, what’s stopping you?” Nothing, I thought, so I did.
And how lucky was I to find Radio Harrow? The most lovely, nurturing group of people around. They took an anxious 15 year old boy hiding in the body of a 50 something year old man, gave him time, responsibility and confidence and let him fly.
And now, the show. What is 20th Century Boy all about?
How lucky am I to have the next hour, when the day has been done and the night time upon us, to have a cosy chat with my one listener, however many of those one listeners there happens to be is immaterial?
It’s just the two us having a chat by the fireside listening, as the name of the show would suggest, to music from the 50’s through the 90’s.
Whilst that late night slot is designed to gently end the day, I’m also lucky enough to be invited onto other Tuesday shows too when the early hour allows for more banter among the team players and what fun we have?
What should listeners expect in a typical week on the show?
As everyone on Tuesday nights is aware, I don’t over-plan the show, I think ‘stuff off the cuff’ is a fairly well placed description. But I do try to have some structure, usually celebrating anniversaries highlighting ‘ people and things that went before’ that may possibly have been forgotten over time, maybe an unassuming songwriter responsible for a million seller that can still walk the streets unrecognised.
Do you have a radio idol?
I do have a radio idol and it was John Peel, who I had the pleasure to meet at the bar one day before a Wembley cup final in 1982. During our chat he was approached by an autograph hunter who asked him if had a pen, taking one from his pocket he went to sign his autograph only for the autograph hunter to grab the pen off him with the immortal line…”Thanks mate, Gordon Banks is over there”.
Lastly, you’re stuck on a remote island for the rest of time! Who would you bring with you for the ride?
Well the Who would obviously be anyone with a boat!
And the What would have to be a football, who I’d naturally be obliged to name Mitre.
How to listen!
You can catch Neal Ford and 20th Century Boy every week on Tuesdays from 10pm via radioharrow.org. You can also listen via the TuneIn mobile app or by telling your smart speaker 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 today, we caught up with Matt and Philip, who host Tuesdays nights Culture Corner.
Firstly, tell us about yourself. What brings you to Radio Harrow?
Matt: I am a young up and coming radio journalist who loves talking about movies and tv and all manner of entertainment. Since I was a teenager I wanted to profess my love of film and tv anywhere I could. Given I am a little camera shy, I felt Radio was a much more comfortable and easier way of telling people about my thoughts on movies/tv. I was recommended Radio Harrow by one of my cousins. Then I showed my fellow film fanatic and friend James Wilson the Radio Station and then we pitched a new Radio show to Radio Harrow which has been going since April 2021.
Philip: I moved to London from Dublin almost two years ago, and have been an amateur film critic for many years. Honestly, I had never considered doing reviews on the radio, but when I was presented with an opportunity to co-host the show, I couldn’t say no!
And now, the show. What is Culture Corner about?
Matt: Culture Corner is a show that discusses all things movies, tv and entertainment. I enlisted the help of my friend James Wilson and from 2021-22 we would review films, tv, video games and theatre together both virtually and in the studio. This ended when James got a role in Australia in the radio industry and his place was taken by Phillip.To date we’ve covered San Diego Comic Con, The Cannes Film Festival, London Film Festival and Star Wars Celebration 2023.
What should listeners expect in a typical week on the show?
Philip: There will always be a review or two, there may well be rants, and a few laughs along the way. We try to keep things pretty light. It helps that we get along!
Do you have a radio idol?
Matt: My Radio idol is Mark Kermode. He was the first critic who Iclicked with and found his reviews both incredibly well written, thought out in advance and also just incredibly entertaining to listen to, especially his rants.
Philip: I was never a radio nerd, but Terry Wogan’s career is one I wouldn’t mind emulaing. Sashay over here from Ireland, charm people over the airwaves with my dulcet tones, and the world is my oyster!
Lastly, you’re stuck on a remote island for the rest of time! Who would you bring with you for the ride?
Matt: For me it would be David Bowie, for the simple reason that i just want to talk about where he got a lot of the ideas for his songs and how he evolved his music over the years. Plus we can then talk about his acting career and his painting/ Sculpting career.
Philip: Someone who knows how to chop coconut trees down and lasso the logs together to make a raft.
How to listen!
You can catch Matt and Philip’s Culture Corner every week on Tuesdays from 8pm via radioharrow.org. You can also listen via the TuneIn mobile app or by telling your smart speaker 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 her interview debut, Radio Harrow’s Shree speaks to Louise McNally from Network Rail, about their current campaign called Small Talk Saves Lives in partnership with The Samaritans and British Transport Police.
The campaign aims to encourage the public to support those who may be in emotional crisis around them on the rail network.
For more information head to https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/suicide-prevention-campaigns/.
If you need help or support with this topic, it can be found here: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
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 today, we’re taking a closer look at The Test of Time.
We sat down with host Steve Pinchen as we put the show In the Spotlight.
I’ve been here since 2008 when it was Radio Northwick Park. I’ve had a passion for music and radio for as long as I can remember so started volunteering at another hospital station near to where I grew up in 1980. From then on radio was in my DNA and I moved from there to doing Mobile DJing for some years and found Radio Harrow when I had family members treated at Northwick Park Hospital. Radio Harrow allows that love of music and broadcasting to flourish but also give back to the local community so for me its a win win.
Think of it as a cross between nostalgia, a slight brain massage and a fair few laughs. Its one hour about one year – but can you guess which one??
Have a go at guessing the year all the tunes came from and our (sometimes questionable) help in the form clues from news headlines, music trivia and movies and tv chat. The aim of the show is to make you feel a bit lighter and happier at the end than at the start! You’ll soon realise that we don’t take ourselves too seriously!
I have a few who really stand out, Danny Baker is a genius with some of his content he keeps you really engaged and interested in thing you’d never even considered. Kenny Everet (look him up kids) ahead of his time with the production and presentation skills. For sheer show flow and keeping the listeners entertained and informed throughout I’d say Ken Bruce.
Family of course but if I had to chose, it would be Stephen Fry and Paul McCartney – and a device to stream music if that’s allowed!!
You can catch Steve and the Test of Time every week on Tuesdays from 7pm via radioharrow.org. You can also listen via the TuneIn mobile app or by telling your smart speaker to ‘Play Radio Harrow’ .
You can contact Steve during the show by calling 0208 869 3959 or by sending a Whatsapp to the same number. You can also email studio@radioharrow.org.
February 13th is World Radio Day, and it is an epic day in its own right. A day where we get to celebrate the best medium of all, radio!
It also has another claim to fame. For the the first time that two Radio Harrow presenters, are being featured in a special partnership with BBC Radio London.
The month long project, will raise awareness of Radio Harrow and other community stations within London, and tonight, our very own Vivek Ayer and Anandi Shah, joined the BBC’s Kim Davis for an hour of her Sounds Of The City show.
Over the hour, Vivek and Anandi shared their experiences of Radio Harrow, what they love about Harrow and promoted Radio Harrow across BBC Radio London.
Over the coming weeks, Vivek and Anandi will get stuck into producing their own features, interviewing guests and creating life long memories which will inspire present and future members of Radio Harrow.
Vivek and Anandi, we’re so proud of you and look forward to hearing your journey.
You can listen back to yesterday’s (13th February) Sounds Of The City with Kim Davis, featuring Radio Harrow, on the BBC Sounds website.
Make sure to keep an eye on our socials, so you can stay up to date with when Vivek and Anandi are next on BBC Radio London.
Radio Harrow are proud to share that we been shortlisted for two awards at this years Hospital Broadcasting Association Awards.
The Saturday Brunch, which airs every week on Saturdays from 12noon has been shortlisted as a finalist nomination for Best Programme with Multiple Presenters.
Presenter Anandi Shah has been shortlisted as a finalist nomination for the category of Best Female Presenter.
Speaking to the website, Programme Manager Andrew Bottcher commented:
I’m extremely proud that we have had two nominations for the Hospital Broadcasting Association awards 2024!
Radio Harrow is home of great quality entertainment for Harrow, Brent and Ealing and I’m so glad that we have been recognised for the amazing work we do.
Congratulations Anandi Shah and the Saturday Brunch team! Roll on April for the main awards.
The Hospital Broadcasting Association is the national charity that supports and promotes Hospital Broadcasting in the UK. The HBA Awards ceremony will take place later this year, and the winners announced at the event.
For more information about the HBA Awards, please visit their website.
Brian heads off to the Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner to speak to Assistant Curator Hannah Whyte about their new exhibition celebrating the lift of toy maker, artist and suffragette Mary V Wheelhouse.
We’ve also been sent some photos of the original artwork that Mary V Wheelhouse which we have included below.
You can find more information about the Heath Robinson Museum on their official website.
Radio Harrow’s very own Hannah Vatani got an exclusive chance to catch up with the one of the UK’s most experienced life and career coaches, Joanne Mallon.
In this interview, Joanne talks about her books and how you can make more from life.
From free and flexible technical Skills Bootcamps, available in a range of subjects, to courses covering essential skills such as numeracy and English, there’s something to suit everyone’s goals for 2024.
A big advocate for adult learning is Joanne Mallon, one of the UK’s most experienced career coaches.
Joanne is supporting the Skills for Life campaign, on a mission to empower people to prioritise personal development and redirect some of their spare time into learning new skills in the new year.
You can find more about Joanne on her official website.
Harrow Today’s Team Tuesday were joined in studio by station legend, Marty Rose.
Marty Co-Founded Radio Northwick Park (Now Radio Harrow) in 1971. Marty tells us some stories about what the radio station was like back in the 70s.
You can listen to the interview here
You can read more about our history and heritage here: https://www.radioharrow.org/about/
Photo taken by Zhin Kader
In our latest podcast, Brian Rose speaks with composer and conductor Tom Kilworth from Trinity Orchestra ahead of their first concert event of 2024. The interview provides a fascinating insight into life behind the scenes, with the concert taking place on the 20th January.
From the official website:
Trinity Orchestra’s first concert of 2024 opens with The Noonday Witch – a captivating and atmospheric symphonic poem by Antonín Dvořák, inspired by a poem by Czech folklorist Karel Jaromír Erben.
With a similarly full Romantic harmonic structure and a glimpse of the horizons of modern music, American composer Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony set her apart as a prominent female composer at the turn of the twentieth century. Beach drew inspiration work from simple old English, Irish and Scottish melodies, thus the subtitle ‘Gaelic’.
The centrepiece of this concert, will be a performance of one of the best-loved and most often-performed works of all time: Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2. As soloist we are thrilled to welcome multi-award-winning pianist Thomas Kelly, currently studying at the Royal College of Music. The concerto is full of romantic melodies and lush harmonies and, with this work, audiences and critics alike would continue to look to Rachmaninov as an example of the exciting and wondrous possibilities Romanticism could provide.
You can listen to the interview below:
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