Last week I presented my monthly programme on Phoenix FM and, once again, it was laden with interesting guests from Brentwood’s Police Commander, Chief Inspector Keith Dobson to an Olympian athlete, Sarah Ainsworth, who has just returned from competing in Vancouver in the Aerial Skiing event.  Among the other guests were the  Ellis family who are making something of a success of their RopeRunners aerial obstacle course business which was launched last year in woods next to the Secret Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon Hatch.

I was particularly proud to meet Sarah Ainsworth who arrived in her Great Britain Team jacket having just returned from Vancouver.  The atmosphere in Vancouver looked fantastic on the television but hearing about it first hand was an absolute pleasure and privilege.    I wish Sarah every success as she returns to Switzerland for more training and competitions.

Keith Dobson talked to us about the increase in burglaries in recent months and reiterated advice regarding crime prevention such as leaving lights on as very often break-ins occur in the early evening before people return from work. 

The staff and volunteers at Phoenix FM have always been very happy to give up their studios to me for a couple of hours a month and have been hugely helpful in “driving” the programme by playing in music, adverts and events guides.

One of those volunteers was, on several occasions, Dennis Rookard, a Phoenix FM original from its early broadcasting days and it was with great sadness I learned of Dennis’s death at home last week. Dennis was a well-known character whom I met not only at Phoenix FM but also at General and local election counts at the Brentwood Centre gathering material for Phoenix FM, hospital TV and local newspapers. Dennis went out of his way to help people, and I am sure he will be remembered fondly by many people in all walks of life in Brentwood.