WC JANUARY 3 and 10

Nothing much to report over Christmas, for the first time ever, I never saw one pantomime. I was due to go to the press night at the Mayflower, Southampton,  but the lockdown stopped  any hope of  that happening.

I was lucky enough to see my daughter, Caroline, which was a welcome boost.

With sickness hitting the County Press, I was invited to write some more sport and Wight Memories features which was a great personal pleasure. These included Henry Barney, Sheila Hancock, Derek Hunt’s Rookley Country Music Nights, The Cherokees and Bernie Cullen.

They have several more not yet published. It’s so nice to get a lot of feedback from these. Also rewarding to know that Sheila Hancock was pleased with the article.

Also had some nice response to the two DVDs that were released just before Christmas, including a lady from Sussex who was particularly pleased with them.

Wednesday January 13 was not a good day. I was saddened to hear of the death of a wonderful long term friend, the local drummer Doug Watson (pictured). He was a great musician and we worked so well over the years and he got me a few scoops for both my radio show and newspapers. Of course, he was in brilliant groups like Kite and Blue Moon. I am writing an appreciation of his life in the County Press. he’ll be sadly missed.

Also saddened by the death of Niton’s Peter Boffin, who was involved with the Island’s amateur theatre circuit for many years. He was also a former TV cameraman and vision mixer and worked on some huge hit television series. He was one of those wonderful characters you could listen to for hours. He had so many great stories.

Delighted that I Love Cowes Radio are playing some of my old  John Hannam Meets interviews every Sunday at noon and 7pm, courtesy of IW Radio. Some recent ones have included the late Des O’Connor, Cannon and Ball, Julian Clary and the former Island farmer Sylvia Jones.

Also my worldwide John Hannam Meets podcasts, available from all the leading sites, have included  Bill Maynard and Mandy Rice-Davies.