These are some of the festive programmes that you can hear on Radio Warneford today!
12.00am
THE A-Z OF A VERY 70’S CHRISTMAS
Richard Smith chooses a selection of festive tracks from the 1970’s for each of the letters in the alphabet. From Lynn Anderson to “Wonderful Christmastime”, the show features songs from The Jackson Five, Johnny Mathis, The Beatles, Bing Crosby, Showaddywaddy, Wham, The Pogues, David Bowie, Shakin’ Stevens and, of course, Cliff Richard!
1.00am
CHRISTMAS VINTAGE YEARS
Jim Simpson plays a selection of festive songs from the Roaring Twenties to the Swinging Sixties from all of your favourite artists including Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald and the Andrews Sisters.
2.00am
IT’S ELECTRIC
Cliff Proctor introduces a selection of classic tracks from some of the leading acts of the Electric Era including OMD, Kraftwerk, Yazoo, Human League, Go West and Spandau Ballet.
3.30am
CHRISTMAS EASY
Christmas is here and it’s the perfect time to play all those superbly cool and smooth tracks from the likes of Nat King Cole, Kay Starr, Eartha Kitt and of course Frank Sinatra. Snuggle down and listen to some of the best Christmas “easy” tracks ever with Ley Bricknell.
4.30am
THE CHRISTMAS STORY
John Glare tells the greatest of stories in words and music.
5.30am
NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC – A RADIO WARNEFORD CELEBRATION
The Now albums have been a fixture of the music scene since Christmas 1983. Andy Dowell tells the story of the most successful series of compilation albums in history along with some of the hits of the last 37 years from Culture Club, Wet Wet Wet, Kylie Minogue and Phil Collins.
Written by Stephen Height.
6.30am
CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Radio Warneford takes a look at food traditionally associated with Christmas. Linda Ashworth, Margaret Legge and Valda Reid help you to sharpen your taste buds ahead of the Christmas dinner, all wrapped up in a medley of festive music and readings.
7.30am
A WINTER COLLECTION
Andrew Preshous introduces a selection of music on the theme of winter, maybe with the word “winter” in the title, related to the winter months or linked to winter themes. How many of them do you recognise?
8.30am
CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES
Imagine that you are snuggled up on a cold Christmas Day. Then have a listen to these theme tunes played by Louise Kalus and Elizabeth Wilkinson and see if they conjure up images from some classic movies.
9.30am
SPOTLIGHT ON CHRIS DIFFORD
Stephen Height looks at the musical career of the founder member of the group Squeeze.
9.40am
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Here is another chance to catch the Radio Warneford Players special version of Charles Dickens’ classic Victorian Christmas tale. Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve, each one determined to make him see the error of his miserly ways.
10.30am
BROADWAY MELODY
Michele Monro, daughter of singing star Matt, plays some of her favourite show tunes from Hello Dolly, Chicago, Chess and more.
11.30am
THE RADIO WARNEFORD PLAYLIST
Andy Dowell brings you another selection of Christmas songs past and present including Doris Day, Celine Dion, Andy Williams, Neil Diamond and Stevie Wonder.
12.30pm
THE QUEEN’S SMILE
Another production from the Radio Warneford Players! The Queen is sad and the Princess needs to marry a prince, but only when her mother smiles again. The King finds a prince but is he all he makes out to be? Will there be a happy ending and does love conquer all? Starring: Linda Ashworth, Valda Reid, Nigel Dyer, Paul Sawtell, Dave Harris, Sarah Harris and Lily Harris.
Written by Jenny James. Produced and directed by Sue Dolman and Lynn Fairbairn. Recorded and edited by Andrew Barker.
13.00pm
THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914
Sara Lister and Margaret Legge remember the famous Christmas Day truce on the frontline during World War One when British and German troops met in No Man’s Land for a festive football match.
13.30pm
CHRISTMAS VINTAGE YEARS
Jim Simpson plays a selection of festive songs from the Roaring Twenties to the Swinging Sixties from all of your favourite artists including Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald and the Andrews Sisters.
14.30pm
THE A-Z OF A VERY 80’S CHRISTMAS
Richard Smith chooses a selection of festive tracks from the 1980’s for each of the letters in the alphabet. From Lynn Anderson to “Wonderful Christmastime”, the show features songs from The Jackson Five, Johnny Mathis, The Beatles, Bing Crosby, Showaddywaddy, Wham, The Pogues, David Bowie, Shakin’ Stevens and, of course, Cliff Richard!
3.25pm
CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS
Ley Bricknell brings you an intoxicating mix of hi-fi holiday music from the 1950’s and 1960’s. If these hot chestnuts don’t jingle your bells, then you’re scrooged!
4.25pm
THE WIZARD OF OZ
The Radio Warneford Players present a special adaptation of the 1939 film The Wizard Of Oz. When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz. Follow Dorothy and Toto’s adventures along the Yellow Brick Road towards the Emerald City!
5.25pm
TEA AND COFFEE
Sara Lister chooses a selection of songs all about our two favourite beverages – tea and coffee – featuring music icons like Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole and Beverley Knight.
6.15pm
SITTING ON THE PIER
Stephen Height interviews Coventry-based poet and writer Emily Jones who talks about her writing, some of the things that inspire her and reads some of her poems.
7.15pm
THE RADIO WARNEFORD PLAYLIST
Andy Dowell plays more festive favourites from Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby and Dolly Parton.
8.15pm
CLASSICAL SYMPHONIA
Cliff Proctor introduces excerpts from some of the most famous symphonies by eight composers including Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Haydn and Beethoven.
10.15pm
ALADDIN
The Radio Warneford Players whisk you to a faraway land where Aladdin is tricked into an enchanted cave in search of a magic lamp. Out pops an all-powerful genie – and in a puff of smoke, Aladdin’s life is changed forever. A magical carpet ride of an adventure.
11.25pm
HEATHER ENNESS’S BATTLE OF THE GIANTS
Heather Enness transports you to the movies with her battle of the top film music composers – James Horner, Hans Zimmer and John Williams. Who will triumph?
11.45pm
THE BEST ADVERTS ON TV
Many of the adverts that you see on television use existing tunes to sell their products. Chris Ackroyd is here to play some of his favourites.