Saturday Live - Julia Donaldson
Aasmah Mir and Richard Coles are in the studio with Britain's best-selling author, children's writer Julia Donaldson, who created the character of the Gruffalo. Also, Matt Lewis, who as a young marine biologist was shipwrecked in the Antarctic seas and has written about the experience in "Last Man Off", busker Catrina Davies, who travelled 11,000 miles with her cello, and the captain of the Cheshire cricket team attempting to save face after the humiliation of being bowled out for three in a league game. Plus, JP Devlin joins the Routemaster bus enthusiasts gathering from around the World to mark the icon's 60th birthday and the outgoing Radio Three Controller and Director of the Proms, Roger Wright, shares his Inheritance Tracks.
Julia Donaldson talks about a life spent creating and bringing to life some much-loved children's characters, including the Gruffalo, Tabby McTat and the witch in Room on the Broom. Her latest book 'The Scarecrows' Wedding' is published by Scholastic and is out on the 17th July.
In 1998 Matt Lewis was a 23 year old research scientist on the South African trawler the Sudur Havid. His trip to the Antarctic seas was meant to be an opportunity to monitor and study wildlife. Instead it became a battle to survive, after the ship went down in a storm. Matt talks about his experiences, which he's written about in "Last Man Off", serialised on BBC Radio Four.
Catrina Davies took her cello on travels of 11,000 miles as she busked around Europe. She gives us tips on the most generous countries, with the biggest coins. She has written a book called 'The Ribbons are for Fearlessness' published by Summersdale. Her EP is called 'Ribbons'.
Wirral Cricket Club player Nick Jones talks about what it's like to face humiliation on the pitch. His team 'went viral' after being bowled out for just three runs in a local match against Haslington Cricket Club. Now a rematch gives Wirral the chance to redeem themselves.
Fiona Macalister describes her most treasured possession, for Saturday Live's feature 'The Thing About Me'. A gold ring, showcasing a lock of the hair of Bonnie Prince Charlie, has been in her family for more than 200 years.
As the Routemaster bus celebrates its 60th birthday, JP Devlin goes to Finsbury Park in London to meet its biggest fans as they prepare for a special bus rally.
This week's Inheritance Tracks are from the outgoing Controller of Radio Three Roger Wright, who is also the Director of the BBC Proms. He chooses Sibelius' Second Symphony, performed by the Halle Orchestra and conducted by Sir John Barbirolli, and Via Con Me by Paolo Conte.
Producer: Lizz Pearson.
Published on Saturday, 12th July 2014.
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