For some 9 years I was a presenter on Milton Keynes Hospital Radio, producing and presenting a late night news talk music programme heard by patients throughout the hospital. The late show was recognised as the premier slot for the station as many patients found watching TV a bit wearing late at night and wanted just background talk which we provided. Interviews with consultants and doctors and other public service personnel were the norm lasting only 20 mins maximum and we interspersed every 5 mins with some music. We always had a good response from patients by internal telephone. The studio was, even in today’s terms, state of the art with a computerised sound system and music library and we were better equipped than either of the local radio stations. I always had a signature tune - Matt Munro and exited with Drive by the Cars.

One of my interviewees was Matt Munro Junior who produced a CD ‘ Matt sings Munro’, which is an ideal disc for easy listening and one to take on a desert island. Somewhere in each programme I played my favourite track ‘Perfect Moment’ by Martine McCuthcheon, who, along with Stevie Wonder, was one of the most frequently requested artistes., - she has a brilliant voice & a great lyrics writer.

Most remember Martine as Tiff in Eastenders . She went on the West end Stage, but has largely given up on singing (a loss to music) and concentrates on acting. With that as a background imagine my surprise - some 4 years after I quit hospital radio to move to France- to meet Martine’s mum, Jenny, who is one of our advertisers Britannia Foods. When she told me, I thought it was a wind up but some two weeks later, on visiting Jenny at Britannia Foods I was given a brown envelope (anything for the weekend sir?) and inside was a signed photo of Martine McCutcheon and a signed copy of her CD ‘Musicality’ which is just superb and dedicated to the stars who cut the songs originally and inspired her to record this CD. She says that she really enjoyed recording this CD and it shows in her voice - get back to singing Martine. I was taken aback to be given this but very grateful. It will soon be worn out - it is great for listening while driving or at leisure.

Thank you Martine - very, very much.....Ed xx