This is it!

I have been overwhelmed by the beautiful cards emails and letter that you lovely listeners have sent to me on my last day here at Solent. Thankyou so much. You are as I always knew, the most generous and giving of people. The way you have shared your hopes and fears, your laughter and tears, have made me feel very privileged. I have had the most briliant time here at Solent and I know you will make Katie Martin equally welcome.
I am excited about going freelance and I am sure I will speak to some of you again!
Watch on your TV's for me, on your radios, you never know where I will pop up (hope my agent is reading this!!!)
Meanwhile, God Bless and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year
Bye bye from me, Mr M Min and India! xxx
Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

I am revealing Mr M!

And I have been overwhelmed by your kind letters and messages wishing me well in the future. One of the things I am always asked is who is Mr M? - so as I am heading into the last week here at Solent I thought I would show you a piccie of my gorgeous man who has supported me so much.

Min and Indie are coming to meet me after the show to do some last minute Christmas shopping which I am really looking forward to. The tree is up and decorated and I am starting to feel very Christmassy and looking forward to seeing what is in my stocking!

Have a great weekend

Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

I'm decking the boughs and all that

think we will go and get the Christmas tree this weekend. Feels cold enough and the lights have gone on in town so it feels the right time. Finding the Christmas decorations should be intresting - I know they are somewhere in the cupbaord under the stairs but not sure where! Bought India a little reindeer to hang on their tree and have decided to buy one new one for her each year, as we were talking today and saying how the different decorations often have memories attached to them.
Loved the piece today about 'shapewear'. It seems that most women are not all they seem at the Christmas party and the peeling off of shapewear at the end of the evening could result in a whole different person beng revealed! And as for the man who called and said he knew where you could buy padded pants... well is there something you need to tell us or is just a weekend thing....!

Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

My announcement!

I announced on air today that I intend to move on from BBC Radio SOlent at the end of the year. It has been a really difficult decision to make, and when I was on retreat earlier this year it gave me the space to think what is next. I would like very much to do some more theatre, and continue broadcasting in some form. When you are doing a five day a week show that is more difficult. I have had the most brilliant time at Solent because you listeners are very special people. The stories you have told me have moved me, but most of all made me feel incredibly privileged that you have shared them with me. The funny times, the sad times and the laugh out loud times are all down to you.
Thankyou so much!
Mr M has been driven mad I am sure whilst I have been making this decision so I would say to anyone waiting for Mr/Mrs Right they are out there and I just feel so blessed that he came and found me!
Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

Switching on the Christmas lights!

Some of you may be doing exactly that this weekend so I am going to be joining you by switching on the lights at Byron Road in Barton on Sea on Saturday at 6.30 - they have a fabulous display so I am very much looking forward to it and to meeting you there. Wrap up warm and come and join in!
My daughter has just sent a photo of India going to meet Father Christmas - she is 3 now and just at that age when she understands more about FC> But the look on her face is priceless!!! She is obviously not quite sure and there is a sense of 'I'm a toddler get me out of here'!!! I am sure she will warm to the jolly man in a red suit once she sees the presents under the tree!

Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

Children in Need Day

has been great fun and I started the day by going to Bournemouth University and joining them in their 24 hour Jugglathon. I am the most uncoordinated person but with a little practice managed what could be loosely described as a juggle. I then met the boys doing the rowathon and very unfairly interviewed one who had just done hundreds of miles on the rowing machine and expected him to talk! Hundred of people today are making sure that a lot of people raise as much money as possible for this very worthy cause.
Tomorrow morning I am opening the Shop til you Drop Christmas Fair at West Hill Park School at Titchfield, so if you are around come and say hi at 10 o'clock. Looking forward to it!
Mr M and I are then going to see Min and Indie in Brighton - India has promised we will get to ploay dolls houses again!
Have a great weekend
Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv

We shall remember them

I stood in Watts Park opposite the studiotoday with many others to commemorate the eleventh hour of the eleventh month proudly wearing my poppy. I felt really sad that today my father would not be able to do the same, so I did it for him too. I am very proud of what he did in the war, and now he has dementia the time for him strangely has gone back to those days and he will occasionally come out with memories of Bomber Command. Isn't it odd how this disease means that the present is not available but the past comes flooding back. Many of the old soldiers standing there proudly today you could see in their eyes were doing the same. As two children from a local school placed the poppy wreath down, their memories will be of the more current war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The outcome sadly the same, and like you I am sure that you shed tears when we saw the news and six more brave soliders came home.
If you didn't get the chance at 11 o'clock today maybe just take two minutes after reading this
Lest we forget
Join us on BBC Radio Solent 96.1/103.8FM weekdays 1-4pm or on the BBC iPlayer anytime at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7rv