Suicide is the final hushed taboo of society. A tragic demise so terrifying to contemplate it has been banished to the bleakest annals of language.

Overlooking the English Channel, on the south coast of England, Beachy Head is one of England’s most popular natural beauty spots. But hidden from view is a shadowy chilling history, as this stretch of the cliffs has another, more notorious reputation.

Keith Lane is a window cleaner from the nearby town of Eastbourne, who after losing his late wife at Beachy Head in 2004, pledged to patrol the headland morning and night, 365 days a year to deter potential jumpers.

We would like to advise listeners that some of what you are about to hear could be quite upsetting. 

This is life on the edge of Beachy Head.

BEACHY HEAD LIFE ON THE EDGE - GOLD AWARD WINNER, CHARLES PARKER 2014

The moment BBC's Simon Elmes, gave the judges citation and announced the winner of the Charles Parker Awards 2014.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT - WHAT THE JUDGES THOUGHT...

Adam on BBC Radio London, talking about cruise ship life and entertainment.

Adam On BBC Radio London

I was saddened to hear this week about the loss of my dear friend, Irene Lofthouse.

As the resident pianist on Queen Mary 2, I had the pleasure of meeting this wonderful lady midway through our world cruise in 2015. Irene travelled with us from Fremantle through to Southampton, and during this time she made such a big impression on myself and the rest of the ship. When I first met Irene, we bonded instantly! She had such a wonderful charm and a warm friendly character. Needless to say, I wasn’t even slightly surprised to find out where she was from. At last, I thought! After three months cruising around the world, I had found a fellow northerner, here in Western Australia of all places. I thought to myself, it really is such a small world.

Irene would sit and watch me perform almost every evening across the ship. She was probably my most dedicated of fans! Even when the room was empty, Irene would always be there as promised to support me. We would be half way across the Indian Ocean, and when everyone else had gone to bed, we would sit and talk for hours and hours about anything and everything. We would often be thrown out of various venues across the ship as they wanted to close, and yet we would sit chatting away as though we had been friends for years. Irene had so many wonderful stories to tell and I couldn't help but enjoy the twisting and turning narrative of her wonderful life. Even then, I thought to myself that just listening to her, she truly was an inspiration.

Upon our arrival in Cape Town, I was fortunate to have my parents join us for the final leg of the voyage back to Southampton. My mum formed an instant bond with my new friend, and being a nervous traveller, Irene took her under her wing and looked after her whilst I was performing! They would sit and watch me for hours and hours! Irene even started to call me her surrogate northern grandson.
In the final week of the voyage, Irene was due to celebrate her 70th birthday onboard just before our arrival in Southampton. It also, happened to be the day I was to perform a special concert in the Royal Court Theatre. About halfway through the show, I decided that I wanted to make her birthday extra special and invited her up onto the stage. She was so nervous, but I held her hand and sat her down next to me at the piano. In front of a thousand people, I asked her to tell me one of her favourite songs, to which she replied Unchained Melody. I played it and Irene sat, watched and smiled intently. She really did have such a wonderful time and we all celebrated with a special birthday meal afterwards in the restaurant.

The world really is a small place and despite miles and miles of ocean and land between us, Irene and I have stayed in constant contact. She was a wonderful lady that struck me with her warm heart, her wicked sense of humour and her inspiring personality. I was always proud to be called her surrogate grandson. I have met a lot of people in my career, but seldom do people make such an impression. One of Irene’s last messages to me read,
“I think of you and the wonderful time we had on the QM2 so often, it was a special time in my life. Thank you for the memories”.

Irene didn’t just create wonderful memories for herself, but for me and my family too and we all will miss her dearly. Every time I play Unchained Melody, she will always be in my heart, my thoughts and my prayers.

This is the audio recording, of when Irene joined me onstage in my final performance.

A Tribute To An Inspirational Friend.

We join Adam Allinson, as he embarks on a journey back to his Yorkshire roots in search for the proper afternoon tea. Adam joins the staff at the world renowned Betty’s Tea Rooms, in Harrogate for a typical service, and also compares this to the prices of the famous London hotels. How can they justify selling this experience for such high prices. Is Britain losing part of its famous cultural heritage, or is modern society dictating that we now just have to settle for teabags and biscuits.

ANYONE FOR TEA - ADAM ALLINSON

Adam Allinson on BBC Radio Newcastle discussing his latest upcoming production, Cinderella and the crisis the theatre industry is facing throughout Covid-19.