Chug along with the ultimate train song, sung by The Jane and Mike Band, and written especially to commemorate the re-release of the crime fiction thriller 'Off The Rails' by Mike Scantlebury (available in all good bookshops, little and Amazon - try BookShop.org for alternatives).

Off The Rails

Jane set up an interview with Karen Galston, an active woman from East Manchester, who has established a formidable reputation for clean-ups and litter picks - starting without any help, then picking up volunteers and support along the way. Karen has a lot to teach, and Jane and Mike are keen to hear how here lessons learned can be applied in Salford.
As Jane says, 'Karen is an amazing woman, committed to saving the world and preserving Nature'. She is a climate activist, staring in her own neck of the woods, and encouraging everyone to follow her lead, but on their own streets and in their own parks. She is an inspiration, we all agree.

Green Giraffes podcast 'Karen Galston'  02 June 2021

I first heard Paul Brady sing a song about New Orleans in 1976. He said it was based on an old Irish song tune, but he had merged the words from somewhere else and now it was 'The Lakes of Pontchartrain'. (Bob Dylan loved it and did a version on one of his albums, but he could never master Mr Brady's guitar open tuning.)
I've written some new words, but also used the old words in a different order, to give a different meaning. It's called The Folk Process. (In case anyone wants to sue me, I've changed the tune to the second half of the song. Now that's what I call tinkering!)
Anyway, it's a serious subject and it deserves a great song. I couldn't do that all on my own, so I've called on the giants of the past, so I can stand on their shoulders. I hope they don't mind.

The Towns of East Ukraine

A singer-songwriter with a single acoustic guitar, and the mournful sound of old folk, the folksie tunes of yesteryear, preserved in a healthy mix of modern muse. (Plus finer picking.)

Shine On Me

It's Christmas time and another year to remember the sad loss of singer Kirsty MacColl, a super talented singer and song writer in her own right, but mainly renowned for the part she played in the Xmas song by Shane McGowan and the Pogues.
To this day no one can be too sure what happened to her that sunny day in Mexico, but most people seemed to agree she was hit by a passing speedboat, not in the right part of the sea and too near the beach. An accident? Certainly a sad incident and two  children left without a mother.
Who knows what she could have contributed to modern music if she was still here. A sad loss, to her family and the world.
Happy Christmas,, Kirsty x

The Sad Death of Kirsty McColl

The Sad Death of Kirsty MacColl

Jane and Mike are in Morecambe for a Wellbeing Fair organised by Deb Brooks. We talk to a young lady who is actually living near Salford (coincidence) and is offering her own brand of Bach Flowers.
Then Jane visits Galloways in Morecambe, who support people with visual difficulties, then it's off to the Midland Hotel for late lunch (posh).

Green Giraffes 7th February 2024 (Morecambe)

Jane and Mike are down on the farm this week, visiting our old friend Hoon and seeing what she's done with the old place, and what she's got planned. With her business partner Janine she's set up a new eductional programme called 'Green Teach' and is aiming to bring in the community to buy and take charge of the 22 acres. Bit by bit, she explains it all in detail, and we are delighted to add some appropriate music and make it a wonderful listening experiece. Rarely do J and M meet someone so knowledgable, so experienced, and so committed to a Green future. It's a delight, and gives us all hope that there are people out there in Salford who are worthy of our whole-hearted support. Let's do it! Let's go green, right there on the farm.

Green Giraffes radio show 6th March 2024 (Hoon's farm)

Two weeks to go and the Local Election is looming. It's North West England where competition is fierce. Both Jane and Mike have become candidates in the fray. Can they scrape some votes, or cross the finish line? 
Meanwhile their plea for a new type of building in the city is raising eyebrows. But why so many new tower clocks? Why litter the skyline when apartments aren't even selling and problems like 'where do we park all the new cars' haven't been solved?
Luckily, this is a 'Green Solutions' podcast and Jane and Mike have some thoughtful answers to these difficult questions.

Election 02 May 2024 - podcast before

It's #Olympic week in Paris, France but it's #riot week, all over the week. People have been surging onto the streets, purely on the rumour that a recent stabbing of young girls was caused by an #asylumseeker. Wrong. The young man with a knife was born and bred in the UK, but who cares about the truth? There's people in the country who want a riot, and they are going to get it, whether we like it or not. Scarey.

Green Giraffes Podcast August 2024 RIOTS in UK

3 generations of The Jane and Mike Band sing the song that we invented 10 or 15 years ago, and is now even more relevant, when a new generation of developers and builders seem keen to make sure the area has less of what we really want - shops - and more of what they want, ugly 20-story blocks of flats and apartments.

Johnny Be Good - Family With Intro (Mike)

It's an old song, sung in a million ways already, but Jane and Mike have adopted the Woody Guthrie original for their own problems in East Salford, North West England, where property developers are threatening to destroy the shopping precinct nearby and replace it with a building site - for 10 years (their plans).
Oh, these tax dodgers are promising that the shopping sheds will be replaced with graceful tower blocks of flats and apartments (eventually) and there will be 3,300 'homes' - actually, not homes, but mainly one bed apartments. (Any families wanna move into a 1-bed, anyone?)
Also, they promise a new 'park', (once the brick dust has died down and the diggers been taken away), which comprises a winding path through fake grass and some new (small) treelings. Of course, that will cost them some money for such 'facilities', so there will be no donation to improve local needs, such as more doctors and school places. No, nothing about that.
Oh, and the 3.3k residents, new, will get their own parking places, of course, (but they might have to fight over them. There are planned to be 600, only).

'This Land is Your Land' (Woody Guthrie) New words: The Jane and Mike Band)

Living in Salford, we're surrounded by cranes and new blocks of flats being built. That's not so bad, as most of the new tower blocks of apartements are being constructed on 'brownfield' sites, like empty plots and old industrial units, and so on. Nobody expects - well, nobody expected - that property developers would be so bold as to create their own brownfield site - by demolishing a whole retail park of active shops! They say, oh, they're a bit rundown. Speak for yourself, chum. For the residents of Ordsall, they are an essential part of their day-to-day lives, but then, the developers don't know that, since their company is based in the Channel Islands.
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if these 'developers' paid taxes, but they don't. And, if they honoured their obligations to contribute Section 106 money to develop local amenties, like doctors and schools, but they don't. They've offered a million pounds to 'local parks', but now, it turns out, the local park they were thinking of is the winding walkway and patches of grass between their new tower blocks. So they will be holding on to the Section 106 cash, after all, and spending it for their benefit, not the residents.
Dishonest? Some might say so.

Podcast: "Save Regent Retail Park" 2

Jane and Mike set off for the North Wales coast on Jane's birthday, to help her try and remember the glorious times she had there as a child. We visited Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Abergele and Rhos, and enjoyed sun and sand wherever we went, plus ice creams, coffee and a marvellous Sunday Lunch. Best of all, we stayed in a brand new Lodge, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a dining/living room in the middle. Thanks to Ruby for letting us stay in her Pebble Beach Resort UK in Towyn, North Wales.

Towyn North Wales Podcast (with Jane and Mike)

Jane and Mike from the 'Green Giraffes and Worms' show on Salford City Radio, went down to Salford Lads and Girls Club this weekend, to talk to volunteers and visitors. It was Saturday morning, and there were people arriving from all over the world, including Germany and other parts of the European Union. The radio pair wanted to know how many people had been born in Salford; how many had once been members of the Club; and, if they like The Smiths, what track they wanted played in their honour.
It's an exciting podcast, full of visitors' stories and exciting music.

Green Giraffes' LADS CLUB podcast October 2024

On this most ghostly night of the year, when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest, Jane and Mike talk traditions, folk stories, candles and birds. There's more to this podcast than a mere chat - people might learn something, (especially as there is talk of the 'Book of the Week' and the 'Song of the Year' - from Mike, and his birdy friends).

Green Giraffes Halloweeen Pod 31 - 10 2024 Thursday

Pam Warhurst, campaigner and creator of the worldwide 'Incredible Edible' movement, was invited by Salford CVS to Salford Council's Community Stadium on Wednesday, 30th October 2024 to give one of the keynote addresses to the gathered representatives of a multitude of grass-root groups in the City area.
Inspiring as always, Pam took time to describe her recent 'Right to Grow' campaign and talked about working with Jane and Mike in the future to help green initiatives in the North West, (so look out for more I-E and 'Right to Grow' news right here, on this channel).

Pam Warhurst PODCAST 30th October 2024 (with jane and mike)

Here's recordings from the Salford CVS Day Conference on 30th October in the Stadium near the M60 motorway. First you can hear Pam Warhurst from the Incredible Edible Network and 'Right to Grow' campaign. Then it's Jane attending a workshop by Paula and John from 'Pressed Up North'. 'Pressed'? Yeah, juices.
(It was a busy day. There might be more coming from that event. Listen out!)

Green Giraffes 07 November 2024 (Pam Warhurst)

Here he is again, Mike posing down by the 'Navvies' community garden on Salford Quays, (put there by members of 'Loaves and Fishes'). It's a green and growing site, inside Salford, just the kind of place that was being promoted on 30th October at Salford Stadium during the 'Climate Change' event, organised by Salford CVS. This is the second collection of recordings from that day, and features Mike Hemingway, Salford City Council's spokesperson on climate change, and several workshop leaders, including Jannine McMahon from 'GreenTeach'.

Green Giraffes 14th November 2024 (CVS Climate Change 2)

This is the third radio show where The Jane and Mike Band have highlighted talks and discussion from Salford CVS's Conference on 30th October at the Stadium by Barton Moss and the M60. But first, it's Rememberance Day on 11th November and we start with some words from Walter frrom St Clements Church, by the park. He wants to remember brave people from the War, some of whom are not usually remembered. Thanks, Walter

Green Giraffes 21st November 2024 (11-11 and CVS 3)

11th November is a time to remember the wars, and who better to talk about it than Walter, from St Clements Church, who led the Memorial Service at our War Memorial. And then, Rev David Gray, a regular on Salford City Radio who has tales to tell of working with Army veterans, people in prison and in Mental Hospitals. Finally, memories of our neighbour who was a solidier in the 1950s and was taken to the South Pacific to witness tests of British atom bombs. A lot of those witnesses have since died from awful diseases and not one has been compensated. A grave injustice.

Green Giraffes 28th November 2024 (11th of 11th and Darg Pilgrim)

Let's all get together! It's December 9th and time for the next Greater Manchester Green Summit (the 7th). There's Mayors and athletes, church people and young children, plus a few songs from The Jane and Mike Band, to remind us that time is getting on, and there's not many years left in the bag. If we can't make it work, as Andy Burnham told us, then we're all going down together. Still, who needs to be pessimistic? We've got a world to win, and yes, we can do it, if we all pull together.

Green Giraffes 2nd January 2025 (GM Green Summit)

It's nearly the end of 2024 and here's Jane and Mike at the Greater Manchester Green Summit (no. 7) at The Lowry Theatre on Salford Quays. Both had an exciting day, but Jane went to a Workshop organised by our local water company, 'United Utilities', and we can hear her sum up her group's work. Jane explains it all. (Meanwhile, don't forget 'Book of the Week', which, in this case, is the memoir from Jane and Mike living in South Central Manchester in the '90s. It's called 'Living the Sharing Economy' and it's a book that's available as a paperback, and e-book and an audiobook - with Jane and Mike narrating their own words.)

Green Summit 2 - 2024(workshop)

It's the day after Christmas and Jane and Mike are relaxing with a few appropriate tunes and guests - singers and people who've been interviewed. (Then, Mike talks about his new crime fiction thriller novel. Written in November, it didn't have a title until now. It's called 'Farmers, Not Pharmas'. Look out for it in 2025.)

Green Giraffes Boxing Day 26th December 2024 (The Tatton, Islington Mill)

Jimmy Carter died in the last days of 2024. It emerged that the ex-President was inspired by Bob Dylan songs, (just like The JaneandMike Band). In fact, the Band has been using the 'Times Changing' song - their version - as a kind of signature song for years. 
Later, we find out that Mike has written a 'Song to Bobby', just like Bob sang 'Song to Woody' on his first album. Also, shockingly, Mike came up with a 'Song to Jimmy' - way, way back in the '60s.
Jane is as surprised as you will be, but, luckily the podcast ends with evidence - Jane and Mike singing the 'Changing' song at a big pub in Eccles, during the Salford Music Festival weekend.

'Times they Are a-Changing' - Jimmy Carter/Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan wrote a 'Song to Woody' and put it on his first album.
Mike Scantlebury wrote a 'Song to Bobby' in 1986, a tribute to Bob and a tribute to his song to HIS hero. Just like Bob, Mike's song is written with a tune that sounds like his hero's style, and some of the words are reminiscent of the other, but, in fact, it's all original, even if sticking to the world of Folk Music, as it was in the 1960s.
Sure, it's a coincidence that there's a new film coming, detailing Dylan's experiences 1961-65, a totally creative era. More people than Mike Scantlebury (3rd) were inspired at that time, but how many have sat down and put their feelings into a poetic form.
(The form, of course, is Anglo-Saxon. Rhyming came to England from Italy in Shakespeare's day. Before that time, alliteration inside lines was popular, but only 'half rhymes' at the end of lines. Check it out. 'Decide' doesn't rhyme with 'road'. No, it's a half rhyme, where the consonants are similar but the vowels are different. Yes, differant.)

Bob Dylan song (Mike Scantlebury III)

Weekly radio show with news of Mike falling over on Salford Quays, and Jane having to cope with a one-armed man

Green Giraffes 30th January 2025 (Mike fall, Community Choir)

Aaargh, Jim lad, Mike is operating as a One-Arm Pirate, fresh from the West Country. He's discussing blue bins with Jane and sharing his own memories of Mike Thorpe, head honcho at Broughton Trust, who we've recently lost.
Then there's talk about healing, and we move swiftly on to AI - what is it? Can it help? Will it make a difference?

Green Giraffes 13th Febuary 2025 (Bins, Mike Thorpe, Bob Dylan)

Jane and Mike have more to say in this radio show about litter and recyling (carrying on from the last show) and even more to say about their visit to Islington Mill - Jane even gets to see the new AirBnB rooms for hire, and the public space on the top floor, now being used for Wellbeing Days, meditation and exercise classes. Finally, there's an update from the MUD group and more from Mike about Bob Dylan. 

Green Giraffes 20th Febuary 2025 (Litter, Islington Mill 2)

Bob Dylan sings 'Song to Woody' on his first album. Singer-songwriter Mike Scantlebury has written 'Song to Bobby' and released it as a single. Now along comes a Tribute Band to provide their own version of the same song - a slightly different tune, but all the words are still there.
Thanks, Mike, for providing a platform to honour the great man in the same year as a new biopic is launched in the world, the film 'A Complete Unknown'. 

'Bob Dylan song' by Mike Scantlebury (cover by the Beaut Montana Band)

Jane and Mike talk about news and views, with a folky feel to the musical interludes

Green Giraffes 27th February 2025 (Ukraine, Lunen, kitchen, Ari)

Here are some tunes from The Jane and Mike Band, based in Salford UK since 1999. The foremost guitar and drum duo in the North West of England, they draw on the great tradition of folk and singer-songwriters to pass comment on the state of the world, right now. This world. Where we live.

Green and Growing

Over and Under

There's a movement, now global but it started in West Yorkshire, that inspires people to grow stuff, share it and eat it together. It's called 'Incredible Edible' and it's essential to a place like Salford, where we live. Come and visit and you'll see all the 'pretty flowers and the healthy veg'. It's yours for the taking. Sing along, grow and share. Pass the plate!

The 'Incredible Edible' song

Mike Scantlebury is a part of the band, radio show and song writing team known as 'The Jam'. No, Paul Weller he ain't. JAM stands for 'Jane and Mike' and you'll not just find them on Mixcloud but also Youtube and various websites and Blogs. It's modern songs, (in a folk idiom), radio shows in a 'Richard and Judy' idiot, and songs like 'Dit Dit Dit', (which, as we all know, stands for S.O.S. - good enough for The Titanic. Who knows, Salford might hit an iceberg, soon).

MikeScantlebury

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