Here's a song that started life as a poem (by Jayne Gosnall) and was turned into a song by Mike Scantlebury (of The Jane and Mike Band). Now performed by The Jane and Mike Band in April 2021, it's a reminder that our long, hard journey is not over yet. There may be many more 'waves' to come, plus injury and long-lasting effects. All these calls to get back to 'normal' - what are the chances? When is 'normal' ever going to be normal again?

The Covid Song 4

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

There are numerous songs with a similar title, some of them written really recently. But this one dates back to the 1970s, when America was still in fashion. Now, the sentiments in this tune seem up to date and really relevant. How things change! Of course, it wasn't a solo effort. The original idea for this song came from Mike's friend Pete, but Mike added some words and re-arranged the verses. It's a bit of a joint effort, which is perhaps why it's so striking. The images leap out of the speaker at you. It's an anthem, a call to pay attention.
Something is wrong in the world, chums. You need to listen.

Goodbye America 1975

Jane and Mike were happy to attend the Annual General Meeting of their local water company on Friday, 22nd July 2022 in Manchester. They asked questions, quizzed anyone they could find and made some recordings. Here it is, the podcast, a record of thinking from that exciting event and a list of promises of what is to come from 'United Utilities', a business that covers all of North West England and is one of the biggest landowners in the country.
You heard it here first!

Green Giraffes Podcast 'WATER' United Utilities AGM (27 July 2022)

Jean Andersons is the founder of a charity based in Britain called 'One Woman at a Time', and her mission is to help women in East Africa to escape Femaie Genital Mutilation and start new lives, learning, getting trained and making lives for themselves and their children.

Jean Anderson: African charity

It's the 3 Amigos going back to Manchester South Central where we met, raised children and spent several years living out of each other's pockets, making friends, raising funds, founding a residents' association and building a small Community Centre for a small community.
There's a whole slew of memories flooding in, and a terrific mix of music to accompany and explain the passing of time. Looking back? Moving on!

Green Giraffes radio show 10th May 2023 (Fallowfield)

A simple day out. The sun is shining, the birds are tweeting, but in the middle of Lancashire is a unique and wonderful setting, the mere at Martin. Set up the famous Peter Scott it includes birds from all over the world. These visitors drop in, sometimes for a while, sometime when they're merely on their way through. It's an area teeming with life, also history, since the lake that was once there goes back to Shakespeare's day. Plus, a lovely café. Thanks to staff and volunteers for making a memorable visit. We dedicate these interviews, comments and songs to you.

Green Giraffes radio show 31st May 2023 WedsA

Jane and Mike don't just wave a banner and shout at demonstrations. They also worm their way inside the big institutions, where they can raise issues from the ground floor.
Recently they turned up for the Annual General Meeting of their local water supply company, 'United Utilities'. They asked questions, quizzed the managers and interviewed anyone who would stand still for a moment. Hear what they - and the duo - have to say.
After all, as the song goes, 'Water is Life'., (as you will hear).

Green and Growing

Green Giraffes WATER podcast July2023

Jane and Mike don't just stand on the street and shout (about stuff they don't approve of) they also worm their way into meetings and gatherings where they actually talk (and badger) the key people responsible for important things in our lives, like clean rivers and clear water. This year it involved a trip from Salford down to Warrington, but JnM were there, hands up and demanding answers. As usual, people in real life were surprisingly pleasant and progress was made. Contacts were established and chats will follow. Let's see what happens before next tear.

Green Giraffes radio show 2nd August 2023 (UU Water AGM)

A year ago? Jane and Mike were once again at the Annual General Meeting of the company that supplies water to houses in our region. They are called 'United Utilities' and JnM wanted to talk to the people in charge. What have they got planned to make things better? (And, a year on. have they achieved their goals? Only you can be a judge of that.)

'Green Giraffes' 10th August 2022 (United Utilities AGM)

Jane is often to be seen tending her raspberries on the railings in front of the house. People stop to chat, and here is one of those impromptu meetings. Later, Martin arrives from Germany. He's a man that Jane and Mike met in Scotland. He's doing a grand tour of Europe. We said, 'Call in when you're passing', and that's exactly what he did.
This show includes the interview we recorded with him north of the border, while in Scotland. Later shows will include the talks we had with Martin when he was in Salford.

'Green Giraffes' radio 16 Aug 2023 (Garden Gate and Martin)

Well, if you want 'entertainment', nothing better than going down to Salford University and hear what they've been researching for the last 10 years. Yes, it's all 'Green' stuff, growing and green groups in England (and the world).
Mike Hardman came to visit our project in Patricroft right at the start of his investigations, and it's amazing to hear how things have developed and what Salford (and surrounds) have to offer the world right now.
Jane and Mike are pleased to report, out on one of our 'Eco Tourism' trips into the world (and out of the studio).

Green Giraffes radio show 29th Nov 2023 (Prof Mike Hardman)

There's a theme here. Jane and Mike are out on their Eco Tourism trail, and find food on the banks of the Ordall Irwell river. But that only reminds them of the great time they had at the 'Cafe in the Trees' at the Whitworth Art Gallery. Still hungry, they explore the new Kargo food court on Salford Quays (very local)

Green Giraffes radio show 15th November (eating)

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 MacColl

Jane and Mike were invited to sing on Salford Quays, at the Climate Justice event in winter 2023. They were joined by the fine singer Carole Clarke, (pictured centre, overlooked by #GaryLineker ).
It's a good programme and should have been broadcast in #SalfordCityRadio on 20th December, but the computer objected and everything went down. You might find it on #ListenAgain on SalfordCityRadio.org (listed at 11am on 20th December 2023).
For your information, the 'Book of the Week', as described, is all about the commemoration of the end of the First World War. It ended in 1918 and was remembered in 2018. The 'War to End all Wars'? It seems like fighting is still going on.
https://www.amazon.com/Arms-Armistice-Amelia-Hartliss-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B07L2XWXH9

Raised By Wolves

'Green Giraffes and Worms' radio show 20th December 2023

It's Jane and Mike from the 'Jane And Mike Band' out on a winter's stroll, down past Salford University and the Museum and Art Gallery and out to the park, the 2nd oldest park in England.
There's plenty to see and much to enjoy, thanks to a massive Lottery grant and the indefatigable efforts of a team of volunteers. Oh, and their new Park Ranger, Jack - a mysterious force.

Peel Park podcast January 2024

Watch out, there's a storm about! Right up there, in the North West of England and that's where Jane and Mike are on tour, spending a weekend in the tourist spot. The Weather Man says, 'Stay away from the coast'. Now you tell us! Well, we can't get home - there's eighty mile an hour winds on the motorway. We'll just have to make the best of it. If we can walk - and not fall over - we'll got the poshest restaurant in town and talk it over.

Morecambe visit (BnB) Winter storm

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

Coming out of a difficult time in the history of the nation, this is a breath of fresh air from North West England (where the air is usually heavy and polluted, actually). These extracts are useful contributions from local residents to the SCR show 'Green Giraffes and Worms', which goes out every Wednesday at 11am on 94.4fm

Jayne 1 Hello & Serenity Prayer

Green Giraffes And Worms IES +song

You could almost call this a podcast, but actually it's a whole radio show, one that should have gone out on the 25th March 2020, right in the middle of the whole virus problem that Britain was suffering recently. This includes good music from The Jane and Mike Band, as well as useful advice about the plague from Jayne Gosnall

Green Giraffes And Worms show 25th March 2020

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.

Over and Under

This song is by Jane, but Mike was so inspired by her concern about mercury amalgam fillings for teeth, he sat down and wrote a crime fiction thriller on the very same theme.
 https://www.amazon.com/FILLING-Mercury-friend-Mickey-Manchester-ebook/dp/B07DN2M8F8
Here is a tune 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.

Mercury, Filling In

Here's a tune 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.

Dit Dit

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).

Popular tracks by MikeScantlebury