The Lost Trades are a trio of up and coming Wiltshire based singer songwriters (Jamie R Hawkins, Phil Cooper and Tamsin Quin) brought together by a mutual love of modern folk and roots music. Having joined forces in late 2019, their close three part harmonies have consistently drawn comparisons to Crosby Stills & Nash and Fleetwood Mac. A global pandemic meant their debut tour in 2020 was cut short and the three retreated to their songwriting rooms and studio in an effort to condense the initial excitement into an album they could tour once the world opened up again. The resulting album is “The Bird, The Book & The Barrel” which was released in June 2021. The album reached the Top 40 Official Folk Album Charts for September 2021.

Phil joins us to tell us his journey from singing in a church choir to the folk scene, how the pandemic has filtered through, in this generations songwriting due to their emotions at the time of writing the new songs for the future.He also describes their journey and the way promoting and releasing new music has changed in this era with social media, streaming channels and self marketing in an ever changing world.

Paul Presents | The Lost Trades With Phil Cooper

Marcus re-joins us at Paul Presents to tell us how the pantomime period went, after so many previous starts and stops, it was an exciting time to see a whole panto scene through and certainly the audience appreciated it. We learn about the special skills need by the actors to put on a pantomime and which panto is planned this next year. Marcus also lets us catch up on what is happening at the Corn Exchange over the next few months, how the ageing creatively programme is going and lots more ……

Paul Presents | The Corn Exchange With Marcus Lilley

Paul Presents | Berkshire Family History Society With Penny Stokes

John & Patsy started Young People and Children First, having fostered over 25 children themselves.  There was a family of three that came to live with them at the ages of 8, 9 and 9, and because of their unfortunate family situation, the government said they were to remain in care till they were adults which at that time was when they left school. So, in some cases that might have been 16 years of age. When the eldest was just 17, and not ready for independent living, he left their home and ended up living in various inappropriate places including hostels, where drugs and alcohol were rife. There were so many troubled young adults there and Pasty told John they had to do something about it. This is their amazing story, told by Tracy Underwood, their inspirational CEO.

Paul Presents | Young People & Children First With Tracy Underwood

Co-founders and parents of three, Jason & Emma, were walking past an USA sales yard a few years ago when one of their boys spotted and fell in love with a ride on red truck…The idea of Young Planet was born ……. 
On Young Planet you'll find thousands of parents giving and requesting children's items for free - what comes around goes around, so why buy?

183 million pounds worth of toys are thrown out every year, Young Planet is an ap that enables parents to put no longer used children’s things to good use with new families – away from landfill and all for free! Feel the joy of knowing what you give will go on to create new memories, give and get things cost and guilt free whilst reducing waste, accelerating re use and creating space.

Paul Presents | Young Planet With Emma Ash

Tomorrow (13 May) marks a year since Tom Holmes, popular 22-year-old Reading FC first team player, became Berkshire Youth’s Charity Ambassador.
 David updates us what is happening at The Waterside Centre, before we hear from Berkshire Youth's ambassador Tom Holmes. 
Everyone at Berkshire Youth was very excited when Tom came on board, and what a fantastic year it’s been! Tom has been a great champion for the charity, helping to raise awareness of their important work supporting, empowering and inspiring Berkshire’s young people.
 
Aware of the benefits of bringing quality activities and experiences to young people, Tom arranged for a group of young people to take part in the half time penalty shoot-out at Reading FC’s 150th anniversary match in February, and they absolutely loved it! He has also delighted young fans by popping along to some events, including a couple of football training sessions at a local club, where he took part in mini matches and presented awards to those who had raised the most money for Berkshire Youth this season.
Tom has reflected on his year with Berkshire Youth: “When Berkshire Youth first got in touch with Reading and Reading came to me about the idea of becoming Berkshire Youth ambassador it was a bit of a no brainer for me really. Growing up in Reading and coming through at RFC, such an important part of the community, I have always felt it is my responsibility to give back and appreciate the community and area that has done so much for me and many others whilst growing up. Becoming part of the team at Berkshire Youth was the perfect way in which I could do that. I have really enjoyed working alongside the brilliant staff and it is clear to see what such a fantastic job they are doing with Berkshire’s ‘next generation’. I hope that this year is the first of many for the relationship between Reading FC and Berkshire Youth and it has been an honour to be the first ever Charity Ambassador to come from RFC to help bridge that gap between two such important cornerstones in the Berkshire area.”
 
Julie MacLean, Berkshire Youth Marketing Manager, said: “We are thrilled to work with Tom. He’s a local lad and really genuine guy who the young people we work with respond really well to. Tom has shown huge enthusiasm for our work, is a great role model, and has been brilliant at amplifying our key messages about the importance of investing in our young people. We couldn’t ask for a better Charity Ambassador!”

Paul Presents | Berkshire Youth With David Seward And Tom Holmes

Paul continues to talk about mental health recovery with part 2 of the Recovery in Mind Series- this week is creativity with Angela Ryan and Sarah Burton.

Recovery in Mind is on a mission to improve the lives of adults living in West Berkshire with mental health challenges by delivering free of charge, inspiring and empowering  courses.

In this week's podcast Paul discovers how their creativity programme can help your mental health by encouraging people from all walks of life that feel their mental health may be suffering a little, to join in with like minded people.

CREATIVITY AND BEING ‘IN THE FLOW’ IS GREAT FOR IMPROVING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AS IS CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE WHO ‘GET YOU’

Paul Presents | Creativity With Angela Ryan And Sarah Burton

Laura talks with Paul about what took her into politics, what it feels like to be in the Chamber, her speech on Domestic abuse during lockdown and a week in the life of a semi-rural MP.

Paul Presents | Paul Meets Laura Farris MP

Tim Hirst is the Marketing Manager at The Retreat Elcot Park Hotel and he joins Paul to talk about what they have planned for this year and what they are discussing for the next year to make The Retreat a social hub for local people as well as a destination hotspot for others. The beautiful setting, the décor, the food and drink, and your friendly and experienced hosts make for a winning combination. Whether it is a big birthday, the annual company retreat or your special day, they have your next event covered.   The Retreat at Elcot Park is also a thriving hub of activity, from their fantastic family events, monthly farmers markets and live music to fitness classes exclusive retreats and members events.

Paul Presents |The Retreat  With Tim Hirst

Giving you confidence to act in an emergency.

So, the Christmas presents are out and your child swallows a lithium coin battery - so what happens next? Would you know what to do?
Or somebody chokes on their Christmas dinner, or perhaps the excitement gets too much for someone and they go into cardiac arrest, there is chestnuts in the stuffing and someone has an allergic reaction............. Would you have the confidence to act in an emergency?

Paul Presents First Aid Training With Mike Samuels

Paul Presents Edge of Abstraction with Kevin Akhurst and Robert Fitzmaurice. This exhibition of ceramics by Kevin Akhurst and mixed media works by Robert Fitzmaurice.The Edge of Abstraction Runs from Friday 3rd October to Sunday 9th November 2025 at the Base Runway Gallery  Free admission  In this exhibition of ceramics by Kevin Akhurst and mixed media works by Robert Fitzmaurice allusions to nature and the figure emerge through mixed media works by Robert Fitzmaurice. attention to form, mark making and evocative colour.
Viewers imaginations will be tickled by hints of meaning and with thoughts free to roam they will discover the edge of abstraction is an interesting place to be.
 

Paul Presents Edge Of Abstraction

Paul Presents is local interviews, with people from the West Berkshire Community.

 Paul has been broadcasting for 40 years and despite the challenges being disabled may cause, he has continued his love of broadcasting and produces a popular weekly podcast. People from across West Berkshire have shared their memories and achievements within the West Berkshire Community- something we can all be proud of as a community together.

Paul Presents Edge Of Abstraction

West Berkshire Villagers

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