DECEMBER 2008

First of all, may I take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for you and yours in 2009. It’s going to be a belter; I feel it in my water.

Usually, my newsletters are longer and are spiked with what, I hope, is humour. However, I’m saving the humour for something else because… You’ll never guess what… Scotsman Publications have given me my own weekly column!


I can’t believe that somebody has been daft enough to give me the opportunity to vent my spleen in public. The series is called “Drew’s Views”, and you will be able to access it online soon. In the meantime, please take the time to click here… http://www.westlothianhp.co.uk/14824/Gritter-Critters.4800408.jp


and here http://www.westlothianhp.co.uk/opinion/HALLY-FLAMIN-LOOYAH.4820475.jp

where we are getting it sorted out, and see if you like my style. Comments and views can be sent straight from the site, will be carefully vetted by the editor, then dumped into cyberspace.

THIS MONTH IN BRIEF:

I had another meeting with the BBC, (Hello, Peter!) so we now have a couple of format ideas going forward for consideration by the commissioning editors. It seems that the earlier series of which I was the subject met all expectations and left a bit of an impression, so there should be more of the same, riding on the back of that. (Of course, the success of the series was not down to me, but to the excellent skills of Anne, Peter, Lucy and Vic – well done, one and all.)

Gigs this month included Deer Park, a great stage show in Edinburgh, and another at a plush venue in Glasgow where I performed for about 40 males who, I was reliably informed were “Glasgow’s most ‘colourful’ characters… if you understand what I’m saying.” I DID understand what I was being told, so I’m sure you can appreciate that I ingratiated myself and made no sudden moves!

There was also a private gig at an Indian Restaurant (they have a stage area for performances upstairs and asked me if I would consider doing a “public” show there... You know, I think I just might.) There was also another wee gig at a hospice (Rachel House for those who know it) and one at the Dunkeld Hilton.

I’m sure that those of you who receive – and read - this newsletter will remember my mention of Pat Quinn earlier in the year. Well, I was delighted to find that Pat’s daughter and son-in-law (Viv and Mike) were at my New Year gig. It just made the New Year celebrations all the more enjoyable, and all the more poignant.

Highlights of 2008

Good grief, where to start? I can only select a few of the many special moments that the year held, but that list would have to include the start of my work as “The Interrogator” on The Trisha Goddard Show. You can watch one of the trailers here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=j8rXVvNzsbI

This year also saw a host of newspaper and magazine interviews, and for a while a non-stop succession of radio interviews which, I have to say, I really enjoyed. There is something very personal and intimate about radio, I find.

Then there was the flight in a microlight – kinda’ like being at 1000ft in a bucket – over my old hometown of North Berwick. And, of course, there was the 4-part BBC radio series “School for Genius”.

Although you can no longer listen to the series, you can still see the four little videos that were made with the kids here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/news_views/2008/08/11/school_genius

There was also a truly wonderful trip by steam train from Linlithgow, up across Glencoe, and on to Mallaig. Truly memorable. And of course I would have to include the Bathgate Theatre show, where my mum actually ended up on stage during one of the demonstrations. I know I’ll pay for THAT one!

So, 2008 was a rollicking adventure, and I’m determined to cram even more into 2009. I hope yours is a firecracker, too! Go for it!

Peace to you, yours, and your neighbours.

Drew