You cannot beat a bit of telly for getting a message across and give me a live set any day; pre-recording is for wimps.
So I jumped at an invitation from Channel M to head up to Manchester and sit on the breakfast couch with Michelle and Byron to talk ‘Rubbish’.
They sent me a brief, which was anything but. It was a packed-out page of A4 covering 8 different rooms and they’d selected 2 or 3 tips from each of them. This wasn’t going to be a short and sweetie; they really wanted to plunge into the bin!
I’m a confident traveller and am never daunted by new situations, but I was slightly perturbed by the fact that I had to be in the studio for 7am for a 7.30am slot - eek - I can do most things, but my lips are built for Drive Time love, not a Breakfast slot, it was going to be a challenge.
Thankfully, I have a great friend in local Manchester journalist Craig McGinty who met me at the enormous glass covered Piccadilly station and walked me through the centre of a glittering metropolis in search of a tram home.
I was struck by the fact that early evening Manchester seemed to be in full swing celebrating Christmas and there was a heaving bustle of commuters and shoppers alike carving a route through misty Mancunian rain.
We arrived home to find Holly, Craig’s trusty rescue dog and he soon set to work preparing our tea in the kitchen. Craig and I both lived in France for a while and we have a shared love of simple food. He talked about the positive changes he’s made since reading The Book of Rubbish Ideas and commented that his mum had ‘nabbed’ his copy of the book, again.
‘Small and simple changes are the way to go and that’s the message your book conveys so well’, he said (ah, bless). He also enjoyed the section on obsolescence and concurred too many people are sucked in by relentless advertising and conned by the heightened PR that bleats at us all to follow fashion.
We talked until the wee small hours and emptied a bottle of wine, under constant threat of having to get up at stupid o’clock to make the 6.30am tram commute back into the centre of town.
Come the morning, I’d was covered in duvet velcro; it was torturous stepping out of bed.
It was still drizzling and I knew my hair would take on a life of its own when we reached the studio. Ah well, I wasn’t there to discuss fashion, they wanted me for my eco balls, lemons, bicarb, soda crystals and salt; I should be all right.
The presenters were lovely, no, I mean really lovely! They had no air of plasticity about them, which I’d had a pre-conception of if I’m honest. Telly isn’t real after all; more often it spouts out a glossy representation of what we should be doing and buying in order to conform, but these guys had done their research, loved the green way and knew all about my efforts to encourage a positive embrace of living with less.
The slot went on for nearly 10 minutes, overrunning as usual with me nattering on and we covered a lot of rubbish ground.
It went well, so well they asked me back to talk even ‘more’ rubbish, which is fantastic news; I’m heading home on the train now and will punt for a monthly slot when I get home. Watch this space for details of (a hopeful) next appearance.
I’m overjoyed that the big boys of media are at last taking sustainable living more seriously. This isn’t a flash in the pan and the movement isn’t being led by a bunch of sandal wearing, yoghurt knitting hippies living in a yurt in the middle of a field (not that I’ve anything against the ones that are).
We should all be adopting more planet friendly initiatives in our everyday lives and if Channel M want me to do my bit, bring it on!
This is Tracey Smith,
Reporting for Mad Old Bag Productions,
Live (just about),
On the train home.
Rubbishly yours,
TSx
Channel M broadcasts nationwide via Sky channel 203.
Well done honey - it’s wonderful news that rubbish is hitting the mainstream.
So proud of you! They LOVE you!
Mrs G x
It was such a giggle but just so bloomin’ early! Nothing in my body had actually woken up….it’s a wonder I could string a sentence together! LOL….
Right - off to do radio show. Tune in if you’re about http://www.AppleAM.com 10-1.
By the way, I’m loving the Twitter…..! More addictive than tea and biscuits.
TS
x
LOL - Tracey, you’re such a star. I wish I could have tuned in. Will try and catch your radio show later though. Lots of Love
x
Ace I’m on air now ’till 12 and handing over to Emma the trainee through to 1! Can I spin you a tune missus?
My gosh - I love the way you can spin those tunes, comment on your blog and talk to me on the phone at the same time. LOL. Thanks for the Bill Withers tune and the build-up. Loved every minute of it. It’s amazing that you’re all the way down there but I can still listen to you all the way up here in Sunny Suffolk. Your huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge fan..Karen
x
Ah missus, you’re easily impressed!! LOLOL…
So glad you tuned in and do come back next week.
Did you hear the interview with the lovely Vic Watson, one of the founders of the Transition Town Taunton movement?
TS
x
I managed to catch a lot of it. She’s great isn’t she. And it was really interesting what Vic said about the Listerine…..all I can say is….euuuurghh. That’s the reality of life I suppose.
Anyway, her involvement with the TTT has got me all motivated to try and instigate something up here, but I have to be patient. My brain and hands can only take so much. LOL.
By the way, just wanted to say, you’re a natural and I always love it when I tune in.
x
Yes - the Listerine comment was an eye opener to say the least!
I’m delighted to hear our discussions about the Transition Town movement have inspired you to think seriously about starting something in your area - please do keep us informed and don’t forget to have a peek at my old posting on here about TT too!
….as for the ‘natural’ compliment - lololol - yea, naturally mad!!!
TS x
Ahh wonderful Manchester, the place I was born. Hope you had a lovely trip. the station has really changed over the years. Fancy it raining, it does that you know for visitors as a special treat, it’s not like that all the time LOL. Hmmm but then I like the rain - could it be something about growing up with it!
Keep up the good work Tracey, your country needs you!
Love Deb x
You know what Deb, even through the drizzle (and it was only that fine fuzzy stuff) I thought Manchester was really beautiful.
I always walk through towns with my head pointing up and some of the architecture was stunning. There was a bank on the right before the station that had its letters in stone at the top of the building (….possibly something Credit Bank? cannot remember now), and it was almost a piece of art.
Craig pointed all the changes out as we headed out of town on the tram, the old station now a huge exhibition centre and you could see all the new buildings poking up in the sky.
It was only a shame to see so many buildings in the centre that used to be offices, now empty. They should be filled with folks who need flats and apartments but at affordable prices……come on Government - get your flippin’ fingers out!!!
TSx
PS: anyway, I did love Manchester and would have loved more time to explore.