Complaint response 07/01/11

Email received from BBC 28/02/11, in which they completely ignore the point that I made:

Thanks for your e-mail regarding the Jeremy Vine show broadcast on 7 January and please accept my apologies for the delay in responding.

I understand you felt the programme should have discussed the EastEnders cot death storyline. I’ve since consulted BBC Radio 2 and they explained to me that they did discuss the possibility of covering the story, but decided not to.

Whilst I appreciate that you personally felt it should have been covered by the Jeremy Vine show, I should point out that this subject was widely covered across the BBC at the time. It should be remembered that the Jeremy Vine team hold the right to decide on the topics they feel are of interest and importance to listeners. Given the huge range of listeners tuning into the programme, it’s inevitably going to be the case that some people will feel that their particular topic of interest holds more importance than another and may be unhappy when it isn’t covered. It can sometimes be a difficult balance to get right.

Nevertheless, please be assured that your complaint has been registered and forwarded to the Jeremy Vine production team for their noting.

Thanks again for taking the time to contact the BBC.

Yours Sincerely

xxxxx xxxxx

Complaints Advisor

BBC Complaints

www.bbc.co.uk/complaints



Follow-up complaint lodged:

Thank you for your email. Unfortunately you have completely missed the point of my complaint.

My complaint was that Mr Vine chose to discuss another broadcaster's (ITV) output rather than discuss a story that potentially showed the BBC in a bad light. Unfortunately he has a record of doing this.

Please believe me when I write that I have no interest in EastEnders, cot deaths or a discussion on this topic. My complaint is that the whole issue was "swept under the carpet" and another broadcaster's behaviour was targetted that day.

Can I ask that you re-read my original complaint from 7th January and respond more appropriately?

Today's show 28/02/11

WHAT? No Jeremy? I'm heartbroken... Well, OK, I'm not really. In fact, I couldn't care less.

Instead the mysterious Mr O'Connell returns for two days of tedium, sensationlism and drivel. Ho hum...

1) Motorways - With the government considering increasing the speed limit on motorways to 80 mph, we speak to someone who went on a speed awareness course and says they’ll never speed again : We speak to someone? Who is that then? Some bloke off the street who happened to be passing? Doesn't he have a name? They have motorways in England you know, and there is one a long way away in South Wales. My nearest one is the M54 at Telford, about 90 miles away. The important word here is, of course, "considering". Interesting to hear your trail on Ken's show when he asked whether the speed increase was quantifiable and you replied "Not to me". That sounds to me as though you have already made your mind up on this. Does that count as bias? Jeremy will be proud of you! Next...

2) Air Rifles - Footballer Ashley Cole is alleged to have fired an air rifle at a work experience student. Why are people allowed air rifles? : I have no idea. I have never owned one, I have no desire to own one and I don't know anybody who owns one. Mr Cole seems to be a footballer, so increasing the irrelevance of this item further. Next...

3) Foreign Aid Budget - As the government is criticised for increasing the foreign aid budget, we speak to someone who says we’re quite right to give money to India : Is that the same "someone" anonymous passer-by who is speaking about motorways? Would you like to speak to someone who thinks your show is rubbish? If so, my phone number appears below. Next...

4) Not sure what is going on with the fourth story today. The web site says : "Wild Horses - The Welsh town of Bridgend has been overrun by wild horses, left there by gypsies" (see attached) but on Ken's show you said it was a story about drunks having to pay for treatment in hospital, or something like that. Is it safe to say that the left hand and the right hand have not communicated well today? No surprises there then.

I had a thought over the weekend.... SkyTV broadcast several hours of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) programmes each week. Although most of the programmes appear on the Sky Sports channels both Sky and WWE are very careful not to describe their wrestling as "sport". Instead, the call it "sports entertainment" which, when you think about it, is actually a very clever description. Now, I'm sure you will agree that the JV show does not qualify to be classed as a factual news programme, so how about giving it a new classification: NEWS ENTERTAINMENT. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Today's show 25/02/11

The irrelevance continues and gets worse...

1) Colonel Gaddafi - Does Britain have any of Colonel Gaddafi's billions and, if so, what should we do with them? : So, which bank do you think is going to call your pathetic programme and say, "Yes, Mr Gaddafi has an account with us, which currently contains £x million". Dream on! As for what to do with it, I'd suggest giving it to the BBC so that they have sufficient financial resources to provide me (a licence payer) with some decent lunchtime radio entertainment. Pigs preparing for take-off...! Next...

2) Tesco Express - Another blow to the community? - I missed your trail, and there is no link on your web page, so I have no idea what this about. For your information, my nearest shop of any kind is 4 miles away. A Tesco Express in the village would be of use, but I'm not sure it would make any money. Whatever this is about, my prediction is that it is irrelvant to me. Next...

3) Car Insurance - Should your gender affect your premium? : I knew you wouldn't let me down! This is a Daily Mail story! YAY! Let's all celebrate. Anybody who doesn't change their car insurance company *every* year is spending more money than they need to. And I'm not a woman. Next...

4) Dying Relatives - Do you remember their last words? : A nice cheery story to end the week, sending us all off in a good frame of mind for the weekend. Oh, I'm being sarcastic in case you hadn't noticed. What happened to Terry Walton? I miss him.

Now, and I never thought I would say this, but I'm looking forward to JV's return next week. At least his topic bias is more bearable than we have seen this week.

Ms Feltz : The choice of discussion topics this week has sunk to levels of irrelevance that I thought were impossible, and I can only assume that you have had some influence on this. Now, please go back to your normal programme and don't come back. And please, please, please, take the JV Show's format with you. Let's banish it to the middle of the night where it belongs.

One word to sum up this week's programmes : DIRE

Now, go away.

Today's show 24/02/11

Well, a web site update before 11:45 ... wonders will never cease.

 

Unfortunately, it only tells me that today's show is yet again of complete irrelevance to me...

 

1) Libya - If it comes to it, should we send British troops into Libya to protect oil interests? : Is this a vote? Does anything said on your programme today make ANY difference at all? No, of course it doesn't. Really, what is the point? Next...

 

2) Child Murderer Killed - Colin Hatch killed in prison : I think you are confusing me with someone who gives a toss. Next...

 

3) Pensioners - Get rid of free TV licences and bus passes? : I'm not a pensioner and have another 12 years to go before this has any relevance to me. Can you discuss it again in 2023? Not that I'll be listening. Next...

 

4) Breast Milk Ice Cream - Would you eat it? : And this is news, is it? Who decided that this should feature on the show today? Whoever you are, you are a disgrace to the trade known as journalism. But then we already knew that, didn't we.

 

Here's another jingle for you: "The latest news, some music, and a load of uninteresting and irrelevant tosh here on the Jeremy Vine show". Again, no charge.

 

It was September when you last discussed a topic that was even remotely of interest to me. Any idea when it might happen again?

And very noticeable this week that with Ms Feltz standing in for JV the show has been turned in to poor imitation of Womens' Hour, making it even worse than normal.

 

Now, get off my radio!

Today's show 23/02/11

Today's show has started and your website still says its Tuesday. Is it really that difficult to update it on time?

Doctor & The Medics recorded a song called "I Keep Thinking Its Tuesday". Perhaps you should include it in the show today.

You could also make a new jingle: "The Jeremy Vine Show - leading the way by not knowing what day of the week it is". Feel free to use it with my blessing - no charge!

You are absolutely hopeless and it annoys me that I have no choice but to pay for this poor service. How am I meant to write my daily diatribe without you giving me some ammunition?

And finally, at 12:06 the web page is finally updated, so on to today's irrelevance...

1) Skipping Meals - Have you ever skipped a meal so that your children could eat? : What children are those then? We don't have any. Next...

2) Libya - Should we rescue Brits working there? : I've never been to Libya, I'm not likely to go, and I don't know anybody in Libya so am I supposed to have an opinion on this? Needless to say I don't, but no doubt you will try and implant one in to my mind. For that reason, I will not be listening. Next...

3) Food Allergies - You think your child has one, but NHS doesn't? : I refer you to my first comment above. Next...

4) TV Adverts - Do you prefer them to the programmes? : Is this news? We have this wonderful device called Sky+. It is ingenious and Mr Murdoch has done a fine job of producing something that the BBC could not be bothered to attempt. By recording everything we want to watch and fast-forwarding (30 times normal speed) through the adverts we don't have to watch them. Reading the Telegraph's story I suspect that this will turn in to another attack on non-BBC broadcaster, so I will mark it as such.

Interesting that your last item today has a link to the Daily Telegraph's web site. I saw a story about the Daily Telegraph earlier (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/02/22/daily_telegraph_metering/) that suggests that the Telegraph will start charging for use of its on-line news from September. It is not the first member of the Dead Tree Press Preservation Society to do this, and I believe that The Times and the Financial Times have already hidden their sites behind a so-called Pay Wall. It raises the question in my mind as to what you will do if any other newspapers go this way, and in particular the (appropriate for your show) non-quality titles such as the Daily Mail that you refer to so frequently. What will you do? Oh, I know.... you'll just link to BBC pages instead. Nothing like an easy way out, is there? And there is nothing like professional journalism, and the Jeremy Vine Show is nothing like professional journalism.

April 4th cannot come soon enough!

Today's show 22/02/11

1) Earthquake - The New Zealand city of Christchurch has suffered a catastrophic earthquake. At least 65 people have been killed, with 200 believed to be trapped under rubble : Tragic, but are you going to make a difference? Next...

 

2) Fried Chicken Shops - Is one ruining your street? : Funnily enough, but no. The nearest one appears to be about 20 miles away, and I can't smell it even when the wind is in the right direction. Anyway, I'd rather have something to eat. Next...

 

3) David Cameron - Should he take arms dealers to the Middle East? : He's already done this, so Isn't this a bit late? I have no idea what Cameron should do in this situation, and nor do I have the time to read enough to form an opinion so I will remain in blissful ignorance. Next...

 

4) Silent Treatment - Do you prefer to be silent rather than row? : And this is news, is it? An utterley pointless discussion.

Today's show 21/02/11

Hi Vanessa,

I don't think I have written to you before, so please allow me to introduce myself. I live with my wife and three cats in rural North Wales. I have my own one-man business and work from home, with Radio 2 as my companion from 8:30am to 6pm, except for the lunchtime radio desert that is the Jeremy Vine Show. Every day I email Jeremy and tell him why the topics he will be subjecting his listeners to are of no interest or relevance to me, and for those reasons I will not be listening to his show. Unfortunately that also means that I won't be listening to you today, and these are the reasons why:

1) NHS Food - Lloyd Grossman says he spent 5 years trying to make NHS food better, and he’s failed because no one would take it seriously. We speak to someone who says people should stop complaining about NHS food : First story of the week, and it is from the Dead Tree Press rag known as the Daily Mail. What a surprise. Is that the clattering of hooves I can hear? Yes, I think it is. It is the sound of real journalism galloping off in to the sunset, never to be seen again. Next...

2) Colonel Gaddafi - Should we have made friend with Libya? : Shouldn't that be "should we have made friendS with Libya?". Sloppy work from a sloppy show. Is it only me that reads this rubbish? I didn't hear you mention of involvement from George Galloway on this - perhaps he will only speak to JV - but it would not surprise me if you dragged him into the discussion. His contribution makes your show unlistenable and I've attached a photo that you can look at should you happen to talk to him.

Just a thought, but maybe you should have had this discussion on 14th April 1986, which was the day before the US Air Force bombed Libya using UK bases to do so. Next...

3) 2nd Child - Could you not afford to have one? : We don't have any children, so how could we have a second one? Next...

4) Buying Alcohol - Should you need a licence? : The first and last time I drank alcohol was in 1978, and I've not touched a drop since. My wife drinks one bottle of wine a week, spread over several days. While I am happy for you to waste your time talking about the possibility of yet more State intervention in to normal peoples' lives, this really is of no interest to me.

I'm not surprised to see that you are maintaining Jeremy's unfortunate low standards.

All of the emails that I send to Jeremy, and any other relevant communications are recorded on my blog: http://lunchtimeloather.blogspot.com/

More tomorrow!

Today's show 18/02/11

1) Alternative Vote - There will be a referendum on the Alternative Vote. What is it, and is it a good idea? : The Welsh Assembly has had something similar since its inception. Where Wales leads the rest of the UK might follow! Next...

 

2) A Lollipop Lady - Is being cut : Lowestoft. About as far away from Wales as it is possible to be, and we do not have children who go to school. I loved your comment on Ken's show "... and Lambeth, which I believe is in London". It is, and only a few miles from where you are sitting. Geography, who needs it, eh? Next...

 

3) Wedding Plans - Are yours tearing your family apart? : What wedding plans are those then? Again, on Ken's show you mentioned that you "try and get to the morning meeting" yet PH wrote to me on 28th January and said, "He takes part in the morning editorial programme meeting ...". Forgive me, but I would have thought that your attendance at these meetings should be compulsory. On the other hand, it does explain a lot if you are not there every day. Next...

 

4) Terry Walton - Joins us from our allotment : An interesting change since Sound Effects Man's last appearance on 4th February. On that day the allotment was described as "his", but today it is described as "our". Have "we" bought it? Anyway, it is utterly pointless radio at its worst.

 

30 TO GO!

Today's show 17/02/11

1) U-Turns - The government has announced that it will no longer be selling off our woodlands. Critics have called this yet another U-turn, but on the other hand, could we call this a listening government? : You could call it whatever you like but I have no opinion, and even if I did I would keep it to myself. Next...

 

2) Drink-driving - Have you ever had to do it? : No. What a ridiculous question. Next...

 

3) Mother Jailed - For restraining drug-addict daughter : This was described by you on Ken's show as "Dreadfully depressing", and for that reason I will not be listening. Next...

 

4) Handbag - More important than your husband? : Blimey, you're going up-market today with a non-news story from the Telegraph. I guess it makes a change from the Mail. Anyway, I don't have either a handbag or a husband.

 

31 TO GO!

Today's show 16/02/11

"Sarah Cox, absolutely lovely" ... that must be a different Sarah Cox to the one that was (is?) on Radio One then. Some of us remember her, unfortunately, from Channel 4's The Girlie Show where she took great delight in giving out her Wanker Of The Week (oh, the irony!) award in which some hapless male in the news was lambasted for some alleged misdemeanour or other. I suppose your show has replaced that particular aspect of her TV career, but in not such a sexist way - allegedly.

 

1) Paedophiles - Should paedophiles have the right to come off the sex offenders register if they’re no longer a risk? - Aaahhh... paedophiles - a JV Show speciaility. Is this really the best that the mighty BBC can supply for lunchtime entertainment? Until 4th April I think it probably is. Next... 

 

2) Recompense - Given to man forced to wear thief placard : And this is news, is it? Oh, no, it can't be as it is yet another story stolen from the Daily Mail. Have you got shares in Associated Newspapers? I've just sent them an email asking about the use of their stories by Radio 2, see below. Next...

 

3) Ed Balls - Joins us in the studio : Can you ask him a question for me? Can you ask him: What is it like being second choice? Next...

 

4) Berlusconi - Why do some Italians still love him? : I've been to Italy three times, but I have only spent about three hours in the country. It looks quite nice and the people seem friendly, but I do feel that I have insufficient background knowledge of the Italian culture to be able to answer your question accurately. Instead I would have to rely on what I read in "the papers", hearsay, speculation and conjecture but I won't do that because that is your job, isn't it.

 

 

 

 

Email sent to editorial@dailymailonline.co.uk:

 

Hello!

 

The above-named show often features stories that appear on MailOnline, and the show's web page often includes a direct link to a MailOnline web page.

 

Can I ask, please, what arrangements, if any, exist (financial or otherwise) between yourselves and Radio 2 for this to happen? If no arrangement does exist, can any other news broadcaster make use of your features in this way?

 

Many thanks!

 

Today's show 15/02/11

1) Elderly - The NHS is being criticised for treating elderly patients with callous indifference. We ask: were you ever forced to intervene with your elderly relative’s hospital care? : That link does not work, it says "404 - Page Not Found". I think the link should be http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12464831 - a good job I check these things, eh? The important sentence is the very first one on that page: "The NHS is failing to treat elderly patients in England with care, dignity and respect, an official report says.". Hmmm... England, not Wales. Next...

 

2) Prime Minister - How much does he actually earn? : I have no idea, but the page from The Independent that you link to says: "When the new Prime Minister took office two months later, it was at a reduced salary of £142,500.", so that is presumably the answer to your question. If this isn't accurate enough for you then why are you "trying to work out the value of the complete package" when a Freedom of Information request would probably tell you exactly what the PM earns. But then asking the right person the right question doesn't allow you to sensationalise the figures and disguise fake investigative journalism. Anyway, is this any of my business? Why do you think that I should have any feelings at all about this? And while we're on the subject, how much do you earn? As I pay part of your salary I think I should be told. Next...

 

3) Big Fat Gypsy Wedding - An accurate portrayal? : I've never been to a gypsy wedding, and I've never watched the programme, so how am I expected to have an opinion? A nagging feeling at the back of my mind tells me that you are going to tell me what to think, which I object to strongly. Or is this a thinly-veiled attempt to simply have-a-go at Channel 4? Next...

 

4) Burglar Alarm - Has one made your life miserable? : Seriously, where would your programme be without the Daily Mail? Do you have to pay them to use their stories? I use the word stories, rather than news because I feel it to be a more accurate description of the drivel that they write every day. Anyway, the answer to your question is "No".

 

You just played the Madonna jingle where she says "When I want to listen to great music and hear the latest news I tune in to the Jeremy Vine Show". Does she really do that? How often? What about when she is not in the UK? Or is this just pure fantasy?

 

33 JV SHOWS TO GO!

Today's show 14/02/11

1) Big Society - As David Cameron re-launches the Big Society and calls it his ‘passion’, we ask: do you love or loathe the Big Society? : How about those of us - the majority I would suspect - who subscribe to the middle option of complete indifference? Perhaps we don't make good radio. Next...

 

2) Blue Badges - Should only wheelchair users have them? - Interesting that you are completely missing the point of the news page that you link to, which describes the problems of mis-use rather than restricting their availability. But then missing the point is one of your specialist subjects, isn't it? You mentioned Boris Johnson on your trail ... does he have any relevance to rural North Wales, or is this more radio specifically for London and the South East? Next...

 

3) Dresden - Was it a war crime? : Errrr... what are you planning to do? Dig up the culprits and put them on trial? It happened, it is very sad, but nothing you do will change anything. Next...

 

4) Pet Cat - We speak to a man who hates his : The Daily Mail makes a return to the JV Show, and with a non-news story too - does it ever get any better? Any cat's problems can usually be put right by a good vet and a good diet.

 

34 TO GO!

Today's show 11/02/11

I'm a bit busy today, so apologies for being slightly briefer than normal...

1) Tension in Egypt - Up to one million demonstrators are expected in the centre of Cairo as President Mubarak refuses to resign. Two Egyptians tell us whether he should stay or go : I wonder if Egyptian music radio stations ever give such in-depth coverage to UK political affairs. Somehow I think not. Next...

2) DNA Database - Should it expand? : I've never been arrested so I have never given a DNA sample. Next...

3) Your Money or Your Life - Getting a job - I've already got one, thanks. Next...

4) Letters Pages - "Am I alone in thinking...?" - My parents used to get the Daily Telegraph when I was a child, so it will be 40-odd years since I last looked at a copy of this particular offering from the Dead Tree Press. How about publishing some of the anti-Jeremy Vine show emails you receive? I'd be interested in those. Or am I the only one that writes such emails to you....?

35 JV SHOWS TO GO!

Today's show 10/02/11

1) Prisoners' Rights - As MPs vote today on whether prisoners should get the vote, should convicts be allowed to vote? : Is anything that anybody says on your show today going to make a difference? Thought not. Next...

 

2) Liberal Democrats - Are you a fed up Lib Dem? : No. Am I missing out on something? Next...

 

3) Taxi Clamped - Confrontation ensues : Did you find this one in the Daily Mail? I did. The interesting thing about the Mail's story is that clamping of vehicles on private land is soon to be "outlawed under new legislation being introduced in the wake of a long-running campaign by the Mail". I have often compared your programme with the Daily Mail but there is, apparently, a difference between the two in that the Daily Mail actually seems to have changed something. Changing something - anything! - is, of course, something that your programme has consistently failed to do. Perhaps you should try it some time. (Ref. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1355385/Taxi-blockade-stumps-clamper-targeted-controllers-car.html) Next...

 

4) Bedsheets - How often do you change yours? : I despair of you Jeremy in that you can possibly think that this is a topic worthy of "national debate". What are you thinking? There is even meant to be a picture of a dust mite on your web page but it just shows as a blank space with a red "picture not found" cross in the top left corner (see attached). Perhaps your question should have been: What should we talk about when we run out of news? The answer is, of course, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

 

I'm even more incensed today as I paid for my TV licence yesterday and I know that some of it will go towards the broadcasting of your programme. However, after eight long years of waiting there are only 36 more Jeremy Vine shows after today until the BBC finally provides me with a lunchtime radio show that suits my taste. And about bloomin' time too.

Today's show 09/02/11

The tedium continues, apparently...

1) Manchester - Manchester City Council has announced nearly £110 million in cuts. Are they right to cut public toilets first? : I'm just trying to remember when I was last in Manchester.... early 1990s I think. Can you just remind me what relevance this should have to me? I predict the use of lavatorial sound-effects. File under "Shit Happens". Next...

2) 'Vigilante Granny' - A heroine or foolhardy? : Oooohhh, another vote. Unfortunately I have no idea, and have better things to do than watch the video. Next...

3) Private School - Should the state pay for army children to go? : I'm not and never have been in the armed forces, and we don't have any children, so again the relevance of this story to me is totally non-existent. Next...

4) £95 of Petrol - Insisted on paying for it all in coins : SCCCRRRAAAAPPPE! What have we here? A handful of barrel splinters and another non-news story! Interesting that it is the only story today for which you do not supply a link on your web page, but I eventually found one (http://blogs.news.sky.com/skyinvestigates/Post:6e428e2b-4a7f-4fb7-9331-5b2007ade195). The Royal Mint publish clear guidelines on the maximum amounts that can be paid in coins (http://www.royalmint.com/corporate/policies/legal_tender_guidelines.aspx) and it seems from these that Tesco have done nothing wrong. Is Mr Anderson just wasting everybody's time? If so his contribution to your programme today will fit in perfectly.

Roll on Monday 4th April ... I'm counting down the days.

Today's show 08/02/11

Here we go with another two hours of listening to paint dry....

1) Banks - As the Chancellor announces another levy on banks, is it time to stop blaming the banks, or have they not suffered enough yet? : I'm not sure how much blame and suffering affects a company as I have always considered those emotions are entirely human traits. Next...

2) Small Print - Do you read it? : Yes, if only to see the look of anguish on a salesman's face as my pen hovers over the Customer's Signature space on an order form while I peruse what I am actually signing for. Next...

3) Traumatic Food Poisoning - Dr Sarah Jarvis joins us : Sounds horrible, and not the kind of thing I want to be listening to while I eat my corned beef sandwich today. Next...

4) National Anthem - Do you know ours? : Enough to get by, thank you. As for Ms Aguilera's performance at the Super Bowl and your "Can she be forgiven?" question it is best to remember that nobody died and the person who never made a mistake never made anything. Have you managed to find Blitheroe on a map yet?

Today's show 07/02/11

Eyes down for another week of the lunchtime vacuum...

1) Children - A mother who left her 14 year old to look after his 3 year old brother while she went to the shops is given a police caution for cruelty. When is it acceptable to leave a child on their own? : For the umpteenth time, we have no children so this is of no interest to me. Next...

2) Former Soldier - Talks about returning from Basra : I have never been in the armed forces, and at 52 years of age it is not likely to happen now. While I have an admiration for armed services personnel who carry out their chosen profession in difficult circumstances there are other professions where people put their lives at risk every day (firemen and fishermen to name but two) yet we rarely (ever?) hear of their experiences. Why is that then? Next...

3) Ken Clarke - Justice Secretary joins us : Jolly good. I'll let you know when anything that the Justice Secretary decides affects my life, but for the moment it has no relevance to me. Next...

4) Chinese Lanterns - Hazards for planes : Oooohhh... banning! Where would the JV Show be without another banning story? It is one of the hallmarks of your show, along with factual errors, speculation, bias, disinterest, etc. Chinese lanterns were last discussed on your show in July 2009, and it was during this discussion that you said that your arms were three feet long. I've told you a million times: Don't exaggerate!

Today's show 04/02/11

1) Liverpool - Liverpool pulls out of the government's 'Big Society' pilot. Its council leader says that spending cuts threaten the community groups that are meant to run services : Other than for about one hour last year my only other visits to Liverpool were in 1978 and 1989. Next...

2) Is there a Doctor? - Did you work in an emergency? : I feel it unlikely that anybody in the <my profession> business is going to be called on to work in an emergency situation, but I'll let you know if it ever happens. In the meantime, the answer to your question is "No". Next...

3) Cheap Flights - How to avoid the hidden extras : We rarely fly anywhere, my wife is a travel agent and a big fan of Martin Lewis, and when we do fly it is always to somewhere not served by a "budget" airline, so I suspect that this will be of no interest to me. Next...

4) Terry Walton - Joins us from his allotment : Yay! Sound effects man is back! No disrespect to Mr Walton who I am sure is an expert in his field (or should that be allotment? tee hee) but I absolutely fail to see the point of his involvement in your programme. It certainly is not news and of no interest to me.

My thanks to Pxxx for his complaint response concerning heating oil thefts. I think I must have been listening to a different programme.

Have a great weekend!

Complaint response 28/01/11

Email received from BBC 03/02/11:

Thank you for your comments about the Jeremy Vine Show broadcast on 28 January.

The last thing we intended to do was provide information that might be useful to criminals. However, to cover the story of heating oil theft properly, we needed to discuss the topic in some detail. Part of our thinking was that by highlighting the issue we were able to actually help reduce crime, and listeners should be made aware of what to do in order to secure their supplies.

A lot of the detail was actually provided by the representative from the NFU and by callers. The NFU contributor gave clear advice on how to prevent theft. It was comments from listeners which pointed out instances of how the thefts were happening. A finger was indeed pointed at Google Earth.

He spoke very sympathetically with the teacher who had had his oil taken last year and Jeremy was very interested in the item, as he always is. He takes part in the morning editorial programme meeting and was completely 'signed up' to the item.

The tennis score was about Andy Murray and was of national interest and in fact the listener on the line at that point agreed his wife was actually watching it. The listener agreed it was good news. It was simply the score and was appropriate for a live programme.

I’m comfortable that the item was informative and carried a lot of good sense advice that would actually help prevent thefts.

Nevertheless, thanks again for taking the time to contact us with your feedback which is welcomed by BBC Radio 2.

Yours Sincerely

xxx xxx | Editor Programmes

BBC Radio 2

Today's show 03/02/11

10:43 and your web page has already been updated with today's irrelevancies - well done!

1) Egypt - As the unrest in Egypt becomes increasingly violent, is it acceptable to holiday there? : I'm not sure what you mean by "acceptable" (acceptable to who?) but it doesn't matter as I've never been there and I have absolutely no desire to go. Next...

2) Ambulances - Having to be upsized for obese people : For once you have left me struggling to find something to say, so I shall just say that this is of no interest to me. Next...

3) Local Buses - Could you cope without yours? : I last used it about 2 years ago, so on that basis the answer to your question is apparently "Yes". Next...

4) Loss of a Child - How do you remember them? : We haven't had children so we have never been in this situation.

Today's show 02/02/11

There are a couple of items to deal with before I get on to today's menu...

Yesterday I told you that the police "crime map" web site could not find any policing area for where I live. Well, I tried again last night and it actually gave me the statistics for my area. Please allow me to share them with you:
All crime and ASB 0
Burglary 0
Anti-social behaviour 0
Robbery 0
Vehicle crime 0
Violent crime 0
Other crime 0
So, I was correct when I wrote yesterday "Perhaps there is no crime here".

BBC Radio 2 news bulletins yesterday afternoon announced some very, very important news that will have a profound affect on my daily routine. The news was, of course, that Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie are moving from evenings on Radio 2 to weekday afternoons on 6 Music. Until a few days ago I was under the mistaken impression that we could not receive digital radio here but a friendly electrician working at my house the other day had a portable digital radio with him and proved this not be the case. So, I will be buying a digital radio and will be switching from Radio 2 to 6 Music every afternoon from Monday 4th April. Unfortunately R&M's show does not start until 1 o'clock but I'll probably switch over at 12 o'clock to see what they are doing, and rejoining Radio 2 at 4pm for the last hour of Steve's show. At this stage I am not sure what that will mean for my daily emails to you and my blog, but I think I may just keep them going just to keep you on your toes. It does, of course, mean that the chances of me hearing anything of interest on your show will be virtually eliminated. Yay! I am very pleased about this change and am glad that the BBC have finally chosen to do something about the lunchtime radio desert here in North Wales. The BBC press release is here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/02_february/01/6music.shtml

Moving on...

1) Pfizer - Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is closing its plant in Sandwich, Kent, with loss of up to 2400 jobs. How devastating will this be for the community? : Undoubtedly unfortunate, but I don't live in Sandwich so I have no idea how this will effect the local community. Odd, isn't it, that when an employer here in North Wales announces job losses (Wrexham & Shropshire Railway, North Wales police, Indesit, TetraPak, even BBC Wales, etc.) that it doesn't get a mention on your show, but one in Kent does. The Jeremy Vine Show - the local news show for London and the South East. Next...

2) Mubarak Leaving - Autocracy or democracy best? : Oooh... another vote. Now let me think. I'll go for ... errr... Democracy. I never knew you had so much influence! Next...

3) Debt Collectors - Have they made your life a misery? : No, never. Next...

4) Govt Sends Plane To Egypt - Should people pay £300 a seat? : I have no idea, but what is your discussion going to change? Nothing!

UPDATE:

I missed your trail on Ken's show today. I was just changing my CD and the player flicked back to radio. And whose dulcet tones did I hear? None other than George Galloway! What a treat for your listeners, as this is the second time this year that they have been subjected to him.

 

Just to remind you:

 - He is no longer an MP

 - He would turn up to the opening of an envelope if somebody paid him

 

It is about time he slipped in to something more comfortable. A coma, perhaps?

 

I need to update my blog now ... how fortunate that the CD stopped.

Today's show 01/02/11

1) Crime Map - Have you logged onto the crime map on www.police.uk, which lists every crime in your neighbourhood? Are you reassured or horrified? - You are missing the third option: Neither. I entered my post code and when it eventually responded it said "Sorry, we couldn't find a policing area that matched your search". Perhaps there is no crime here, or the police don't know where I live. Next...

 

2) Paternity Kits - Did you find your child isn't yours? : What child is that then? Next...

 

3) Elderly Drivers - Have you told your parents to stop driving? : They both stopped over 10 years ago of their own volition. Next...

 

4) Football - British transfer record broken : Listening to you speaking on Ken's show was very revealing. You took longer talking about this one item than you did on the other three to be discussed today combined. Interesting too that you actually sounded that you knew what you were talking about. Have you been doing some research? If so, that makes a pleasant change. Isn't it a shame that you cannot raise the same level of knowledge on other topics, eh? Anyway, this is a sport story concerning private companies and individuals going about their lawful business. Honestly, am I meant to care? Can your show get any more boring? Can somebody call me at 2 o'clock to wake me up, please? Zzzzzzz....

 

If you keep scraping this hard there will soon be no barrel left!