Hackney 50+ Drop-in Radio

This episode is part of a pilot for an updated Talking Food Radio.Original Talking Food 2012 description – “Hackney food guru Lydia Bachelor leads a discussion about healthy eating, nutrition, shopping, markets, cooking, recipes - and any other food experience and knowledge that we would like to share”.It was not a radio production. It was a live event, streaming what would have happened anyway – and considerably longer than this edited version.Budget: zero.Production values: everything must be done by older people (even if the result is below BBC standard), use only the most basic equipment (available to everyone), the background hubbub is just as important as the voices close to the microphone (the social context is vital).Message: “If you are listening to this – STOP. Turn off your computer NOW. Please accept this invitation to join us in the real world – we have food for your body, mind and soul – and none of it is digital. Real World First!”Identifiable voices: Ayo, Benediccta, Beverley, Bola, Chitra, Ga

This episode is the first of a series of pilots for an updated Talking Food Radio. We used the same very basic equipment as the old radio show, and the same approach: conversation first, technology last. As the series progresses, we will adapt the recording method to suit the participants as well as the final goal - which requires much improved sound quality.The pilot podcast track is a sequence of snippets from the 90-minute live recording. The discarded sections were generally the best conversation, but too noisily enthusiastic for the podcast medium.The voices belong to: Brian, Grafton, Hyacinth, Ian, Mary, Nuala, Patricia and Rick. This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Recorded 26 April 2019 at Whitmore Community Centre, London N1 5NU, UK.Outro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

Brief excerpts from a much longer conversation – Hackney elders’ memories of school.The voices belong to: Brian, Leonie, Megan, Rick, Wadley. This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. This is open-mic recording in a public space, so sound quality is sometimes rough. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves.Recorded 18 March 2019 in the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, London E8 3DF, UK.Outro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

Excerpts from a much longer conversation about retirement – with people who have done it and others who haven’t.The voices belong to: Andreas, Brian, Cathy, Clarenton, Marylin, Nicholas, Rick. This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. This is open-mic recording in a public space, so sound quality is sometimes rough. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves.Recorded 11 March 2019 in the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, London E8 3DF, UK.Outro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

Why we all have to talk more and hide less – friendships, commitment, belonging, resisting racism, respect – real stories and real values – an intergenerational meeting of minds.The voices belong to: Brian, Chantel, Leonie, Rick, Vanessa, Wadley, Walter. References:Soon Gone – https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0002sqvSmall Island – Andrea LevyThings Fall Apart – Chinua AchebeThis is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves.Recorded 25 February 2019 in the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, London E8 3DF, UK.Outro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

Guest Chantel bravely engages with a bunch of pre-digital citizens – rebooting Hello Hackney Grassroots Radio at the Dalston Curve Garden.The voices belong to: Andreas, Brian, Chantel, Rick, Walter. Media reference - Soon Gone (not Soon Over) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0002sqvThis is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Recorded 18 February 2019 in the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, London E8 3DF, UK.Outro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

A heavily-edited conversation that started with Andreas’ life as a shoemaker.Voices: Andreas, Brian, Janette, Rick, Sallie and Walter.Recorded 19 November 2018 in the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, London E8 3DF, UK.This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Outro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

Brian tells us about his early life: growing up in Romford, his first job, National Service in Egypt, St Martin’s School of Art. The background crackling sounds are from the Pineapple House log fire.This is an outtake from a longer group discussion.Recorded 19 November 2018 in the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, London E8 3DF, UK.This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Outro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

On the day that Tracey Crouch announces the UK government strategy to combat loneliness, Hackney elders discuss their own understanding and experiences of loneliness and isolation.The voices belong to: Andreas, Marylin, Mimi and Sallie. This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Recorded 15 October 2018 in the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, London E8 3DF, UK.Outro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

Hackney elders talking with the young PEER UK ambassadors about growing up and living in Hackney.The oldie voices belong to: Marylin, Paula, Peter, Rick, Sallie, Walter.The PEER UK voices belong to Alice, Davinia, Dela, Elise, Mariam.This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Recorded 21 September 2018 at PEER UK, London N1 6QLLink: http://peeruk.org/about-peerOutro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

Hackney oldies look back on their lives in a conversation that begins and ends with Hackney Carnival.The voices belong to: Andreas, Mark, Paula, Peter and Rick. This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Recorded 11 September 2018 in St Mary’s Secret Garden, London E2 8ELOutro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

Hackney elders sharing how they keep themselves physically and mentally fit. Part 1 of a longer session.The voices belong to: Andreas, Janette, Maralyn, Margaret, Paula, Peter and Sallie. This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Recorded 28 August 2018 in St Mary’s Secret Garden, London E2 8ELOutro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

Hackney elders talking about housing problems. Part 2 of a longer session. Listen to Part 1 first.The voices belong to: Alice, Andreas, Maralyn, Paula, Peter, Sallie and Walter. This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Recorded 28 August 2018 in St Mary’s Secret Garden, London E2 8ELOutro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

Hackney elders remembering their school days in London, Trinidad and Zimbabwe. The voices belong to: Irene, Janette, Mark, Sallie. This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Recorded 7 August 2018 in St Mary’s Secret Garden, London E2 8EL

Miss Kakande brings her talk show back to Whitmore Community Centre.The voices belong to: Andreas, Irene, Janette, Miss Kakande, Paula and Sallie.This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Link: http://www.misskakande.comRecorded 27 July 2018 at Whitmore Community Centre.Outro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Belén Barros leads a conversation with Hackney elders about old technology. Belén is a PhD candidate at the Northumbria University School of Design.The voices belong to: Andreas, Belén, Chitra, Irene, Rick, Sallie and Stephen.This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Recorded 20 July 2018 at Whitmore Community Centre.Outro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift

Miss Kakande brings her talk show to Whitmore Community Centre.The voices belong to: Andreas, Irene, Janette, Mark, Maralyn, Megan, Mimi, Miss Kakande, Sallie. This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Link: http://www.misskakande.comRecorded 29 June 2018 at Whitmore Community Centre.Outro credit: excerpt from Horizontal Drift, Jared C Balogh - https://www.jamendo.com/track/1122560/horizontal-drift - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Nicky Branch, energy advisor at SHINE, is talking to Hackney elders about the range of free energy-related services available to disadvantaged Hackney residents.The voices belong to: Bob, Maralyn, Megan, Mimi, Nicky, Sallie and Sheila. Five other people were part of the discussion, but are not heard on this episode.This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.From their own website: “Hackney SHINE energy advice has been set up to help residents keep well and warm throughout the year and avoid cold-related conditions during winter and anxiety over paying the fuel bills, which can lead to ill health, extra visits to the GP and hospital admissions.”Link: https://hackney.gov.uk/shineRecorded 15 June 2018 at Whitmore Community Centre.

Hackney elders are talking about their best friends, now and in the past, on Best Friends Day 8 June.The voices belong to: Alice, Andreas, Irene, Janette, Mimi, Sallie, Trish.This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.Recorded 8 June 2018 at Whitmore Community Centre.

Wartime memories from Irene Lewington.Recorded 8 June 2018. This is a field recording. We don’t use expensive professional equipment or a sound studio. Our resources are minimal, but we do it all ourselves — oldies own the process.