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Richie is in Jo Whiley's garden for the Big Bee Challenge and Bobby Gillespie performs live

Jo Whiley lets Richie Anderson into her garden in Northamptonshire for Radio 2's Big Bee Challenge plus Bobby Gillespie performs live from the BBC's Maida Vale studios.

Richie Anderson is out on the road for the Big Bee Challenge and is dropping in to see some of our favourite celebrities. It's all part of Radio 2's Big Bee Challenge, where we can all do something to help the dwindling bee population. Richie shows that no matter the size of your garden, balcony or window box, you can make a difference to help the bees and have some fun along the way.

Today Jo Whiley has let him into her garden in Northamptonshire to look at all the ways she can help the bees.

They're joined by author, journalist and bee enthusiast, Alison Benjamin, who guides Jo through making her own bee hotel.

Bobby Gillespie from Primal Scream provides the live music from the BBC's legendary Maida Vale Studios! The Scottish group formed in 1982 and this years marks the 20th anniversary of their seminal album 'Screamadelica'.

Zoe has a Friday Feeling mix lined up for you after 7.30- three back to back bangers to get you in the mood for the weekend.

Along with Adam Porter on news, Richie Anderson on travel and Mike Williams on sport, she and the team have the best start to your morning. With celeb guests, quizzes, headlines, tunes chosen by listeners, and more music that you can shake a glitterball at!

There's also a daily Pause For Thought and listeners on the line, as Zoe entertains the nation with fun for the family!

2 hours, 59 minutes

Last on

Fri 2 Jul 202106:30
BBC Radio 2

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Music Played

  • Scissor Sisters

    I Don't Feel Like Dancin'

    • (CD Single).
    • Polydor.

  • Galantis, David Guetta & Little Mix

    Heartbreak Anthem

    • (CD Single).
    • Atlantic.

  • Prince & The Revolution

    Raspberry Beret

    • 4Ever.
    • Warner Bros.

  • Detroit Emeralds

    Feel The Need In Me

    • Heart Full Of Soul (Various Artists).
    • Global Television.

  • Cher

    Strong Enough

    • New Hits 99 (Various Artists).
    • Sony Music TV.

  • Earth, Wind & Fire

    Boogie Wonderland (feat. The Emotions)

    • The Best Seventies Album In The World.. Ever!.
    • Virgin.
    • 2.

  • Diana Ross

    Thank You

    • (CD Single).
    • Decca.

  • McFly

    All About You

    • (CD Single).
    • Universal.

  • The Isley Brothers

    Summer Breeze

    • The Best Summer Ever (Various Artist.
    • Virgin.

  • Tom Jones

    She's A Lady

    • Take A Break (Various Artists).
    • Columbia.

  • Katy Perry

    Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

    • Now That's What I Call Music! 79.
    • Now.

  • The Jacksons

    I Want You Back

    • The Best Michael Jackson & Jackson Five.
    • Polygram Tv.
    • 1.

  • Duran Duran

    INVISIBLE

    • FUTURE PAST.
    • S-Curve Records.

  • Tom Petty

    I Won't Back Down

    • Tom Petty - Anthology.
    • MCA.

  • Yola

    Starlight

    • Stand For Myself.
    • Easy Eye Sound.

  • Whitney Houston

    I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)

    • Whitney Houston - Whitney.
    • Arista.

  • Laura Mvula

    Got Me

    • Pink Noise.
    • Atlantic.

  • The Divine Comedy

    Something For The Weekend

    • Fresh Hits 96 (Various Artists).
    • Sony Music TV.

  • Average White Band

    Let's Go Round Again

    • The Best Of.
    • Rhino.

  • Bobby Gillespie

    Chase It Down (Radio 2 Session, 2 Jul 2021) (feat. Imelda May)

  • Bobby Gillespie

    Don't Go Breaking My Heart (Radio 2 Session, 2 Jul 2021) (feat. Imelda May)

  • Griff

    One Foot In Front Of The Other

    • One Foot In Front Of The Other.
    • Warner Music.
    • 1.

  • The Style Council

    Long Hot Summer

    • Virgin.

  • Shalamar

    I Can Make You Feel Good

    • Friends - Deluxe Edition.
    • Big Break Records.
    • 4.

  • BTS

    Butter

    • (CD Single).
    • Big Hit Entertainment.

  • The Bangles

    Eternal Flame

    • Woman (Various Artists).
    • Polygram Tv/Sony Tv.

  • X‐Press 2

    Lazy (feat. David Byrne)

    • (CD Single).
    • Skint.

Pause For Thought

Pause For Thought

Now ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the Pause For Thought, this morning a little insight into the return of the live comedy circuit... Because yes, it’s coming back! Slowly. Alright, the stand-up circuit isn’t quite standing up just now, more... leaning. But we seize the mic and pull ourselves up.

I’m still doing online gigs, but we prefer our audiences unmuted, ideally in the same room as us.

So delight of delights, last week I had a real-life, in-person, indoors, socially-distanced... gig. Utterly joyful! I don’t know about the audience, but I had a good time. Actual human laughter! I could respond to things in the room! Chat with the front row! Deal with a heckle – alright some things I don’t miss. And I couldn’t just click mute.

Truth is, I was loving it before I was onstage. Because half the fun is the green room with the other comedians. Exchanging gig stories: The cruise ship gig so bad the comedian had to be airlifted off... The promoter who booked an act to do two gigs in one evening, in Cardiff and Anglesey, because he thought Wales was tiny... (I was that comedian)

Forget the wifi connection, it’s the connection with people that matters.

2000 years ago the early church was similar to those green rooms – small faithful huddles, not vast congregations. Before organised religion became organised, it started with people, conversations – probably with similar “you’ll never guess what happened on the way here” stories. St Paul travelled via shipwrecks and prisons. His gigs were tougher than mine.

Those early Christians knew, that Jesus said whenever two or three people are gathered, he’s there with them. Two or three. That’s community.

At that gig last week, the audience were great, but the joy for me was the two or three comedians backstage. That’s the connection I craved.

When the time’s right, nothing will beat a full stand-up gig. But we don’t need a packed comedy club to laugh, or a full church to worship... we don’t even need be in a full stadium to enjoy the football. (St Paul travelled to Rome – but we don’t have to!)

Two or three gathering is a good start. When we’re ready, the comedy clubs, theatres, churches and arts centres – the doors are open. And if you sit up front, you might be part of it. We won’t even mute you.

Broadcast

  • Fri 2 Jul 202106:30
    BBC Radio 2