The Maltcast

For the Easter weekend, I hosted Revered Chris Bradish of St Mary’s Church in Andover, to talk about what they’re doing to keep the community’s morale high in these challenging times.  Rev’d Chris also informed me that St Mary’s Easter Sunday service will be carried out online this year - so be sure to log-on bright and early on Sunday morning.

In this difficult time, small businesses across North West Hampshire are innovating and evolving the way they serve their communities. George and Dragon in Hurstbourne Tarrant is a case in point,  delivering take-out fish and chips, burgers and sourdough bread to replicate pub nights for punters - while they stay at home! They’re also delivering food to staff at Andover War Memorial Hospital. The pub's landlord Patrick joins me in this episode. 

Vulnerable people need help now more than ever as we get through the COVID-19 crisis, and that's where Terry Bishop and Unity come in. Terry joins me in the episode to talk about how they are coordinating help for those who need it. They're on 0330 4004 116 if you need their support. 

Chief Inspector Kory Thorne and his fantastic team are working round the clock to keep us safe during this difficult time. He joins me on this episode to talk about policing efforts across North West Hampshire during COVID-19, team morale, and more. Once again forgive the audio quality as we record these remotely to keep everyone safe. 

Meet Joanna. As we deal with this COVID-19 emergency, Joanna is volunteering with Swan Street Stores in Kingsclere - delivering food and doing much more to help older and vulnerable people in the community. 

Over the coming days, I am recording a series of community information podcasts featuring people across North West Hampshire who are working tirelessly to help our communities as we deal with this challenging time. First up Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council - he's doing a big job in keeping essential council services running be it bin collections or access to housing and benefits. Please forgive the audio quality - we are recording these remotely to keep guests safe, and we're working to get practical information out in as real time as possible. 

The Queen Charlotte Inn is an Andover institution. Pubs like the Queen Charlotte sit at the heart of our communities, and need all the support they can get. Ahead of Budget 2020, I met with the landlady Victoria to find out about their exciting big plans and what more government can do to help pubs like hers succeed in the coming months and years.

You may not have heard of Shared Lives but I’ve been blown away by how this scheme is revolutionising care and improving lives in North West Hampshire and indeed across the UK. I joined Claire the scheme manager, Rose a carer, and Hampshire County Councillor Liz Fairhurst to discuss how it works and the impact it’s having on adult social care.

Join me as I discuss the sensitive issue of assisted dying and why it is time to change the law to help terminally ill people. I'm joined by guests Sarah Wooton, Chief Executive of Dignity In Dying and campaigner Tom Beagley-Spicer who tells us his very personal story about his mother.

A quick catch-up with Phil North the leader of Test Valley Borough Council.