Fellowship afloat charitable trust, based at Tollesbury on the Essex coast, provides exciting outdoor adventure activities for children, young people and families. Hugh Dibbins has been a Trustee and Director since 1980. With 22 staff, many on gap years, Hugh described them as a Christian community.  He talked through the fascinating history of how this charity came into being and has grown and developed over the years. It originated from the vision of a church youth group in Harlow. The account of the purchase of the original vessel, an Essex barge, followed by the lightship which has recently been upgraded is amazing. Following a local campaign to stop the development of the marshes, Felllowship Afloat became the only bidders to buy them. Now being custodians of this valuable asset, there is also an emphasis on environmental activities. The upgrade of the vessel means that now 48 people can be accommodated. Many school groups stay between Mondays – Fridays. Church youth groups and others, including those for vulnerable people, come at weekends. Hugh said there are now staff vacancies, details of which can be found on the website.

Playlist

Belinda Carlisle – Get together – lead single from the album – Once upon a time in California – to be released on 28th of August. The song was a hit for the Youngbloods in USA in 1969 & Dave Clark 5 in UK in 1970. No 1 this week in the PhoenixFM chart.

Ella Fitzgerald – Mack the knife – from 1961 album – Live in Berlin. Studio guest last week Archdeacon of Southend Sue Lucas chose this track because of the way Ella improvises having forgotten the words and produces a performance that won her the Grammy award for best female vocal.

Ronald Binge – Sailing by – BBC Shipping forecast theme. Hugh said how important is is in sailing to understand the weather.

Josh Groban – Bring him home – from the show – Le Misérables. This recording from the 2015 Grammy award winning album – Stages – UK no 1, USA no 2 & Top 10 in 4 more countries. Hugh loves this song and where JeanValjean pleading to God for the safety and protection of his adopted son Marius.

Keith & Kristyn Getty & Alison Krauss – In Christ alone. Hugh said this track really summed up his own Christian faith and his desire for people to accept Jesus in their lives.

For more information check out https://www.fact.org.uk

https://www.facebook.com/fellowshipafloat

01621868113

Birthdays competition

Housemartins – Caravan of love – 1986 no 1 UK, Ireland & Sweden. Top 10 in 8 more countries. Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim , was bassist for the band. Yesterday he celebrated his 62nd birthday.

Crystals – He’s a rebel – 1962 No 1 USA, Canada & New Zealand. UK no 19. in 2004 Rolling Stone 500 Greatest songs of all time no 263. Lead singer in the group Darlene Love is 84 years old.

Kate Bush & Larry Adler – The man I love – 1994 UK no 22. From the album – The Glory of Gershwin – Kate is 67 years old.

Thanks to Chris and Bob in Harlow, Chris in Guildford, Hugh in the studio and Patrick in Ingatestone for taking part. In a record high scoring game where we had eight corect answers, the winner with 9 maximum points was Patrick from Ingatestone.

Lobo – I want you to want me – Patrick requested this track which was No 1 in 10 countries, No 2 USA, No 5 UK & Top 10 in eight more countries.

Dave Edmunds – Girls talk – 1977 UK no 4, Australia no 9, Top 20 in Canada & Ireland. Dave is seriously ill in hospital. Chris in Guildford has been a fan for decades and was pleased we played this track today.

Chart this week in 1995

No 1 Take That – Never forget – No 1 in 3 more countries. Top 10 in another 9 countries.

No 4 Seal – Kiss from a rose – No 1 USA & Australia. UK no 4 Top 10 in another 10 countries.  Grammy awards Record of the year, Song of the year, Best male performance.

No 7 U2 – Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me. No 1 in Ireland & 7 more countries. UK no 2.

Both the Seal and U2 tracks are from the soundtrack of the film –Batman Forever. Album sold over 2 million copies in USA.

Focus – House of the King – 1971. Theme from TV shows Don’t ask me 1970, Saxondale 2006.

Jon Batiste – Big money – title track of the album to be released on 22nd of August.

Next week my studio guest is Tim Lee. He will be talking about some of the up-coming retreats at Pleshey House of retreat.

https://www.retreathousepleshey.com