Baby Basics Billericay was set up in April 2021 by Revival Church Billericay to serve families in our area. Jane Robb from Baby Basics Billericay joined me today to talk about about their aims to support struggling new mothers and families.

Back in April last year The storage area of Baby Basics Billericay, and its supplies were damaged in a fire. Jane also spoke about how that impacted on the service and how they managed to rebuild it with lots of help from local businesses and individuals who came together in the community to help.

Jane Robb

You can listen to our chat here –

Baby Basics Billericay’s website is here – https://baby-basics.org.uk/centre/billericay

Also on today’s show – 

Trains are being replaced by buses as engineering works are carried out on uneven tracks.

The cost of school uniform and PE kits is “extortionate” and “ridiculous”, according to parents.

Martin’s Choice – This week’s request is by Harry Forster Chapin born December 7, 1942 and sadly passed in July 1981. He was an American singer-songwriter, philanthropist, and hunger activist, best known for his folk rock songs. He achieved worldwide success in the 1970s. Winning Grammy Awards and selling  over 16 million records worldwide.

Chapin recorded a total of 11 albums from 1972 until his death in 1981. All 14 singles that he released became hits around the world, Chapin’s best-known songs include W.O.L.D a song about an aging disc jockey who has given up his entire life and family for his career. The song is sung from the point of view of the disc jockey who is singing to his ex-wife. And secondly the song Cats In The Cradle, a song about a father who does not find time for his son during the boy’s childhood; ultimately, the son does the opposite. He can’t make time for his dad because he is so busy with his kids. The song earned Chapin another Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

As a dedicated humanitarian, Chapin fought to end world hunger, He was a key participant in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger, Chapin was posthumously awarded a gold medal for his humanitarian work.

There is so much more to describe this man’s life, I’ve always felt that he wrote songs about real life and the trials and problems it can bring! I’m torn between the two songs I’ve mentioned, W.O.L.D and Cats In The Cradle As they both have such emotive lyrics.

I’m going for Cats In The Cradle. I’ve always thought that every parent should listen to  the words of this song and learn from them? It’s all to easy to lose sight of what’s important in your life !

Enjoy.

You can listen to the whole show here –