The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
I attended the BBC Radio 4 debate programme Any Questions on Friday, July 27, which was broadcast from St Mary and St Nicolas Church in Spalding.
The evening was well attended, there must have been well over 200 people present.
Before going live we had the introductions where I learned about the history of the lovely church which was built in 1284 and the church brought back some fond memories of my Parish Church Day School and the links we had with the church.
Then onto the history about the programme itself, where it all started back in 1951 as a quiz show.
It was improved after an idea involving a panel with live questions and debate, this is when show became very popular and has been running for 70 years.
In the chair was word perfect Ritula Shah, journalist and news presenter for BBC Radio and regular presenter of The World Tonight.
Ritula was joined by Emma Campbell (BBC Radio journalist), Chloe Westley (Taxpayers Alliance), Sarah Wollaston MP, Chi Onwurah MP and Giles Fraser (priest and broadcaster).
On the night ten questions had been selected from the many formulated by the attendees, but there was only enough time to take four of these and several debates followed on from the panel regarding: fake news and the stockpiling of food; Brexit no deal?; people in debt?; social-media-free September? and legalising cannabis?
So moving away from social media, where people can be open to bullying, I think we need more public debate that can be carried out with mutual respect and honesty.
As the doors opened, so did the heavens, with a very bad storm, but this did not deter the people supporting the event.
I would like to give credit to the Rev John Bennett for him inviting the programme to the parish church and organising the evening.
Thank you and well done to all concerned.
Rodney Sadd
Carrington Road
Spalding
