onionbagblog

I’m finding my feet rather fast with these Wiv Chat recordings. I’ve learnt that the trick is to plan as little preparation as possible. You invite your guest round, put the kettle on and then see where the conversation takes you both.

This was a technique that served me well for my conversation with Jeannie Coverley. My guest was one of my first acquaintances upon moving to Wivenhoe almost a year ago now. A chance meeting in the Post Office, and now friendship has followed.

I had Jeannie sketched in as ideal Wiv Chat material, ever since the idea for the broadcast was first hatched. She topped my local list [aha - guess who else is also on it...] of folk that I need to blag a conversation out of.

A few emails were exchanged, and I was hopeful that Jeannie would be interested in a recording. She didn’t disappoint…

I am very aware that what I am attempting to achieve is to open local Wivenhoe folk up and present them in a very public light. Boundaries sometimes have to be drawn, but Jeannie’s interview technique was identical to her openness back in that first Post Office meeting - charming, helpful and ever so slightly mischievous.

Our conversation covers more than fifty years of local life, from Jeannie first arriving in Wivenhoe from Norfolk, and not knowing a single soul in what was then still a small village.

Five decades later and it seems that Jeannie Coverley is at the centre of all that is good and sociable about Wivenhoe. I don’t think that there has been one event that I have attended and not been able to enjoy a catch up with Jeannie.

Her Wivenhoe network is as helpful as it is social. If you want some local advice or knowledge, Jeannie has a contacts list that is local folklore. Our conversation ends with Jeannie reflecting on how far she personally travelled from being isolated as a newcomer, to now understanding how Wivenhoe has shaped her a valued community member.

As for Wiv Chat *proper* itself?

The first broadcast went out on Sunday evening. I dashed back from a brief break in Norfolk (ironically the place where Jeannie originally called home) to listen to it back at base.

A few *ahem* early teething problems (the most splendid Rock Show went out for a few seconds…) and soon Mr Mule was singing away with the fine jingles that he has so very kindly recorded for me.

I was rather pleased with how it all sounded. It’s not my programme - ownership belongs with the guests. Having me talking to myself for just under an hour ‘aint exactly going to go down as a classic in the Radio Wivenhoe archives.

My first guest, Peter Green, stole the show. I am still rather proud of some of the memories and conversation that we managed to strike up as two complete strangers. Thanks must also go to Radio Wivenhoe Head Honcho, Jerry Davis, who has been putting in some tireless work behind the scenes with the production.

Wiv Chat #6 has already been recorded - I’m still on the hunt for more local conversations. My local list of folk that I would like to have a conversation with still has some legs in it (I’m coming after you all, one by one…) but I am always welcome to new suggestions.

Many, many thanks to Jeannie for her local knowledge, her fine company and her willingness to be so open. She more or less defines Wivenhoe for me.