Kibworth Society – Any Questions?
The phone rang one morning in April and when I answered it a female voice said is that Norman? On being assured that it was she said ‘This is Anne Peacock, the producer of Any Questions? I’m ringing to offer you a choice of two dates.’ With an involuntary pause I thanked her and had to say that I couldn’t give an immediate answer but I rang back later to say that Friday 31st August would be fine. She then said ‘And will you be the organiser?’ I confirmed that Kibworth Society, having twice invited them, would gladly do that.
That is how it all started and how, on Friday 31st August, nearly 200 people filled Kibworth Grammar School Hall and enjoyed being part of the weekly live broadcast of Any Questions? It was chaired, as usual, by Jonathan Dimbleby on his 20th anniversary in the chair and featured four personalities, namely, Sir Max Hastings (journalist and historian), Professor Lord Anthony Giddens (former Director of LSE and author of The Third Way), Steve Bell (Guardian cartoonist) and Margot James (Tory Vice-Chair).
Before the programme there was an audience warm-up by John Florance of Radio Leicester and the scene was then set by the producer on the night, Peter Griffiths. The panel took their seats and there was a test question where minor adjustments were made to microphones. Then we heard the 8pm news summary and that was it. Kibworth was live on air!
The Questions
Ten questions were selected for the broadcast but only seven went out live. Darren Handy from Fleckney asked about strikes by prison officers, Richard Baker, a visitor to the area, raised the question of a referendum on the EU Treaty, I asked whether Princess Diana had left a legacy to the British people and Meryl Cumber from Foxton queried whether yoga was subversive. Then we had what was for Kibworth the five-star question from Bryan Porteous – Should existing villages be extended or new self-supporting ones be created?
Prior to the broadcast, the producer had said to me that they were getting rather a lot of questions about building on green field sites and asked if there was a problem in Kibworth! With Roger Garratt close at hand they were given a clear picture of the situation and Bryan’s detailed knowledge of Kibworth’s problem added a local flavour to the broadcast with Jonathan sensing the mood of the audience. Those who listen to Any Answers after the Saturday broadcast will know that Bryan pursued his question on that programme.
The last two questions were from Peter James of Kibworth who asked who the panel would like to see cast in bronze like Nelson Mandela and then the broadcast ended with a touch of humour when Ken Savery of Kibworth asked about John Prescott’s retirement from the Commons.
Kibworth Society wishes to thank all those who were present for being such an appreciative audience with a special thanks to those who asked questions but were not called.
The Grammar School Hall staff were helpful beyond duty. Our thanks go to them and to the trustees of the school for donating the use of the building for the broadcast and without the extra seating provided by the Methodist Chapel it would have been standing room only for some of us.
The BBC staff were very appreciative of the organisation and of the Grammar School Hall. They were also very complimentary about their meal at Firenze who had made special arrangements to accommodate their time schedules.
Undoubtedly all the team headed south with a very favourable view of Kibworth. We’ve made our mark and they could just be back sometime with a different programme.
Norman Hallett
Be a Magistrate
