Letter to Louis Radio 4
Never has there been a more important time for uplifting radio.
And along comes Alison White’s poignant and powerful drama about a mother’s love for her son.
She takes us on a journey with her from heartbreaking beginnings – the birth of the couple’s son who has cerebral palsy and the horror of those initial days in hospital, just hoping and praying he shall survive.
Then, taking him home and watching him grow and struggle for each developmental goal.. the effort of making that first step.
And, as the years and the episodes move forward, Alison paints for us Louis’ powerful determination to gain his independence.
He never stops trying ... his mantra is “just try” and his parents never give up on him either.
What starts off in tragedy ends with real joy – it’s uplifting in every sense. It’s one not to miss.
Irish poet Jane Clarke has been compared to Seamus Heaney. She writes eloquently about the Irish countryside and rural life.
In Miners’ Way, she took us with her on a walk through three valleys in County Wicklow – Glenmalure, Glendalough and Glendasan.
It’s a long distance path developed by a community group that takes in old mine sites.
Jane chatted to farmers and an old miner along the way. He remembers the mounds of silver grey spoil, the mines only seven feet high, rubber boots filled with water, ponies pulling two tonnes of ore, the Tolkien-like 1,000 steps into the mountain to start work.
She also read some of her most beautiful poems including Birthing the Lamb.
The music, the bird song, the wild goats at Glendalough – we were with her every step along the way.
It was a beautiful walk and warm conversation for a summer’s afternoon.
