Distinct Nostalgia

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Ashley Byrne talks to Nigel Plaskitt (voice of Hartley Hare from Pipkins) about his memories of his colleague, collaborator, friend and fellow puppeteer Ronnie Le Drew who has died at the age of 78 after a short illness..
You can hear a full interview about Zippy and George and Ronnie's life on Rainbow as well as the rest of his career in a podcast episode re-released recently. Just scroll down the feed. It's easy...go look.  Zippy and George make an appearance several times.
RIP Ronnie Le Drew. A lovely man who will be missed by everyone at Distinct Nostalgia and Made in Manchester Productions.

A Made in Manchester Production

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We are truly shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Ronnie Le Drew who brought pleasure to millions, literally generations of children over so many years. We all grew up with Zippy and George and Rainbow. And the team here at Distinct Nostalgia got to know Ronnie well. And we were planning several joint projects. Sadly they won't be happening now. 
But we can all remember Ronnie with a smile - and here Ashley is talking to Ronnie over an extended 2 hour show broadcast exactly 2 years ago in July 2024. There's appearance by Zippy, George and a surprise guest along the way. Enjoy! And condolences to all Ronnie's friends and family.  XXX
A Made in Manchester Production. 

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The extraordinary inside story of the most controversial decision in the history of modern warfare - the order to drop the atomic bomb. Drawn from first-hand accounts of those involved and declassified top secret American and Japanese documents from 1945, this documentary drama unfolds through the eyes of the two people at the centre of this world changing event - President Harry S. Truman and Showa Emperor Hirohito of Japan 
Episode 3: BABY SATISFACTORILY BORN
President Truman hears the Trinity Test of the first atom bomb has been a great success.  Meanwhile, in Tokyo Emperor Hirohito hears he has been misled about the strength of the Imperial Army and decides to make desperate attempts to secure an end to hostilities by using a secret backchannel.
You can hear the cast and production team list for episode 3 in detail at the end of the episode. Otherwise the cast list is also listed below.
You can hear the previous episodes in this feed.  Due to serious illness in the team, the production of this series had to be put on hold, we are playing both opening episodes in the series on limited release to enable you to catch up on the full story. 
We hope Episode 4 will be released soon.  
This drama has been made with the good will of everyone involved and not with huge funders behind it. If you would like to give something to the costs and to show your appreciation for all the work involved, please donate here https://buymeacoffee.com/presidentandemperor
The President and the Emperor is written by
 Guy Smith.
The director is Jonathan Kydd.
Produced by Ashley Byrne
Executive Producer is Kurt Brookes
Recorded at Studios in London and Chicago
A Made in Manchester Production.
With thanks to:
The National Security Archive, Washington DChttps://nsarchive.gwu.edu
The Harry S Truman Library, Independence, MOhttps://www.trumanlibrary.gov
 
 
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Four of the original cast of Angels plus the creator join us to look back at one of the ground breaking series of British television - Angels - which began in 1975.
First we hear from Paula Milne about how she created the show before four of the actors who got together as young women reunite to talk us through exactly what is was like to be thrust into the prime time spotlight five decades ago.
Ashley is joined by:
Erin Gerharty who played Maureen Morahan
Clare Clifford who was Shirley Brent
Julie Dawn Cole who played Jo Longhurst
 and Karen David who was Sita Patel
Angels is just one of several anniversaries we're marking this Christmas. If you scroll through the feed, the last episode of Distinct Nostalgia sees us reunite the cast of 1990s sitcom Game On and the episode before that is an interview with the legendary Derek Griffiths marking 50 years since he composed the music for the iconic children's series BOD.
All this comes ahead of the launch of Distinct Radio in 2026, a new arts station which will be 24/7 history, arts, nostalgia. Keep listening and looking out for updates about that. One of the first shows will be a 90 minute special celebrating Rocky Horror at 50.
Distinct Nostalgia is a Made in Manchester Production
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Two of the cast of 90s sitcom Game On remember the show’s heyday 30 years after it began in 1995. 
Matthew Cottle and Neil Stuke chat to Ashley about how it all began and how it tackled taboos and became a must watch for 20 somethings on a Friday night. 
And don’t forget we’re marking more anniversaries. Look in the feed for a chat with Derek Griffiths about 50 years of kids classic BOD and standby for a big reunion of four of the original cart of Angels which began on BBC1 way back in 1975. 
And coming soon Distinct Radio - 24/7 history and nostalgia - ‘discover the things you never knew you loved’… more details to follow. 
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