The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme. We stay six feet away from each other.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. Tonight's PM editor Eloise Twisk will read your comments and may well add her own.
Welcome to the AM Glass Box - your chance to help shape tonight's PM.
You may have read your morning paper and listened to the radio, and have some ideas you want to hear on PM tonight.
Perhaps a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
Just as the PM Glass Box emulates the meeting we have AFTER the show, the AM Glass Box will be like the real meeting we have every day at 11.00, in that all ideas are welcome.
Just like the real meeting, most ideas that are suggested will not make it on air. But we would like to try this to see how it works. It's best that you make your suggestion before 10am.
This AM Glass Box is an experiment for a couple of weeks. It may not work for you, or for us - but we thought we'd give it a try!
There are some questions and answers .
British forces have spent the past weeks packing up their camps and handing on their forward operating bases to Iraqi and American troops. At a base some 40 miles north-east of Basra, near the Iranian border, the last British officer there has been busy handing it over to the US Army, who'll be mentoring the Iraqi police and border guards. The town of Al Qurna is also - according to Iraqi legend - the site of the original Garden of Eden, where the Euphrates meets the Tigris river."
Caroline went meet the last British soldier in Al Qurna and to look for Paradise in Iraq...and she sent these images taken yesterday in Al Qurnah, north of Basra of a joint Iraqi Army/ 1 YORKS foot patrol to the new Fish Market and the 'Garden of Eden'. The photos were taken by Corporal Dylan Browne of the RAF.
Oh and if you want to follow the 20th Armoured Brigade on Twitter: try twitter.com/theironfist. And there's more from Caroline .
In response to suggestions from various bloggers over recent weeks, we're going to try, for a couple of weeks, something new.
The PM Glass Box already gives you the chance to comment after the programme. How would you like the chance to suggest things BEFORE the programme?
We'd like to try the AM Glass Box.
It will appear every morning on the blog. There, having read your paper and listened to your morning radio, you can alert us to various things.
You may have a question about something in the news you would like answered - or better still, direct experience of something topical. Or maybe there's an aspect to a big story you haven't heard explored that you would like to hear.
Just as the PM Glass Box emulates the meeting we have after the show, the AM Glass Box will be like the real meeting we have every day at 11.00, in that all ideas are welcome.
Just like the real meeting, most ideas that are suggested will not make it on air. But we would like to try this to see how it works. It's best that you make your suggestion before 10am. Let's try it.
...here, soon.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme. We stay six feet away from each other.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. The PM editor Joe Carr will read your comments and may well add her own.
(Photo: pigs not affected by the current crisis).
Do you have a question about swine flu, that our health and science correspondents could answer?
Please email your question to pm@bbc.co.uk, and our correspondents will do their best to answer them.
This is not a competition and no salesmen will call.
PM reporter Yvonne Murray writes:
"This is Katrina Washby and her husband Vic, a former firefighter, who suffers from motor neurone disease. In 2005, they raised £12,000 to pay for stem cell treatment at a clinic in China. Vic says he noticed some improvement when he returned, although his condition has since deteriorated.
Doctors in the UK are concered that more and more people who suffer from degenerative and neurological conditions are travelling abroad for stem cell therapy. They say these treatments are unregulated, unproven and potentially harmful. Patient support organisations believe many of these clinics are just cashing in and taking advantage of people in a vulnerable position.
But Vic and Katrina believe that anything that offers even the remotest hope, is worth the risk and the money."
(Photo: medical staff carrying petition on stretcher to No10 during Winter Of Discontent 1.4.79)
I'm keen to hear from you if you've started a petition, or been involved with one that HAS changed something.
Our inspiration is an online petition that's been started on the urging Gordon Brown to go.
Do petitions achieve anything? Email me at PM@bbc.co.uk or click on Comments below.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme. We stay six feet away from each other.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. Tonight's PM's editor Roger Sawyer will read your comments and may well add his own.
"WHY I MAY QUIT ACTING - SIR MICHAEL CAINE
By Albertina Lloyd, Press Association Showbusiness Reporter
Sir Michael Caine has revealed that he plans to retire from acting if he is not
offered any more good films.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. Tonight's PM's editor Rupert Allman (above) will read your comments and may well add his own.
"Last Autumn I sent you a picture of the Cornus Eddie's White Wonder in full autumn regalia. I thought you might to see a picture of this lovely tree in spring finery. Best Wishes Cessa Moore" 
but website wants to know how you rate certain views.
We'll have a report on PM tonight.
says Joanna Lumley. 
The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Office says new rules for retired Gurkhas will mean thousands more will be eligible to live in Britain. No they don't says Joanna Lumley, a view echoed by other campaigners.
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News coverage is . The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Office statement is .
Ben calls it the "current "steaming heap of PR twaddle" TV trail for PM..."
Everyone should have a Beach to go to, chill out, meet their friends and relax. In other words it's the off-topic area of the Blog, renewed every week on a Friday, to keep it to a manageable length. Bad attitudes not welcome. No bridges for Trolls to hide under. Just warm sun, sand and virtual sangria. Plus the odd (make that very odd) camel wandering around.
No really, he does, in an item that got squeezed out the other day. Here are Tim's words and pictures:
He sends these words and pictures:
"Did Al-Qaeda draw on Jewish inspiration for its 9-11 attacks? It may seem unlikely -- but more than 60 years ago, Jewish militants -- fighting for an independent State of Israel, free from British rule -- were arrested, in Paris, on suspicion of planning to bomb London from the air. The sensational story was reported in all the journals on record -- The Times, in Britain; Le Monde and Le Figaro, in France; the New York Times, in the States. Recently declassified documents from MI5 show that the security services were convinced the plot was real. But was it?" More tonight when Tim hears from the son of one of those arrested, Our MIddle East Correspondent Tim Franks has been speaking to the son of Akiva Brun - one of those arrested. Here he is:
More of Mark Easton's thoughts here.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. PM's editor Eloise "I'll send that again" Twisk will read your comments and may well add her own.
Ray Furlong has been to see a man who's on hunger strike over the situation in Sri Lanka. You can hear his report on the programme tonight. Ray sends these photos...and underneath some of his observations.
"There are things I couldn't ask him about because there was limited time (he's very weak, and didn't raise his head from the pillow during the interview. I lay down on a mattress opposite him, leaning on one arm and holding the microphone with the other). So there are some unanswered questions - how did he get out of prison? How did he come to the UK? What is his relationship to the LTTE ? (he says none)."
Hear Ray's report in PM tonight.
As you may know, there's been a bit of a problem with today's PM newsletter.
The punchline to the joke didn't appear on the first send, so we did a new one and sent it again.
It wasn't there either. Poor Eloise the Editor, whose job it is to send it out, is aghast.
I have taken these photos to show that "it was fine leaving us":
"...get a winning British Eurovision entry...?"
How would you complete that sentence?
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News online coverage is . Those budget documents in full are .
The Budget Calculator is .
Share your view of the budget by clicking on Comments.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. PM's editor Rupert Allman will read your comments and may well add his own.
OK, so it's bound to fail. But we might have fun trying.
I'll do my best to answer questions about PM...and you'll try not to fall asleep.
1959 UPDATE: I wish I had thought this through before I suggested it....
(Photograph: Lewis Whylde/PA Photograph: Lewis Whyld/PA)
"BLEARS 'SHEEPISH' OVER ALLOWANCES SLIP
By Andrew Woodcock, Press Association Chief Political Correspondent
Gordon Brown's proposal to scrap MPs' second home allowances was inadvertently revealed ahead of schedule by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears as she left Cabinet this morning.
Ms Blears was clutching a copy of the proposals as she was snapped by
photographers in Downing Street, and copies of their pictures clearly show the
plans to replace the perk with a daily attendance allowance.
he slip came less than a fortnight after Bob Quick was forced to resign as
Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police when he accidentally revealed
operational details of an anti-terror raid by displaying a secret memo as he
arrived to brief Mr Brown at Number 10.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. PM's editor Rupert Allman will read your comments and may well add his own.
from today's Guardian.
"Dr Giordano Giulio Abbondati. Despite his best and bravest efforts, even Gio could not avoid his final appointment 21st April 2005. A thoroughly decent human being, still loved and missed. Arrivederci."
You heard the interview - now you can follow which has more links to more pages with more links.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. PM's editor Roger Sawyer will read your comments and may well add his own.
After this item the other day, Gossipmistress writes:
"After all the toadying to Mary Hockaday .... some real ones! Endangered Natterjack toads photographed at Formby National Trust Reserve last Friday evening. On warm spring evenings the males congregate in sandy pools or 'scrapes' to call for a mate. It was apparently still a bit chilly for them last friday as only 4 turned up! We were of course, under the watchful eyes of the wardens."
1405 UPDATE from Ruth Seddon:
"On the subject of toads, here's a picture of my toad - he has been living outside my house for years and I accidentally uncovered his hiding place the other day. I made another little house for him and he's still about, was burrowing among my plants last night by the look of things."
is one of the world's biggest killers. It affects more than 500 million people worldwide. One mother from Leighton Buzzard has had first hand experience... she lost her son, Harry, to the disease after he went to volunteer in Ghana.
Now she's made the journey back to the village where her son worked to help launch a new Malaria charity today...we'll have a report tonight from Anna Adams. Here are photos of Harry as he worked in Ghana.
He sends these words and pictures:
"Did Al-Qaeda draw on Jewish inspiration for its 9-11 attacks? It may seem unlikely -- but more than 60 years ago, Jewish militants -- fighting for an independent State of Israel, free from British rule -- were arrested, in Paris, on suspicion of planning to bomb London from the air. The sensational story was reported in all the journals on record -- The Times, in Britain; Le Monde and Le Figaro, in France; the New York Times, in the States. Recently declassified documents from MI5 show that the security services were convinced the plot was real. But was it?" More tonight when Tim hears from the son of one of those arrested, Our MIddle East Correspondent Tim Franks has been speaking to the son of Akiva Brun - one of those arrested. Here he is:
1640 UPDATE: No room in the programme for this piece tonight. Sorry.
in the Pirate Bay story?
You can read more .
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. PM's editor Roger Sawyer will read your comments and may well add his own.
You may have seen a report on Media Guardian about the appointment of Mary Hockaday as head of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's multimedia newsroom, in charge of all TV, radio and online news output.
The report is .
The Guardian reports a comment by our own, our very own Rory Cellan-Jones. Here is the paragraph:
"Her appointment has been welcomed by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ staff. The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones described her as a "wise and skilled leader who understands the importance of tech stories" on microblogging site Twitter."
Rory, I hate to fall out with you publicly, but your praise of our new boss does not go far enough. If that's the limit of your sycophancy, you're going nowhere. For heaven's sake, you have to creep better than that.
Here is my on-the-record quote:
"No-one in human history has ever been as wise and skilled a leader as Mary, and no-one will be in future"
Ahead of next week's budget, there's growing speculation that Britain will emulate twelve other European countries and introduce a car 'scrappage' scheme, in which people are paid a sum of money by the government when they buy a new car and trade in their old one. In Germany it's led to a huge increase in car sales, but there's now growing criticism of the scheme. Ray Furlong will report for us tonight. These words and photos from him will make the report 36% more enjoyable.
"This is Mr Lensch looking disgusted. He runs a scrapyard, and he's overwhelmed with cars which he says should still be on the road. 'This engine can serve for years,' he said. Then we looked inside - it had 20,000 kilometres on the clock.
Mr Lensch is not allowed to sell the cars brought in for scrappage, so he has to crush them. In any case, the bottom has fallen out of the used car market since the scheme was brought it, hitting him hard. It's also resulted, he says, in a fall in business for his repair shop - there are just fewer old bangers on the road. Oh, and the price of scrap metal has also plummeted.
Mr Lensch isn't alone in his criticism: economists, politicians, even govt back-benchers have weighed in. But this man is happy: Kurt Kroeger runs a car showroom and says business is booming. 'The last time we had this many customers,' he says, 'was after German reunification - the Ossies came over with carrier bags full of cash. It's not quite that great this time, but at times we've been fighting the customers off!'"
I rather think we should have a caption competition (that's not really a competition as there is no prize and no-one will win anything) with that last photo. Any thoughts?
Yesterday, a shocked nation learned the full extent of the shambles that exists at the most important desk on the planet. There are photos here, but I warn you they are shocking. Do not look at them if you are driving, operating heavy machinery, or if you're one of those twits with Ofcom on speed dial.
Thankfully, help is already coming in, as I knew it would from our kind-hearted listeners.
We got this from Jonny yesterday:
"I'm sorry to see the pictures of the desk. I have just posted Eddie two bits of material from a washed gym shirt. 
The colour appears to be an excellent match. There are also 8 little Velcro sticky bits to aid holding the material in place. It should be with you at G601 tomorrow, Hope that is of help."
Thank you so much.
"Welcome to The Beach, a very special place on the PM Blog.
The sun shines, the drinks are free, there are more than enough sun loungers and hammocks to go round, and the camels are friendly. So, take a break from your day to day stresses and strains and relax.
There are only two rules; 1) be nice to everyone, and 2) don't eat the petunias."
The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News coverage is .
What do you think?
You can read the full judgement here too.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. PM's editor Eloise Twisk will read your comments and may well add her own.
We'll hear a recording of him, and we'll talk about him on PM tonight.
There's more .
Here he is with Paul Merton when Just A Minute celebrated 35 years on air:
Please have a look at this photo:
And this even more disturbing close up:
They were taken just a few minutes ago, at the most important seat in broadcasting...perhaps the most important seat in the world. At this desk, all the greats have worked. John Humphrys, Martha Kearney, Evan Davis, James Naughtie, Paddy O'Connell, Shaun Ley and probably others.
But as you can see, the bits where those great broadcasters have rested their elbows for hours, their heads in their hands, weeping from boredom, have become worn away. There's no more decent material left.
I know these are difficult times. You may be under financial pressure yourself. Perhaps you or someone in your household have lost employment. Maybe your pension has been reduced. Or perhaps you normally give what spare cash you have to charities trying to find cures for cancer, or to sick children, or homeless people.
But as these photographs prove beyond doubt, our need is greater than yours. Please send what you can...including any blue material you have. No, not that kind of blue material.
Please help us to help you. The better these elbows are protected, the better the programmes will be. Thank you.
Ritulah Shah reports live from Mumbai for PM tonight. There's more coverage of the elections .
There's a link to the latest footage .
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. PM's editor Eloise Twisk will read your comments and may well add her own.
1757 Funny trail coming up....and then off. Let me know what you thought of this. Haven't read comments...been busy! Goodnight.
1756 Nina Ridge ready at weather centre
1755 This piece fell off the World at One. Nice to hear it.
1749 This will finish at 1753.40, so we have 20 seconds till the long wave opt
1748 A live sequence there...now into that tape. Not that it's a tape.
1735 Andy Burnham is next but is in a hurry
1735 Hard to type as Nils is right next to me
1731 Maybe Nils after the news...or Mr B
1729 Just being told Andy Burnham will do us. Just not at the moment.
1728 Can see Nils hovering outside
1726 Relieved to get to India piece
1722 India next after Jen
1720 Lost live guest for after this report. Not sure where we are going next
1720 Hillsborough next
1715 Lost line to live guest in Calais
1710 Now going with pre rec guest then live.
1709 Cue to Blockade vanished. Just reinstaed
1707 Being told blockade is next story, dropping pre rec guest from 1620 and doing new live.
1705 Jon's report on
1703 Hillsborough report might be further delayed and dropped down running order again
1703 Just nipped out to check how to say name of Indian place. Hope I get it right.
1701 Have message about India report and where Ritula is.
1658 Just rehearsed opening. Spelling might get worse from here...
1657 David Miles has just come in. Just had a chat with Eloise about Peter rogers
1655 Back in studio. New lead story as Hillsborough not ready. G20 new lead. Also guest from P and O just fixed on ferry problem. No Nazi discussion just single int
1651 Just finished recording with father and son. Terrific guests. Back out to office
1642 Added new IPCC line. Eloise sorting better fade on opening clip
1640 Still no int on living at home. radio car is there
1639 I wrote wrong name in a cue to the G20 stuff. Jon Manel points it out and spares my later blushes
1636 Fiddling with opening of show
1635 Angela Eagle just confirmed for Hillsborough int
1632 No sign of pre rec guests - back to desk
1630 Copy just dropped about blockade changes
1628...don't know if this will work. When I thought about it earlier I knew it might be tricky if the programme was especially busy and "live". It is. Lots still up in the air. Am in S1, listing to Radio 4, preparing for the trail. After that there is a pre-rec with a grown-up son who still lives with his parents. Three blog posts ready to go. Opening heads a bit up in the air, and we're having trouble with our Nazi discussion. Upping our blockade coverage. Just recorded an int with a man who took almost 24 hours to get over the Channel.
Almost a third of men and a fifth of women aged between 20 and 34 live at home with their parents, according to the Office for National Statistics. We're looking for listeners who might be in just that situation. If it's you...please email us at pm@bbc.co.uk.
There's more on the story .
1220 UDPATE: Harry Mount has about red rubber bands in today's Daily Mail.
"...Time. 17:05: "I feel Eddie Mair was putting words into his guests' mouths about Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the e-mail smear situation. He was encouraging guests to be rude about Gordon Brown.""
Here's how to enter.
BY POST: Please send your question to: Listeners' Opinion Poll, iPM, Room G601, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ TV Centre, London W12 7RJ.
BY EMAIL: iPM@bbc.co.uk.
BY BLOG: Just click on Comments.
IMPORTANT: Here are the Terms and Conditions of the competition.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. PM's editor Roger Sawyer will read your comments and may well add his own.
Laura Kuenssberg files this copy: (we hope to be speaking to Mr Purnell tonight on the programme. If you have any thoughts, and especially experience in this area, drop us an email or leave a comment)
"Alcoholics could face having their benefits docked if they don't get treatment for their problem. The work and pensions minister, James Purnell, is announcing an government review with the Department of Health to look at the idea. Measures that require drug addicts to get treatment in order to keep receiving benefits are currently going through parliament, but Mr Purnell wants to consult on the extending the idea to people with alcohol problems.
On a visit to Dewsbury Moor this afternoon he'll say,
"We have introduced a new policy that will mean heroin and crack addicts get treatment in return for benefits. We will actually help them rather than simply handing them money which ends up in pockets of drug dealers.
"But we can't abandon anyone to long periods on benefits without help to overcome problems. So that's why we are going to look at the arrangements for alcoholics on benefits, just as we did for problem drug users, so that people get the help they need to get sober, to get their life back and get back to work.""
...something we've never done before. Brand new.
Details to follow.
If you can break off from playing scrabble you might fancy commenting on tonight's programme? Listen while you play, then let us know what you think.
On PM tonight, our reporter Michael Buchanan reports on the impact of the decision by ITV to stop filming the police drama Heartbeat in Yorkshire. Michael's sent us some pictures:
If you watch Heartbeat, then the Goathland Hotel will be a familiar landmark.
It is of course better known as the Aidensfield Arms, and most of the businesses in Goathland have heavily linked themselves to the show in order to cash in on the success of the show. One villager told me he once tried to buy petrol from the garage but was told he couldn't as the attendant was too busy selling ice cream and didn't want to get his hands dirty!
Such an attitude is perfectly understandable when you see the sheer hoards of tourists who make on Goathland, not all admittedly on such classy or classic transport. Nobody on this tour would have visited Goathland if it wasn't the setting for Aidensfield. Similarly Christine and Ernest Parker from South Wales first came to Goathland because of Heartbeat but now come 4-5 times per year and have even renamed their house after the village. (Goathland not Aidensfield)
This was the scene in the middle of Whitby last week as Heartbeat filmed a storyline for an upcoming episode. Consider it a PM exclusive although exactly who did what can't be revealed for reasons of personal safety (and complete lack of knowledge)
Filming of The Royal, the Heartbeat spin-off, the exteriors of which are shot at this block of flats in Scarborough - and at the entrance to Joe Burton's garage - has already wound up. 
Here's Joe Burton himself:
Officially The Royal too has been suspended, but fans have similar fears about it - that ITV will cancel the entire production taking with them the tens of millions of tourist pounds that pour into North Yorkshire on the back of the success of the 2 shows.
Good morning to you...
Am I jinxed? For two days running I've had technical glitches on my programmes. ON Saturday PM Baroness Morgan was sitting in a radio studio waiting to talk to us on air. I crossed to her live.......nothing.
Then last night on
I read a cue for an interview with Charles Clarke that I'd recorded a couple of hours earlier. The Studio Manager pressed the relevent button, then................nothing.
Am I safe today????
from David McNickle:
In iPM tonight at 5.30pm, your chance to put a question to the nation in an opinion poll.
Plus: the listeners who hear "a soldier has been killed in Afghanistan" differently from the rest of us.
Oh and...red rubber bands.
Podcast the show (remember you don't need a pod!) by clicking here.
Where you can have your say about tonight's programme. Let us know what you think:
This is what it looks like. Please let me know if you sent it to me - sadly there was no note attached. Even sadder, I don't have a pianola so I can only imagine what it sounds like!
Hello and Happy Easter to you. It's me in the chair today, Saturday and Monday. Eddie's off somewhere pinging red rubber bands.
I've got to tell you about this amazing parcel that I found in my pigeon hole this morning. Unfortunately I have no idea who it's from because there was no letter with it .
It was a big padded envelope that had been opened (understandably I suppose) by the post people. Inside there was.......... a roll of pianola sheet music , pretty antique looking, in its own box which was smashed up at one end. The music publisher looks like it's Universal and the piece of music is Yeoman of the Guard.
It is a mystery. Any ideas? I'm curious not least about the sender, because obviuosly I'd like to be able to thank them. Anyone know someone with a pianola?
Who sent it?
Everyone should have a Beach to go to, chill out, meet their friends and relax.
In other words it's the off-topic area of the Blog, renewed every week on a Friday, to keep it to a manageable length. Bad attitudes not welcome. No bridges for Trolls to hide under. Just warm sun, sand and virtual sangria. Plus the odd (make that very odd) camel wandering around.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme. It's not by a pretty bridge, however.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. PM's editor Eloise Twisk will read your comments and may well add her own.
...they're still coming in....because of .
On Saturday's iPM we'll be joined in the studio by a woman who, as part of her degree in graphic design collected 3,961 Royal Mail red rubber bands from the streets of Ashford. Oh and we'll have some music played on red rubber bands. You will be able to name that tune.
Care to add to our red rubber band collection?
"iPM Red Rubber Band Collection
Room G601
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News Centre,
LONDON
W12 7RJ."
....and an update on the update at 11.50. The sons of ace ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ reporter Angus Stickler have already got a giant ball of red rubber bands of which they are justifiably proud:
"DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN: Court case that will determine if investors, who lost large sums of money when an Icelandic bank collapsed, will receive compensation. Most have received no compensation. British investors who have lost money expected to attend and also take part in a demonstration outside the court at 0900."
Our man Michael Buchanan is there and will report live for us tonight. He's sent us these:
The court case begins in a few minutes, at 10am. Michael writes:
"A group of depositors - perhaps as many as 40, mostly British - have travelled to the Isle of Man for a court hearing that will decide how much money they'll get following the failure of an Icelandic bank on the island last year. Thousand of people lost vast sums of money - some millions - but most have not received a penny in compensation due to the way the IOM has dealt with the collapse of the bank. Today's court hearing is likely to determine whether the bank should be formally liquidated or whether an alternative scheme should be offered to depositors. They're all furious, including a woman from Surrey who's lost a seven figure amount in the bank."
At iPM, the programme that starts with its listeners...our listeners alerted us to all this some time ago. You can read more here.
to a page where you can see the video we're talking about.
We'd like to know what you think of the entire subject...please click on Comments.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme. It's not by a pretty bridge, however.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. PM's editor Eloise Twisk will read your comments and may well add her own.
iPM Red Rubber Band Collection
Room G601
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News Centre,
LONDON
W12 7RJ.
There is more information on the Radio 4 Action line on 0800 044 044.
Nick van Bloss's Wikipedia page is .
The page for Tourettes Action is .
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. PM's editor Briony Harris will read your comments and may well add her own.
1150 UPDATE: And here's what was inside:
and we're grateful to:
If you'd like to send us YOUR red rubber band collection (even if it's only one red rubber band) - write to
iPM Red Rubber Band Collection
Room G601
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News Centre,
LONDON
W12 7RJ.
It's a word or two about Lissa - Blog Goddess, who was also the inspiration behind iPM and so much else.
As you know, she was fired for pilfering. ?
Here are photos to go with Peter's live report. They were taken from a Cope rally in Giyani, in Limpopo province. The man Peter is interviewing is Mbhazima Shilowa.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. PM's editor Joe Carr will read your comments and may well add her own.
They're , and we're nothing if not helpful.
So, as a public service, we're going to collect the nation's discarded Royal Mail red rubber bands. Don't ask me what we're going to do with what we're sent. We're not sure yet.
But please, send YOUR discarded red rubber bands to:
iPM Red Rubber Band Collection
Room G601
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News Centre,
LONDON
W12 7RJ.
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News magazine has ten OTHER uses for them....
First we brought you this encounter with Her Majesty The Queen, now, , who, as you know, has Nils Blythe in the boot of her Mercedes.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. Tonight's editor, Joe Carr will read your comments and may well add his own.
We'll try to answer it tonight in Upshares. Please post it by clicking comment.
(If on the other hand you want to bore everyone silly with endless droning about your economic theories, please bother Robert Peston.)
From tonight's London Evening Standard: From the early London Standard:
"THE QUEEN today became a worldwide hit on YouTube after she was caught on film reprimanding Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for being too noisy. The footage shows the Queen gesturing in mild irritation at the Italian leader as she posed with President Barack Obama and other world leaders in the traditional "family" photograph at Buckingham Palace to mark the G20 summit. As the photoshoot ends, Mr Berlusconi is heard shouting: "Mr Obama, Mr Obama," prompting the Queen to turn round, sigh and raise her arms in mock frustration, before saying: "What is it? Why does he have to shout ?"
We'll talk about that in iPM tomorrow (back at 17.30). Several PM/iPM listeners got in touch and will feature in the show. There's a ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News piece about protest .
Also in the programme tomorrow, my co-host Jennifer explores what it's like for women who've had anorexia...and then have children. I've heard the interview and it's riveting listening. Like everything else in iPM, it started with a listener getting in touch. The iPM stuff is here.
Oh most beautiful Beach of the programme PM,
Where the Froggers congregate even though you can't see them,
With camels and surf and castles of sand,
As a refuge from woes and seriousness it was planned,
With a bar in memory of a presenter most grand,
And imag'nery sun to get most safely tanned,
Renewed by our host, most every Friday,
Visitor, relax and enjoy, and please keep it tidy.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. Tonight's editor, Dame Amanda Lewis will read your comments and may well add her own.
it means .
HM Revenue & Customs
TAX REFOUND OF 196.50 GBP
Please Note: After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of 196.50 £ .
Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.
A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.
To access the form for your tax refund, please click here (there was a link there)
Regards,
HM Revenue & Customs
© Copyright 2009, HM Revenue & Customs UK.
Hugh sends these words and these photographs of the people and places he visited in Baghdad for his report last night on the Awakening movement:
"Awakening movement checkpoint into the Fadhil district of Baghdad. Al Qaeda were once busy in Fadhil, until local people turned against them.
They didn't check him. Sadly, this is a serious point. There have been numerous BBIEDs, as the Americans call them - Bicycle Borne Improvised Exlposive Devices.
Fadhil is poor. And friendly.
Deputy leader of the Fadhil Awakening, Khaled al Qaisi (centre) and his opposite number from a neighbouring Shiite district, Faris Abdel Hassan (right).
Scars from al Qaeda fighting two years ago. There is now more damage from gunfire - some local fighters shot at Iraqi soldiers after they'd arrested the leader of the Fadhil Awakening on charges of murder, extortion, torture and operating a military wing of the now-illegal Ba'ath Party.
Fadhil's main square.
Market trolley boys.
Fresh fish.
Friendly greengrocer.
Generator maintenance class, for the unemployed - many of the 100 men here were once insurgents, until they joined the Awakening movement in Adamiyah - the Sunni centre of Baghdad.
Generator skills are in high demand - there still isn't a reliable electricity supply here.
The trainees make simple solar water heaters. Murky day, but even so:
from 15 to 60 degrees Centigrade in 20 minutes. I want one.
Sandbags and plastic flowers at a checkpoint on the way home."
And Hugh says you can read more on the Awakening troubles .
One of our listeners thinks the media takes an iffy view of how to cover demonstrations.
Maybe you're someone who's been protesting all your life, and got little coverage. Or maybe you used to protest and don't bother now. Or perhaps you've seen protests as a police officer, or a journalist.
We'd like to hear from you. Please click here.
The Glass Box is where the PM team meets in at 18.00 every weeknight to discuss the content of the programme.
We try to be honest with each other, but not hurtful, as we talk about what worked and what didn't...what met our expectations and what fell short.
This virtual glass box is where you're encouraged to take part in the same spirit. Tonight's editor, Dr Roger Sawyer will read your comments and may well add his own.
....
PA reports: "Hundreds of people set up camp in the City of London today protesting over
climate change. The climate camp campaigners pitched tents and set up farmers' market stalls, bunting and banners in Bishopsgate outside the European Climate Exchange. On the eve of the G20 summit, they are protesting against carbon markets which
they say are not an answer to climate change."
PM's Ray Furlong will report for us tonight and sends this snap, featuring Dan Glass. Or it may be him on the third snap. Oh dear.
More from Ray:
In Baghdad, our correspondent Hugh Sykes has just caught up with her and here's his report:
"Tigris, roused from her slumber on the water heater on our kitchen balcony.
Time for some exercise. But it's cold here at the moment. So....
Oh good, another hot water tank."
Hugh will report for us on PM tonight. Not about Tigris the cat, though. That's just for us here.
She's the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Baghdad cat...named by PM bloggers last October.
Well stand by for an update from Hugh.
I wonder whether you'd care to reflect on what you'd LIKE your last words to be.
I ask because, according to Jade Goody's husband Jack, her "very last words" were: "I'm not a f***ing idiot Jack!"
In all likelihood, we won't have the chance to utter the words of our choice...so take a moment please to think what you'd WANT them to be.
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