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We asked our reporter Jon Manel to writes this week's newsletter after a successful night at the radio industry's equivalent of the Oscars - the Sony Awards.
It was an occasion which will live in the memory for ever. It was one of those evenings which you always dream of but never think will happen. In fact it now seems just that - a crazy, hazy dream. It feels as if it hadn't happened at all. That's a point - maybe it didn't. Yet when I came into the office the following morning there it was on my desk - a bottle of champagne. And with it was a note from Mark Damazer, the Controller of Radio Four, saying "Congratulations!". I have to admit I hadn't realised that Mark was a football fan at all, let alone a supporter of Arsenal. It was very nice of him though, as I was still on cloud nine after watching Arsenal's amazing 7 - 0 win over Everton. We hadn't won by that kind of score in the league since 1948. Having lived through many years of hearing "boring boring Arsenal" taunts, it was an incredible night. So, thanks for the bubbly Mark!
We also had fun at the Sony Awards earlier in the week. Fortunately, Today hasn't had to wait since 1948 for multiple Sony success. This time we picked up two - a bronze in the news output award and a silver for our coverage of the impact of the Madrid bombings. I was the Today reporter who was sent to Spain along with James Naughtie when news of the bombs came through last March. I have to admit that it did jar a bit drinking and being merry and receiving an award for reporting on an event as terrible as Madrid.
I had reported on such tragedies before - for example in Saudi Arabia after the attacks of May 2003. What happened in Riyadh was another appalling waste of innocent lives but what was frightening about Madrid was it was so close to home. This time it was Europe - the biggest loss of life from a terrorist attack in this part of the world since Lockerbie. And the killings were so random. The attacks weren't targeted at a particular group of people or businesses. These bombs were placed on trains heading into Madrid. Anyone could have been on them. The murderers didn't care who they killed.
The bombs went off on the morning of Thursday 11th March. My producer, Briony, and I decided to go to one of the commuter towns from which some of the trains started their journeys. The following day, late in the evening, we found ourselves in what was normally a gymnasium. Most of the time, this place was as full of life as anywhere could be - there would be young people running around having fun, keeping fit. But that night it was a place of death. There was nowhere else suitable, or presumably big enough, to place the bodies. Jesus Antonio Munoz had been sitting by the coffin containing the body of his wife. She'd been on her way to work. Despite his desperate grief, he spoke to us. I know the interview we recorded drove one or two of my friends and colleagues to tears.
Listen again
Jim and I reported at some length on the bombs and their aftermath. Over those few days, between us, we must have used several thousand words but in just a few minutes Mr Munoz was able to describe the pain those attacks caused in a way we would never have been able to do. I'm sure a Sony would mean nothing to him but if anyone really deserves an award it's him not us.
Nevertheless, more than a year after Madrid, it is of course very nice to receive the recognition of the industry for our work. The Sonys are difficult things to win (whether gold, silver or bronze) and, while the Grosvenor House Hotel isn't quite Highbury (where Arsenal play), the award night is always quite an occasion. Unfortunately though, I'm nowhere near trendy enough to make the most of it. All right then - I admit it - it was wasted on me. The presence of many of the stars who show up would, I'm sure, leave many a hip pop fan positively salivating. But I'm not too proud to admit I hadn't heard of half of the DJs who were there, let alone the trendy young things who were presenting some of the prizes. That's not to say that it all went over my head. I'd heard of Heather Mills McCartney of course because she's married to one of the Beatles. Others I've heard of - probably because they aren't quite as young as some of the other stars - included Fergal Sharkey, Alice Cooper, Ulrika Jonsson (from the Sven-Goran Eriksson saga), Shakin' Stevens (I bought one of his singles once) and of course Des Lynam. One of my senior colleague's eyes were popping out over the presence of Delta Goodrem - apparently she was in Neighbours. Strange name. I think I ought to start reading Heat magazine instead of the Economist.
So, the Sonys are over for another year. The football season will be soon too and I suppose that takes me back to where I started. Arsenal's 7 - 0 mauling of Everton was a great way of warming up for this coming weekend's F.A.Cup Final (Arsenal versus Manchester United), which means of course Mark Damazer's champagne is now on ice. If we win, it will be popped open. If we lose ...... it will be popped open anyway and I'm sure it will be very much enjoyed! Mark, the bubbly was because of the football wasn't it?
Jon
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