Last Word

Matthew Bannister on Dick Pope, the cinematographer who worked closely with Director Mike Leigh on films like “Secrets and Lies” and “Mr Turner”. Mike pays tribute. Sister Sally Butler, the American nun who blew the whistle on historic child sex abuse in her New York parish. Professor Tim Darvill OBE, the archaeologist best known for his work on the history of Stonehenge. Patti McGee, the first woman professional skateboarder. We have a tribute from skateboarding legend Tony Hawk.Interviewee: Sir Roger Deakins Interviewee: Mike Leigh Interviewee: Fr Ron Lemmert Interviewee: Dr Miles Russell Interviewee: Hailey Villa Interviewee: Tony HawkProducer: Gareth Nelson-DaviesArchive used: Life is Sweet, 1991, Film4 Trailer, Director, Mike Leigh. Film4 Production, released date in the UK 22/03/1991; Dick Pope in conversation with Roger Deakins on NAKED (Mike Leigh, 1993), Cinematographers on cinematography, YouTube channel 10/02/2022; 'Naked' Q & A with Dick Pope, British Society of Cinematographers, YouTube, uploaded 05/08/2022; Naked film promo, Director Mike Leigh, British Film Institute, BFI YouTube channel 8 Oct 2021; Mr Turner, Film Promo, Director Mike Leigh, eOne UK , eOne UK YouTube channel, 15/05/2014; America's Catholic Church In Crisis, Reporting Religion, BBC World Service, 29/03/2002; Sister Sally Butler interview, The National Catholic Reporter (NCR), NCROnline YouTube Channel 14/07/2017; Sister Sally Butler interview, A Matter of Conscience: Confronting Clergy Abuse, Director: John Michalczyk, Producer: Susan A. Michalczyk, Vimeo upload, Editor Gautam Chopra, 01/02/2015; The Standing Stones perform Johnny B Goode by Chuck Berry, Dir: Dr Miles Russell. Patti McGee interview, The Mike Douglas Show, KYW-TV, NBC, 1965;

Matthew Bannister onGeneral Sir Mike Jackson, the Chief of the General Staff at the time of the Iraq War.Lily Ledbetter, whose campaign for equal pay led to an Act of Congress. Safeya Binzagr, the pioneering Saudi Arabian artist whose career flourished despite the cultural restrictions on women in her societySteve Piotrowski, the ornithologist who ringed 100,000 birds and helped to increase the barn owl population of Suffolk.Interviewee: Lord Richards Interviewee: Noreen Farrell Interviewee: Melissa Gronlund Interviewee: Kathy Piotrowski Producer: Ed PrendevilleArchive used: Gen Mike Jackson interview, Six O’Clock News, BBC News, 14/06/1999; Gen Mike Jackson, BBC News, 07/03/2003; Lilly Ledbetter speech and interview, NPR, Uploaded 14/10/2024; Steve Piotrowski interview, BBC Radio Suffolk 19/10/2015; Spectrum: Out of Town , BBC One East, 16/04/1985; Wrens singing, BBC Sfx, May 1981; Atmospheres: Countryside (Barn Owl), BBC Sfx, June 1981; Birds: Robins, BBC Sfx, March 1986; BBC Radio Suffolk 19/10/15; Wood Pigeon, Tweet of the Day, 14/12/2023; Collared Dove, Tweet of the Day, 07/01/2024; Great Tits, A Guide to Garden Birds : Series 1 : Episode 2, 26/08/2008 ; Nightingale, BBC Sfx, May 1983; Swift Screaming Party, RSPB England, Facebook, 29/06/2024

Kirsty Lang on Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland. Ethel Kennedy, wife of Robert F Kennedy who went onto become a campaigner for Human Rights.Ratan Tata, the businessman who led the Tata Group for more than two decades.Fleur Adcock, the poet who's conversational, irreverent style made her one of the most popular voices in British poetry.Interviewee: Brian Taylor Interviewee: Michael Posner Interviewee: Sameer Hashmi Interviewee: Deryn Rhys-Jones Interviewee: Neil Astley Producer: Gareth Nelson-DaviesArchive used:Alex Salmond, Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4, 21/01/2011; Alex Salmond, BBC TV Promo, A Rebel's Journey, BBC One Scotland, 19/11/2014; Alex Salmond speech, SNP Conference, BBC News, 1990; Alex Salmond speech, Scotland Independence Referendum, BBC News, 2014; Ethel Kennedy campaign speech, Ethel, HBO Docs, 2012, Director: Rory Kennedy; JFK Assassination: Cronkite informs a shocked nation, CBS News, 22/11/1963; News actuality, WBZ Archives: The Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, CBS Boston YouTube channel uploaded 05/06/2018; Ethel Kennedy interview, NBC Nightly News,1988; Ethel Kennedy interview, Ethel, HBO Docs, 2012, Director: Rory Kennedy; Ratan Tata interview, The Documentary: The Gospel of Wealth, BBC World Service, 16/10/2019; Ratan Tata interview, Tata in the Global Market, BBC News India, 1997; Jaguar-Land Rover buyout, BBC News, 26/03/2008; Fleur Adcock reads: ‘Things’, ‘For a Five-Year-Old’, Snails, Courtesy BloodAxe Books, Uploaded, Bloodaxebooks.com on 01/10/2008; Fleur Adcock interview, Private Passions, BBC Radio 3, 17/05/2009;

John Wilson on Lord Ouseley, the co-founder of the anti-racism football campaign ‘Kick it Out’ and former Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality. The landscape artist and printmaker Norman Ackroyd whose work celebrates some of the most remote and inhospitable areas of the UK. Lore Segal, the author whose book ‘Other People’s Houses’ told the story of her fleeing the Nazis on a Kindertransport and being fostered in England. The Grammy Award winning singer Cissy Houston was a leading light in gospel music and sung with a range of artists including Elvis, Van Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and her daughter Whitney.Producer: Ed Prendeville Archive: BBC HardTalk Interview 05/02/2013, Notes on Water – Poppy Ackroyd ,Norman Ackroyd – Archipelago poem, BBC Front Row Norman Ackroyd interview with John Wilson 10/11/2016, Cissy Houston - Sweet Inspiration, PBS, 1987 Youtube upload, Whitney Houston interview with her mom Cissy, 1988 Youtube upload,Cissy Houston: The Sweet Inspirations, NVLP, 2009 Youtube upload, BBC Woman's Hour 30/06/18 Lore Segal Interview

John Wilson onKris Kristofferson, the singer, songwriter and actor who appeared with Barbra Streisand in ‘A Star is Born’ Camilla Carr, the aid worker who along with her partner was kidnapped and held hostage for 14 months in Chechnya. Hassan Nasrallah, for over 30 years he was the leader of Lebanon’s militant Shia Islamist movement, Hezbollah. The group was designated as a terror organisation by Israel, the US, UK and other countries. María Benítez, a dancer, choreographer, and director. She was celebrated for her significant contributions to Spanish dance and flamenco.Producer: Ed PrendevilleArchive: Maria Benitez: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, YouTube upload, Institute for Spanish Arts, 16/04/2012; ARTISODE 1.11, Maria Benitez, New Mexico PBS, YouTube upload, 07/12/2009; Radio 1 interview with Kris Kristofferson. 29/05/1978; BBC Hard Talk interview 11/01/00; A Star is Born, Warner Brothers, dir by Frank Pierson, 1967; Bob Dylan, The 30th Anniversary concert celebration, Columbia, 16/10/1992; The Late Late Show, Kris Kristofferson interview, 05/02/1993;

Matthew Bannister onPeter Jay, who was economics editor at the Times and the BBC and also Britain’s Ambassador to the United States.Ed Johnson, the CIA agent who played a key role in the Argo operation to smuggle US diplomats out of Iran – but kept his involvement secret until his death. His wife tells us she had no idea what his work involved.Dame Elizabeth Esteve-Coll, who made controversial changes aimed at bringing more visitors to the Victoria and Albert MuseumDeborah Roberts, the acclaimed soprano who co-founded the Brighton Early Music Festival. Producer: Ed PrendevilleArchive Norman Acgroyd, BBC, Artists in Print, 09/03/1981; Argo, Declassified Trailer, Warner Bros Entertainment, YouTube Upload 09/02/2013; BBC News, 09/1/1979; BBC News, 04/11/1979; BBC Desert Island Discs 20/10/1991; BBC Newsnight, 13/12/94; TV-am First Broadcast – Good Morning Britain (1983), Uploaded to Youtube “Things”, 9/02/19; That’s Life, BBC 1, 25/01/1981

Matthew Bannister on Dr George Berci, the surgeon who pioneered the use of miniature cameras in operations to minimise cutting and accelerate patients’ recovery times. Olga Craig, the respected journalist from Northern Ireland who reported from war zones and covered the aftermath of the bombing in Omagh.Michaela Mabinty DePrince, the orphan from war-torn Sierra Leone who realised her dreams of becoming a ballerina.Tony Strong, the scenic artist who worked with film directors like Stanley Kubrick, Ken Russell and Sir Ridley Scott.Interviewee: Dr L Michael Brunt Interviewee: Sian James Interviewee: David Harrison Interviewee: Graham StrongProducer: Gareth Nelson-DaviesArchive used:Holocaust Survivor Talk: Dr. George Berci, Holocaust Museum LA, YouTube, uploaded 13/01/2022; 1956 Hungary Revolution news report, BBC Radio, World of Sound documentary, 13/11/1962; Omagh Bombing news report, BBC News, 15/08/1998; Michaela Mabinty DePrince, Outlook, BBC News, 29/08/2012; Tito Jackson of The Jackson 5 (Unreleased Full Interview); DJ Vlad TV, YouTube, uploaded, 26/01/2024; Tony Strong interview, ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ documentary, (2020) Coda Films, Director: Jonathan Blagrove , courtesy Graham Strong; The Boyfriend, Official film Promo, 1971, Director: Ken Russell; Live and Let Die, Official Film Promo, 1973 Director: Guy Hamilton; Legend, Official Film Promo, 1985, Director Ridley Scott;

Matthew Bannister on James Earl Jones, the versatile actor whose roles ranged from the voice of Darth Vader to Tennessee Williams and Shakespeare. Adrian Lester pays tribute. Dr. Helen Fisher, the biological anthropologist who researched the science behind romantic love. Sergio Mendes, who introduced the world to his unique style of Brazilian music. His friend Herb Alpert shares memories of creating classic albums together. Maureen Nicol who founded the National Housewives’ Register to bring together homemaking women for stimulating conversation.Interviewee:- Adrian Lester Interviewee:- Dr Justin Garcia Interviewee:- Herb Alpert Interviewee:-Simon Nicols Interviewee:- Gill WignallProducer: Ed PrendevilleArchive used:Hardtalk 06/12/11; The Lion King, 1994, Directors Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff, Walt Disney Feature Animation; Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, 1980, Director Irvin Kirshner, LucasFilm Ltd; BBC Woman’s Hour, BBC Radio 4, 18/03/2009; Episode 118: Helen Fisher - Understanding Why We Love, Keep Talking Podcast, YouTube upload 30/08/2024; The brain in Love – Helen Fisher, Ted Talk, YouTube Upload, 15/07/2008 ; The Jazz Show with Jamie Cullum , BBC Radio 2, 27/07/2010; BBC, SERGIO MENDES AND BRASIL '77 12/03/1974; J to Z , BBCRadio 3, 16/07/2022; Maureen Nicol 60th Anniversary, NWR, 21/02/2020; Woman’s Hour, 19/08/1985

Matthew Bannister onClaire Lomas MBE, who was paralysed from the chest down after a riding accident and went on to complete the London Marathon wearing a bionic suit.Phil Swern, the music producer known as “The Collector” because he owned millions of records. Ken Bruce pays tribute.Countess of Airlie, the American heiress who married into the aristocracy and became a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II.Geoff Mumford, a pioneer of the craft beer movement who co-founded the Burton Bridge Brewery.Interviewee: Natalie Hill Interviewee: Ken Bruce Interviewee: David Ogilvy Interviewee: Bruce Wilkinson Interviewee: Catherine BrownProducer: Gareth Nelson-DaviesArchive used:Claire Lomas interview, Lynette Fay Show, BBC Radio Ulster, 08/02/2023; Claire Lomas, London Marathon 2012, BBC News; Claire Lomas ‘Best of British’, Tonight, ITN, 2012, Producer: Natalie Hill; 'Bionic' woman Claire Lomas completes London Marathon, BBC News, 08/05/2012; Phil Swern: Capital, Radio 1 and 2 producer, Radio Moments – Conversations, David Lloyd Radio, Episode 72, audioboom.com/posts/7228726-phil-swern-capital-radio-1-and-2-producer, Published 09/04/2019; Great Lives, BBC Radio 4, 23/01/2024; New York in the 1920s (1961 documentary) , 20C History Project, Uploaded to YouTube 24/01/2013; Virginia Ogilvy interview, Countess of Airlie, Lordly Ladies, BBC Radio, 10/04/1969; Queen Mother attends Ogilvy-Ryan Wedding (1952), British Pathe, British Pathe YouTube, uploaded 13/04/2014; White House State Dinner, Honouring Her Majesty, C-Span, 07/05/2007; Geoff Mumford interview, Great British Railway Journeys, BBC Four, 16/01/2023; BBC Midlands Today, BBC News 25/06/1992; Geoff Mumford interview, BBC Midlands Today, BBC News, 24/03/1997;

Matthew Bannister on Mike Lynch, who was one of the UK’s most successful tech entrepreneurs.Nell McCafferty, the Irish journalist and feminist campaigner who took part in the “contraceptive train” protest in 1971.Ruth Colvin, who founded the American “Literacy Volunteers” organisation to help adults who couldn’t read or writeSven-Göran Eriksson, the Swedish born football manager who became the first non-British coach of the England football team.Interviewee: Suranga Chandratillake Interviewee: David Davis Interviewee: Susan McKay Interviewee: Judy Cheatham Interviewee: Henry WinterProducers: Ben Mitchell and Ed PrendevilleArchive: Contraceptives From Belfast, RTE, 1971; Witness, BBC News, 03/12/2016; Ruth Colvin, All things considered, NPR, 10/12/2006; Ruth Colvin, Onondaga Historical Association, YouTube Upload, 07/07/2020; Ruth Colvin, Onondaga Historical Association, YouTube Upload, 01/12/2016; The Real Sven-Goran Eriksson, BBC Radio 5Live; Kammy & Ben's Proper Football Podcast, BBC, 18/11/2022; BBC News at Ten; 20/11/2012; PM, BBC Radio 4, 01/08/24; The Report, BBC Radio 4, 27/12/12