What a Cloudy Day

With over 100 different types out there, clouds are probably one of the most overlooked elements in nature, yet the information they hold within their shape and formations can be both interesting and useful. Now, a new ebook for children by author and entrepreneur Monique Chambers, called What a Cloudy Day, aims to teach children about the most common ones in a fun and interactive way.

“The idea came to me a few years ago when I read a book about clouds,” Monique says. “I remember flicking through it and thinking it would be the most boring read but ended up being fascinated by the fact that, by being able to tell the difference between clouds, I could tell whether it was going to rain anytime soon or not,” Ms Chambers explains.

Narrated by actor Thomas Camilleri, the app sees children follow Cumulus, a good-natured cloud, which usually appear in the sky like puffy pieces of floating cotton, travelling through Cloudland trying to make friends. On his journey, Cumulus meets a variety of different clouds, including the nutty Professor Cirrus – thin and wispy clouds that are formed of ice crystals – and the Mackerel Family, which are characterised by their rippling pattern caused by high-altitude, atmospheric waves.

“The story is as much about friendship and being a good judge of character as it is about clouds,” Ms Chambers continues. “But, unlike so many children’s books out there, the story also has a very concrete scientific element to it. The last thing I wanted was to make learning about the weather and the scientific meaning of clouds boring, so each variety of cloud has a very individual and recognisable character.”

With the sky becoming a playground for Cumulus, children go through the story learning how different clouds anticipate rain, sunshine or evenhail. The app also inspires children to want to head outside and have fun cloud-watching – a pastime which, as Ms Chambers herself explains, “is both free and loads of fun!

What a Cloudy Day is available on the iTunes App Store, as well as on Google Play, for just €1.99.

Brand new E4 comedy drama Gap Year

Here’s an exclusive look at brand new E4 comedy drama Gap Year. Centred on British lads Dylan (Anders Hayward) and Sean (Ade Oyefeso), who are childhood friends that initially set out to backpack through China, but end up taking on the whole continent.

 

The drama takes in ancient rainforests, full-moon beach parties, futuristic Asian mega-cities and remote monasteries in the foothills of the Himalayas. In the first episode, Sean is horrified to discover that his best mate Dylan has a secret plan that threatens to derail their ‘lads holiday’ to China. Things start looking up when they meet two American girls, Ashley (Brittney Wilson) and May (Alice Lee), and middle-aged hanger-on Greg (Tim Key). But, when old tensions resurface and create carnage at a music festival on the Great Wall, Sean suddenly finds himself way out of his depth.

 

http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/exclusive-look-at-new-e4-travelling-comedy-gap-year

Mark Thomas – The Red Shed Interview

English comedian, presenter, political satirist and journalist Mark Thomas spoke to Jason McCrossan about his latest show that he is touring the UK with called THE RED SHED which he is performing at the Gulbenkian theatre in Canterbury on 17th February.

The show celebrates the 50th anniversary of Wakefield Labour Club’s iconic Red Shed. It’s the story of where Mark first started to perform in public and where he politically came of age as a student involved in the miners’ strike.

 

 

Africa’s Only Gay Radio

Africa’s only gay radio station broadcasts from Pretoria in South Africa.

GaySAradio produces content for Africa’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and intersex communities and is trying to counter homophobia and break down stereotypes.

Jason McCrossan talked to Hendrik Baird the Station Manager of Africa’s only gay radio station which broadcasts from the South African city of Pretoria.

 

POEM: Robert Burns – Ae Fond Kiss

‘Ae fond kiss and then we sever’ is more commonly known as “Ae fond kiss” and is Burns’ most recorded love song.

After the publication of his collected poems, the Kilmarnock volume, Burns regularly travelled and stayed at Edinburgh. While there he established a platonic relationship with Mrs Agnes Maclehose and they began a regular correspondence using the pseudonyms ‘Clarinda’ and ‘Sylvander’. Burns wrote ‘Ae fond kiss’ after their final meeting and sent it to Mclehose on 27 December 1791 before she departed Edinburgh for Jamaica to be with her estranged husband.

Read by Gill Fraser Lee on 106.9 SFM Saturday Breakfast with Jason McCrossan.