Anna Scott-Brown hears stories from the people who stop to sit beside her on benches around the country.
Conversations on a Bench – Mumbles
16th & 22nd October 2016
In this edition, she is joined in Mumbles, on a bench overlooking Swansea Bay, by locals, holidaymakers and the family of the person to whom the bench is dedicated.
Throughout the programme, a specially commissioned work by poet Owen Sheers draws on the voices and stories of those who sit and contemplate the inscription, “Born to be Wild – Dinks Nash -Loved Forever.”
Owen Sheer’s poem reflects tales told to Anna Scott-Brown on a bench facing Swansea Bay.
Presenter: Anna Scott-Brown
Producer: Adam Fowler
An Overtone production for BBC Radio 4.
Conversations on a Bench – Beadnell
9th & 15th October 2016
In this episode, she is joined on a bench overlooking Beadnell Harbour in Northumberland by holiday-makers, environmentalists and some members of the last remaining fishing families of Beadnell.
Throughout the programme, a specially commissioned work by poet and Beadnell resident, Katrina Porteous draws on the voices of locals and passers-by.
Katrina Porteous’s poem reflects tales told to Anna Scott-Brown on a Northumberland bench.
Presenter: Anna Scott-Brown
Producer: Adam Fowler
An Overtone production for BBC Radio 4.
Conversations on a Bench – Oxford
Anna Scott-Brown hears stories of love, loss and hope from the strangers and friends she sits beside on ‘Rosie’s Bench’ in a park in Oxford. The inscription, Rest Awhile and Remember Happy Times Together, draws out reflections and revelations which Michael Symmons Roberts weaves into a poem, specially commissioned for the programme.
Presenter: Anna Scott-Brown
Producer: Adam Fowler
An Overtone production for BBC Radio 4.
More information on the BBC Radio 4 webpage for the programme.
All programmes can be listened to on Overtone Soundcloud channel.