The Canucks are coming [RLT]

TORONTO: I'm heading back to Lewes soon for another season of Get Smart on the Rocket.

My guest on November 4 at six o'clock will be Reb Stevenson, former barmaid at the Brewer's Arms, Lewes. Actually we all know that she was working there undercover, as she is a hotshot journalist in real life, on the Ottawa Citizen, now on assignment on a farm in Essex! Not quite St. Lucia where she was recently sent on a travel story. We will find out from this vivacious Canadian lady,when she returns to Lewes for the bonfire season, how she makes those videos all by herself.

You are nobody if you aren't on You Tube nowadays? Which brings me to Reb's brother Zach, one half of the Human Statues duo, on Global TV in Vancouver:



Eric Eggleston has got a new band in Ottawa called Harpoon. They were at the Ottawa Bluesfest over the summer with Kathleen Edwards, who our own Peter Flanagan is much taken with. A regular on the Rocket we'll catch up with him on the phone.

Billy Reid is making waves here in Toronto and is another You Tube favourite. Also spare a thought for Toronto artist Russell Chesham, who keeps getting requests for Rick Astley covers.

There is enough Canadian music here to keep you quiet for a while. I'll be warming up on the Rocket with the papers on Sunday 12 October on the phone from Toronto. You'll be getting the Canadian papers along with the news from Blighty. I'll try hard to find something of interest!

Rupert Lloyd Thomas

Stand By Your Letterbox! (PF)

It's that time of year - the Rocket FM 2008 programme schedule will soon be delivered, still steaming from the presses, through a letterbox near you! We're aiming to get a copy into every household in the town, so lookout for the big green rocket. Inside are details for the whole 2008 run (apart from Bonfire coverage, which will be available on the Rocket website nearer the 5th) - more than forty presenters bringing you over 250 programmes, full of local views, news and every kind of music. Look out for the schedule in a number of shops, pubs and businesses throughout Lewes too.

Breakfast presenter plays James I [DB]

Breakfast presenter Dino Bishop is to take to the stage next week in the world premiere of the new Gunpowder Plot musical, Remember! Remember!

Dino, who plays King James I, will be dressing in authentic period costume for the role, complete with wig and (very sticky!) beard. We are even promised a Scottish accent in his portrayal of the monarch, who was the subject of the failed plot by Guy Fawkes in 1605.

Lewes Operatic Society are staging the production at Lewes Town Hall next week, from Wednesday 1st - Saturday 4th October. Tickets for evening performances have all but sold out for the much-anticipated production, but good seats are still available for the 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 4th. Tickets are available from Lewes Travel, 1 Station St, Lewes, or by calling 01273 480127. More details from the Lewes Operatic Society website.

Ofcom Licence Rocket FM for '08 [the Deege]

Ofcom..the Office of Communications..has again granted Rocket FM Lewes a 'Restricted Service Licence' to broadcast locally on 87.8 FM, beginning on 18 October.
Ofcom replaced the Radio Authority as the body which licences and regulates radio stations in England.
The Licence has to be applied for each time Rocket wishes to broadcast and will cost us £1,400 in '08!
Work on the Programme Schedule is now far advanced and we aim to post the Schedule on the Rocket FM website by the end of this week.

Waitrose renews sponsorship [the Deege]

We are very pleased to confirm that Waitrose have renewed their sponsorship of the Rocket FM website for a further year. Waitrose came on board the Rocket last year and the manager of the Lewes store Paul Soane spoke live on the station and took questions from listeners. Later in the run, the prize of a magnificent Christmas hamper was drawn and announced on air. Waitrose will be donating further prizes this season, so be sure to listen to the station for a chance to win!
for info. on the Lewes store click here