Tune in
This week, I visited Chalkhill Community Radio in Neasden in search of a place to record my future podcast and found plenty of good community vibes and a BATFA!
This is the time of the year where getting out of the house and cycling from my home in Harlesden to Queen’s Park where I use a co-working space feels like an achievement in itself. On Wednesday, I upped the stakes by riding my cargo bike from Queen’s Park to Neasden. This is how adventurous I am! I am not remotely tempted to put my life on hold to climb up a mountain but I do throw myself into everyday (gentle) challenges.
On paper, it should have been a straightforward 20 minute ride, except that I got lost on the way. The trip confirmed what I suspected : Gladstone Park’s 35 hectares are largely unknown territory for me. On the plus side, it means that I have more ground to explore locally. On the negative side, that led to a short moment of panic, wondering whether I would arrive safely at my destination (I landed on Neasden round-up!).
Eventually, I made it just on time for my 3pm meeting there with Flex, one of the pillars of the radio. The broadcasting organisation is located on Neasden Lane, on the second floor of the new building that also houses Launch It Neasden, a co-working space, and the Job Centre. It is only a few minutes away from Neasden tube station on the Jubilee line.
It’s only been 9 months since Chalkhill Community Radio moved in their new premises, Flex informs me. The radio, named after the Chakhill estate in Wembley, was previously operating from The Grange, a 300 year old Grade II listed building located in the middle of the Neasden roundabout. It’s quite a radical change of scenery for the team but the move was necessary as the radio had to move out of the Grange, Flex tells me.
I visited Chalkhill Community Radio to find out about the podcast recording services because I’d like to launch a podcast to go with this newsletter. Although podcast recording services are not listed on the radio’s website, Flex confirmed to me that they are indeed offering podcast recording during day time when the radio studio - located next door to the podcast studio - is not in use.
Flex also gave me a potted history of the radio - created in 2019 - and an overview of the variety of programmes broadcast by Chalkhill Community Radio. As a health advocate myself, I was delighted to find out about the Health, Wellness and Wellbeing hour presented by Olorunfemi and sponsored by Brent Health Matters. As a mum, I was even more impressed to discover that Chalkhill Community Radio broadcasts a maths show for children on Wednesdays.
The show - promoted as the first and only weekly maths radio show in England - is presented by Isaac Anoom, aka Mr. Numbervator.
In an article published by The Voice in June 2022, Isaac explained his motivation : “There’s a lot of parents out there who can’t afford private tuition but their children have got a right to a good maths education (…). That’s why I started my radio show. Families who perhaps haven’t got the means to hire a tutor can get lessons free on the radio.” He added : “Children call in. If they’ve got a problem with percentages, decimals or fractions for example they can ask me a question. And then I teach them how to do it live on the radio.”
So Mr. Numbervator is now firmly on my must-listen list and so is Let’s Talk by Patricia ‘Blaze’ Wharton aka DJ Blaze. Patricia, who is on air every Saturday between 11am and 1pm, has a great wealth of experience to draw from to talk about issues that affect Chalkhill residents and people who live in the surrounding areas. She worked with children and families for over 30 years, another article by the Nation informs me. She is also trained to raise awareness about domestic violence.
Patricia is one of the many people who were trained by Chalkhill Community Radio to become a radio presenter. “We like to nurture, encourage and support”, Flex tells me during our meeting. He is very proud that, last year, one of Chalkill Community Radio former trainees, Rochelle Newman, was awarded a BAFTA as a producer of the documentary White Nanny Black Child. What an achievement, indeed!
There are, undoubtedly, lots of talents in Brent and it looks like Chalkhill Community Radio does a sterling job at growing their skills and giving them a platform. If you are a Brent resident who ever fancied becoming a radio presenter, don’t hesitate to contact Flex and the team. Who knows what next you could be doing?
You can visit Chalkhill Community Radio here and you can contact the radio by email (chalkhillcommunityradio@gmail.com).
Brent News
⚠️ Unsafe pavements ‘riddled’ with cracks and holes - BBC News
🚨 Met Police to meet with residents as concerns grow over rising drug and knife crime in Brent - Harrow on Line
🗳️ Anton Gorgiou gives reasons quitting Brent Council - Brent and Kilburn Times
Events
📢 Be a councillor, stand up for what you believe in! The next local elections are scheduled to happen in May 2026 in Brent. Now is the time to get ready for them as a prospective candidate. Brent Prospective Councillors Event is happening on Monday 27th. It’s a free online event for people who want to find out about life as local councillor. Sign up on Eventbrite.
Community News
The Northwest Pedal Express started this morning! We cycled as a group from St Gabriel’s Church in Willesden Green to West Hampstead Primary School. The bike bus will run every Friday morning during term time. We leave early (7.45am) to beat the traffic and make it on time for the breakfast club at West Hampstead Primary School. Follow us on Instagram (@northwestpedalexpress). Thank you to everybody who made this possible.