Hinckley Times - Mathew Hulbert's Blog

Beard or no beard...that is the question?

2009-10-18T00:29:19Z

Should I follow the example of style 'icon' Becks?

SO THERE I was on Saturday, reviewing the paper's on Paul Gardner's breakfast show on Castle Mead Radio (Hinckley's own hospital radio station), when I came across a story in one of the tabloids about a certain David Beckham; footballer, style icon, man with whiny high pitched voice...you know the bloke I'm talking about.

Anyway, this isn't the first time this has happened.
Last weekend we ended up discussing Beck's kecks...not that we have much interest in David Beckham's trouser department, you understand.
But, so we're told, he's bringing out his own brand of briefs.
Not that most of us fellas, and certainly not yours truly, would ever look like the mighty Becks in a pair of his undies...my midriff is not so much a six-pack as a crate of beer!
And there is talk, though not proven, that he might have had a bit of, aherm, help when doing his pants ads thanks to a sock placed you know where.

Anyway back to this week and up for discussion, in the press and on our show, was Beck's beard.
This week he played an integral role, so I'm told, in England's latest match ahead of next year's World Cup, but all people seem to be focusing on is the hairs on the bloke's chin.
Unusually for Becks having the beard actually makes him look a bit less attractive than he actually is.

The piece in the paper asked if now all of us men are going to follow Beck's lead and grown an ample beard?

Er, well, no. At least not in my case. You see when the hairs on my chinny chin chin grow to any length they look plain awful.
So, like a life sentence, I have to shave on a regular basis.
Hey, you think its easy looking this good?

So, you fellas reading this, where do you stand on beards?
And, ladies, do you like your man to have a hairy chin or do you like it smooth?

Let me know.

Right, off to have a shave. What a glamerous life I lead!

Heading for 30...and ready for a challenge!

2009-09-21T07:27:51Z

SO I'M 29...I was recently made redundant (boo) but am ready for a challenge (yay)...so, come on if you think you think you've got a good idea.

CALL IT an early mid-life crisis. Call it the post-redundancy blues. Call it whatever you like.
But I'm 29...30 next Feb...and I feel a bit like life's passing me by.

Don't get me wrong it's alright as far things go.
I've got friends who I love (did I just write that in print?!), my parents who I also love (though they both exasperate me in different ways; I mean that in a loving and caring way), plenty of interests, yadda, yadda, yadda.

But, equally, I'm still living at home, have been made redundant from a job I loved, am unsure of what the future holds and am without a partner.
So, what to do?
Well, let's just back up a step here, shall we?
What do you mean I'm bossy? I'm a pussy cat really:)...though that's not very masculine is it?
O.k. I'm a lion...hear me ROAR!!!
Anyway, back to the topic at hand.

As I hope some of you lovely people know...I'm asuming you are lovely people...that, thanks to the wonderful Simon Holden, Editor of The Hinckley Times, I have a regular (unpaid) column in the Hinckley Herald and Journal newspaper.
My piece is called 'A lighter look at life with Mathew Hulbert.'
Basically, for those of you who might not have caught this fine piece of prose (and you've not really lived if you haven't), it's several hundred words where I poke fun at myself.

Whether it's for my lamentable skills in the kitchen, my fledgling attempts at being able to throw some moves on the dancefloor, or my lacklustre attempts to lose some weight.
Well goodness what possessed me to do it but, in last week's column, I asked readers to set me challenges (within reason) that I could do and then write about for my column and for this very blog.
A risky strategy I know, but then I've not said I'm going to say 'yes' to whatever it is...I'm not Danny Wallace.
No, I'll read the challenges, ask myself whether they're achievable, and move on from there.
Well upto now the response has been: ....................Zzzzzz...............................................
Precisely zilch. Nada. Nothing. You get the picture, I hope.
Now I know you lovely people here in the Hinckley area are very busy, but come on.
This is a bit of fun, join in.
If you set me a reasonable challenge, with a fair chance of me succeeding at it, I'll do it and then write about it.

So, come on...let's be 'avin you! (*Oh, I sound just like Delia Smith!)
I could do with cheering up after a fairly naff few months and I'm sure some of you probably feel the same.

So, leave me a comment (polite please) and we'll move on from there.
Right I'm off to get ready for the day.
Chow! (Oh, how very pretentious!)

Reflecting on a memorable weekend!

2009-08-29T10:17:12Z

My thoughts on a special radio interview and Barwell Carnival.

OH, HOW I wish I loved sport.
Well, let me correct that...oh how I wish I loved sport just enough to be able to hold my own in a conversation with real sports fanatics.

I tell you why I'm thinking about this. It's because on my Sunday programme on Castle Mead Radio, 'Live and On Air,' I now have a feature where I talk about Hinckley United...how they're getting on in the Blue Square Premier North league, how their prospects are looking for the rest of the season, and so on and so forth.

Well, the first one of these chats took place on the show last weekend, and I was very fortunate to be joined by an old school friend of mine, Lee Wright, who's Secretary of the new HUFC Supporters Club, as well as Ian Gallagher, Sports Reporter with the Herald's sister paper, The Hinckley Times.

Now, I'd done my home work. I'd googled HUFC's latest results, league standing, and, basically, what I thought would be enough information to see me through this few minutes of radio, without me looking like a complete prat.

Well, I like to think it went o.k. but, in truth, I think my lack of basic football knowledge probably did shine through when Lee and Ian were talking about some of HUFC's best players...my face was probably showing utter panic as I'd never heard of any of them.
Thankfully, I stayed fairly quiet and let the very knowledgeable Lee and Ian do their thing.

My hope is that, over the coming weeks, I'll start to learn a lot more and, in conversations, be able to offer more than, "...so its eleven men a side, is that right?"
I jest I'm not quite that bad, but I'd like to know more.
So, a few more visits by Lee and Ian might be needed (to hear a podcast interview I did with them, please go to: http://castlemeadradio.podbean.com/ )

That was only one part of a really exciting weekend.
Last Saturday it was Barwell Carnival, which was fantastic and very well received.
I recently became its Press Officer and have been so impressed by the hard work put in by the Carnival Association and everyone else who helps make it the success it is.

It was good for my health as well...as I walked around the whole procession.
I was collecting money and looking cool with my walkey-talkey and headset.
Robocop has nothing on me you know!

I'm thinking I might take walking long distances up more regularly.
Well, perhaps after this cup of tea and slice of cake!

I can't wait for Barwell Carnival!

2009-08-09T02:40:48Z

August 22nd is going to be a Red Letter Day for the local village.

BARWELL CARNIVAL is just around the corner, on August 22nd, and I believe is going to be...once again...one of the best in the borough.
I recently became a member of the event's organising committee and took on the role of Press Officer.

There's going to be a fun-packed afternoon of field events, on Dovecote Way, as part of the Carnival.
That's going to include: the Phantom Knights marching band, Andrea's oriental dance school, the Hinckley 3stylers and Dave Griffin's school of Tae Kwon-do display.
There'll also be fancy dress, float results, and children's races.

Castle Mead Radio, with which I'm the Vice Chairman, will be providing the public service announcements.

I'm going to be a busy little bee on the day; firstly walking as part of the procession collecting money in a bucket, and then, later, conducting interviews with various acts on the Carnival field.
I'm also hoping to record some interviews for Castle Mead Radio, that will later be able to be heard via a podcast.
Meanwhile, I've interviewed Co-Chair Trisha and Carnival Queen Jessie, ahead of the event, for a podcast you can listen to here.

Meanwhile, the parade of floats makes its way around the village from 2pm.
It starts off at Moat Way, High Street, Top Town, then on to Kirkby Road, Byron Street, New Forest Road, Queens Way, Oxford Street, then back to Kirkby Road, Top Town, High Street, Church Street, and Dovecote Way.

You couldn't wish to meet a nicer and more dedicated group of people than the event's organising committee...I really am in awe of the effort they put in to helping make it a success, year in and year out.

I'm sure the people of Barwell will turn out in great numbers to support this excellent annual day of fun and community spirit; I certainly can't wait for it!

Let's just hope for glorious weather!!

New local news programme for Hinckley

2009-08-04T18:25:29Z

Castle Mead Radio launches weekly podcast

CASTLE MEAD Radio, Hinckley's own hospital radio station, with which I'm the Vice Chairman, is giving the wider local community the chance to hear the best of its broadcasts, thanks to its new podcast service.

The flagship is 'Hinckley This Week,' which reviews the week's local news, as well as local sport, a Hinckley Times newspaper review, and a chat through some of the week's top national and international news stories.

I anchor the programme, from our studios on Mount Road in the town, alongside Maddy Langham and Luke Thornton.

We also go out and about in Hinckley and Bosworth to hear your news and views.

In the latest edition we hear what some local people think about the Costa Coffee chain opening a branch in the town, with most people seemingly in favour-thinking it's good for regeneration.

You can listen to it here.

Don't forget you can also download our podcasts, via i-tunes, on to your i-pods.

Thank you.

Buy the right coffee...and help people in the Developing World

2009-08-01T21:07:00Z

HINCKLEY and Bosworth is a Fairtrade Borough...but why is it important to buy Fairtrade products?

IN TOUGH economic times like the ones we're facing now, it can be all too easy to forget people in the Developing World who, because of our unfair trading rules, have been facing harsh realities for a very long time.

It is because certain Western countries have some protectionist policies that prevent nations on the African Continent and elsewhere from being allowed to trade and compete fairly, that a 'Fairtrade' movement is needed.

For those of you who may not be aware, buying products with the Fairtrade label means more of the money paid for it goes to the original farmer/producer/grower in the Developing World.

This isn't about charity, it's simply about fairness.

There are now a whole range of wonderful Fairtrade products available, including tea and coffee, chocolate, biscuits, t-shirts, and much, much more.

Hinckley and Bosworth is proud to be a Fairtrade borough and I'm proud to be a member of the local Fairtrade Forum, which organises events and helps to promote the cause in the local community.

We're hoping soon to have a brand new website, which I'm settng up...I'll post a link on this blog once it's done.

For the moment do please take a look, if you can, at the Fairtrade pages on the Borough Council's website: http://www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

All human beings, I believe, should have the right to earn a fair wage and live in decent conditions, and supporting Fairtrade is a major step forward to helping achieve that aim.

Great news for Barwell

2009-07-31T21:29:23Z

Work to begin on new Community Centre in the village.

NOTE: Hi everyone, first an apology.
I've rather let this blog fade, in as much as I haven't updated it since May.
I'm really sorry about that. I've been really busy with other things.
But, from today, I'm back all guns blazing, so do please visit this blog on a regular basis, if you can, for regular updates.
By the way, you can also read my fortnightly column in the Hinckley Herald newspaper, delivered free to 30,000 homes across the borough each week.
You can also catch me on Twitter here: www.twitter.com/mathewhulbert
And, you can listen to my weekly podcasts via: http://castlemeadradio.podbean.com/
Thanks!

THIS IS a great time for my home village of Barwell.
Coming up next month is the always excellent annual Carnival (of which more news soon), and building work on a fantastic new £2million Community Centre for the village, which is, I believe, going to be a wonderful facility, used by young and old.

A disclaimer here: I've attended a couple of meetings of the organising committee and have long been a supporter of the scheme, and would like to praise the project group, chaired by Maureen Cook and made up of volunteers, for their commitment and enthusiasm.

One of the great things about it is that residents' views have helped shape the design of the ultra-modern development.
It'll include youth facilities, a sports hall, meeting rooms, and a community centre.
It'll also be the new home of Barwell's Library.
It'll replace the Cedars, a building given to the County Council for community use in 1946 by local benefactor George Ward, and will be built by Galliford Try on a site close to the Junior School, near the village centre.

Mrs Cook says: "The centre will provide for a whole range of uses by local groups and individuals.
"We want to provide a building that provides something for everyone-somewhere that Barwell people can be proud of.
"A key part of the building will be a base for young people, so theyhave their own place to meet and do things."
"We are delighted the building work is starting and we're looking forward to running it."

Work is expected to be completed by around April 2010.

"Hello...testing...is this thing on?"

2009-05-27T19:42:08Z

ON SATURDAY (May 30th) myself and some of my Castle Mead Radio colleagues will be leaving the confines of our studios on the first floor of Hinckley and District Hospital and venturing out...

YES, WE'RE going on tour...well, kind of.
You see on Saturday Castle Mead Radio is taking over the Bandstand in Hinckley's beautiful Argents Mead.
We're taking our portable mixing desk and microphones and setting up shop (so to speak) where all of you lovely people can see and, hopefully, hear us in the town.
Several of our presenters, including yours truly, will then be presenting radio shows which you can join in with...ever felt like presenting weather bulletins on the radio, well here's your chance to give it a go.
I'll be reading the news throughout the day and then presenting my own show between 1-2pm.
So, if you're out and about in Hinckley on Saturday, please come and say hello.
You might just find yourself on air!

Preparing to report on a special day!

2009-05-15T23:23:43Z

I'm privileged to be the official Roving Reporter at a day of community action bing undertaken by young Christians in Leicestershire.

NCOUNTER EXTA is run by a brilliant charity called 'Reality Youth Project.'
It sees up to 100 young people come together to not only spread the loving message of Jesus in new ways but also to help tidy up and make improvements to local communities in Leicestershire.
This time around we're in Netherhall.
The event kicked off tonight with a celebration service.
Tomorrow will see an early start as teams from across the county flock to the town to take part.
My role is as the official Roving Reporter for nCounter extra.
I'll be updating my Twitter site throughout the day, at: www.twitter.com/mathewhulbert
I'll also be filing reports for this blog and my personal blog, which you can find at: www.thetimeforjusticeisnow.blogspot.com
So, please join me!

New signs of positive change in Barwell

2009-03-29T16:14:43Z

Why everyone in the village needs to fill in new questionnaire...for the good of us all.

THERE'S A number of very dedicated people in Barwell who are looking to help build the village many people would like to see.
I applaud them for their commitment.
As part of their efforts they've produced a questionnaire which has been delivered to each house in the village.
It's quite lengthy but should only take about 20mins to half an hour to fill in.
It'll then be fed back to polivy makers; parish, borough and county to, hopefully, ensure the village is put back on the right track after years of, it could be argued, decline.
I love Barwell, it's where I've always lived. Most of the people who live here are the nicest you could wish to meet.
But, lets be honest, there was a decline in industry from which it's never really recovered.
But that's the past and present but there is much hope for the future.
This questionnaire covers a range of topics, asking for our views on 'Community Spirit and Equality,' 'Climate Change,' to 'Sport, Leisure and Recreation,' and a number of others.
This is local democracy and political activism in action.
It's about we, the people, having a say in the future of the place we've made our homes.
So, go on, fill the questionnaire in and let's build a better Barwell.

Showing the Christian Church does care

2009-02-08T16:09:19Z

If you were to believe some elements of the press the Christian Church is on its knees (no pun intended); low attendances on Sundays, stuck in the past, out of step with the modern world.
Certainly, there are problems the Christian Church has to tackle, but this kind of viewpoint is far too simplistic to encapsulate the real position it finds itself in.

FOR, in truth, there are numerous success stories which are showing, through word and deed, that the Christian Church is modern, relevant, practical; ready not to condemn, but to love.
One such event is happening right here in Leicestershire.
Recently I was the Roving Reporter at an event called 'nCounter extra.'
It was two days of worship, prayer, social action and evangelism.
It saw around 60 young people, from across the city and county, come together to not only provide practical help in Wigston, but also to share their Christian faith-not in a preachy way, but in a loving way.
As organisers, Reality Youth Project, put it: 'We want to build on the momentum of our Summer missions and continue to train young people, lavish love on our communities and tell them why we do it all throughout the year and not just for one week in the Summer.'
For the weekend they were working in partnership with Oadby and Wigston Borough Council and the Leicestershire Police Service.
At the moment, apart from me, there's no one from Hinckley and Bosworth involved.
It would be fantastic for us to be more involved in future 'nCounter extra's' and in 'nCounter Summer.'
For more please visit: www.ncounterleicestershire.blogspot.com

My New Year aim: to get fit and save the world (yeah,right!)

2009-01-13T20:02:15Z

YOUR CORRESPONDENT writes on his hopes for 2009 and the realities that mght scupper them.

TO steal a quote from Sir David Frost (I recently bought the DVD with his full interview with former U.S. President Richard Nixon-the most watched news interview in TV history...incredible!):
"Hello, good evening and welcome" to this blog in the New Year or, to add a bit of drama, perhaps I should call it: 'Telling It Like It Is: The Revenge.'
I think I might have watched one too many of those big Hoolywood blockbusters; you know the kind, with a guy with a voice that makes it sound like he's been drinking gravel-saying something like 'He's a Journalist from Hinckley. He blogs about Castle Mead Radio, Hinckley life and anything else that takes his fancy. Sometimes he even manages to be funny...He is Mathew Hulbert.'
What do you mean you're still waiting for the funny part? What a cheek.
So, what is the point of this blog entry?
Erm...well...oh, yes I remember now.
New Year's Resolutions.
I don't know why I bother with them.
Each year I make them and within hours (not months, you understand, or weeks or even days) I break them.
This year my New Year's Resolutions are two fold:
1) To lose weight and 2) To live a more environmentally friendly life.
But take today, for example, at lunchtime I went into the town centre where I work (I thought it would have two benefits; I could buy my sandwich there...I always go to the same shop, I'm very loyal!... and I could walk there and, hopefully, lose a few pounds.
Well, it was going alright until I reached the shop.
I bought my sandwich...cheese salad on brown bread since you asked...and I went to the counter to pay.
But there, begging me to buy it and eat it, was a lovely carrot cake.
It was lovely but I really must be more disciplined.
The same goes for my personal efforts to help combat Climate Change.
For the first few days of January 2009 I was doing really well; switching off lights, unplugging plugs, sorting out my recycling at home.
But today, in our office at work, I walked past the kitchen that had no one in but the light on and I carried on walking.
Oh the shame! the shame!
Well, there's no for it, it's off to the stocks for me!
Or perhaps I should just be forced to watch Jeremy Kyle every day during my week off later this month!
No! Anything but that!

Why I've launched a new magazine

2008-12-15T19:15:50Z

I believe in the power of social action...so I've launched a magazine to promote it.

VOLUNTEERING with the likes of Castle Mead Radio and Tearfund has long since convinced me of the power of people, individuals like you and me, working together, undertaking social action, to create a better, fairer, greener world.
The other big factor in my life is my journalism.
So, I've combined the two elements and launched my own magazine.
It's called 'The Activist,' is free and is available as an e-miled pdf.
The first edition includes an article from Castle Mead Radio's Station Manager Paul Gardner, an interview with the Founder of Faithworks, the Revd Steve Chalke and much, much more.
If you'd like to receive a copy, please e-mail me via: comedymat@yahoo.co.uk

Why I'm your new Mr Entertainment...

2008-12-08T21:58:57Z

News of my new weekly show on Castle Mead Radio

Hello good people of Hinckley.
I love reporting on hard news, when something major has happened, the news room is buzzing and I know I'm going to be one of the first people to tell thousands of others about i via the magic of radio.
But I also have a sneaking admiration of entertainment reporters; all those glitzy premieres and parties.
So, I've started a new weekly live show on Castle Mead Radio to meet that need.
It's called 'Entertainment Tonight' (I know, how original!) and airs every Thursday night from 8-9.30pm.
Last Thursday night saw the first show take place.
We had music news, film info, book reviews and a look at what's on TV.
It was great fun and I can't wait for this week's edition.
If you're in Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital on a Thursday evening please tune in!

The joy of being an uncle...and how I'm brought back to earth!

2008-12-06T20:12:11Z

SO, TODAY, through the wonders of modern technology, I've spoken to and seen my sister and mother who are half a world away.

My mum, Jackie, is currently visiting my sister Debra and her family at their beautiful home in even more beautiful Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
My sister and her husband Jason moved out to the Middle East a number of years ago...I can't blame them, they were living in Eastbourne at the time (I mean it's a nice place but it is kind of like England's home for the retired; notjing wrong with that, you understand, but 'trendy' it is not) and since then have had three beautiful children.
Anyway my dad, who lives in Hinckley, has finally signed up to Skype on his computer and, thanks to a small camera that he finally worked out how to work, I can now see my relatives when talking to them.
So, today, I tried this out for the first time and was very impressed.
I even congratulated my dad on finally doing something a little bit 21st Century (all he usually thinks about is either cricket or bingo.)
So I skyped my sister and had a little word with her and my mum and I felt for sure that my nephews and niece would want to talk to their favourite Uncle...as the last time I'd seen them was when I myself went out to Dubai over a year ago.
"Are the kids there?" I ask "Can I speak to them?"
Imagine my sadness, then, when my sister told me they were too busy playing up stairs.
There's nothing like children to bring you back down to earth and to put you in your place.