‘Any Questions ?’ broadcast live from Reepham

BBC Radio Four’s “Any Questions?” was broadcast from Reepham High School & College on Friday 9 December.

Back row (l-r): Norfolk businesswoman Rachael Waring; the BBC’s Jonathan Dimbleby; and Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South. Front row (l-r): Baroness Brinton, Liberal Democrat Party president; and Minister of State for School Standards Nick Gibb MP

 
In the main hall, RHSC principal Mark Farrar greeted the audience and spoke about the school’s ethos and aims, as well as recent developments and its excellent academic achievements.
 
The evening was introduced by BBC Look East’s political editor Andrew Sinclair, who was the “warm-up act” prior to the arrival of presenter Jonathan Dimbleby and the evening’s panel of three politicians and a leading local businessperson.
 
The show’s producer spoke about the live broadcast and announced the names of 10 people from the audience whose questions had been selected to be asked on air. (On the way into the hall a box was in the foyer for everyone there to put a card in with their questions for the panel, from which the producers chose the ones to use.)
 
The potential questioners were then moved up to sit on the front row and were briefed by the BBC Radio 4 production staff.
 
The panel arrived, took their seats and were individually introduced. A light-hearted sample question was asked and each panel member gave their response, before the broadcast “went live” just after 8 pm (there was a tightly defined duration to the programme, which finished just before 8.50 pm).
 
Just four of the 10 questions were covered “on air”, including relevant topics from the UK and world news, such as the need for migrant labour into the UK from EU member states; the UK’s relationship with Saudi Arabia; the outcome of the recent Sleaford by-election and the future of the Labour Party; and the possible provision of “free places” at independent schools to state pupils, where a basic allocation of funding “follows” the pupil that is offered that opportunity.
 
A quick post-broadcast picture was taken before Mr Dimbleby was driven away into the night, while the panel members spoke informally to a few audience members and questioners.
 
RHSC organised the event splendidly and had the opportunity of its success, quite literally, “broadcast” live around the country and the world (a friend of mine was listening in Murcia, Spain).
 
It was good to see a RHSC student among the questioners selected. The repeat broadcast was aired on Saturday afternoon at 1.10 pm.
 
Overall, it was a fascinating evening and one at which members of the audience were fortunate to have been present, when this well-known current affairs programme was broadcast live from Reepham.
 
John Griffin
 

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