WISHING ALL MY VIEWERS THE MOST HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS

Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas, particularly the author (Elizabeth Wallace) of this wonderful book which is one of Britain's best sellers.

HAVE MET MANY FAMOUS FOLK, BUT PRINCE MONOLULU WAS THE MOST COLOURFUL

As an ardent BBC Radio 4 listener, I've just listened to a programme about Prince Monolulu who used to turn up at British race-courses and, at Petticoat Lane Market  (now Middlesex Street) in London's East End.  This character absolutely fascinated me when I met him on a visit there with my parents. Then a few years later, he jumped aboard my compartment on the District Line tube and caused a sensation with his flamboyantly coloured costume  and crazy,  but beautifully dyed, feathers arranged in his exquisite  headdress. He began talking to everyone and I was fascinated. What a contrast to our boring business suits!

Becoming a regular personality on the race-track as a  tipster, Monolulu told interviewers that he had been born in Abyssinia, the son of the chief of the Falasha tribe, but upon researching later, I found he had been christened Peter Carl McKay in the Danish West Indies. His father and brothers were all horse breeders and racers on the island of St Croix.  Probably, this is why he would kick off any conversation with "I gotta horse!"  

In the austere 50s and early 60s, he brought fun and colour to so many people and his story is incredible. Born October 1881, died February 1965 - I wish I had accepted the commission for an article, perhaps one day I may. If so, will have to pay a visit to the Prince Monolulu pub in Maple Street, Fitzrovia in London's W1

SWWJ'S LINKS WITH WOMEN'S HOUR BBC RADIO FOUR

Today, Women's Hour is often relayed from Salford in Manchester, but in the old days, around the time the programme began in 1946, it came from Broadcasting House, Great Portland Place, London, visited by many of our earlier members of the SWWJ who supplied features, stories and even worked in their studios. The late Jocelyn Hay, one of our Society Council members became well known when she founded Voice of the Listener & Viewer in 1983. Appointed MBE in 1999 and then CBE in 2005 for her work in sound and vision, she received 'Elizabeth R Award for an Exceptional Contribution to Public Service Broadcasting' by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association in the same year. What a woman - and what a lovely friend! We miss her. For more information, go to www.swwj.co.;uk

Your truly, Jocelyn Hay and Robert Seatter, Head of BBC History on a visit to Broadcasting House during rebuilding

SUPER CHRISTMAS GATHERING IN LONDON FOR SWWJ

Our lovely Pamela Payne with guest speaker Ginny Vere Nicholl

Always great to meet up in London - here are some of our members from the South East at our Christmas gathering in the National Liberal Club in Whitehall. website: www.swwj.com

PREPARING FOR AN UPCOMING BOOK SIGNING