TeamHonk with an honourary member, Jonathon Ross
I’ll hold my hands up and admit that I’d never given much thought to what goes on behind the scenes at the filming of a Comic Relief report on telly or radio. I guess I just assumed that they wheel on the presenter who does their piece and then that’s that. Luckily for me I had the chance to experience what it’s like when we were in Ghana with Comic Relief a few days ago, being behind the scenes, witnessing the hard work of presenters, crew and the team that co-ordinates them all, we spent time with Jonathon, Davina and Jane Garvey, presenter and Angela Robson, a producer on BBC Radio 4′s Woman’s Hour.
Many people have been asking me what Jonathon and Davina are like and I have to answer – bloody lovely. On arrival at Accra, Jonathon helped me with my heavy bag, I’d like to think it was because he was instantly smitten with me but the reality was that I appeared to be the only one without a wheeled case and looked rather pale and pathetic. I found the whole experience really enlightening and took some photo’s of them working so thought that I’d share in case others are interested too…
The first day in Accra we spent with Davina at projects and travelling in the minibus. En route to the first project to visit of the day, the Virtuous Women’s Bakery, Davina told us of how much she was looking forward to meeting this group of women who had come together to help and support each other, her passion for women uniting in this way was undeniably strong. She also shared experiences from previous trips elsewhere with Comic Relief which was fascinating. Totally open and friendly we discussed all sorts from her idea for a TV series (which by the way is genius) to motherhood, homeopathy and how we all met our husbands and partners – she even shared one of her birth photos from her mobile, honestly such a lovely and fun lady to be around. I’m not she realised just how much she put us at ease before visiting the project as it was a totally new experience so far from our everyday lives as we could get!
Once at the bakery she got stuck in straight away talking to people, bouncing up and down at the children singing and getting involved. One of the first things we’d checkd with her was whether she was happy for us to include her in photographs and if she’d like to approve them for use. Her response? go for it, take photos of whatever you like, use what you like. And so we did…
Davina filming the women bustling around getting the baking tins ready for her exclusive NetMums video
Excited faces of the children as Davina blows bubbles to them
Davina McCall with children at the Virtuous Women’s Bakery,Ghana with Comic Relief #goodwork
That afternoon we visited a school on the edge of a slum. We witnessed the effects of e-waste, old computers, fridges and so on that get legally and illegally dumped there. Plumes of toxic black smoke billowing from across the polluted lagoon as men burn computer cables in order to get to the precious metal to sell. Small children walking barefoot in a place where we had been told to wear sturdy shoes and no open-toed footwear and just so much waste. The school is a testament to the women, Pauline who started it up in a wooden hut with 12 children – with the help of Comic Relief it’s now a block building for 250 pupils, not only teaching but also feeding them.
A small boy instantly ran to Davina and holding her hand she led us into the school to be greeted by singing and a crowd of very excited children. Upstairs in the school Davina filmed a piece from a classroom whilst we spoke to Pauline.
Davina filming for comic Relief
The morning of Day Two was spent at a vaccine clinic with Jonathon and Davina who were recording live for both television and radio. We arrived on site about 9am, it was 93 degrees and very humid and the high walls of the library where the clinic was being held seemed to make it feel even hotter. A small room with a fan in for us all to use gave momentary relief from the heat, sitting briefly for a drink of water in this room with Jonathon we asked him what time he had arrived that morning, he said 6.30am. The recording schedule was arduous but both Jonathon and Davina remained passionately ethusastic and chatty.
Jonathon on the phone for a live radio interview between filming
Jonathon with mothers and babies at a vaccine clinic
BBC Radio 4′s Woman’s Hour was also at the vaccine clinic recording live. We spent time with Jane Garvey at the airport talking, sadly I fear she was witness to our over-tired cola fuelled caffiene-ridden banter. Angela Robson was also there and I believe she was travelling north to continue work afterwards. Both very warm, professional and friendly ladies.
Jane Garvey and Angela Robson from BBC 4′s Woman’s Hour interview Mercy from GAVI live
It feels very surreal to have been sat chatting to people I have ever only seen on TV in such an unfamiliar environment and it’s not something I’ll forget in a hurry!
I'm Annie and I live in the depths of the New Forest. Mother to many, wife to one, blogger, creative type, lover of real books and a bit of a lush.
What a beautiful experience to be a part of! The children in these environments do just draw you in. It is the same if you visit small schoosl in Jamaica and I was just a child myself as part of our Campus Ministry in High School. So I was very excited to receive my postcard from the school in Accra. All the brilliant work that is being done as part of Comic relief is amazing!
Brinabird and Son recently posted..A magical place
It’s so good, it sounds a bit naff but I really have found it life changing. I feel differently about all sorts of things now (in a better way) and have made some decisions about what it is I’d like to be doing in terms of ‘the future’.
I heard that if you gave £1 for a red nose in 1988 that there’s a good chance that it’s still being used today! Immense when you think of it like that!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
Looks wonderful Annie! We take so much for granted here….those women do such a lot for so little
Indeed Irene, I certainly think differently now x
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
Go Annie! It looks and sounds like it was the most amazing experience for everyone involved. I remember watching a young persons BBC question time when I was still young a few years back
And going online to ask Davina a question about engaging young people in politics and she got back with such well thought out answer. Despite the sins of being involved with Big Brother she is definitely someone who has got my respect; she stands up for what she thinks is right and important and that is all you can ask of someone. What I have learnt is that 95% of people in the public spotlight are actually really genuine amazing people who have very ordinary lives share the same hopes and fears as we do. The media puts these people up on the pedestal to be shot down but essentially they are just normal people who are particular good at their vocation in life.
P.S: Amazing shirt very Africa
Damien Clarkson recently posted..Big oil schools
Yes I do believe you are right young ‘un. Ad soon as I started to chat to them I realised just why they are doing what they do and where they are now.
And thanks, re. the shirt – I did fear it might induce migraines but I am rather taken with it!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
It’s sounds like an amazing experience! You are all stars! x
Charlotte recently posted..Farmer Bob
*twinkle twinkle*
thank you x
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
Wowzers! What great company. Isn’t it great to do a job that you just love and you get to help people out and make a difference all at the same time? You are all an inspiration to us. I also spent some time in vaccinating camps with children in Kenya. Will be posting about it soon with my lovely postcard from you. Cheers ears!
MishMashMamma recently posted..What type of Creepy Crawler is yours?
I really do look forward to reading that
I’m going to sit down and read all the posts so far tonight – I have so much catching up to do! x
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
Davina actually said “use me and abuse me”
She has no idea the thought that went through my head at the point.
And at several points after.
I love that you went to spam for typing ‘use me and abuse me’ … my friend you sound like a viagra spam comment!
Are you sat in your I Really Love Davina t-shirt right now ?
How wonderful. I am a HUGE fan of Davinas, and of course yours your highness. Well done team honk. Sp proud of you three x
Mum of One recently posted..My very first quilt…and I finished it too!
*honk honk!* Thanks !
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
That is just amazing!!!! Sounds like everyone was very down to earth and warm with each other – and great you were all made to feel so comfortable. Fab pictures – what a totally awesome and very important week you’ve just had! It was great to follow all your journeys – just fab! X.
older mum in a muddle recently posted..Birth Day
As far as weeks go it’s going to be a hard one to top !
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
Amazing! Just amazing x
Actually Mummy… recently posted..Eskimos rub noses…
Thanks your amazingness!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
I don’t why all this still makes me cry happy tears.
I keep welling up too – such an emotional week x
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
What an amazing experience its really nice to hear that Davina and Jonathon were so down to earth. I agree with you we don’t realise what goes on behind the camera. I think you all did a great job – well done
wendy recently posted..Why Do Things Have To Get So Bad
Thank you
They were just so busy all day and the evening was all briefing talks and arranging the next day – seriously hard work for them both x
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
I’m not sure i would have been strong enough to hold it together seeing the worst of the slums. And I would certainly have smuggling babies back in my suitcase! Well done all three of you for being so strong xxx
Mary recently posted..A postcard from Ghana!
It’s odd, maybe it’s because I’ve seen many documentaries where there’s footage of slums but it seemed familiar and although it was shocking it wasn’t, at the time, as upsetting as I thought it would be. It’s so much to take in that at the time it wasn’t that hard to do – if that makes sense!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
You took some fabulous photos, and it’s great to hear that Davina and Jonathon were really enthusiastic about the projects too. Thanks for sharing all this with us
Mrs Teepot recently posted..The Gallery: Noses
They loved it as did we – just so happy to have been involved!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
Am so glad it all went so swimmingly. Mucho hugs ‘n that. Bet they were just as in awe of you three! XX
Anya from Older Single Mum and The Healer recently posted..How to Make a Perfect Carbonara Sauce.
Ha ha ha I doubt it – we were certainly wowed by them though!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
It’s so lovely to realise that the presenters on Comic Relief genuinely care and WANT to be there to help, rather than just being paid to do it. Fantastic pictures too! You guys are awe inspiring!!
They both recounted tales from previous visits to places with Comic Relief with such passion – including the names of people they met years ago – this stuff really stays with you!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
Your photos are simply brilliant. I love the one of her laughing when blowing the bubbles. I’ve never been Wossy’s or Davina’s biggest fan but you’ve got to take your hat off to anyone who is as professional in the face of such emotion and deprivation. Same goes for the three of you too. (not the not being a fan thing, the hat off thing).
Troubles Mum recently posted..MAD Blog Awards 2013
They were awesome – and they made us feel so comfortable which really helped us a lot x
Mammasaurus recently posted..Jonathon Ross, Davina McCall and Woman’s Hour with Comic Relief in Ghana
Wow, what an experience! Really enjoyed reading this. Great to read so much about the #goodwork over the last few days, but also good to hear these celebrities really are putting in the work for Comic Relief and that they are such genuinely nice people.
Sarah MumofThree World recently posted..Boobies, cheese and dirty legs
This is an awesome story and so FANTASTIC that you’ve organised it all! It’s a great way to reach the blogging community. I’m not surprised they’re nice people, actually. And look at you three! What a cool experience for you!! #goodwork x
Michelle | The American Resident recently posted..Solitude is not loneliness
Oh lord, I’m crying again, in a good way!
Darling I am honestly so proud of the three of you, such an amazing experience for you to share with us all…
Beautiful to see how delighted Davina and Wossy are to be there too to visit these projects and wonderful people.
xx
MummyNeverSleeps recently posted..Saturday is Caption Day!
so great to read and see these photos. well done and thank you for going for us
new pyjama mummy recently posted..Silent Sunday 10 February 2013
Great pictures and such a fantastic story! Really interesting to read about how enthusiastic and genuine Davina and Jonathan are and I’ve really enjoyed reading about your amazing journey.
Davina breast fed her baby – COOL – and UNICEF state that breastfeeding would save more children under 5 years than anything else. SHAME breastfeeding wasn’t mentioned at all. Just seems a bit un balanced to mainly mention vaccines but not rally the cry for breast feeding mammas (Clean water is the greatest intervention for all ages btw to reduce mortality say the WHO. )
Ah yes, but this visit was purely about the vaccination project – not breastfeeding. There are so many other issues that could have been talked about that surround these women’s lives but again, the focus was the vaccines. Agree wholly on the need to get the message out there more about breastfeeding but this was not the time for me to discuss it.
True, thanks for replying, but considering that breastfeeding saves more lives under five than anything else a little mention would have been appropriate. I know vaccines are more a focus of the era and has been a focus for Comic relief this year but I hope for more balance next year. Re Tetanus, for example, studies show that exclusive breast feeding reduces Rota virus more than the vaccine, but the problem is that exclusive breastfeeding is compromised with Nestle’s practice of free formula. After a few days of formula, milk reduces, mum uses local water to mix formula which is not always good, and then reduces the amount of powder to save money and baby gets undernourished. Looking at this commercial practice alone would save lives.
The UK’s Department for Overseas development doesn’t even know how little they spend on promoting a few breastfeeding projects – I have asked them 4 times and no one has any records – but the UK govt pledged rather a large amount to GAVI for vaccines. Just seems that the maths is way out!
Didn’t mean to go on but seems there is more to health and intervention than meets the eye..