Why not help your little one prepare for reception?  Take a look at Tips to help prepare your child for school in the London Borough of Bexley.

Did you know that school readiness starts from conception?  The 0–5-year period is a crucial time for brain development and children's brains are like sponges.

Healthy brain development means that children learn and develop well, helping them to be ready for reception and later life. Born Ready, School Ready, Bexley Ready will give you ideas about how you can help your baby or child's brain development and support lifelong learning at home

It’s a high-energy, funny, and heart-warming journey through four decades of conservation and reinvention. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be upstaged by an elephant, wrangle the likes of Chris Packham, or ice skate on National TV looking like Julie Andrews, then this show is for you! Not Just A Wild Life promises an evening of inspiration, nostalgia, and genuine connection – for nature nerds, nostalgia lovers, and anyone who’s ever wondered how a rubber chicken can change the course of your life.

Michaela joined Duncan on Greenwich Breakfast to talk about her amazing career and what she has planned for her show.

Listen again

You can see Michaela at Blackheath Halls on 14th April.  Click here to get your tickets!

Serious News
TfL acted on a Freedom of Information request and revealed that there has been an increase of London buses being damaged or involved in crashes.

During 2025, there was 15,390 incidents which resulted in damage, and almost 16,000 the year prior. 

Throughout lockdown in 2020 and 2021 there were 11,035 and 12,380 respectively, while the earliest year for the data in 2019 had 12,857 reported. 

The data includes “all incidents where damage has been reported, including minor damage to the vehicle”, but “does not imply which road user's behaviour or error may have led to the incident”, adding “it is completely unacceptable that anyone should be killed or seriously injured while travelling, and we remain committed to eradicating death and serious injury from the transport network”

Crazy News
Nestle announced in a statement that 12 tons of KitKat was stolen from a truck in Europe.

The weight correlates to 413,793 bars as the chocolate treat was being delivered to distribution centres on a route from the factory in Italy to Poland.

In the UK, theft of chocolates in stores is on the rise – but according to a joint report made by the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) and the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) for the Europe, the Middle East and Africa, cargo theft and freight fraud are rising.

A Nestle spokesperson said: “We’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KITKAT – but it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tonnes of our chocolate”.

Happy News
An outdoor fitness gym has opened in Croydon and named after an actor who starred in the original Star Wars trilogy.

The David Prowse Gym is named after the Darth Vader actor due to his connection to the Addiscombe area after living in the area from 1963, and he was also seen promoting fitness in the community too.

The gym is free for all being located at Addiscombe Recreation Ground, and has been designed to be used by anyone of any age or ability.

A formal opening ceremony will be held on 4th May (May the 4th) which is also known as Star Wars Day.

Croydon Mayor, Jason Perry, approved the name submitted by the Addiscombe & Shirley Park Residents' Association and says: “David Prowse was a true local legend, not just for what he achieved on screen, but for the way he inspired people to stay active and give back to their community”.

Liftoff.

The Artemis II mission launched from @NASAKennedy at 6:35pm ET (2235 UTC), propelling four astronauts on a journey around the Moon.

Artemis II will pave the way for future Moon landings, as well as the next giant leap — astronauts on Mars. pic.twitter.com/ENQA4RTqAc

— NASA (@NASA) April 1, 2026

We are going!

With Artemis II's launch, we've taken another step toward a long-term presence on the Moon. Here's a recap of the historic mission so far – and a preview of what's to come.

Follow along as four astronauts continue their journey around the Moon and back:… pic.twitter.com/vI4DagF6fc

— NASA (@NASA) April 2, 2026

NEW: NASA's Artemis II has successfully blasted off, launching toward the Moon for the first lunar voyage in 53 years.

Here is what to expect next:

- Mission is 10 total days.

- The crew will get 5000 miles from the Moon's surface.

- The crew will sleep in two… pic.twitter.com/UcNLJmQhds

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 1, 2026

This animation shows NASA’s Artemis II mission path, a journey of nearly 685,000 miles. The crew will travel in a figure-eight trajectory, looping out from Earth, around the Moon, and back again.

Follow live updates: https://t.co/PikF0FNlO9 pic.twitter.com/tnrahDMaGu

— ABC News (@ABC) April 1, 2026

Artemis II liftoff: cell phone video, kept running for the sound, which is…wow, just, wow.

Sorry, I didn’t pan up; this was a last minute decision and I propped it on a still camera. I’m actually surprised the vibrations didn’t knock it to the ground. pic.twitter.com/viAyWMiXdH

— Michael Seeley (@MikeSeeley) April 1, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

Good Friday - 2010s

Saturday - 1990s

Easter Sunday - 2000s

Holiday Monday - 1980s

What is your favourite decade?  Let us know in the comments, below!

Serious News
A Conservative MP says that housing targets across Kent are unachievable due to the shortage of water supply and infrastructure. 

Tom Tugendhat, representing Tonbridge said on Tuesday that there was “simply not enough water for the scale of development” during a meeting at the Commons. 

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council have plans to require 19,746 homes by 2042 while South East Water announced it could only supply an extra 6,318 homes to the same year. 

Miatta Fahnbulleh, who is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, also says: “The lack of water infrastructure is resulting in both blocking our capacity to deliver our homes, but also the water outages that we've seen in west Kent”.

Crazy News
Last weekend an Everton fan went viral after celebrating his team's 3-0 win against Chelsea with a toaster and crumpets in each hand.

Matty Byrne (or Toaster Man) spoke after being filmed stating that they were a friend's wedding gift that he was attending after the game.

He “didn't want to leave it in the boozer, so decided just walk in with it”.

People were unsure how he got the items through security, which are known to be tight at football matches.

Other fans claim the appliance could be a lucky charm, as Byrne wants to bring it when Everton face rivals Liverpool next month.

Happy News
The Cutty Sark DLR station has reopened after 10 months following a refurbishment.

During the closure, four escalators have been installed; as well as a new lift, wall panelling, lighting and fire system improvements.

Before the station went for a face-lift, none of the escalators were working, and to get to and from the platform involved walking the 121 steps.

The director of rail, Trish Ashton, says: “We're delighted to announce that an improved Cutty Sark station will reopen earlier than expected, ready to welcome customers back through newly modernised and more reliable station facilities”.

Just in time for spring and the improved weather!

It’s #NationalPuppyDay, aka a great excuse to show you some of the adorable puppies we've had at Battersea! 😍

Before committing to a puppy, make sure you have the time and resources to dedicate to their care. It's rewarding, but hard work that shouldn’t be underestimated! 💙 pic.twitter.com/ckHwxUDXyG

— Battersea (@Battersea_) March 23, 2026

Happy National Puppy Day from the littlest Chief Dog Officer. 🐾 pic.twitter.com/Ne9gYquWjx

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) March 23, 2026

Today we recognize something very close to our hearts- National Puppy Day!🐶
Our dog runs and open spaces have supported some of the city’s most important early developments: first zoomies, first sticks, and the socialization of dogs everywhere.
Leash up, head out, and celebrate! pic.twitter.com/rIytdbtmUJ

— NYC Parks (@NYCParks) March 23, 2026

It's#NationalPuppyDay, and we couldn't resist the cuteness🤗🐶 When you're looking for a young furry friend, remember to choose adoption or find a responsible breeder. Learn how to find a puppy the right way at https://t.co/RXB6NKlOEl pic.twitter.com/s1Mo4byHoi

— ASPCA (@ASPCA) March 23, 2026

An armful of puppies is definitely the best way to celebrate National Puppy Day 🩵🐾

This morning, we welcomed a transport of more than 40 dogs—and the majority of them? Puppies!! 😍

We couldn't keep the cuteness all to ourselves...especially on #NationalPuppyDay pic.twitter.com/sGt4b0gtl1

— Humane Society of Missouri (@hsmo) March 23, 2026

Stella, as a puppy, had bigger ears than she does now. 😂

Happy National Puppy Day! pic.twitter.com/VBQWO6kael

— Lisa Sicard 👩‍💻 (@Lisapatb) March 23, 2026

Today is National Puppy Day. This is Chopper at 4 months old. pic.twitter.com/AVIATRKtXx

— Barry Butler Photography (@barrybutler9) March 23, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

They hope to be moving into their new home ground at

177 Footscray Road
Eltham
London
SE9 2SZ

close to the B and Q store, in the next couple of months. 

Also, announced exclusively to Maritime Radio listeners, was the news that AFC Greenwich Borough will be launching a lottery to fund local projects, including The Chartwell Children's Charity Trust.

Paul will be back to the Maritime Radio studio in about 3 weeks to update us.

Full details can be found on their websites

https://greenwichborough.com/

and

https://gb10sports.com/

Don't miss it. 

Dr Cuan can be contacted on 

https://www.movemed.co.uk/

movemeduk@icloud.com

07845 909 429‬

Serious News
The strikes set to blight the tube network later this month have been cancelled as the RMT Union discussed the terms with management of the London Underground.

The disagreement was over the four-day week – it would be the same hours just compressed into less days.

The strikes in April and beyond are still set to take place as the concerns are not resolved, and further dates of action have been pencilled in on Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th June.

Speaking of the conversations, the RMT general secretary, Eddie Dempsey, says that the union “forced management into a position where they are now willing to seriously engage with the issues our members want addressing. Further talks will take place and the dispute remains live”.

A spokesperson for the London Underground is pleased that some strike dates were removed: “This is good news for London, and we will continue to work constructively with the trade unions to avoid disruption and address concerns”.

Crazy News
A study says that spring cleaning is an achievement worth celebrating, and a company have created a novelty vacuum cleaner that will help pour some celebratory drinks.

Sparkling House Wine was launched from a partnership between AO and Ryedale Vineyards in York, as it was announced that half of people say that the yearly tidy is on their list of achievements.

The dry-blend is limited edition and comes with a vacuum cleaner which is actually a holder and pourer of the bottle, alongside a handle, hose, wheels and an inspired pouring attachment to match the part.

Some respondents would compare the cleaning job similar to watching their team win, landing a new job or car, or even seeing their child’s first steps. Almost 25% would begin getting ready between one to three months in advance and need several days to finish the job. The majority would prefer to get it done and over with in a day. In addition, almost a third say that they exercise in the days before the task, while more than half would end the spring clean with a drink.

A limited number of bottles went live on Rydale’s website on Wednesday.

Happy News
The ASDA store in Belvedere has three generations of the same family working alongside each other. Sixteen relatives work the shop floor together – seven mums alongside their children.

One of the families begins with 56-year-old grandmother Hayler Carr, and her daughters Kerry, 37, Kasey, 27, and Jessica, 18. Kerry’s daughter 19-year-old Rhyleigh Pioli is also part of the clan. Amongst them, they tackle various departments including the frozen, home shopping, George clothing and the overnight areas.

Speaking of working together, Kerry says: “It's brilliant having my family work with me. If I need a day off, they'll always cover my shifts, as they love their mum! Sometimes we work the same shifts and we see each other, which is nice”.

Other families working in the store include Cheryl Smith who is the fresh section lead and her daughter Katie at home shopping; bakery colleague Maggie Alimo and her home shopping driver son Charlie; Amanda Bradley on the checkouts with her daughters Chanel and Tia; George assistant Valerie Cox and her daughter Tanya Carver; and community champion Kuia Newman works with her daughter Sian Martin who is a home shopping picker.

Kuia adds: “It's nice that we work together, but we don't see an awful lot of each other at work as she starts at 4am and I'm doing my community work. It's a nice family environment here and it's lovely having so many mums working alongside their children”.

Store manager, Sandy Sanga says: “We've always been proud of the community spirit within our stores, but the team at Belvedere takes 'family values' to a whole new level! Having three generations working side by side doesn't just make for a great story, it creates a supportive, tight-knit family environment that our customers can really feel when they walk through the doors. We're thrilled to celebrate these six incredible mums who prove that some of the best colleagues are often the ones you grew up with”.

A Brand New Day starts now.

Watch the official trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day - exclusively in theatres July 31. pic.twitter.com/O4ryqpTCZX

— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) March 18, 2026

11 months
50 weeks
351 days
8433 hours
505,980 minutes
30,358,800 seconds
And a lot of urge from the fans.

After the official announcement, Marvel has finally released the trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day."

Enjoy🕸️🕷️#SpiderManBrandNewDay pic.twitter.com/9VFqjPAzLF

— Sanctum Scoops (@SanctumScoops) March 18, 2026

The #SpiderManBrandNewDay trailer gives first looks at Tramell Tillman, Jon Bernthal, Michael Musto and Mark Ruffalo.https://t.co/vAYGhcIc3Z pic.twitter.com/44NL8bmZxf

— Variety (@Variety) March 18, 2026

So many of these visuals look like splash pages straight from the comics. It’s peak 🔥. #SpiderManBrandNewDay https://t.co/kIszoP8JPV

— $anti (@FlockDylan) March 18, 2026

A lot going on in that trailer. I’m overwhelmed a little bit. But punisher excited me. #spidermanbrandnewday pic.twitter.com/Gna40XYNOs

— The Daily Kryptonian (@TheDailyKrypto) March 18, 2026

Punisher, Bruce Banner, The Hand, Scorpion, Boomerang & Tarantula all in one movie just amazing 🔥🔥🔥#SpiderManBrandNewDay https://t.co/RZRpHWMO3F

— Bsant 🇵🇷🇵🇪 (@bsant055) March 18, 2026

I love how distinct in tone and style #SpiderManBrandNewDay feels. And yay for a broke, depressed, and lonely Peter Parker. https://t.co/BlIrBy34cT

— Jay Thomas (@GroundhogJay_) March 18, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

Serious News
London will be affected with various Tube Strikes as union RMT have announced dates that the 24-hour strikes will take place.

The action will be taking place after opposing the “condensed” four-day week over shift lengths, working arrangements and a potential drop on safety. 

A spokesperson for the union says that bosses for the Underground were: “pushing ahead with a plan to compress a normal working week into four days despite the proposals being rejected by a majority of train operators”, while TfL have also said: “We shared our proposal for a four-day working week with our trade unions last year. Since then, we have been engaging with them on how best to implement the new working pattern. We have started talking with our unions about how to implement a four-day working week for train drivers on the Bakerloo line only”.

The strike dates are from 12am to 11:59pm the following dates:

• Tuesday 24th - Wednesday 25th March,
• Thursday 26th - Friday 27th March
• Tuesday 21st - Wednesday 22nd April
• Thursday 23rd - Friday 24th April
• Tuesday 19th - Wednesday 20th May
• Thursday 21st - Friday 22nd May.

Crazy News
VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in football is a very controversial topic – many fans do not agree with the idea as it causes too many stops, still has human elements of control and can slow the game right down and take quite a few minutes for the referee to make a decision. One group of fans took it upon themselves to get rid of the feature at a game in Germany.

In Germany’s Bundesliga 2 league, Preussen Munster were hosting Hertha Berlin when one of the host’s fans unplugged the screen so that the referee couldn’t make a call.

However, in cases like this, there is a booth with the VAR equipment in Cologne and the decision by one of the officials situated there gave the visitors a penalty which was converted.

The home team’s section in the stadium were holding up a banner just after the incident reading ‘Pull the plug on VAR’ so this was “a planned action” as per the statement released from Preussen Munster.

Happy News
A dementia choir in North London have professionally recorded a song.

Members of the Sam Beckman Choir partnered with music and healthcare practitioner Edmund Jeffrey to write and compose A New Beginning.

Each member wrote a line each week as ideas were built on until it was written and then recorded at a studio in Crouch End.

All of the members are living with dementia. One member is Ros who says: “It's a lovely song. We have spent a long time working on it – weeks and weeks. I'm very impressed with how it's turned out”. Viv added: “It has real feeling in it. We went over every single word and kept changing bits until it was perfect”.

66 years ago today, Barbie was first revealed to the public at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. pic.twitter.com/wRJDc59qmq

— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 9, 2025

Happy National Barbie Day!

What's your favorite Barbie movie/series? pic.twitter.com/4rxL2JRehd

— Cartoon Base (@TheCartoonBase) March 10, 2025

62 years ago today, the first Barbie went on display at the American Toy Fair. Ruth Handler created #Barbie & said she was a symbol of freedom & possibility for girls. I love this philosophy & I’m honored to have my Barbie in the Inspiring Women collection.

Thank you, @Mattel. pic.twitter.com/HCa6JLXObZ

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) March 10, 2021

💖 National Barbie Day!
Our team had fun celebrating National Barbie Day by wearing pink and showing off their Barbie style! pic.twitter.com/xcpgf5L22C

— The Greens at Gastonia (@AtGastonia) March 9, 2026

Today Is National Barbie Day 👩🏾🩷 In 1980, Kitty Black Perkins created the first Black Barbie. We have to give Miss Perkins the flowers that she deserves 💐 Over her 28-year career at Mattel, she rose to become the Chief Designer of Fashions and Doll Concepts. pic.twitter.com/QutgvZX679

— The Melanin Sistership (@ShadesOfSistas) March 9, 2026

March 9th is National Barbie Day! We celebrate the iconic toy that premiered on this day in 1959. As part of the legacy of Barbie™ and the commitment to inspiring girls to explore their limitless potential, The Trail of Painted Ponies is honored to introduce “Dream in Pink." pic.twitter.com/1Bbf6QWKVQ

— TrailofPaintedPonies (@PaintedPonies) March 9, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

Serious News
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is investing £20million to try and get more people to use buses within the capital.

TfL will put the money for “fares innovation” which may reduce fares at specific times, as well as a free service when they initially launch.

Last year was the first in which bus passenger numbers fell since the pandemic, as there was 1.842 billion journeys made – down from 1.869 billion the year before. The trend has been downward, ever since the peak of 2014 where that year 2.4 billion journeys made.

London’s transport watchdog puts the cause down to the slow bus speeds. Average speeds in 2024-25 fell to 9.17mph, down from 10.27mph in 2022.

Speaking of the announcement of the approval of the annual budget last Thursday, Khan says: “We will be tasking TfL to look into ways we can encourage more people to use, in particular, buses. We're a city with a remarkable public transport system which is getting better all the time”.

£1.26billion of the budget was also spent on policing, while both TfL and London’s Fire Brigade had an increase of £250million each.

Crazy News
Over in America, a county in Ohio lost phone and internet services which also affected government offices.

An outage that occurred all the way back on February 20th was initially blamed on contractors cutting through a fibre cable underground – when the real cause was a squirrel.

Speaking at a commissioner’s meeting, County Administrator Matt Springer exposed the actual reasoning of a squirrel’s nest built within the fibre cabling and chewed through multiple cables.

He says that they are talking to internet service providers as well as the networking team to prevent this from happening again, adding: “It's hard to make this stuff up”.

Happy News
A fire department in Kentucky are turning to TikTok to share fire safety tips to the world.

The Owensboro Fire Department has sprinkled some humour into their skits in a bid to catch attention to those that would have just scrolled straight past.

It has seemed to work, as within days of launching, each of their videos have already racked up thousands of views.

@owensborofiredept

We’re on TikTok! If this is where you are, this is where we’ll be. We’ve got important fire safety information to share, and we’re willing to get creative to make sure you see it! Follow the Owensboro Fire Department on Facebook, Instagram, and now TikTok.

♬ original sound - Owensboro Fire Dept.

Speaking of the page, Fire Chief James Howard says: “We want to make sure we are capturing as much of the demographic as we can”.

Battalion Chief Brian Roberts added: “We are not picky about where people learn fire-prevention habits, as long as the message gets out”.

iPhone 17e, iPad Air, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro...

And now, say hello to the all-new MacBook Neo!

We’re so excited to bring the magic of Mac to even more people around the world. pic.twitter.com/z2w4RmShRO

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 4, 2026

Apple has introduced the new MacBook Neo

- 13” LCD display
- A18 Pro chip
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB/512GB storage
- 16 hours of battery life
- Colors: silver, indigo, blush, and citrus
- Starts at $599 ($499 for students)

Order today. Available on March 11 pic.twitter.com/SlxiXCUvwk

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) March 4, 2026

the macbook neo *precisely* targets people with an iPhone and a windows laptop:

runs windows apps, built-in antivirus, pairs with your iPhone, designed for first-time mac users

oh, and it's $599 🤯

this is how apple will dominate the laptop market pic.twitter.com/Aa146rZrPc

— juan (@juanbuis) March 4, 2026

TL;DR: The new Macbook is essentially a netbook.

Intel Core M, tiny board, fanless...

A very sexy, expensive, metal netbook.

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) March 9, 2015

MacBook Neo comes in four beautiful colors:

• Blush 🌸
• Indigo 💜
• Silver 🩶
• Citrus 🍋

Which one are you picking? 👀💻 pic.twitter.com/SYNg8leKBx

— Apple Club (@ApplesClubs) March 4, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

The Famous Five series is the nation's most loved children's books of all time. First published in 1942, the 21 books follow four adventurous young children, Julian, Dick, Anne and Georgina, and her dog, Timmy. The books have topped a poll of most loved childhood novels, beating the likes of Harry Potter and the Philosopher‘s Stone, which appeared in 17th place.

A study of parents of children found 82% read to their little ones on a regular basis, with one in 5 doing so at least once a day. And many of us employ a host of storytelling techniques to capture the imagination of their little ones. These include using sound effects, dimming the lights, and even embellishing or tweaking the story.

If your kids are dressing up as their favourite characters for World Book Day, a new poll says the average costume is now £19, but more than one in ten parents admit they‘re spending over £50 on a single outfit, with many parents saying they feel this pressure to out‑do each other

What are you reading at the moment?  Do you have any good recommendations?  What are your kids dressing up as today?  Let us know in the comments.

Stay Strong, Live Long is available now on Amazon!

Serious News
London is set to have its first large-scale floating park, as plans have been revealed for the Victoria Dock to feature a lido as well as new homes.

Called Royal Docks Waterways, the space will welcome art installations, cultural events, as well as a focus on swimming, alongside a wellness centre which will also have a sauna and spa.

Built on top of a 12-hectacre area of water, the green space in Newham will be increased by 5% and be a “destination for residents, workers, and visitors alike”.

A spokesperson for the development says that the project goes along with the Mayor of London's Clean and Healthy Waterways plan – a 10-year scheme that aims to improve on water quality, restore waterways while also enhancing access to the public.

The organisation’s managing director, Scott Derben, adds: “This vision represents the biggest step change in the management and development of the Royal Docks since they were closed to commercial shipping at the end of 1981. Now, 45 years later, our goal is that the docks that used to feed London will be used to nurture its inhabitants”.

Crazy News
Some shops have begun locking chocolate bars in security boxes, as one branch of Sainsbury’s within London are “regularly targeted”.

A statement from the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) have said that the sweet treat was “sold on by criminals and is now being targeted more frequently by prolific offenders”.

Following a man being arrested by Cambridgeshire Police after being found with his pockets crammed full of Crème Eggs, the force said that: “Chocolate is one of a number of high-value items thieves often target, along with products such as alcohol, meat and coffee. Retail theft has a real and lasting impact – not just on businesses, but on the staff who have to deal with related abuse and intimidation”.

The British Retail Consortium’s annual crime findings state that there were 5.5 million reported incidents of theft last year, as well as 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse every day on staff – that figure was down by 20% but still the second highest on record.

Happy News
Comedian Paul Elliott (or Paul Chuckle) is set to travel across the UK throughout March, raising money for Marie Curie in the charity’s biggest annual fundraiser – this year in its 40th anniversary.

His target is £40,000 as he sets off on Tuesday 3rd March from John O’Groats in the Scottish Highlands and anticipates arrival at Land’s End in Cornwall eight days later. The journey will be in the iconic Chuckle Bike branded in the charity’s blue and yellow.

Elliott is “incredibly proud” to be the charity’s ambassador, as his brother Barry was in Marie Curie’s end-of-life care.

Speaking of the journey ahead, he says: “I'm really excited to get to travel the route with the Daff Bike, raise lots of money for the charity and meet as many Marie Curie supporters, volunteers and staff as possible to say a huge thank you - from me to you”.

Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces Flex Magic Pixel, bringing the world's first privacy display on a smartphone.#GalaxyS26Ultra #SamsungUnpacked pic.twitter.com/uYVkfZwlVo

— JM. (@Jmadebayo) February 25, 2026

That Privacy Display on the S26 Ultra is a complete game changer . This is next-level innovation. Your screen protects your content, keeping your messages, banking apps, and personal info for your eyes only.#SamsungUnpacked #SamsungS26 @SamsungMobile @SamsungMobileSA pic.twitter.com/QYnHlz3YwV

— Prince Ngwane (@PrinceNgwane) February 25, 2026

I’m still rocking my Galaxy S23, and after seeing the S26 launch, I’m staying put. Aside from a slightly better battery, there is zero reason to upgrade. How can three generations pass with almost no hardware innovation? Samsung is officially coasting. #GalaxyS26 #SamsungUnpacked

— João Dias (@jaodiaas) February 25, 2026

🔋 Battery: Finally, 60W Fast Charging is here.
🤖 AI: The new "all-new" Bixby is actually acting as a true AI agent.

Is the Privacy Display a game-changer for you, or just a cool party trick? Let’s hear it! 👇#S26Ultra #SamsungUnpacked # #Android2026 #GalaxyUnpacked

— Masuda (@Nextgen_En) February 25, 2026

Samsung engineers are changing the game as always! We already have end-to-end protection with Samsung Knox, but now Flex Magic Pixel keeps prying eyes away too. Kudos, Samsung! 👏 #SamsungUnpacked pic.twitter.com/CEkLY5qmjk

— CCR (@canercem_) February 25, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

Serious News
London’s Liverpool Street is set to be redeveloped, even though the plans are controversial.

Network Rail’s £1.2billion project had been given the green light by the City of London on Tuesday.

Similar to London Bridge and The Shard, a mixed-use 97-metre (318ft) tower block will be build on top of the concourse on what is  the United Kingdom’s busiest railway station – while retaining the “unique heritage”.

The plans have come under fire, as actor Griff Rhys Jones (and president of both the Victorian Society and the Liverpool Street Station Campaign or Lissca) says that “A disfiguring billion-pound office block on top of a major heritage asset is not essential to the City's development plans”.

In the plans from Network Rail, concourse capacity will be increased by 76%, passenger flow will be improved as well as step free access from all platforms to street level.

Managing director of Network Rail East says: “This decision represents a key step towards the transformation of Britain's busiest station and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Liverpool Street. With annual passenger numbers forecast to grow to 158 million, this approval ensures the station will be future proofed for decades to come”.

Crazy News
An airport has got a new mascot in Amelia the Airplane.

Sylvia Mejia-Bivens grew up down the road from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and used to watch them – even wanting one day to be close to them.

She has spent the last 10 yeas mastering the role of becoming the costumed airport mascot.

Named after aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, the mascot was created in the mid-2000s by the Airport’s public relations department.

Mijia-Bivens herself has become the longest serving person playing Amelia – before she was an aviation courier and now also works as the administrative aide for the aviation’s technology division. She greets many passengers looking to travel west from Arizona’s largest airport.

The costume is light to wear – fabric is buckled to the staff member who is wearing pilot uniform which looks like they are inside the plane.

Happy News
A museum has opened up an exhibition to celebrate Aardman’s 50th anniversary.

Bethnal Green’s Young V&A hosts some of the clay models and props used in films and television shows from the Bristolian studios.

Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run and Shaun the Sheep are some of the hits that have come from the stop-motion studio.

Alex Newson is the chief curator, and hopes that the exhibit will “inspire creativity” and show that anything is possible with some imagination.

The display began on Thursday 12th February and will run until Sunday 15th November.

Some of the items on display include Lady Tottington, the rocket from Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Day Out as well as early character sketches, concept art, puppets, set models and even optical illusion toys.

This week is National Apprenticeship Week. More than 27,000 people started an NHS apprenticeship in 2024/25, the highest number since data collection began in 2016/17.

Earn, learn and make a difference with an NHS apprenticeship.

Find out more.https://t.co/N6TQgvSlkP pic.twitter.com/7zLs8gO0pZ

— NHS Health Careers (@HealthCareersUK) February 9, 2026

It’s National Apprenticeship Week – an opportunity to celebrate the small employers across the UK that are backing the next generation of talent 👩🏽‍🔧⁰⁰ ✅ Apprenticeships open doors for young people as well as helping small firms to grow and tackle skills gaps.#skillsforlife… pic.twitter.com/vjvClEhFtY

— Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) (@fsb_policy) February 9, 2026

And so it begins! @Apprenticeships and Skills' National Apprenticeship Week.

Listen below to @edfenergy's apprentices, Isabel, Isabella, and Sophie speaking at #NuclearWeek’s Skills and Apprenticeship Fair about why now is a great time to begin an apprenticeship in nuclear.

You… pic.twitter.com/BxFarRkEKQ

— Nuclear Industry Association (@NIAUK) February 9, 2026

It's National Apprenticeship Week and we're recruiting 👷‍♀️👷‍♂️

Today we're opening applications for 34 apprenticeships and 16 graduate roles across HS2 Ltd and our construction partners, with opportunities in Birmingham and London.

Roles include civil engineering, quantity… pic.twitter.com/OKo5w4a9NC

— HS2 Ltd (@HS2ltd) February 9, 2026

Today marks the start of National Apprenticeship Week and an opportunity to shine a light on the positive influence that apprenticeships can have within organisations.

As part of Railway 200, there is a carriage in the touring exhibition train, Inspiration, dedicated to careers… pic.twitter.com/uF4LLOJKXq

— railway200 (@railway200) February 9, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

It found that the majority (55%) of Brits cannot confidently determine whether a ticket listing on social media is real or a scam.

In fact, 26% of Brits have bought tickets on social media because they seemed cheap, only for them to turn out to be fake, losing an average of £258.

Trust in purchasing tickets on these platforms is low, with 60% saying they do not trust buying tickets on X, 54% on Instagram and 53% on Facebook. 

However, such is the desire to land tickets, that nearly half (45%) reported they would still risk losing money buying on social media, even if they suspected it might be fake.

With fan demand likely to surge this year for major concerts such as Harry Styles, BTS and Ariana Grande, as well as sporting events like the World Cup, Get Safe Online has appointed Nick Hawe, former cybercrime police officer, as its Ticket Safety Expert to help protect fans from ticket scams.

As part of Safer Internet Day, personal experiences from those who had been hit by fraudsters were also shared… “We thought we were buying Oasis tickets from a family friend - then £700 disappeared and the tickets never came. Seeing how heartbroken my daughter was devastating”.

Another victim said “I spent all my holiday money on tickets for a Leverkusen vs Dortmund game. Standing outside the stadium and realising they were fake was devastating - I had to call my dad just to get through the rest of the trip”.

The research comes at a pivotal time, as the UK government plans to introduce price caps on resale tickets.

 Nick Hawe, Ticket Safety Expert said: “Ahead of a stellar year of live events it’s alarming to see that 55% of Brits aren’t able to spot a ticket scam.

“To make this worse, the Government is proposing the introduction of price caps on resale tickets exposing even more fans to fraud on social media”. 

Data from Ireland where caps exist shows significantly higher risk: fraud rates are 13.6%, nearly four times that of the UK.

This was illustrated by NFL Dublin, where the absence of legal resale options pushed fans to social media, triggering an 80% spike in ticket-scam victims and a 48% rise in losses, with 17–24-year-olds most affected.

Fans can visit the “Safe Ticket Buyer Tools” page on Get Safe Online, offering free tools recommended by Ticket Safety Expert, Nick Hawe, on how to stay protected from online fraud.

Serious News
Greenwich is about to be the location for London’s largest theatre, as plans for a 3,000-seat venue were given the green light.

Troubadour Theatres (who have  similar venues in Wembley Park and Canary Wharf) will operate the event space which will be located on the eastern part of the Greenwich Peninsula.

There will be two auditoriums which will host 1,500 people and is set to overtake the 2,359 London Coliseum found in the West End.

The planning permission was granted for a temporary period of 10 years, which will then see the land follow the Greenwich Peninsula Masterplan and be home to tower blocks for residential use.

Sylvia Williams, of the Greenwich Millennium Village Residents' Association, says the venue will be a “welcome addition” to culture and wants schools to use the theatre too.

Crazy News
A cash point in Manchester was seen with a login screen for an operating software which was first released in 2009.

Unable to enter Windows 7 (which ended support in 2020) due to the account and password details needing to be entered on a numeric keypad, the cash point looked pretty useless at its job.

Even though there are no more security patches, this is a pretty common thing in the technology world – airplanes and trains use floppy disks to update their onboard computers and we all saw what happened globally back in 2024 with the Crowdstrike outage.

Happy News
A London filmmaker has patented a wheelchair camera system.

Believed to be the first of its kind, Chris Lynch from Stratford teamed up with engineers from Tilta – a company specialising in cinematography equipment – which will allow filming to become more accessible. A Steadicam is attached to the wheelchair with a mount, with a control panel then placed on the operator’s lap.

The invention has already been put to the test in productions on both Channel 4 and the BBC, Paralympic Homecoming and In the Driving Seat respectively.

Speaking of the device, Lynch says: “Filming wasn't accessible, so I decided to create a camera system that could be not only be viewed as a gateway to disabled filmmakers, but a product that would add production value to any set. I wanted to make more of these wheelchair operated cameras and show aspiring disabled film-makers that production is possible for them”.

Sending love to everyone in the world affected by cancer…which is all of us. We are all in this together. #WorldCancerDay #Cancer pic.twitter.com/CyZDDorgeI

— All On The Board (@allontheboard) February 4, 2026

Millions of lives are lost to cancer every year — and many more are forever changed.

Yet up to half of all cancers are preventable and many can be cured if detected early.

More from @WHO on Wednesday's #WorldCancerDay: https://t.co/nwxN31SkML pic.twitter.com/3PmC8YVsWc

— United Nations (@UN) February 3, 2026

Today is #WorldCancerDay.

For many people going through cancer treatment, your donations are vital.

Find out how red blood cells, platelets, plasma and stem cells all play a part.

Thank you for helping to save and improve lives. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/GAPjGfvcxF

— NHS Blood Donation 🩸🩹 (@GiveBloodNHS) February 4, 2026

Nearly 1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime. It’s World Cancer Day today- a global day to raise awareness & take action against cancer. 🩷
Whatever your cancer experience, share this post & help us get the word out.#WorldCancerDay #WCD2026 pic.twitter.com/Fb2Ln7Fx8E

— Cancer Research UK in Scotland (@CRUKScotland) February 4, 2026

Today is World Cancer Day.
Cancer affects millions of lives, but early detection, prevention, and access to care can save lives.

At Medsense, we stand for awareness, and hope because cancer is not just a diagnosis, it’s a global fight we must face together.#WorldCancerDay pic.twitter.com/mFgOhhHfoT

— MedSense News (@MedsenseN) February 4, 2026

Millions of lives are lost to #cancer every year.

Yet up to half of all cancers are preventable & many can be cured if detected early.

Volunteers like Abdoul are helping make that knowledge accessible, raising awareness about breast cancer with @WHO in Gabon.#WorldCancerDay pic.twitter.com/kIR2m4fBBb

— UN Volunteers (@UNVolunteers) February 4, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

Serious News
A new study has found that the rate of building in London’s private housing sector has fallen by 84% since 2015. This comes despite the city needing 88,000 new homes every year.

Molior consultants discovered that last year, work began on only 5,547 private-sector residential properties – that is compared to the 33,782 in 2015.

Member of the London Assembly, Lord Bailey, has announced that the capital’s situation has gone from “difficult to devastating” as “ordinary Londoners are suffering the most”.

A figure of 18,326 homes are set to be completed by the end of the year, with a further 14,053 completed either next year or the following year – that is just 8% of government’s 176,000 two-year target.

Construction has also been paused for 5,009 homes throughout 51 developments, due to building contractors “going bust” because of high costs and currently being a weak sales market.

Crazy News
A new epidemic of thefts from car has unfortunately begun to rise.

Cars are being broken into, not for personal belongings or to take the car itself – but for the parcel shelf. Online, they can sell for up to £150.

A neighbourhood in Bounds Green have had so many cars broken into – the replacements for rear windows can take weeks to be fitted due to the backlogs caused by the demand.

Sam Phipps was a victim and decided not to claim on her insurance due to the cost of excess. After some research she realised that the shelf was listed on eBay and the seller was about 20 minutes away: “We looked on eBay and there were hundreds of them available and, strangely, we found one that was our exact model, the exact year, and it had been placed that morning after ours had been stolen the day before”.

Hampstead and Highgate have also been hit, as the Met Police have opened an investigation.

Happy News
A woman who won £250,000 in the Postcode Lottery donated £25,000 to a hospice, with the company running the draw matching the donation themselves.

Linda Styles gave the Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford the donation after it cared for her late husband, Owen, in the final days before his death in March. 

She says: “They've meant so much to me and continue to support me. I've been coming back to the hospice to attend the bereavement groups - it's a safe space for us all to share our emotions”.

Chief executive of the Heart of Kent Hospice, Ann-Marie Kelly, added: “We're delighted to receive this additional award. It will directly support those with a terminal illness under our care now and into the future”.

81 years ago Auschwitz was liberated. More than one million children, women and men were murdered there as part of the Holocaust. A dark lesson of history; humanity owes it to each of the victims to ensure it will never happen again.@AuschwitzMuseum #HolocaustMemorialDay pic.twitter.com/cK6dqLGAyS

— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) January 27, 2026

Once again, I post this @AuschwitzMuseum photo of Istvan Reiner, as I do every year on #HolocaustMemorialDay. The Nazis had given him a ticket punch to play with. Such a radiant, happy little soul, innocent and pure. And then they gassed him, and snuffed him out. #NeverForget🕯️ pic.twitter.com/FiY8nNgmh6

— Adrian Hilton (@Adrian_Hilton) January 27, 2026

81 years ago today the Red Army liberated Auschwitz, freeing over 7,000 prisoners including some 700 children.

We remember the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides across the world.

Never forget where hate and prejudice lead. ¡No pasarán!#HolocaustMemorialDay pic.twitter.com/3VaMuMYtmG

— Irish Unity 🇮🇪🇵🇸 (@IrishUnity) January 27, 2026

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, when we remember the 6 million men, women & children murdered, simply for being Jewish, & mark 81 years since the liberation of Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp.

Light Up The Darkness. #NeverAgain #HolocaustMemorialDay pic.twitter.com/8m8rp5sGaA

— Claire Bear (Sorcha) 🇮🇪 💜🤍💚 🫀 (@claire88424030) January 27, 2026

I can still feel the sadness that I felt when my son & I travelled to Poland & visited Auschwitz… This horror must never be forgotten. I still can’t get my head around how people could be so cruel! #HolocaustMemorialDay pic.twitter.com/nPlb09jUqe

— Lisa (@HelpForMovers) January 27, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page.

Serious News
A new embassy for China has been approved in central London, right near the Tower of London.

The site was purchased by China’s government back in 2018 for £255million with initial plans rejected by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022 for safety grounds, a new submission was then made in 2024 when the government took over the handlings.

There have been concerns that the site that spans 20,000 square metres could be dangerous as a base for spying and cause security risks, however Security Minister Dan Jarvis has said that intelligence agencies were “integral” and he is “content any risks are being appropriately managed”.

The government have had to balance their desire for closer ties with Beijing and the threat – a further delay in the building could set back diplomatic relations between the countries.

Crazy News
A Swiss Brown cow has surprised scientists in Austria, as she was the first cow to be recorded using tools – specifically a stick to scratch her back.

Veronika is kept as a companion by her organic farmer, Witgar Wiegele, who regards her as part of the family and noticed the bizarre actions over a decade ago.

It has only come into attention when it was sent to scientists, who confirmed that the only animal that has similar actions are chimpanzees.

The movements and end of the brush used change depending on where she is scratching.

A study was conducted by Professor Alice Auersperg, a cognitive biologist, who says: “When I saw the footage, it was immediately clear that this was not accidental. This was a meaningful example of tool use in a species that is rarely considered from a cognitive perspective”.

Happy News
Southwark Council have announced plans to rejuvenate an area of Old Kent Road, which includes a wild swimming pond in a Grade II listed gasholder.

It is still early days for the plans of the park, which is set to be named after the Gasworks founder George Livesey.

Documents say that the facility will be a “unique health offer, with nothing similar in London, the UK or Europe”, adding “What we're proposing is to convert that into an open outdoor wild swimming provision. It would be cold water swimming, filtered naturally through reed beds, so nice and biodiverse. It would be unique, not just in London, but anywhere. There isn't a historic gasholder with a swimming pool in it”.

It would also pay homage to George Livesey, who was “quite the Victorian philanthropist” – he built a library nearby as well as hosting allotments and sporting areas on the gaswork site.

Hey Mr. DJ put that record on! Today is National DJ Day and we wanna recognize and celebrate the crucial role of a DJ through out music history. From radio to clubs and beyond, we appreciate all DJ's!#nationaldjday pic.twitter.com/OjzRvOQX2x

— 19th & 7th (@19th7th) January 20, 2026

It's #NationalDiscJockeyDay 2026
I remember the excitement 1967 as @tonyblackburn launched #BBCRadioOne playing The Move
Flowers In The Rain.The station and #djs took the shape/content of broadcasting to new levels with #discjockeys who had different styles. #NationalDjDay 2026. pic.twitter.com/ZvXE1jo5ni

— Alexander Bisset (@sandymb1956) January 20, 2026

Today is National DJ Day 🎧

Once upon a time — and for the better part of two decades — I was a radio DJ (despite the complete lack of actual “disks”).

Traditional media is a tough industry, and it’s not getting any easier.

Shoutout to everyone still grinding behind the mic. pic.twitter.com/ypHZBUexNB

— vegasvaluations (@vegasvaluations) January 21, 2026

It's National Disc Jockey Day!
Yay to jockin' discs (which most of us don't freaking do anymore)

Here's a couple of Throwbacks for me. pic.twitter.com/ICKAnI7lJq

— LERN (@lernvsradio) January 20, 2026

Today is National Disc Jockey Day.

Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it. To play a small role in a culture that connects people through music, stories and sound is something I never take for granted.

Read more below ⬇️
xoxoxo BamBam pic.twitter.com/wlVdHuAIHo

— Jacky Bambam (@jackybambam933) January 20, 2026

NATIONAL DISC JOCKEY DAY
Each year National Disc Jockey Day recognizes the DJs playing the music and spinning the records. The observance takes place annually on January 20th. pic.twitter.com/yzcmbBFbss

— Duckduckjeep (@duckduckjeep) January 20, 2025

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page!

Serious News
A strike for Met Police staff has been suspended following a vote on a new offer for pay.

The strike was supposed to be go ahead from Monday 19th to 24th January for the 175 members of the Unite union – including call handlers, technicians and office staff.

The regional Unite officer, Keith Henderson, says that there had been a “breakthrough in negotiations” following the earlier offer of an “inferior pay increase” in comparison to the 4.2% increase to other staff and officers from various forces across the United Kingdom.

Crazy News
In a heart-warming video, musician Harriet Cree uplifted the spirits of passengers on board a train which was on its way to Norwich from Liverpool Street.

She was playing the keyboard when an impromptu sing-along and karaoke session from the passengers started to grow, even taking requests from the ticket inspector!

Her dad was also part of the ensemble who sung Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing and Oasis’ Don’t Look Back In Anger.

The caption on her video read: “Excellent use of free will in my opinion”.

It really was a midnight train going anywhere!

Happy News
A couple who are fascinated with trains have spent the last 30 years restoring a former railway station which was left derelict.

Mark and Carol Benson purchased Ebbertson Station in North Yorkshire back in 1996 – 46 years after it originally closed.

The converted ticket office is now a cottage and the three former First Class carriages are also cosy places to rest up too.

The Bensons live in what was the station master’s house, and have since restored the platform and waiting area – with a blue plaque now marking the historic value of the site.

Carol is “Very proud of what has been achieved”, adding: “It has been a lot of hard work”. 

Today’s the day! 📚⚽️

The National Year of Reading 2026 kicked off earlier at The Emirates Stadium – home of @Arsenal. With a host of ambassadors ready to #GoAllIn2026 including @theowalcott, Nadia Shireen and @richardosman.

Read the full story: https://t.co/K0U4Ew3izb pic.twitter.com/CgEA2siVsW

— National Literacy Trust (@Literacy_Trust) January 13, 2026

A host of well-known figures, including footballer @leahcwilliamson and children's authors such as@frankcottrell_b will support The National Year of Reading 2026 to encourage people to read what they love. https://t.co/zXYmBj4M9n

— Lorelli - QE Insights (@Lorelli_Digest) January 13, 2026

Mrs. Phillips has launched our Year of Reading 2026 and we are all in! A special house point has been created which will lead to awards to those who develop their reading through 2026. https://t.co/15R2aR73XZ We will be running various challenges through the year for our pupils. pic.twitter.com/u48LLJUmxx

— Bredon Hill Academy (@BredonHAcademy) January 14, 2026

We’re ready to Go All In to support the National Year of Reading 2026 📚

This year is going to be the greatest celebration of reading the nation has ever seen! Find out more here: https://t.co/viuIaa0Fr5#GoAllIn2026 #NationalYearofReading2026 pic.twitter.com/dNsCfq5O9s

— Headline Books (@headlinepg) January 13, 2026

Proud to support the National Year of Reading 2026. 📚 At the heart of the campaign is a simple but powerful idea: if you're into it, read into it. 📷 #GoAllIn2026 #NationalYearOfReading2026 pic.twitter.com/vQMnjPPcjH

— Eiry Rees Thomas (@EiryReesThomas) January 14, 2026

Our new reading spotlight is New year, New Hero. It’s time to Go All In as part of the National Year of Reading 2026. Our library is full of heroes from cape -wearers to masters of kindness, courage and resilience. #GoAllIn2026 #Wowwednesday @EnglishHubUK @WellspringAT pic.twitter.com/BuQYT1ffRz

— Littlecoates Academy (@LPAcademy16) January 14, 2026

If you would like to suggest a Hashtag Minute for next week’s show, email hello@maritimeradio.co.uk, Tweet us @MaritimeLDN or leave a comment on this page!