Skelly leaving Essential Classics

[martin.u]

thanks, looks interesting, will try.

[oddoneout]

From my understanding of Employment legislation there is no requirement for the BBC or any another employer to alternate rotas between the genders.

Didn't the SK/IS alternate working arise originally from their respective health issues requiring a part-time rather than fulltime pattern? Whether that is still necessary I don't know but for whatever reason it continues, for which many of us are thankful. Whether that sharing arrangement will continue is another question about the future of course. I may be sufficiently low-brow to like listening to the morning schedules but the thought of no respite from SK does not appeal at all; limited exposure is the order of the day with her as far as I'm concerned - although I have to say that I think some of the worst excesses have been knocked off over time, noticeably after her return from sick leave.

[eighthobstruction]

....A GREAT SHAME.... Grrrrr

....now we will be left with only gushers....

[vinteuil]

From my understanding of Employment legislation there is no requirement for the BBC or any another employer to alternate rotas between the genders.

... 'alternate' implies two genders. Very binary, as I say

.

[french frank]

From my understanding of Employment legislation there is no requirement for the BBC or any another employer to alternate rotas between the genders.

No, I was only being ironic because that is, in effect, what R3 has done quite a lot for a few years. Petroc/Georgia; Martin/Elizabeth;Ian/Suzy; Tom/Fiona (is that new?); Sean/Katy; Jonathan/Catriona. I don't think it's to do with the legislation, just the BBC saying women must be given their share of high profile (=big audience) "shows" like the breakfast shows.

[Ein Heldenleben]

... 'alternate' implies two genders. Very binary, as I say

.

Ok rotate ?

[Ein Heldenleben]

No, I was only being ironic because that is, in effect, what R3 has done quite a lot for a few years. Petroc/Georgia; Martin/Elizabeth;Ian/Suzy; Tom/Fiona?; Sean/Katy; Jonathan/Catriona. I don't think it's to do with the legislation, just the BBC saying women must be given their share ofhigh profile (=big audience) "shows" like the breakfast shows.

Yes I hadn’t spotted that....

[cloughie]

The thought of Mr Skelly going is bad enough but even worse is the thought of who might be his replacement. It won't be anyone with his slightly subversive approach that's for sure. I do wonder also what changes might be made to the programme as a consequence - " opportunity to re-assess the format", " how best to meet the needs of our listeners" and other such like management-speak phrases that send chills down the spine and heart to boots. It may be rubbish, shunned and decried by many R3 devotees - but I doubt that any who do listen will believe that changes could be for the better, given the recent track record of changes. I wouldn't put it past management to think that some version of the Jorja/Celeste disaster is the way to go.

Prefer to have strings and percussion!

[Cockney Sparrow]

I will read all of this thread, but meanwhile, just to say I have had an uneasy feeling for some time that expressing enthusiasm for Ian Skelly could be rather like putting a mark on him.

I don't know to what extent our feelings are taken on board by the BBC controller etc but surely - if we are so enthusiastic about him, he is appealing to exactly those they feel they no need, whatsoever, to attract? They need to tick those boxes in the HR profiles for diversity and then make sure it appeals to the kids?

Lord help us, it could be to make more room for........(No, I won't say, we all have our own worst fears.....).

(Actually, I think we do know how our views are regarded by the controller - almost complete disdain. Except in the above situation, though).

[teamsaint]

A real disappointment.I enjoy his broadcasting style, which he has adapted nicely to this kind of show.It's hard to imagine who the suits think will actually do a better job.

[hmvman]

https://areena.yle.fi/audio/ohjelmat/yle-klassinen
Try this - OK, yes. links in Finnish, but all listings in English and music is great.

Thanks to DracoM flagging it up this is now my go-to station when R3 becomes unlistenable, especially, as others have found, when Ms Klein is presenting EC.

[french frank]

I will read all of this thread, but meanwhile, just to say I have had an uneasy feeling for some time that expressing enthusiasm for Ian Skelly could be rather like putting a mark on him.

Circumstances changes. Personnel changes (we have a new DG now); priorities change. There was a time back in a distant past when I believed there was a listening ear and said how much appreciation had been expressed for a certain person - and that was before he joined EC . On the other hand …

I think every year they look at all sorts of things, redefine their 'strategy' (aka 'try something else'), the kind of letters they're getting from listeners, not RAJAR at the moment other than historical data, changes in where they want to place their emphasis, what boxes they want to ostentatiously tick.

At the moment: "Radio 3 is a place for anyone who needs a space to think or take a time out. It connects its audiences with the very best of music and culture from outstanding classical concerts to full length radio dramas, Slow Radio to sound art innovations, world premieres to lost and forgotten gems." Chicken McNuggets with chips and lobster thermidor with ketchup and chips.

I don't object to a space to think or take time out. Bit wishy washy for the Radio 3 of old.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I wouldn't put it past management to think that some version of the Jorja/Celeste disaster is the way to go.

If that were to happen, I imagine even Suzy Klein would rebel.

[french frank]

Is this the D Telegraph article that was mentioned on another thread? I didn't look because it mentioned the firewall, but I have been able to read Ivan Hewett's piece headlined:

The BBC’s continual sidelining of classical music is proof it has forgotten its mission

Classical music was barely mentioned in a Proms recruitment ad – and it's becoming an afterthought at the Proms itself, too

Also a small extract:

"Thinking about this reminded of a training course I attended almost twenty years ago, when I worked at BBC Radio 3 as a presenter. It was all about how the network should change its style to become more diverse (we didn’t call it that in those days, but the concept was the same). The main item was a presentation from a black DJ and producer, and I’ve never forgotten what he said. He gave lots of advice about how the network could be more approachable and win new audiences, but the essential message which he hammered home again and again was: don’t change your mission. Believe in the music you promote, and show you believe in it."

[antongould]

I would, of course, be sad but not surprised if Skellers didn’t appear at 09:00 tomorrow ..... I feel he has broken the news in a way the suits, given their silence, aren’t happy with ..... we shall see ...... I am worried by Cockney Sparrow’s theory that my endless praise of the great man may have contributed to his fall from grace .......