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My time has come

Dancers in Need for Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Children in Need happens on Monday, and there is no way out. I never, ever thought I'd dance, and to be honest when you see my steps you might agree.

Practice, practice, practice is the answer. But often there are no suitable partners available... Or is it just that nobody wants to dance with me?

They look even bigger when they bounce!

My routine will go on public display for the first - and last - time at the Shire Hall in Chelmsford.

My time had almost come

Strange how you don't realise how badly events can turn out until you sit and think about them. Driving along the M8 in Scotland last week and I was just about to pass a truck loaded with those huge, round straw bales when one of them hit the underside of a motorway bridge.

Our 'USA News Anchor' Nick Alliker

There were round bales rolling around everywhere - and thinking about it I was just seconds from being squashed beneath the load - not the way I'd choose to go!

Ahead of our time

A huge week for world news with the election of the new American President and we were certainly on the ball on The Ray Clark Breakfast Show, with our very own Nick Alliker going Sleepless in Seattle, well actually it was Sleepless in Michigan. Nick's on holiday in the States, where the clocks are at least five hours behind us, but we persuaded him to stay up until the early hours to report on events for Planet Ray.

Planet Ray listeners chicken Mr.White

We also linked up with American radio station KDKA Pittsburgh to get the latest. It's a radio station that I've been involved with in the past and they were as interested in hearing our questions about American politics as we were with their answers. So Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Essex was relayed to the people of Pittsburgh.

Chicken Time

Chickens in Herefordshire are getting scared by hot air balloons flying overhead. I quite like the idea of keeping chickens and Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Essex Drivetime presenter, John Hayes has been thinking about getting a flock of birds too.

Planet Ray listener Carolyn from Chelmsford got in touch to tell us about her pet chicks. I think they live a charmedÌý life in her garden, but then you don't get too many hot air balloons over central Chelmsford do you?Ìý

The story 'wot' you write

Good old Bruno saved the day - with help from The Story Lady.

Stop Press

No pressure here then - In the unofficial office sweepstake Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Essex bossman Big G has drawn ...Raymond Colin Clark. There's no way out - It's gonna be murder on the dance floor!ÌýÌýÌýÌý