Webchat with Jane Garvey (from Woman's Hour), MONDAY 6 OCTOBER at 1.30pm

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

We're pleased to say that broadcasting stalwart Jane Garvey will be joining us for a webchat on Monday 6 October at 1.30pm.

Jane has worked in radio for around 30 years. Hers was the first voice heard on Radio 5 when it was launched in 1994, and she forged a highly successful partnership with Peter Allen on the Drive show. For seven years now she has been presenting Woman's Hour on Radio 4.

Please join us on Monday to talk all things radio (and probably lots of other things too) with Jane - and, as ever, if you can't make it on the day, please post up your questions in advance here.

[EDIT] UPDATE! Jane will also be talking about our 'Chore wars' survey, which will be covered on Woman's Hour today at 10am - so do please let us know your thoughts on who does what in households where there are two adults plus a child/children.

Thanks
MNHQ

I've been listening to Woman's Hour for more years than I care to admit, and you are far and away my favourite presenter, not least because you are so un-smug.

My question is: if you were given free rein to control the future development of Woman's Hour, what would you do?

I love Woman's hour.

Jane, do you consider yourself knowledgeable, thanks to WH, or were you already a curiously intelligent lady beforehand? What comes first, the intelligence or the curiosity of life?

I'm a recent convert to Women's Hour (unfortunately as a child my parents listened to nothing but Radio 4 and it put me off for a long, long time). I love Women's Hour and listen whenever I can, often via podcast.

However my first choice radio station over the last 20 or so years has been and remains 5Live. I felt really sad listening to Peter Allen leave Drive last night, you two were my favourite ever pair of radio presenters - any chance of working together again?

I've been listening to some of the old WH interviews which have been made available recently. So many fascinating and inspiring voices.

Is there anyone that you feel WH ought to have featured? The one that got away?

I listen to the podcast version on my commute. I just wanted to say thank you for such interesting interviews! Who have you most enjoyed interviewing, and why?

I've been listening for a couple of years now and really enjoy it.

I'd like to know:

Which subjects do you find the most difficult to cover, either personally or professionally?

Thank you.

Hi Jane,
I think you're great. Do you feel hopeful that awareness of feminism is growing in young people again?
My daughter is 6 and I'd like to think she has a bright future as a female and not just one of make up, tight clothes etc. which seems to be so prevalent.

I loved, loved, loved listening to you and Peter Allen on R5, when I used to drive home from work.

I'm gutted to hear that Peter Allen has left as well

Not a question really, but just to say how much I love listening to your voice. You have a beautiful timbre, as they might say

Um, can I have another one? Sorry to be cheeky.

How do you ensure your voice sounds so clear and consistent? You always sound perfectly in control and very measured.

I love woman's hour as a non TV owner it the only programme I make time for.

I always wonder why do you always advertise the podcast on the podcast. I am already listening to the podcast ergo I know about the podcast!

On a more serious note. I loved the woman's hour power list, the variety if people I had never heard of who play important roles in our lives, which of the successful nominations most surprised you?

While I've for your attention I would like to say that for all I love woman's hour for it's up to the minute woman's perspective on current issues my absolute favourite are the women dug up from the mire of history to bask in limelight (however temporary) that they so richly deserve.

Keep rockin those middle class air waves ;)

UPDATE! Jane will also be talking about our 'Chore wars' survey, which will be covered on Woman's Hour today at 10am - so do please let us know your thoughts on who does what in households where there are two adults plus a child/children.

Thanks
MNHQ

Hello Jane,
Would you say the MN survey a good reflection of your personal experience?

FURTHER UPDATE OCCASIONED BY MONDAY MORNING BLEARINESS: Woman's Hour is running a full month of activity on the theme 'Chore Wars', and their coverage of our survey today is a part of that.

They're going to be looking at national research, and are also asking people to use the Chore Wars calculator so that they can analyse listeners' experiences.

Just another thought about WH - cookery and music. I'm happy with musicians and chefs as guests but the actual performances/demonstrations seem superfluous when there are so many other programmes dedicated to both. I tend to fast forward through these bits on podcasts. I wondered what the logic is behind featuring them?

Hello Jane. What do you think about the phenomenon of women on MN being very frank about their sex lives? Jenni Murray seemed a bit disgusted about the whole thing

Caught the segment on WH this morning. My main thought was that it was light-hearted but here on MN (I'm thinking particularly "Relationships") we see the darker side of this problem. Will WH be covering chore disparity to the extent that is holds women back from work and study and keeps them in unhappy, unhealthy relationships?

Hi Jane

I always enjoy it when you are on Woman's Hour because of your good sense of humour and also you are very sympathetic towards your guests. I warmed to you even more when you once described what you would rather do than watch a fantasy film such as the Hobbit .

I was wondering what are your best and worst moments whilst presenting Woman's Hour?

Sorry also forgot to say, that I enjoyed the chore wars stuff on this morning, but there was no mention of gardening, nor is it included in the calculator. I know not everyone has a garden, but many do and basic jobs like weeding and cutting the grass take up time. Just saying... (guess who mows the lawn in our house )

Jane you are my favourite presenter and I have an audio crush on you I love your sense of humour on WH, it's so refreshing.

Have you ever had to cope with things going horribly wrong while on air, and what did you do?

Hi Jane,

Welcome! On the subject of Chore Wars - I just wondered if you had any thoughts about what men and women can do as parents when it comes to raising sons, and trying to stop the next generation growing up to perpetuate this inequality? Obviously trying to set a good example, but as the survey shows, that's not always very easy! And I think a lot of the problems stem from outside the home actually...

Phew, made it.

Saker you have a lawn in your house?

Hello Jane - here's my question: As the parent of daughters what keeps you awake at night about the world they are growing up in and what can we do that's more practical than just worrying? I have 2 young DDs and the the internet, porn, eating disorders, plastic surgery, everything I read on Everyday Sexism and a whole truckload more besides are niggling away in a HowTFdo-I-equip-them-for-this? kind of way. (Not that parents of sons have it any easier but I always want to ask wise and cool mothers of daughters what they do).

Thank you - another big WH fan. My Dad used to listen all the time :)

And fresh from Woman's Hour, Jane is here, poised to answer your questions.

Hi Jane - welcome and thanks for coming along. Can I ask a cheeky question, are you a Mumsnetter?

Katie