London Riots

Firstly this morning to the UK…where the rioting which began in one London suburb at the weekend has now spread across the capital, and also to a number of other English cities.
We are being told this morning that every jail cell in London is now occupied, and that those arrested are being brought to police stations outside the city, as police struggle to contain the disturbances.
Prime Minister David Cameron has cut short a family holiday in Italy, and is currently chairing a meeting of the elite emergency committee, COBRA.
Myles Dungan was joined this morning by Sky News Reporter, Enda Brady and by Peter Beaumont, a Foreign Affairs specialist who writes for both The Guardian and The Observer and who lives in Tottenham, one of the areas of London worst affected by this violence…

Cyprus

Cyprus has joined the list of countries in danger of needing a bailout. The island is reeling from the effects of a huge and deadly explosion which has crippled the economy.

And if that were not enough, the country’s banks are overexposed to Greek debt; and the government is struggling to impose an austerity package that would help the country meet Eurozone spending requirements.

The BBC’s correspondent Tabitha Morgan joined Myles from Nicosia

Sprouts

The contaminated seed that killed forty eight people and infected almost four thousand in Germany last June also had repercussions in Ireland, almost wiping out a five million euro business in sprouted seed.
But now the company- ‘Good for U Food and Drink’- has been fighting back, determined to keep their jobs as well as their place in the market. Valerie Cox went to meet the Butler family who run the company.

Book – ‘The Paper Garden’

If you ever wondered what ladies of privilege in the 18th and 19th centuries did in their free time besides reading and embroidery, then a new book….describes how one hobby, gardening inspired a second pass time that of mosaic making….. The lady of privilege in question was Mrs Mary Delany who created mosaics from coloured paper. Inspired by her garden she used contrasting shades of the same colour to create pictures that would recreate nature’s beauty. Her life has inspired many, Molly Peacock is one such person, and author of The Paper Garden – the story of Mary Delany’s art and life, and how it impacts on her own life.

Toni Lee and Karen Carpenter

We’ve Only Just Begun – The Love Songs, A Celebration of The Carpenters starring TONI LEE as Karen Carpenter is coming to Ireland for a short tour and she joined Myles in studio to give him a flavour of the show.

Irish Theatre Festival in West Cork

Heir Island, Sherkin Island , Bere Island, Goaleen, Lisavaird and Ballydehob may trip off the lips as West Cork get away destinations…..but not I suggest as venues for top class Irish theatre. However for the past few years and this year for the month of August West Cork is experiencing the phenomenon of the Fit Ups of old as the Theatre company Blood in the Alley stages four plays in these venues. The plays are Donal O’Kelly’s Catalpa, Marina Carr’s Woman and Scarecrow, Elaine Murphy’s Little Gem and Pat Kenovan’s Silent……