Farmers' Markets

There have been markets for hundreds of years but in the last decade a new kind of market has been growing in popularity, farmers' markets.

In this programme we find out what a farmers' market is and we speak to those who visit them and those who sell at them.

Before you listen to the programme look at these comprehension questions. You can hear the answers in the programme. Check your understanding by trying the quiz from the Extras section below. You can also download this programme in mp3 format and follow it with a transcript.

1: What are the two main rules for people selling at a farmers' market?
2: What reasons do people give for shopping at the farmers' market?
3: What does Paul sell at the market?
Vocabulary from the programme

strict rules
rules which must be followed closely

produce
a word for food that has been grown to be sold

banter
informal friendly conversation and gossip

rapport
relationship with other people, getting on

Example
He was a very popular teacher, he always had a good rapport with his students.

to convert (someone)
to change the way that someone thinks about something, often from negative to positive

Example
I never used to like olives, but recently I was offered some and now I'm converted, I love them!

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Extras

Programme script (pdf - 20k)
Download this programme (mp3 - 1.8mb) 
To go to the original BBC page click here

Callum: Hello, I'm Callum Robertson and this is London Life. Today's topic is a relatively new kind of market which is now very popular in London and across

Britain. Markets have been around for centuries, but in London a new kind of market first arrived only about 7 years ago. What kind of market? – Farmers' Markets.

So what is a farmers' market and how are they different from normal markets? To answer these questions I spoke to Mark Handley from a company called London Farmers' Markets which organises farmers’ markets in London. He says that there are two main rules that apply to farmers' markets – what are they? Here's Mark Handley.

MARK HANDLEY

A farmers' market is maybe slightly different from a regular market. There are strict rules that govern the people that can attend and sell at the market. There are two main rules, the first rule is that the person that attends the market has to be the producer or the grower of the food they are selling, so that means there are a lot of farmers that sell at the market, they might be selling meat, vegetables, dairy products also sometimes fishermen that have either farmed the fish they're selling or caught the fish they're selling or possibly bakers that have baked the bread and then they are selling that direct. The other thing that defines a farmers' market is that the produce that is being sold comes from a specified geographic area, so that might be 100 miles from the market, it might be 30 miles from the market so that the produce is local and fresh

Callum: Mark Handley from London Farmer's market explaining that in these markets the people selling the goods have grown or made them themselves and that they come from a particular area. This, he says, makes sure that the produce – the food being sold – is local and fresh.

And what do people who visit farmers' markets feel about them? We visited one just outside London to find out, listen out for the different reasons that people give for visiting farmers' markets.

VOICES

So why do you come to the farmers' market?

Trying to avoid supermarkets to be honest. Trying to buy local and fresh produce and support

the local businesses.

Produce is always fresh and I like to support the local farmers, that's why we do it.

It's nice to come and try different foods and taste different foods, so it's just variety really.

We know the things are fresh. They're a bit more expensive, that's all. The thing is I mean these eggs most probably they were laid yesterday.

Well I like to support local produce and I always think the things are very fresh and nice and I just feel we should keep it all going really.

Callum: There were a number of different reasons given there, some people want to support local farmers and not use big supermarkets, even if the produce is more expensive in the farmers' market and most people said that the produce was fresh. One man commented that the eggs he bought were probably laid only the day before.

That's how the public feel about farmers' markets, but what about the farmers themselves – do they enjoy it? Paul sells goats' cheese which he makes himself.

He talks about the banter with the customers, which is the chatting and gossiping and he also talks about the rapport with customers – the good relationship. Listen out for those words rapport and banter.

PAUL

So what do you like about coming to the farmer's market as opposed to selling your cheeses elsewhere?

It's the banter, meeting the public, having a chat, like yourself, having a general chat. The rapport between the general public and yourself, it's absolutely fantastic. You can convert some people. A lot of people say they don't like goat's cheese, can't stand it but they like cheese. They try our little samples, they love it. It's fun, it's wonderful.

So do you think you get a better quality of food here than you would at a supermarket for example? Absolutely because everything's fresh, it's all our own produce from all our own animals on our farm, it's the best, it's absolutely the best.

Callum: Paul says that the banter and rapport is fantastic and it gives him the opportunity to convert some people – they think they don't like goat's cheese but he chats to them and encourages them to try a little bit, a sample, and they do and, he says, they love it.

That's all from this edition of London life, with all this talk of food I'm getting a little peckish, now I wonder where my nearest farmers' market is …

The Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall

Frank Sinatra, Pavarotti and The Beatles all performed at the Royal Albert Hall - and even Winston Churchill spoke there.

But when and why was it built and who does the Hall hope will fill its 7,000 seats?

Before you listen to the programme, have a look at these comprehension questions. You'll hear the answers during the programme.

1: Who is the Royal Albert Hall named after?
2: The area where the Royal Albert Hall was built has a special name; what is it?
3: The suffix 'polis' is used to form a combined noun. What does it mean?
4: The Chief Executive Officer says the Hall is not 'elitist'. What does he mean by that? 

Vocabulary from the programme

commissioned
requested and paid for
e.g. He commissioned a special building for the country to use.

steward
a person whose job it is to look after a building, especially during events
e.g. The steward made sure everyone had left after the meeting before he locked up the building.

creepy
if you find something 'creepy', it makes you feel nervous and a little bit frightened
e.g. I don't like being by myself in the office after dark; it's creepy.

haunted
visited regularly or lived in by ghosts which are the spirits or souls of dead people

---

Extras

To get to the original BBC page click here

Programme script (pdf - 22 k)
Download this programme (mp3 - 2.2 mb) 

More on The Royal Albert Hall

Yvonne: Frank Sinatra, Pavarotti and The Beatles all performed here – and even

Winston Churchill spoke here. Today, join me, Yvonne Archer on a visit to the

Royal Albert Hall with London Life from bbclearningenglish.com!

The Royal Albert Hall is a wonderful, round building in London which was

officially opened in 1871. It was named after and 'commissioned' by Queen

Victoria's husband and Consort, Prince Albert – so he arranged for it to be built

and paid for it. Prince Albert's dream was that the country should always have

a place to celebrate the arts, industry and sciences. But did The Royal Albert

Hall make his dream come true? Let's hear from a tour guide…

CLIP FROM GUIDED TOUR

Everything Albert dreamed of came true. And do you know, even today, this area is still

known as Albertopolis. Isn't that lovely? I want one of them. What do you think?

Yvonne: Sadly, Prince Albert died 10 years before the Royal Albert Hall was finished,

but as it's still being used today, I think it's fair to say that his dream did come

true! Here's another chance to hear that short clip again, but this time, try to

catch the unofficial name for the area where The Royal Albert Hall was built…

CLIP FROM GUIDED TOUR

Everything Albert dreamed of came true. And do you know, even today, this area is still

known as Albertopolis. Isn't that lovely? I want one of them. What do you think

Yvonne: Hmmm – I don't think Yvonneopolis has quite the same ring as Albertopolis,

do you? As we heard, the area where The Royal Albert Hall is built is still

known as 'Albertopolis'. This suggests that it's one of the most important

buildings in the area - and that Albert was a man of the people.

The suffix 'polis' – spelt P-O-L-I-S… comes from the Greek for 'city' and the

Latin for 'belonging to the people' – so as the tour guide suggested, it's a lovely

suffix to add to a name. Other places which also make use of the suffix 'polis'

include the Acropolis in Greece, Teresópolis and Petrópolis in Brazil, which

are believed to have been named after Teresa and Peter of the Portuguese royal

family. And of course, who can forget the Metropolis in the film "Superman"?!

Is there an important place or building where you live that uses the suffix 'polis'?

Who's it named after? And is there anyone who you think should be honoured

in this way?

IDENT

Yvonne: Linda Clifford is the longest serving steward at the Royal Albert Hall and is

now Head Steward. She started working there in 1986 and told us about two

very special ladies who visit the Hall once a year. Who are they – or at least –

who do you think they were?

Linda Clifford

There are several ghosts. Two ladies that walk just below us on a certain day in the year. Now

I've been here when the lights have been switched off. I have to admit, it's quite creepy. The

doors creak and you could turn around and – maybe there was something there? Yvonne: Perhaps the two ladies were performers who appeared at the Royal Albert Hall

in the past. And maybe one of them could even be Queen Victoria?! Well,

whether you believe in ghosts or not, Linda says there are several at the Royal

Albert Hall… it's 'haunted'! So with the lights off, the ghosts and the creaking

doors, it's a 'creepy' building – it's a bit frightening and eerie.

Linda Clifford

There are several ghosts. Two ladies that walk just below us on a certain day in the year. Now

I've been here when the lights have been switched off. I have to admit, it's quite creepy. The

doors creak and you could turn around and – maybe there was something there?

Yvonne: Probably best known as the venue for the Proms, the Royal Albert Hall can

seat 7,000 people and over 300 performances take place there each year. But

what type of people do they hope will come to those performances? Listen out

for the terms 'cross section' and 'narrow section' which mean opposite things as

the Chief Executive at the Royal Albert Hall explains…

Chief Executive, Royal Albert Hall

What we're looking for is a balance of programming over the course of a year that enables us

to provide something for everybody so that we can reach young, old – really, an entire cross-section. Because the one thing the hall is not about is being elitist and only appealing to a

narrow section of the audience.

Yvonne: Performances at the Royal Albert Hall are carefully designed to 'reach' or

attract all types of people. The Chief Executive says it isn't 'elitist' – so it isn't

just for very rich, powerful and privileged people to use. And that was

certainly Prince Albert's dream!

London Chocolate Week

This year London Chocolate Week promises to be as enticing as ever... Who can resist all those events where it's free to taste so many different types of chocolate?! 

Of course, chocolate's always been a great way to tell someone that you're sorry after an argument or to let someone know how special they are. So why is chocolate often seen as something we shouldn't really eat? 

In this edition of London Life, we find out all that and more! Before you listen to the programme, have a look at these comprehension questions; you'll hear the answers during the programme. You can also download and follow it with a transcript. 

1: What is a 'chocoholic'? 
2: What is the main difference between very dark chocolate and white chocolate? 
3: Who discovered chocolate? 

Vocabulary 

to be very fond of something or someone 
to love something or someone in a gentle way and to think of them as special and very dear to you 

the creeps 
a very unpleasant and sometimes frightening feeling 

Example 
The old house gives me the creeps; they say there are ghosts in it! 

hand-made 
something that's made without the use of machines so that each piece is different 

source 
a place where something, here cocoa beans, come from 

organic 
something that has been grown or raised on soil where chemicals to control pests, for example, haven't been used for a certain number of years 

too indulgent 
something that you enjoy so much that you eat or take much more of it than is good for you, you over indulge 

husk 
the dry outer covering or shell of some fruits and seed 

You can listen to this programme here (click on download at the bottom)

Yvonne: Hello, I'm Yvonne Archer and this is London Life from

bbclearningenglish.com!Now don't get me wrong, chocolate's great but I seem to be one of the few people who can live without it. Here are some of the reactions I got about the news of London Chocolate Week. It seems that chocolate may be magical – so try to catch the special chocolate term that one person uses to describe herself and her family!

INSERT

Oh I think that's a great idea to have a chocolate week – ooh that's very nice! I mean I like chocolate, I don't absolutely adore it but I do, I have to say I'm very fond of it.

I do like chocolate; I could say I love chocolate.

Oh I love chocolate, especially very, very dark chocolate – very expensive chocolate – I love

it. I come from a family of chocoholics.

Yvonne: Cath's from a family of 'chocoholics' – a whole family of people who are addicted to chocolate! So they must have it – and they really can’t do without it. Cath enjoys very, very dark chocolate – so chocolate that's made with lots of cocoa and that reminded me how much I enjoy the odd bit of white chocolate… chocolate with just a little bit of cocoa. So what's Nuala's reaction to that?

Nuala

Ooh no, oooh - I hate white chocolate. Ooh, it just gives me the creeps. No, I have to lick my teeth just to get the taste away.

Yvonne: No white chocolate for Nuala's birthday then! She hates it so much that it gives her 'the creeps' – it gives her a very unpleasant feeling when it's in her mouth. Nuala says she has to ‘lick her teeth’ after eating white chocolate – rub her tongue over her teeth to take the taste away as quickly as possible. Oh well, more for me then!

Mark du Market, a chocolatier – a chocolate maker – explains what he thinks are the best chocolates. Listen out for how they're made and for a very special ingredient that can't be grown or bought…

INSERT - Mark du Market

I would say it's the hand-made chocolate using the best beans and ask your chocolatiers, where do you source your chocolates from? You don't just want to look at the percentage; you want to see that the beans are of good quality and that there's passion behind it.

Yvonne: Mark thinks that the best chocolates are made by hand rather than by a machine.

He says we should ask our chocolatiers where the cocoa beans come from – as he put, where they 'source' the beans – as well as how much is used in the chocolate. So, is there a high percentage of cocoa in the chocolate? But did you also notice that Mark says there should be 'passion' behind making chocolates?

So the best chocolates are made by people who love making them.

The ancient Aztecs from South America discovered chocolate and thought of the cocoa tree as a source of wealth and strength. They used the beans like money but also crushed them and mixed them with spices to make a type of bitter- tasting hot chocolate drink. So it was very different to the sweet hot chocolate that we enjoy today. But that's history and London Chocolate Week is all about what's new in the world of chocolate. So have our friends made any recent discoveries? Try to catch the different types of chocolate they mention:

INSERT

My favourites I think are orange dark chocolate and I also really like butterscotch chocolate.

Pepper and chocolate – wonderful combination – delicious. Cadmium tastes really nice, lavender tastes very good, rosemary, thyme, oregano…

I think organic chocolate is something that's quite new and that seems to be very delicious.

Yvonne: Well, as delicious as organic, fruity or even herb flavoured chocolates are, people still feel as though they shouldn't eat it? Try to catch the three main reasons why…

INSERT:

Chocolate is not very good to me. Not only does it make me put on weight and is bad for my teeth but it also, and believe it or not and I'm a man in my 50s - but I still get spots when I eat chocolate.

Well I suppose because it's fattening and I suppose people do say it's quite good for you. They say it's good for the heart and good for the blood but I suppose I do still have in the back of my mind that it's a bit too indulgent and I shouldn't really be doing it.

Yvonne: Do you also find chocolate 'too indulgent' – it's so enjoyable that you sometimes you eat more of it than is good for you? And did you catch the three main reasons why Kaz and Cath try not to eat too much chocolate? We heard how it makes them 'put on weight' - 'it's fattening'. We also heard how it's bad for our teeth – because chocolate is made with lots of sugar. And poor Kaz says that chocolate still gives him spots – something that mainly young people get!

But somehow, I doubt that Kaz or Cath will ever stop eating their beloved Chocolate.

So here's some good news: there are scientific reports which say that eating chocolate is good for the heart and that the husk of the beans – that’s the shell that covers each bean - might be good for cleaning our teeth!

The Monument

Looking down from the top of The Monument

In September 1666 the City of London was devastated by The Great Fire. To commemorate the event and celebrate the rebuilding of the City The Monument was built. 

In this programme we find out more about The Monument with the help of James Clare, the Historic Buildings Architect for the City of London. We also go to the top and talk to visitors about the experience. 

Before you listen to the programme, look at these comprehension questions. You'll hear the answers during the programme. Test your understanding by trying the questions in the 'Extras' section below. You can also download the programme and the transcript. 

According to the information in the programme: 
1: When did construction of the Monument begin? 
2: How tall is The Monument? 
3: How many steps are there to reach the top? 
4: What is the significance of the Monument's height? 

a monument 
A statue or building that is put up to commemorate or remember an event or a person 

a column 
a tall, vertical post, often made of stone and with a cylindrical shape 

a viewing platform 
a place where people can stand to look at something of interest or beauty 

a breather 
a rest, a short time to get your breath back in the middle of some kind of exercise 

 You can download here

Callum: Hello, I'm Callum Robertson.

London is famous for many of its sights and historical buildings. Buckingham

Palace, Big Ben, the Tower of London, to name but a few. Today I'm visiting one, a monument, which perhaps you may not have heard of but is also well worth a visit. A monument is a statue or building that is put up to remember and honour a person or event and this one is rather tall.

My guide today is James Clare who's the Historic Buildings Architect for the

City of London and we are at the Monument to the Great Fire of London.

James I wonder if you could tell us a little bit about this monument.

James: Yes, it's a tall stone column and there are stairs inside that you can climb and view London from the top. Just above that viewing platform there is a golden ball of fire that commemorates the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Callum: You said there that the Great Fire of London was 1666, when was the

Monument built?

James: It was started in 1671 and finished in 1677.

Callum: Who was responsible for designing it and building it?

James: There was a Commission set up jointly between the government, which was the Crown and the City of London and they had equal representation on that committee. The leader for the Crown was Sir Christopher Wren and the leader for the City was Robert Hooke.

Callum: And Christopher Wren had an important part in another one of London's most famous buildings, didn't he?

James: Yes, he designed and supervised St. Paul's Cathedral, the new cathedral in the classical form which replaced the old Gothic cathedral which had been destroyed in the Great Fire. And you can get a good view of St. Paul's from the top of the Monument.

Callum: Well I think that's a prompt, I think we should go up into the Monument, go to the top and have a look at St. Paul's from up there.

(Entering the building)

Callum: We've just come into the monument and were at the bottom and if I look up I can see there's a very tall staircase which we're going to climb. How tall is this?

James: Well it's over 200 ft tall, that's about 61 metres and there are 311 steps to the viewing steps to the viewing platform.

Callum: 311 steps! Well we better get going, 1… 2 … 3…

James, as we're going up here, how many times have you been up this monument?

James: Well over the past twenty years I must have been up here about 50 times and it's exhausting!

Callum: Well, we've just stopped for a little breather as we've got a tiny window here and from it we are lined up directly with the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral. And

James you don't think that's an accident, do you?

James: No, the building doesn't seem to be aligned on a North, South, East, West axis.

It seems to be slightly twisted, almost as if it was intended it should be possible to view St. Paul's from it.

Callum: So do you think Christopher Wren was maybe just pointing out some of his other work?

James: I think it was jointly Hooke and Wren were keen experimenters and they were both working on St. Paul's, it was just them being playful probably.

Callum: Ok, well let's continue our journey up to the top……308, 309, 310, 311. And we finally made it up to the top and what a spectacular view.

Well we're out now on the viewing platform. We're looking towards one of

London's more famous landmarks which is Tower Bridge. Really is a fantastic view from up here. James, I wonder if you could tell us a little bit more about the Monument.

James: Yes, it was at the time probably the tallest free-standing building in Western

Europe. Another interesting piece of trivia is the fact that the height of the building is considered to represent the distance from the building to the site where the fire started in Pudding Lane.

Callum: So we're at the top of the Monument and I'm going to find some people to speak to, I've got some people here, hello, what's your name:

(introductions)

Callum: We're up over sixty metres, what do you think of it?

Man: It's a really amazing view, it's really nice, we have a perfect view over the whole city and I really enjoy it.

Woman: It's really cool, I can't say any more. You must be here and see it, all the city

Callum: Did you find it very tiring coming up the 311 steps?

Man: It's the perfect sport and so I don't need to go the gym later.

Callum: So it's good exercise and a good view at the end?

Man: Yes, of course!

Callum: OK, thank you very much.

Man: Thank you.

Callum: Well some good advice there from some visitors to the monument, good exercise and it's a good view. James, thank you very much for joining us today and telling us all about the Monument.

James: It's been a pleasure, thank you.

Callum: Well that's all from this programme 61 metres above the streets of London.

Now, time to go back down those 311 stairs!

The South Bank

 

The South Bank of the River Thames is a cultural centre for London with its theatres, art galleries, cinema and music venue. 

In this edition of London Life we talk to Jude Woodward who is the adviser on culture to the Mayor of London and she tells us more about what kind of entertainment is on offer at the South Bank. 

Before you listen to the programme, look at these comprehension questions. You can hear the answers in the programme. Check your understanding by trying the quiz from the Extras section below. You can also download this programme in mp3 format and follow it with a transcript. 

1: Does Jude think that the South Bank is the cultural heart of London? 
2: What is the Tate Modern? 
3: Which famous English playwright had plays performed at the Globe theatre? 

Vocabulary: 

in the heart of 
to be in the centre of somewhere 

to challenge (ideas or people) 
to question truth, values or authority 

unique 
the only thing of its kind 

authentic 
real and genuine 

an incredible range 
a very wide choice 

You can download here

Anna: Hello, I'm Anna Jones and this is London Life. And today we’re looking at the cultural side of London life and one area in particular which has many cultural events on offer.

Our Learning English colleague, John Escolme recently met Jude Woodward who is the adviser on culture to the Mayor of London. John asked Jude if the area of London we are talking about today is “the cultural heart” of London – is it the most important part of London for cultural events and activities? As you listen try to catch the name of the area of London we are talking about?

JUDE WOODWARD

Can we really say this is London’s cultural heart this area that we’re talking about – the South Bank?

Well I imagine some other areas might feel challenged by that but I think it’s true.

Anna: Well the name of the area is the South Bank which as its name suggests is situated on the south side of the River Thames in the heart of London. Now that expression “in the heart of somewhere” means to be in the most central part of it.

Well as we heard earlier – John asks Jude if the South Bank is London’s cultural heart. What does she reply? Does she agree or disagree with John?

Listen again.

JUDE

Can we really say this is London’s cultural heart this area that we’re talking about – the South Bank? Well I imagine some other areas might feel challenged by that but I think it’s true.

Anna: Jude agrees with John – she says - “I think it’s true.” However she adds that “some other areas might feel challenged by that”. She thinks that some other “areas” or parts of London might not agree with her and John – they might feel challenged by it. If you “challenge” ideas or people then you question their truth, value or authority.

Anna: Jude goes on to talk about the South Bank area in more detail. She describes it as “quite unique.” If something is “unique” then it’s the only thing of its kind.

Jude describes the different cultural “venues” or places where cultural events happen on the South Bank. Try to listen out for them and the different kinds of cultural activity that they offer.

JUDE WOODWARD

I think it’s quite unique, particularly that combination of around the South Bank the fact that you have a music venue, the Hayward Gallery which is an art gallery, you have the National

Film Theatre which is film, you have the National Theatre – then moving along you’ve got

Tate Modern which has got one of the best collections of modern art. You’ve got the Globe which gives you authentic Shakespeare productions.

Anna: Jude mentions various venues on the South Bank: there’s a music venue which is the Royal Festival Hall and two art galleries – the Hayward and the Tate Modern. Jude says that the Tate Modern has “one of the best collections of modern art. The South Bank also has the National Film Theatre or cinema and two theatres - the National Theatre and the Globe theatre. Listen again and this time try to catch what kind of productions you can see at the Globe theatre.

JUDE WOODWARD....

Anna: Well at the Globe you can watch “authentic Shakespeare productions.” If something is described as “authentic” then it means it is real and genuine. So why is the Globe authentic? Well the new Globe theatre is built on the site of the original Globe theatre, it is the same design as the original and produces plays written by England’s most famous playwright – William Shakespeare.

So you can’t get much more authentic than that! Jude ends by saying that there is nowhere else in the world like the South Bank where you can find such an incredible “range” or wide choice of cultural events in a beautiful setting by the river. And she adds that’s “leaving aside” or not even mentioning all the other fantastic things on offer there such as shopping and restaurants.

JUDE WOODWARD

Where else in the world can you find such an incredible range of artistic and cultural things on offer leaving aside the restaurants, the other things, the shopping those sorts of things which are available there. Nowhere else in the world has that and particularly not on such a fantastic riverside setting.

Anna: That's all from this edition of London life, now I might just wander down to the

South Bank to see what’s going on …..

Royal baby talk

Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge

The wait is over! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's new baby boy has arrived.

Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge was born on Monday 22nd July and is 3rd in line to be the future king.

In 6 Minute English we talk about what to say when a new baby arrives and what kind of life a royal baby can look forward to.

This week's question:

When was Prince William - the father of the new baby - born? Was it:

a) 21st May 1982

b) 21st June 1982

c) 21st October 1982

Rob: Ah, what a familiar sound - a baby crying! Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English,

I'm Rob…

Neil: ….and I’m Neil, hello. So Rob, is that the sound of the new royal baby?

Rob: No – it’s not the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s new-born baby – although I’m sure their little one is just as loud!

Neil: Yes – we know all about babies, don’t we Rob, because we are parents. We know all about childbirth – well, almost as much as our wives – and all the advice people give us about caring for our children.

Rob: We do – hold on, I’ll just calm this baby down (Baby stops crying) – that’s better. So, I might have excellent parenting skills but how different are they to the ones William and Kate will need? We’ll be discussing that soon and looking at some of the language of having a baby. But first, how about a question, Neil?

Neil: Good idea.

Rob: How well do you know the British royal family? Do you know when Prince William –the father of the new baby – was born? Was it on:

a) 21st May 1982

b) 21st June 1982

c) 21st October 1982

You can listen to the programme here

Neil: I don’t really remember but I’m going to go for b) 21st June 1982.

Rob: Ok - I’ll let you know the answer later on. But now let’s get back to 2013 and the arrival of the latest member of the royal family. Neil, when your baby was born, how did you announce it – or tell people

Neil: With my first child I phoned and texted. With my second child only two years later it was all about Facebook.

Rob: Indeed. Well, when my daughter was born in the maternity unit at our local hospital, I sent out texts messages to my friends and family. I know people also send out cards or photos of the baby.

Neil: And then later some people have a baby shower – not a shower with water – but a party where people give presents for the baby.

Rob: I’m sure the royal baby will get a lot of presents but when royal births are announced, there is a lot of protocol – or special, traditional ways of doing things.

Neil: Yes, when Prince Charles was born in 1948, the announcement was very formal.

Listen to the words that were used in this BBC broadcast….

BBC Newsreader:

It has just been announced from Buckingham Palace that her Royal Highness, Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh was safely delivered of a prince at 9.14pm and that her Royal Highness and her son are both doing well. Listeners will wish us to offer their royal congratulations to Princess Elizabeth and the Royal Family on this happy occasion.

Rob: So, the newsreader very formally gave the good news that Princess Elizabeth – now Queen Elizabeth – was ‘safely delivered of a prince’.

Neil: Delivered – that sounds like delivering a letter – but here it means ‘gave birth to a baby’. The newsreader also said that people want to give their ‘royal congratulations’.

Rob: Yes, and he described it as ‘a happy occasion’ – so a happy moment and something to celebrate. But now, once it was officially announced, news about the latest royal birth spread quickly around the world via social media.

Neil: It is the 21st Century Rob - and I think this new baby will have a very different upbringing – that’s the way parents look after the baby. Of course William and Kate will have the benefit of having a nanny – someone to help out with childcare and doing the housework around the palace.

Rob: Very nice. But it has been reported they want to become more involved in caring for their baby than royal parents did in the past. They don’t want the nanny to be a replacement mother.

Neil: Well that’s good to hear and by showing modern parenting skills it may set an example to other parents.

Rob: Of course the new baby is going to lead a very different life to our children. One thing is for sure, ours won’t become king. But babies from all backgrounds need feeding and changing. Not everything about having children is great eh Neil?

Neil: That’s true. I don’t think I’m going to miss those dirty nappies. So come on Rob, it’s time you gave me the answer to the question.

Rob: Earlier I asked you if you knew when Prince William – the baby’s father – was born?

Neil: And I said 21st June 1982.

Rob: You are right. He was born in June 1982 – so would you say he is quite young to be

a father?

Neil: These days I suppose he is quite young, compared with me, yes – but those sleepless nights will make him feel older!

Rob: OK Neil, could you remind us of some of the vocabulary that we heard today.

Neil:

 little one - baby

maternity unit - part of the hospital where babies are born

a baby shower - a party where people give gifts for the new baby

protocol - accepted way of behaving at official occasions

delivered - (in this case) given birth to

upbringing - how a child is treated and educated by its parents

nanny - a woman whose job is to help take care of someone’s children

nappies - thick pieces of soft cloth or paper fastened between a baby's legs to catch solid and liquid waste. The American word is diaper.

Rob: Thanks Neil. OK that's it for this programme. Do join us again soon for more 6 Minute English.

Both: Bye.