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Just William by Richmal Crompton. 4: The Fall of the Idol

Maurice January 30, 2026

William is at it again! Another of Richmal Crompton’s wonderful stories about a young man who isn’t naughty, isn’t evil, isn’t in any way deliberately unpleasant to anyone or any thing. He’s Just William! Read for you by Maurice Newman.

Just William, by Richmal Crompton, 3: William Below Stairs

Maurice January 23, 2026

William runs away and accidentally finds employment in a grand house. He’d prefer to be a pirate, but he’ll do it in stages. Read for you by Maurice Newman

Just William, by Richmal Crompton: 2 – Willam the Intruder

Maurice January 19, 2026

Willam, in the guise of an American Indian chieftain, interjects himself between his older brother Robert and Robert’s latest life-long love. Read for you by Maurice Newman

Just William, by Richmal Crompton: William Goes to the Pictures

Maurice January 12, 2026

William, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary imagination, goes to the cinema. These stories are set in the era of silent film, and children who are supposed to be ‘seen, but not heard’. The times were different, but children remain ruggedly independent…

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome (Omnibus edition – Chapters 10-19)

Maurice January 8, 2026

The concluding half of this famous Victorian comedy novel, read for you by Maurice Newman

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome (Omnibus edition – Chapters 1-9)

Maurice January 8, 2026

Yes, it’s true, you can simply kick back and listen to Maurice read this classic Victorian comedy for hours and hours without having to change channels once. Hooray! Because the whole book in one file would collapse the average laptop, the set…

Three Men in a Boat (not to mention the dog) by Jerome K Jerome. Chapter 19.

Maurice January 2, 2026

Chapter 19 – the end of the adventure: Oxford.—Montmorency’s idea of Heaven.—The hired up-river boat, its beauties and advantages.—The “Pride of the Thames.”—The weather changes.—The river under different aspects.—Not a cheerful evening.—Yearnings for the unattainable.—The cheery chat goes round.—George performs upon the…

Three Men in a Boat (not to mention the dog) by Jerome K Jerome. Chapter 18.

Maurice January 2, 2026

Chapter 18: Locks.—George and I are photographed.—Wallingford.—Dorchester.—Abingdon.—A family man.—A good spot for drowning.—A difficult bit of water.—Demoralizing effect of river air. Read for you by Maurice Newman

Three Men in a Boat (not to mention the dog) by Jerome K Jerome. Chapters 16 and 17

Maurice December 22, 2025

CHAPTER XVI. Reading.—We are towed by steam launch.—Irritating behaviour of small boats.—How they get in the way of steam launches.—George and Harris again shirk their work.—Rather a hackneyed story.—Streatley and Goring. CHAPTER XVII. Washing day.—Fish and fishers.—On the art of angling.—A…

Curtain Up Christmas Special 2025

George Mulcahy December 19, 2025

Near fm presents Curtain Up Christmas Special 2025 presented by Declan Cahill. A festive feast of Christmas rhyme, song and poetry celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.

Three Men in a Boat (not to mention the dog) by Jerome K Jerome. Chapter 15

Maurice December 16, 2025

Household duties.—Love of work.—The old river hand, what he does and what he tells you he has done.—Scepticism of the new generation.—Early boating recollections.—Rafting.—George does the thing in style.—The old boatman, his method.—So calm, so full of peace.—The beginner.—Punting.—A sad accident.—Pleasures of…

Three Men in a Boat (not to mention the dog) by Jerome K Jerome Chapter 14

Maurice December 9, 2025

Wargrave.—Waxworks.—Sonning.—Our stew.—Montmorency is sarcastic.—Fight between Montmorency and the tea-kettle.—George’s banjo studies.—Meet with discouragement.—Difficulties in the way of the musical amateur.—Learning to play the bagpipes.—Harris feels sad after supper.—George and I go for a walk.—Return hungry and wet.—There is a strangeness about Harris.—Harris…