My very first meeting with Dawn Payne took place over 20 years ago yet I can remember it like it was yesterday. We were in the planning stages of Sunset Radio having been awarded the licence some months earlier and we were in the process of recruiting the staff.

Yesterday, friends and family gathered to celebrate the life of a truly remarkable individual. His name was Colin Walters! Colin was the founding Programme Controller, then later, Managing Director of Piccadilly Radio and changed the lives of so many individuals including me. The stories told by the likes of Jim Hancock, Brian Beech, Chris Briar and others will live long in the memory. The more personal family contributions were simply beautiful. Having been in this game for quite a long time I have some favourite songs for times like these. I think Vince Gill says it best.

On Tuesday 11th June 2019 friends and family attended Huntcliffe Wood Crematorium to say our final goodbye to Mike Tuck's mum Susan. I had only met her twice but had the great pleasure of interviewing her at the Sharks End Of Season do. She was truly inspirational.

Lydia Bernsmeier-Rullow | Poet in Residence mikeshaft.com

Two weeks ago, Kevin Cadle, one of British Basketball's greatest coaches was laid to rest. Back in September of 1998 two colleagues, Deno Tofalos (now deceased), Chris Tofalos and me Mike Shaft published the magazine SHOOTtheHOOP. In that first issue we paid a full tribute to the man himself. It took some time but I finally managed to track down that copy of the magazine. This is the final part of that article. Some of the photos are from that original article but others are from more recent times.

On Thursday the 9th of November 2017, friends and family came together to say goodbye to one of the most influential human beings I have ever had the pleasure to meet...My Man! Mr Kevin Cadle. There were many tributes to Kevin or Michael as he was known to his family who had made the trip over from the States. Perhaps the most moving tribute came from one of his dearest friends in the UK, Renaldo Lawrence. Renaldo finished his tribute with a letter he wrote to Kevin soon after Kevin's death was announced. The applause at the end told us all what Kevin meant to him and to all who knew him.

This week, Kevin Cadle, one of British Basketball's greatest coaches will be laid to rest. Back in September of 1998 two colleagues, Deno Tofalos (now deceased), Chris Tofalos and me Mike Shaft published the magazine SHOOTtheHOOP. In that first issue we paid a full tribute to the man himself. It took some time but I finally managed to track down that copy of the magazine. This is part two of that article. Some of the photos are from that original article but others are from more recent times.

It was recently announced that Kevin Cadle, one of British Basketball's greatest coaches had passed away. Back in September of 1998 two colleagues, Deno Tofalos (now deceased), Chris Tofalos and me Mike Shaft published the magazine SHOOTtheHOOP. In that first issue we paid a full tribute to the man himself. It took some time but I finally managed to track down that copy of the magazine. This is part one of that article. Some of the photos are from that original article but others are from more recent times.

Well having looked everywhere to find the interview I gave up and published this original post without it. recently while working my way through my archive I found the interview with Richie Benaud. I hope you enjoy it.

For as long as I have been presenting Sunday Breakfast on BBC Radio Manchester, we have had a Thought for the Week, and for as long as I can remember I have been contemplating adding some of these to mikeshaft.com. Well on Sunday the 7th of August the Thought was presented by Methodist Minister & TV Producer David Waters. This seems as good a place as any to begin.