An audience of over 300 filled the performing arts centre at St Swithun’s School, Winchester last week for a talk by BBC presenter and author John Humphrys about his life’s work, politics, the BBC and his current nightmares. Mr Humphrys presents Radio 4’s Today programme and TV’s Mastermind, having anchored most news programmes on TV and radio in his 50 years’ career.
Apart from his broadcasting work Mr Humphrys writes books (seven so far) and newspaper columns and has set up his own charity: the Kitchen Table Charities Trust. The proceeds of this evening went to the Trust, to help it directly fund the work of small charities in building schools, providing water, and alleviating poverty for the poorest people in the world.
During the evening he shared anecdotes from his long and prestigious career including stories of Tony Blair and their infamous encounters. Equally fascinating were his insights into journalism following 56 years in the profession. These included the horror of the Aberfan disaster.
During the interval, Mr Humphrys signed books with all proceeds going to his charitable organisation, the Kitchen Table Charities Trust. The evening concluded with a question and answer session during which the audience learned of Humphrys’ greatest career aspiration: to interview the Queen. He revealed her answer to his request to give an interview “No, and even if I did, it would not be with you.”