Mike Dawson

I am self employed at the moment and trying to launch a training business amongst other things. One of the things I have always been interested in was the media and radio. I heard an advert asking for volunteers and was surprised to hear that you could eventually present your own show. I volunteered for two reasons, one was because I was interested in the technical training I could receive and the second was the challenge of being able to present and produce my own radio show.

Where do you live in Wythenshawe/Manchester and why?
I live in Baguley and the only reason I live there is because that's where I live.

Where do you go when you want to get out of town?
Out of town I virtually live at my brothers in Cheshire. Its easier to do some of the stuff we like to get up to like walking and cycling, whilst I may soon be moving to the Heald Green area or styal

What do you miss most when out of Wythenshawe/Manchester?
Weird but when I return from holiday abroad I always hope it will be raining when I return to Manchetser especially if I have been to a sunny country.
The people in Wythenshawe are fairly unique and if you meet them whilst in another town or part of the world there is always a good crack with the Wivvy lads.

What is your earliest Manchester Memory?
Easy, Me and my little brother were left at our new house in Benchill whilst our mum and dad went back to the old one in moss side. It was probably a couple of hours but because we were so young say 7/8 it felt so long and we were starving. It was a hot summers day and we both lay on the pavement telling each other what we would like to eat. The lady next door who was to become our new neighbour gave us both half an apple each to keep us going. That would have been around 1974. We really savoured that apple and it kept us alive for the time being till our parents returned

Whats your favourite Wythenshawe/Manchester hangout?
Wythenshawe park was always great as a kid but now its more likely to be the snooker club in chorlton or one of the more relaxed bars in Altrincham or Didsbury. The Sawyers in Didsbury suits me fine.

How do you get around town?
Being an old hippy it would be great to say public transport but that is just not possible because I work in so many different locations. You can always tell that you do not have a snazzy car when people say " Well it gets you from A to B" My trusty Fiat Punto 1.1 Firebird does the job admirably. Its nothing special but hey "It gets you from A to B"

Who or what is in your secret address book?
I usually like to keep secret names and addresses in my secret address book. If I was secretly knocking around with say Victoria Beckham then I would put her number in there, also say Kelly Brooke. That way there is less chance of my girlfriend spotting them.

What would you do if you were mayor of Wythenshawe for a day?
Spend the day making exciting and awe enspiring speeches about what needs to be done in our town without actually doing anything about it. I would announce ten years plans that will not come to a pointless fruition until I am long gone and claiming my pension. Some of the time I would be able to make glib off hand racist comments which will divert the publics attention away from the real issues long enough for me to accept my next properly paid role as executive director of the company that has just aquired a multi million pound contract from the city council and whose managing director happens to own a wonderful all expenses paid holiday home in the Algarve.
You know, nothing too out of the ordinary….

Who is the most interesting person you have ever interviewed?
After a short time at Wfm I thought I would have a shot at interviewing someone who has been one of my musical heros for years. Hey and he said yes. Much to good as musician to be mainstream famous the Bible and Fairground attractions Boo Hewerdine agreed. He has though been nominated for an ivor norvello award and written songs for Marti Pello and mel C amongst many others.
It was great to talk to him and there have been loads of really interesting people on the show since

Who would be your dream interview and what would you ask them?
The list is endless because there are so many to choose from such as Michael Moore, Tony Blair, Lady Thatcher as you can see it tends to be political stuff because that's where my interest lies. If I could choose anyone in the world today it would have to be Osama Bin Laden… Before they catch him. What would I ask him? Well it would mainly be with all the money, power and influence your family hold over the United states and the western world. Why did you need to choose violence to fight them instead of utilising that power?

What has being part of Wfm meant to you?
In the short time I have been her I have learned a lot from the training and the staff/volunteers they are a varied and mixed bunch. I enjoy working on the shows a little bit too much but I could always spend my spare time doing something more productive like watching Big Brother. Through the interviews I have been able to meet loads of varied and interesting people and I hope to continue to do so. Yeh its good. You should try it