About this episode

Matthew Bannister discusses the contributions of various figures to society, including Martyn Butler's work in HIV awareness, Allan Massie's literary influence, Professor Nicola Fear's research on military health, and Willie Colón's impact on salsa music.

Matthew Bannister on Martyn Butler who was a central figure in the UK’s early response to HIV and AIDS. He was a co-founder of the Terrence Higgins Trust and gave his own home phone number as a helpline. Allan Massie, the Scottish author and critic whose hero was Sir Walter Scott. Sir Ian Rankin pays tribute. Professor Nicola Fear, the epidemiologist who studied the effects on military personnel of serving in the Iraq War and Afghanistan. Willie Colón, the American trombonist who was inspired by his Puerto Rican heritage to create salsa music. Interviewee: Tony Whitehead Interviewee: Sir Ian Rankin Interviewee: Professor Sir Simon Wessely Interviewee: Garth Cartwright Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies Assistant Producer: Ribika Moktan Editor: Glyn Tansley Archive used: Martyn Butler seminar recording, Terrence Higgins Trust, THT YouTube channel, uploaded 26/06/2022; Terrence Higgins Trust actuality recording, Week In Week Out, BBC Wales, 29/10/1985; News report, BBC News, 08/01/1987; Advert: Iceberg, Department of Health and Social Security, Dir Nicolas Roeg, Voiceover: John Hurt, 1987; Allan Massie, The Book Programme: First Novels, BBC Two, 11/02/1978; Allan Massie interview…

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