Clare in the Community

Update: 14th Sept 2010
Sorry folks, under threat of legal action by the BBC I have had to withdraw these audio downloads, and I have no desire to tangle with the world's finest broadcasting corporation.

Clare in the Community

I heard this radio series on BBC Radio 4 by chance, and although I smirked at some of the material, I thought my wife (who works in social services) might find more to relate to. I therefore ended up recording them as they were broadcast or made available on the BBC's Listen Again service.

Ever since I volunteered the MP3s of them on a bulletin board somewhere, long ago, there have been many requests for them from all around the world. I thought it was about time to make their availability and downloading process a bit easier than it had been, hence what you see here.

There were five series spanning 2004-2009. The latest series has just finished airing (March 2009). Each one featured the well-known comedienne Sally Phillips as Clare Barker plus a supporting cast of (in my opinion) fairly run-of-the-mill supporting actors. I suppose I just fancy Sally Phillips, if I'm honest.

Here's the BBC's program description:

Like plenty before her, Clare Barker has entered a caring profession so that she can sort out other people's problems rather than deal with her own. A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis. Secretly regarding herself as a cross between Mother Theresa and Wonder Woman, Clare tends towards self-importance and considers most other professions as trivial. She is in her early thirties, white, middle class and heterosexual, all of which are occasional causes of discomfort to her. Each week we join Clare in her continued struggle to control both her professional and private life.

Anyway, enough of my prattle. You can either click on one to listen to it, or to download it, you'll need to right-click and choose Save As.

NB:

  • The files are all MP3s, with a bit rate of between 128Kb/s and 192kb/s
  • Each one is between 25MB and 39MB. It takes about 2 mins per episode on a 2MB broadband line.
  • Quality wise, series 2 and 3 were recorded off BBC Listen Again. Series 1,4 and 5 were recorded live off Freeview and are better quality.

It's Free!
Oh, and by the way, if you feel like donating some money for my time and effort then please do so. Internet storage also costs money! I can only accept electronic payment at the moment via PayPal, but you don't need a Paypal account to pay me. A credit or debit card is fine - and it's secure.

All contributions gratefully received. Thank you. 

19 June 2007: New download site.

Please download from this new site. I have had to use a 3rd party for file hosting. I have had to remove the links below as I am running out of space. Unfortunately you will have to suffer some advertising when you follow this link, but I couldn't sustain the cost of hosting them on my site any longer. Rest assured that they're all the same audio files and they're all intact. Thank you for your patience.
Series 1
1

Babysitter

 Clare Barker has entered a caring profession so that she can interfere in other people's lives rather than deal with her own. When her colleague Helen has a date, Clare becomes a baby sitter. SONY RADIO AWARD BRONZE 2005 COMEDY
2 Adoption Clare is looking forward to new neighbours and has been through their personal belongings. However, their noisy sex life keeps her and Brian awake every night.
3 Glad to be Ray Clare doesn't understand why she has never been invited to Ray's flat, especially as everyone else has.
4 Last Words Clare is "racked with relief" when her most difficult client, Mrs Crossingham, dies and she is obliged to attend the funeral and console the relatives.
5 Combat Zone Its time for the Sparrowhawk Family Centre office Christmas party.
6 Stage Fright Brian writes a play that is a barely disguised portrait of his life with Clare and his longing for student Megan.
 
Series 2
1 Past Caring Social worker Clare Barker (Sally Phillips) enters a caring profession so that she can sort out other people's problems rather than deal with her own.
2 Relax Brian persuades Clare to take a holiday, but Clare can't switch off. Will the office fall apart without her?
3 Meet The Press Clare is delighted to accept an invitation to be interviewed for Women's Hour. But her colleagues are less than delighted that Clare alone will represent social workers. Meanwhile, Brian is having his own problems dealing with a disgruntled drama student.
4 Brian Come Home Brian leaves Clare, and Megan eagerly offers her services as a relationship counsellor.
5 Mean Streets Clare and the team volunteer for the street count, but helping the homeless isn't the priority.
6 Doolah's Choice Megan's baby is due and Helen and Simon's wedding is imminent.
     
Series 3
1 Letter From America Clare and Brian are house hunting.
2 Merry Christmas, Mrs. Laurence Clare is determined to survive Christmas Day with her family.
3 Brenda's Birthday Clare is coerced into helping Megan organize her one-year-old daughter's birthday party.
4 We Need To Talk About Brian Clare and Brian are about to move into a new home, but when Clare finds something disturbing whilst packing, will she want to move anywhere with Brian?
5 The Red Cap Clare has a new student social worker with an army background, which is good as Clare doesn't have time to toughen up trainees.
6 Claire's Last Stand Clare and her colleagues are enjoying an easy day at a conference - until Clare's nemesis Peggy turns up and issues a challenge that Clare can't refuse.
 
Series 4
1 Mother of All Mothers Clare's mother piles pressure onto her already faltering relationship with Brian.
2 A Game of Two Slavs At couples counselling, Clare and Brian are encouraged to share their interests.
3 And the Winner Is Nominations are required for the Social Worker of the Year Award.
4 Carry On up the Amazon Clare discovers that Helen's son Gareth is not actually spending his gap year in Borneo.
5 My Funny Valentine Brian is amazed that Clare has remembered Valentine's Day and booked a restaurant.
6 The Long Goodbye Ray's colleagues celebrate his civil partnership and Brian reassesses his life.
 
Series 5
1 Name Calling There are still plenty of challenges out there for a caring social worker. Or even Clare.
2 Too Cool for School Clare manages to make a friend.
3 Girls on Film Clare has a new trainee social worker to break in and becomes the subject of a documentary.
4 It's Good to Talk An old university friend visits with a confession to make.
5 Garden Party Clare organises a petition to keep the Sparrowhawk Family Centre open.
6 The 1864 Mining Disaster Clare organises a charity benefit to try to keep the Sparrowhawk Family Centre open.

 

 


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