Peter Beasant is a long-standing civil servant with an impeccable tenure at London’s Court Funds Office.

I spoke with him to uncover and share his wide array of interests to the world at large.

Rawle Austin: What are your abiding memories to date of daily life at London’s Court Funds Office?

Peter Beasant: I have many memories, some sad but mostly happy times.

I also remember the first day we went computerised in October 1988, but above all I remember the friendships I have forged over the years.

And oh yes, I shall never forget the great storm of October 1987.

Making my way to the office with the trees that had been uprooted and were lying outside our office building.

No power, what a day!

Radio voices are like friends. It’s an intimate medium like no other broadcast outlet.

I am pleased to say that Nick returned to the programme initially for 2 days a week, beginning Monday 14th August.

It will be nice having him back on the Radio 4 airwaves again. Back in his customary position which he has made his own for the last 12 years.

RA: You also have a keen interest in theatre, what’s the best play you’ve ever seen?

PB: It’s a musical and it’s The Producers. Which can be considered to be in bad taste, especially as it features an all singing and dancing gay Adolf Hitler!

Mel Brooks wrote the lyrics to the music. It’s based on the classic 1968 movie starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder.

I have seen the show 7 times since it opened in November 2004 but sadly it is to close in January 2007 to make way for the Lord of the Rings musical in May 2007.

If you get a chance to see The Producers, do go. You will not be disappointed I promise you.

RA: One of your passions is listening to classical music, what attracts you to this type of music?

PB: Classical music makes me feel good. It stirs the emotions.

It can move me to tears, make me happy, sad or reflective.

He could write pieces of music like his 2nd Piano Concerto and 2nd Symphony. It melts the heart.

RA: Where did your love for cathedrals spring from?

PB: Reading a book in the library reading room about cathedral church architecture and visiting St Pauls Cathedral in London.

[I also visited] cathedrals in Winchester, Exeter,Salisbury, Guildford and Ely in Cambridgeshire. Not forgetting Canterbury Cathedral.

RA: Which cathedral would you most like to visit and why?

PB: That is an easy one. It’s York Minister because of where it is located. Plus, I have never been to Yorkshire.

I wish I had a good enough voice in my younger days so I could have been a chorister in a cathedral choir.

As for the 1970s, it reminds me of flared trousers, T-Rex, The Sweet, The Osmonds, David Cassidy and Gary Glitter (I apologise for mentioning his name).

My favourite songs from the 1960s would have to be Yesterday by The Beatles, Baby Love by The Supremes, Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones and Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison.

As for the 1970s, [My favourite songs are] Hot Love by T-Rex, Maggie May by Rod Stewart and the Faces, So You Win Again by Hot Chocolate and The Leader of the Gang by Gary Glitter and the Glitter Band.

RA: How would you describe Great Britain to a person who has never been here?

RA: You have a soft spot for the Cotswolds and the beautiful English countryside in general. Could you explain your love for this part of the country?

PB: I love the Cotswolds for its quality of life, human decency, manners, quaint dialects, stone brick houses and honey coloured pastures.

It’s a world away from city life. Life there is so gentle and serene, very tranquil.

RA: If you could choose one country to visit, outside of the UK, which one would it be and why?

RA: Why are you, quite possibly, actress Dame Julie Andrews biggest fan?

PB: Julie Andrews is the best British export to America.

She is like Lady Diana, a true English Rose.

She has a lovely personality, a beautiful complexion and sweet voice.

There is no one like our beloved Julie Andrews. There never will be.

The films are born classics that will never be forgotten. One never tires of them both.

Rawle and I are hoping to see the new London Palladium stage production of The Sound of Music in 2007.

I saw Mary Poppins on stage at the Prince Edward theatre in April 2006 and loved it.

RA: What newspapers do you like to read and why?

RA: What sports do you like to watch and why?

PB: I watch cricket and even though I am a Southerner I have always supported Lancashire since I saw them on the telly in the late 1960s and 1970s.

I achieved one of my cricket ambitions the other week in seeing my beloved Lancashire play at Lords against Middlesex.

My other cricket ambition is to go to a test match and oh, for Lancashire at long last to win the County Championship.

RA: Who are your favourite broadcasters and journalists?

PB: Television broadcasters [would have to include], the late Sir Robin Day, the best political interviewer ever.

Tim Marshall, Foreign Affairs editor for Sky News. Has great authority.

Favourite radio broadcasters would include John Humphreys, always very persistent when questioning politicians, sometimes downright rude but he gets answers.

Jeremy Vine, very slick presenter, great warmth and a brilliant radio voice. Newsnight’s loss but Radio Two’s gain as he fronts its daily current affairs programme.

She is always well versed in her subject and has an effortless radio persona.

The [person with the] best radio voice ever has to be Radio Four’s Sue McGregor.

She was so mellifious and gentle.

My favourite journalists are Robert Fisk of The Independent. He writes on Middle Eastern Affairs.

He has vast knowledge of the area and gives you the big picture, warts and all.

Polly Toynbee of the Guardian. She’s a great social campaigner and the doyenne of her profession.