Eastbourne man features on BBC’s Desert Island Discs

An Eastbourne man has been interviewed on BBC’s Desert Island Discs.

Chair of the British Paralympic Association (BPA) Nick Webborn CBE appeared on the radio show yesterday (Sunday, February 27).

Mr Webborn, who is also a clinical professor at the University of Brighton’s Eastbourne campus, chose David Bowie’s Heroes as his first disc.

He said, “This was the music that was played as we walked into the opening ceremony in London 2012 and I was appointed the chief medical officer for the British team.

“Every time I hear that track I immediately get taken back to the opening ceremony of the Paralympics Games, London 2012 and how the British people received us.”

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Mr Webborn also chose the Hallelujah chorus.

He said, “This, apart from being a wonderful piece of music, is something my dad would play.

“When we got back from midnight mass on Christmas Eve or Easter time, dad would come back, get the record player, put on the Hallelujah chorus, he would get out a tray and there would be the goblets with some champagne in - we were even allowed a sip when we were younger.

“It just brings me back to family and my father and being together at Christmas and Easter.”

Mr Webborn also reflected on his youth after choosing Jamaica Farewell by Nina and Frederik.

He said, “We had these records at home.

“We used to sing Jamaica Farewell in our class singing lessons.”

Mr Webborn spoke about how a friend at school from Jamaica used to come home with him during the holidays.

He said, “He would come home and be part of our family.”

Mr Webborn also reflected fondly on a trip to Jamaica when he visited his friend.

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