Neil Gits Diverted

Have you noticed how many streets in our residential areas are having the pavements dug up ? You can hardly go out anywhere locally without stumbling across a stretch of road with those red and white plastic barriers protecting us from tripping over large mounds of earth and falling into a deep dark hole in the ground ! Many of my short walks lately have seen me switch routes to avoid the men in their orange overalls busily installing some sort of super-full-hyper-mega-fibre broadband stuff that improves our internet to a level that each company claims to be ” Our Best Ever ” …

Although I was perfectly content with my broadband, I had mine updated in Summer 2025 simply because my provider offered me a very good deal to change which would work out considerably cheaper than my previous tariff. It took weeks to complete due to one unforeseen issue after another and for about a week caused a bit of inconvenience to my neighbours as they dug one exploratory hole after another.They did give me six months for free by way of an apology as a result which was nice – but did I notice any difference whatsoever following the switch ? Did I heck !!

Unfortunately it seems I started a ‘trend’ in my home town, with everyone following suit recently ! Not only that but one key part of road that I use regularly had to be inconveniently closed for about four days. It meant a two minute drive into town for my shopping required a seven minute diversion !! I normally take the 10-12 minute walk to the supermarket for my shopping, to save petrol and get some exercise & fresh air, but in that week I had a couple of heavy items on my list and several frozen food items which necessitated using the car.

Of course, so far this year it’s been way too cold and wet to consider doing any walking ‘for pleasure’ but hopefully when I resume I will find all the work around my house has been finished and my neighbours will be happily streaming, gaming, downloading & scrolling though their phones while I enjoy a stroll or two in the real world away from life’s endless technology ! Don’t expect me to divert from the ‘norm’ on my show this year either – it may be 2026 but the emphasis on the music will stay very much on the good old days of the 70s & 80s – this is the latest playlist :

The Tunes – Monday 19th January 2026

Savanna – Never Let You Go
Real Thing – Whenever You Want My Love
SouLutions – Overdose Of Joy
Linx – You’re Lying
Paul Hardcastle – Don’t Waste My Time
Omar ft Honey Larochelle – Research
Tower Of Power – So Very Hard To Go
Louie Shelton ft Lua Crofts – Better Days
Originals -Down To Love Town (original Version
George Benson – Love X Love
Dan Hartman – Instant Replay (Full 12″ Version)
Spyro Gyra – Morning Dance
Slave – Smokin’
Loleatta Holloway – That’s How Heartaches Are Made
Isaac Hayes – Type Thang
Mike & Brenda Sutton – Anyway You Want My Love
MJ Soul – You’re The One
Sir Spencer ft Jessica Childress
Aretha Franklin – You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman
Thelma Houston – Never Give You Up
Jean Carne – Let Me be The One
Gladys Knight & The Pips – Bourgie Bourgie

Feel free to get in touch with your soulful request or just for a mention on the show – put a post on “The Old Gits Soul Show” page on Facebook, text (01268)833978 or message me via e-mail : [email protected].

The Old Gits Soul Show is broadcast LIVE from 7pm–9pm every Monday, repeated on Saturday evening from 5pm–7pm, on Gateway 97.8FM in Basildon & East Thurrock, across Essex & East London on DAB and available nationally via the Radioplayer on your TV, as well as worldwide online at www.gateway978.com You can listen on your smart speaker or your phone too … plus you can hear it again anytime you like via the “Listen Again” button on the Gateway website – just search “Cool Soul” !