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Chris Haskins

Sue Lawley's castaway is chairman of Northern Foods Chris Haskins.

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the Chairman of Northern Foods, Chris Haskins. Until recently he was something of a curiosity - a big businessman who was also a lifelong supporter of Labour and enthusiastically pro-Europe. It was the Aldermaston marches in the late 1950s which influenced his political beliefs. Sent to report on them for the Irish Times, he was soon swept along by the protesters' enthusiasm and sense of purpose.

It was then too he learnt his organisational skills. When put in charge of sorting out accommodation for thousands of extra marchers, he fled to the pub. By the time he returned they had gone. Problem solved. He joined Northern Foods after falling in love with the owners' daughter. At that time, it was a small company providing milk for doorstep deliveries. Today, it's one of Britain's biggest food companies.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Symphony No 9 In D Minor Adagio by Ludwig van Beethoven
Book: The collected works by Sean O'Casey
Luxury: Pen and paper

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 19 Dec 1997 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Ludwig van Beethoven

      Symphony No. 9 in D minor 'Choral' - 3rd movement

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

      • Beethoven, Symphony 9.
      • Deutsche Gramaphon.

  • Marilyn Monroe

    I Wanna Be Loved By You

    • Love Songs Vol 4.
    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radioplay.

  • The Beatles

    She's Leaving Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

    • Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
    • Parlophone.

  • Paul Robeson

    Joe Hill

    • The Essential Paul Robeson.
    • VMCD.

  • Todd Matshikiza

    Be Smart Be Wise

    Artist: Cast Of King Kong

    • King Kong (All African Jazz Opera).
    • Decca.

  • AntonΓ­n DvoΕ™Γ΅k

    Symphony No. 9 in E minor 'From the New World' - 2nd movement

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

    • Dvorak:Symphonies 8 & 9.
    • EMI Classics.

  • If You Miss Me At The Back Of The Bus

  • Theatre Workshop

    They Didn't Believe Me

    • The World Of World War One.
    • Decca.

  • Book Choice

    • The collected works - Sean O'Casey

  • Luxury Choice

    • Pen and paper

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Chris Haskins

Broadcasts

  • Sun 14 Dec 1997 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 19 Dec 1997 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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