Akasha's thoughts, reflections and insights can be found at her new blog page

Sunday 26th February 2012

There have been so many interesting and controversial items in the news recently, and I'm looking forward to joining Aled Jones again as his  Interfaith guest on his BBC Radio2 "Good Morning Sunday" show. As usual it will be an early start but there is always the Listen Again facility for those who like a lie-in!  

Sunday 30th October 2011

As BBC Radio2 ends Faith in the World week, I'll be joining Aled Jones as his Interfaith guest on his Good Morning Sunday show between 7.30-8am when we'll be discussing amongst other things some of the comments from Shelagh Fogarty's excellent enquiry "What has Religion done for Women?" If this is way too early for you, you can always listen again during the following six days.

Tuesday 6th September 2011

This morning I was one of a number of guests on Mark O'Donnell's morning show who was invited to contribute to the discussion about whether schools should still be holding a morning Act of Worship with a Christian emphasis given our multi-cultural society. (It is actually law) You can re-listen to this interesting debateon BBC Wiltshire for the next six days. To hear my comments, stream to 1hour 48.

Sunday 17th July 2011

SPECIAL NOTE: I have just posted my Moment of Reflection given on Aled JonesGood Morning Show on Sunday 17th July 2011 to my blog pageand you can also listen again on BBCiPlayeruntil Saturday 23rd July 2011 (stream to 1:37:24 of the recording).

If you're an early bird you can catch Akasha in conversation with Aled Jones on his Good Morning Show talking about Interfaith, news stories and also giving a Moments Reflection. However, if you prefer a bit of a lie-in at the weekend, you can listen again later in the day!

Sunday 13th February 2011

Today Akasha is an invited guest on Nicky Campbell's BBC1 TV Show The Big Questionswhich this week are "Is the Big Society just a figleaf for the cuts?"; "Should prisoners have the vote?" and "Should you change your faith for love?"

Sunday 8th August 2010

Today Akasha is guesting again with Mark Jones on his BBC Wiltshire, Sunday Breakfast show. You can read her Thought for the Day on her blog at www.akashalonsdale-interfaithminister.com or listen again for the next week at BBC Wiltshire between 7.40 and 8.30am

Sunday 23rd May 2010

Another early start when Akasha will be guesting with renowned Welsh singer and presenter, Aled Jones on his BBC Radio2 Good Morning Sundayshow between 7.30-8am! If you're awake, have a listen. If not, you can listen again on the BBC website until Saturday 29th May - this linktakes you to the relevant page - where you can also read my Moment of Reflection from the show.

Sunday 15th May 2010

Recently I had a telephone interview with Nomi Morris, a journalist for the Los Angeles Times - this was the outcome: www.latimes.com/news/

Sunday 14th March 2010

If you are a UK early-bird then you can catch Akasha guesting with BBC Wiltshire's Mark Jonesbetween 7.30 - 8.30am. She will be commenting on some current issues and offering a Thought for the Day. If you miss the live show you can always use the "listen again" function during the week.

Friday 12th March 2010

Recently Akasha talked to Doreen Wachmann of the Jewish Telegraphabout her journey to becoming an Interfaith Minister, and her new book "Do I Kneel or Do I Bow?"You can read the resultant article on their website (until the 19th March just click on PROFILE in the right hand menu and after that, the relevant heading on the left)

March 2010

Rev. Akasha's new book "Do I Kneel or Do I Bow?: What you need to know when attending Religious occasions" is now available both in the UK and the US. This is a multi-faith book that introduces you to each of the world's major faiths -the historical background, their beliefs and Holy texts, festival and Holy days together with how they are celebrated or commemorated. It also outlines what you can expect to see and experience at a regular worship service, as well as containing detailed explanations on the ceremonies of birth, coming of age, weddings and funerals, together with what you need to know if you are an invited guest. A practical, comprehensive and down-to-earth guide to meet the needs of our multicultural society. It is published by Kuperard, London and you can purchase a copy onlineor you can buy it from your local bookstore.

Thursday 25th February 2010

At around 11.15am (UK time), Heather Stott of BBC Manchesterwill be chatting to Rev. Akasha about the importance of her new book "Do I Kneel or Do I Bow?: What you need to know when attending Religious Occasions"in today's increasing multi-cultural society.

Sunday 10th January 2010

Between 9 - 10am, I will be guesting on BBC WILTSHIREwith presenter Mark Jones who has invited me to tell a bit of my story and choose a selection of music with personal meaning in my life. If you're around, click the BBC link to listen....

November 24 - 28th, 2008

Every day this week on BBC Wiltshire Radio, I will be offering a daily thought at around 6.50am. If you're a UK early bird, you can listen live on the following link or tune in to FM 104.3.
BBC Wiltshire

October 21st 2008

Jeremy Vine of BBC2 Radio speaks to Rev. Akasha Lonsdale.

Yesterday, Gayle Williams, an aid worker in Afghanistan was targeted and shot by two men. The reason given was that she was promoting Christianity. You can hear Akasha's response to BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine, as to whether it is wise for Christian aid workers to be in a Muslim country, by going to www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/vine/then click on Tuesday's "Listen Again" function and stream to 15 minutes into the show.

Sunday 19th October 2008

At 7am (BST), I have been invited back by BBC WiltshireSue Davis to comments on this weeks news and events. If you're a UK early bird, you can listen live ....and on the studio webcam you might just catch up drinking tea and eating chocolate biscuits! Last time I was caught chair dancing to some great music....however I hadn't realised at the time that there was a webcam! Do I care? You bet I don't - life is for enjoying at every opportunity!

May 19 - 23rd, 2008

Every day this week, I have been invited to give a daily thought on BBC Wiltshire at around 6.50am.

From Reverend Akasha Lonsdale

I don't know about you, but I feel that the passing of a life needs to be honoured in some way.Usually, this happens with the presence of friends or family of the deceased coming to a service and offering their thoughts and memories of that person.

So when I was asked to conduct the funeralservice of Olive Archer and heard that it was thought she had no friends or family, I felt I wanted to find out if this was true. My first port of call was the care home, who gave me two photographs and told me that no-one had come to visit in the five years she had lived with them. My next visit was to the local newspaper The Swindon Advertiser, who ran the following article on the 2nd January. This has produced a number of phone calls with information about Olive and several people who knew her have said they will be coming to the service. Also several people who didn't know her but have been moved by the thought of no-one attending, have also said they will come.

Later today, the information will be shown on local BBC Television and also covered on local BBC Radio.

So suddenly, I am hopeful that Olive's 83 years will be marked with memories and respect. It never ceases to amaze me what love can achieve.

BBC POINTS WEST - TOM BURRIDGE TALKS TO REVEREND LONSDALE

BBC WORLD SERVICE - FRED DOVE TALKS TO REVEREND LONSDALE ABOUT THE WIDER SOCIAL ISSUES

Happy Footnote: Olive was finally laid to rest in the presence of eight family members and eight work colleagues - all of whom had lost touch for a variety of reasons.

January 2nd 2008

Written by Sarah Hilley for the Swindon Advertiser

"A WOMAN, who was a beauty in her youth, is tragically unlikely to have mourners at her funeral.

Olive Archer, from Swindon, is due to be buried on January 14 after dying at the age of 83.

The minister who will conduct the funeral ceremony says it will be a lonely end to Olive's life, as only a funeral director and herself are expected to attend the funeral.

The Rev Akasha Lonsdale has found an old photograph, which shows Olive as a beautiful young woman wearing a fur-lined hood with snowflakes on her shoulders.

She hopes someone from Swindon may recognise Olive and come to say goodbye at the funeral at Semington Crematorium.

"It is very sad that the passing of a life is only marked by a funeral director and a minister," said the Rev Lonsdale.

"When I look at the photo of young Olive, I wonder what were her hopes and dreams. Everyone has dreams. I was captured by the image of her."

The interfaith minister has collated some details about Olive's life including that she cared for her mother until she died and never married.

Olive left Swindon about five years ago and moved into Kington St Michael care home, near Chippenham.

The Rev Lonsdale says she believes Olive may have had a sister who she lost touch with.

Olive is also said to have travelled Europe and loved visiting different countries.

"I want to do what I can so someone will come to say goodbye to her," said the Rev Lonsdale.

"She is Swindon born and bred and lived here most of her life so someone must know her."

Olive died on December 20 after collapsing the day before at the care home.

She was rushed to the Great Western Hospital and it is thought she suffered a stroke.

Her death is considered sudden as she was in good health before.

If anyone recognises Olive or wishes to pay tribute to her life they can call the Rev Lonsdale."