Tiggi's Tails

As our first guest on brand new series Tiggi’s Tails, we proudly introduce Moira Anderson. HR Operations Officer at the Bishops Palace of Bath and Wells. Moira has an extensive and busy job, joining the Palace team in 2013. A confessed animal lover, it comes as no surprise, the animals at the 14-acre Palace estate come under her wing. However, she had an unexpected encounter with two animals when she arrived 20 years ago. They changed her life, job title and faced her with the biggest challenge

As Patron of the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind). Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a passionate advocate for the rights of blind and partially sighted people. With that in mind we are delighted to re broadcast the podcast we made with Ella Caulfield two years ago. A young lady who became totally blind at the age of just 15. Her Majesty was also a keen member of the WI. Ella, with her guide dog Rio at her side, joined me recently and told her story of going blind to our local Ro

Having faced a life changing diagnosis and a need to re navigate her life, two and a half years ago, Alison Ironside and her Mother moved from Cornwall to Draycott. They wanted to join a community and ideally buy some land. Bingo! A vineyard came up for sale nearby called PERCH HILL. Boasting a south facing plot on the Mendip hillside, and unbroken views across the Somerset levels to Glastonbury. With a new horticultural degree under her belt and a giant leap of faith, Alison bought her piece o

I had a real scoop this month. For our Draycott Diaries Jubilee Special, I chat with internationally acclaimed choral conductor, composer and organist Barry Rose OBE. As resident organist and Master of the Choir at St Paul’s Cathedral in London from 1974, Barry participated in many royal services. These included the 1977 Silver Jubilee and the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. Barry’s glittering career started with no qualifications whatsoever, just a love for pipe

The romance of an historic steam train, puffing along through the gorgeous Somerset countryside. Children waving as passengers disembark at Draycott Station. Watched from the windows of the Railway Inn opposite. This was the Cheddar Valley Line, later re-named The Strawberry Line due to its delicious cargo of rich, red, ripe and juicy strawberries heading for the dainty plates of royalty and top restaurants. From late Victorian period to the early 60’s as transport needs were ever changing. As

Village resident Adam Clark had two passions as a boy, soldiers and trees. As he chats with Tiggi we learn so much from his past experiences. As a student army cadet Adam once organised an expedition in Nepal to the base of Mount Everest. On this trek he met some retired Gurkha soldiers they inspired him with their integrity and fiery spirit. Adam went on to train as an Officer at Sandhurst, for the Royal Gurkhas Rifles as part of the British Army. He was delighted to be stationed in Nepal for