Episodes

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 ...

Tiggi and her guide dog Jackie set off three years ago to record stories from a rural village. Many said this wouldn’t work. How very wrong they were. As a special guest on BBC Radio 4 and other media platforms, growing an international following, the proof is in the listening. Tiggi is convinced she has only scratched the surface of what is possible. 50 episodes on, and now with a production team of six. Celebrate with us and listen to a compilation of favourite clips selected by the Draycott...

John Connor is this months podcast guest. Tiggi learns that every person she chats to on Draycott Diaries have hidden depths, and village resident jet pilot John Connor is one of them. A true biography of extremes. Thrills of flying at over one thousand miles an hour in the notorious Phantom jet. Aerobatics at incredibly low levels and teaching rookie pilots that wont stop, regardless of the length of runway. Eject or die potentially the only option. After a dazzling 22 years flying with the ...

A brand new year and a brand new pantomime for the local community. This month Tiggi hooks up with three members of the local drama group Mendip Players. Revelations include the debacle of walking on heels for the first time and the perils of business negotiations dressed as a pantomime dame. However, the group have covered a wide variety of genres in their time. It was surprising to discover how the group was formed almost sixteen years ago. It seems that hidden talent was lurking in the vill...

A woman sets out with her Guide Dog, Jackie, seeking out the true meaning of Christmas in our community, walking the Mendip hills looking for enlightenment. With food and beverages part of their research, the dynamic duo stumble on, through the wind and rain they tread together with festive spirit in their hearts. Bringing us tips including broken church windows and drowning your Christmas tree. A chance meeting with two pigs and a man in drag all add to the Christmas fun. But questions still r...

Tiggi chatted to Ian Maclachlan (the Draycott Postman) just before he embarked on the race of his life. Raising funds for “Hounds for Heroes”. Ian left Draycott with hope in his heart, declaring the support of the local community would spur him on in times of self doubt. It transpires that proved the case when he almost quit for reasons you will find out in this recording as he updated Tiggi on his return. Ian with his friend Chris Hewett were contestants in the 35th Marathon des Sables 2021. ...

Peter Bright, a resident in the beautiful Mendip area of Somerset for many years, is our guest this month. Peter is a retired Biology Teacher and natural historian with an extensive knowledge of local wildlife. Tiggi asks questions that have come to her mind whilst trudging through the Autumn leaves in her walks on the local hills. Much of this episode considers both human and animal responses as Somerset prepares for winter. It touches on historic cider making and looks forward to the Somerset...

It’s Raining Men Tiggi and Kayleigh have been on a Somerset binge this month covering life changing topics including what to wear if unexpected visitors drop from the sky. Guests include Emily Ellis an inspiring local Zumba instructor.

AS A VILLAGE LETS SUPPORT THE COURAGE OF OUR POSTMAN AS HE HAS SUPPORTED US THROUGHOUT COVID AND BEYOND. From 1st to 11th October 2021, our much beloved Postman Ian Maclachlan, will begin the toughest delivery of his life …………… 250 km. Not around our beautiful Somerset village, but across the Sahara Desert ! Billed as “The Toughest Footrace on Earth” it’s equivalent to a marathon a day for 7 days, in extreme conditions. He will carry his 7 days of rations and bedding on his back. Ian tells Ti...

A Draycott resident of nearly 30 years and active in both the local Church and the Parish Council, Dr Richard Dingley OBE, KStJ is at the centre of the community. Although few people know about his fascinating past. Fresh from medical school in the 50’s he joined the RAF. Stationed in Singapore, he acted as a Parachuting Doctor, dropped into the Malayan jungle to support the Special Operations team on the ground. His life passion has always been working in remote places across the world, treati...

A Pound in the Head is a Coin well spent! Labradors, mistakenly identified and old Somerset words are served up on this months Draycott Diaries Unplugged. Showcasing music from Axbridge composer and musician Clara Mann and talking local to Draycott’s newest entrepreneur Clare Love-Jones. With sandwiches entangled in microphone leads and presenters dribbling chocolate, this is an episode not to be missed! The post Talk Local 002 appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

A resident of Draycott for many years, Martin Grass heads up the Mendip Cave Rescue team as their Chairman. His passion has always been Caving and Geology. The Mendip Hills in Somerset are famous for their unique combination of sandstone and limestone. They are undoubtedly the custodians of countless undiscovered secrets. After visiting Wells museum in Somerset, founded by Herbert Balch, the father of Mendip caving. Tiggi was keen to find out more about both Herbert Balch and William Boyd Dawk...

For this brand new trail blazing episode of ‘TalkLocal’, Tiggi and Kayleigh, are joined by new entrepreneur Joy Sindry of ‘Chasing Rainbows’. Stories shared Include painting over valuable antiques. But the ensemble agree, positivity, humour and coffee are the way forward. You will learn about the recent sighting of the ‘Beast of Draycott‘ and the challenges of dressing up as a Bee! ‘Showcase Local’ spins an exciting new disc from Hugh Trethowan. “A Lidl Love Song”. Love found in store at a bar...

In this ‘unplugged’ episode from the much loved Draycot Diaries life stories series. You find out the true story behind a new idea. ‘Talking Local’ ‘Supporting Local’. How does it work? How will it work? Tiggi and Co-Presenter Kayleigh sling ideas a...

Nick Boyd LOVES Bees! A long time resident of Draycott. Nick is an active member of the Wedmore and Cheddar Bee Keepers Association and has an apiary containing about 80,000 bees in each of his 6 hives. See a short video of Tiggi looking for the Queen Bee with Nick by clicking here Tiggi was overwhelmed by Nicks extensive knowledge. As they chatted looking out at his beautiful wild flower meadow, she realised just how complex bee keeping is and how vital this process is to support our environme...

Tim Haselden is Development Officer for the Mendip Hills AONB, responsible for an area covering 198 square kilometres – equivalent to 20,000 football pitches. Set up 50 years ago to protect our surrounding landscapes. AONB stands for “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.” “AONB The Voice of the protected landscape. Naturally beautiful , nationally protected.” Originally from the Midlands, Tim obtained a degree in Ecology and Geology from Plymouth University. Following his conservation dreams, o...

Tiggi chats to long time residents of Rodney Stoke, Colin and Jo Symes. They relate wonderful stories from their past, including their participation in the “Maurice Symes Dance Band”. However, their life time passion has always been around the village Church of St Leonards and the community that surrounds it in Rodney Stoke, Somerset. Both were bell ringers and Colin held the position of Bell Captain for many years. St Leonards Church was built in 1175 with the bell tower added in the 1400’s. I...

Kirk Purnell moved to Draycott from Bristol three years ago. His job is Director of Teaching and Learning Assessment based at Wiltshire College. During the first lock down and with a space for his own personal learning, an extraordinary skill came to his consciousness which he had been totally unaware of. Inspired by a photographer friend who introduced Kirk to the minute detail and delight of wildlife nearby his home, he used his savings to invest in a good camera and his new life journey bega...

Tiggi chats with friend and professional colleague Margie Cooper, Antiques Specialist on the BBC’s “Antiques Roadshow” and latterly “Antiques Road Trip”. Two professionals connected by a common cause. Their responsibilities were very different though.