Episodes

Robert Nurden, a journalist for over 25 years with the Independent, Telegraph and Guardian newspapers, has written a fascinating book all about his grandfather, Stanley James. In 1916 Stanley and family lived in Rodney Stoke in Somerset. Living off the land was a harsh existence, but still, happy memories were made. It seems Stanley was a total romantic, rejecting his Father’s wishes of following him into the ministry. Instead, he opted for a more maverick lifestyle, including travelling to Ca...

As part of our retrospective series we look back to a sunny day in 2019 when Tiggi chatted to the Rev Stuart Burns. He revealed a fascinating life story. Born in South Africa during turbulent times of apartheid, Stuart witnessed brutality at close range. This ignited his desire to serve God and use his faith in constructive ways. However, in every life story there are ups and downs which he candidly talks about in this episode. Stuart has continued, through his ministry to care and work tirele...

Tiggi chats to Santa! What is Christmas going to be like for him in 2020? The post 034 Draycott Diaries Ding Dong Christmas! appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Gerald Dally, alongside his daughter Maria, surprises and enlightens Tiggi with tales from the past about the Somerset village of Draycott. They look back at a community that has quadrupled in size since he was a small boy. Gerald talks candidly about his school days and a successful career as a vegetable and strawberry farmer, with trophies to prove it. Tiggi asks about comparisons with the village in wartime and Covid-19. What are the effects on this small community? From charabancs and vil...

Tiggi takes a retrospective look at our community shop one year on. With personal loss, exhilaration & challenges at its core. 2020 saw lots of early excitement, but then lockdown hit us for the first time.

Thea Oliver chats to Tiggi over coffee about her recent and massive achievement. A resident of Draycott for many years, Thea has brought up a large family. To this day she continues to work hard for her family and as a nurse practitioner. With a strong religious faith and values from birth, Thea has always supported her community and the clergy. This has included acting as a lay worship assistant at churches in Cheddar, Rodney Stoke and St Peters in Draycott. More recently and after months of ...

Will Ewens is the new Head Teacher of both Draycott & Rodney Stoke First School and Shipham First School. Two rural places of learning for young children. Both schools with a history of excellence and their locations surrounded by Somerset’s beautiful ...

Helen Dance is one of the pillars of the communities of Draycott and Rodney Stoke. An experienced volunteer with CAM (Citizens Advice Mendip), Clerk of the Card Trust, Editor of the Parish newsletter and owner of 2 raucous parrots. She reveals a fascinating and surprising tale of John and Joseph Card. In the early 1700’s they left an amazingly generous legacy to the village in the form of land. Then along came Reverend Cobley, who also left a substantial legacy to support children being sent to...

Tiggi and Ella chat about their guide dogs Jackie and Rio. How their lives have become enriched with assistance from their canine pals. However, the road to enlightenment never runs completely smoothly! A gentle and amusing conversation between two friends sharing in the joys and tribulations of life with sight loss and unpredictable dogs. The post 028 Canine Companions appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Lori Tomms, Landlady of The Strawberry Special, describes their recent renovations, all geared to safeguarding customers and staff alike. Everything is directed toward the doors re-opening as soon as the Government says GO! The post 027 Draycott Pub Confronts Covid-19 appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

This is a very moving life story. Ella Caulfield is an extraordinary young lady. Living with partial sight loss as a child growing up was a massive challenge. In 2015 fate administered another bitter blow. Ella has encountered many extreme challenges throughout her young life. However, a new friend Rio, her guide dog, has joined her family and support group. Ella gave me the privilege of listening to her life story. At only 20 years old and against all the odds her future looks bright! The...

Tiggi catches Chris Seager on the move for a catch up. Seagers are facing the limitations of Brexit, a wet February, followed by arguably the hottest months of April and May on record. To top everything, along came Covid-19 with the massive restrictions enforced by government. How are they coping right now? The post 025 Draycott Strawberries Re-visited appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

After what was arguably the hottest May on record, Tiggi talks to local natural historian, Peter Bright. She learns about the impact of Covid-19 on flora and fauna, and the effect it has had on our wildlife. The post 024 Covid-19 and Conservation appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Mary Woodhouse a Draycott resident for over 70 years, tells Tiggi how isolation really feels. The post 023 Mary Woodhouse – 75 Years a Draycott Resident appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Tiggi talks to Elaine Reynolds, Trustee of the Cheddar Valley Foodbank about the increased need for donated food. In these troubled times, the community are still amazingly generous. Tiggi finds out how it all started and what it means to some people. The post 022 Draycott’s Local Foodbank – A Coronavirus Lifeline appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Tiggi talks to Dot Prince, a Draycott resident about her work in the NHS. Dot explains that everyone at the Weston-Super-Mare hospital are working as a team to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. All combined with a large dose of compassion. The post 021 Draycott’s Nursing Sister, Florence Nightingale and Compassion Over Covid-19 appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

Chloe is one of the top 20 British hat designers. Awarded this lofty title thanks to her ethical approach to making hats. Tiggi wants to find out how it all started. From humble beginnings making fascinators for friends weddings, Chloe now designs and makes stylish, sophisticated and beautiful hats. All from reclaimed materials. With several acclaimed collections under her belt Chloe looks to the future with her new brand ‘Chloe Haywood London’. A wonderful life story of creative ambition spr...

Emily Syms is a small animal vet. Tiggi talks to her about the impact of COVID-19 on veterinary practices and our pets. The post 019 Cats In Crisis Over Covid19 appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

In these troubled times we all want to help. That’s exactly what a group of people have been doing for our NHS and carers. Tiggi talks to Jan Kinsman about a local group who are sewing to help our heroes. How did it all start?

With the help of technology, Tiggi chats to the Draycott Community Shop committee. How has the Coronavirus pandemic changed things since the shop opened? In particular, how are they keeping the village supported, as a life line in these dark times! The post 017 Draycott Diaries Documentaries Revisits the Community Shop appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.

1917, Star Wars and James Bond. Just a few of the feature films Charlie Adcock and his team at Event Horizon have worked on. From an early age Charlie wanted to blow things up! Inspired by the gift of a tiny amount of Potassium Nitrate, his life passion began, making explosives bend to his will. Currently he has workshops in Somerset and Cornwall. Life is rarely still these days for Charlie. After squeezing past a BL 755 cluster bomb in Charlies hallway, Tiggi arrived in the safety of his kitc...

This time I chat to Seagers, who are strawberry growers providing some of the highest quality fruit in Draycott. Father and son combo, Andrew and Chris, talk about :- their strawberries the use of bees for pollination the ups and downs of farming life. Most importantly they tell me what community means to them. I am also astounded by the revelation that they once had a surprise visitor to the village – but not in human form! The post 015 Draycott Strawberries and Cream appeared first on D...

Willow is synonymous with the Somerset levels and Draycott Moor. Sophie Courtiour is by definition a willow artist, but Tiggi finds out she is so much more. A single mother who built her own eco home, surviving artic weather living in a tent during the build. Having no art training but needing an income, Sophie made hurdles in hazel, which lead to willow. This is a story of courage, love and hidden talent. The post 014 Draycott Willow Artist appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast...

Lori Toms, co-proprietor of the Strawberry Special, an old country pub full of ghosts and history. The beating heart of Draycott. Lori left a high-flying job in America, following her heart to Somerset after a chance meeting with a dark Welshman. There was no going back! The post 013 Draycott’s Strawberry Special – A Village Pub appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast.