Our guests for the final episode of this season are Lulu Urquhart and Adam Hunt, landscape designers dedicated to nature and ecological restoration. Having partnered together for many years, their philosophy embraces creating spaces that provide tranquility for people, and homes for wildlife. Long term Somerset residents, they were selected to work with Piet Oudolf to create one of the county's most well-known, and transformative gardens at Hauser & Wirth in Bruton. More recently, their firs...
Apr 29, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Somerset Stories gets experimental... our guest this week is Colleen Bower, Director of a new annual science festival launching in May.... Somerscience brings together 65 organisations from around the region to showcase and celebrate the amazing world of science, technology, engineering, and maths. Colleen's extensive experience in the education industry, as well as her natural curiosity, are vital to spearheading this event - which aims to connect local people in an engaging way with some of th...
Apr 22, 2023•53 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Our guest this week is at the forefront of a revival in the ancient craft of blacksmithing. Alex Pole has been forging creations from metal for over 30 years, and - for the best part of a decade, his focus has been on developing high end ironware for professional and amateur chefs around the world. Alex's dedication to using traditional methods to create practical but beautiful products has won him many fans and followers. In recent years, he's collaborated with chefs such as Nathan Outlaw and T...
Apr 15, 2023•58 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Our guest this week is Charlotte Howell-Jones, a climate campaigner trying to change the world one story at a time. Charlotte's work primarily focuses on creating change and building the climate movement through storytelling, communications and content. A Somerset resident for over 20 years, she is passionate about helping others make an emotional connection with nature. When not busy collaborating with organisations like DearTomorrow and Parents For Future UK, she will most likely be found fora...
Apr 08, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Somerset Stories takes on a blue hue this week as we meet Nick Hounsfield, creator of The Wave - the UK's first inland surfing lake - located just outside Bristol. Driven by a passion to help people live healthier lives, more connected to nature, Nick's vision is more than a decade in the making, opening to the public in 2019. As a well as surfing being a great sport, The Wave aims to bring people into contact with water, nature, and each other, in order to create a community atmosphere which al...
Apr 01, 2023•58 min•Season 5Ep. 10
As a mother of identical triplets, this week's guest is literally one in 200 million! After a history of setback and pregnancy complications, Rosie Phelps-Goggin has truly defied the odds, and conventional thinking. Born and raised in Somerset, you can now find Rosie, documenting and sharing her family's highlights in social media, where the adventures of Ava, Connie, Evie, and their big sister Gabriella have a loyal and supportive following of thousands. We met earlier this month, and shared Ro...
Mar 25, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Somerset Stories serves up a treat, as we meet the Somerset born chef who has opened critically acclaimed restaurants in London, and has made a remarkable return to his Westcountry roots with the opening of Holm in South Petherton. Nicholas Balfe brings a love for seasonality and local produce to the restaurant, which has charmed locals and visitors alike. Holm is inspired by nature and its surroundings, and the team is driven by provenance, sustainability and warm hospitality.Nicholas is also a...
Mar 18, 2023•57 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Our guest this week is a content creator who is a campaigner for pro-age, healthy living, and all-round positivity. Julie - who goes by the social media title: The Fiftyist uses her platform to speak about the pressures, challenges, and biases against age and aging in society. She's an advocate for natural products in beauty and well-being. And after choosing to stop dying her hair, allowing it to transition to its natural silver colour, she one of a growing number of women who - in a space whic...
Mar 11, 2023•58 min•Season 5Ep. 7
It's been a while, but we finally talk about cheddar, with someone whose family have been dairy farmers in Somerset for generations. Rich Clothier is the managing director of Wyke Farms - and has been a key part in taking this family business from local producer, to one of the largest independent cheese makers in the UK producing over 16,000 tonnes of Cheddar per year to the same 160-year-old recipe. What's more, Rich has overseen a long-term strategy to make farming and production more sustaina...
Mar 04, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Claire Calvert has forged an amazing career with the Royal Ballet Company, dancing some of the most prestigious roles on one of the world's greatest ballet stages. She was born in Bath and grew up learning to dance in the area. Making the decision as a teenager to join White Lodge, the Royal Ballet's boarding school in London, Claire hasn't looked back, and has since become a First Soloist with the company, dancing major roles in productions of Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and man...
Feb 25, 2023•48 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Somerset Stories gets fired up this week, as our guests bring a slice of South America to the Somerset countryside. Tom Bray and Ana Ortiz bring together a love of fresh, locally sourced ingredients with the Latin American tradition of asado - a social and theatrical style of cooking over fire. Born in the Galapagos Islands, Ana is a chef who has cooked at some of the regions most prestigious restaurants, while Tom is the man behind Country Fire Kitchen, creating bespoke barbecue kit for aspirin...
Feb 18, 2023•48 min•Season 5Ep. 4
This week's guest grew up visiting grandparents in the shadow of Cadbury Castle, and developed a lifelong connection with the area. Zara D'Abo has a life story which covers TV production, travel in East Africa, and working with local cheesemakers. She has now settled in Frome, which she is the founder of Acre and Holt, a tweed work and gardenwear business which puts its emphasis on sustainability, and british production. Zara and I spoke in June of 2022, so there may be a few references that are...
Feb 11, 2023•54 min•Season 5Ep. 3
This week's guest is the UK's #1 motivational business speaker - Brad Burton. Born in Salford, Manchester, a series of big moments, and even bigger decisions led Brad to leave the North West as a young adult, and start his life again in Somerset. It's safe to say a lot has changed since then, and these days, you'll find him writing books, and speaking to business owners and big conferences, where his fresh, positive message is one that stands out amongst the buttoned-down corporate community....
Feb 04, 2023•52 min•Season 5Ep. 2
My guest for our first podcast of the season is the former punk rock mayor of Frome, Andy Wrintmore. Andy's involvement in local politics embodies the town's well-documented independent and rebellious streak. But beyond just making great headlines for the likes of the New York Times, Kerrang, and The Sun, his connection and compassion for Frome mean that for him, it's been much more than a PR win. Andy's also a musician, a collector, and has his own podcast, The Giant Pod - all of which we cover...
Jan 28, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 1
This year’s Christmas Special has an amazing selection of five guests from all corners of the county, each with their own unique perspective on the festive season. We’re covering all elements of the Christmas celebration, from food and drink to music and decoration. So now’s the time to put on the mulled cider, and listen to my yuletide conversation with folk singer Cara Dillon, bake-off legend Val Stones, expert glass blower Will Shakspeare, from Thatcher’s cider – Eleanor Thatcher, and Jemima ...
Dec 18, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Over the last 14 weeks, we've shared the stories of some of the inspiring, creative, and successful individuals and families that make this beautiful county their home. And, in this season finale, we’re going to do something a little different. I’ll be spending some time with our very first podcast guest – musician Tom Corneill. We’ll be catching up on what’s keeping him busy, but we’ll also be turning the spotlight on the last 18 months of Somerset Stories, considering some of the highlights, c...
Dec 04, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 14
This week, Somerset Stories meets Dr Andrew Tressider, from the Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, and co-host of the Somerset Emotional Well-being podcast. Growing up in the county, Andrew has spent the vast majority of his professional life both as a GP for the community in Chard, and also as an advocate of the health of healthcare professionals. At the start of the pandemic, he launched the podcast to offer support and discussion to those facing challenging times in their emotional and me...
Nov 27, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 13
In this edition of our mini-podcast, we revisit an interview from earlier this season, where Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society successfully campaigned to have a new type of cloud classified by the World Meteorological Organization. It's a little nugget of cloud history!
Nov 20, 2021•10 min
Somerset Stories goes glam, with the current Mrs Somerset Galaxy – Dionne John As an advocate and campaigner for heart health awareness, Dionne has represented Somerset at multiple pageants over the last five years, and has used her position to raise awareness and funds for local causes and cancer charities. She’s due to compete at the UK final at the end of November, and we chatted earlier this month about her journey, her charity work, and her own family life.
Nov 13, 2021•41 min•Season 4Ep. 12
This week we meet Cindi and Chas Barnstable, the mother and daughter duo at the head of Somerset leather goods institution, Owen Barry. Following in the heritage and footsteps of generations of leather specialists in their family Cindi and Chas continue to produce top quality goods for an international market. As a member of Leather UK, The trade association for the UK leather industry – they’ve also been featured in a recent publication – The Art of Leather. We chatted last month, and talked ab...
Nov 06, 2021•46 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Freya Mitton is an independent art dealer, with a specialism in 20th Century British Art. Having spent a decade in charge of the Modern British sales department at Sotheby’s in London, Freya works from her home on the edge of the Mendips. Exhibiting at art fairs around the country, Her aim is to sell great quality paintings by established artists, and she is passionate about helping clients find and acquire art works which they can enjoy in their homes and lives.
Oct 30, 2021•50 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Our guest this week has made a career out of turning his own knowledge and passion for history into relatable, human stories – first as a teacher, then as a tour guide, and finally, as an author. Mike Dean has written books about Bath, and Somerset, which give a window into the rich history of the area, but condensed into simple chapters, and explained in layman’s terms. Having spent all his life in the West country, Mike is now sharing his enthusiasm for the area, with visitors and locals alike...
Oct 23, 2021•51 min•Season 4Ep. 9
A very special guest for the podcast's 50th episode is Caroline Corr, a member of Ireland’s most famous musical family, and one quarter of the band that shares their name - The Corrs. Combining traditional folk music with popular and rock influences, The Corrs have sold over 40 million albums worldwide, including the multi-platinum, Talk on Corners, which ranks in the UK charts as of the most successful albums of all time. They’ve shared concert billing will Bono, Stevie Wonder, Mick Fleetwood, ...
Oct 16, 2021•49 min•Season 4Ep. 8
We reach the half way point in Season 4, bringing you an interview with polar adventurer Victoria Humphries. As part of the first ever all-female expedition to the North Pole, Victoria went through staggering physical and mental endurance, as well as a near-death experience. Since that adventure she's been back to the Arctic, ran marathons, climbed Kilimanjaro, and attempted other feats of stamina. We chatted through her life lessons and how she uses these to motivate and inspire the people she ...
Oct 09, 2021•59 min•Season 4Ep. 7
As we approach the traditional carnival season, my guest this week has been part Vagabonds, of one of the county’s well known clubs from a young age. Jemma Warren has also spent over ten years as one of the minority of Somerset’s female lorry drivers. While we’re in the middle of an HGV driver supply crisis in the UK, we chatted last month about her journey towards being a driver, some of the prejudices we face, and just how difficult it is to drive a carnival cart!
Oct 02, 2021•52 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Somerset Stories gets our heads in the clouds... as we meet advocate and evangelist for one of nature’s most transient and poetic displays. Gavin Pretor-Pinney founded the Cloud Appreciation Society around 15 years ago after a career in the creative industries. He has united tens of thousands of people around the world with a passion for clouds. Along with this global community, he has also written books on the subject, and spoken to a wide range of audiences, from literary festivals to ted talk...
Sep 25, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Somerset Stories meets consultant clinical psychologist, writer, flower grower and seed merchant – Dr. Grace Alexander. Keeping extremely busy through writing several psychology books during lockdown, building a successful community around the slow flower moment, and publishing her first gardening book, Grace brings a thoughtful and profoundly truthful perspective to all of life’s complexities. On a personal note, Grace was one of the first people I discovered when looking to launch the podcast....
Sep 18, 2021•55 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Somerset Stories meets Simon Parkin a professional broadcaster who has been informing and entertaining audiences through radio and TV for over thirty years. With a career that’s seen him in The Children's BBC Broom Cupboard, Top of the Pops, and GMTV, as well as a whole host of radio shows, his voice is well known up and down the county to BBC Radio Somerset listeners. Our chat includes a great trip down memory lane, and discussing about supporting the local community during the pandemic.
Sep 11, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Everything you wanted to know about quilting... Somerset Stories meets writer and founder of the Great British Quilter community – Sarah Ashford. From designing and making quilts for over twelve years, to writing for magazines, and creating her own podcast, Sarah is a multi-talented creative, with a knack for bringing people together over a love of sewing. Her own designs have seen her collaborate with well known craft brands around the world, and speak at national and international events. We m...
Sep 04, 2021•51 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Our guest for the first episode of this season is one of Somerset’s living legends in gardening. Possibly the country’s most recognised and celebrated gurus of the no-dig method: Charles Dowding. Based at his market garden farm near Castle Cary, Charles has pioneered organic food production, written bestselling books no-dig, and become an internet sensation with his videos and social media channels. We spoke earlier this month, and chatted about his life, achievements, and philosophies when it c...
Aug 28, 2021•46 min•Season 4Ep. 1
