Peter Higginbotham is one of Britain's best known authors and researchers on the workhouse - a much detested institution which for almost three centuries provided shelter, in return for labour, for the nation's destitute.

In the course of his researches, Peter has visited every corner of the British Isles, from Cornwall to Shetland, and from Kent to Galway, in order to track down former workhouse buildings. His work on the workhouse, and the larger poor relief system of which it formed a pivotal part, has resulted in the highly regarded website www.workhouses.org.uk together with a number of books on the subject including The Workhouse Encyclopedia, Voices from the Workhouse, The Workhouse Cookbook and A Grim Almanac of the Workhouse.

Peter is also a frequent contributor to radio programmes such as BBC Radio 4's Making History and Tracing Your Roots, and TV shows such as Heir Hunters and Who Do Yo Think You Are?

Track: Boy Don't Cry (ft. Scomber , Admiral Bob (admiralbob77)) 2013 Jeris Licensed to at: http://ccmixter.org

<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" about="urn:sha1:P4PHKL5JIEPOYXZDBCFVCAGF3ZOCR7NZ"><a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://ccmixter.org/files/VJ_Memes/41387"> Jeris</a> / <arel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/">CC BY-NC 3.0</a></div> 

My interview today is with Eric Ryland, who In his youth worked in some very dangerous large industries in Wales, nearly being killed on a couple of occasions. After doing his compulsory military service in the British Army, at a time when the Suez Crisis hit the headlines and when Britain was preparing to go to war. He and his fellow conscripts waited anxiously as they boarded a military plane for Cyprus to go to Egypt and the war zone. Luckily, by the time his battalion reached the War area his battalion was quickly withdrawn back to Britain.  

After being demobbed from the army he returned to his old job as a steam train fireman to find his job was under threat by the new diesel trains being adopted by British rail, so he changed careers yet again. 

Being Welsh, Eric had a good singing voice and got involved with a group of young German musicians as the lead singer in a band, touring all around Britain's working men's clubs in the early 60s.  The band later went on to tour Germany and other European countries. 

Eric by this time had a small family and had to make some painful decisions, as he knew in his heart that the music scene was too precarious now that he was a family man. It was around this time that he decided to take his whole family and move thousands of miles across the world to live in South Africa, which at that time still have had apartheid and was a totally different from his experience in his own country.

Music track: Drunk in a Smoking Bar Drinking an Imperial Porter Mix by  Lasswell. 

Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) 

Here is a link to take to you to the music.

http://dig.ccmixter.org/podcast_music?dig-query=lasswell

We now have a Audioboo Channel at http://audioboo.fm/channel/peopletalk.

In the coming months we will be loading up our channel at Audioboo with all our great audiobooks and documentaries.  This means it will be very easy for you to listen to our programs on your mobile devices such, as your phone or tablet. To get your audioboo phone app use linke below.

http://audioboo.fm/about/apps

Dear Mr. Killick,

I write to you firstly to complement you and the Peopletalk family for the superb and outstanding work you are doing for the benefit of audio book enthusiasts.

I greatly enjoyed the wonderful audio book series you produced on the authoritative book 'Cleopatra' by Jacob Abbott which was read by Sandra Ventris in a way that has been acknowledged by all of your website fans as being simply fantastic and marvelous!

Judging by the comments recorded in the comments section of your website, I think this audio book series was the greatest hit and it really stimulated interest in the subject.

 

I was wondering if you'll be producing another audio book series of this type in the near future, and if you do intend to do so, might I suggest you choose Jacob Abbott's 'Hannibal' for production. I think it would be really awesome if you could produce an audio book for it, as I am sure those of your website fans who enjoyed Abbott's 'Cleopatra' will definitely enjoy this one too since it belongs to the same genre and is written with the same unique and captivating style.

I hope I am not being presumptuous in making this humble suggestion since I honestly believe it will be a great idea and it will prove very beneficial for those who are interested in this kind of stuff.

The book I have suggested is easily accessible online and has many free e-versions like the one that has been made available by Project Gutenberg at: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/27551/27551-h/27551-h.htm

 

I look forward to a favourable reply.

And please do keep up the good work!

 

Ali Hur.

A Peopletalk enthusiast from Aligarh (UP),

India.

 

------------------------

Again, I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying 'The Call of Africa' - I feel I am there with you on your adventure - I feel the heat and the noise and colour. Waiting with baited breath for the next episode.

posted by: URSULA 

 

------------------------

Reviewer: iDandrea -   Subject:

Rare treat Something everyone should hear before venturing into Alaska. I've heard many tales in the past but this author, Basil Sands, has personally lived there. He colorfully shares his perspective mixing in humor with the details. Sands is a skilled writer and orator who, being aware of his audience, draws in the listener. Due to some of the content I would rate it -PG. Why not listen to Basil Sands "Our man in Alaska."

------------------------

 Dear Nigel, I recently discovered peopletalk's wonderful high quality audio productions and have listened to a number of your short stories and interviews. Thank you and your team of fine actors and actresses for giving the listener such good quality recordings.   I'm a South African English teacher in Italy and have recommended your site to all my upper level students. After listening to the moon man interview.

I look forward to listening to many more wonderful stories on Peopletalk.

Margaret Brizzolari  posted by: Margaret.

If you are experiencing any problems listening to our audio, please try a different web browsers.

Have your say about our programs.

You can email me on

 

We now have over 100 programes for you and more are coming soon. Please leave us your comments to helps our creative team know if you are enjoying our audio productions. What you our listeners are saying about peopletalk is important to us.

See what other listeners are saying about peopletalk below ......

I've had a suggestion from one of our listeners, that it is not obvious that you can subscribe to our audio streams by using the Apple iTunes quick subscribe button in the left-hand blue column under subscribe. 

The iTunes subscribe button will automatically sign you up for free, to all our programmes listings. iTunes will then list all our programs in your iTunes account on your computer under Podcasts. This list of our program information will be in grey and you will have to click on the buttons of the particular audio story you want to listen to.  You will have to instruct iTunes to download particular stories or audio short stories. This means that you only download what stories you want without the need to fill up your computer with a mass of stories. 

The advantage of using the iTunes subscribe button is that files will be downloaded very quickly without streaming and will be available at any time on your iTunes account and you can quickly delete any programs you have listened to. Also, each time we put a new program up on our website iTunes will automatically download the information onto your podcast account.

What is the difference between streaming audio and using the automatic subscribe system?  When you click on an audio link on our web page it will play the file in real-time and need plenty of Internet streaming speeds. Whereas if you use the automated subscribe system it just downloads a file quickly in the background and will soon be ready to play.

ITunes is a free program that works on both Macintosh and Windows computers and can be downloaded from the Apple website for free at http://store.apple.com.

If you're new to our site and would like to investigate the type of programmes we produce go to the blue Podcast listings on the left.

Audio Stories

Audio Tours

Audio Interviews

Audio Documentaries

Serial audiobook of Cleopatra life and loves in 21 episodes

Our Man in Brazil

Our Man in Alaska

The Call of Africa 

My interview today is with John Parry the author of a humourous but poignant book called “Not for Wimps”about men and the aging process published by the Book Guild UK.

John Parry was the BBC's first arts correspondent and left the corporation in the mid-90s after 12 years, he wrote a regular arts column for the Spectator before creating and editing Sculptors, the magazine of the Royal Society of British sculptors. He also wrote book reviews for the Mail on Sunday. He lives in Brighton with his wife, the actress and author, Judy Cornwell.

In this interview I talk to John about his prodigious career in the world of the Media and he reads a selection of  extracts from his book and talks about what made him write this book?

An extracts from his book.
'The other evening, I walked into the theatre. With a dressy celebration party afterwards, I was wearing black tie, feeling sprightly and youthful. The occasion had all the promise of being great fun. At least it did until the moment I approached a small group of quite jolly young people gathered on the pavement -- and no mercifully, I was not about to be mugged. One of the girls simply shouted out, 'Oi, you looked like Winston Churchill.' Her friends yelled with laughter.
 
I was devastated. Not for a second was I deluded enough to think that she was saying I looked like a war hero, an inspiring orator, a Prime Minister who led the nations to victory. What she was saying, of course was I looked rather elderly and rotund with a pink and shiny face from the exertion of my brisk walk. It was crushing. I arrived at the theatre feeling rather less than sprightly and useful. Infuriatingly, my own friends thought it was a stoically funny when I told them the story and laughed as much as the crowd of young people had done.'

To Buy John Parry book “Not for Wimps” click here

Click here to to retun to front page

Music: Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Valse-Scherzo
Album: Dry Fig Trees
Artist: Gerard Satamian :To buy this music click here

Our latest audio documentary by David Allen is about Mr. Leslie Gilliat -Location Manager and Producer of many classic British films including three of the fondly remembered
St. Trinian's films.

With the new St. Trinian's film directed by Oliver Parker and Barnaby Thompson due for release  this autumn, what a wonderful opportunity to look back on the long and distinguished career of Mr. Leslie Gilliat [1917 -] Leslie having worked in the camera department, and as Location Manager and Producer of many films including three of the fondly remembered St. Trinian's films of the 50's and 60's that many now regard as British comedy classics.

Born in 1917, Leslie worked for Gainsborough Pictures between 1936 and 1939 with such comedy stars as Will Hay on Oh, Mr. Porter! [1937] Bud Flanagan, Chesney Allen and the famous comedy troupe The Crazy Gang on Alf's Button Afloat [1938]. Leslie also worked with Alfred Hitchcock as a cameraman on the classic comedy thriller The Lady Vanishes [1938] starring Michael Redgrave and Margaret Lockwood, which was made shortly before Hitchcock moved to Hollywood to film Rebecca [1940] for David O. Selznick.

After serving his country in the Second World War, Leslie joined his older brother Sydney who had formed a prolific writing and directing partnership with his lifelong collaborator Frank Launder, who had both written the screenplay for The Lady Vanishes. The Gilliat brothers and Launder team went on to collaborate on many great British films, such as The Blue Lagoon [1948] starring Jean Simmons, The Green Man [1956]  with George Cole, Terry-Thomas and the lugubrious Alistair Sim, The Smallest Show on Earth [1957] with Margaret Rutherford and Peter Sellers, and of course the St. Trinian's films, which starred Alistair Sim in drag as the headmistress Miss Fritton, Terry-Thomas as Captain Romney Carlton-Ricketts, Joyce Grenfell as the hapless Police Sergeant Ruby Gates and George Cole as the lovable rogue Flash Harry.

This is a peopletalk production © 2007

Production Team:
David Allen - Interviewer & Associate Editor/Producer.
Josephine Bloom - Assistant Editor.
Nigel Killick - Executive Producer.

We would also like to thank Mr. Leslie Gilliat & Mr. Julian Fox for their help in making this documentary.

Click here for David Allen's page
Click here for Music kingdom hearts track Hikari (Instrumental)©

Please click on Comments and have your say!
We are always looking for donations to help us to continue to produce high quality free programs.
(All trademarks acknowledged.)

Smugglers, pirates and villains on the south coast of England in times gone by.

Douglas d'Enno is a local historian and author of some interesting & insightful books on local Sussex history. In our latest conversation, Douglas spent time with me on a glorious sunny October day at the end of Brighton's Victorian pier. There we discussed the activities of smugglers, pirates and villains on the south coast of England in times gone by.

We chatted about excise men patrolling along the top of dangerous cliffs at night on the lookout for smugglers and ship wreckers, and how it sometimes became a life and death struggle between both sides. Smuggling was part of everyday life for some of the small fishing villages along the coast.

We talked about a local vicar, the Reverend Thomas Hooker, a pillar of the community who was nonetheless heavily involved in contraband activities in his village. We also talked about the cat and mouse game played by revenue officers and their quarry the smugglers - who shamelessly continued to ply their trade with the French while England was at war with Napoleon.

Douglas was kind enough in 2006 to take our listeners on an interesting tour of the darker side of life of Brighton’s past. We talked as we walked to some of the locations of the town’s notorious murders. This audio tour, ‘Brighton's Murder Walk’, is still available on our site, click here to hear
Murder Walks

Books by Douglas d'Enno
Brighton Crime & Vice.
Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths Around Brighton.
published by Wharncliffe UK.
Here is a link to buy the books above

We would just like to thank the following artists and songwriter's for their kind permission to use their works in the making of this programme.
(All copyrights are retained by artists and songwriters © 08) Please see links to artists web sites.

Track 1: A Smugglers' Song- Arranged and performed by Andrew McKay & by Carole Etherton, words by Rudyard Kipling.  (http://www.cranedrivinmusic.com)
Track 2- Paris-White Sail- Paris-Chris Harvey. http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/harvey-wsail/
Track 3- Ship Keeper- Trim Rig And A Doxy (TRAAD). http://www.trimrigdoxy.com/
Track 4- Leave Her Johnny Leave Her-Trim Rig And A Doxy (TRAAD). http://www.trimrigdoxy.com/
Track 5- Trawling Trade- (John Conolly)- Trim Rig And A Doxy (TRAAD).
Track 6- Paris-White Sail- Paris-Chris Harvey-http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/harvey-wsail/
Track 7- Scarecrow -Andrew McKay and Carole Etherton, written by © Maria Cunningham.
Track 8- Mary Baker-Andrew McKay and Carole Etherton and written by Carole Etherton
Track 9- Smugglers-Arranged and performed by Andrew McKay & Carole Etherton, words by Rudyard Kipling.
Track 10-Paris-White Sail- Paris-Chris Harvey-http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/harvey-wsail/

An interview with Terry Fallis, a Canadian writer who published his own novel and made the Canadian literary world take notice.

After almost a year of banging on the closed doors of the literary establishment, he decided to take matters into his own hands by narrating and publishing an audio book version of his novel on the Internet for free. He wanted to test an audience reaction to his book to see if he was wasting his time, the response he received confirmed he had a successful book on his hands.

So he took the plunge and self published his book and then went on to win one of Canada's most prestigious awards for literature.

In our interview you will hear how he went from being a weekend writer to a successful published Author, who has already been commissioned to write his second novel.


About Terry Fallis.

Despite an engineering degree, for 25 years Terry Fallis enjoyed a successful career first in politics, as an advisor to Liberal federal and Ontario cabinet ministers, and then in public affairs and public relations consulting. But through it all, there was something missing. In 2005, he found it when he finally wrote the novel that had been rattling around inside his head. He spent a year peddling the manuscript to agents and publishers but was greeted with a deafening silence. Undeterred, he podcast The Best Laid Plans, his debut satirical novel of Canadian politics, chapter-by-chapter, gathering rave reviews from legions of listeners in Canada and around the world. Encouraged by the response, he self-published the novel in September 2007.

Then, in April 2008 came the shock of his life. The Best Laid Plans won the 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, the first self-published novel ever honoured with this venerable literary award. Within a week, Fallis signed a publishing deal with McClelland & Stewart. In the fall of 2008, the novel hit bookstore shelves and Terry Fallis hit the speaking circuit entertaining audiences with the same thoughtful wit and humour that won him the Leacock Medal. The sequel to The Best Laid Plans, entitled The High Road, is due out in 2010.

Terry Fallis web site at
www.terryfallis.com

Click here to to retun to front page

Music credits:
1st Track Music from Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Track: Extraordinaire
Album: Prospects
Artist: Chris Juergensen
Click here to take you to track.

Music played in Terry Fallis audio extract is:
Winter Serenade by Jon Schmidt at http:///www.musicalley.com.
Track & Artist: Winter Serenade by Jon Schmidt
Click here to take you to track.

Episode One: Africa is calling
Episode Two: Gateway to Africa
Episode Three: First impressions
Episode Four: Voyage to The North
Episode Five: To Walk With The Elephants
Episode Six: Making a Difference

Go back to front page

Narrated and written by Sal Bolton
Directed and produced by Nigel Killick

‘You can do it for 3 months or longer, West Africa, country called Ghana – you could teach the kids how to play tennis there’….

Akwaaba! These 6 short episodes depict memoirs from the stories of young University Graduate Sal Bolton making a soul searching decision in taking the sport she loves to aid the underprivileged communties of deepest darkest Africa to the land of the Black Star, Ghana.
 
The episodes follow Sal’s adventures from the encouraging words of a university friend to make a difference in the world after a heavy night of student partying in England….to the unpredictable Tro Tro rides of the dusty congested backstreets of Accra, an adrenaline fuelled adventure across the biggest lake in Africa and roaming the roads of the unknown to walk with the elephants, and receiving her very first marriage proposal whilst being sold a steering wheel. The series highlights the interesting and comedic customs and etiquette she encounters as an ‘Obruni’ in Africa, whilst interacting with the ‘happy go lucky’ local Ghanaians in their habitat and also the heartwarming inner peace she finally finds whilst offering a hand to those less fortunate.  

These stories are adapted from a forthcoming book, The Call of Africa which hope to inspire and open the eyes for anybody that’s ever wondered what its like to be a young white girl living and breathing this magical continent in the aim of making a difference.

Sal Bolton is a professional actress and attended the CWF Studio Film Academy, London

I would like to acknowledge and thank Cat O’Connor for her help with this project.

http://www.myspace.com/catoconnor
Ghana Tennis Aid web page:
http://ghanatennisaid.wetpaint.com/
View photos of the Ghana Tennis project at
http://www.myalbum.com/Album=6WM6QZ6B

Episode One: Africa is calling 
Episode Two: Gateway to Africa
Episode Three: First impressions
Episode Four: Voyage to The North
Episode Five: To Walk With The Elephants
Episode Six: Making a Difference 

Go back to front page

Narrated and written by Sal Bolton
Directed and produced by Nigel Killick

‘You can do it for 3 months or longer, West Africa, country called Ghana – you could teach the kids how to play tennis there’….

Akwaaba! These 6 short episodes depict memoirs from the stories of young University Graduate Sal Bolton making a soul searching decision in taking the sport she loves to aid the underprivileged communties of deepest darkest Africa to the land of the Black Star, Ghana.
 
The episodes follow Sal’s adventures from the encouraging words of a university friend to make a difference in the world after a heavy night of student partying in England….to the unpredictable Tro Tro rides of the dusty congested backstreets of Accra, an adrenaline fuelled adventure across the biggest lake in Africa and roaming the roads of the unknown to walk with the elephants, and receiving her very first marriage proposal whilst being sold a steering wheel. The series highlights the interesting and comedic customs and etiquette she encounters as an ‘Obruni’ in Africa, whilst interacting with the ‘happy go lucky’ local Ghanaians in their habitat and also the heartwarming inner peace she finally finds whilst offering a hand to those less fortunate.  

These stories are adapted from a forthcoming book, The Call of Africa which hope to inspire and open the eyes for anybody that’s ever wondered what its like to be a young white girl living and breathing this magical continent in the aim of making a difference.

Sal Bolton is a professional actress and attended the CWF Studio Film Academy, London

I would like to acknowledge and thank Cat O’Connor for her help with this project
http://www.myspace.com/catoconnor
Ghana Tennis Aid web page:
http://ghanatennisaid.wetpaint.com/
View photos of the Ghana Tennis project at
http://www.myalbum.com/Album=6WM6QZ6B

Episode One: Africa is calling 
Episode Two: Gateway to Africa
Episode Three: First impressions
Episode Four: Voyage to The North
Episode Five: To Walk With The Elephants
Episode Six: Making a Difference 

Go back to front page

Narrated and written by Sal Bolton
Directed and produced by Nigel Killick

‘You can do it for 3 months or longer, West Africa, country called Ghana – you could teach the kids how to play tennis there’….

Akwaaba! These 6 short episodes depict memoirs from the stories of young University Graduate Sal Bolton making a soul searching decision in taking the sport she loves to aid the underprivileged communties of deepest darkest Africa to the land of the Black Star, Ghana.
 
The episodes follow Sal’s adventures from the encouraging words of a university friend to make a difference in the world after a heavy night of student partying in England….to the unpredictable Tro Tro rides of the dusty congested backstreets of Accra, an adrenaline fuelled adventure across the biggest lake in Africa and roaming the roads of the unknown to walk with the elephants, and receiving her very first marriage proposal whilst being sold a steering wheel. The series highlights the interesting and comedic customs and etiquette she encounters as an ‘Obruni’ in Africa, whilst interacting with the ‘happy go lucky’ local Ghanaians in their habitat and also the heartwarming inner peace she finally finds whilst offering a hand to those less fortunate.  

These stories are adapted from a forthcoming book, The Call of Africa which hope to inspire and open the eyes for anybody that’s ever wondered what its like to be a young white girl living and breathing this magical continent in the aim of making a difference.

Sal Bolton is a professional actress and attended the CWF Studio Film Academy, London

I would like to acknowledge and thank Cat O’Connor for her help with this project
http://www.myspace.com/catoconnor
Ghana Tennis Aid web page:
http://ghanatennisaid.wetpaint.com/
View photos of the Ghana Tennis project at
http://www.myalbum.com/Album=6WM6QZ6B

Episode One: Africa is calling 
Episode Two: Gateway to Africa
Episode Three: First impressions
Episode Four: Voyage to The North
Episode Five: To Walk With The Elephants
Episode Six: Making a Difference 

Go back to front page

Narrated and written by Sal Bolton
Directed and produced by Nigel Killick

‘You can do it for 3 months or longer, West Africa, country called Ghana – you could teach the kids how to play tennis there’….

Akwaaba! These 6 short episodes depict memoirs from the stories of young University Graduate Sal Bolton making a soul searching decision in taking the sport she loves to aid the underprivileged communties of deepest darkest Africa to the land of the Black Star, Ghana.
 
The episodes follow Sal’s adventures from the encouraging words of a university friend to make a difference in the world after a heavy night of student partying in England….to the unpredictable Tro Tro rides of the dusty congested backstreets of Accra, an adrenaline fuelled adventure across the biggest lake in Africa and roaming the roads of the unknown to walk with the elephants, and receiving her very first marriage proposal whilst being sold a steering wheel. The series highlights the interesting and comedic customs and etiquette she encounters as an ‘Obruni’ in Africa, whilst interacting with the ‘happy go lucky’ local Ghanaians in their habitat and also the heartwarming inner peace she finally finds whilst offering a hand to those less fortunate.  

These stories are adapted from a forthcoming book, The Call of Africa which hope to inspire and open the eyes for anybody that’s ever wondered what its like to be a young white girl living and breathing this magical continent in the aim of making a difference.

Sal Bolton is a professional actress and attended the CWF Studio Film Academy, London

I would like to acknowledge and thank Cat O’Connor for her help with this project
http://www.myspace.com/catoconnor
Ghana Tennis Aid web page:
http://ghanatennisaid.wetpaint.com/
View photos of the Ghana Tennis project at
http://www.myalbum.com/Album=6WM6QZ6B

Episode One: Africa is calling 
Episode Two: Gateway to Africa
Episode Three: First impressions
Episode Four: Voyage to The North
Episode Five: To Walk With The Elephants
Episode Six: Making a Difference 

Go back to front page

Narrated and written by Sal Bolton
Directed and produced by Nigel Killick

‘You can do it for 3 months or longer, West Africa, country called Ghana – you could teach the kids how to play tennis there’….

Akwaaba! These 6 short episodes depict memoirs from the stories of young University Graduate Sal Bolton making a soul searching decision in taking the sport she loves to aid the underprivileged communties of deepest darkest Africa to the land of the Black Star, Ghana.
 
The episodes follow Sal’s adventures from the encouraging words of a university friend to make a difference in the world after a heavy night of student partying in England….to the unpredictable Tro Tro rides of the dusty congested backstreets of Accra, an adrenaline fuelled adventure across the biggest lake in Africa and roaming the roads of the unknown to walk with the elephants, and receiving her very first marriage proposal whilst being sold a steering wheel. The series highlights the interesting and comedic customs and etiquette she encounters as an ‘Obruni’ in Africa, whilst interacting with the ‘happy go lucky’ local Ghanaians in their habitat and also the heartwarming inner peace she finally finds whilst offering a hand to those less fortunate.  

These stories are adapted from a forthcoming book, The Call of Africa which hope to inspire and open the eyes for anybody that’s ever wondered what its like to be a young white girl living and breathing this magical continent in the aim of making a difference.

Sal Bolton is a professional actress and attended the CWF Studio Film Academy, London

I would like to acknowledge and thank Cat O’Connor for her help with this project
http://www.myspace.com/catoconnor
Ghana Tennis Aid web page:
http://ghanatennisaid.wetpaint.com/
View photos of the Ghana Tennis project at
http://www.myalbum.com/Album=6WM6QZ6B

Episode One: Africa is calling 
Episode Two: Gateway to Africa
Episode Three: First impressions
Episode Four: Voyage to The North
Episode Five: To Walk With The Elephants
Episode Six: Making a Difference 

Go back to front page

Narrated and written by Sal Bolton
Directed and produced by Nigel Killick

‘You can do it for 3 months or longer, West Africa, country called Ghana – you could teach the kids how to play tennis there’….

Akwaaba! These 6 short episodes depict memoirs from the stories of young University Graduate Sal Bolton making a soul searching decision in taking the sport she loves to aid the underprivileged communties of deepest darkest Africa to the land of the Black Star, Ghana.
 
The episodes follow Sal’s adventures from the encouraging words of a university friend to make a difference in the world after a heavy night of student partying in England….to the unpredictable Tro Tro rides of the dusty congested backstreets of Accra, an adrenaline fuelled adventure across the biggest lake in Africa and roaming the roads of the unknown to walk with the elephants, and receiving her very first marriage proposal whilst being sold a steering wheel. The series highlights the interesting and comedic customs and etiquette she encounters as an ‘Obruni’ in Africa, whilst interacting with the ‘happy go lucky’ local Ghanaians in their habitat and also the heartwarming inner peace she finally finds whilst offering a hand to those less fortunate.  

These stories are adapted from a forthcoming book, The Call of Africa which hope to inspire and open the eyes for anybody that’s ever wondered what its like to be a young white girl living and breathing this magical continent in the aim of making a difference.

Sal Bolton is a professional actress and attended the CWF Studio Film Academy, London

I would like to acknowledge and thank Cat O’Connor for her help with this project
http://www.myspace.com/catoconnor
Ghana Tennis Aid web page:
http://ghanatennisaid.wetpaint.com/
View photos of the Ghana Tennis project at
http://www.myalbum.com/Album=6WM6QZ6B

Malcolm Clark is an English actor who has married a Brazilian and moved to a small city called Curitiba which is the capital city of the Brazilian state of Paraná, located in southern Brazil.  In his narration  Malcolm gives a vivid impression of his new life and surroundings.  Painting a colourful picture of his new city and the people. Giving us an insight into an Englishman's impression  of the rich and diverse cultures of Brazil.

In the coming months Malcolm will be sending us more of his observations and thoughts about his new adopted country.

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 1

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 2

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 3

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 3

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 4

Back to peopletalk front page

Recorded at Brighton University Media Services UK.

Music:  Track: 01-Eu nao sabia (I did not know)
Artist:   Anamar
Album: Transfado
http://www.magnatune.com

 

Malcolm Clark is an English actor who has married a Brazilian and moved to a small city called Curitiba which is the capital city of the Brazilian state of Paraná, located in southern Brazil.  In his narration Malcolm gives a vivid impression of his new life and surroundings.  Painting a colourful picture of his new landscape and the people. Giving us an insight into an Englishman's impression  of the rich and diverse cultures of Brazil.

In this, his third report, he talks about one of many experiences he has had whilst getting to grips with the language, and then goes on to describe a trial by mountain-climbing and a peaceful couple of days spent in the midst of the South Atlantic Rainforest.  

 In the coming months Malcolm will be sending us more of his observations and thoughts about his new adopted country Brazil.

Directed and produced by Nigel Killick

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 1

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 2

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 3

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 3

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 4

Back to peopletalk front page

Recorded at Brighton University Media Services UK.

Music: 

Track: 01-Eu nao sabia (I did not know) 

Artist:   Anamar

Album: Transfado

http://www.magnatune.com

 

 

Malcolm Clark is an English actor who has married a Brazilian and moved to a small city called Curitiba which is the capital city of the Brazilian state of Paraná, located in southern Brazil.  In his narration Malcolm gives a vivid impression of his new life and surroundings.  Painting a colourful picture of his new landscape and the people. Giving us an insight into an Englishman's impression  of the rich and diverse cultures of Brazil.

In part 4, Malcolm talks a bit about everyday  life of people  in Curitiba and about the many positive aspects of living in Brazil that are not made well-known outside the country, as well as some of the negative aspects and shares a few nostalgic moments, recounting some of the things he misses about his way of life in England.

 In the coming months Malcolm will be sending us more of his observations and thoughts about his new adopted country Brazil.

Directed and produced by Nigel Killick

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 1

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 2

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 3

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 3

An Englishman in Brazil by Malcolm Clark Part 4

Back to peopletalk front page

Recorded at Brighton University Media Services UK.

Music: 

Track: 01-Eu nao sabia (I did not know) 

Artist:   Anamar

Album: Transfado

http://www.magnatune.com

Running Spies by Gary Mepsted.

Synopsis of the story:

Literary agent, Katherine, finds herself trapped in a cell and interrogated by her captors who are convinced that she is a spy. Is Katherine the tragic victim of misidentification, or is nothing as it quite appears. Running Spies is a dark, slippery tale of modern espionage.

The Cast: 

Written and directed by Gary Mepsted

Lucy Shaw as Lucy
Francesca Cicic as Katherine

Paul Bentinck as Malcolm  

Produced by Nigel Killick

Go back to front page

Today we have a spotlight interview with Gary Mepsted, Gary has written a number of short stories for peopletalk, so why don't you check out his body of work on this site.

Click on the links below.

The Spirit of You

Never a Rose

 A room without a Smile

Word Games

Gary is writer, director, broadcaster and occasional - and reluctant - actor. His most recent project, a show for the Brighton Festival 'Enjoying Alan Bennett', was huge success. He's currently working on his new, as yet untitled, stage play. When he's not writing Gary plays the electric guitar (with enthusiasm rather than finesse), paints,  reads voraciously, appears on radio reviewing books and discussing matters literary. He also teaches creative writing. 

 

 

Teenager, Abbie Lefevre, has vanished without trace. When struggling private detective Abe Gunnings is called in by Abbie's mother to investigate her disappearance, he quickly discovers that nothing about the case is as it first appears.

Written and directed by Gary Mepsted, narrated by Nick Green, edited and produced by 

Nigel Killick 

 

 

 

Nicholas Green – Actor Profile

Born in Wallington, South London, during the 60s, Nicholas Green has been involved with music, drama & television all his life. Nicholas is involved with media production for over 40 satellite & TV broadcasters with his company TV Media Publishing and now runs local Brighton production company, Driftwood Productions, producing live theatre recordings, comedy, music, drama and film. Driftwood is recently to be found working on a series of short films collectively compiled under the film banner, ‘Driftwood’ due to be released during 2011.

Nicholas is also a keen actor, studying drama at North Kesteven in Lincolnshire. Over the years he has acted in numerous productions such as ‘The Wall’, ‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘1984’. Moving to East Sussex in the 90’s he further studied drama at ACT Brighton. In 2009 he starred in the ACT production of David Hare’s play, ‘The Blue Room’ as the taxi driver. During 2010’s May Festival he has worked on PPZ Productions’ Henry VIII play, ‘The Royal Informer’. Currently he is appearing in Crimson Horse Theatre stage adaptation of ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and their self-devised play ‘Closure’.

 

 

As Chekhov wrote to a friend, "Medicine is my lawful wife, and literature is my mistress. When I get fed up with one, I spend the night with the other. Though it is irregular, it is less boring this way, and besides, neither of them loses anything through my infidelity."

Chekhov's attitude towards life. "In front of that dreary, grey crowd of helpless people there passed a great, wise, and observant man; he looked at all those dreary inhabitants of his country, and, with a sad smile, with a tone of gentle but deep reproach, with anguish in his face and in his heart, in a beautiful and sincere voice he said to them: 'You live badly, my friends. It is shameful to live like that.' "

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860-1914) was one of the most representative Russian writers in the last two decades of the nineteenth century. His works present a vivid picture of Russia's everyday life with its triumphant complacency, deplorable banality, cruel senselessness, dull boredom, stunted intellect, and moral emptiness. Chekhov did not pose as a moral teacher, but as an imaginative investigator. He often insisted that he was not called upon as a writer to suggest remedies for the diseases of society, but, as a physician by training, to diagnose them. Yet, in reading his dismal account of Russia, one cannot help hearing the author's condemnation of the laziness and self-indulgence of his fellow-men, of their l9th nineteenth century life in which everything is shallow, stupid, and commonplace. A thoughtful reader of Chekhov will hardly accuse him of being indifferent to morality and society. He will rather perceive in his works a skilful criticism of that commonplace Russian life in which nobody else seemed interested and of which so few understood the significance and the value.

But men of genius like Chekhov are usually not satisfied with flinging only criticisms. When they criticise and condemn the sluggish current of contemporary existence, their action is motivated by a sort of "categorical imperative," by the persistent innate demand of their restless souls which cannot be appeased by existing conditions. This demand is in itself something positive, something real; for it is born of an ideal of life which the author has visualised, towards which he aspires, and with which he compares the humdrum world. Undoubtedly Chekhov, too, had an attitude towards human problems that was peculiarly his own, coloured by his own ideal of a beautiful and harmonious life. M. Gorky, Reminiscenus of Anton Cheklwv, by Gorky, Kuprin and Bunin, New York, 1921,p.2j. 658

Narrated by Sandra Ventris,  directed and produced by Nigel Killick Recorded at the University of Brighton's Media department recording studios.

peopletalk© 2010

For more information about Anton Chekhov please follow the link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Chekhov

'Death is no barrier to Beatrice and Florence's friendship, but when Beatrice leaves her childhood home Florence is forced to remain in the house, and the future of their relationship is threatened.'

 

Arabella Gibbins is an actress, singer and songwriter

Lucy Mepsted actress

Although she is only 19, Lucy has been acting for many years. Recent productions include 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat', 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' for the Shakespeare Youth Festival, 'An Evening with Noel Coward' for the Brighton Festival, 2008, 'Attempts on Her Life' by Martin Crimp, and 'Enjoying Alan Bennett', for the Brighton Festival,2009.  She has also recently worked on a short film, 'The Glove'. Lucy is currently in rehearsal for a new musical, 'The Royal Informer' which will debut at the Brighton Festival 2010, and transfer to the Edinburgh Festival.  Lucy is also an enthusiastic and accomplished singer and (slightly reluctant) dancer.

Gary Mepsted writer

Gary is a writer, director, broadcaster and occasional actor. He is currently involved in various theatre and film projects (as writer/director). Gary also writes reviews for a number of publications. His full length stage play, 'Two Minute Egg' is now in rehearsal. When he's not writing Gary plays the electric guitar (with enthusiasm rather than finesse), paints, draws, reads voraciously - and teaches creative writing. He also appears regularly on radio reviewing books and discussing matters literary.

Heather Taylor is a Canadian writer and actress who left the un-congested lands of Canada's endless open prairies; where Albertans talk slower and enjoy more space: and travelled halfway around the world, choosing to live in one of the most crowded places on the planet, England.  In these six episodes Heather highlights the strange and sometimes unexpected experiences of her new home while interacting with the local inhabitants; their strange customs and exotic architecture make Heather feel that she has stepped into a different world.  She gives us, the listener an insight into her thoughts from the New World to her experiences of living in the old world of Shakespeare surrounded by millions of people. Please go to the blue listing on the left of this page and then go to the audio books to get our full audio books catalogue. Episode One: Episode One Episode Two: The Strange and Wonderful World of Food Episode Three: Why I'm here instead of there Episode Four: A Sporting Life Episode Five: Stuck in the middle of News Episode Six: Going Home

Our Man In Alaska:
Episode One: 
Living in a postcard and A typical day at -65.

Some people think they know what cold is, but unless you’ve been to the arctic you have no idea. Learn just what it’s like to experience deep cold, up close and personal.

Many people fantasize about what life would be like way up in the forests and mountains and tundra of the Arctic wilderness. But few will ever actually convince themselves to give it a try. If you have ever wondered what it takes to make it in the Greatland take a listen to these short episodes and you will start to get a picture of it.

Basil Sands was born right in the middle of the Alaskan Frontier on a hot summer day in 1968 and now he’s here to tell you all about it. Alaska that is, not his birth…his mother was rather adamant about keeping that bit private. Over the course of these episodes you will learn about the real life and the people of Alaska. Some of the stories are his own experiences. Some as told by friends and family. And some from the early days as told by his pioneer Grandfather who was one of the first civilians to drive up the Alaska/Canada highway in 1946. Most all of the stories are mostly all true, although some names have been changed so Basil doesn’t get into any trouble, since most of his neighbors are very well armed.

Episode One: A typical day at -65
Episode Two:   Moving my family to the wilderness
Episode Three: Mosquitoes
Episode Four:  Grocery Hunting in the Modern Age
Episode Five:  The Nanny. Every kid needs someone to watch over them.
Episode Six:   Brothers on the Frontier.

Back to peopletalk front page

Our interview with Basil Sands

Why not visit Basil web site and listen to his great free audio books
at www.basilsands.com
Buy Music at magnatune
Music credits:
1st Track Music from Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Track: Hagagatan 14
Album: GratisJazz
Artist: Eternal Jazz Project
Click here to take you to track.
2nd Track: Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Album: Acoustic Earth - Electric Sky
Track: Angel
Click here to take you to track.

Our Man In Alaska:
Episode Two:  Moving my family to the wilderness.

In 1996 Basil moved his wife and son from the relative comforts of the American Midwest back to his birth home of Salcha Alaska. Little did his Korean City Girl wife know what was in store for them.

Many people fantasize about what life would be like way up in the forests and mountains and tundra of the Arctic wilderness. But few will ever actually convince themselves to give it a try. If you have ever wondered what it takes to make it in the Greatland take a listen to these short episodes and you will start to get a picture of it.

Basil Sands was born right in the middle of the Alaskan Frontier on a hot summer day in 1968 and now he’s here to tell you all about it. Alaska that is, not his birth…his mother was rather adamant about keeping that bit private. Over the course of these episodes you will learn about the real life and the people of Alaska. Some of the stories are his own experiences. Some as told by friends and family. And some from the early days as told by his pioneer Grandfather who was one of the first civilians to drive up the Alaska/Canada highway in 1946. Most all of the stories are mostly all true, although some names have been changed so Basil doesn’t get into any trouble, since most of his neighbors are very well armed.



Episode One: A typical day at -65
Episode Two:   Moving my family to the wilderness
Episode Three: Mosquitoes
Episode Four:  Grocery Hunting in the Modern Age
Episode Five:  The Nanny. Every kid needs someone to watch over them.
Episode Six:   Brothers on the Frontier.

Back to peopletalk front page

Our interview with Basil Sands

Why not visit Basil web site and listen to his great free audio books
at www.basilsands.com
Buy Music at magnatune
Music credits:
1st Track Music from Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Track: Hagagatan 14
Album: GratisJazz
Artist: Eternal Jazz Project
Click here to take you to track.
2nd Track: Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Album: Acoustic Earth - Electric Sky
Track: Angel
Click here to take you to track.

Our Man In Alaska:
Episode Three: Mosquitoes.

There is a joke in Alaska that the state bird is actually the mosquito. The funniest part of the joke is that we’re not joking when we say that.

Many people fantasize about what life would be like way up in the forests and mountains and tundra of the Arctic wilderness. But few will ever actually convince themselves to give it a try. If you have ever wondered what it takes to make it in the Greatland take a listen to these short episodes and you will start to get a picture of it.

Basil Sands was born right in the middle of the Alaskan Frontier on a hot summer day in 1968 and now he’s here to tell you all about it. Alaska that is, not his birth…his mother was rather adamant about keeping that bit private. Over the course of these episodes you will learn about the real life and the people of Alaska. Some of the stories are his own experiences. Some as told by friends and family. And some from the early days as told by his pioneer Grandfather who was one of the first civilians to drive up the Alaska/Canada highway in 1946. Most all of the stories are mostly all true, although some names have been changed so Basil doesn’t get into any trouble, since most of his neighbors are very well armed.


Episode One: A typical day at -65
Episode Two:   Moving my family to the wilderness
Episode Three: Mosquitoes
Episode Four:  Grocery Hunting in the Modern Age
Episode Five:  The Nanny. Every kid needs someone to watch over them.
Episode Six:   Brothers on the Frontier.

Back to peopletalk front page

Our interview with Basil Sands

Why not visit Basil web site and listen to his great free audio books
at www.basilsands.com
Buy Music at magnatune
Music credits:
1st Track Music from Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Track: Hagagatan 14
Album: GratisJazz
Artist: Eternal Jazz Project
Click here to take you to track.
2nd Track: Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Album: Acoustic Earth - Electric Sky
Track: Angel
Click here to take you to track.

Our Man In Alaska:
Episode Four: Grocery Hunting in the Modern Age.

Hunting is more than just a tradition or past time in Alaska,
its part of surviving.  In this episode you’ll hear how wilderness survival and  technology are sometimes at odds with one another.

Many people fantasize about what life would be like way up in the forests and mountains and tundra of the Arctic wilderness. But few will ever actually convince themselves to give it a try. If you have ever wondered what it takes to make it in the Greatland take a listen to these short episodes and you will start to get a picture of it.

Basil Sands was born right in the middle of the Alaskan Frontier on a hot summer day in 1968 and now he’s here to tell you all about it. Alaska that is, not his birth…his mother was rather adamant about keeping that bit private. Over the course of these episodes you will learn about the real life and the people of Alaska. Some of the stories are his own experiences. Some as told by friends and family. And some from the early days as told by his pioneer Grandfather who was one of the first civilians to drive up the Alaska/Canada highway in 1946. Most all of the stories are mostly all true, although some names have been changed so Basil doesn’t get into any trouble, since most of his neighbors are very well armed.


Episode One: Living in a postcard and A typical day at -65.
Episode Two: Moving my family to the wilderness
Episode Three: Mosquitoes
Episode Four: Grocery Hunting in the Modern Age
Episode Four: Grocery Hunting in the Modern Age
Episode Five:The Nanny. Every kid needs someone to watch over them.
Episode Six: Brothers on the Frontier

One more episodes are in production and coming soon...........

Episode 6 – Brothers on the Frontier
The year was 1946, the Alaska Canada Highway had just opened to civilian traffic. Joe and Pete Balch, freshly released from the military after the war, decide it is time to head north. This is the story of how they got there.

Our interview with Basil Sands

Why not visit Basil web site and listen to his great free audio books
at www.basilsands.com
Buy Music at magnatune
Music credits:
1st Track Music from Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Track: Hagagatan 14
Album: GratisJazz
Artist: Eternal Jazz Project
Click here to take you to track.
2nd Track: Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Album: Acoustic Earth - Electric Sky
Track: Angel
Click here to take you to track.

Our Man In Alaska:
Episode Five: The Nanny

Every kid needs someone to watch over them. Some rich kids get nannies. But me, I had a great big slobbery Saint Bernard.

Many people fantasize about what life would be like way up in the forests and mountains and tundra of the Arctic wilderness. But few will ever actually convince themselves to give it a try. If you have ever wondered what it takes to make it in the Greatland take a listen to these short episodes and you will start to get a picture of it.

Basil Sands was born right in the middle of the Alaskan Frontier on a hot summer day in 1968 and now he’s here to tell you all about it. Alaska that is, not his birth…his mother was rather adamant about keeping that bit private. Over the course of these episodes you will learn about the real life and the people of Alaska. Some of the stories are his own experiences. Some as told by friends and family. And some from the early days as told by his pioneer Grandfather who was one of the first civilians to drive up the Alaska/Canada highway in 1946. Most all of the stories are mostly all true, although some names have been changed so Basil doesn’t get into any trouble, since most of his neighbors are very well armed.


Episode One: Living in a postcard and A typical day at -65.
Episode Two: Moving my family to the wilderness
Episode Three: Mosquitoes
Episode Four: Grocery Hunting in the Modern Age
Episode Five:The Nanny. Every kid needs someone to watch over them.
Episode Six:

One more episodes are in production and coming soon...........
Episode 6 – Brothers on the Frontier
The year was 1946, the Alaska Canada Highway had just opened to civilian traffic. Joe and Pete Balch, freshly released from the military after the war, decide it is time to head north. This is the story of how they got there.

Our interview with Basil Sands

Why not visit Basil web site and listen to his great free audio books
at www.basilsands.com
Buy Music at magnatune
Music credits:
1st Track Music from Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Track: Hagagatan 14
Album: GratisJazz
Artist: Eternal Jazz Project
Click here to take you to track.
2nd Track: Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Album: Acoustic Earth - Electric Sky
Track: Angel
Click here to take you to track.

Our Man In Alaska:
Episode Six: Brothers on the Frontier.

The year was 1946, the Alaska Canada Highway had just opened to civilian traffic. Joe and Pete Balch, freshly released from the military after the war, decide it is time to head north. This is the story of how they got there.

Many people fantasize about what life would be like way up in the forests and mountains and tundra of the Arctic wilderness. But few will ever actually convince themselves to give it a try. If you have ever wondered what it takes to make it in the Greatland take a listen to these short episodes and you will start to get a picture of it.

Basil Sands was born right in the middle of the Alaskan Frontier on a hot summer day in 1968 and now he’s here to tell you all about it. Alaska that is, not his birth…his mother was rather adamant about keeping that bit private. Over the course of these episodes you will learn about the real life and the people of Alaska. Some of the stories are his own experiences. Some as told by friends and family. And some from the early days as told by his pioneer Grandfather who was one of the first civilians to drive up the Alaska/Canada highway in 1946. Most all of the stories are mostly all true, although some names have been changed so Basil doesn’t get into any trouble, since most of his neighbors are very well armed.


Episode One: Living in a postcard and A typical day at -65.
Episode Two: Moving my family to the wilderness
Episode Three: Mosquitoes
Episode Four: Grocery Hunting in the Modern Age
Episode Five:The Nanny. Every kid needs someone to watch over them.
Episode Six: Brothers on the Frontier.

Another four more episodes are in production and coming soon...........

Our interview with Basil Sands

Why not visit Basil web site and listen to his great free audio books
at www.basilsands.com
Buy Music at magnatune
Music credits:
1st Track Music from Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Track: Hagagatan 14
Album: GratisJazz
Artist: Eternal Jazz Project
Click here to take you to track.
2nd Track: Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Album: Acoustic Earth - Electric Sky
Track: Angel
Click here to take you to track.

Nicola Dane plays the wife

Actor, singer, writer, painter and violinist, Nicola came to acting via Forensic Psychology and encaustic (wax) painting,  exhibiting at the Manchester Art Show. Trained at The Academy of Creative Training, these days she contintues her art while in between doing theatre, film and, her cabaret act, The Vogueabonds. Most recently Nicola performed some Alan Bennett: “Nicola Dane made three classic Bennett characters her own: the redoubtable Mrs Hopkins from Me, I'm Afraid of Virginia Woolf, the unwitting foot masseur Miss Fozzard and The Lady in the Van herself,  Miss Shepherd.”

Click here to vistit Nicola Dane Spotlight page


Lucy Mepsted Plays the daughter.

Although she is only 18 Lucy has been acting for many years. Recent productions include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, A Midsummer Night's Dream for The Shakespeare Youth Festival,  An Evening with Noel Coward for the Brighton Festival 2008, Attempts on her Life by Martin Crimp and Enjoying Alan Bennett,  for the Brighton Festival 2009. Lucy is also an enthusiastic and accomplished singer and (slightly reluctant) dancer.

Ruby Chowdhry players the lover.

Ruby is from Burnley Lancashire and came to Brighton to undertake a degree in Illustration.  Ruby then took a short course in acting at The Academy of Creative Training, where she was re-commended for the two year diploma.  At this time that she was offered the part in the Brighton Fringe Festival, as a character called ‘Lesley’ in a monologue, ‘Her Big Chance’ by the English, playwright, Alan Bennett. She continues to work on scripts and is due to perform in one of a series of short stories and now is based in Brighton.

Gary Mepsted author & director.

Gary is writer, director, broadcaster and occasional - and reluctant - actor. His most recent project, a show for the Brighton Festival 'Enjoying Alan Bennett', was huge success. He's currently working on his new, as yet untitled, stage play. When he's not writing Gary plays the electric guitar (with enthusiasm rather than finesse), paints,  reads voraciously, appears on radio reviewing books and discussing matters literary. He also teaches creative writing.

Music composed by David M Hoyle & violins and viola play
by Rupert Bawden.

My Interview today is with Biddy Cox, who at the tender age of 17 joined the London Fire Brigade as a Driver at the height of the bombing known as the Blitz in World War II. As the haunting sounds of the air raid sirens echoed around London and its population headed for the relative safety of the bomb shelters, the 17-year-old Biddy had to race around London running the nightly ordeal of bombs raining down all around her to get the injured Londoners to a hospital. As the war grind slowly on Biddy managed to get transferred to the Far East, where she joined the SOE, as part of Special Operations Executive working with military James Bond types. Where she met her future husband who was a SOE agent working behind Japanese enemy lines.

----------------------
I would just like to thank Mike O'Hara and Daniel Grimwood of Forgotten Melodies at http://mohstuff.com/FM/ for their kind permission to use their recording of Canzona Serenata Op.38, No.6 by Nikolai Medtner played by Daniel Grimwood.

To hear Mike and Daniel talk about the composer Nikolai Medtner go to http://mohstuff.com/FM episode 2

Episode One:
Heather Taylor is a Canadian writer and actress who left the un-congested lands of Canada's endless open prairies; where Albertans talk slower and enjoy more space: and travelled halfway around the world, choosing to live in one of the most crowded places on the planet, England. 

This series highlights the strange and sometimes unexpected experiences of her new home while interacting with the local inhabitants; their strange customs and exotic architecture make Heather feel that she has stepped into a different world.  She gives us, the listener an insight into her thoughts from the New World to her experiences of living in the old world of Shakespeare surrounded by millions of people.

The first episode in the series, How I Ended up on a Small Island, highlights Heather’s journey from the prairies of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to the busy metropolis of London, England. 

Find out how she got here and why she decided to stay
Episode One: From the prairies of Canada to London
Episode Two: The strange and wonderful world of food
Episode Three: Why I'm here instead of there
Episode Four: A Sporting Life
Episode Five: Stuck in the middle of News
Episode Six: Going Home

Please click here to go to her Spotlight page
Please click here to go to her web site

Music: 02-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Humoresque
Artist: Gerard Satamian.
Album: Dry Fig Trees. 
(Preview and buy at www.magnatune.com)

Episode Two: The Strange and Wonderful World of Food

Heather Taylor is a Canadian writer and actress who left the un-congested lands of Canada's endless open prairies; where Albertans talk slower and enjoy more space: and travelled halfway around the world, choosing to live in one of the most crowded places on the planet, England.
 
This series highlights the strange and sometimes unexpected experiences of her new home while interacting with the local inhabitants; their strange customs and exotic architecture make Heather feel that she has stepped into a different world.  She gives us, the listener an insight into her thoughts from the New World to her experiences of living in the old world of Shakespeare surrounded by millions of people.
 
The second episode in the series, The strange and Wonderful World of Food, highlights Heather’s experiences with British cuisine as a strict vegetarian and how she discovered that what you call food determines where you’re from. 

Episode One: From the prairies of Canada to London
Episode Two: The strange and wonderful world of food
Episode Three: Why I'm here instead of there
Episode Four: A Sporting Life
Episode Five: Stuck in the middle of News
Episode Six: Going Home

Please click here to go to her Spotlight page
Please click here to go to her web site

Music: 02-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Humoresque
Artist: Gerard Satamian.
Album: Dry Fig Trees. 
(Preview and buy at www.magnatune.com)

Episode Three: Why I'm here instead of there.

Heather Taylor is a Canadian writer and actress who left the un-congested lands of Canada's endless open prairies; where Albertans talk slower and enjoy more space: and travelled halfway around the world, choosing to live in one of the most crowded places on the planet, England.
 
This series highlights the strange and sometimes unexpected experiences of her new home while interacting with the local inhabitants; their strange customs and exotic architecture make Heather feel that she has stepped into a different world.  She gives us, the listener an insight into her thoughts from the New World to her experiences of living in the old world of Shakespeare surrounded by millions of people.
 
The third episode in the series, Why I’m Here Instead of There, explores the positive and negative aspects of moving to a new country on the other side of the world and why despite that, Heather still wants to stay.
 
Episode One: From the prairies of Canada to London
Episode Two: The strange and wonderful world of food
Episode Three: Why I'm here instead of there
Episode Four: A Sporting Life
Episode Five: Stuck in the middle of News
Episode Six: Going Home

If you wish to know more about Heather Taylor.
Please click here to go to her Spotlight page
Please click here to go to her web site

Music: 02-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Humoresque
Artist: Gerard Satamian.
Album: Dry Fig Trees. 
(Preview and buy at www.magnatune.com)

Episode Four: A Sporting Life

Heather Taylor is a Canadian writer and actress who left the un-congested lands of Canada's endless open prairies; where Albertans talk slower and enjoy more space: and travelled halfway around the world, choosing to live in one of the most crowded places on the planet, England.  

This series highlights the strange and sometimes unexpected experiences of her new home while interacting with the local inhabitants; their strange customs and exotic architecture make Heather feel that she has stepped into a different world.  She gives us, the listener an insight into her thoughts from the New World to her experiences of living in the old world of Shakespeare surrounded by millions of people.

The forth episode in the series, A Sporting Life, gives an insight into Heather’s theories on the difference between British and North American sports and what it was like to be in the thick of the crowd for her very first professional football match.

Episode One: From the prairies of Canada to London
Episode Two: The strange and wonderful world of food
Episode Three: Why I'm here instead of there
Episode Four: A Sporting Life
Episode Five: Stuck in the middle of News
Episode Six: Going Home

Please click here to go to her Spotlight page
Please click here to go to her web site

Music: 02-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Humoresque
Artist: Gerard Satamian.
Album: Dry Fig Trees. 
(Preview and buy at www.magnatune.com)

Episode Five: Stuck in the middle of News

Heather Taylor is a Canadian writer and actress who left the un-congested lands of Canada's endless open prairies; where Albertans talk slower and enjoy more space: and travelled halfway around the world, choosing to live in one of the most crowded places on the planet, England.  

This series highlights the strange and sometimes unexpected experiences of her new home while interacting with the local inhabitants; their strange customs and exotic architecture make Heather feel that she has stepped into a different world.  She gives us, the listener an insight into her thoughts from the New World to her experiences of living in the old world of Shakespeare surrounded by millions of people.

Episode One: From the prairies of Canada to London
Episode Two: The strange and wonderful world of food
Episode Three: Why I'm here instead of there
Episode Four: A Sporting Life
Episode Five: Stuck in the middle of News
Episode Six: Going Home

Please click here to go to her Spotlight page
Please click here to go to her web site

Music: 02-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Humoresque
Artist: Gerard Satamian.
Album: Dry Fig Trees. 
(Preview and buy at www.magnatune.com)

Episode Six: Going Home

Heather Taylor is a Canadian writer and actress who left the un-congested lands of Canada's endless open prairies; where Albertans talk slower and enjoy more space: and travelled halfway around the world, choosing to live in one of the most crowded places on the planet, England.  

This series highlights the strange and sometimes unexpected experiences of her new home while interacting with the local inhabitants; their strange customs and exotic architecture make Heather feel that she has stepped into a different world.  She gives us, the listener an insight into her thoughts from the New World to her experiences of living in the old world of Shakespeare surrounded by millions of people.

 The fifth episode in the series is about going home.

Episode One: From the prairies of Canada to London
Episode Two: The strange and wonderful world of food
Episode Three: Why I'm here instead of there
Episode Four: A Sporting Life
Episode Five: Stuck in the middle of News
Episode Six: Going Home

Please click here to go to her Spotlight page
Please click here to go to her web site

Music: 02-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Humoresque
Artist: Gerard Satamian.
Album: Dry Fig Trees. 
(Preview and buy at www.magnatune.com)

If you wish to know more about Heather Taylor.
Please click here to go to her Spotlight page
Please click here to go to her web site

Music: 02-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Humoresque
Artist: Gerard Satamian.
Album: Dry Fig Trees.
(Preview and buy at www.magnatune.com)

My interview today is a little offbeat and might be considered strange and somewhat bizarre, as I am talking to the Moon man a.k.a. Barry McArdle.  No he's not a deranged fantasists, who has escaped from the local lunatic asylum and no I haven't finally  given into senility.

For some of you who are old enough to remember the 70s, you will probably have a faint glimmer of recognition only when I tell you, that he was quite famous for selling acres on the moon for a dollar.  His story is one of those kind of urban myths that you're never quite sure is true, and think it was probably made up by a group of late-night drinkers in a bar and has passed into the mists of time and legend.   But I have to tell you that it's all true, it really is true and I was fascinated to re-acquaint myself with this story of how this young Californian man managed to carve out a living for almost 10 years after leaving college, selling certificates of land ownership on the moon to passersby on the street.
 
Obviously, we will be giving a link on our website to Barry McArdle's excellent free audio book, where our listeners can hear the whole funny story in all its glorious technicolour.  So this interview can only really be a synopsis of Barry's fascinating life story and is a only a teaser to encourage our listeners to hear his wonderfully descriptive and funny story.

Why not visit Barry McArdle web site to buy his book and moon certificates

To listen to Barry McArdle's excellent free audio book click here
at http://www.podiobooks.com/title/i-sold-the-moon

Music by ive Ass Sleepers on http://magnatune.com
Album: Gettin Down to Business
Track: KC
Click this link to buy this music

Click here for our direct iTune link
You will need iTunes installed on your computer for this to work.

Christabel Clark reads the Devil
by Guy de Maupassant
Directed and produced by Nigel Killick

Christabel is a member of The National Youth theatre, and hopes to follow a career in acting after completing her degree in Philosophy at The University of Cambridge. Until then her she is seeking out any opportunity she can to be involved in the world of drama, and intends to join Footlights as soon as she gets to Cambridge!

Christabel Clark is a young aspiring actress, currently filling her gap year with as much acting experience as she can lay her hands on! Bursting on to the stage at the age of six, drama and theatre have been a part of life ever since, and Christabel longs to turn her lifelong passion into a career. Christabel’s experience covers a wide range of drama, from Gilbert and Sullivan operas, to Shakespeare and Brecht, to musical theatre, also including self-written comedy sketches and short films.

You can buy this music at www.magnatune.com
Artist: Robert F. Trucios
Album: From the Lobby of the Cooper Arms
Track:01-Gnossienne No. 4
Click here to buy music

Click here for our direct iTune link
You will need iTunes installed on your computer for this to work

Sandra Ventris reads part 21 of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott, produced by Nigel Killick.

Audio Book

Final episode 21

Of all the beautiful women of history, none has left us such convincing
proofs of her charms as Cleopatra, for the tide of Rome's destiny, and,
therefore, that of the world, turned aside because of her beauty. Julius
Caesar, whose legions trampled the conquered world from Canopus to the Thames, capitulated to her, and Mark Antony threw a fleet, an empire and his own honor to the winds to follow her to his destruction. Disarmed at last before the frigid Octavius, she found her peerless body measured by the cold eye of her captor only for the triumphal procession, and the friendly asp alone
spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.

Please email your comments to nigel.killick@ntlworld.com

Sandra Ventris is a professional actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra
please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.libsyn.com

Audio Book
Cleopatra part 20

Of all the beautiful women of history, none has left us such convincing
proofs of her charms as Cleopatra, for the tide of Rome's destiny, and,
therefore, that of the world, turned aside because of her beauty. Julius
Caesar, whose legions trampled the conquered world from Canopus to the Thames, capitulated to her, and Mark Antony threw a fleet, an empire and his own honor to the winds to follow her to his destruction. Disarmed at last before the frigid Octavius, she found her peerless body measured by the cold eye of her captor only for the triumphal procession, and the friendly asp alone
spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.

Please email your comments to nigel.killick@ntlworld.com

Sandra Ventris is a professional actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra
please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.libsyn.com

Interview

Michael is a student soon to graduate from Indiana University, having chosen history as his field of study. Having done what he refers to as "hard time" in the Kelley School of Business, Michael followed the advice of all those who had told him to follow his passion and made an educational career change into the study of history, stoking the flame originally sparked by a high school British literature teacher. He will begin graduate-level historical studies in the coming autumn term.

Taking inspiration from cousin and fellow history enthusiast Matt Dattilo from Matt's Today in History, Michael began the British History 101 podcast in June of 2006. Starting with the Battle of Hastings and moving throughout British history to explore a variety of topics and areas of interest, the show is proud have several thousand of the world's best fans.

Michael firmly believes that understanding the past leads to a greater understanding of both the present and the future and is fascinated by exploring even the tiniest corner of the puzzle of human experience.

Please visit Michael's web site at
www.britishhistory101.com
Please visit magnatune.com for the music by Eternal Jazz Project:
Track: Aterkomst
Link:http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/ejp-gratis/

Audio Book

A room without a smile
Successful children's author Romola Pearce and her husband James, lead an idyllic life: a new London house and their first baby on the way.

However, everything is not as perfect as it first appears. The house, particularly the back bedroom which is to be the nursery, shelters a ghostly presence; a small boy who threatens Romola and her unborn child.

Nicola Dane graduated from The Academy of Creative Training in 2007. Credits include voice-over for The Arts Council, Cinderella (Rainbow Theatre), and Lucy in Lucy (Andrea Brooks, Pavilion Theatre), as well as a substantial amount of corporate roleplay. She is part of the comedy singing act The Vogueabonds (which was invited to Glastonbury for the second time this year). Half-South-African, Nicola is a Psychology graduate who has worked running a department in a secure psychiatric unit, and as Editor for a newsletter for an international charity. She is an accomplished soprano and enjoys painting and playing the violin in her spare time.



Visit Nicola spotlight page here

Gary Mepsted is a writer, director and occasional - and reluctant - actor.

Of all the beautiful women of history, none has left us such convincing
proofs of her charms as Cleopatra, for the tide of Rome's destiny, and,
therefore, that of the world, turned aside because of her beauty. Julius
Caesar, whose legions trampled the conquered world from Canopus to the Thames, capitulated to her, and Mark Antony threw a fleet, an empire and his own honor to the winds to follow her to his destruction. Disarmed at last before the frigid Octavius, she found her peerless body measured by the cold eye of her captor only for the triumphal procession, and the friendly asp alone
spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.

Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra
please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.libsyn.com

Interview

Basil Sands has been weaving stories for anyone who would listen since he was a child.  From humble beginnings over 40 years ago on a rural homestead in interior Alaska and his school years among the cornfields of Ohio he grew to become one of the most popular new audio book talents on the web.
 
He nearly became a professional stand-up comedian but the big break came too late.  He had already enlisted in the US Marines. After only six months though he broke his ankle and found himself out of a job. Unsure of what to do he worked in a wide variety of fields (many simultaneously) including restaurant manager for the National Security Agency (chef to the spies), owned a computer shop, worked as a carpenter, farmer, stage actor, lumberjack, tv voice, Wilderness Medic, network manager, Boy Scout leader, university teacher, IT training specialist, radio talk show host, computer forensics technician, and youth minister.
 
After 9/11 he spent three years as a Coastal Scouts sergeant in the Alaska State Defense Force patrolling the coastline around Whittier Alaska and was named Alaska Soldier of the Year in 2003.

He started writing military action novels relatively late in life, at 37 years old.  With hopes and aspirations of becoming “The next Frederick Forsythe”, he boldly leaped into the circus that is publishing only to find himself humbled and rebuffed by nearly a hundred agents.  One agent took him on, but after a year of working towards publication retired and left him hanging.

Undaunted he decided it was time to find a new way to get his name out there.  After discovering a free audio books site called podiobooks.com Basil took it upon himself to produce his first two novels as free serialized audio books.  He wrote and podcast two more and has started on a fifth novel.  The episodes have had over 350,000 downloads.
He currently lives, works, and writes in Anchorage Alaska with his wife and three sons, a bongo, a djembe and two bodhrans.
 
Please visit Basil Sands web site at: www.basilsands.com

Music at www.magnatune.com:
Walking Home by Eternal Jazz Project

Office Hours by Linda Lewis, narrated by Sandra Ventris, directed & produced by Nigel Killick

This blackly comic story tells of a widow who just about manages to make a living by writing romantic short stories for magazines.  She prefers to keep regular OFFICE HOURS, but her family, friends and neighbours take no notice, and are always interrupting her work, saying that she can write at any time of day. One day, after several interruptions, and with her patience and temper stretched to breaking point, Bernard Norton turns up, uninvited, at her door.  They had met, briefly, at a writers group. It’s the last straw. With all thoughts of romance gone from her head, she begins to plan a very different plot -  this time it’s a murder. chums.

If you wish know more about the author Linda Lewis at http://akacatherinehoward.weebly.com

Artist: Amoeba Album: Watchful. Tracks: Inside: Origami: Footless: Big Clouds You can buy this music at: magnatune.com

HOME RUN

Because of financial irregularities in his past, Robbins has been advised to get out of  England for a while. As a result he is keeping his head down for a while in Norway. 

While out walking one day, he witnesses a crime and also makes a surprising discovery.  Because of his past he can’t go to the police, so he decides that a rapid departure from Norway is the safest solution for him. 

 

But was that the right decision? He will soon find out.

 

 

Michael MacMahon is both an actor and an author. 

In a varied acting career he has most recently been seen on the Bristol stage in “Richard III” and the panto “Robin Hood”. In spring 2010 he had leading roles in three short films: “One More Kiss Darling”, “Old Age Pillagers” and “Warm Fuzzies, Cold Pricklies”. 

He was also a voice-over on the TV documentary “Shooting the War”, shown on BBC4 in February 2010. Wearing his author’s hat, Michael writes articles and short stories. He has also recently e-published his first book: a guide to personal debt entitled “Back to the Black: how to become debt-free and stay that way.”

After a 25-year career in the chemical industry, he set up and ran his own training business and then became a media spokesman for a health charity. 

Previous publications included numerous articles in trade journals and a technical handbook that was translated into a dozen languages and is still available 20 years later.

Why not visit Michael MacMahon's blog at:

 http://michaelmacmahon43.blogspot.com/

 

Music tracks:

Track:Track:Afternoon Reflection

Album: The New Age Masters

Track: Archetype Album:Single

Orb Gettarr ©2009

Please visit his music at:

http://opsound.org/artist/orbgettarr

 

Please click on the Pod logo on the top left of each audio piece to hear program.

Isabel Woods reads The Tragic Actor by Anton Chekhov, directed & produced by Nigel Killick.

Anton Chekhov is regarded by many as the most outstanding short story writer. This may be a surprise at the first encounter with even his most famous stories, because they are rarely driven by plot or anticipation. They are often gentle in character, elusive in purpose; but they create a resonance in the imagination that rings long. Here are 12 stories, from the brightly comic to the overtly tragic, each full of the sharpest observations of personality and situation, and with implications beyond their brief form; the dying actor, the children playing a game, the cabman with his tragedy, the orator's mistake and, perhaps most richly of all, the family laid bare in 'In The Ravine'. With music by Tchaikovsky and Balakirev.

Isabel Woods is a professional Actress who trained at Academy of Live and Recorded Arts London. If you wish to know more about Isabel
Please click here to visit here page on this site.

Music: Chants of the Russian Orthodox Church Monks and Choirs of Kiev Pechersk Lavra

http://magnatune.com/collections/eastern_voices

Cleopatra Part 18

Of all the beautiful women of history, none has left us such convincing
proofs of her charms as Cleopatra, for the tide of Rome's destiny, and,
therefore, that of the world, turned aside because of her beauty. Julius
Caesar, whose legions trampled the conquered world from Canopus to the Thames, capitulated to her, and Mark Antony threw a fleet, an empire and his own honor to the winds to follow her to his destruction. Disarmed at last before the frigid Octavius, she found her peerless body measured by the cold eye of her captor only for the triumphal procession, and the friendly asp alone spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.

Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Becky Wright reads The Emporium of Sausages, by David Allen directed & produced by Nigel Killick.

A kind hearted woman lives a lonely existence as her father's carer. Her only bond is with the local butcher, a shy man devoted to his work. They are alienated from each other by years of sadness until they speak and a strange romance is set in motion.

This sad and touching story casts an irresistible spell.


Becky Wright is a professional actor who trained at Bristol University and Mountview.

She currently plays 'Nic Hanson in 'The BBC's Archers' and is the voice of Jo in the cartoon Jo's Blogs (Ink Apache).

Whilst training she played Agnes in 'Dancing at Lughnasa', Lady Fancyfull in 'The Provok'd Wife', Varya in 'The Cherry Orchard' and Fay in 'Iron' among others.

If you wish to know more about Becky Wright.
Please click here to to go to Becky Spotlight page.

New way of leaving your listeners comments at http://voicethread.com
go to our peopletalk page to leave your audio comments.

http://voicethread.com/?#q+peopletalk.b186972.i992517

Music: Eli
Artist: Beth Quist
Album:Lucidity (PREVIEW: buy it at www.magnatune.com)

Holly Walters reads Dreamscape by David Allen, directed & produced by Nigel Killick.

Dreamscape

In a world of twisted logic a mysterious dream reveals a horrific and nightmarish tale. A poetic, intelligent vision of a disturbed mind offers a case history with tragic consequences.

Holly Walters is a professional Actress who trained at Drama Studio London. Goldsmith's was where she did her degree, gaining a BA honours in Drama and Theatre arts.
If you wish to know more about Holly.
Please click here to to go to Holly's Spotlight page.

Song: Desire to understand, Album: Otherwake
Artist: Chris Harvey
at http://www.magnatune.com

Cleopatra Part 17

Of all the beautiful women of history, none has left us such convincing
proofs of her charms as Cleopatra, for the tide of Rome's destiny, and,
therefore, that of the world, turned aside because of her beauty. Julius
Caesar, whose legions trampled the conquered world from Canopus to the Thames, capitulated to her, and Mark Antony threw a fleet, an empire and his own honor to the winds to follow her to his destruction. Disarmed at last before the frigid Octavius, she found her peerless body measured by the cold eye of her captor only for the triumphal procession, and the friendly asp alone spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.

Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

All our books are below.....

David Allen is primarily a writer and has written and directed for theatre, radio and film.
 
His stage plays for adults have been performed in a variety of venues in Brighton, London and at the Edinburgh Festival, which include Birds & Stones, Our Little Secret, Chipped Nails & Lipstick, Zones of Discomfort and Don't Worry About Him.  His writing credits for children include Shush!, William the Wizard Slayer and Ah-choo: The Boy Who Could Not Stop Sneezing for The Spotlight Theatre Company. He has also worked for Ragdoll of Teletubbies and Boobah fame in the development of a television fantasy adventure for 7 year olds, in addition to writing picture books for young readers.

David has been an associate producer with Peopletalk Radio since 2006 and his credits include:
 
Documentaries
An Interview with Leslie Gilliat, Veteran Film Producer
Theatre Royal Brighton Audio Tour
Crufts – The World’s Greatest Dog Show (in production)
Zulu (see below)
 
Audio Books by David Allen
Josie Bloom reads “The Mistress & Her Maid”
Holly Walters reads "Dreamscape" (in production)
Scott Haney reads "The Snake, The Duke & The Diamonds" (in production)
Becky Wright reads "The Red Ribbon" (in production)
 
Coming Soon….
With associate producer and editor Josie Bloom, David is currently busy producing his latest documentary Zulu which is about the 1964 adventure film, which depicts the Battle of Rorke's Drift between the British Army and the Zulus in 1879.
 
The documentary centres around the film, - the key figures involved in making the film, the actors, the filmmakers and the soldiers who fought at Rorke’s Drift, in addition to discussing whether the film accurately portrays the historical events on which the film is based. 
 
The documentary combines archive news reports from Victorian England and also features interviews with the film historians Dr Sheldon Hall and Julian Fox, in addition to the acclaimed historians and Anglo Zulu War experts Ian Knight and Dr Macadam.  In the documentary, David guides the listener through the complicated political minefield and reasons for the war, while giving the listener a snapshot picture of the individuals involved, including the fascinating tale of the defeated Zulu king Cetawayo who visited England to have tea with Queen Victoria.
 

 
 

Please click on the Pod logo on the top left of each audio piece to hear program.

Becky Wright reads The Red Ribbon, by David Allen & produced by Nigel Killick.

The Red Ribbon is a wry and heart breakingly poignant tale of a young woman from America's Deep South as she remembers her raw and uplifting childhood.


Becky Wright is a professional actor who trained at Bristol University and Mountview.

She currently plays 'Nic Hanson in 'The BBC's Archers' and is the voice of Jo in the cartoon Jo's Blogs (Ink Apache).

Whilst training she played Agnes in 'Dancing at Lughnasa', Lady Fancyfull in 'The Provok'd Wife', Varya in 'The Cherry Orchard' and Fay in 'Iron' among others.

If you wish to know more about Becky Wright.
Please click here to to go to Becky Spotlight page.

New way of leaving your listeners comments at http://voicethread.com
go to our peopletalk page to leave your audio comments.

http://voicethread.com/?#q+peopletalk.b186972.i992517

Music: Mist of Dawn
Artist: Rejuvenescence
Album:Dreamscapes (PREVIEW: buy it at magnatune.com

Please click on the Pod logo on the top left of each audio piece to hear program.

Vanessa Bolt reads THE DEVIL TO PAY, by Max Pemberton, directed & produced by Nigel Killick.

Vanessa Bolt is a professional Actress who Trained at The Actors Company; London Centre of Theatre Studies.

If you wish to know more about Susannah Bond.
Please click here to to go to Vanessa Spotlight page.

Music: Coda in re minore,
Album:
Artist: Marco
free mp3 at www.podsafeaudio.com,
http://www.podsafeaudio.com

Please click on the Pod logo on the top left of each audio piece to hear program.

Susannah Bond reads THE PENSIONER, by William Caine, directed & produced by Nigel Killick.

Susannah Bond is a professional Actress who graduated from a 3 year diploma in Performing Arts from 'Cambridge Performing Arts @ Bodywork Dance Studio's'.

If you wish to know more about Susannah Bond.
Please click here to to go to Susannah Spotlight page.

Music: Coda in re minore,
Album:
Artist: Marco
free mp3 at www.podsafeaudio.com,
http://www.podsafeaudio.com


THE PENSIONER

The strange sad story of an honourable and foolish man.

"He hated Miss Crewe intensely, but he had undertaken to provide for her, and provide for her he must—even if he failed to provide for himself, and so he continued to pay Miss Crewe her one hundred and fiftypounds each year.

Please click on the Pod logo on the top left of each audio piece to hear program.

Holly Walters reads Broadsheet Ballad by A.E. Coppard, directed & produced by Nigel Killick.

Holly Walters is a professional Actress who trained at Drama Studio London. Goldsmith's was where she did her degree, gaining a BA honours in Drama and Theatre arts.
If you wish to know more about Holly.
Please click here to to go to Holly's Spotlight page.

Song: Muertos, Album: Return of El Lobo,
Artist: Gringo Motel
at http://www.podsafeaudio.com

Please click on the Pod logo on the top left of each audio piece to hear program.

Jean Apps reads Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin, directed & produced by Nigel Killick.

Jean Apps is a professional Actress who trained at City Lit.
If you wish to know more about Jean
Please click here to visit Jean's Spotlight page.
Music Minuet in D minor by Deyo at http://www.podsafeaudio.com

Please click on the Pod logo on the top left of each audio piece to hear program.

Isabel Woods reads The Tenants of History by Michael Edmonds, directed & produced by Nigel Killick.


About The Tenants of History.
If Aristotle, Columbus, Copernicus, Gagarin, JFK and Stalin all lived
together in a rented terrace house, would they debate some of history's
most important issues such as who gets the biggest room, who holds the
TV remote control and who finished all the Shreddies? Probably, but
there are mysteries to solve too, like what's over the back wall, what's
eating Stalin and where will JFK go on his holidays? A light-hearted
look at history or a serious comment on flat-mates, depending on your
point of view.

Isabel Woods is a professional Actress who trained at Academy of Live and Recorded Arts London. If you wish to know more about Isabel
Please click here to visit here page on this site.

Please click on the Pod logo on the top left of each audio piece to hear program.

Scott Haney reads The End of the Path by Newbold Noyes and produced by Nigel Killick.

Set in a little church in the misty purple foothills of the Italian Alps and the blue lake of Como. It's a strange but poignant and evocative story of long lost love and a haunting picture of the Virgin Mary.

Scott Haney is an  American professional actor based in England, who trained at the U.S.C. Drama School in the USA.

If you wish to know more about Scott please visit his Spotlight page.
Please click here to to go to Scott Spotlight page.
Music by Track: Purgatory: Artist: Tyler Riggs: Album: The Religious Wrong - Downloaded from Pod Safe Media; Please go to his music on
http://www.podsafeaudio.com/

Sandra Ventris reads part 16 of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott, produced by Nigel Killick.

Of all the beautiful women of history, none has left us such convincing
proofs of her charms as Cleopatra, for the tide of Rome's destiny, and,
therefore, that of the world, turned aside because of her beauty. Julius
Caesar, whose legions trampled the conquered world from Canopus to the Thames, capitulated to her, and Mark Antony threw a fleet, an empire and his own honor to the winds to follow her to his destruction. Disarmed at last before the frigid Octavius, she found her peerless body measured by the cold eye of her captor only for the triumphal procession, and the friendly asp alone spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.

Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

Josie Bloom reads The short story
"The Mistress and Her Maid",
written by David Allen, produced by Nigel Killick.

Set in eighteenth century England, THE MISTRESS AND HER MAID is the haunting tale of a young country maid who overhears an argument between her mistress and master, and the tragic events which follow, against the backdrop of a gathering storm.

Josie Bloom is a professional Actress who trained at the Academy of Creative Training in Brighton. If you wish to know more about Josie
please visit her CV page.

Music by Devin Anderson"Uniforms motion picture score - Untitled Track (7th)" Please go to his music on
http://www.podsafeaudio.com/

A frank and sometimes harrowing, sometimes funny interview with the Tony Diamond about his early years and his life. He talks about what made him write his fascinating book
Pebble on the Beach.

Pebble on the Beach is the true story of one boy's ability to survive. Growing up in Brighton, England. Tony was subjected to a childhood of physical and mental abuse - including electric shock treatment at the age of ten - abandoned by his family at fifteen, and sent to Australia to fend for himself. Unable to settle, wandering from place to place, he plotted his return to England, but an ill-fated attempt to stowaway led to imprisonment in New Zealand and his eventual deportation. Having visited four continents, survived four brushes with death and a journey of 30.000 miles, he arrived back in England profoundly changed. But were things at home any different?

To buy Tony's book, which is available in bookshops in Britain and on line at: http://www.queensparkbooks.org.uk/
Book ISBN N0: 978-0-904733-62-4
Why not visit Tony Diamond web site
http://www.tonydiamond.co.uk/
Music used in this podcast is: "I've Got a Secret" by Robin Stine
at: www.podsafeaudio.com

Our latest audio book is the classic fable
'Beauty and the Beast'  by Marie Le Prince de Beaumont narrated by
Sara Mendes da Costa. (Photo) produced by Nigel Killick.

Biography:

JEANNE MARIE LEPRINCE
DE BEAUMONT
French author (1711-1780)
Jeanne Marie Leprince de Beaumont was born in Rouen in 1711. In 1748 her first book appears, Le Triomphe de la vérité ou mémoires de M. de La Vilette. She then moved to London where she became tutor of upper-class girls. Then she began writting magazines or pedagogic treatises on children's education. She founded 'Nouveau Magazine français', a literary and scientific compilation for young readers. Between 1750 and 1780 there are 40 volumes published, among them, the famous 'Magazines pour les enfants' (1757) where 'Beauty and the Beast' can be found, 'Magazine des adolescents' (1760) and 'Magazine des pauvres' (1768). At the age of fifty she left England and gets married to Thomas Pichon, with whom she has six children.

This is a peopletalk production © 2007
Production Team:
Sara Mendes da Costa Narrator & Associate Producer is a professional Voice over artist please visit her page for more information.
Nigel Killick - Executive Producer.

Click here to visit Sara Mendes da Costa page.
Click here for music by Kaveh track My New Season ©

Sandra Ventris reads part 15 of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott, produced by Nigel Killick.

Of all the beautiful women of history, none has left us such convincing
proofs of her charms as Cleopatra, for the tide of Rome's destiny, and,
therefore, that of the world, turned aside because of her beauty. Julius
Caesar, whose legions trampled the conquered world from Canopus to the Thames, capitulated to her, and Mark Antony threw a fleet, an empire and his own honor to the winds to follow her to his destruction. Disarmed at last before the frigid Octavius, she found her peerless body measured by the cold eye of her captor only for the triumphal procession, and the friendly asp alone spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.

Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

Our tour today is about the Theatre Royal Brighton on the South coast of England. A grand old lady of the English theatre, that is coming up to it's two hundredth birthday. In the tour we go behind the scenes and talk to members of staff, who make the magic of this theatre come alive fifty two weeks a year. We go back stage on a guided tour to the inner most parts of the theatre that audiences would not normally see. We take a step back in time to the workings of a theatre that would still be recognised by the people who worked there over a hundred and fifty years ago. We hear stories about ghosts and strange noises in the the dead of night when staff are working alone.

www.peopletalk.org

Sandra Ventris reads part 14 of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott, produced by Nigel Killick.

Of all the beautiful women of history, none has left us such convincing
proofs of her charms as Cleopatra, for the tide of Rome's destiny, and,
therefore, that of the world, turned aside because of her beauty. Julius
Caesar, whose legions trampled the conquered world from Canopus to the Thames, capitulated to her, and Mark Antony threw a fleet, an empire and his own honor to the winds to follow her to his destruction. Disarmed at last before the frigid Octavius, she found her peerless body measured by the cold eye of her captor only for the triumphal procession, and the friendly asp alone spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.

Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

My audio tour to day is to Hollycombe Steam Collection in Sussex which stands on the borders of Hampshire and Sussex in South-East England. Hollycombe opened to the public in 1971 and in 1985 the volunteer drivers made an agreement with Mr. Baldock to take over the running of Hollycombe. Thus was born the Hollycombe Steam & Woodland Garden Society which runs Hollycombe to this day, a society of unpaid volunteers, quite a few of whom have been at Hollycombe since before the society was formed. I would like to thank Mr. Richard Hooker the chairman of Hollycombe and all the volunteers for their help in making this program possible.

Music by Kairi III song kingdom hearts at
http://www.podsafeaudio.com
See our Slideshow of our visit to The Hollycombe Steam Collection.



Visit Hollycombe web site

Sandra Ventris reads part 13 of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott, produced by Nigel Killick.

Of all the beautiful women of history, none has left us such convincing
proofs of her charms as Cleopatra, for the tide of Rome's destiny, and,
therefore, that of the world, turned aside because of her beauty. Julius
Caesar, whose legions trampled the conquered world from Canopus to the Thames, capitulated to her, and Mark Antony threw a fleet, an empire and his own honor to the winds to follow her to his destruction. Disarmed at last before the frigid Octavius, she found her peerless body measured by the cold eye of her captor only for the triumphal procession, and the friendly asp alone spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.

Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

Sandra Ventris reads part tweleve of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress Podsafe Music: Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan. Home Web page Demetrio Katis

Sandra Ventris reads part eleven of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Produced by Nigel Killick

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.orgSandra Ventris reads part 11 of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott

My audio tour to day is on the Volk's Electric Railway with (photo Ian Gledhill),  Chairman of (VERA) Volks Electric Railway Association. Opened in 1883 the Magnus Volk electric powered railway runs along the seafront at Brighton in the South East of England.  It was opened on 4 August 1883 by Magnus Volk, the man who designed and built the railway from scratch, in as little as three to six weeks.  Volk's Electric Railway (VER) is the oldest operating electric railway in the world. It is a narrow gauge railway that runs along a length of the seafront of the English seaside resort of Brighton.


Today the railway can carry up to eighty passengers along the beach for one and a quarter miles. Although not quite the first example of electric traction in the world it was certainly the first proper electric railway in Britain. Today it holds the deserved position of being the oldest remaining operating electric railway in the world.

Music by Chris Harvey: Paris : Album: The White Sailand. 
please visit http://magnatune.com/artists/melia
Photos of Volks Electric Railway
Daddy Long Legs

The 2nd part of my audio tour of Volk's Electric Railway with Ian Gledhill,  Chairman of (VERA) Volks Electric Railway Association.

 In 1892 with the Electric Railway comfortably installed as far as Paston Place Magnus cast his eyes towards Rottingdean. To extend the existing railway the three miles would entail either a steep climb to take it along the cliff top or a man-made viaduct along the unstable undercliff. Understandably he was not keen on either alternative so he turned his mind to building a completely new railway that would 'travel through the sea'. A similar system was already in operation across St. Malo harbour in Brittany but this was pulled along the rails by chain rather than being self-propelled, and ran through sheltered water not the English Channel. 

Finance for the new railway was found locally. One of the biggest investors was Edward Bleackley who became the first Chairman of the new company. R. StGeorge Moore, later to be engaged as the designer and engineer of the new Palace Pier, was taken on as the project engineer, and under his guidance a Bill was submitted to Parliament applying for an Act to incorporate a Company and then empower that Company to construct an electric railway on the foreshore between Paston Place and Rottingdean, together with the associated works and piers that would be needed.

Sandra Ventris reads part ten of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

Sandra Ventris reads part nine of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

My audio tour to day is of Bodiam Castle which stands on the borders of Kent and Sussex in south-east England. It was originally built as an extremely fortified manor house and is a symmetrical square stone castle surrounded by an artificial lake fed by underground springs.

The appearance of Bodiam Castle is exactly how most people imagine a medieval castle should look like, with its square of walls, a round tower at each corner, and a square tower midway along each wall, entirely surrounded by a moat. That it looks so perfect and picturesque may not be by accident for many people have debated whether the castle was really built as a defensive fortress or as an elaborate stately home.

It was built at a time when the aristocracy were looking for a castle that could be comfortable and homely as well as a protection for them and also as a sign of their wealth and standing. There would have been at least 100 people living there, as there were three stories of rooms in the walls and a fourth storey in the towers.

A royal licence to crenellate his manor house, in order to protect the local area from a possible French invasion, was given to Edward Dallyngrigge in 1385. This wealthy veteran of the Hundred Years War used the licence as an excuse to build an entirely new castle nearby. Little is known about the castle during the middle ages, but it doesn't appear to have been inhabited after the 15th century. Later owners of the castle took measures to preserve the building, most notably Lord Curzon who acquired the castle in 1917 and undertook a restoration of Bodiam. Thanks to the work he carried out it is now possible to climb most of the towers and walk on top of some of the walls.

Music by Jeni Melia and Chris Goodwin please visit http://magnatune.com/artists/melia
Photos of th Bodiam castle
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

Sandra Ventris reads part eight of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

Sandra Ventris reads part seven of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

My walk about to day is to Ovingdean, a pretty little hamlet about two miles from the sea on the south  coast of England. I visit the early Norman little church of St Wulfrans recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a "little church". Some of my information came from the excellent web site mybrightonandhove.org.uk. Please visit their site which is full of interesting information about Brighton & Hove.



Music: The Lark Ascending, Vaughan Williams

Sandra Ventris reads part six of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

Sandra Ventris reads part five of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

Sandra Ventris reads part four of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

Word Games written by Gary Mepsted and read by Claire Mitchell.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Claire Mitchell  is a Voice Over artist and you can contact her on
07812 177427. please visit her page on this site

An original monologue Word Games written by Gary Mepsted and
prodced by Nigel Killick.
Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Gary Mepsted. please visit his page on this site

www.peopletalk.libsyn.com

Sandra Ventris reads part three of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

Our story to day is about personal bravery and one young man's gallantry in WWII and how he won a Military Cross fighting in Germany at the tender age of twenty.

(states the official citation)
The superb example and personal bravery over a long period, under the
most difficult conditions, shown by Lieutenant Ventris was beyond
praise and was largely responsible for this important objective being'
captured," added the citation. His initiative, encouragement and
coolness on the battle-field undoubtedly saved many lives."

Podsafe Music:
Intro Clips with kind pemission of Words at War

Home Web page Words at War

www.peopletalk.libsyn.com

Sandra Ventris reads part two of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Of all the beautiful women of history, none has left us such convincing
proofs of her charms as Cleopatra, for the tide of Rome's destiny, and,
therefore, that of the world, turned aside because of her beauty. Julius
Caesar, whose legions trampled the conquered world from Canopus to the Thames, capitulated to her, and Mark Antony threw a fleet, an empire and his own honor to the winds to follow her to his destruction. Disarmed at last before the frigid Octavius, she found her peerless body measured by the cold eye of her captor only for the triumphal procession, and the friendly asp alone spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.
 
Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

Sandra Ventris reads part one of Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott.
Please click on the Comments to leave your feedback.

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Of all the beautiful women of history, none has left us such convincing
proofs of her charms as Cleopatra, for the tide of Rome's destiny, and,
therefore, that of the world, turned aside because of her beauty. Julius
Caesar, whose legions trampled the conquered world from Canopus to the Thames, capitulated to her, and Mark Antony threw a fleet, an empire and his own honor to the winds to follow her to his destruction. Disarmed at last before the frigid Octavius,she found her peerless body measured by the cold eye of her captor only for the triumphal procession, and the friendly asp alone spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Demetrio Katis: Isles of Dannan.

Home Web page Demetrio Katis

www.peopletalk.org

Hi Actors,
First of all welcome, now have a listen to this audio introduction. But before you start you will need broadband or high speed internet and not dial-up to be able to work with us.

This information will be explained in the audio. If you have broadband then the next thing you need to do is to get the free version of Skype and install it on your computer- it's free. You can use Skype to call your friends around the world for free. www.skype.com

Next you will need to get a headphone set from the Skype shop. We do not get a commission from skype, it's just that I know that they work.
Go to the Sykpe shop then click on Headsets- then click on USB Headsets.

If you have a computer with USB connectors, use a USB headset
pro|SERIES USB Mono £22.99.

If your computer has Mini Jacks, like an ipod or mp3 player. Go to the Sykpe shop then click on Headsets- then click on Mini Jacks Headsets.
pro|SERIES Mono £13.99

When you have it all set up email with your Skype name? My Skype name is nigelkillick. We then arrange to have a chat and I will ask you to read something which I can send to you over skype. It is very simple and easy really.

I look forward to talking to you soon.  

links for skype
http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/download/skype/macosx/

Links for the gutenberg site:
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

Ghambia by William Scully

When Corporal Francis Dollond and Trooper James Franks, of the Natal Mounted Police, overstayed their ten days' leave of absence from the camp on the Upper Tugela, in the early part of 1883, everybody was much surprised; they being two of the best conducted and most methodical men in the force. But the weeks and then the months went by without anything whatever being heard of them, so they were officially recorded as deserters. Nevertheless none of their comrades really believed that these men had deserted; each one felt there was something mysterious about the circumstances of their disappearance. They had applied for leave for the alleged purpose of visiting Pietermaritzburg. They started on foot, stating their intention of walking to Estcourt, hiring horses from natives there, and proceeding on horseback. They had evidently never reached Estcourt, as nothing could be heard of them at that village. They were both young men, colonists by birth. Dollond had an especially youthful appearance. Franks was older. He had joined the force later in life. He and Dollond, who had only very recently before his disappearance been promoted, were chums.

www.peopletalk.org

Judi Pusey is an American from California, who has been living in a small English village in the South of England for the last eighteen years. When she first arrived she felt terribly home sick because she found the lifestyle a little too slow after coming from the busy 24/7 rat race of California, but now she feels at home amongst the Brits in this sleepy little English village.

www.peopletalk.org

Sadao Ueda is a professional Actor who trained at the Academy of Creative Training in Brighton. If you wish to know more about Sadao
please visit his page on this site.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa wrote no full-length novels, focusing instead on the short story of which he wrote over 150 during his brief life, including The Nose, The Spider's Thread, The Hell Screen, Autumn, The Ball, In a Grove, and Kappa. Akira Kurosawa directed the film Rashmon (1950) based on Akutagawa's stories; the majority of the action in the film was actually an adaptation of In a Grove.

www.peopletalk.org

Anne Conway is a successful reportage and travel photographer with nearly 30 years experience.

Anne studied photography at the prestigious West Surrey school of Art in the south of England in the late 70s before moving to Paris, where she embarked on her career as a freelance photographer.

She started working for various important editors,who sent her on assignments round the world to produce articles and photographic material for books and magazines Her photographic style is very distinctive, very graphic in is imagery, where intense colour and luminosity form the essence of her work. In her interview she talks about how she got started after moving. Paris. Later on she talks about some of her assignments. Such as photographing the centuries old tradition of Tuna-fishing in Sicily.

www.peopletalk.org

Malcolm Clark is a professional Actor who trained at the Academy of Creative Training in Brighton. If you wish to know more about Malcolm
please visit his page on this site.

Herbert George Wells (September 21, 1866 - August 13, 1946), better known as H. G. Wells, was an English writer best known for such science fiction novels as The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, and The Island of Doctor Moreau. He was a prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction, and produced works in many different genres, including contemporary novels, history, and social commentary. He was also an outspoken socialist. His later works become increasingly political and didactic, and only his early science fiction novels are widely read today. Wells, along with Hugo Gernsback and Jules Verne, is sometimes referred to as "The Father of Science Fiction".

www.peopletalk.org

This was my first podcast, a walk-about in Rudyard Kiplings' village Rottingdean in Sussex on a hot summers day last year. Kipling was the author of the Jungle Book and many other stories. Kipling was born in Bombay on December 30th 1865, son of John Lockwood Kipling, an artist and teacher of architectural sculpture, and his wife Alice. His mother was one of the talented and beautiful Macdonald sisters, four of whom married remarkable men, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Sir Edward Poynter, Alfred Baldwin, and John Lockwood Kipling himself.

www.peopletalk.org

Our Sound-seeing tour today is to Brighton's Toy and Model Museum on the south coast of England. Chris Littledale is a self-effacing man in his early sixties who might appear a little eccentric to people who don't know him. I spent a couple happy hours being shown around the museum by him. He explained about his lifelong passion for toys, so much so that his passion took over his life and his small apartment. In the end, things came to a head when his friends intervened and persuaded Chris that he needed to find a permanent home for his vast collection.

So it was that fifteen years ago, Chris and his little group of helpers found the arches under Brighton's main railway station were for rent and the Brighton Toy and Model Museum was born. After more years than Chris Littledale, the founder cares to remember, the museum has become a landmark in the South of England for model train and toy aficionados and the general public, who take their children along to see the kind of toys they played with when they were children.

Inside the museum you will find over 10,000 exhibits on display. including: collections of toys from the last 100 years, many period antique toys, examples from the world's top toy makers, and a priceless model train collection. Brighton Toy and Model Museum is one of Brighton's most fascinating attractions and an Aladdin's cave for the whole family.

Podsafe Audio:
Brobdingnagian Bards perform Tolkien (The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings) from the Album Memories of Middle Earth

http://www.podsafeaudio.com/

www.peopletalk.org

Today we take you on a tour of Brighton with author Douglas d'Enno as he tells us about his book FOUL DEEDS & SUSPICIOUS DEATHS AROUND BRIGHTON and gives us fascinating details about Brighton and its macabre past.

His gripping volume covers two centuries of murderous doings in Brighton portrayed in fifteen vivid case histories. All the crimes took place within the town except two, where the victims were prominent Brighton citizens traveling on business.

www.peopletalk.org

The author of this captivating book, Audrey Farley, talks to us about her book JAMES LULHAM OF TELSCOMBE: The last man to be hanged  for Sheep Stealing?  In our interview she talks about James as if he was an old friend while she describes the whole sad story to us.

From the book:



Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Anderson / oneill
Track: Tempest
www.podsafeaudio.com/

www.peopletalk.org

As I was going about my locality trying to find interesting stories about people and places, I met a man on a bus. We got talking, as you do, and it soon became apparent to me that the chap I was talking to was an interesting feller.

In our conversation, we exchanged the normal chat about the weather - the kind of exchange that only the English seem to relish. Soon the conversation turned to what each of us was doing in our semi-retirement. I mentioned that I was involved with an internet radio station that produces small documentaries about interesting places and people.

I have never been shy about accosting unsuspecting members of the public and asking impertinent questions about their lives, their family and their history. This gentleman told me that he belonged to a group called In The Mood, a 1940s re-enactment dance group.

I was hooked and we exchanged telephone numbers. A few weeks after, I telephoned him and we arranged a meeting at Hassocks Village Hall, in the county of Sussex. His group was putting on a display in front of one hundred and fifty old age pensioners.

It was a delight to discover a community-minded group of local people who perform dressed in authentic 1940s military and civilian costumes. They specialize in swing dancing of the period, trying to revive memories of wartime dance halls in Britain.

www.peopletalk.org

SERV, also known as the 'Blood Runners', is a charitable organisation that delivers blood products to the emergency and accident hospitals across Southern England at night free of charge when official Health Service transportation services don't operate.

SERV is a Registered Charity (#284455) run by dedicated volunteer motorcyclists and drivers who give their time and petrol to do their bit using their bikes and cars to help others who need emergency supplies of blood. SERV provides a service that has saved many lives. The volunteers fund SERV at their own expense and by  donations - so if you are looking for a worthy charity to support please  contact us. Remember, it's not just the volunteers who save lives, it could also be you!

Podsafe Audio:
1: Celestial Voices by Commander Yo from the Album Fading Away
2: Gone In by Everyday Jones from the Album Live @ Jazzbones
3: Up All Night by Joe Sibol from the Album The Great Music
4: Celestial Voices by Commander Yo from the Album Fading Away

www.serv.org.uk

www.peopletalk.org

Lucky and Hollie run a tattoo studio on the south coast of England. Their studio is called Skin Candy. In their interviews they talk about what it takes to become a tattooist, their take on life and how tattooing has changed in the last ten years. They were very kind and understanding while we moved in all our cameras and recording equipment. We have created a link to photographs taken of their work and customers, which we hope will give you more of an impression of what a tattooing studio is all about?

Photographs:
Jean-Paul English

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Les Gains: Shes My Girl.
Track 1 by Virtual Band: Ditty Erikmix
Track 2 by Moana Manipoto: Ancestors

www.peopletalk.org

Katherine Schellenberg was born in 1932, to second generation emigrant farmers in Aberdeen, Saskatchewan, Canada.

To Katherine the iconic images of the great depression are more than just old black and white photographs of men waiting in bread lines, working in relief camps and protesting against their dreadful destitution.

She remembers the poverty and great dust storms sweeping across the Western prairies, making it impossible for her family to feed themselves, these are real memories for her not just something you read about in history books.

Extracts from e-mail's from Kathy, talking about living in Saskatchewan Canada, as a young girl.





www.peopletalk.org

Sandra Ventris is a professional Actress. If you wish to know more about Sandra please visit her page on this site.

ANTON CHEKHOV (1860-1904)
Anton Chekhov Born on January 29, 1860, one of Russia's most cherished storytellers.

Podsafe Music:
Intro Music by Media Justin and Magdalena O'Neill:
www.podsafeaudio.com

www.peopletalk.org

Gareth Goldthorpe is a very fit and young looking sixty one year old, who has been a bookbinder for the last twenty years.

In his interview, he talks about his unconventional and somewhat eccentric childhood, being sent off to boarding school at the tender age of five, and how he ran away, traveling some fifteen miles back to his parent's home.

He then goes on to tell us about a golden time, when childhood seemed more adventurous while being carefree and relaxed:  How he and his brothers cycled some thirty five miles to see the new Gatwick airport, at the age of eight years old.

www.peopletalk.org

Jemma Robinson is about 5'4" has grey eyes and short fair hair and is slim. She has an open, friendly smile which helps to emphasize her warm character.

She genuinely seems to like people; in other words, she is a people person. This has come in handy over the years as she has lived in some very different cultures from ours in the West. She will talk about living in different and sometimes strange places. And how she moved to Japan just after leaving University, to work there. When she first arrived, she was fascinated by what she saw about her and how difficult it was sometimes to understand the Japanese way of doing things. Finally, she talks about moving to live in Italy with her new husband, Paolo.

www.peopletalk.org

Jen Rowe is a professional Actress who trained at the Academy of Creative Training in Brighton. If you wish to know more about Jen
please visit her page on this site.

Herbert George Wells (September 21, 1866 August 13, 1946), better known as H. G. Wells, was an English writer best known for such science fiction novels as The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, and The Island of Doctor Moreau. He was a prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction, and produced works in many different genres, including contemporary novels, history, and social commentary. He was also an outspoken socialist. His later works become increasingly political and didactic, and only his early science fiction novels are widely read today. Wells, along with Hugo Gernsback and Jules Verne, is sometimes referred to as "The Father of Science Fiction".

www.peopletalk.org

Josie Bloom is a professional Actress who trained at the Academy of Creative Training in Brighton. If you wish to know more about Josie
please visit her CV page.

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (October 16, 1854 November 30, 1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, poet, short story writer and Freemason. Known for his barbed and clever wit, he was one of the most successful playwrights of late Victorian London, and one of the greatest celebrities of his day. As the result of a famous trial, he suffered a dramatic downfall and was imprisoned after being convicted of the offense of gross indecency, which also included homosexual acts not amounting to buggery in British legislation.

www.peopletalk.org

Isabel Woods is a professional Actress who trained at Academy of Live and Recorded Arts London. If you wish to know more about Isabel
please visit his page on this site.

About the author Ella D'Arcy.

Short Story Writer, Novelist.
Active 1890-1924 in England, Britain, Europe

Though Ella D'Arcy was considered by a number of her contemporaries to be among the innovators of New fiction in the early to mid 1890s for her decidedly modernistic short stories and her crucial role in the development of The Yellow Book quarterly, she has since all but disappeared from the literary map. Yet despite the lack of popular or critical attention that has been given to her over the past century, D'Arcy her birth has been located). She was probably the eldest of five sisters and at least one brother. Her father was Anthony Byrne D'Arcy, a partner in the firm of Patrick and Anthony D'Arcy reticence.

www.peopletalk.org

Naked Voices is an Acappella group of singers, which was formed about fifteen years ago. Since then they have preformed in front of many different venues - from birthday parties to funerals.