Poodling Around

Jane Hunt talks to Janan Leo, founder of women's footwear brand, Cocorose London, about the second major innovation of her career - the creation of a collection of vegan, sustainable cactus leather trainers range for UK women and those whom the brand can reach through exporting. Jane asks Janan about this plant-powered alternative to leather, discusses the brand's sustainable principles, delves mo...

Jane Hunt, managing director of travel PR specialist, Catapult PR, talks to Louise McKenna, manager of The Rum Story - a visitor attraction in the West Cumbrian coastal town of Whitehaven.  What follows is a unique insight into the history of a town rich in marine history and once the third largest port in the UK, bustling with a trade in wine, sugar, spices and, of course, rum.  Jane discovers ho...

Jane Hunt speaks to Tommy Sedgwick, a multi race-winning fell runner, once described as "brainless and brakeless" due to his fearless descent of the fells during fell races, including the 295 metre descent from the top of Butter Crags, in the 'Olympics' of fell running - Grasmere Sports. Tommy was a  victor at Grasmere Sports on several occasions, including three during a 'golden era' of 11 years...

Jane Hunt talks to Armando Pizzoni Ardemani, owner and passionate custodian of the exquisite northern Italian gardens, the Monumental Gardens of Valsanzibio, located close to Padua, where garden lovers can enjoy an experience like no other. Jane learns all about the history of the gardens, the allegorical and religious symbolism that profoundly influences the visitor experience and the topiary tha...

Jane Hunt speaks to Hex Gregson, a student studying textiles, at UCLan in Preston, Lancashire, who has taken on the very special challenge of creating a unique topiary-inspired dress, to help celebrate World Topiary Day, 2023.

Jane Hunt chats to Kallan Nee, one of the entrepreneurs behind Mahua - an award-winning new tipple and historic tribal drink from the Indian sub-continent, which has now reached UK shores and is ready to take Brits by storm.     Jane and Kallan discuss the only spirit distilled from a flower, the new products created by Alkohl Ltd, based on Mahua and the challenges experienced in bringing what is...

Jane Hunt talks to the executive general manager of an authentic castle hotel, located in Norhtumberland UK, to discover all about its dog-friendly nature and the various dog-friendly initiatives that make it stand out as a place to take your pooch.   The episode also looks at the extra information, of which dog owners can take advantage, if they poodle around this hotel and its surrounding area.

Have you ever wondered what distinguishes a good pizza oven from a poor one, or tried to work out what a pizza oven could add to your UK lifestyle or outdoor kitchen?  Do you known the pitfalls of buying some pizza ovens?  What sort of pizza oven do you really need? Jane Hunt interviews Andrew Manciocchi, the man who brought the very first wood-fired pizza ovens to the UK 20 years ago, to get the...

Jane Hunt interviews Janan Leo, the inventor of the foldable shoe, in an episode that uncovers the inspiring story of one creator's passion for an idea and her ongoing inventiveness in expanding her Cocorose London range.  This story focuses on a brand that has empowered thousands of women and encouraged them to ditch the heels, wherever they live in the world and regardless of whether they are wo...

Jane Hunt talks to Anja Phoenix about urban hiking - what it is and how to do it in any town or city in the UK, to discover all the hidden gems on your doorstep.   She also finds out more about special urban hiking maps, produced by Anja, which can make things fun and easy for people in London or Manchester, whether they are visiting or happen to live there.

Jane Hunt talks to Chris Crowder, head gardener at Levens Hall and Gardens in the Lake District, Cumbria and the guardian of the world's oldest topiary garden, dating back to 1694.   Jane explores the momentous work carried out by the gardening team, from September, right through the winter period and on to  re-opening in April, just ahead of what is now an annual World Topiary Day, founded by the...

Finding out all about the most authentic castle hotel in England - Langley Castle Hotel, in Northumberland.

Jane Hunt interviews Rachel Bell, from heritage steam cruise company, Ullswater Steamers, about the heritage vessels that visitors to the English Lake District can board, if they wish to soak up the glorious scenery and history of England's most stunning lake or, alternatively, use the steamers as a means of connecting with some much-loved walking routes, including those trodden by poet, William W...

Jane Hunt interviews Rachel Bell, Head of Marketing and Business Development at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, to discover the joys of travelling by heritage steam railway.

Jane Hunt interviews Chris Crowder, head gardener of the Lake District's Levens Hall and Gardens, near Kendal, to find out all about the amazing topiary garden, why it is a world record holder and why World Topiary Day is its latest contribution to the world of topiary art.

Jane Hunt introduces Grasmere - a village in the English much-associated with the poet, William Wordsworth, and then interviews the Sports and Field Manager of the historic Grasmere Sports and Lakeland Show, Deborah Black, to find out more about one of its most notable annual events, which returns in August 2022, after two years of postponement due to the pandemic.   

Jane Hunt interviews Anja Phoenix, the founder of children's story trail brand, Tale Trails, to learn about her very latest 6 trails, which bring to life the stories and landscape of the lesser-known coastline of Cumbria and the Lake District, one of the most stunning areas in the UK and which have been created in conjunction with Copeland Borough Council.

Jane Hunt interviews Anja Phoenix, the creator of Tale Trails - UK story trails, enjoyed by children and adults alike, full of colourful characters, links to heritage and local landscapes and some exciting myths and legends.

Jane Hunt interviews Jane Meaker, from Levens Hall & Gardens in Cumbria UK, founders of World Topiary Day and home to the world's oldest topiary gardens.  The second interviewee is Jane Hasell-McCosh, owner of Dalemain Mansion & Gardens in Cumbria, who explains all about her topiary dragon.

Show host, Jane Hunt, talks to show guests about 13 extraordinary Cumbrian heritage attractions, welcoming guests back after extended pandemic closures, and about the joys of life around an authentic Italian wood-fired pizza oven and why even top celebrities can't resist one.