LibraryCast from Somerset Libraries UK

Jeanette was a little girl growing up in the second world war and was an evacuee to Somerset as her parents helped with the war effort in London. She tells of time in Bridgwater with her Grandmother who was an inspector to ensure the evacuee children were looked after. She recalls how Sunday drives, sweets and new clothes became a big treat, a welcome distraction from the bombs dropping. The life...

Jutta spent her happy childhood in wartime Germany and she moved to Britain in 1957  saying  “she likes it very much” especially the chimneys!  She was a cook and a nanny for several English families. Her story explains how she met her husband and second partner but she shares her resilience to life after becoming a widow twice. Her sunny deposition, despite her experiences, is infe...

Patrick has been selected as our podcast for International Woman’s Day (8 March 2021) and mark the beginning of the National Intergenerational Week (8-15 March 2021). He talks fondly of his relationship with his mother, the progress of women in his lifetime whilst reminiscing about being in London on VE day, his love of theatre and life for women post the Victorian era and long skirts! A very libe...

Somerset LibraryCast with Helen Chaloner from Literature Works.  On this edition of LibraryCast, Jeremy’s guest is Helen Chaloner CEO of arts organisation, Literature Works.  Helen talks about the story of Literature Works and their projects in the south west. Helen shares her thoughts on how to support  and develop literature for everybody in our community.

On this edition of LibraryCast Liz Simmons talks about the story and work of Headway Somerset. Headway Somerset supports families that have been affected by acquired brain injury. Find out more about Headway Somerset can help and support you and your loved ones. For more help and information visit www.headwaysomerset.org.uk or e mail info@headwaysomerset.org.uk Music by Amadou Diagne.

Somerset Libraries presents: Somerset LibraryCast with author Ian O’Neill. On this week’s LibraryCast, Jeremy talks with Somerset author Ian O’Neill about his book “ Dancing with Leprechauns “ for Libraries Week 2020. Set in Glastonbury, you will find out all about local resident Seamus the Leprechaun.

Carol tells tales of her childhood, growing up on a farm as one of 7 children. She reminisces as the simplicity of life. Carol talks about positives and negatives of living locally. Later in life, Carol struggled with intense post natal depression. She bravely shares her story, tells of how her strong marriage and love enabled her to get through.  Carol explains that this dark period in her l...

Therena is on of the many key worker heroes. She doesn’t look like look your average care home deputy managers but in this podcast she shares her passion for her job. Therena “failed” at school but despite life throwing her obstacles, she has succeeded in her personal and professional life. She talks of her struggles, the natural caring instinct and how there is always a way to climb up and out of...

Jamie is the acting deputy manager at Burnworthy House, Somerset Care. He always wanted a rewarding career and decided on care. It was a space that not many men work. He reflects on the struggles of adjusting to becoming a new dad and how he tackled with the signs of pressure and not quite coping. He speaks honestly about reaching out for help and how the different generations have viewed mental h...

Somerset Libraries presents: Somerset LibraryCast about Wells Festival of Literature 2020.   This week’s LibraryCast explores The 2020 Wells Festival of Literature. Jeremy is in conversation with Rosie Inge and Bug McKaig about the story of the festival, the festival’s educational outreach projects as well as delving into some of this year’s exciting programme.

Della is over 90 and talks about her experiences of childhood in the Blitz, London. She was responsible for looking after the children that were left behind after the bombing. Della talks about the impact of dealing with this trauma and how that led her into nursing as a career. She talks about her faith and how that helped her to belong and help others. She offers words of wisdom and guidance to...

Irene is 91 years old and happily living in a Somerset Care home. Her interview took place in December of 2020 over a Zoom call, where she shared her life story. Not wanting to ask her parents for the money for art school in 1943, Irene got a job at a fashion house at the age of 14 and worked her way up to the design room and dressed film stars and royalty. She talks of her early morning journeys...

After experiencing the war, Ruth trained to be a teacher. She then took a two year trip to Australia and continued to teach in the out- back of Australia. She talks of the excitement from the time, the life long friends she made and how it became an experience she never forgot. ‘Together We Are Stronger’ is a project to record stories of isolation, bravery, and kindness during lockdown to reconnec...

Somerset LibraryCast with 2020 Frome Festival Short Story Competition winner with author Elizabeth Pratt. On this edition of LibraryCast , Jeremy is in conversation with author Elizabeth Pratt. Elizabeth is the winner of this year’s Frome Festival Short Story Competition and tells us about her winning story “ Peace Offering “.

On this week’s LibraryCast we introduce episode  2 of  the Frome Festival’s,  Frome Short Story Competition.  Jeremy is in conversation with Jill Warrener who is this year’s local Frome Short Story prize winner, with her story “ Air Freshener and Jam “.

Somerset Libraries presents: LibraryCast with author Catherine Hanley.

Somerset LibraryCast with Rhen Garland from Wiveliscombe library.

On LibraryCast this week we feature part 1 of the  Frome Festival’s 2020 Short Story Competition.  Jeremy is in conversation with Vivian Oldaker who is this year’s runner up in the Local Short Story Competition  and also third place in the main competition. Vivian talks about her short story “ Missing The Boat “.

On this edition of LibraryCast Jeremy welcomes Samantha Williams founder of Book Love and The Multicultural Travelling Book Carnival and Shop. Samantha talks about how she founded Book Love and her passion for promoting multicultural books in libraries, schools and the wider community. Credits thisisbooklove.com Music  “ Bless “ from the album “ Journey “ with kind permission by Amadou Diagne...

Somerset Libraries presents: Somerset LibraryCast at Street Mobile Library.  On this week’s LiraryCast, Jeremy joins the Somerset Library team on board the mobile library at the Crispin Centre in Street.  The mobile library is visiting Street whilst the Community Library embarks on it’s refit. Jeremy speaks to the library team and the Parish Council on day 1 of the mobile visit. “  ...

Somerset Libraries presents: Somerset LibraryCast with The Bookshop Band part 2.   In part 2 of LibraryCast, Jeremy asks Ben and Beth about some of The Bookshop Band’s highlights over their ten year career. We are also treated to some more Bookshop Band book recommendations. www.somersetlibraries.co.uk  www.somersetreads.co.uk  www.glassboxtaunton.co.uk

Somerset Libraries presents: Somerset LibraryCast with The Bookshop Band and Brendon Books. On this week’s LibraryCast Jeremy is in conversation with The Bookshop Band. The group talk about their music, how they formed and how they have supported bookshops for the recent Independent Bookshop Week. Beth and Ben also share their very own Bookshop Band book recommendations. Jeremy is also joined by L...

Somerset Libraries presents: Somerset LibraryCast with Kirsty Jenssen from the RVS. On this week’s LibraryCast Jeremy welcomes Kirsty Jenssen, Service Manager for the Royal Voluntary Service and Somerset Home Library Service. Kirsty explains how the service works and how housebound members of our community can borrow books and talking books. Have you ever wondered what’s it like to volunteer for t...

Somerset Libraries presents: Somerset LibraryCast with Wells Fountain Poets. On this week’s LibraryCast, Jeremy introduces The Wells Fountain Poets and the group recite some of their original, locally inspired  beautiful poetry. Join the Wells Fountain Poets, who for the first time since lockdown are reunited in conversation and memories, sharing their mutual love of poetry  www.somerset...

Somerset Libraries presents: Somerset LibraryCast with  Mendip Story telling Circley. Stories are not just for children. On this week’s LibraryCast Jeremy meets Colin Emmett from The Mendip Storytelling Circle “ Colin talks about the art of storytelling and why stories are good for us. “   www.somersetlibraries.co.uk  www.somersetreads.co.uk  www.glassboxtaunton.co.uk