Longtime Ago People

Douglas & Agnes Thurston - Ingrid 1956  parents/daughter   In this deeply affecting conversation, I speak with my Auntie Ingrid about her parents (my grandparents) —Douglas George Thurston and Agnes Franziska—whose improbable love story unfolded amid the devastation of post-war Germany. Douglas, a British soldier known affectionately as “Busty,” had survived the horrors of being a Japanese POW...

Simon Redhead - Andy 1957 brothers  What happens when the quiet cornerstone of a family disappears? I speak with Andy about his younger brother Simon — a man whose life, and sudden death, left a lasting imprint far beyond what anyone had imagined. Simon grew up in Leeds, surrounded by teachers, and went on to become a much-loved PE teacher himself. It wasn’t until his funeral, attended by hundreds...

Bembridge School - Bas & Miles 1964  school friends  There’s something quietly remarkable about friendships that endure across decades. I recently sat down with my old school friend Bas—now living in Sydney—for a conversation that spanned forty years yet felt like no time had passed at all. We found ourselves transported back to Bembridge School on the Isle of Wight, where we spent our formati...

Bill McGuffie - Moray 1957  father/son  What happens when musical brilliance collides with the complexities of fatherhood? In this episode, I speak with Moray McGuffie about his father Bill—a Scottish piano prodigy whose life was as dazzling as it was difficult. Bill’s story begins with a jaw-dropping moment: stepping in at age twelve to play with a professional band, sight unseen. Despite losing...

George Palmer - John 1966  father/son  Every family has its storytellers—the keepers of memories that might otherwise slip away. In this conversation, recorded on the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast of Spain, I spoke with my brother-in-law who, John, without even realising it, had found himself living out his father George’s dream. Early on, a quiet revelation set the tone: “I just found out from...

Gary Booth - Karl 1963  brothers  What happens when a curious boy from Manchester decides the conventional path isn’t for him? In this episode, I speak with Karl about his brother, Gary—a man who, at 21, walked away from Thatcher’s Britain with just £150 and a self-taught smattering of French. That leap launched a 35-year adventure spanning continents, languages, and brushes with death, transformi...

Christine Miles - Brenda 1939  best friends  What makes a friendship last for over five decades? In this heartwarming conversation, I sit down with Brenda—once known to me as "Auntie Brenda"—to explore the remarkable 50-year friendship between her and my aunt Chrissie. Their journey began in 1967 at Queen Charlotte's Hospital in London, where the two women worked as midwives, sharin...

Thomas & Helen (Rae) Part II - Toni 1938  parents/daughter  While talking with my mother, I explored my family's experiences, particularly focusing on my grandparents' move from London to the Isle of Wight. I discussed how they adapted during World War II and their journey from working-class backgrounds to owning and operating a guesthouse business. My analysis offers insights into f...

Thomas & Helen (Rae) Part I - Chrissie 1936  parents/daughter  When my Aunt Chrissie was born prematurely, a doctor's warning about London's pollution prompted Thomas and Helen Miles (my grandparents) to make a significant move to the Isle of Wight—a decision that profoundly shaped their family's story. Sitting in Chrissie's cosy Steyning cottage, we chat about everything f...

“Longtime Ago People” is a podcast I’ve been thinking about for a while now. My family memories inspire it, and I wanted to share those cherished, funny, and inspirational stories we all have, especially those involving our grandparents, parents, friends, and other exceptional individuals.  Launching this podcast has been fascinating, and I’m learning a lot along the way. Preparing for the first e...