Boyd, Barkes & Hayes

Rambling Retro Nonsense

History EN ↓ 56 episodes

A weekly podcast where Tommy Boyd, Duncan Barkes and Hayley Hayes unpack (sometimes) hilarious, ridiculous, and surprising memories—one story at a time. Filled with laughs, nostalgia, and great conversation, Rambling Retro Rambles offers a light-hearted trip down memory lane - or cycle lane - for anyone who loves to revisit the past with humour and heart.

Author

Boyd, Barkes & Hayes

Category

History

Podcast website

sites.libsyn.com

Latest episode

Jul 6, 2026

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Episodes

Obsessed with Modern Life 19.01.2026

In this episode, Tommy, Duncan and Hayley explore the quirky and sometimes absurd habits of modern life that we never needed, but now can't live without. From carrying oversized water bottles everywhere and obsessing over step counts, to fitness trackers, loyalty cards, and texting kisses, they reflect on how technology, wellness trends, and social comparison have transformed everyday life. Throug...

Strange Meats & Surprising Delicacies 12.01.2026

Topics covered Haggis at New Year Tripe, chitterlings, gizzards, sweetbreads & forgotten cuts Oxtail, mutton and cheap cuts becoming trendy Guinness, stout and Nigella's iconic Scotch egg moment Chips with curry sauce (Duncan's new obsession) School memories: mufty day, signing shirts & reunions   Best bits "I'll have your gizzards out!" Nigella eating a Scotch egg Cocktails saving a dull hotel di...

First Suits, Black Cabs & Legendary Encounters 05.01.2026

In this episode of Rambling Retro Nonsense, we take a delightful stroll down memory lane, starting with our first suits and the awkward, itchy outfits of childhood weddings. From Dorothy Perkins frills to Miami Vice–inspired blazers, we explore how these rites of passage shape our sense of style and adulthood. We wander further into nostalgic territory with stories of classic train buffet trolleys...

Retro Christmas & New Year Memories 29.12.2025

Join Tommy, Duncan, and Hayley as they take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reliving the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas and New Year past. From paper chains and foil garlands to brandy butter and festive chaos, this episode is packed with laughs, quirky family traditions, and the bittersweet charm of the holidays. In This Episode: Tommy recalls the classic Christmas decoration struggle...

Christmas, Cabbage Patch Kids & Childhood Magic 22.12.2025

In this episode, Hayley takes us back to the golden age of 80s toys, from Cabbage Patch Kids and My Little Pony to Care Bears and even a few unexpected Star Wars figures. While parents queued for hours to secure the must-have gifts, kids simply soaked up the magic. Tommy reflects on never being one for "butch toys," while Duncan enjoys the nostalgia trip. Hayley also shares what it was like growin...

Bending Spoons to Bananas 15.12.2025

This week, Hayley, Duncan and Tommy take a wonderfully weird wander through the world of bending spoons, double glazing, draughty windows, and banana-related childhood trauma. From Uri Geller's "psychic" tricks to 80s wallpaper paste ads and Christmas cigar jingles, the gang ramble their way through memories of adverts, awkward dances, dodgy dinners and the strange magic of growing up in Britain....

Walkmans, Wires & School Disco Woes 08.12.2025

This week, Hayley, Duncan and Tommy tune into the sounds of the past — from Sony Walkmans and clunky cordless phones to school disco slow dances and tuck shop treats. What starts as a chat about forgotten gadgets soon unravels into stories of radio legends, first crushes, and those painfully awkward teenage moments that everyone remembers (but wishes they didn't). Expect laughter, nostalgia, and a...

Sideboards, School Days & Strange Soups 01.12.2025

In this delightfully nostalgic episode, Hayley, Duncan and Tommy rummage through the sideboards of the past — unearthing everything from dusty board games and awkward pamphlets to windfall apple soup and pheasants full of lead shot. Along the way, they revisit school assemblies, embarrassing sex education lessons, and the lost art of metalwork, all with the usual mix of warmth, wit and "did that r...

Filofaxes, Spies & Accidental CIA Missions 24.11.2025

This week, Hayley, Duncan and Tommy take a nostalgic wander from the world of 1980s Filofaxes to the shadowy realms of spies, secrets and accidental espionage. It all begins with Hayley reminiscing about the satisfying click of Filofax rings, the smell of leather, and the joy of neatly writing birthdays by hand. Soon, Duncan recalls his mum's yearly ritual of copying dates into a new paper calenda...

Planes, Parties & Peculiar Obsessions 17.11.2025

Join Duncan, Hayley, and Tommy as they reminisce about the golden days of air travel, fan clubs, and unforgettable personal stories. From first flights on budget airlines and smoking at the back of planes, to airport adventures and quirky bedside table treasures, this episode is full of nostalgia and laughs. They also explore: Childhood dreams of being air stewardesses and the glamour of long-haul...

Answer Phones, Two Fat Ladies & Comfort Films 10.11.2025

In this episode, the gang takes a nostalgic stroll down memory lane, exploring the quirks of old-school technology, eccentric TV personalities, and the comfort of familiar films. From blinking answer phones to telephone seats in hallways, and from the delights of "Two Fat Ladies" to classic feel-good movies, we cover it all. Plus, we dive into the peculiar joys of bingo, VHS discoveries, and the a...

From Brick Phones to Scrunchies 03.11.2025

In this episode, Hayley, Duncan, and Tommy take a nostalgic wander through the quirks and memories of decades past. Expect laughter, a few cringe moments, and plenty of "do you remember when…" Hayley recalls her dad proudly showing off his first ever "mobile phone" — a grey brick so heavy it needed its own suitcase, complete with nosy neighbours coming round to marvel at it. The gang dive into the...

Chlorine & Chip Shops 26.10.2025

This week's episode takes a nostalgic (and slightly chaotic) dive into childhood memories of swimming pools, vending machines, and school sports days. Duncan kicks things off with vivid recollections of the Littlehampton Swimming Centre, sparking a conversation about: The unmistakable smell of chlorine, rubber swim caps, and verruca baths. The legendary "No heavy petting" and "No dive bombing" sig...

Coach Trips, Costumes and Childhood Papers 20.10.2025

This week, Tommy, Hayley, and Duncan take a trip down memory lane – quite literally – as they share the journeys, feelings, and rituals that defined their school days. From lollipop ladies and dangerous subways, to loud singalongs on the 726 bus, each memory paints a vivid picture of growing up. The conversation wanders into: School journeys – walking routes, long bus rides, and the feelings of dr...

80s Bling Revival 13.10.2025

In this nostalgic episode, Hayley takes us back to the late 80s, rifling through old jewellery boxes and unearthing chunky gold chains, oversized hoops, and geometric bangles. What starts as a trip down memory lane turns into a lively conversation with Duncan and Tommy about jewellery trends, piercings, fashion statements, and even the curious codes hidden in what we wear. Expect laughs, a few sho...

Quantum Leaps and Laundry Dreams 04.10.2025

Hayley, Duncan, and Tommy dive into a nostalgic journey through 70s and 80s television, childhood dreams, and quirky life stories. From time-travel shows like Quantum Leap and Time Tunnel to teen alien programs and Goodnight Sweetheart, they explore the magic of TV that captured imaginations. The conversation meanders through fan letters, including Hayley's childhood attempts to join the West End...

Loo Roll, Roland Rat & Rock Candy 29.09.2025

Tommy, Duncan & Hayley are back with another ramble through the past—this time dipping into the world of cash & carry warehouses, CB radios, novelty songs, and everything in between. From blagging their way into wholesale stores in the '80s to the golden age of bulk loo roll, the team take a nostalgic wander through everyday adventures that somehow feel epic. Along the way, they swap stories of wa...

Wigs, Weather, and Pop Culture 22.09.2025

This week, Tommy, Hayley, and Duncan dive into a lively mix of memories, mishaps, and misheard lyrics. From nostalgic reflections on News at Ten to the quirks of old-school weathermen and the unexpected afterlives of 80s pop stars, the conversation takes plenty of funny turns. They reminisce about when the whole nation gathered for News at Ten, why it's no longer the same communal experience, and...

Cobra Beer, Curry & Concrete Gnomes 15.09.2025

In this episode, Duncan, Hayley, and Tommy tuck into memories of their first ever curry house experiences, from Worthing and bright orange tikka masalas of family nights out. Along the way, they explore retro food, quirky restaurants, and some wonderfully nostalgic tangents — including the curious world of concrete garden gnomes. The conversation takes in Duncan's first Indian meal in the 80s, deb...

Bond, Booze & Breakfast 08.09.2025

Tommy, Duncan & Hayley are back with another episode diving deep into the world of James Bond. This week, they explore everything from the iconic cocktails that have defined 007's suave image, to the behind-the-scenes stories that you won't find in the movies themselves. Hear about Sean Connery's surprising breakfast habits, the hilarious chaos on set during stunts, and the quirks of filming some...

Lost in the Department Store & Other Tasty Tangents 31.08.2025

This week, Hayley takes us back to a childhood moment of being lost in a cavernous white department store — the kind with customer service desks, tannoy announcements, and lollipops for tearful kids. That memory sparks a trip down retail memory lane, from C&A and Tammy Girl to Dulces school shoes and labyrinthine Bentalls. But the nostalgia doesn't stop there — Duncan and Tommy pile in with their...

Snips, Perms & Novelty Songs 25.08.2025

Tommy, Duncan, and Hayley are back on another retro ramble – this time tackling haircuts, perms, and the eccentric world of novelty songs. Duncan opens with his modern £13.50 haircut ritual, contrasting the sleek modern barbershop with memories of smoky barbers in Worthing and the intimate oddities of 1970s British Rail haircuts. Tommy reminisces about old barber photos and Beatles-inspired hairst...

Going Up West, Steak Dinners & Microscopes 18.08.2025

Tommy, Duncan, and Hayley are off on another delightfully rambling retro ride – this time heading "up West" for steak dinners, school trips, and questionable science experiments. Hayley reminisces about dressing up for West End theatre visits and explains the allure of those little binoculars you rented "in the gods." Duncan takes us back to his days as a 14-year-old watching Chess and treating hi...

Spaghetti Out of a Tin and Whispering Alexas 11.08.2025

Tommy, Duncan, and Hayley are back with another generous helping of retro rambling – this time dishing up memories of tin-can cuisine, 80s dinner party disasters, and the perilous art of recording the telly without missing Bullseye. Hayley kicks things off with a creamy confession (spoiler: it involves cheese on toast and squirty cream), while Tommy fondly recalls being ID'd for a Black Forest gat...

Spitting Footballers, Plasticine Psychos & the Wimpy 03.08.2025

Tommy, Duncan, and Hayley are back for another nostalgic ramble, this time tackling the big topics: childhood toys, 80s fast food, and bedroom walls plastered with boybands and glow-in-the-dark stars. Duncan kicks things off with his first-ever McDonald's (Western Road, Brighton – Big Mac, no cheese), before the gang reminisce about the golden era of Wimpy, the mystery of Casey Jones, and the drea...

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