Tiggi's Tails

As our first guest on brand new series Tiggi’s Tails, we proudly introduce Moira Anderson. HR Operations Officer at the Bishops Palace of Bath and Wells. Moira has an extensive and busy job, joining the Palace team in 2013.  A confessed animal lover, it comes as no surprise, the animals at the 14-acre Palace estate […] The post A Bird’s Eye View appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast .

An amazing woman and a massive participant in our community life. Mother, Willow Sculptor, Instructor, House Builder, Church Bell Captain, Horse Expert, and devoted lover of everything to do with Nature. Sophie will be missed by her family who we are thinking about at this time, but friends will miss her too, as she touched […] The post 057 We pay tribute to Sophie Courtiour, resident of Rodney St...

As Patron of the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind). Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a passionate advocate for the rights of blind and partially sighted people. With that in mind we are delighted to re broadcast the podcast we made with Ella Caulfield two years ago. A young lady who became totally […] The post 056 Blindness Is Never Dark appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Pod...

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Alison Quill, who was President of the branch from 2019, until her death in April 2022. Tiggi talks to Natalyia Wills, a member of the local WI since 2015.  She is on a mission to bust the myth that the WI is not only ‘Jam and Jerusalem’. […] The post 055 Rodney Stoke and Draycott WI appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast .

Having faced a life changing diagnosis and a need to re navigate her life, two and a half years ago, Alison Ironside and her Mother moved from Cornwall to Draycott.  They wanted to join a community and ideally buy some land. Bingo! A vineyard came up for sale nearby called PERCH HILL. Boasting a south […] The post 054 Perch Hill Vineyard Near Draycott appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Pod...

I had a real scoop this month.  For our Draycott Diaries Jubilee Special, I chat with internationally acclaimed choral conductor, composer and organist Barry Rose OBE. As resident organist and Master of the Choir at St Paul’s Cathedral in London from 1974, Barry participated in many royal services. These included the 1977 Silver Jubilee and […] The post 053 Draycott’s Jubilee Celebration appeared...

The romance of an historic steam train, puffing along through the gorgeous Somerset countryside. Children waving as passengers disembark at Draycott Station. Watched from the windows of the Railway Inn opposite.  This was the Cheddar Valley Line, later re-named The Strawberry Line due to its delicious cargo of rich, red, ripe and juicy strawberries heading […] The post 052 Draycott And The Strawbe...

Village resident Adam Clark had two passions as a boy, soldiers and trees.  As he chats with Tiggi we learn so much from his past experiences.  As a student army cadet Adam once organised an expedition in Nepal to the base of Mount Everest.   On this trek he met some retired Gurkha soldiers they inspired […] The post 051 The Draycott Arborist appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast .

Tiggi and her guide dog Jackie set off three years ago to record stories from a rural village.  Many said this wouldn’t work. How very wrong they were. As a special guest on BBC Radio 4 and other media platforms, growing an international following, the proof is in the listening.  Tiggi is convinced she has […] The post 050 Draycott Diaries Celebrate 50 Episodes appeared first on Draycott Diaries V...

John Connor is this months podcast guest. Tiggi learns that every person she chats to on Draycott Diaries have hidden depths, and village resident jet pilot John Connor is one of them. A true biography of extremes. Thrills of flying at over one thousand miles an hour in the notorious Phantom jet. Aerobatics at incredibly […] The post 049 The Draycott Pilot appeared first on Draycott Diaries Villag...

A brand new year and a brand new pantomime for the local community. This month Tiggi hooks up with three members of the local drama group Mendip Players. Revelations include the debacle of walking on heels for the first time and the perils of business negotiations dressed as a pantomime dame. However, the group have […] The post 048 Draycott Drama appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast...

A woman sets out with her Guide Dog, Jackie, seeking out the true meaning of Christmas in our community, walking the Mendip hills looking for enlightenment. With food and beverages part of their research, the dynamic duo stumble on, through the wind and rain they tread together with festive spirit in their hearts. Bringing us […] The post 047 Draycott Diaries Christmas Special 2021 appeared first...

Tiggi chatted to Ian Maclachlan (the Draycott Postman) just before he embarked on the race of his life. Raising funds for “Hounds for Heroes”. Ian left Draycott with hope in his heart, declaring the support of the local community would spur him on in times of self doubt. It transpires that proved the case when […] The post 046 Draycott’s Postie’s Journey – For Charity appeared first on Draycott Di...

Peter Bright, a resident in the beautiful Mendip area of Somerset for many years, is our guest this month. Peter is a retired Biology Teacher and natural historian with an extensive knowledge of local wildlife. Tiggi asks questions that have come to her mind whilst trudging through the Autumn leaves in her walks on the […] The post 045 Draycott in Autumn appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village...

It’s Raining Men Tiggi and Kayleigh have been on a Somerset binge this month covering life changing topics including what to wear if unexpected visitors drop from the sky. Guests include Emily Ellis an inspiring local Zumba instructor. Ian MacLachlan the local postman about to run across the Sahara desert. And a group of committed […] The post Talk Local 003 appeared first on Draycott Diaries Vill...

AS A VILLAGE LETS SUPPORT THE COURAGE OF OUR POSTMAN AS HE HAS SUPPORTED US THROUGHOUT COVID AND BEYOND. From 1st to 11th October 2021, our much beloved Postman Ian Maclachlan, will begin the toughest delivery of his life …………… 250 km. Not around our beautiful Somerset village, but across the Sahara Desert ! Billed […] The post 044 Draycott’s Running Postman – Listen Now! appeared first on Draycot...

A Draycott resident of nearly 30 years and active in both the local Church and the Parish Council, Dr Richard Dingley OBE, KStJ is at the centre of the community. Although few people know about his fascinating past. Fresh from medical school in the 50’s he joined the RAF. Stationed in Singapore, he acted as […] The post 043 The Draycott Doctor appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast .

A Pound in the Head is a Coin well spent! Labradors, mistakenly identified and old Somerset words are served up on this months Draycott Diaries Unplugged.  Showcasing music from Axbridge composer and musician Clara Mann  and talking local to Draycott’s newest entrepreneur Clare Love-Jones.  With sandwiches entangled in microphone leads and presenters dribbling chocolate, this […] The post Talk Loc...

A resident of Draycott for many years, Martin Grass heads up the Mendip Cave Rescue team as their Chairman. His passion has always been Caving and Geology. The Mendip Hills in Somerset are famous for their unique combination of sandstone and limestone. They are undoubtedly the custodians of countless undiscovered secrets. After visiting Wells museum […] The post 042 Draycott Underground appeared f...

For this brand new trail blazing episode of ‘TalkLocal’, Tiggi and Kayleigh, are joined by new entrepreneur Joy Sindry of ‘Chasing Rainbows’.  Stories shared Include painting over valuable antiques. But the ensemble agree, positivity, humour and coffee are the way forward. You will learn about the recent sighting of the ‘Beast of Draycott‘ and the […] The post Talk Local 001 appeared first on Dray...

In this ‘unplugged’ episode from the much loved Draycot Diaries life stories series.  You find out the true story behind a new idea. ‘Talking Local’ ‘Supporting Local’. How does it work?  How will it work?  Tiggi and Co-Presenter Kayleigh sling ideas around like creative confetti.  With two snoring guide dogs at their feet.  A very feint […] The post Draycott Diaries Unplugged The Trailer appeared...

Nick Boyd LOVES Bees! A long time resident of Draycott. Nick is an active member of the Wedmore and Cheddar Bee Keepers Association and has an apiary containing about 80,000 bees in each of his 6 hives. See a short video of Tiggi looking for the Queen Bee with Nick by clicking here Tiggi was […] The post 041 Draycott Bees appeared first on Draycott Diaries Village Podcast .

Tim Haselden is Development Officer for the Mendip Hills AONB, responsible for an area covering 198 square kilometres – equivalent to 20,000 football pitches. Set up 50 years ago to protect our surrounding landscapes. AONB stands for  “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.” “AONB The Voice of the protected landscape. Naturally beautiful , nationally protected.” Originally […] The post 040 Draycott’s...

Tiggi chats to long time residents of Rodney Stoke, Colin and Jo Symes.  They relate wonderful stories from their past, including their participation in the “Maurice Symes Dance Band”.  However, their life time passion has always been around the village Church of St Leonards and the community that surrounds it in Rodney Stoke, Somerset.  Both […] The post 039 The Bells of St Leonards appeared firs...

Kirk Purnell moved to Draycott from Bristol three years ago.  His job is Director of Teaching and Learning Assessment based at Wiltshire College. During the first lock down and with a space for his own personal learning, an extraordinary skill came to his consciousness which he had been totally unaware of.  Inspired by a photographer […] The post 038 Draycott’s New Photographer appeared first on D...