In Focus Podcasts

Is an interest in writing a genetic thing? Does the ability to write get passed down in your DNA? That's what uncle and nephew Stuart and Richard Baillie set out to explore. Stuart's dad Peter (that's Richard's grandfather) was an author with ten novels and countless short stories published in the 1950s and Peter's sons and now one of his grandchildren have had aspirations to write the great British novel and follow in Peter's footsteps. But none of them ever have - can we get to the root of the problem? What's stopping them?

Mary Slessor was one of the first women to be commemorated in the Hall of Scottish Heroes half way up the Wallace Monument near Stirling. So who was she? What had she done to earn her place among such exalted company? Her story is a fascinating one; from Dundonian Mill Girl to missionary in remotest Africa and then becoming the first female magistrate in the British Empire. Mary Slessor certainly earned her place among the greats of Scotland.

A short history of The Wallace Monument in Stirling and the man who inspired Braveheart.

I count Mark Jardine as a friend, and one of long standing. His has been a life committed to the service of others whether in his profressional life as a funeral directoror in his private life where, among many things he has been a bereavement counsellor and is founder of The People's Project. Mark's legacy though, will be in the creation of the Roucan Loch crematorium and woodland burial site https://www.roucanloch.co.uk/ it's a crematorium like no other and as we say in the podcast, it is very much one man's vision of how we should treat our loved ones on their final journey. Have a look at the Roucan Loch website by following this link https://www.roucanloch.co.uk/

As a young reporter watching Councillor Tom McAughtrie in action was fascinating. Over four decades he has been involved in some of the big decisions that have shaped not just the town of Dumfries but of the region as a whole. Over the years, and thanks to the the advent of social media, Tom and I have kept in touch and when I started doing these podcasts I immiediately thought Tom, with his strong views and opinions, would make a great subject and listening back to the result of the couple of hours we spent together I don't think I was wrong. You'll not be disappointed, Tom's views are as forthright as ever, especially when it comes to council officials working from home and Labour party complacency in the last decade and a half.

Articulate, immaculately dressed, ambitious and with a laser like focus on where he wants to be! Daniel Robinson is a Hastings lad, a former Filsham Valley pupil he had spent his time since leaving education building his career, treading a well worn path. But last year he decided to change direction and gave up his job and took off for four months to travel in Latin America. Now he’s home he’s got a business to build and a social media following that’s growing by the day. https://www.thetiesupply.co.uk/ https://www.hastingsinfocus.co.uk/2019/10/26/adventurer-dan-didnt-dare-to-dream-he-dared-to-conquer-the-world-well-part-of-it/