The Strettons Podcast

David Cooke talks to us about his life growing up in Ratlinghope and the fun that was had there in his youth. He shared his childhood with an inspiring German prisoner of war who worked on the farm and could turn his hand to anything, even making him a snooker table as a Christmas present. As a young boy, he walked to London with his rucksack to have a look at some football stadiums.

We're off to Prolley Moor to see the best honesty shed in the county run by Lexi Morris. Then we've got the first in our lambing special - looking at scanning the ewes. And finally we're at All Stretton Village Hall where they cast of the annual panto - The Princess and Pea - are having a final dress rehearsal. And there are. a handful of events to finish up.Timings Honesty Box 00:49Lambing special 11.30All Stretton Panto 18:47What’s On 24:06What three words for the honesty shed///washroom.excuse.unravel

Francis Acton lives at Acton Scott Hall in Acton Scott and manages the 1000 acre estate which includes the Acton Scott Heritage Farm. He speaks to Sian about the responsibility of looking after the estate, and the expectations which come with being the eldest son and the importance of retaining the knowledge and skills of Victorian farmers.

We’ve been chatting to some young girls starting on their guiding journey and seeing what happens at their meetings. We've also been to the Parish Centre to see the mess left behind by the holme oak which crashed through the roof during the most recent snow storm. And to satisfy our obsession in this country with home ownership and house prices, we talk to two estate agents who operate in the town and learn about the state of the market at the moment.TimingRainbows and Brownies 02:17Hot Property feature 11:10Parish Centre holme oak 21:49What’s On 23:21To donate an old or new generator please contact Robin Lloydrobjanlloyd@gmail.com

Sian wound her way around the lanes of Frog’s Gutter to go and see Peter Philips who lives off-grid in a cottage which was marked as unfit for human habitation when he moved in. Peter talks about the joys of living off-grid in peaceful surroundings near The Bog, and the changes he’s seen in the area since arriving over 50 years ago.

Sian talks to Evelyn Vaughan from Edgton who still farms age 88. Evelyn talks about her childhood, the loss of her mother and husband and a lost opportunity to become a professional singer. Her animals have inflicted numerous injuries on her but she still love them unconditionally and if you want more stories about the winter of 1947, you won’t be disappointed!