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Belle Books & Stories

Conversations with Authors & Historians

Scots authors and publishers Kay Hutchison and Richard Dikstra explore the stories behind great books with invited special guests.From books about the Clyde to stories about photographers, musicians and writers.

Latest Episode11/28/2022

Stormy Weather - Queen Mary

Tim Dunn transport historian and enthusiast celebrates Britain's coastal cruising heritage.The first of five inspiring stories of ships that still play an important part in our maritime history. The final episode of the series features the TS Queen Mary. She's the only Clyde Steamer ever to return to the Clyde. Tim discovers a story of renewal and reinvention of a ship that always meant glamour and sophistication and a key part of Glasgow’s cultural heritage. Recorded as she lay berthed beside the Glasgow Science Centre without engines and awaiting a full internal refit. The Princess Royal recently announced she will sail again and become a skills and training academy. It’s a complete reimagining of her role as she enters her 10th decade in 2023.Stormy Weather tells the story of five iconic ships:PS Waverley PS Medway Queen PS Kingswear Castle MV Balmoral TS Queen MaryThe series was inspired by the book Hurricane Hutch's Top 10 Ships of the Clyde. https://bellemedia.co.uk/books/hurricane-hutchs-top-10-ships-of-the-clyde/

Stormy Weather - Queen Mary

Tim Dunn transport historian and enthusiast celebrates Britain's coastal cruising heritage.The first of five inspiring stories of ships that still play an important part in our maritime history. The final episode of the series features the TS Queen Mary. She's the only Clyde Steamer ever to return to the Clyde. Tim discovers a story of renewal and reinvention of a ship that always meant glamour and sophistication and a key part of Glasgow’s cultural heritage. Recorded as she lay berthed beside the Glasgow Science Centre without engines and awaiting a full internal refit. The Princess Royal recently announced she will sail again and become a skills and training academy. It’s a complete reimagining of her role as she enters her 10th decade in 2023.Stormy Weather tells the story of five iconic ships:PS Waverley PS Medway Queen PS Kingswear Castle MV Balmoral TS Queen MaryThe series was inspired by the book Hurricane Hutch's Top 10 Ships of the Clyde. https://bellemedia.co.uk/books/hurricane-hutchs-top-10-ships-of-the-clyde/

Stormy Weather - Balmoral

Tim Dunn transport historian and enthusiast celebrates Britain's coastal cruising heritage.The first of five inspiring stories of ships that still play an important part in our maritime history. The MV Balmoral is Britain's most well travelled excursion ship, having visited more ports, piers and docks than any other ship of its type. Tim meets Trustees and Volunteers to find out why they want to get her sailing again. Terry Sylvester, a Vice President of the PSPS, also explains how the Waverley and the Balmoral at one time came to work together. Stormy Weather tells the story of five iconic ships:PS Waverley PS Medway Queen PS Kingswear Castle MV Balmoral TS Queen MaryThe series was inspired by the book Hurricane Hutch's Top 10 Ships of the Clyde. https://bellemedia.co.uk/books/hurricane-hutchs-top-10-ships-of-the-clyde/

Stormy Weather - Kingswear Castle

Tim Dunn transport historian and enthusiast celebrates Britain's coastal cruising heritage.The first of five inspiring stories of ships that still play an important part in our maritime history. PS Kingswear Castle is the last coal fired paddle steamer in the UK. Tim talked with John Megoran (Captain and General Manager for over 30 years) as he discovers this iconic ship undergoing a major rebuild ahead of her 100th anniversary. We also find out about the unique part ship with the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company. Stormy Weather tells the story of five iconic ships:PS Waverley PS Medway Queen PS Kingswear Castle MV Balmoral TS Queen MaryThe series was inspired by the book Hurricane Hutch's Top 10 Ships of the Clyde. https://bellemedia.co.uk/books/hurricane-hutchs-top-10-ships-of-the-clyde/

Stormy Weather - Medway Queen

Tim Dunn transport historian and enthusiast celebrates Britain's coastal cruising heritage.The first of five inspiring stories of ships that still play an important part in our maritime history.PS Medway Queen was the Heroine of Dunkirk, famously saving over 7,000 men. Pam Bathurst takes up the story. Tim also discusses with social historian Kathryn Ferry why excursion cruising became so popular across the UK. Stormy Weather tells the story of five iconic ships:PS Waverley PS Medway Queen PS Kingswear Castle MV Balmoral TS Queen MaryThe series was inspired by the book Hurricane Hutch's Top 10 Ships of the Clyde. https://bellemedia.co.uk/books/hurricane-hutchs-top-10-ships-of-the-clyde/

Stormy Weather - Waverley

Tim Dunn transport historian and enthusiast celebrates Britain's coastal cruising heritage.The first of five inspiring stories of ships that still play an important part in our maritime history. PS Waverley is the world's last ocean going paddle steamer and recently celebrated 75 years of service. Stormy Weather tells the story of five iconic ships:PS Waverley PS Medway Queen PS Kingswear Castle MV Balmoral TS Queen MaryThe series was inspired by the book Hurricane Hutch's Top 10 Ships of the Clyde. https://bellemedia.co.uk/books/hurricane-hutchs-top-10-ships-of-the-clyde/

Nicholas Schmidle - Test Gods

The incredible story of a new generation of astronauts forging a world of commercial space travel. Tom Wolf's The Right Stuff for the 21st Century Fifteen years after Richard Branson first founded Virgin Galactic is space tourism about to finally become a reality?Nicholas Schmidle spent four years with the Company to tell this story - a compelling examination of the inner lives of a new generation of astronauts. Nicholas writes for the New Yorker Magazine, The Atlantic, Slate and the Washington Post. To buy Test Gods ....https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/belle-books-stories-podcast-bookshttps://www.waterstones.com/book/test-gods/nicholas-schmidle/9781786331854

Philippa Donovan : Literary Scout Film & TV

Literary scouting is a hidden area within publishing - it’s where literature intersects with film and tv. Expert Literary Scout, Philippa Donovan loves her work - an excellent editor, with an eye for a compelling story and the vision to create an unforgettable package. Philippa has worked for some of the biggest producers, responsible for screen adaptations of The Handmaid’s Tale, House of Cards, Picnic at Hanging Rock, My Brilliant Friend, Brittania, as well as The Walking Dead. Find out what the role involves and her recommendations for anyone starting out in the industry today. Along the way, she references some brilliant adaptations - The Favourite, Bridgerton and The Queen’s Gambit - and how stories from the past can still work today.

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