Strong Lincs

In this February edition of Strong Lincs, we celebrate creativity, resilience, and the power of the arts across Lincolnshire with two truly inspiring guests.Kei Bailey is an award-winning playwright, director, and much-loved pantomime Dame. Known for his sharp wit, bold storytelling, and deep commitment to inclusive theatre, Kei shares his journey through the performing arts, the magic (and mayhem) of panto, and why storytelling still matters more than ever.Patricia Mellett-Brown is a Lincolnshire-based artist whose work is deeply rooted in landscape, memory, and emotion. Patricia talks about her creative process, finding inspiration close to home, and how art can connect communities, especially in challenging times.Together, this episode explores: The importance of creativity in local communities, Life behind the curtain of theatre and panto, Finding artistic inspiration in Lincolnshire, How the arts build confidence, connection, and resilience. A warm, uplifting conversation with two passionate creatives who prove that Lincolnshire continues to punch well above its weight in the arts. Listen now and be inspired.Links & Mentions:Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: stronglincs • Share and subscribe • Thanks, it really helps!Kei BaileyPatricia Mellett-Brown

In this Extra Strong Lincs episode, we meet Neve Baker-Wright, who at just 18 years old made national headlines by becoming Britain’s youngest pub landlady. Neve shares the remarkable story behind taking on such a huge responsibility at a young age, from growing up around the pub trade to making the bold decision to step behind the bar as the person ultimately in charge.She talks openly about the challenges of being taken seriously, learning to manage staff, customers and suppliers, and balancing long hours with life outside the pub. The conversation also explores the realities of running a modern British pub, the misconceptions people have about the industry, and why community remains at the heart of everything Neve does.Rich and Dan find out what a typical day looks like, how she handles difficult situations, and what advice she’d give to other young people thinking about following an unconventional path. Honest, inspiring and refreshingly down-to-earth, this Extra Strong Lincs interview is a fascinating insight into ambition, resilience and the future of the British pub served straight from the source.Find more out about Neve and The New Inn www.thenewinnfolkingham.com

January’s Strong Lincs episode sees presenters Dan and Rich embracing a rare quiet month in. Fresh from the Christmas holidays and the turn of the New Year, they take a moment to pause and reflect as they look ahead to 2026. With World Introvert Day falling on the 2nd, it’s a month of going nowhere and talking to no one… except each other.The episode offers a chance to get to know the Strong Lincs presenters a little better. Dan looks back on his time organising a music festival at Grimsthorpe Castle, while Rich talks about his filmmaking work, the books he’s written, and some of the pitfalls he’s had to navigate as an independent author.The conversation then drifts into familiar territory, including a curious local investigation the pair undertook as they traced the footsteps of a cinema icon. Along the way, you’ll also hear about the famous playwright Dan once wrote to, and discover who recently had their mug showcased by Peter Levy on BBC Look North.Rounding off the episode is another track from Sleaford folk act The Band From County Hell.Links & Mentions:Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: stronglincs • Share and subscribe • Thanks, it really helps! • Joseph Kiel Author • The Band From County Hell

Back in the studio for an extra helping, Rich and Dan are joined once again by a familiar and much-loved face, their good friend Chris Clark. In this festive edition of Extra Strong Lincs, the trio settle in for a relaxed, laughter-filled chat that’s packed with memories, behind-the-scenes stories and a healthy dose of nostalgia.The conversation takes a trip down memory lane as Rich, Dan and Chris reminisce about past creative projects, including their very first key collaboration on the feature film Shadows of a Stranger. From there, Chris opens up about his fascinating career journey, sharing stories from his work on high-profile productions and rubbing shoulders with television icons. Listeners will love hearing about Chris’s experiences working with legendary television characters such as Basil Brush, along with Zippy & George from the classic children’s TV show Rainbow.He also explains how his career has evolved, and why he’s now widely known in the television and entertainment world as the go-to guy for making and supplying puppets. The puppets you see on screen today? There’s a good chance Chris had a hand in bringing them to life. As always, the chat drifts across all sorts of topics, with plenty of humour, warmth and tangents along the way. This episode of Extra Strong Lincs only scratches the surface of Chris’s stories though. There are clearly many more waiting to be told. Don’t be surprised if this leads to an Extra Extra Strong Lincs in the not-too-distant future…Chris Clark on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@xmaswoo

In this month's episode, Rich and Dan look forward to the festive season with a visit to Belton House to experience the annual ’Christmas at Belton’ which promises to be even more magical this year, with a new after-dark illuminated trail transforming the gardens into a twinkling winter wonderland. There the Strong Lincs duo chat with the events organiser Charlotte Beaver to find out more. Rich also swaps cracker jokes with Santa along the way.Then it’s this month’s special guest, Rich and Dan’s old pal Chris Clark who is known at this time of year as Christmas Chris. Chris tells us all about the various Christmas songs he's written and performed over the years, as well as his various appearances on BBC One’s regional news show Look North with TV legend Peter Levy. Chris also tells us about his time working with icons from children’s television such as Basil Brush, Zippy & George from Rainbow, and how he got the opportunity to play Bungle on ITV’s This Morning and Dancing On Ice. Chris also brought his guitar into the studio to play a couple of his Christmas songs including Christmas Bubble.Then it’s curtain up for Byard’s Leap, Strong Lincs' very own festive pantomime, written and performed by Rich and Dan, with performances from Chris Clark, Karen Davey, Laura Davies and Rob Norris.Rich and Dan wish all the Strong Lincs listeners a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and Christmas Chris plays us out with Boom! Boom! It’s Christmas Again which he wrote for TV legend Basil Brush.Don’t miss our bonus episode, Extra Strong Lincs with even more chat with Christmas Chris, dropping mid-December!Links & Mentions:Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: stronglincs • Share and subscribe • Thanks, it really helps!Christmas at Belton Chris Clark on YouTubeMaking William Alvey ChristmasSleaford Little Theatre

Welcome to Extra Strong Lincs, a bonus episode of the Strong Lincs podcast. In this episode, Rich and Dan are joined by local radio presenter Dave Brackley, better known across Lincolnshire’s airwaves as DJ Dave Bee.A pioneer of the local soul scene and a beloved radio voice, Dave joins us to reflect on a career rooted in rhythm, community, and an unwavering love of great music. From the crackle of vinyl to the clarity of digital broadcasting, Dave has seen (and spun) it all. In this episode, he opens up about his early days behind the decks, digging through crates of soul and funk records, how vinyl culture shaped his sound and the energy, the evolution of local radio, and why soul, funk, and jazz remain timeless, and how they continue to inspire him.A storyteller at heart, Dave shares warmth, wit, and decades of musical wisdom. Whether you’re a soul devotee, a radio nostalgist, or simply love hearing from local legends, this episode hits all the right notes. Tune in, turn it up, and get Extra Strong Lincs with DJ Dave Bee.Listen to DJ Dave Bee on SoulGrooveRadio.co.uk

This month, Rich and Dan are back behind the mics for another packed episode of Strong Lincs, catching up on their plans for November and the latest goings-on across the area. Both hosts are gearing up for Sleaford Rugby Club’s Fireworks Night, and Dan will be joining the community in the Sleaford Market Place for this year’s Remembrance Sunday service.In this episode, Strong Lincs were invited to Fairfield Community Farm near Ruskington for their weekly coffee morning and a warm welcome from founder Kathy Owen, who took the team on a tour of the farm to discover how the project connects people, produce, and purpose.From muddy boots to sharp threads, the team then hit the high street to meet Roy Watts, owner of Empra Menswear in the Bristol Arcade in Sleaford. Roy shared insights into his growing business, plans to move into a new, larger premises, and what inspires him to support the local community.With panto season fast approaching, Strong Lincs also paid a visit to The Playhouse, home of Sleaford Little Theatre, where rehearsals for this year’s production of Mother Goose were in full swing. Rich and Dan caught up with the director Laura Davies for a sneak peek behind the scenes and to hear how the cast are preparing for their festive run.The Extra Strong Lincs feature this month shines the spotlight on local radio legend Dave Brackley, better known as DJ Dave Bee. Dave talks about his early days spinning vinyl, his journey into radio presenting, and what drives his passion for sharing soul, funk, and jazz with Lincolnshire listeners.Plus, Rich gives a rundown of what’s inside the November edition of Your Local Lincs Magazine, and there’s brilliant original music from The Band From County Hell.And don’t miss our bonus episode, Extra Strong Lincs with DJ Dave Bee, dropping mid-November!Links & Mentions:Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: stronglincs • Share and subscribe • Thanks, it really helps! • Fairfield Community Farm • Empra Menswear • Sleaford Little Theatre • Listen to DJ Dave Bee • The Band From County Hell

The Strong Lincs podcast is back with its official name and social media accounts finally live. Hosts Rich Dutton and Dan Sumpton kick things off with a well-earned catch-up.Then it’s off to the market place in Sleaford to witness the booming voices and eccentric performances at the Town Crier Competition. Expect bells, bold proclamations, and a bit of banter.Afterwards, they head down to the tranquil setting of Cogglesford Watermill for a chat (and a cuppa!) with Celia, who shares the mill’s upcoming events and local heritage highlights.In keeping with Halloween this month, things take a spooky turn, as author and supernatural sleuth Tom Warrington joins the show to talk about ghosts, folklore, and the eerie side of Lincolnshire. Inspired by Tom’s tales, Rich and Dan set off on their own ghost hunt, and let’s just say, they weren’t alone out there…Rounding out the episode is an atmospheric track from Lincolnshire-based musical duo Paradox of Ravens.Look out for our bonus episode Extra Strong Lincs with Tom Warrington that drops in the middle of October.Links & MentionsFollow us on Facebook and Instagram: stronglincs • Share and subscribe • Thanks, it really helps!Learn more about Cogglesford Water Mill: heartoflincs.com/things_to_do/cogglesford-watermill/Find out Tom Warrington’s books and investigations: facebook.com/paranormalseekeroftruthListen to more from Paradox of Ravens: facebook.com/groups/1387648635973851/Got a spooky story of your own? Want to suggest a guest or location? Drop us a message on socials or email us at hello@stronglincs.co.uk