The Strettons Podcast

Acton Scott is more than a working Victorian museum, it's a living breathing tight-knit village. Merle Wilson describes growing up without basic amenities, the death of her mother and farming with her father. She paints a picture of a supportive vibrant community in which people look after for each other and work to continue the spirit of the community.

Happy new year from Sian and Pete. This week we’ve been stroking hedgehogs at a rescue centre in Edgton and been to see the monument to the last sin eater in the churchyard at Ratlinghope. We look back and forward to 2026 and see what events are coming up in the next two weeks.Hedgehog RescueMartin And Tanis Jordan, email tmjordan559@gmail.comMidland Gliding Club cafe franchisee enquiriesTim Murphy email secretary@midlandgliding.clubTimingsLast Sin Eater 02:17Hedgehog Rescue 11:10What’s On 23:21

Richard Hill from Batchott talks about the family he worked for all his life, his love of tractors and lost opportunities. Poignant memories of family members he has lost coupled with stories of teenage trouble-making paint a vivid picture of what life was like growing up in Batchcott on the Long Mynd.

Part 2 of Pete's selection of his favourite bits from 2025.TimingsTom Norris 2:28Bug hotel. 8:07Brian Pope 13:56Lucinda the potter 21:15John Sankey 27:35Terry Davies. 35:58

Jim grew up in an old mill in Walkmills near Leebotwood, and worked hard helping his father on the farm. Today his success in business can be put down to his parents instilling in him a strong work ethic, and his general happiness is partly attributed to keeping donkeys. He talks about the mills which operated along the valley, and about his ‘water-powered’ childhood. And if anyone ever wondered what the courtroom in the old Shire Hall in Shrewsbury used to look like, they can see a lot of it in the drawing room of Jim’s house. 

Pete's selection of his favourite bits from 2025.TimingsSteve Paige 2:10Losing my religion 6:53Anne Morris 10:10Snailbeach Mine. 15:08Nick Churton. 21:34Ragleth Fidget menu 26:24

Ruth Lawrence was brought up on Womerton Farm, educated in Cardington and then sent to a boarding school near Shrewsbury. Her love of farming brought her and her husband Tony back from New Zealand to take on the family farm on the Long Mynd, where she still lives today. She tells us about the characters who lived in the area when she was young, the fun she had with her friends, exploring the hills on their ponies and why BBC television wanted to follow her and Tony as they built their new house.

We’ve been around all the shops asking what shoppers can buy there for Christmas. We’ve taken the chutney we made from our foraged blackberries and paired it with different cheeses at Saxtons. We also found a couple of people waiting for the bus on Beaumont Road, both heading to Ludlow but for different reasons and we learn all about cookies - the computer type - what are they, are they harmful and do we really need them.Contact Graham Giugh if you have time to help out with Santa's Sleigh in Craven Arms or Church Strettonemail him: caradoc131@gmail.comTimings Chutney and cheese 0:45Where to shop in town this Christmas (1) 1:06The jug collector 13:20The geologist 15:06Tech corner, cookies 16:50Where to shop in town this Christmas (2) 22:39Soundscape, children crafting 29:14

Robert Brain grew up in and around Minton where he still lives today. He tells us about riding ponies on the Long Mynd as a young boy, about hurtling down the hill on a piece of tin sheeting,and what it was like living next door to Hollywood actor, Pete Posthlethwaite. He tells us how Pete gave him his first experience of air travel when he took him away on a film shoot to Ireland, and lets us into the secret of what he wore in bed!