The Strettons Podcast

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 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!

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.