Share
Tophole!
Deborah visits the Chalet School
Season 1, Ep. 23
•
End of term so Wendy does the interviewing in this one! Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/07/09/s1e23-deborah-visits-the-chalet-school/ and you can find us on Facebook or email topholepodcast@gmail.com.
Podcasts recommended for your summer break:
The Kindred Spirits Book Club
The Children's Literature Podcast
Backlisted
Shedunnit
A Body Made of Glass
Countrystride
The History Chicks
Pictures and Conversations
Book Hoots
BBC Sounds - Val McDermid on the Chalet School (2011)
More episodes
View all episodes
12. The Secret Life of Mlle Lachenais
26:15||Season 3, Ep. 12In honour of our Winter Olympic medals in skeleton, a look at the Chalet School book which mentions the sport - one which Mlle Lachenais has done many times. I know, right? We're looking at Trials for the Chalet School.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/03/10/s3e12-the-secret-life-of-mlle-lachenais/You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.11. Something to keep your hands occupied
38:56||Season 3, Ep. 11It's a Wendy week and we're talking about handcrafts at the Chalet School. And also through history. And in the real world. And in our own lives. Context, that's it - we're providing context, we're not just rambling. Glad we've cleared that up.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/02/24/s3e11-something-to-keep-your-hands-occupied/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.10. I didn't think!
24:45||Season 3, Ep. 10Which is it to be - a sun-soaked, punch-fuelled trip to Jamaica, or a chilly school term on an island off the coast of Wales? Well, there's really only one answer to that...Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/02/10/s3e10-i-didnt-think/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.9. Who gave you leave to call me Matey?
44:29||Season 3, Ep. 9It's a Wendy week! And we're talking about the Chalet School's matrons - at some length, because we're easily distracted.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/01/27/s3e9-who-gave-you-leave-to-call-me-matey/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.8. Victorian poets and no gym apparatus
20:52||Season 3, Ep. 8We're starting 2026 with an EBD book that finishes on Christmas Day because we have been Rather Unwell and so we are Running A Bit Late. In this episode I'm talking about a Chalet connector, and one of EBD's best books to boot.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/s3e8-victorian-poets-and-no-gym-apparatus/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.7. Pageants and carols
27:26||Season 3, Ep. 7We're somewhat late with this episode (sorry), but we're here now and focussing on fun seasonal stuff! Which is your favourite - The Bells of Christmas, or Strangers at the Inn? I totally want to rush out and create a steaming boar's head prop now.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/12/17/s2e7-pageants-and-carols/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.6. The Leader of the Gang
28:28||Season 3, Ep. 6Back to Switzerland this week, as we take a look at the 34th Chalet School book, Mary-Lou of the Chalet School.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/12/02/s3e6-the-leader-of-the-gang/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.5. Brown tunics and orange ties (2)
24:09||Season 3, Ep. 5In which Hayley, Wendy and I conclude our discussion about which is better, Malory Towers or the Chalet School, and then I mop up the bits we didn't discuss and the things we got wrong!Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/11/18/s3e5-brown-tunics-and-orange-ties-2/We'd love to hear from you! You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.4. Brown tunics and orange ties (1)
20:42||Season 3, Ep. 4They wear the same uniform, so what's the difference between the Chalet School and Malory Towers? Well...Episode transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/11/04/s3e4-brown-tunics-and-orange-ties-1/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.comPart 2 in a fortnight!