Tophole!

A pivotal summer term book this time, as we look at the Chalet School's final term on St Briavel's - a book which might well have inspired Roald Dahl, given that it could be subtitled "The Chalet School and the Chocolate Factory". Subjects I had to google while researching this episode included how much milk a goat produces, 1950s university entrance requirements, the Allied occupation of Austria, and the actual definition of a step-sister.Please don't panic if the next episode is late - we are about to go on holiday a podcast research trip to Guernsey.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/06/02/s3e17-so-long-farewell-auf-wiedersehen-good-bye/You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

The 50th book in the Chalet School series was specially written by EBD to mark the occasion, and she dedicated it to fans - so this is OUR book. It's more of a romance than a school story, but mostly we, the readers, are reunited with characters we love, in situations which we recognise from earlier tales in the series. Cliff-dangling rescue? Check. Torrent of water blocking the way? Check. Marriage to a doctor? Check. But this isn't recycling. It's referencing, and that makes all the difference.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/05/19/s3e16-fat-shaming-drug-pushing-and-an-ornate-belt-buckle/.You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

Hayley and Deborah discuss fan fiction, particularly about Chalet School. Audio warning: we recorded this using Teams, and you can tell Kit was not there supervising! Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/05/05/s3e15-comfort-and-joy/You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

It's a Wendy week and we're discussing how a talented producer might go about making a documentary about the Chalet School, just in case any talented producers listen to the podcast.Please substitute 'Paul Ozanne' where I said 'Julian Lucy'.Episode transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/04/21/s3e14-girls-on-film/.You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

Back at last with an episode answering a question posed by Kit.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/04/07/s3e13-saved-by-the-medium-of-fashion/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

In 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.

Which 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.

It'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.