ShireTalk

ShireTalk and Local Life & Little Histories

 

ShireTalk is the home for the audio content of it's sister site Little Histories recorded in the heart of the shires. You will also find 'audio specials' here that do not appear on Little Histories

 

Local Life & Little Histories is the home for 30 - 40 minute audios recorded on location around the UK looking at the places, people, history of the UKs towns and cities as well as the fauna and flora of the country through the eyes of the presenter.

Shiretalk lists all of the Little History audios in an easy to browse list as well as containing a number of audios created especially for ShireTalk such as ghost stories and Christmas specials.

Shiretalk also produces an Acoustic Music show featuring acoustic guitarists from around the world with music, interviews and chat. You can check out the show at Acoustic Sessions 

If you like sketching why not pop over and visit my sketching site at A Doodle a Day

To access the full information associated with many of the audios on ShireTalk including images, additional writeup, links and other useful information please go to Local Life & Little Histories

If you have any suggestions or comments on the programmes please email feedback@shiretalk.co.uk

Worcester Walk

Join Richard Vobes and me as we take a six and a half mile walk along the Rivers; Severn and Teme, following the Severn Way and Monarchs way while discussing the beginning and end of the English Civil War. We start at the Cathedral and along the way we visit Powick Bridge the location of the first skirmish of the war and then on the return leg walk across the final battle field of the Civil War.

  Click to Play or right click and 'save as' to download - Worcester Walk - Civil War. (Playing directly from the site is slower than downloading).

To see the full entries for Local Life & Little Histories please visit  Local Life & Little Histories

A Dickens of a Christmas

Join me for a short 15 minute show - 'A Dickens of a Christmas'. Scrooge has been visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas still to come and we join him on Christmas morning waking up to a new world. This is probably the last show before Christmas, so may I take the opportunity to wish everyone, listeners or not, a very Merry Christmas.

  Click to Play or right click and 'save as' to download - 'A Dickens of a Christmas'. (Playing directly from the site is slower than downloading).

Some sound effects and Intro/Outro music from the FREESOUND project - full credits to follow shortly.

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - 'A Dickens of a Christmas' including links to items and music featured in the show please visit Little Histories

Winter Festival, Yule and Christmas Special

Jayne joins me once again the studio for this 40 minute Winter Festival Special where we look at Celtic and worldwide traditions from the month of December and of course at the traditional Christmas.

  Click to Play or right click and 'save as' to download - Winter Festival Special. (Playing directly from the site is slower than downloading).

Sound effects from the FREESOUND project - music from the Podsafe Music Network and Magnatune, Story extract from StoryNory. Full details on the Little Histories website.

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - 'Winter Festival Special' including link to items and music featured in the show please visit Little Histories

Halloween Special - Interview & Ghost Stories

A Halloween Special that may become a regular adventure. We delve into the realm of the supernatural with discussion about ghosts and hauntings, do they exist? We also look at some ghost stories from our own locality of Worcestershire. Dare you listen?

  Click to Play or right click and 'save as' to download - Halloween Special - Interview & Ghost Stories. (Playing directly from the site is slower than downloading).

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - Halloween Special - Interview & Ghost Stories' please visit  Local Life & Little Histories

A Grand day out in Worthing - Audio Diary No6

While working away in Worthing I took the opportunity to record a long overdue Audio Diary while sat in the hotel on the Saturday night after appearing on the Vobes Show on the Friday night.

  Click to Play or right click and 'save as' to download - October Audio Diary. (Playing directly from the site is slower than downloading).

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - October Audio Diary please visit  Local Life & Little Histories

The Vobes show with Charlie Creek

A couple of weeks back I was working away in Worthing home of one of the first Internet broadcasters and without doubt one of the most prolific podcasters on the Internet.

RIchard asked me to pop into the studio (affectionatly known as the beech hut) to take part in one of his 2 hour Internet broadcasts which are broadcast live on camera on the Internet for the whole 2 hours duration, which I have also cut down into this 40 minute audio.

  Click to Play or right click to download - The Vobes Show with Charlie Creek

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - The Vobes show with Charlie Creek please visit  Local Life & Little Histories

In Search of Wildlife - Upton Warren Audio Tour

On two fairly lengthy early morning visits to Upton Warren this weekend I took the opportunity to record a 30 minute audio as I walked around the Northern Moors part of the reserve, the linking pathway crossing the River Salwarpe and onto the Flashes part of the reserve ending back on the Moors in the East hide.

I take the opportunity to look at the different habitats and wildlife to be seen from Butterflies and Dragonflies to Bats, from Wild Fowl and Waders to Otter and Water Vole.

  Click to Play or right click and 'save as' to download - In Search of Wildlife - Upton Warren Audio Tour. (Playing directly from the site is slower than downloading).

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - Habberley Valley Circular Walk' please visit  Local Life & Little Histories

In Search of Wildlife - Upton Warren WWT

An early morning visit to my local patch of Upton Warren Reserve WWT on the Moors side and the first out and about recording for some time.

It was a rather overcast and damp feeling morning but I decided to make a short 15 minute 'In Search of Wildlife' recording and after sending the resident rabbit population scurrying for cover along the path I was rewarded for my troubles with three Kingfisher almost immediately on entering the hide.

  Click to Play or right click and 'save as' to download - In Search of Wildlife - Upton Warren. (Playing directly from the site is slower than downloading).

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - Habberley Valley Circular Walk' please visit  Local Life & Little Histories

Habberley Valley Circular Walk - Part 2

We recently walked the Habberley Valley Circular Walk a route of between 2 and a half and just under 4 miles depending on the route taken exploring the lovely, peaceful countryside beyond Habberley Valley Nature Reserve in Worcestershire. The walk takes you through a section of the Habberley Valley and on through pastures, woods, alongside a stream, over brooks and over hills.  I recorded the walk and have split the audio into 2 parts, the first half of the walk and the return route.

This is the Second Part of the audio from the walk.

  Click to Play or right click and 'save as' to download - Habberley Valley Walk Part 2. (Playing directly from the site is slower than downloading).

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - Habberley Valley Circular Walk' please visit  Local Life & Little Histories

Habberley Valley Circular Walk - Part 1

We recently walked the Habberley Valley Circular Walk a route of between 2 and a half and just under 4 miles depending on the route taken exploring the lovely, peaceful countryside beyond Habberley Valley Nature Reserve in Worcestershire. The walk takes you through a section of the Habberley Valley and on through pastures, woods, alongside a stream, over brooks and over hills.  I recorded the walk and have split the audio into 2 parts, the first half of the walk and the return route.

This is the first Part of the audio from the walk.

  Click to Play or right click and 'save as' to download - Habberley Valley Walk Part 1. (Playing directly from the site is slower than downloading).

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - Habberley Valley Circular Walk' please visit  Local Life & Little Histories

So where have you been? - Audio Diary No5

It has been some considerable time since there has been any new audio on Local Life & Little Histories and indeed any new entries at all, so I thought that I would attempt to steal away about half an hour of your life with a new audio diary update on what has been happening!

  Click to Play or download - March 2008 Audio Diary

Local Life Book, Magazine & Website Roundup

Something different this time as while out in the 16 acres of grounds in a hotel in Sussex I take a look at the BBC Countryfile Magazine, the BBC Countryfile and Wild About Britain forums and two books - New Europe - Michael Palin and The Nature of Britain - Alan Titchmarsh, both BBC books.

  Click to Play or right click and 'save as' to download - 'Local Life Roundup. (Playing directly from the site is slower than downloading).

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - 'Local Life Book, Magazine & Website Roundup' please visit  Local Life & Little Histories

Bothwellhaugh Roman Fort & Bathhouse

In this 20 minute audio I take a look at the Roman occupation of Scotland in the 2nd Century and in particular at Bothwellhaugh Roman Fort & Bathhouse and the Antonine Wall the Northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire.

  Click to Play or download - Strathclyde Roman Fort & Bathhouse

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - 'Strathclyde - Bothwellhaugh Roman Fort & Bathhouse' please visit  Local Life & Little Histories

Rydal Water - My Favourite View

Recently on television there has been a series which went in search of 'Britain's Favourite View'. This evening while on the banks of Rydal Water in the Lake District I spent some time recording this audio to explain why Rydal Water in the Lake District is 'My Favourite View'.

  Click to Play or download - 'Rydal Water - My Favourite View'

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - 'Rydal Water - My Favourite View' please visit  Local Life & Little Histories

Local Life & Little Histories - Audio Diary No4

The fourth Audio Diary from Local Life & Little Histories - 18th September 2007 recorded again from Scotland.

  Click to Play or Download Audio Diary 18 September 2007

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - Audio Diary No 4 please visit Local Life & Little Histories

Wanderings on the River Dart

An audio recorded while out on an early morning walk along the banks of the river Dart in Devon looking at the sights to be seen and also at the history of the author and origins of the main character of Tarka the Otter.

  Click to Play or Download Wanderings on the Dart

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - Wanderings on the Dart please visit Local Life & Little Histories

Local Life & Little Histories Audio Diary No3

The third audio diary from Local Life & Little Histories - 23rd August 2007 recorded in Strathclyde Country Park - Scotland.

  Click to Play or Download Audio Diary 23 August 2007

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories - Audio Dairy No3 please visit Local Life & Little Histories

In Search of Wildlife - The Grey Heron

In the first of a new series of 15 - 20 minute audios from Local Life & Little Histories I visit the local nature reserve in search of a common visitor to our canal and river banks, the margins of pools and lakes and not an uncommon site around garden ponds - The Grey Heron.

To see the full entry for 'In Search of Wildlife - The Grey Heron' please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download In Search of Wildlife - The Grey Heron

Sandwell Valley RSPB Reserve - Audio Tour

A longer audio than usual recorded at Sandwell Valley Nature reserve looking at the sights, history and some of the species to be seen at the reserve.

To see the full entry for Sandwell Valley RSPB Reserve - Audio Tour please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download Sandwell Valley RSPB Reserve Audio Tour

Local Life & Little Histories Audio Diary No2

The second audio diary from Local Life & Little Histories - August 2007 recorded at Sandwell Valley RSPB Reserve.

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories Audio Diary No2 please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download Audio Diary 11 August 2007

Local Life & Little Histories Audio Diary No1

The first Local Life & Little Histories audio diary - July 2007 recorded on the way back from Bristol.

To see the full entry for Local Life & Little Histories Audio Diary No1 please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download Audio Diary 13 July 2007

Bats at Rydal Water & Summer Solstice at Castlerigg

An audio recorded in the lake district while bat detecting at Rydal Water and later at the Summer Solstice at Castlerigg Stone circle.

To see the full entry for Bats at Rydal Water & Summer Solstice at Castlerigg please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download Bats at Rydal Water & Summer Solstice at Castlerigg

Birds of Prey & Bat Weekend Roundup

An audio recorded while out bat detecting looking back at the weekends events at Hagley Falconry Centre and a bat detector training course at the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust at Brandon Marsh.

To see the full entry for Birds of Prey & Bat Weekends Roundup please visit Local Life & Little Histories

Click to Play or Download Weekend Bird of Prey & Bat Roundup

Bat Weekend Roundup

An audio recorded while out bat detecting looking back on the weekends events at the local Bat Group presentation and the bat talk given by Cody Levine.

To see the full entry for Bat Weekend Roundup please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download Weekend Bat Roundup

Bat Talk with Cody Levine - UK Bats

An audio recorded at a bat talk given by Cody Levine looking at the bats found in the UK.

To see the full entry for Bat Talk with Cody Levine - UK Bats please visit Local Life & Little Histories

Click to Play or Download Bat Talk Part 2 - Bats of the United Kingdom

Bat Talk with Cody Levine - Bats of the World

An audio recorded at a bat talk given by Cody Levine looking at Bats of the World.

To see the full entry for Bat Talk with Cody levine - Bats of the World please visit Local Life & Little Histories

Click to Play or Download Bat Talk Part 1 - Bats of the World

First Bat Detecting of the year

An audio recorded on our first bat detecting outing of the year.

To see the full entry of First Bat Detecting of the year please visit Local Life & Little Histories

Click to Play or Download Bat detecting at Warley Woods

Little Histories - Totnes Castle

An audio recorded at the top of the granite ridge in Totnes looking at the history of the Castle.

To see the full entry for Little Histories - Totnes Castle please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download Little Histories - Saxon & Norman Totness

Little Histories - Totnes Town

An audio recorded in the town of Totnes in Devon looking at some of the history and sons of this delightful town.

To see the full entry for Little Histories - Totnes Town please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download Little Histories - Totness Wills to Babbage

Little Histories - Sutton Park

An audio looking at the history and sights of Sutton Park in the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield.

To see the full entry for Little Histories - Sutton Park please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download Little Histories - Sutton Park

Little Histories - Warrington

An audio recorded in Warrington in Cheshire looking at some of the past of this Northern Town.

To see the full entry for Little Histories - Warrington please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download Little Histories - Warrington Cheshire

The Printers

An audio looking at the mighty presses behind the printing industry.

To see the full entry for The Printers please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download The Printers

Wall Roman Site

An audio looking at the Roman remains at Wall in Staffordshire of the Roman town Letocetum which lay on Watling Street one of the main Roman roads in Britain.

To see the full entry for Wall Roman Sit please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download Wall Roman Site

Lichfield Then & Now - The Cathedral

An audio looking at the Civil War in the City of Lichfield in Staffordshire.

To see the full entry for Lichfield Then & Now - The Cathedral please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download Lichfield Then & Now - Part 1

Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre

An audio created at the Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre during a bird of prey display in the grounds of Lowther Castle in the Northern Lake District.

To see the full entry for Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre please visit Local Life & Little Histories

  Click to Play or Download Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre