As thousands of places across the UK open their doors for Heritage Open Days, we head to Blackpool to explore what heritage means to us as individuals and as a nation. In this episode, National Trust curator James Grasby goes behind the scenes to witness the thrill of the Blackpool Illuminations – a spectacle that’s firmly rooted in the past but continues to shape our heritage today.

S4 Ep63: The Heritage Question

Delve into immersive tales of history, nature and adventure with the award-winning National Trust Podcast. From wild landscapes to heritage sites and historical legends, unearth fascinating stories about people and places in the UK.

This series, travel to the 1930s to unmask the eccentric Ferguson’s Gang, find out how the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree impacted the community, and discover what life was like for the people who toiled deep in a Roman gold mine.

To learn more about podcasts from the National Trust go to http://nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts

This podcast is made by the National Trust, Europe’s biggest conservation charity. Looking after history, nature and beauty for everyone to enjoy.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Science

Nature

When one man set off on a walk around the UK coast, little did he know that adopting a rescue dog would change the course of his life. 



Christian Lewis was at rock bottom when he embarked on a journey that would last 6 years, but it was ‘Jet’ and the power of nature, that would piece him back together to lead him onto a life that would otherwise have been unimaginable for this army veteran. 



[Ad from our sponsor]

This podcast is supported by Forthglade natural pet food, founding partner of the National Trust’s Dogs Welcome Project. Improving dog-friendly places for you and your four-legged friend to explore and enjoy together, from dedicated off-lead open spaces to pet-friendly holiday cottages. Discover more about the Dogs Welcome Project, supported by Forthglade: forthglade.com/pages/national-trust   



Production

Host: Claire Hickinbotham 

Producer: Claire Hickinbotham 

Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez 



Discover more

In Memory of Jet: 

With thanks to Christian Lewis for sharing his story, and his love of ‘Jet’ the rescue dog with us. 

Christian Lewis was raising money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity - https://ssafa.org.uk/ and his story continues @wildernessfamilyuk  


If what Christian talked about in this podcast resonated with you, you can get help on the MIND website. 

https://www.mind.org.uk/  


To find out about taking your dog to National Trust places.  

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dog-friendly  


Or have a look at our new book 'Great British Walkies'.  

https://shop.nationaltrust.org.uk/national-trust-great-british-walkies.html



If this podcast has inspired you to get out and experience the coast, and get a blast of fresh sea air, with or without a dog, check out these suggestions. 

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/walking/top-coastal-walks  



Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app. If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk


My Dog Walk Saved Me

The Philae Obelisk at Kingston Lacy in Dorset is an ancient reminder of a very different world. Learn about its origins, why it came to be in England and how its hand-carved inscriptions were key to unlocking the secrets of Egyptian hieroglyphs. Listen to this classic episode from our series 125 Treasures, presented by Alison Steadman.



[Ad from our sponsor] This podcast episode is sponsored by family history website Findmypast. What was life like for domestic servants, workers and local communities at our most fascinating heritage sites? Discover how people from all walks of life lived and worked, and who with, in hundreds of census records, for free, by signing up with Findmypast. And find out about the free trial that you could use to explore your family history. See where the past takes you at: findmypast.co.uk/national-trust 



Discover more

Watch BBC Two's Hidden Treasures of the National Trust: 

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001lttx



Read about the Philae Obelisk and other treasures at Kingston Lacy:

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingston-lacy/the-treasures-at-kingston-lacy



Find out more about Kingston Lacy:

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingston-lacy



This mini series shares it's name with a National Trust book. Find out more and browse other reads in our collection:

shop.nationaltrust.org.uk/national-trust-125-treasures.html



Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app. If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk 








125 Treasures | The Needle on the Lawn

Join us as we celebrate the season of blossom with poetry and music written and produced by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and his band LYR. In this episode, Simon shares the inspiration behind his poetry, and the band discuss how they produced the song Blossom: A CV and collaborated with community choirs as part of the Blossomise album.



Production

Producer: Jesse Edbrooke 

Sound editor: Jesus Gomez



Discover more 

Find out more about Simon Armitage and his poetry 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/news/poet-laureate-simon-armitage-creates-blossom-inspired-poem



Watch videos about the Blossomise project shot by young film makers 

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLgonOCHSWf0I_a_fhmX2K_r_3MoKXA2c 



Listen to the full tracks of Simon and LYR’s Blossomise music in collaboration with the National Trust and funded by the People’s lottery post code lyrband.bandcamp.com/track/blossom-a-cv



[Appeal]

Plant a tree with the National Trust and help us establish 20 million trees by 2030. Whatever the size of your donation to the Plant a Tree appeal, you’ll be helping to create beautiful green spaces for people and wildlife to thrive. And why not dedicate your donation to someone in your life? You’ll receive a digital certificate to customise and gift. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/support-us/plant-a-tree



Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app. If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk






Poetry and Music in Bloom with Simon Armitage and LYR

In the 1930s, the mysterious Ferguson’s Gang captivated the British public with their daring and unusual stunts. Led by the enigmatic “Bill Stickers”, the group was unlike any other gangsters of the era. They were mask-wearing, all-women activists who gave money in quirky ways to help save the countryside. 



In this docudrama, uncover the identities of the people behind the secretive Ferguson's Gang, and unravel a tale of intrigue, mischief and mayhem that made a lasting impact on British heritage. 



[Ad from our sponsor] This podcast episode is sponsored by family history website Findmypast. What was life like for domestic servants, workers and local communities at our most fascinating heritage sites? Discover how people from all walks of life lived and worked, and who with, in hundreds of census records, for free, by signing up with Findmypast. And find out about the free trial that you could use to explore your family history. See where the past takes you at: findmypast.co.uk/national-trust



Actor voices

Lizzie Crarer, Rae Alexander, Sally Rudd, and Caitlin Packer, courtesy of

https://www.primetheatre.co.uk/ 

Ric Jerrom and James Turton.



Production  

Producer and sound designer: Nikki Ruck 

Sound editor: Jesus Gomez



Explore Further

Discover more about the gang 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history/people/who-were-fergusons-gang



Learn more about Ferguson's Gang and their legacy on Polly Bagnall’s website, where you can discover more about the book- Ferguson's Gang: The Remarkable Story of the National Trust Gangsters. 

www.pollybagnall.com/ferguson-s-gang



Copies of Ferguson’s Gang’s ‘Boos’ are available for viewing at The Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre by prior arrangement. 

www.wshc.org.uk/visiting-the-centre.





Ferguson’s Legacy 

While Shalford Mill remains closed to the public, you can still explore the legacy of Ferguson's Gang by visiting Newtown Old Town Hall on the Isle of Wight, Mayon and Trevescan cliffs in Cornwall, and Stonehenge.



www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/isle-of-wight/newtown-national-nature-reserve-and-old-town-hall/history-at-newtown-old-town-hall

 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/coast-beaches/discover-mayon-cliff



www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/stonehenge-landscape


The Mysterious Tale of Ferguson's Gang

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Info from Google:






After April 2, 2024, users in the US will no longer be able to listen to podcasts in Google Podcasts. 
After June 24, 2024 this will be the case for all users in all regions. 




More info from Google/Youtube Music - https://bit.ly/3xeM8vd


S4 Ep63: The Heritage Question

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