In this episode of 'Beyond the Postcode,' hosts Caroline Verdon of Under The Mast and Erin Towey from HD8 Life interview Juliet Thomas, a mentor, life-after-cancer coach, writer, and founder of From Seed to Sky. Juliet shares her journey from a corporate career to a life intertwined with nature, driven by a move to Birdsedge and her passion for outdoor walks and community engagement. She discusses the challenges and inspirations stemming from her Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis during the pandemic, highlighting how nature and creativity played crucial roles in her recovery and personal growth. Juliet also recounts her unique upbringing in a nature-loving family, her ventures into creative writing and coaching, and her involvement in the local community through initiatives like creative writing sessions and accountability groups.

00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Postcode

00:22 Meet Juliette Thomas: Mentor and Nature Enthusiast

00:36 Settling in Birdsedge

01:34 The Love for Nature and Community

02:45 From Corporate Life to Creative Ventures

06:02 The Impact of Cancer and COVID-19

07:37 Nature as Therapy

12:15 Growing Up with a Love for Animals

15:42 HD8 Top Tips and Playlist

17:46 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Meet Denby Dale’s Liam Daly

This week on Beyond the Postcode, from HD8 Life and Under The Mast, Erin Towey and Caroline Verdon head to Denby Dale to meet Liam Daly – Tang Soo Do world champion

Liam chats about starting out from humble beginnings, the road to world championships, and why the HD8 area will always be home. He reflects on the grandparents, teachers and peers who pushed him forward, and how those early influences shaped both his martial arts journey and his outlook on life.

There’s talk of teaching Tang Soo Do, the discipline and tradition behind it, and why community sits at the heart of everything he does. From getting involved in quirky local events to lessons in perseverance that carry far beyond the dojang, it’s an inspiring, grounded conversation about hard work, heritage and staying rooted where it all began.

00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Postcode

00:20 Meet Liam Daley: From Local Halls to World Championships

00:35 A Love Story and a New Home

03:40 Discovering Tang Soo Do

03:55 The Journey to Mastery

05:42 The Importance of Tradition in Martial Arts

06:28 Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success

09:15 The Role of Family and Mentors

10:57 A Temporary Break and a Triumphant Return

12:49 World Championships and Disney Adventures

14:05 From Competitor to Mentor

15:24 Post-COVID Beginnings and Early Challenges

16:02 Building a Community of Dedicated Students

17:18 Giving Back to the Federation and Community

18:57 Unexpected Opportunities and Memorable Experiences

23:07 HD8 Top Tips and Community Events

26:14 Music Playlist and Final Thoughts

***

You can find out more about Denby Dale Tang Soo Do on their website and also on their Facebook page

Oliver Roberts and the Rise of Norman’s Kitchen, Kirkburton

This week on Beyond the Postcode, Caroline Verdon from Under The Mast and Erin Towey from HD8 Life head to Kirkburton to catch up with Oliver Roberts – the man behind much-loved, award-winning hotspot Norman’s Kitchen. Oliver chats about swapping Halifax for village life, finding his feet in a tight-knit community, and the surprisingly tricky job of naming the place in the first place.

He looks back on the early days of Norman’s, the team that helped shape it, and those proper pinch-me moments – including cooking for the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Stephen Graham. There’s also talk of Michelin Guide nods, AA rosettes, and what it really takes to build a destination restaurant in a small Yorkshire village.

Add in a few behind-the-scenes stories and Oliver’s top tip for anyone heading to the area, and you’ve got a warm, local chat that’s all about graft, good food, and community spirit.

00:00 Welcome to Beyond the Postcode

00:22 Meet Oliver Roberts of Norman's Kitchen

00:35 The Journey to Finding the Perfect Location

02:17 Naming the Restaurant: A Funny Story

04:00 Settling into the Community

04:29 Opening Night and Community Support

09:39 From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Business

12:16 Accolades and Recognition

15:36 Balancing Michelin Guide and AA Rosettes

16:12 Creative Culinary Experiments

17:51 Unexpected Celebrity Guests

18:45 Bruce Springsteen and Stephen Graham's Visit

28:32 HD8 Top Tips and Playlist

30:57 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Introducing Beyond the Postcode: Meet Caroline and Erin

Welcome to Beyond the Postcode 👋 In this opening episode, hosts Erin Towey of HD8 Life and Caroline Verdon from Under The Mast sit down to introduce themselves and explain how this brand-new podcast came to life.

They chat about their winding journeys so far – from careers and curveballs to the moments that pulled them back to the HD8 area – and why this corner of Kirklees means so much to them. Erin talks about the heart of HD8 Life and its mission to champion local people, stories and businesses, while Caroline shares her love of digging deeper and giving voices in the community a proper platform.

There are also a few local tips, some music picks, and a clear sense of what’s to come: honest conversations, familiar faces, and the stories that make this place what it is. A warm, friendly launchpad for a podcast that’s all about the people beyond the postcode.

00:00 Welcome to Beyond the Postcode

00:07 Meet the Hosts: Caroline and Erin

00:35 The Journey to HD8

03:11 Life in HD8: Community and Connections

05:17 Erin's Global Adventures

09:22 Caroline's Career Path

12:53 The Birth of HD8LIfe

15:14 Supporting Local Businesses

17:10 Music and Memories

23:45 HD8 Top Tips

26:31 Upcoming Episodes

Beyond the Postcode is HD8 Life’s brand new podcast – a cosy, curious, and (hopefully!) chuckle-out-loud listen that dives deeper into the lives of the brilliant people who call HD8 home.

We’ve always loved championing local, but now we’re taking it one step further… beyond the postcode.

Each episode features a special guest from the HD8 area with stories worth sharing – from everyday legends to unsung heroes – and maybe even their own soundtrack. It’s a celebration of community, character, and the quirks that make HD8 one-of-a-kind.

If you’re nosy about your neighbours (in the best possible way), this one’s for you.