They are either 12, 14 or 16 inches wide, they live just outside our doors, and they come in a variety of striking designs. So why has no one heard of coal holes?
Local historian Amir Dotan explores the streets of London to find the small metal discs you may not have noticed before, but may well have stepped over thousands of times. James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.

#49 - Coal Holes

James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting... maybe.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Comedy

The colorectal surgeon and comedian Jenan Younis wants to get to the bottom of a taboo subject, that everyone has struggled with at some stage. Farts. James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.

#55 -Farts

It started with 'regency wedding scene' puzzle purchased for £2 in a charity shop. Now Anya Driscoll is a jigsaw junkie.  In this edition of The Boring Talks, she discussions her obsession, and pieces together the history of jigsaws, the art of jigsaws and whether or not they could save your life (spoiler - they can't really). James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting... maybe.

Jigsaws

From Anglo-American differences, to escaping kidnappers and celebrating the classic car boot sale. In this Boring Talk, Auto Express journalist Hugo Griffiths climbs inside the 'space of temporariness' that is the car boot. James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.

#53 - Car Boots

Family holidays for the artist Louise Ashcroft meant one thing - variety pack cereals. Would it be Cornflakes? Or Frosties? Coco Pops or Ricicles? Through this multi-grain multiple choice Louise realised she could be anyone..... kind of.
Join her for a creative, personal journey through her favourite corn syrup-infused inflated grain. James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.

#52 - Breakfast Cereals

Gouging, scraping and chopping. The reporter Chloe Veltman shows us the painstaking art of making an oboe reed, and how it can be the difference between sounding like a singing nightingale, or a belligerent duck. James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.

#49 - Coal Holes

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