While the stories of our houses are well researched and archived, now and again we discover the alternate past of a place we thought we knew. Volunteer Mavis Laird understands this well, as she unknowingly stumbled upon the fascinating story of the secret past of Hughenden Manor.






S5 Ep93: Operation Hillside

Delve into 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

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. And find out how 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

Google Podcasts is coming to an end between April and June this year.



To keep up with the National Trust Podcast please follow or subscribe using an alternative app.



Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4a88H3d

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4a1nH2N

Youtube (Coming Soon) - https://www.youtube.com/nationaltrustcharity



More - https://audioboom.com/channels/4957126-national-trust-podcast 



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


Google Podcasts Announcement

National Trust Podcast is back with a new collection of immersive tales in nature, history and adventure. Look out for Series 8 launching 4 April. 



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 ancient workers in the UK’s only known Roman gold mine. 



Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app to catch new episodes every fortnight.



We’d love to hear from you. Please share your ratings and reviews on your podcast app. Or get in touch at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk



Discover more about podcasts made by the National Trust at nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts  






New Series Coming Soon

For the past few years Holnicote Estate, Exmoor National Park, has been home to furry inhabitants engineering a solution to local flooding, and developing a habitat not seen in the UK for centuries.  

In this episode we revisit the site to check in on its charismatic residents. And discover the exciting news of a growing brood of babies, just in time for Christmas.  


Learn more about Holnicote Estate and take a 360 degree tour of the beaver enclosure, which features trail camera footage of the beavers’ everyday lives. 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holnicote-virtual-tour



For more information about beavers visit nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/nature/wildlife/our-guide-to-beavers  



Thank you for listening to Series 7 of the National Trust Podcast and look out for the launch of our new series in early 2024.

 

You can contact the National Trust audio team at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk 



Auto Generated Additional Information:



Introduction:

- The episode revisits the topic of beavers and their impact on flood management and the environment.

- Hosts Kate Martin and Ben Eardley explore the changes that have occurred in the wetlands since their last visit.

- They discuss the reintroduction of beavers and their role in creating wetlands and reducing flooding downstream.



Main Topics Discussed:

1. The impact of natural features on climate concerns in the area.

2. Working with nature to benefit downstream communities.

3. Reconnecting rivers and streams with the surrounding landscape.

4. The role of beavers in natural flood management.

5. The changes observed in the wetlands since the reintroduction of beavers.

6. Exciting news about the growing beaver colony, including the birth of kits.



Key Takeaways:

- Natural features in the area contribute to climate concerns and flooding.

- Reconnecting rivers and streams with the landscape can help reduce flooding downstream.

- Beavers play a crucial role in natural flood management and increasing biodiversity.

- The reintroduction of beavers has led to the creation of wetlands and the return of lost wildlife.

- Beavers have made significant changes to the environment in a relatively short period.

- The birth of beaver kits is a positive sign of the thriving beaver colony.



Guests:

- Ben Eardley: Flood engineer and guide.

- Chryssa Brown: Discusses the interest in beaver reintroduction for natural flood management.

- Jack Siviter: Beaver expert at Holnicote, provides updates on the beaver colony and the birth of kits.



Other Information:

- The podcast explores the impact of beavers on flood management and the environment.

- The hosts visit the wetlands to observe the changes since their last visit.

- Camera traps are used to monitor the beaver colony.

- The birth of beaver kits is a significant milestone in the reintroduction efforts.

- The beavers are actively creating wetlands and stashing food for the winter.



Overall, the episode highlights the positive impact of beavers on flood management, biodiversity, and the environment. The hosts and guests discuss the changes observed in the wetlands and the exciting news of the beaver kits.

S5 Ep93: Operation Hillside

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