Join us as we catch up with David Barber, His Majesty's Swan Marker, at the annual swan upping event on the River Thames. David shares the history of swan upping dating back to the 12th century, its evolution into a conservation and education activity, and the intricate process of safely capturing and marking mute swans. Learn about the involvement of the Worshipful Companies of Vintners and Dyers, and the efforts to monitor and protect these majestic birds along the 79-mile journey from Sunbury to Abingdon. Don't miss David's recount of his 32 years of service and the ceremonial aspects of this unique tradition.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:32 The Tradition of Swan Upping

01:07 The Process of Swan Upping

01:37 Ownership and Marking of Swans

03:28 Public Engagement and Education

04:26 David Barber's Role and Experience

07:01 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of the Sonning Buzzcast, host Rob Jones sits down with Max McNeill, a pivotal figure in the village and a successful entrepreneur. Max shares insights into his journey from working with Digital Equipment Corporation to founding his own business, Ultima. He also discusses the significant role of Reading in the UK's digital landscape, his deep-seated passion for horse racing, and his life in Sonning. Max delves into his family history, his early career challenges, his love for Blackburn Rovers, and how he came to live in our beautiful village. This episode provides a unique glimpse into the life of a man who has made a significant contribution to our community.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Nomination

00:27 Meeting Max McNeil

01:32 Max's Early Life and Career Beginnings

07:25 Starting Ultima Business

11:29 Involvement in Horse Racing

14:18 Horse Racing as a Business and Passion

17:22 Favorite Race Courses and Events

24:17 Football and Family

27:47 Proud Parents: Jack's Journey to Social Media Stardom

29:55 Falling in Love with Sunning: A Personal History

32:35 Building a Dream Home: The Story of Bishop's Close

39:50 Exploring the Gardens: From Cow Field to Country Garden

49:07 Future Plans and Reflections

From IT innovator to race horse owner: A Conversation with Max McNeill.

In this episode of the Sonning BuzzCast, host Rob Jones sits down with Max McNeill, a prominent figure in the village and co-founder of the IT company Ultima. Max shares his journey from his early days in Blackburn and moving up to Scotland, to setting up his own business and eventually becoming deeply involved in horse racing. They discuss his life in the village, the construction of his modern home, his children's achievements, and his passion for and involvement in horse racing. Enjoy insights into Max’s personal life, business acumen, and his contributions to the vibrant community of Sonning.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Nomination

00:27 Meeting Max McNeil

02:32 Max's Background and Early Life

08:41 Starting a Business: The Ultima Story

12:27 Transition to Horse Racing

15:18 Involvement in Horse Racing

25:17 Football and Personal Interests

27:39 Ella's Career in Racing

28:46 Jack's Journey to Social Media Stardom

30:55 Love for Sonning and Its Community

33:35 Building and living in Bishop's Close

40:50 Exploring the Garden and Outdoor Spaces

50:07 Future Plans and Reflections

The Sonning Twinning Association hosted guests from The Liguge Twinning Committee for a weekend which included The Elegant Picnic, a beautiful boat trip, walks, drinking at Loddon Brewery, a visit to Oxford and plenty of entente cordiale.

Join us in Belinda Driver's beautiful garden as she shares stories about our picturesque village life, the local university farm, and community events. Belinda reflects on her long marriage to Alistair, their life together. She also delves into her professional life as a psychotherapist, discussing the importance of mental health, trauma, and the transformative power of music. With anecdotes of community involvement and encounters with celebrities like George Clooney and Bill Murray!  

Join Rob Jones on this episode of the Sonning BuzzCast as he dives into the details of the Sonning Regatta and the Elegant Picnic. Discover the history of the regatta, meet the committee members, and get insights on what to expect at this year's event. This episode covers everything from race logistics, safety tips, and spectator information to the exciting sponsors and prizes. Additionally, learn about the Elegant Picnic, a posh evening event featuring live music and a best-dressed wheelbarrow competition. Tune in for all the details and make sure to like and subscribe for more updates.

00:00 Introduction to the Sonning BuzzCast

00:15 Acknowledging the Committee Members

00:37 History of the Sonning Regatta

01:29 Current Regatta Details and Location

02:22 Race Day Logistics and Safety

04:38 Team Activities and Competitions

06:09 Meet the Teams

06:54 Prizes and Food at the Regatta

08:12 The Elegant Picnic

09:22 Conclusion and Farewell

Join host Rob Jones in this engaging episode of the Sonning BuzzCast, where he talks to Guy Falkson and Paul Etherington, the minds behind the Sonning Buzz Facebook page. They discuss the origins and growth of Sonning Buzz, a platform aimed at providing real-time updates and fostering community engagement in the village of Sonning. Learn about their experiences, the community rules, and their vision for the future of Sonning Buzz. Discover how this initiative became a cornerstone for village communication and community activities.

00:00 Introduction to the Sonning BuzzCast

00:47 Meet the Founders of Sonning Buzz 

02:47 The Purpose and Rules of Sonning Buzz

04:25 Community Events and Advertising Policies

06:18 Challenges and Administration of Sonning Buzz

10:07 Personal Histories and Connections to Sonning

17:20 Reflecting on Past Events

17:54 Future Developments and Growth

19:26 Community Engagement and Activities

20:01 Local Issues and Concerns

22:22 Personal Interests and Hobbies

24:04 Challenges and Infrastructure

27:23 Interesting People and Stories

29:10 Closing Remarks and Thank Yous

A few podcasts ago we spoke to Richard Caines, Jonathan Crump and Jeff Barnes about the regular water quality tests they are doing in the river. This is an update and it's not great news.....

Professor Alistair Driver - the ex-London Irish player is now Rewilding Britain and of course, Sonning. Here Ali's story.

David Woodward has lived in the same house in Sonning Eye since he moved there from Australia at the age of 6. He's a mine of information about local history. He's Chair of Sonning Eye and Dunsden Parish Council, he sings in a choir, does yoga and goes wild swimming, and there's more....!