A brand new year and a brand new pantomime for the local community. This month Tiggi hooks up with three members of the local drama group Mendip Players.

Revelations include the debacle of walking on heels for the first time and the perils of business negotiations dressed as a pantomime dame. However, the group have covered a wide variety of genres in their time.

It was surprising to discover how the group was formed almost sixteen years ago. It seems that hidden talent was lurking in the village shadows just waiting to be launched by support and encouragement.

After many years of successful productions for “the seniors” a youth group was formed for “the juniors”.

With sell out shows every time, the group has been able to buy technical equipment and offer support to the local community.

There is nothing amateur about this group of thespians. With pride and friendliness as their mantra, and never taking “you can’t do that” for an answer, performances compete with the West End and repertory theatres.

“Frankenpanto”  3rd, 4th, 5th February 2022

https://www.themendipplayers.co.uk      for further information

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A woman sets out with her Guide Dog, Jackie, seeking out the true meaning of Christmas in our community, walking the Mendip hills looking for enlightenment.

With food and beverages part of their research, the dynamic duo stumble on, through the wind and rain they tread together with festive spirit in their hearts. Bringing us tips including broken church windows and drowning your Christmas tree. A chance meeting with two pigs and a man in drag all add to the Christmas fun. But questions still remain such as the superiority of the village shop’s nuts?

A blind woman, full of mulled wine and a Labrador needing mince pies …………….”what could possibly go wrong?!”

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Tiggi chatted to Ian Maclachlan (the Draycott Postman) just before he embarked on the race of his life. Raising funds for “Hounds for Heroes”.

Ian left Draycott with hope in his heart, declaring the support of the local community would spur him on in times of self doubt. It transpires that proved the case when he almost quit for reasons you will find out in this recording as he updated Tiggi on his return.

Ian with his friend Chris Hewett were contestants in the 35th Marathon des Sables 2021. Billed as the toughest foot race on earth, with record temperatures this year reaching well above 50 degrees centigrade. The race, situated In southern Morocco, where Ian and Chris had to run 250k across the Sahara desert –  equivalent to a London Marathon a day for 7 days. 200 participants started the race. Each runner carrying his/her own backpack with seven days of supplies and limited water, approximately 35kg. Only a few of the runners finished the race. With gruelling temperatures and the unwelcome addition of dysentery, made the already unbearable almost impossible.

Listen to Ian’s story of shocking self discovery, pushing himself to the very edge of human endurance. However, he is already planning his next challenge!

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Peter Bright, a resident in the beautiful Mendip area of Somerset for many years, is our guest this month.

Peter is a retired Biology Teacher and natural historian with an extensive knowledge of local wildlife. Tiggi asks questions that have come to her mind whilst trudging through the Autumn leaves in her walks on the local hills. Much of this episode considers both human and animal responses as Somerset prepares for winter. It touches on historic cider making and looks forward to the Somerset tradition of Wassailing in the New Year.

With the poem “Autumn” read by Sophie Barham and the anticipation of mulled cider. Grab your blanket and pull up your favourite chair as we cast you into the season of red, yellow and gold.

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Tiggi and Kayleigh have been on a Somerset binge this month covering life changing topics including what to wear if unexpected visitors drop from the sky.

Guests include Emily Ellis an inspiring local Zumba instructor. Ian MacLachlan the local postman about to run across the Sahara desert. And a group of committed Somerset ladies debate local slang words and their preferred strength of Cheddar cheese.

Sam Kail-Dyke supplies the music for this episode. A brilliant young composer from Cheddar with a bright future ahead. As part of a new, as yet unheard, composition for brass instruments. He has chosen”Talking Local” to premiere his work.

Recorded remotely Kayleigh reveals that with country broadcasting, wearing your apron is totally acceptable.

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AS A VILLAGE LETS SUPPORT THE COURAGE OF OUR POSTMAN AS HE HAS SUPPORTED US THROUGHOUT COVID AND BEYOND.

From 1st to 11th October 2021, our much beloved Postman Ian Maclachlan, will begin the toughest delivery of his life …………… 250 km. Not around our beautiful Somerset village, but across the Sahara Desert !

Billed as “The Toughest Footrace on Earth”  it’s equivalent to a marathon a day for 7 days, in extreme conditions. He will carry his 7 days of rations and bedding on his back.

Ian tells Tiggi about the race, its challenges and the charity he is raising funds for –  “Hounds for Heroes” and how donations can be made.

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A Draycott resident of nearly 30 years and active in both the local Church and the Parish Council, Dr Richard Dingley OBE, KStJ is at the centre of the community. Although few people know about his fascinating past.

Fresh from medical school in the 50’s he joined the RAF. Stationed in Singapore, he acted as a Parachuting Doctor, dropped into the Malayan jungle to support the Special Operations team on the ground. His life passion has always been working in remote places across the world, treating eye conditions and supporting the blind. Wherever he travelled his young family came too. Even driving up terrifying mountain roads in rustic vehicles, adapted as eye clinics, to remote places in Borneo.  With his wife Sylvia they set up a group to climb Mount Kinabalu. All the climbers were blind, but with support, they made it to the top. A climb of 13,435 ft leaving the sighted support team exhausted and way behind.

Living in a house with no windows, snakes and monkeys were regular visitors to the family home in North Borneo. Sharing his memories with Tiggi, the stories keep on coming.  However, at its heart is a story of compassion and bravery.

Awarded an MBE for his charitable work and the honour of becoming a Knight of St John, Dr Dingley’s family arranged a very special Birthday surprise this year just in front of the Draycott Memorial Hall which led to the amusing disturbance of an exercise class nearby!

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Labradors, mistakenly identified and old Somerset words are served up on this months Draycott Diaries Unplugged.  Showcasing music from Axbridge composer and musician Clara Mann  and talking local to Draycott’s newest entrepreneur Clare Love-Jones.  With sandwiches entangled in microphone leads and presenters dribbling chocolate, this is an episode not to be missed!

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A resident of Draycott for many years, Martin Grass heads up the Mendip Cave Rescue team as their Chairman. His passion has always been Caving and Geology.

The Mendip Hills in Somerset are famous for their unique combination of sandstone and limestone. They are undoubtedly the custodians of countless undiscovered secrets.

After visiting Wells museum in Somerset, founded by Herbert Balch, the father of Mendip caving. Tiggi was keen to find out more about both Herbert Balch and William Boyd Dawkins. Both lived Wells and were pioneers of caving in the 1800’s. Their collaboration and work has documented some extraordinary discoveries, and dispelled some out of date theories. With Darwin on the scene, their discoveries supported a new look at the world, with evidence kept safe under the earth for millennia.

Space exploration attempts to give us the first human to step out on new turf, but costs billions. Martin happily recounts the time he was one of 6 people to discover a new cave. They christened it “The Frozen Deep” and it only cost a few quid in petrol!

Martin has been involved in countless rescues, including some high profile cases such as the Thailand footballers in 2018.

With celebrities in tow deep underground, Martin has acquired a neutral respect for politicians and church members alike.

A journey through geological history will get you thinking the next time you are “Out on the Hill”. What might be happening underneath your feet?

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For this brand new trail blazing episode of ‘TalkLocal’, Tiggi and Kayleigh, are joined by new entrepreneur Joy Sindry of ‘Chasing Rainbows’.  Stories shared Include painting over valuable antiques. But the ensemble agree, positivity, humour and coffee are the way forward.

You will learn about the recent sighting of the ‘Beast of Draycott‘ and the challenges of dressing up as a Bee!

‘Showcase Local’ spins an exciting new disc from Hugh Trethowan.  “A Lidl Love Song”.   Love found in store at a bargain price!

Enjoy!

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