What We Do In The Winter

In this episode I talk to Roc Sandford of Gometra.

Roc has owned Gometra since the late 80’s.

He has had a long and interesting career as both a farmer and a publisher, as well as working on the board for an inner city affordable housing trust in London.

His family history is both long and full of remarkable individuals.

Both of his parents have had acclaim and critical success for their era defining work. His mother, Nell Dunn, wrote both Up the Junction, which was inspired by their community in Battersea and Poor Cow amongst many other works. His father, Jeremy Sandford wrote Cathy Come Home, and was a champion of the lives and rights of travelling people.

I first met Roc when I was working as a local development officer for the Ulva Ferry area. I was greatly taken with his charm, sincerity and sense of fun.

Our conversation in this episode takes in all sorts of topics. We talk about the history of the ownership of Gometra in some depth, and Roc offers a perspective on lazy beds, those furrows that permeate our landscapes that I’d never thought of before.

We cover some esoteric matters, family stories, the genetic make up of notional populations, climate change and a quite remarkable coincidence, harking back to my conversation with Lucy MacKenzie about the Happy Valley murder, that you can find about half way through the episode.

I spoke to Roc via facetime audio, through my computer and into a sound recorder. The line occasionally makes squelchy odd noises, but I think it’s pretty clear, all things considered.

You can find links to the topics covered in this episode on: www.whatwedointhewinter.com

See also:

www.gometra.org

www.rocsandford.com

In this episode I talk to Alistair Morrison of Dervaig.

Al's family holidayed in Dervaig when he was young, and eventually bought a cottage in the village.

I was keen to talk to Al as he’s someone who has always longed to be here.

His experiences in childhood and throughout his teenage years here left such a mark on him that he always wanted to come and live here.

What interests me is the gap between his dreams and the reality of living here.

We talk about how music and culture affect who we are, teenage adventures, memories of the village in the past, and a little about his work as a postman in Salen.

We also talk about one of my favourite events on Mull, the Box Ball. The box balls were fancy dress parties in Dervaig at the old hall, where Dougie’s shop is now.

I’m very pleased to say that this episode has been sponsored by Treshnish & Haunn Cottages.

Have a look at their remarkable cottages on www.treshnish.co.uk

You can also find Treshnish on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook on @treshnish

www.whatwedointhewinter.com

In this episode I’m delighted to say that I get the chance to talk with Alasdair MacLean.

Alasdair was born in Dervaig, and spent his childhood around and about the village. 
He can trace his family in the area back to the early 1700’s.

Alasdair is well known for his work as a fisherman, and his vast knowledge of local lore and tales. He’s a true tradition bearer.

Our conversation covers a lot of ground, and we move from topic to topic fairly swiftly.

Some of the things we talk about include: Quinish, Treshnish and the Whisky Cave, salmon netting, otter trapping, the process of making your own shot, the changes in dance and ceilidh music, the Highland Fund, fishing boats and fishing for different catches.

Towards the end of our conversation we get into tales of characters from the past, including Markie-Dan, the Bongan and several other folks.

There are links and more on the website for many of the topics we talk about. www.whatwedointhewinter.com

I had a few issues with the microphone whilst recording this session, so please excuse any odd wee noises here and there.

I’m delighted to say that this episode has been sponsored by www.mullselfcatering.co.uk

Have a look at their site, at, www.mullselfcatering.co.uk, for their three properties, two flats at Thornliebank and the house beside them, Crieve. 
They’re beautiful properties in upper Tobermory, and have a really homely feel to them. They’re perfect for a break with family or friends.

Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Anne Cleave.

Anne and her husband Colin moved to Mull in the late 90’s and ran Round and About, a local newspaper, and published the red book, our local telephone book, amongst many other things.

Our conversation goes into Anne’s life here, her working life before coming to Mull, the Salen Show, being the archivist at Duart Castle, and her studies with the open university, after retiring.

Anne also talks about the death of her sister Elsie Frost, who was murdered when she was a teenager. You can find this section at about half an hour into the episode.

Here’s some links to some of the topics we cover:

- Overlord Embroidery https://theddaystory.com/discover/overlord-embroidery/

- Lambeth Housing Film from 1937 on the BFI’s facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BritishFilmInstitute/videos/2107607529281395/

- Salen Show - https://salenshow.wordpress.com/

- Duart Castle - https://duartcastle.com/

- Elsie Frost: BBC PM 50th Anniversary programmes on the case - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02vn2mt/episodes/downloads

- https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/justice-for-elsie-frost/

- http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q39

- Alasdair Moffat - Arthur and the The Lost Kingdoms https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009YPJPNK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

- The Birth of Merlin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_Merlin

You can follow us on facebook, twitter, instagram and the website at

www.whatwedointhewinter.com

Thanks for listening!

In this episode I talk to Lucy MacKenzie about her childhood, here on Mull at Calgary House, and her life in France, the USA and in Italy. 
Lucy runs a beautiful garden and B&B at Lip na Cloiche, near Ulva Ferry. 
http://www.lipnacloiche.co.uk/

More information on the Happy Valley murder, which Lucy mentions, can be found here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Valley_set

The book that Lucy’s work is featured in can be found here:

Island Gardens: 
https://www.quartoknows.com/books/9780711239753/Island-Gardens.html

The podcast website can be found at www.whatwedointhewinter.wordpress.com/

This podcast has been sponsored by Isle of Mull Cottages. 
You can visit their website on www.isleofmullcottages.com/

There’s lots on there to see, beautiful photos, videos and lots of great information about visiting the island. 


Thanks for listening!

Oyster farmer Nick Turnbull talks about his life here on Mull and how he's seen fishing and aquaculture change over the years.

There's a very interesting ghost story and tales of characters, some of whom are no longer with us, and some of whom still figure largely in the lives of many.

You can follow Isle of Mull Oysters on twitter on Gordon Turnbull's page

https://twitter.com/gturnbull1

You can find a short film featuring Nick, Kenny and Gordon at work here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TARRRhBDAqU

Thanks for listening.

Our second podcast features Morven Gibson from Bunessan in the Ross of Mull.

Morven is the General Manager with South West Mull & Iona Development

In our chat we mention:

https://swmid.co.uk

www.mict.co.uk

http://nwmullwoodland.co.uk/

https://ionavillagehall.org/

http://www.tobermoryharbour.co.uk/

Rural Housing Scotland

Woodland Crofts

Lesley Riddoch’s books

Blossom

McSmorgasboard

For more info please visit https://whatwedointhewinter.wordpress.com/

Or follow the podcast on Twitter: twitter.com/WhatWeDoInTheW1

Facebook: www.facebook.com/whatwedointhewinter

Our first podcast is with Duncan MacGilp.

I interviewed Duncan on the 14th of August 2018.

In this episode we talk about Duncan’s life on Mull and his time away from the island during the war.

Topics include: Poaching; Growing up in Tobermory; the Salen Show; local characters in Tobermory; Training as a Commando at Spean Bridge; Travels through Europe during and after the 2nd world war; Gaelic language and song; Sorley MacLean; Fiddle making and many others besides.

For more info please visit https://whatwedointhewinter.wordpress.com/

Or follow the podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhatWeDoInTheW1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatwedointhewinter