Best Enjoying Norfolk Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 52: One Year On 40:18

5h ago40:18

40:18

This episode marks a special one year anniversary for Chris Skinner's Countryside Podcast. Chris has a gift for you in way of a tricky conundrum for you to have a go at: Today, Sunday the first of September, I am safe. Why should I be worried tomorrow, the second of September and why shouldn't I worried tomorrow, the second of September? Answers ca…

1
Knock Knock, Who's There? 1:12:45

3d ago1:12:45

1:12:45

Poltergeist meaning.. The word poltergeist comes from the German poltern, 'to make sound, to rumble,' and Geist, 'ghost, spirit.' The term itself translates as 'noisy ghost', 'rumble-ghost', or a 'loud spirit'. One of the tricks a poltergeist is known for is making "knocking" noises, so it will come as no surprise to learn that the word poltergeist…

1
Episode 51: Ancient Ponds, Woodpeckers And Drupes 48:31

1h ago48:31

48:31

Chris Skinner shows Matthew one of the oldest ponds at High Ash Farm. Chris dunks his hands in and demonstrates the pottery qualities of the clay in the pond. He describes how wild oats can grow in the cracks when it dries out. Chris is extremely excited and proud to show Matthew the holes in nearby trees that have been drilled by woodpeckers. The …

1
Episode 50: Moles 46:41

7d ago46:41

46:41

Chris Skinner tells a story and shares the practicality of farmers. Matthew Gudgin joins Chris on the lawn and they answer a curious question all about moles. Chris describes the antisocial qualities of the underground inhabitants, how they move and how they changed the course of history. It's all go at High Ash Farm at the moment with all the mowi…

1
Episode 49: Swallows and House Martins 40:09

14d ago40:09

40:09

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin begin the podcast at a local supermarket that is protecting the wildlife nesting there. Back on the farm the pair trudge through a field overwinter wildbird seed mix when they come across an exploding thistle. Chris explains how pioneering species establish and how they can colonise. They look at various properties …

1
Episode 48: New Arrivals 36:01

21d ago36:01

36:01

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin observe the different roles of the new and devoted parents on the farm. They're driving through High Ash Farm when Chris notices one of East Anglia's most persecuted birds enjoying a spot of sunbathing. They revisit the site once filled with foxgloves in flower. The plants have now gone to seed and Chris explains th…

1
Episode 47: Moths And Butterflies 38:24

1M ago38:24

38:24

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin begin the podcast watching a very splendid butterfly in the woodland clearing. They travel through the woodland to rather confusingly look for a gathering of lazy and extremely poisonous moths that are up and about in the daytime. The pair chance upon a group whirligig beetles circling on the water and dragonflies l…

1
Some Items To Die For 1:00:03

22d ago1:00:03

1:00:03

Welcome to the third and final episode in our "Haunted and Cursed" trilogy. In this episode, we cover the sinister side of cursed objects. Once again, we have gone on an internet deep dive to bring you a selection of strange items, each with a terrible tale to tell. Of course, it's much more exciting if you can see the objects in question, and once…

1
Episode 46: Underneath The Spreading Chestnut Tree 51:29

1M ago51:29

51:29

Chris Skinner captures the sound of the farm's most recognisable wake up call before introducing us to two young nearby buzzards. Matthew Gudgin joins Chris as they watch the buzzards glide in the air and Chris explains how to distinguish the difference between various birds of prey. Armed with a tape measure, the pair head to the woods to measure …

1
Episode 45: Quarry Wildlife 45:22

2M ago45:22

45:22

Matthew Gudgin marvels at the superb parenting skills of Mother Duck who is raising her ten ducklings at High Ash Farm. Chris Skinner drives Matthew to the local quarry to show off the incredible wildlife zooming around this unlikely location. Matthew then watches on as Chris forages in the undergrowth for a Wimbledon themed treat after explaining …

1
Episode 44: All Life Is Here 33:10

2M ago33:10

33:10

Chris Skinner starts this episode by capturing the song of a nearby Blackcap Warbler. Matthew Gudgin arrives at High Ash Farm and the pair observe the corkscrew flight of Rooks at what is the riskiest time of the year for the bird. Rat comes along for the ride in this episode and takes umbrage to dog walkers on the farm. Chris dons his wellies to s…

1
Episode 43: A Stoat Surprise 41:01

2M ago41:01

41:01

Chris Skinner starts the episode by capturing the dawn chorus from song thrushes, wood pigeon and a bantam cockerel. Matthew Gudgin is shocked to be greeted by a stoat before they've even started! They learn about how this small predator hunts and navigates its way around High Ash Farm. Chris managed filmed the stoats and you can see this footage h…

1
Episode 42: Foxes: Predator Or Vermin? 43:20

2M ago43:20

43:20

Chris glimpses the morning routine of the swallows first thing. They're considering whether they can fit in a final brood. Matthew Gudin and Rat the dog keep up with Chris as he shares with us the super powers of clover. Chris also talks about the predators at High Ash Farm, a topic that often divides the farming community. He describes his footage…

1
Episode 41: The Bog 47:43

3M ago47:43

47:43

This morning's morning chorus comes from the geese visiting the pond at High Ash Farm. Chris Skinner takes Matthew Gudgin to the High Ash Farm Bog. He tells the story of something once swallowed up by this bottomless bog! This wonderful habitat provides the perfect conditions for one Chris's favourite flowers, the ragged robin. The pair then compar…

1
Episode 40: Orchid Squad 46:01

3M ago46:01

46:01

Chris Skinner listens in as the corvid take to their nests for their final chatter of the day, an evening chorus . The following day, Matthew Gudgin joins Chris and they go in search of the Common Spotted Orchid and the striking Pyramidal Orchid. Chris explains how the geology and soil types at High Ash Farm dictate what grows where when it comes t…

1
Episode 39: Gandering Goslings 38:07

3M ago38:07

38:07

The dawn chorus provided by a blackbird whilst Chris Skinner describes how much he enjoys doing the rounds first thing at High Ash Farm. The goslings swim over to wish Chris a good morning! He's joined by his broadcasting companion Matthew Gugdin and they marvel at the mystery of the bee orchid and discuss other orchids on the farm and their soil p…

1
Episode 38: Devil's Bitch 41:26

3M ago41:26

41:26

Chris Skinner has been busy counting the swallows on the farm. He catches their early morning chatter as the thirty-seven birds prepare for the day ahead. Chris takes Matthew Gudgin and terrible terrier Rat, to a field full of creeping buttercups. They return to the woodland where the bluebells were. They're long gone now, but standing in their wak…

1
Episode 37: Badgers And Bees 39:28

4M ago39:28

39:28

Chris Skinner gives Matthew Gudgin an impromptu tour around his house and garden showing the many ways he welcomes wildlife. The pair then venture out onto High Ash Farm to look at the badger set. Chris has recorded some incredible footage of the teenage badgers getting up to mischief in the dead of night. Click here to see the video of the badgers…

1
Haunted and Cursed 48:25

3M ago48:25

48:25

After our shopping spree in the last episode, we realised that our possessed furniture quest had seriously sidetracked us. So much so, in fact, that we did not really get into any in-depth explanation as to why there could be haunted or, worse still, cursed objects around. Well, we hope we have put that right in this episode. Join us as we wax lyri…

1
Episode 36: Wild Garlic, Early Purple Orchid And Tree Creepers 44:51

4M ago44:51

44:51

The wren conducts the dawn chorus for this episode of Chris Skinner’s Countryside Podcast. Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin stomp through the woodland to chomp on the edible wild garlic. The dwindling bluebells are going over and their shadow brings the early purple orchid to the fore. Chris explains their many names and mentions throughout history…

1
Episode 35: A May Morning 46:05

4M ago46:05

46:05

Chris Skinner is up at the crack of dawn on the 1st of May to capture the sounds of the morning at High Ash Farm. Part of daily duties involve checking in on the swallows. Matthew Gudgin joins later on in the sunshine and the pair begin their journey around the farm by looking at crab apple trees. Chris and Matthew head to a bird hide and Chris exp…

1
Phantoms In Your Paintings and Spooks on your Sofa 53:53

4M ago53:53

53:53

Juliette has been house hunting and looking for a new paranormal pad. So, Nigel decided to help with a few home furnishings to add that unique ambience!! Of course, he couldn't buy run-of-the-mill stuff, so he hunted down a few niche items to add that paranormal punch to Juliette's new place. Join us as we unveil a collection of truly "haunting" it…

1
Episode 34: Swifts, Horse Chestnuts and Hawthorne 50:20

4M ago50:20

50:20

Chris Skinner shares a moments reflection whilst waiting to see the first swift arrive at Aldeburgh beach. He pinpoints the exact moment when his relationship with wildlife changed forever. Matthew Gudgin arrives at High Ash Farm and the pair take a look at the hidden wonders of the horse chestnut tree. They also study the hawthorne in flower befor…

1
Episode 33: Bluebells And Their Living Heritage 34:20

4M ago34:20

34:20

Chris Skinner starts the day with his elderly geese before checking in on the swallows busy spring cleaning their nests. Matthew Gudgin joins Chris and Rat, his terrible terrier to see the bluebells at High Ash Farm. He explains how these bluebells return year on year and bring a lot of joy to a lots of visitors. Chris takes Matthew to another wood…

1
Episode 32: The Swallows Return 51:49

5M ago51:49

51:49

Chris Skinner and terrible terrier, Rat take refuge in the farm truck from Storm Kathleen and share the benefits of wind for farmers and for pollination. Chris explains the life of the ash trees and why they thrive in certain areas. Matthew Gudgin joins Chris at the yard and they delight at the arrival of swallows at the farm. The pair marvel at th…

1
Episode 31: Expectant Nests 36:55

5M ago36:55

36:55

Chris Skinner shares his early morning by showcasing the dawn chorus featuring solos from a sparrow, collared dove and song thrush. After a very wet winter and now an even wetter spring, Chris reflects on what high rainfall means for the farm in the next few months. Chris and Matthew Gudgin observe a family of inquisitive Little Owls at the farm. W…

1
Episode 30: Norfolk's Mangrove 48:01

5M ago48:01

48:01

Chris Skinner captures the eerie sound of a roe buck barking in the woodland and High Ash Farm. He talks us though the risky behaviour of a particularly brave fox at the entrance of a badger set that he caught on his night vision camera. Click here to see the video on High Ash Farm Facebook Page Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin take a punt and enjo…

1
Episode 29: Counting Hares 39:15

5M ago39:15

39:15

Chris Skinner treats us to a special chorus as he captures the dawn of the vernal equinox. Matthew Gudgin then joins Chris at High Ash Farm to admire the spring blooms and varieties of nettles before embarking on a mathematical counting and concentration challenge. Using the truck and very long piece of string, the pair try and spot as many hares a…

1
Episode 28: Rat Steals The Show 51:46

6M ago51:46

51:46

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin are joined by Rat the dog who is especially keen to explore the holes of an active warren at High Ash Farm. Rat is busy excavating while Chris explains our relationship with rabbits down the years and the fluctuation in popularity as a source of food and fur. They look at the ground ivy and elm that are both in flow…

1
Episode 27: The Wood Mouse, Budding Blackthorn And A Redwing Display 37:39

6M ago37:39

37:39

This week Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin see and hear a wide range of wildlife at High Ash Farm including kestrels, Chinese water deer, and skylarks. They explore a field filled with hundreds of small mammals, particularly the long-tailed field mouse or wood mouse, which is the most common rodent in the UK. Chris explains the mouse's habits, favo…

1
Psychic Soldiers 1:13:22

5M ago1:13:22

1:13:22

Yes, it's time to dive into the murky waters of experimental warfare. Join Juliette and Nigel as they open a few dusty files in the archives of the Department of Psychological Warfare to tell you all about some top-secret experiments that you may or may not have heard of. Mind-altering drugs, telepathic dogs, microwaves, mind reading, object moving…

1
Norfolk Southern Train Derails in Pennsylvania 12:20

6M ago12:20

12:20

Tell us what you'd like to hearBy Mike Haley

1
Episode 26: Spring Has Sprung 46:06

6M ago46:06

46:06

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin delight at the arrival of spring at High Ash Farm. They observe the nesting rooks, the blooming daffodils and violets, and the budding pussy willow. They explore the presence of harvest mice and deer in the area by observing the tracks and footprints left in the soil. Chris shares some historical and botanical knowl…

1
Will Trump be removed from the ballot? 17:09

6M ago17:09

17:09

Tell us how we are doing.. Tell us what you want to hearBy Mike Haley

1
Episode 25: Chris Skinner Loves Yew 43:01

6M ago43:01

43:01

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin lament the unusually wet winter and its impact on the British countryside. Chris shares with us his favourite type of tree, the Yew Tree, which flowers in the winter months. He tells us about its historical significance and association with religious sites. They observe roe deer in the woodland and discuss its behav…

1
Episode 24: Hedgerows And FWAG 38:16

7M ago38:16

38:16

In this episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin explore the history and importance of hedgerows in the UK. Chris describes how the landscape has changed over time, with hedgerows being removed and then replanted to recreate wildlife corridors. He ponders his own role in this process and shows deep remorse for removing hedgerows in his younger year…

1
Super Bowl Shooter in Custody 10:26

7M ago10:26

10:26

Tell us what you want to hear aboutBy Mike Haley

1
SuperBowl Talk 2024 18:21

7M ago18:21

18:21

Tell us what you thinkBy Mike Haley

1
Trains, Planes and Automobiles 47:51

7M ago47:51

47:51

It's the first episode in season 3, and it's time to go on a journey. How will we travel though? Well, here's a choice of three modes of transport that can get you from A to B, but they could also take you somewhere a little bit more unpleasant! Of course, there are your travelling companions to consider, too; just who is that strange figure sittin…

1
Episode 23: Colours Of Winter 39:51

7M ago39:51

39:51

In this episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin observe the successional woodland and its natural growth at High Ash Farm. They delight at the array of winter flowers on the woodland floor including snowdrops, violets and pansies. Chris shows how the pollen from hazel catkins moves around and Matthew points out the various types of fungi nearby. T…

1
Honda airbag recall 12:30

7M ago12:30

12:30

Tell us what you thinkBy Mike Haley

1
Episode 22: Nighttime Safari 59:59

7M ago59:59

59:59

Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin go on a nocturnal safari drive around High Ash Farm. They talk about the different wildlife that comes out at night, such as deer, birds, and rabbits. They encounter a barn owl and see what is lurking on the edge of the dark wood. Chris and Matthew head to the office to answer listener questions. They discuss pied w…

1
New eco friendly cleaner coming soon 15:03

7M ago15:03

15:03

Test us what you want to hearBy Mike Haley

1
Biden vs Texas what will happen next? 17:07

7M ago17:07

17:07

Tell us what you want to hearBy Mike Haley

1
Episode 21: Ash Dieback And The Cost Of Carbon Offsetting 47:05

7M ago47:05

47:05

In this episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin take breakfast for the birds on High Ash Farm. They observe the abundance of bird life during the winter months, particularly due to the lack of foliage on deciduous trees. They also discuss the feeding habits of various bird species, including rooks, jackdaws, nuthatches and a surprise raven. They w…

1
Should we really be giving Zelenski more money? 13:14

7M ago13:14

13:14

Tell us what you'd like to hearBy Mike Haley

1
Why did DeSantis drop out of the Primary race ? 14:58

7M ago14:58

14:58

Tell us what you'd like to hearBy Mike Haley

1
Episode 20: The Importance Of Chalk 37:12

7M ago37:12

37:12

In this episode Chris Skinner takes Matthew Gudgin to visit a quarry near to High Ash Farm. They talk about the importance of chalk in farming and its various uses throughout history. Chris shows Matthew an 'out-of-this-world' find! They bring out the binoculars and observe lapwings in the fields before answering listener questions. They consider h…

1
Texas National Guard bans U.S. border patrol 12:52

8M ago12:52

12:52

Tell us what you want to hearBy Mike Haley

1
Episode 19: A Guide To Sparrows 39:45

8M ago39:45

39:45

In the episode Chris Skinner and Matthew Gudgin observe the sparrows occupying nest boxes at High Ash Farm. They explore the relationship between sparrows and humans and offer advice on how to best care for this red list species. They visit a bird hide in the nearby woodland and observe various bird species, including blue tits, great tits, nut hat…

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