Best Leona Johnson Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 42 Steve Hindle of the Bridestones Moor Project 22:34

8h ago22:34

22:34

Viva and Dave chat with Steve Hindle, of the Bridestones moor community group aiming to restore Bridestones and moorland above Todmorden to its ancient state. This would involve the re introduction of various plant life and the enrichment of the local ecology while maintaining public access and educational opportunities. Yet more local people bring…

1
Episode 41 Des Horsfall 33:22

6d ago33:22

33:22

Des Horsfall discusses highlights of his career in music: solo and band work, working with Alexis Korner, collaborating with Pete Townshend of The Who and his Kuschty Rye project inspired by the post Small Faces and Faces work of bass player and songwriter Ronnie LaneBy Dave Boardman

1
Episode 40 Mica May of Stopcocks 32:04

13d ago32:04

32:04

Viv chats to Mica May of women's plumbing company Stopcocks about the issues women face in skilled trades and the register of tradeswomen they have set up. More information online at Stopcocks.uk and 08008620010By Dave Boardman

1
Episode 39 Dave chats with Andy's Man Club 22:59

20d ago22:59

22:59

Outside the Ring O' Bells pub in Halifax Dave chats with Elliot and Andy from Andy's Man Club. The club was set up in response to the self inflicted death of Andy Roberts in Halifax in 2016. It exists to get men talking and supporting each other in dealing with life's issues. You don't have to be in crisis to go to an Andy's Man Club meeting, as on…

1
The magic of immersive connection experiences with Looby Macnamara and Leona Johnson 45:03

30d ago45:03

45:03

In this inspiring and enriching conversation Leona and Looby talk about the Model of The Eight Shields and how following the natural patterns of flow from daily and seasonal, to life stages and their corresponding energies, can create the optimum conditions for connection, healing and growth. Using this model powerful fields of connection and emerg…

1
Episode 38 Leona Johnson talks about Forest School and Live Wild connecting people with nature 27:58

1M ago27:58

27:58

Leona Johnson has been involved in a Forest School, Live Wild, a social worker and transformational life coach … among other things. Her mission – her passion - is to connect people with nature and each other. Viv and Dave met up with her in Mytholmroyd and heard about wildings holiday cubs, live wild family activities and fire questing. Have a lis…

1
Episode 37 Ash, his art and his Pakistani heritage 31:16

1M ago31:16

31:16

Dave chats with Ash, Newcastle born Calder valley based artist whose current project sees him exploring his family and his heritage. Ash is doing this partly for himself after the loss of his mother and also for his own children who are also gaining interest in their heritage. Fascinating stories about being brought up in the North East of England …

1
Episode 36 Daniel Bath part two: Lucy Illingworth 20:15

2M ago20:15

20:15

Lucy Illingworth has astonished people all her life with her amazing musicality. She is blind, has serious learning difficulties but took local Facebook pages by storm before appearing on and 'winning' Channel Four TV show The Piano. This has led to concerts at The Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Classic FM, further TV appearances and more. Liste…

1
Episode 35 Daniel Bath part one 22:26

2M ago22:26

22:26

Viv and Dave chat with Daniel Bath - officially an 'outstanding citizen' of Calder Valley - about music education, his own live music and how he got Music for the Many into being. Part two will feature his work with Lucy Illingworth, winner of Channel Four's The Piano, against all the oddsBy Dave Boardman

1
Episode 34 Maggie Smallwood on plans for an outdoor swimming pool in Calder Valley 24:09

2M ago24:09

24:09

Hebdenroyd Swimming Association has long wanted a swimming pool in the Hebden Bridge / Mytholmroyd area. The plans are now for a clean water outdoor swimming pool for the valley. The association is hoping to create a safe, clean pool large enough for swimming, kayaking and even sub aqua use. Sauna, changing area, cafe and nature trail are all in th…

1
Episode 33 Louise Heppleston, Dogbody, helping train dogs to save lives on the moors 19:32

2M ago19:32

19:32

Louise Heppleston is a 'dogsbody'. This involves hiding on the moors for an hour or two waiting to be found by dogs as part of their training in finding people lost who need rescuing by Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team - the sort of thing few people know actually happens but essential in training dogs to hep save lives. Louise is also part of t…

1
Episode 32 Val Stevens 30:18

3M ago30:18

30:18

Val Stevens, campaigner for the environment, women's rights and the welfare of older people. She was a councillor and deputy leader at Manchester City Council, councillor and mayor of Hebdenroyd and resident of Manchester, France and now Mytholmroyd. A woman who has spoken her mind and cared for people throughout her life. A member of the 'silent g…

1
Episode 31 Uncle Wally and Uncle Steve 29:47

3M ago29:47

29:47

Richard 'Wally' Woodcock and Steve Andrews have been part of the Calder Valley music scene since the 1970s. Wally was with Trevor Beaes in Havana Lake, then The Outfit and settled into the Owter Zeds in 2000. He plays guitar with blues band the 844s and records with Steve as Uncle Wally and Uncle Steve. Meanwhile multi instrumentalist Steve Andrews…

1
Episode 30 Chris Green visits India 29:56

3M ago29:56

29:56

Viv and Dave chat with Chris Green, long time resident of Calder Valley who has just returned form a bicycle tour of parts of India. He tells of the adventure of travelling by bike, train and ferry and some of the events that happened along the way. Fun was had, myths were busted and he's enthused Viv so much she now wants to go to India too…

1
Episode 29 Suzanne Oulton, busy lady 25:55

3M ago25:55

25:55

Viv and Dave chat with Suzanne Oulton. Suzanne is heavily involved in her community in Todmorden: sports, brass band, church, walking group ... and she was part of the supporters associations that saved Bury Football Club after its financial demise. Suzanne may be the busiest person so far to appear in Real Voices of Happy Valley.…

1
Episode 28 Jim Brierley 29:42

4M ago29:42

29:42

Viv and Dave chat with Jim Brierley. He has been a significant part of the music scene in Calder Valley for decades. Drummer with R n B band Mean Business for many years, Jim also set up the Riverside Festival which ran in Calder Holmes Park, Hebden Bridge form 1995 to 2003. With Jane his wife he lived in France - even commuting across the channel …

1
Episode 27 Sara Robinson at St Augustine's Centre Halifax 22:35

4M ago22:35

22:35

Viv and Dave chat with Sara Robinson at St Augustine's Centre, Halifax. The centre provides support for asylum seekers and refugees who have come to the UK after fleeing from their country of origin for a variety of reasons. Generally they have been brought up to see the UK as a place of refuge due to historical links through colonial and commonwea…

1
Episode 26 John Armstrong's music journey 26:42

4M ago26:42

26:42

John Armstrong was in the Calder Valley before the hippies turned up. he performed at Deeply Vale and Rivington Festivals, was a founder member of the Owter Zeds and has produced an Album reflected his world travels. John likes nothing better than meeting new musicians in new places and collaborating with them. He has also written several books abo…

1
Episode 25 Nina Smith talks about the future possibilities for our rail network 24:06

5M ago24:06

24:06

Nina Smith is very active. Chair of Yorkshire Rail Futures, founding member of Friends of Hebden Bridge Railway Station, active in campaigning for sustainable transport in the area. She is also a long time member of Calder Voices Choir and plays a lot of walking cricket and table tennis. Nina has edited a couple of books published by the Hebden Bri…

1
Episode 24 Sherel and Dunc of Moonfull 23:46

5M ago23:46

23:46

Sherel Rutherford and Dunc Foster love the valley and its natural resources. They forage natural ingredients for teas and wines and lead foraging and natural wine making events. There is more information on their website www.moonfull.co.ukBy Dave Boardman

1
episode 23 Ian Pepper, Technical Difficulties Open Mic 28:34

5M ago28:34

28:34

Dave chats with Ian Pepper who runs Technical Difficulties, an open mic night at the Puzzle Hall pub, Sowerby Bridge. Technical Difficulties is a home for experimental music, one of the few (though growing in number) in the West Yorkshire area. This is another example of someone in the valley who thought there was gap in music provision, so decided…

1
Episode 22 Pam Warhurst on Todmorden Book Festival and more 24:40

6M ago24:40

24:40

Viv and Dave talk to Pam Warhurst about her role as Chair of the Todmorden Book Festival. Pam explains why it is called a 'book' festival and why it is important for the town and reflects the cultural diversity of Todmorden. She also indicates how she'd like it to develop in the context of Todmorden's town plan.…

1
Episode 21 Beth Paramor Reeder 24:00

7M ago24:00

24:00

Beth is a young mother of two who is always busy and always seemingly optimistic. After having had to give up on the hospitality trade due to the pandemic - restaurants in Hebden Bridge and Hipperholme - she did care work, was a receptionist and retrained as a masseuse, running her own business in Todmorden. Meanwhile she raises money for Medical A…

1
Episode 20 Andrew Bibby on housing and worker co-operatives and how the Calder Valley plays a major role in their history 23:30

7M ago23:30

23:30

Dave chats with Andrew Bibby, journalist and author of books on housing and worker co-ops, the Pennines and several crime novels set in Cumbria. Andre highlights the role played by people form the Calder valley in historical development of co-operatives and they discuss how that radical history has influenced modern day life and culture in the vall…

1
Episode 19 Dave chats to Pip Fowler about Music for the Many 26:10

7M ago26:10

26:10

Dave chats to Pip Fowler about his music, his band the Sentimentalists and Music for the Many, a project which brings music education to schools in Todmorden. Music for the Many attempts to reduced the harm to music education caused by government cuts and addresses the benefits of music and the arts to individuals, communities and the economy.…

1
Episode 18 Emily Watnick 23:12

7M ago23:12

23:12

Viv chats with Emily Watnick about u3a Todmorden, appearing on TV quiz shows and how a new Yorker ends up living in the Calder Valley. This series of podcasts highlights the people of Calder Valley, made famous by various TV shows as 'Happy Valley'. Real Voices of Happy Valley is based on the idea that everyone has an interesting story behind them …

1
Episode 17 Jack Straw on his move from Calder Valley to Orkney 25:38

8M ago25:38

25:38

We continue a chat with Jack Straw. In this episode Jack tells of his adventurous move to Orkney and discusses the differences - and some similarities - in culture. Jack returns every month or two because despite his love of life on a very small island there are things about the valley that drag him back: family, friends, trees and hill walks among…

1
Episode 16 Jack Straw on his volunteering at music festivals 26:32

8M ago26:32

26:32

Dave and Viv settle into their new home in Todmorden and Dave chats with Jack Straw. Jack lived in Sour Hall above Todmorden for many years. He was brought to the Calder Valley by his love of the countryside and music. Jack mentions several festivals he's worked at and a few of the musicians and other volunteers he's met. He encourages others to ge…

1
Episode 15: Viv ad Dave move to Todmorden 23:15

9M ago23:15

23:15

After a quarter of a century Viv ad Dave Boardman leave Hebden Bridge and move along the valley to Todmorden - a town on the border of Lancashire and Yorkshire. Only 4/5 miles but culturally it feel quite different, more 'down to earth'. The two towns have the usual local rivalry, each looking down at the other but they are both in the same quirky …

1
Episode 14 Chris Goddard: Walks, Books, Maps and "World" Music 28:00

9M ago28:00

28:00

Dave chats with Christopher Goddard about his maps and books - guides to walks in the Calder Valley, Yorkshire Moors and the English Coast. As Viv points out there are specific guides to walking in the footsteps of Anne Lister and the Cragg Vale Coiners too. Dave first encountered Chris as a DJ offering eclectic world music DJ sets at the Trades Cl…

1
Episode 13: Jill takes on the Patriarchy 27:00

9M ago27:00

27:00

Jill takes on the patriarchy via her gender politics, peace activism, and her relationship with the environment. She arrived in the Calder Valley in the 1980s, lived in a lesbian collective, spent time at Greenham Common and other peace camps and has her own perspective on women, women's rights and the patriarchy…

1
Episode 12 Stephen May, author 30:14

10M ago30:14

30:14

Stephen May chats with Viv and Dave about his road to being a novelist, how he got to the Calder Valley, education and playing football in his 50s.By Dave Boardman

1
Episode 11: Liz Thorpe on community activity in Todmorden 27:24

10M ago27:24

27:24

This episode features Viv and Dave chatting with Liz Thorpe, former Mayor of Todmorden, volunteer at Cornholme Old Library Food Bank, Dementia Friendly Todmorden, Incredible Edible… Viv and Dave speak to Liz at home about how she got involved, how important the work in and how community minded the town of Todmorden has ben over the years…

1
Episode 10 Chris Ratcliffe on Pennine Pens, Sylvia Plath, Anne Lister ... 30:40

10M ago30:40

30:40

Viv chats with Chris Ratcliffe, a man ahead of his time. With Elain Connell Chris created Pennine Pens, published Jill Liddington's book on Anne Lister which informed the TV series Gentleman Jack, started possibly the world's first literary online forum on Sylvia Plath and created Hebweb an early community news website, which is still providing the…

1
Episode 9 Winston Plowes Environmental Artist 27:41

10M ago27:41

27:41

Viv and Dave chat with Winston Plowes, environmental artists, surrealist poet, creative writer... AS much of Winston's work is outdoors that's where we met - on a narrow bridge at the top of Birchcliffe Woods in Hebden Bridge. The sounds of the outdoors are there: goats, winds, running water and people wandering past. Winston is a fascinating chara…

1
Episode 8 Viv talks to Dave about Old Gits, Football and the Women's World Cup 20:55

10M ago20:55

20:55

Dave celebrated a birthday - moving from mid-sixties to mid-to-late-sixties during the Women's World Cup, so Viv talks to him about his lengthy experience of football at various ages, regionals and levels. Everyone is encouraged to playBy Dave Boardman

1
Working With Men with Piers Cross 1:06:26

11M ago1:06:26

1:06:26

Things we talk about in this episode Working with Men, We can be vulnerable, i can thrive in relationships, Boarding school trauma Life in a monastery- Falling apart and putting self back together again Mens work- Andy’s man club- it's ok to speak. The Work- Folsom Prison- Vulnerability is a super power. By talking we give permission for others to …

1
Episode 7 The Good People of High Hirst Wood Meadow 23:58

11M ago23:58

23:58

High Hurst was a couple of fields from an old farm. The top field is now an allotment and the bottom field is very special. A project to protect it as a special heritage environmental site has attracted lots of volunteers with lots of enthusiasm. Here we speak to Neil Diment and Kerry McQuade, just two of those volunteers. It is yet another example…

1
Episode 6 Colin Lyall of Lyall's Bookshop, Todmorden 27:17

11M ago27:17

27:17

Dave chats to Colin Lyall of Lyall's Bookshop in Todmorden. Colin started the UFO meet at the Golden Lion pub six years ago. His interest is in mysterious events and how people cope with them. He also runs an excellent bookshop. Colin's enthusiasm is infectious and he's definitely a man you'd want to sit and listen to ...…

1
5 Open Studios Arts Weekend 25:53

12M ago25:53

25:53

Viv and Dave look at a small percentage of the arts available at the Open Studios Weekend in Hebden Bridge. They chat with some of the artists, and get an idea of the wide ranges of arts available in the area. More information and some artists websites are available on their Facebook page Real Voices of Happy Valley. This series of podcasts give vo…

1
Bookclubs in Happy Valley 24:08

12M ago24:08

24:08

Viv talks to Pat Fairclough about starting a bookclub, which has been running for 17 years. Started, as many things are, in the Fox and Goose community pub, it is more than a bookclub as you will discover. This may give you ideas about how to start and maintain your own bookclub. It is not the only one ...…

1
Roger O Doherty and his fund raising calendars 24:50

12M ago24:50

24:50

During lockdown Roger spent a lot of time sitting at his kitchen table observing the wildlife - mostly birds - in his garden. He set up his camera and his interest in photography, birds and community led to a series of calendars which helped raise money for local community projects - including food banks. Find out how covid (and not being invited t…

1
2. Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival 2023 28:50

12M ago28:50

28:50

This episode includes the voices of many of those who make Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival happen. From the 'money honeys' who sell tickets to the sound engineer, photographer, company secretary and volunteers - all essential roles. Find out about the variety of roles that often go unnoticed at a festival and the co-operative, community spirit th…

1
Series 2 Real Voices of Happy Valley: Introduction 7:47

12M ago7:47

7:47

Back from their travels Viv and Dave Boardman have started season 2 . Retitled Real Voices of Happy Valley this series will look at and look for the wide variety of interesting people and activities in the Upper Calder Valley - the valley highlighted in TV series like "Happy Valley", "Last Tango in Halifax" and "Gallows Pole". This is the real Happ…

1
Episode 22 Bonus: London 28:18

1y ago28:18

28:18

Our final episode in this series (probably). A trip to Bridge Theatre and a few other spots in London. We'll be back in June '23 with a new series Real Voices from Happy ValleyBy Dave Boardman

1
Integrative medicine, psychedelic well-being retreats and the power of nature connection with Dr Duncan Still 1:04:43

1y ago1:04:43

1:04:43

Things we talk about in this episode How the mainstream medical establishment is opening to integrative medicine 5 Ways to wellbeing- New Economic Foundation Phil Hammond-What causes your health issues. CLANGERS Connect-Learning-Active-Noticing-Gratitude-Eating well-Resting-Sleeping Nature as a way to better health Green social prescribing Psychede…

1
Sacred Breath with Kerry Veitch 51:13

1y ago51:13

51:13

Things we talk about in this episode Many different ways to breath Breath as a way to access pure presence and consciousness. Many health and wellbeing benefits to breathing The rise in awareness due to breathwork and technology and lockdown A way to help us come back to our essence and connect to ourselves as natural beings, one with life. Out of …

1
Mother's as Leaders with Emma Gorbutt 58:17

1y ago58:17

58:17

Things we talk about in this episode Living at Earth worm- radical routes housing co-op. Humans as interdependent beings. Radical Routes- National Network of intentional communities. The importance of supportive Networks Mother Nature Project- International Project- Mother Nature Card Decks and Mother Nature Circles- Personal growth. A global need …

1
Episode 21 Canberra and Tura ... and home 22:18

1+ y ago22:18

22:18

Viv and Dave finish their Adventure by catching up with Kim Riding a friend she hadn't seen since 1971 and her Aussie chap Rick. Then home in the luxury of business classBy Dave Boardman

1
Episode 20 Sydney Fur Coat, No Knickers 31:19

1+ y ago31:19

31:19

After cancelled flight, Viv and Dave finally get to Sydney for New Year's Eve, a day on the beach, a cruise around the harbour and meeting up with friends old and newBy Dave Boardman

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Leona Johnson Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide