Best Nicolas Robinson Podcasts (2025)

1
Real Voices of Happy Valley 60: John Billingsley on Folklore 31:48

1h ago31:48

31:48

John Billingsley worked at Hebden Bridge library for three decades, now organises Todmorden Folklore Centre’s library. He developed an interest in the folklore of the valley, its icons, its stories and how it holds the communities together while explaining its local rivalries. He has published books on West Yorkshire and Calderdale Folklore and res…

1
Real Voices of Happy Valley 59 Natural Endings 28:52

4d ago28:52

28:52

Viv and Dave chat with Rosie Grant and Lisa van der Zanden at Natural Endings, a funeral service which puts the family/friends at the centre of funeral planning. They are both committed to ensuring the family/friends can be involved as much or as little as they feel they want. Funeral services and gatherings or ‘de-parties’ can be designed for spec…

1
Real Voices of Happy Valley 58 Todmorden u3a 24:48

27d ago24:48

24:48

The u3a is an organisation that brings retired people together to share their interests and skills. People can continue to pursue interests and/or develop new ones. There are people in their 80s able to play badminton and cricket in safe environments, there are people studying languages, philosophy and history. There are scrabble and board games gr…

1
Real Voices of Happy Valley 57 Keith Crabtree on floods 28:59

1M ago28:59

28:59

Keith Crabtree, born in Cornholme, lived in Todmorden all his life, worked for Environmental Health at Calderdle council and became a flood warden on his retirement. Now a flood volunteer, Keith has views on the lack of maintenance that contributes to floods up and down Calder Valley through Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Walsden and places…

1
#031 Wild About Weeds - The Forager's Guide to Free Food! | Nikki Brighton 34:16

1M ago34:16

34:16

Just what is Uncultivated Food in the bigger scheme of things? Author Nikki Brighton takes the reader on a journey about this growing way of viewing those plants that are growing in the 'wrong' place (ie. weeds) and shows us how to forage, and what you can garner from not just your garden, but from wild spaces in your area, to add to your pantry. W…

1
Real Voices of Happy Valley 47 Nicola Warren 20:50

1M ago20:50

20:50

Nicola Warren is a popular as a School Crossing Patrol getting children and parents safety across the road to their school. There is so much more to her life than that as people who cross roads every day of term times realise. Listen to Nicola about her role and her views on the strange goings on in the valley…

1
Real Voices of Happy Valley 56; Madeleine Brooks 29:28

1M ago29:28

29:28

Madeleine Brooks is a singer songwriter living in Todmorden. She runs an open mic at The Puzzle Hall, Sowerby Bridge and, ‘cut her teeth’ on the stage at Hebden Bridge Trades Club – a real voice of happy valley. After playing gigs, running nights at Nelson's Wine Bar, supporting some of the best musicians to visit the valley and being nominated at …

1
Real Voices of Happy Valley 55: Rev Catherine Shelley 27:38

2M ago27:38

27:38

Catherine Shelley, is kept busy by being vicar of St Mary’s Todmorden, St Peter’s, Walsden and St Michael’s, Cornholme. Catherine, originally from Manchester, gave up a career in law to follow her faith. She’s been chaplain at Birmingham University, worked in Southwark, south London and is now settled in Todmorden. She is heavily involved in many a…

1
Real Voices of Happy Valley 54: Jill Robinson 25:47

2M ago25:47

25:47

Episode 54 features Jill Robinson talking about her Berringden Brow books - and the life and adventures of Jess, a single mother in a Pennine town. It’s not quite autobiographical, but everything in the books has happened to someone, including Jill. Discover the importance of observing people, the things they say and how that turns into believable …

1
Episode 53: Natalie George of Big Tree Todmorden 22:06

2M ago22:06

22:06

Episode 53 of Real Voices of Happy Valley is a chat with Natalie George of Big Tree which now runs the Oddfellows Hall, next to Todmorden Market. The building has a long history as an entertainment hub and now features a ground floor café Branch Out and several spaces available for functions, workshops, club nights and a gig venue. Community minded…

1
Episode 52 Claire Convallaria - getting girls into science, sustainable businesses and home education 27:29

2M ago27:29

27:29

Claire Convallaria interested Viv with her work on projects encouraging and enabling girls into science education and careers. Like so many we speak to on Real Voices, she does far more than that. Claire also advises on business sustainability – how businesses can be socially and environmentally as well as economically sustainable. This requires he…

1
Episode 51 Mark Simmonds 'The Co-op Man' on co-ops and cider 25:58

2M ago25:58

25:58

Mark Simmonds has advised many communities on saving community assets like shops, pubs, skate parks and much more, generally by creating community co-operatives. This means investing in your community rather than for profit - though dividends can be paid out. Heptonstall Post Office and the Fox and Goose pub are juts two examples of community asset…

1
Episode 50 Alison Redfern of Walsden Scarecrow Festival 19:47

5M ago19:47

19:47

Alison Redfern created a scarecrow festival to help raise funds for St Peter's Church. Seven years later Walsden Scarecrow Festival is part of the local calendar, brings the village together with people from further afield, funds local community activities and brightens up the village for a weekend every September…

1
Episode 49 Keith Wilson talks stone, wood and metal 26:02

5M ago26:02

26:02

Keith Wilson is a well known face in the Calder Valley and many have seen the results of his skills in stone walling, treeplanting, coppicing etc without realising. Admire his work in the beer garden at The Fox & Goose in Hebden Bridge for example. A benefit to the community and environment, Keith is very much a grafter…

1
Episode 48 Ashleigh Cooper on antiques, charity shop work and active sports 28:40

5M ago28:40

28:40

Ashleigh Cooper has been in Calder Valley for 35 years and has retired from his antique dealer job (mostly). He works at the RSPCA shop in Hebden Bridge and is active in sports for the not-so-young, coaching walking cricket, playing walking football ... and pub quizzes. This Londoner loves The North and its people. The feeling is mutual.…

1
Episode 46 Cath Baker, Calderdale Badger Protection Group 31:03

6M ago31:03

31:03

Viv and Dave chat with Cath Baker mostly about her work protecting badgers. There are people who deliberately attack badgers but many are inadvertently injured or killed by cars, people digging or building in places badgers live. The Calderdale Badger Protection Group work with wildlife officers and local vets to help. Have a listen and find out ho…

1
Episode 45 Aid Todd, Drum Machine & The EMF 28:42

6M ago28:42

28:42

Aid Todd set up Drum Machine to reflect western rhythms and culture. It has grown to be a mainstay of festivals, locally and nationally and many valley residents have been part of it. Meanwhile Aid has been part of several successful bands including Limehouse Lizzy and most recently he has joined the EMF, just back for a tour of the USA. Hear his s…

1
#030 Slaying the Dread | Lindie Liebenberg 30:34

6M ago30:34

30:34

Getting a Grip on Cancer and Positivity. “This book is an honest recollection of my childhood - the good and not so good. Some of the stories I share, not even my husband or my children knew about, and they struggled to read past it. I have hidden it for so long, as I was scared and ashamed. Alcoholism, poverty, hardships, violence, unforgiveness, …

1
Episode 44 Louisa Needham Keep Tod Tidy 18:12

6M ago18:12

18:12

Louisa set up Keep Tod Tidy and works closely with community wardens to organise monthly clean up days in the town centre ad around the estates of Todmorden. As ever, she's a lot more than that. Here she chats with Viv and Dave about her community activities, work at after school clubs and an interesting holiday job on the beaches of the Mediterran…

1
Episode 43 Todmorden Country Fair 20:37

7M ago20:37

20:37

Viv and Dave sit in their garden and chat about their afternoon at Todmorden Country Fair; the animals, charities and displays. Great fun, interesting people.By Dave Boardman

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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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

8M 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
Episode 38 Leona Johnson talks about Forest School and Live Wild connecting people with nature 27:58

8M 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

8M 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

9M 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

9M 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

9M 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

9M 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

10M 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

10M 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 Beales 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 Andrew…

1
Episode 30 Chris Green visits India 29:56

10M 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

11M 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

11M 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

11M 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

12M 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

12M 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

1y 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

1y 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

1y 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
Scientific Publishing in a Transformative World - A Mathematician’s Perspective: Ilka Agricola interviewed by Lynn Brandon 44:57

1y ago44:57

44:57

In this month’s podcast, Ilka Agricola, a mathematician at the Phillips-Marburg University in Marburg, Germany, talks about the challenges mathematicians face while producing and using electronic scientific documents for research and teaching, especially in light of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence. She also talks about innovative…

1
Episode 21 Beth Paramor Reeder 24:00

1y 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

1y 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

1y 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
#029 A Sense of Place | Justin Fox 29:34

1y ago29:34

29:34

Literary and Physical Journeys in South Africa. "Before it can ever be a repose for the senses, landscape is the work of the mind. Its scenery is built up as much from strata of memory as from layers of rock." – Simon Schama So starts a journey into the mind, not just yours or the author’s but into 9 South African writers and their characters and c…

1
Episode 18 Emily Watnick 23:12

1y 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

1y 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

1y 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

1+ y 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 …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Nicolas Robinson Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide