From Bess to Bonaparte: the Delights of an English Elizabethan Hall

It's so easel!  That sums up the forthcoming 2024 season at Levens Hall and Gardens in the English Lake District,  as Jane Hunt discovers when interviewing self-taught artist, Bob Sutcliffe OBE.  

Jane learns how first a diagnosis of epilepsy, and then a heart attack 10 years later, resulted in Bob picking up a tin of watercolours and painting for the first time, using art therapy to manage his health condition.  She also finds out how this has subsequently led to an incredible charity fundraising journey, significant sums being raised and the award of an OBE for charity work.  

Jane also explores how Bob's latest fundraising project - his new book entitled 'Tree Therapy' - has led him to arranging a season-long art exhibition at English stately home and Elizabethan property, Levens Hall and Gardens, home to themed gardens that include the world's oldest topiary garden - a Guinness World Record Holder.  She explores the plans for the artworks that will grace these gorgeous English gardens, the community involvement that will surround their appearance in the Levens Hall gardens and how Bob's artworks will add a completely new dimension to the fourth World Topiary Day, to be held on Sunday May 12.  

The content of the book, which has artworks of trees in both the Lake District, England and Finland, is discussed, along with themes of creativity applying to both adults and children.

This podcast conveys an uplifting real life story that should inspire anyone who receives a poor health diagnosis and feels that the future looks dim.

It will also provide lots of inspiration for those wishing to visit Levens Hall and Gardens in 2024 or join in with the annual World Topiary Day event which Levens Hall and Gardens founded in 2021.  For anyone who lives in Cumbria or the Lake District or who is intending to travel their this year, it will also help pinpoint a must-see experience that many people put on their bucket list.

Jane Hunt gets on the scent of a historic and traditional canine sport that is largely these days confined to the beautiful countryside of Cumbria, or as some people may better know this  part of the UK - the Lake District.  

Jane discovers all there is to know about the dog-focused sport of houndtrailing, which involves trail hounds following their noses, to race to the finish line, having expertly followed a trail of aniseed and paraffin across what can be tough Cumbria fellside terrain, with many an obstacle en route to the prize money and trophy.

By talking to various members of the Hound Trailing Association, some of whom are also trail hound owners, she learns all about the sport, its origins, the thrill of taking part in it as a hound owner and breeder, or just watching it as a spectator amidst some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK.  

She also learns just what a challenge it is to keep this very unique and traditional, historic sport alive today, when there are so many other distractions, and why it is so important to do so, to ensure this element of Cumbrian culture is not lost.

By exploring the story, she finds something that could enrich social life and add a new interest to life, even perhaps if you don't live locally and just follow your dog's fortunes from afar.

Jane Hunt talks to Sarah Miller, a passionate tour guide at English Elizabethan Hall, Levens Hall and Gardens, in the northwest of England, and discovers why just visiting the gardens would be a real case of missing out.  Jane discovers the history of this unique historic property and the perils of gambling, as she finds out how the Hall changed hands.  She also learns of the wonderful decor within the Hall and some of the incredible items that visitors can see, if they take a tour.  Hot on the trail of all things Napoleon, following the launch of the Napoleon movie, she also hears of the strong links to both the Duke of Wellington and his adversary Napoleon and how these have resulted in the Hall having some unique exhibits, with which to thrill visitors.  Add to this the story of the infamous Radish Feast, once staged at Levens Hall, the legend of the Levens curse and the earliest English patchwork in existence and the podcast is a treasure trove for anyone appreciating past epochs and enjoying a deep dive into history.

How difficult is it to come up with a name for a dog and what are the most popular choices?  What could inspire a choice of name for a dog and what examples do we have in the celebrity, movie and TV world?  What are the real no-no rules when it comes to a name and what name should you choose if you want your doggy to respond to you?  After spotting a dog named Axel, rather than Axl, and having pet owner research at her fingertips, Jane talks through all of this, as well as providing details of some other research findings that suggest some dog owners didn't put enough thought into this challenge.

Jane Hunt talks to Janan Leo, founder of women's footwear brand, Cocorose London, about the second major innovation of her career - the creation of a collection of vegan, sustainable cactus leather trainers range for UK women and those whom the brand can reach through exporting.

Jane asks Janan about this plant-powered alternative to leather, discusses the brand’s sustainable principles, delves more into the world of cactus leather and shoe manufacturing in the UK and in Portugal and discovers why cacti are eco superheroes. 

She hears about the new Kew collection of 5 plant-powered trainers and learns how a small SME has been able to make this pioneering move within the UK footwear industry, establishing a product with strong export potential, thanks to the backing of Innovate UK, the UK innovation agency.

The discussion focuses on the whole topic of products with purpose and even reveals why the new collection is called Kew and where overseas visitors should make a beeline for, if visiting London.

With chat about comfort being the  DNA of this footwear brand and how ‘Cocorosers’ often become brand avatars – with this including Jane herself – this podcast is one to inspire any fashionista wishing to make a lifestyle choice within their fashion purchasing behaviour, that can assist the future good of the planet.

Jane Hunt speaks to Tommy Sedgwick, a multi race-winning fell runner, once described as "brainless and brakeless" due to his fearless descent of the fells during fell races, including the 295 metre descent from the top of Butter Crags, in the 'Olympics' of fell running - Grasmere Sports.

Tommy was a  victor at Grasmere Sports on several occasions, including three during a 'golden era' of 11 years from 1969 to 1979, in which he shared the glory with rival and friend, Fred Reeves.  Jane examines the background to this huge '70s rivalry, which resulted in Fred breaking Tommy's 1976 record in 1978 - a record that still exists for the Seniors Guide Race (fell race) today.   She also quizzes Tommy about what it takes to be a winning fell runner at Grasmere and whether he believes the Reeves record will ever be broken.

To then look at the future of the sport, Jane also talks to three fell running children from the McGoldrick family - Mia, Calum and Finlay - and discovers what it is about the traditional Lake District sport of fell running that is still attracting youngsters today and what they get out of it.

Jane Hunt talks to Armando Pizzoni Ardemani, owner and passionate custodian of the exquisite northern Italian gardens, the Monumental Gardens of Valsanzibio, located close to Padua, where garden lovers can enjoy an experience like no other.

Jane learns all about the history of the gardens, the allegorical and religious symbolism that profoundly influences the visitor experience and the topiary that has led Valsanzibio to be interested in her PR concept of World Topiary Day.

Jane Hunt speaks to Hex Gregson, a student studying textiles, at UCLan in Preston, Lancashire, who has taken on the very special challenge of creating a unique topiary-inspired dress, to help celebrate World Topiary Day, 2023.