Talk of the Town - Northampton

In this episode Lisa & Gareth focus on transport and running. First up is a panel discussion on sustainable travel, featuring:- Dr Declan Ryan PhD – Lecturer on Exercise Physiology, UoN- Steve Miller - Community Activist- Rachel McGrath - Northamptonshire Community Foundation- Cllr Jason Smithers - NCC- Cllr Anna King - NBC The panel discuss the importance of active transport methods; such as cycling & walking and what changes are needed to make these more accessible? We also ask what actions are the local authorities taking and when can we expect changes delivered?Following this the guys chat with the lovely Michelle Lewis about her passion for running, being a Northampton Parkrun director and her own podcast "Running Tales".

To coincide with Volunteers' Week (1-7 June), Gareth & Lisa focus on some of the great work going on out there in the community and those who know about it. They interview Russ the CEO of Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire. Speak with Amarjit Singh Atwal from the Northampton Sikh Community, who do so much and have just won a very special award. They catch up with Tom Cliffe from NN Track / Cafe Track and learn about his innovative fundraising 'Stand Up Bingo'. They also hear from Cllr Anna King of Northampton Borough Council.

In this episode, Gareth & Lisa discuss the Black Lives Matter movement. They chat to Anjona Roy and Tre Ventour from Northamptonshire Rights & Equality Council (NREC), the co-organisers of the BLM protest in Northampton on Wednesday 3rd June. Cllr Muna Cali and Cllr James Hill who attended the event, drop into the virtual studio. The guys also meet up with Jack, Emma and Mikey from new community group 'Togetherness', who hope to bring about unity among people with their new initiative. 

In this episode the guys talk with the new Mayor of Northampton Cllr Brian W Sargeant, who not only made history when being sworn in online, but also has an illustrious family history regarding the position. We also speak to past Mayors; Sally Beardsworth, Jamie Lane and our very own Gareth Eales about their experiences being the first citizen of the town.  

In this episode of Talk of the Town; Gareth & Lisa focus on entertainers from Northampton changing their outlets to an online variation during the lock-down. First up, the guys chat with local musician Ray Hue, know to many as Reggae Ray, who is often seen playing solo around town or with his band Rhythm 'n' Roots. Ray talks about how he is coping, his online gigging, answers the COVID-5 questions and he plays us a couple of numbers.This is followed by an exclusive interview with Sean Grew, who is part of The Old Five Bells All Stars, their charity song (or lockdown hoedown version as they call it) of John Denver's "Country Road" and its accompanying music video is seeking to raise money for the NHS. Then DJ O.P.1 drops into the virtual studio for a chat and plays us a special mini-mix...don't miss that!The final guests are Jonathan & Sian Goodwin from the Don't Go Into The Cellar, Theatre Company...who are currently undertaking performances online. They talk about how the lock-down has affected them, thoughts for the future and of course they answer the COVID-5 questions. NOTE: due to remote recording, the sound quality is understandably not to the normal quality standard. Apologies. Normal service will resume when this crisis over, promise!

In these times of lock-down, this episode of Talk of the Town focuses on local businesses. The guys chat to Alaric Neville, MD of Phipps NBC who outlines how the famous Northampton brewery is still keeping townsfolk quenched!  Michella Dos Santos from the Magic Bean Emporium talks about some exciting news for her business. There is also a social distanced interview at St Giles Cheese with owner Steve Ward, who are still open serving up tasty treats. Mr T leaves a surprise voicemail and there is the normal Lisa and Gareth banter! NOTE: due to remote recording, the sound quality is understandably not to the normal quality standard. Apologies. Normal service will resume when this crisis over, promise!

In a change to the normal direction of our podcasts; during the COVID-19 crisis, Lisa and Gareth will be releasing 'Talk of the Town' episodes focusing on the crisis closer to home and trying as much as is practical to focus on the positives. In this episodes the guys talk about coping under lock-down and the five things they miss the most.  They speak to Cllr Matt Golby Leader of Northants County Council and Cllr Jonathan Nunn, Leader of Northampton Borough Council about the local response to the virus crisis. They also speak to Graham Croucher and Sharon Mayes from St James who talk about the fantastic community response. Stay safe and please, please...Stay Home and Save Lives!NOTE: due to remote recording, the sound quality is understandably not to the normal quality standard. Apologies. Normal service will resume when this crisis over, promise!

‪To complete our trilogy of podcasts about Northampton’s music, in this episode Gareth & Lisa talk about fantastic local band Sarpa Salpa.  The guys chat with lead singer Marcus Marooth. They speak about the band, their awesome 'Say Something' EP and of course they hit Marcus with the famous Talk of the Town five questions..among other things! This episode contains an acoustic version of 'Say Something' and an exclusive first listen to an as yet unreleased Sarpa track 'Stick to what you know'.  Enjoy!

In this episode of Talk of the Town, Gareth & Lisa speak with Andy Crofts, a name that is central to the Northampton music scene. Through his younger days in the late 90's with Circa, through to The Hi-Drivers and The On-Offs to today where Andy is a member of the Paul Weller band and of course still a member of The Moons.The guys caught up with Andy during his solo tour, ahead of his gig at The Black Prince, which just proceeded the release of his Boogaloo Radio Sessions covers album. This episode contains musical interludes, why not we thought?  Listen to Andy cover Paul Weller's 'Wings of Speed' and John Lennon's 'Watching the Wheels'. There is also an EXCLUSIVE, you get to hear 'Sleep' which is a new and currently unreleased song by The Moons. Enjoy!

In this episode Gareth & Lisa look at Northampton’s music scene. The guys chat with Nathan Harris from Northampton’s Alternative Underground, who is organising the ‘shoelapalooza’ festival in August and Phil Moore from SBD Promotions & Editor-in-Chief at New Boots. This episode really lays out why the music scene in town is so cherished and why it needs further Talk of the Town focus...

In this episode of Talk of the Town, Gareth & Lisa talk again to local historian Mike Ingram on the rich and at times fascinating history of Northampton. Covering so many areas; going right back to the Bronze Age, to medieval times, our Castle, the Knights Templar being in town, Richard III's connection to Northampton, Northampton's link to the American Presidency and much much more.This episode only scratches the surface of the town's historical pedigree and is a subject the guys will certainly be re-visiting moving forward! 

In this episode of Talk of the Town; Lisa and Gareth focus on Abington Park. As part of famous five questions Abington Park is often the answer as being people’s favourite place in Northampton, so the guys thought they would look into the park a bit more. First up they speak with local historian Mike Ingram who focuses on the history of the park and including some horrible histories. Subjects covered are; the museum, the old Abington village, the mysterious mound, among other things.They also speak to Kay from the Friends of Abington Park aviary who talks about the transformation of the aviary and how community spirit played a part.

In this episode Lisa and Gareth look into the thriving Vintage scene in Northampton.First up the guys head down to Vintage Guru on St Giles Street and speak to the owner Julie Teckman about the shop and the traders within it.Then they are joined back in the studio by Gretchen Larkin and Vicky Stuart from Bohemian Finds, the vintage inspired clothes store which is based in Market Walk.Finally, Gareth & Lisa pay a visit to Vintage Retreat on Lower Harding Street...which is an Aladdin’s Cave for vintage things.

For this special Halloween episode Gareth and Lisa share some spooky local stories and discuss what scares them before heading to Northampton and County Club to meet local historian Enid Jarvis. Enid takes our hosts on a tour of the vaults beneath the building and talks them through rumours of hauntings and the presence of ghosts... thankfully friendly ones!Back in the studio Gareth and Lisa are joined by professional photographer Corinne Gretton-West who (quite literally) moonlights as a paranormal investigator and spirit photograph analyst. Corinne gives an insight into investigating reputedly haunted places, detailing how such investigations are carried out, whilst also explaining her transition from sceptic to believer. Listen out for a strangely scary answer to one of our five questions!Lisa then meets Council Sergeant, Roger Coleman at the County Hall to talk gruesome histories, including the hanging of witches and a fascinating story about courtroom judgements based on a 'devil's tongue'.Finally our hosts meet ghost walker in chief, James Smith, of The Looking Glass Theatre. James gives a comprehensive account of some of the town's most ghostly tales in a fitting finale to this Halloween 'spooktacular'.

In this episode Gareth and Lisa focus on the vast subject of community. First up, the guys pay a visit to local artist Amy Proud to discuss how positive action in the St. Edmunds Rd community escalated into her painting a giant mural on the side of a derelict building: a phoenix, to signify Northampton's future regeneration. Nice touch!The guys are joined in the studio by Father Oliver Coss, Rector of All Saints and Amarjit Singh Atwal, from the Northampton Sikh Community.  Oliver and Amarjit discuss, amongst other things, positivity, community spirit and beautiful buildings... both old and new!The usual five question menu is served to all our guests in an episode which really details the importance of community to the town.