Stratford Calling

Hello Stratford!Sorry for the long delay. It's been a bit hectic here getting back into normal life and trying to juggle everything! Thanks for bearing with me.The plan now is to podcast every month and I also hope to do more face-to-face events and other things, now restrictions have eased. So, if you have any ideas, want to be involved or keep updated, email me at stratfordcalling@gmail.com or follow me on socials - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.This week I speak to Trevor Preston who created Changex - an alternative way of supporting people with their mental health. Trevor has his own mental health issues, but he doesn't let that get in the way of helping others...Also, if you want to get involved with the other groups I mention, please get in touch.Thanks for listening everyone. Speak again soon!EmmaStratford CallingShop local - Support local - Celebrate local

Hello Stratford!This week I speak to Caroline Creswell, local interior designer, declutter-er and space transformer. We talk about how she helps people declutter their space and her upcoming Christmas event at Midsummer Garden, where she and some friends will be demonstrating how to decorate your Christmas tree, this years trends and lots more Christmas tips! Tickets are limited so do book as soon as you can.If you want to come onto the podcast to promote your business or a local cause, do get in touch. You can contact me on stratfordcalling@gmail.com or message me on socials.I hope you are all keeping safe and well.Thanks for listening.EmmaShop Local - Support Local - Celebrate Local

Hello Stratford!Sorry for the lateness in podcasting! It's been a bit hectic here, what with one thing and another. But I am back with a new episode for you. Today I speak with Lawrence Prestidge - local author and old friend of the podcast now - about his new book "The Boy Who Lost His Smile". It's an autobiographical book about Lawrence's struggles with depression, alcoholism and suicidal thoughts, so a bit different from his children's literature! Lawrence talks to me about how he bit the bullet to write this book to try to help others who may be going through difficult times.If you have a story, business or cause you want to share with Stratford, please do get in touch. You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or email me at stratfordcalling@gmail.com.Thanks for listening (and for bearing with me!).Speak again soon.Shop Local - Support Local - Celebrate Local

Hello Stratford!I'm back! Again! Sorry for the delay but hoping now the holidays are over I can get back into the swing of interviewing some of the great people in Stratford to help you shop, support and celebrate local!This week I speak to Janet Palmer from Stratford Friends of the Earth about the Great Big Green Week and some the exciting events that are happening from 18th-26th Sept. If you want to appear on the podcast to talk about your business, charity or group, do get in touch. You can email me at stratfordcalling@gmail.com or contact me on socials.Thanks for listening. Speak again soon.

Hello Stratford!It's been a while hasn't it?! How have you been? Hope you're all ok and coping with everything!Sorry for the delay in getting another episode out to you. But I am finally back with lots of things to tell you!The podcast will be a bit different from now on, but find out more when you listen. I am still supporting local, so do get in touch with anything you want to tell the people of Stratford about. You can contact me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or email me at stratfordcalling@gmail.com.In this episode I speak to Emily Leadbetter, otherwise known as 'A Reluctant Ecowarrior'. She talks to me about why she's a reluctant ecowarrior and what her journey into the world of all things green has been like so far. Follow her page on instagram to find out more and share your own eco-friendly tips and advice - a_reluctant_ecowarrior.Emily and I have also joined a new group in Stratford to make our town plastic free. Find the group on Facebook (@plasticfreestratforduponavon) or email me to join and get involved!Thanks for listening everyone. Speak again soon.And don't forget...Shop local - Support local - Celebrate local!

Hello Stratford!Can you believe it has been one whole year since I launch Stratford Calling?! Thank you to everyone who has been part of this thing! It has been so fun to do and so great to meet such lovely and amazing people.In this short episode, I announce the winner and runner up of the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition - we had over 300 people listen and vote for their favourite and it was very close!I will be having a break for a bit while I get myself organised, but I will be back with more interviews, videos and competitions too!Thanks to you all for your support. Enjoy the sunshine! Speak again soon.Oh and don't forget...Shop local - Support local - Celebrate local!

Hello Stratford!Sorry for the delay in getting this episode out. It has been a manic week with the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition but so fun! I have loved hearing all the stories and also seeing which ones you have enjoyed! There is still time to listen and vote - you have until the end of Thursday 3rd June to hear them all and vote on the link. It's a close run thing, so every vote will make a difference!This week is a bumper episode with interviews with Jon Stiff, local artist who has used almost every part of his body as a canvas (!), Clare Thomas from Stratford Music Network and some of their young band members ( a couple of which provide the music for today's episode), and Melissa and co from The Courtyard Gallery at Stratford Garden Centre, about their new studio space and upcoming plans.It's a jam-packed episode to mark the end of Creative Stratford Month - I hope you've enjoyed the chats, videos and the competition. I will let you know who has won very soon, and also keep updated on socials for what's coming next, and on YouTube for the videos of some of today's interviews too!Thanks for listening and supporting. Speak again soon.EmmaShop local - Support local - Celebrate localp.s. Sorry Luca - I realised after I published that I misread your song title. Luca's song at the end of the episode is called 'Crappy Moments and Red Dresses'. Enjoy!

Hello Stratford!Here is the final instalment of the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition.Today we have a poem by Michelle Dale, entitled A Walk by the River, and a short story by Rachel Dealtry called Donna. These are the final 2 shortlisted entries in the competition, so afterwards I tell you the link where you can cast your vote for your favourite out of the 6 finalists. You have until next Thursday to vote and you can listen back to all the entries if you need to hear them again.Thanks again to everybody who entered, the judges, Hannah Young and you guys for listening.I hope you have enjoyed the series as much as I have.Enjoy!P.S. My next usual episode will be a bit later next week after the excitement of all this! So keep checking your podcast provider and socials to find out when it's out.

Hello Stratford!Day 2 of the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition! Today we have a piece of flash fiction written and read by Valerie Deacon entitled Coffee Mate, and a short story by Gabriella Szaszko called Jupiter Road, read by Hannah Young.I hope you are enjoying listening to these as much as I am! Stay tuned for the final instalment tomorrow, where you can find out how to vote.Enjoy!Emma

Hello Stratford!I am so excited to be bringing this special series of podcasts to you, for the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition.Over the next few days, the 6 shortlisted entries will be read out for you to enjoy, and on Thursday, you can find out how you can vote for your favourite. Today we have Bubbles of Fun, a poem written and read by Julie Taylor, and Almost There, a short story by Charli Pacaud, read by Hannah Young.So grab yourself a cuppa, sit back and enjoy.Emma

Hello Stratford!I have a literary week planned for you this week!Today I speak to Myles McLeod, one half of The Brothers McLeod, about their new book Knight Sir Louis and the Dragon of Dooooom! He also tells me about their plans for more books, events and TV shows!Then over the next few days, you will be able to hear the shortlisted entries in the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition. There are 6 finalists altogether, and you will be able to hear them all, and choose your favourite! And the winner and runner up will be announced later in the month. Come back tomorrow to find out more! I am so excited!!Do get in touch if there is anything you want to share with me. Email me at stratfordcalling@gmail.com or message me on socials. Keep updated there too, as well as on the Stratford Calling YouTube channel.Thanks for listening. Speak again tomorrow!EmmaShop local - Support local - Celebrate local

Hello Stratford!A bumper episode for you today! I speak to Second Thoughts Drama Group, The Music Cafe and Prestige Academy of Performing Arts. And thank you to everyone who has submitted an entry into the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition. All the entries are with the judges, who will send me their shortlist soon. Due to unforeseen circumstances, you will have to wait a little bit longer than planned to hear them, but keep updated on the podcast and social media, to find out when they will be read out. Happy listening everyone!EmmaShop local - Support local - Celebrate local

Hello Stratford!This week I speak to Rachel from Betty and Mabel, a creative whizz with a needle and thread, and Glenis from Avon Flow Art, a painter with some really mesmerising pieces. Podcasts aren't a great way to talk about visual art, so at some point this week, the interviews will also be available to view on the Stratford Calling YouTube channel, so you can see the ladies and their creations too. Bear with me though, as technology hasn't been friendly this last few weeks! I will keep you updated on socials.There is also still time to enter your poetry, flash fiction or short stories into the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing competition, to be in with a chance of winning £100 and a 3-month coffee subscription to Monsoon Estates Coffee Company. Email me at stratfordcalling@gmail.com for the rules and an entry form. The deadline is this Thursday (13th) at 5pm. Best of luck to everyone who's entering and thank you to those of you who have already sent in your entries. I am really looking forward to hearing them on the podcast next week.Hope you are all keeping well and warm this very dismal May!Happy listening!EmmaShop local - Support local - Celebrate local

Hello Stratford!This month I am launching Creative Stratford - a month of podcasts and videos highlighting and celebrating the wealth of creativity here in Stratford. This week I speak to the two judges of the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition - Chris Howard from Monsoon Estates Coffee Company and Sophie Clausen, local author and founder of ARC (Arts Rising Collective). These two lovely people have agreed to read the entries to the competition and create their shortlist which will be read on special episodes of the podcast later this month. Then you will have the chance to vote for your favourite!There is still time to enter too! Check out the Stratford Calling social media pages or email me at stratfordcalling@gmail.com to find out how. The deadline is Thursday 13th May at 5pm. Good luck!And here is the link to the survey Sophie mentions, to find out more about what you want from a creative hub in Stratford. It only take 5 minutes to answer and will help so much. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxUDV_a0CZnFceDabyLSYp52Pt0LW7iUpG9ZrbV4kGse-IVA/viewformThank you!Speak again soon.EmmaShop local - Support local - Celebrate local

Hello Stratford!This week I speak to the Reform UK candidate for Stratford South, James Crocker. He is the only Reform UK candidate in Stratford, so find out what his plans are if he were to be elected.This is the last of my candidate interviews - unfortunately I didn't get a response from the Green Party candidates, so couldn't put your questions to them. I hope these interviews have been helpful though, and whatever your political view point, please do take the time to vote on May 6th.Next month I am launching Creative Stratford, a series of podcasts and videos (technology permitting!) highlighting and celebrating the creative arts and the people behind them. I am also launching a new competition in partnership with Monsoon Estates Coffee Company. Listen to the end of the episode to find out more!Thanks for listening everybody. Speak again soon.EmmaShop local - Support local - Celebrate local

Hello Stratford!This week I speak to Samantha Scott, Labour candidate for Stratford North. Find out about her ambitious plans and ideas that she wants to put in place, if she were to be elected.The other Labour candidates for Stratford South and Stratford West were unavailable for interview. Hope you're all enjoying the lovely weather!Speak again soon.Happy listening!EmmaShop local - Support local - Celebrate local

Hello Stratford!Here is my interview with the Conservative candidates; Tim Sinclair for Stratford North and Marilyn Bates for Stratford South. The candidate for Stratford West was expecting a baby at the time of the interview, so we wish him all the best for his new arrival.Thanks for listening everybody. Speak again soonEmmaShop local - Support local - Celebrate local

Hello Stratford!After the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, political candidates are pausing their campaigns today. So the interview with the Conservative candidates will be released tomorrow.So today, I will share an interview with Hannah from the RSC and their new pop up in Bell Court. They are only around this week, so do pop along if you are feeling creative!Come back tomorrow for the next episode.Happy listening everyone!EmmaShop local - Support local - Celebrate local

Hello Stratford!I'm back! Sorry about the delay. Needed to rest a bit. But I'm back now and raring to go!This April, I am focusing on the local elections and my plan is to interview as many of the local candidates as possible. This week I start with the Liberal Democrats and speak to their candidates for Stratford North, Stratford South and Stratford West. Thank you to those listeners who sent in questions. I hope you like their responses!At the end of the episode I also ask for any locals who want to be part of a new group to help save our town centre. Listen to find out more, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can also keep updated on the Stratford Calling social media pages - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Thanks for bearing with me everyone. Hope you enjoy.Happy listening!EmmaShop local - Support local - Celebrate local

Hello Stratford!Young people have been severely effected by the pandemic over the last year, with uncertainty around school and exams, isolation and the increase in mental health issues all a big part of that.This week I teamed up with Rachel from Lifespace to focus on the young people in Stratford. She helped to bring together a number of people from different organisations who work with children and young people, to answer questions that many families might have about their children at the moment.We also worked with Stratford Youth Forum to help them design and create a week of support and advice for other young people, relevant not just to those in the area but also around the world.This is the last week of Stratford For Families, and I hope you have found it interesting and helpful. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved. Yet again I am overwhelmed by the amount of businesses and charities that are here for families and the brilliant services and products they have on offer.I will be taking a break over the next few weeks to recharge and plan the next episodes. I will keep you posted on socials - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter - and you can still keep in touch with me, as I do love to hear from you! Email me at stratfordcalling@gmail.com or send me a message, if you have anything you want to share on the podcast, whether that be a business, charity or story.Fingers crossed for good news later. Hope you're all staying safe and well and positive! Thanks for listening everyone.Speak again soon.Shop local - Support local - Celebrate local