The Memorabilia Box Podcast: Recent Episodes
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Amble down memory lane with Vernon Harwood's guest , chosen from different walks of life, as he lifts the lid on their memorabilia box and discovers the manner of meaningful possessions hidden inside. The stories that lie behind each curated, personal treasure are a catalyst for reflective, genial conversation. Listen to authentic tales about what and whom really matters, connected by a handful of eclectic landmarks from their life. From the 15th September you can view the objects and other photos from each episode at https://www.perstellas.co.uk
Instagram: @per_stellas
Facebook: @perstellas
12 episodes in total, released every Monday from the 14th of September
The Zoologist
Natural history expert and broadcaster, Dr George McGavin, has a forensic approach to dissecting his life and the objects that have passed through his hands from all around the world. He starts with a classic Scottish item - his boyhood sporran that he wore over his kilt for Sunday best whilst being utterly bored in church. This is not someone who wishes to be contained or follow convention, as you hear throughout his podcast. His delight in his own death planning is a perfect example of that individuality.
He has spent his life articulating and sharing his passion and fascination for the natural word. In spite of being a conversationalist, somewhat surprisingly he explains that words did not always come easily to him.
For all his scientific pragmatism he is an old romantic when he talks about his wife. Listen to discover how he clinched their marital deal and why that is represented by an old silver teaspoon.
This is a memorabilia box full of life and joy and curiosity – and a smattering of mimicry as George recalls funny tales from his life.
Useful links
https://www.zoo.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-george-mcgavin
George McGavin (@georgecmcgavin) · Twitter
https://twitter.com/georgecmcgavin
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000696j
https://melanomafocus.com
https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/covidrecovery
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahakala
some of his documentaries:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06fq03t
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08g4rpf
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01mv2rj
https://edencms.uktv.co.uk/shows/expedition-borneo/
Who or what inspires a young girl growing up in social housing in London in the 1980s? Grace Jones, of course! Children's author Jasmine Richards still thinks her icon's star is just as outrageously bright today, which is why the 1985 album Island Life is one of Jasmine's keepsakes. Losing herself amongst the pages of books, Jasmine read her way through childhood, bucked the stats and got to where she never dreamt was possible. Being a published author isn't enough, she's now busy changing the literary landscape for children and other authors. That once bookish girl recounts her own chapters as she opens up her memorabilia box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxslhFjgano&feature=youtu.be interview with Oxford University
Black History Month top 100 [find Jasmine at number 93]
https://medium.com/oxford-university/the-oxford-bhm-100-7af54c5b2764
https://vimeo.com/29614663 Animation about Jasmine and the importance of libraries
https://www.thebookseller.com/rising-stars/2020 Bookseller rising star 2020
Author website www.jasminerichards.com
Jasmine's creative social enterprise: www.storymix.co.uk
Twitter jrichardsauthor
Instagram writeonauthor
@storymixstudio
https://www.philip-pullman.com
https://www.hayfestival.com/home
https://oxfordliteraryfestival.org
https://www.gracejones.com
https://www.walker.co.uk/contributors/Jill-Murphy-1566.aspx
https://www.lmh.ox.ac.uk
https://www.booktrust.org.uk
https://scenicregional.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Mirrors-Windows-and-Sliding-Glass-Doors.pdf
https://ehe.osu.edu/news/listing/rudine-sims-bishop-diverse-childrens-books/
The Performance Artist
Carran is all about family in this episode. Childhood diaries, secret boxes, hidden pasts, extended family, the unspoken sorrows and devastation, and memories of a father who described himself as a “handsome bugger”.
Carran has curated her own box of memorabilia for years before this podcast; expressing her past, especially childhood, through writing plays and performing on stage.
Having a cup of tea is an English institution; Carran's memories where the not so posh and the posh in her family met and shared a cuppa, served from the posh china tea set, are wonderful.
The story of her "Nana in Hospital" is one of hardship and mental ill health that lead Carran to uncover her Mum's subsequent adoption papers...one of many family stories she shares.
and ...as for the false teeth ...you'll have to listen to the very end to know what laughs she gets from those.
You can view all of Carran's treasures and read more of her stories on our website www.perstellas.co.uk. or view even more of her photo collection on our social media instagram @per_stellas and Facebook @perstellas
If you would like your own family memories to be recorded as a podcast, per stellas uses professional broadcasters to produce a bespoke episode that can then be listened to and shared on a private platform with up to 100 friends and family.
other useful links for Carran's episode:
https://carranwaterfield.co.uk
https://triangletheatre.carranwaterfield.co.uk
https://www.belgrade.co.uk
https://www.visitcoventry.co.uk
https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org
https://www.coventrysociety.org.uk/coventry-neighbourhoods/bell-green.html
https://www.countyasylums.co.uk/st-audrys-hospital-woodbridge/
https://ninaandfrederick.carranwaterfield.co.uk
https://twitter.com/littlebluemannw
https://www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/collections/st-audrys-hospital-melton-id407/
https://royal-naval-association.co.uk
https://rtalbot9.wixsite.com/ludicresearch/about to find out more about the clown Kurt Zarnico and the seriously funny work he undertakes
https://www.salford.ac.uk/our-staff/richard-talbot
Being the custodian of a sizeable family Scottish country estate is hard work. Angus Gordon Lennox is busy breathing new life into his family's estate and it's no small task. He and his wife are carving out a new future for their clan and their community in North East Scotland, alongside local traditions.
Angus' memorabilia box takes us back to memories of a formidable but kind grandfather; as a child eating raspberries from the overgrown walled garden which they have now transformed; to salmon fishing on the famous River Spey; then to stories of spies and KGB sympathisers in Berlin during the Cold War; and by no means least, the love of his children.
You can see the photos of his boxed collections at https://www.perstellas.co.uk/the-memorabilia-box-podcast/ and on facebook @perstellas or instagram @per_stellas
you can also commission per stellas to create your own private podcast programme along this format or other ideas, either by yourself or with a family group.
other useful links:
https://www.gordoncastle.co.uk/
https://www.gordoncastle.co.uk/our-story/history/
https://www.gordoncastle.co.uk/fish/fishing-gallery/
https://www.visitscotland.com/
https://www.speyfisheryboard.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fochabers/
https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/grenadier-guards/
Jon - ever generous - shares a treasure trove of his favourite items with us. Some of his items didn't even make the cut: the telescope and camera he uses for all his outdoor photography, his logbook of British Isles bird watching, and hundreds of model aeroplanes, because other memorabilia were more important!
Teacher, naturalist, geographer, photographer, Londoner, his father's son; he shares all of those aspects of himself with his carefully curated box of memorabilia. If anyone remembers owning Britains zoological model toys then you'll enjoy the nostalgia of Jon's bath time toys. Subscribe and listen as Jon's box of delights takes him back.
To see more photographs from this episode please log on to www.perstellas.co.uk or view it on instagram @per_stellas or Facebook @perstellas
You can follow Jon and his natural world photography @theearlybirder on instagram
other useful links
https://www.zsl.org/london
https://www.stpauls.co.uk
http://britainsfarmtoys.co.uk
http://www.antiques-info.co.uk/new/pdf/May12/2.pdf
https://www.visiteastbourne.com
https://www.gosh.org
https://ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Boxer, advocate, student, refugee, Muslim, and survivor. Shabir is a born fighter. Out of the ring it's hard not to admire his humility. On the flip side Shabir has an unshakeable self belief in his ability to make it as a professional boxer. Quiet, gentlemanly, smart, utterly focused and determined to achieve and make the most of life. He's undoubtedly been shaped by early teenage years, fraught with human tragedy as he survived a journey on his own from Afghanistan to England at just twelve years old. His box of meaningful personal history is a reminder of what really matters in life.
log on to www.perstellas.co.uk to view Shabir's chosen items in his box of memorabilia or our Facebook page @perstellas or instagram @per_stellas
Other useful links:
www.garas.org.uk
www.fightfactoryboxing.co.uk
https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/
https://www.englandboxing.org/
Daredevil, adventurer, guide, climber, expedition leader, survivalist - accurate descriptions for one man's job and passion in earth's extreme climates.
Steve Jones wears his responsibilities lightly and with a preternatural calm. Maybe that phlegmatic approach to life is how he survives in the face of danger. This longer episode is a reflection of his endless box of personal objects and stories as he takes us on journeys from a childhood in Guernsey, to the aftermath of bomb, alpine climbing - and falling - , crossing continents and from pole to pole.
His items are riveting - all connected to seeking the next big thrill.
If you want to see his object photos check out his episode page on www.perstellas.co.uk under The Memorabilia Box or look at even more of his personal photos on instagram @per_stellas or Facebook @perstellas. You can also find out more about Steve's exploits and motivational speaking on his website www.stevejones.world
Madi's objets d'art are a fitting description for her life of interest in the arts, as well as representing her memories and her chosen items.
A bronze sculpture, a random oddity linked to playbills for the stage, and a book that classifies art - an eclectic collection littered with stories. What was going on behind that quizzical look in her kindergarten picture in Japan? Her photo depicts a small face with an intense stare in a sea of classmates.
Madi describes being shipped across continents as a child and never quite knowing where she belonged or what category she fitted in to. This is in contrast to Madi's adult knowledge as a taxonomist where she categorises international art - one of many strings to her bow. Talking of strings and music, she also introduces her beloved musical instrument.
Log on to www.perstellas.co.uk if you want to view what is in Madi's box of memorabilia.
Other links
www.dotsmusiccamden.co.uk
www.thehandlers.tv
Professor Smith is used to teaching ancient history but for this episode it is his own modern history, growing up in Dublin then travelling to the United States as a young man, which captures the imagination.
His leather jacket is a time portal taking him back to a time of youthful idealism. A dinky car toy is brought out of his memorabilia box as he shares how he saw Ireland through a child's eyes. What does a miniature set of Russian doll type tools have to do with his mother? Why is a newspaper article framed on his wall? Why has taken to rowing, like a duck to water, in his more mature years?
Find out about a man who says he looks forwards , not backwards, and yet who discovered a more reflective side through his box of chosen items.
View the photos of Brendan's objects on our website www.perstellas.co.uk and find out a little bit more behind his stories.
Celia’s eclectic mix of memorabilia reflect her busy family life and as a paper conservator for Oxford University. Her box is overflowing with items which reflect her skilled hands; from the tools of her trade, handmade Advent bags, a cook book bound with vellum to an old paintbox.
For someone whose vocation is to handle and preserve ancient items with great care, Celia doesn't apply that rule to her own life. She isn't careless with her chosen items but, ever the pragmatist, she is a great believer that things we own should be used, even when they hold important memories and are never to be casually discarded.
Celia's wonderful collection of items can be viewed and enjoyed at www.perstellas.co.uk and on instagram @per_stellas
useful links:
www.chantrylibrary.org
www.williamcowley.co.uk
www.seat61.com/Trans-Siberian.htm
www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35569281
Diane’s history is entwined with the rural locality where she grew up. She selects a few of her favourite objects to take the listener on a journey back through time in the Cotswolds. Diane is a true curator, both of her life and also of an old miniature museum in Filkins, Oxfordshire.
Diane's , memories and knowledge bring those often forgotten times back to life when money was scarce and country jobs were hard yet where values and community bound families and fortunes together.
Listen to her gentle stories about a silk wedding dress dating back to 1899 to a precious custard jug that no-one else would ever notice.
Go to www.perstellas.co.uk on The Memorabilia Box Podcast page to read more about those village characters and enjoy the photos of Diane’s memorabilia collection.
With thanks to the Swinford Museum https://filkins.org.uk/village-facilities/swinford-museum/ for sharing their photos with per stellas. View Diane's personal photos @per_stellas on Instagram.
Other useful links:
www.filkins.org.uk
What connects Sir John to a rare Spitfire aircraft, an old clock, a gold coin and more? We talk to retired RAF Officer Sir John Allison, KCB, CBE about his five most meaningful memorabilia and what matters to him in life as he enters his ‘final glide’.
Listen to the story of an old soldier's spoon and how, more than a century later, it represents everything fundamental to Sir John's happy family life.
· View the photos and read more about Sir John's chosen keepsakes at www.perstellas.co.uk
· Go to the photographs page on the website and you can read all our extensive research (which took us all the way to the archivists in New Zealand at Wellington City Council) about the story behind the story of the lucky owner of that silver spoon from 1918.
· On the films page view our short form portrait story about Sir John, his lifelong fascination with aviation and a particular vintage aircraft that he has a soft spot for.
· check out some of Sir John's private collection of photographs on our instagram page @per_stellas
other useful links:
www.radarmuseum.co.uk
www.shuttleworth.org/the-collection/
www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/battle-of-britain-memorial-flight/
www.facebook.com/WCCArchives
www.atlasobscura.com/places/ss-maheno
www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/flanders/hill-60/
www.austerclub.org
www.armyflying.com
People's past and their present told through their memorabilia: collections of oddities and treasures, personal tokens and possessions that are held on to, no matter what. It’s surprising how much you learn about people from their carefully selected objects; the extraordinary and the ordinary all have a tale to be told, bound up with their owner. Half an hour (ish) episodes, hosted by Vernon Harwood, coming very soon. Subscribe here for the first series of twelve episodes, released every Monday. From the 15th September you can delve into each published episode on the per stellas website and pore over the accompanying photos at : www.perstellas.co.uk/thememorabiliaboxpodcast