Undercurrent Stories

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, St Olga’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Peterborough UK, has acted as a hub for donations.With its many volunteers it is managing to send 2 lorries a week to Ukraine to give medical and other desperately needed supplies to the Ukrainian people.We hear from Alla and Emma about the extraordinary and wonderful work that is going on at the Church and how it has brought the community together.The Ukrainian people are desperate for supplies and for any local listeners  we give details on the sorts of items needed and if you live further away how you can sponsor the project, or you may wish to donate or volunteer to a local initiative in your area.Links;Facebook #standwithukrainepeterborough                https://www.facebook.com/groups/649953096312493/?ref=shareJust Givinghttps://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/peterboroughstandwithukraine?utm_term=PexAgeJbqRestaurant supporting volunteershttps://pierogarnia.uk/ Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In today’s show I’m joined by James Albon. James is an award winning  British illustrator and author of graphic novels. He studied illustration at Edinburgh College of Art and went on to a postgraduate scholarship at the Royal Drawing School in London. He was awarded the Gwen May award from the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers in 2012 and was a finalist in the Observer/Cape/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize in 2017 for his comic Madame et Me.James’ illustration clients include The Folio Society, The Guardian, and The Wall Street Journal. He has just brought out his latest graphic novel, The Delicacy.'The Delicacy' by James Albon available to buy at your local bookstore, Waterstones or Amazon.Link to Yuko Shimizu discussed in conversation website is  https://yukoart.com/ James's links:https://www.jamesalbon.com/https://www.instagram.com/jamesalbon.illustration/Want to be a guest? Contact:  bob@undercurrentstories.comQuestion or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Today's show features Colin Crabbe. Colin is a  former Formula 1 Team owner, a racing driver and an eminent restorer and dealer of historic classic racing cars. In his book, ‘The Thrill of the Chase’, Colin takes us on an exciting  journey right through from his childhood, then as a Captain in the Scots Guards, his motor racing career and a life tracking down classic racing cars throughout the world.It was an honour to meet with Colin, a true gentleman,  and to be invited to his home. Such was the length of the interview we plan to put a further episode out shortly!Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

*'Over the course of the past two decades beer as we know it has changed forever. Taking their cues from the craft beer revolution in the US and the resurrection of traditional styles in continental Europe, the brewers of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have carved out a unique and world leading beer culture'* (Excerpt from *Modern British Beer).In today’s show I am joined by Matthew Curtis - Matthew is an award-winning writer, photographer and author based in Manchester, England. His work has been published in BEER, Ferment and Good Beer Hunting. Originally from Lincolnshire, he spent 15 years in London, where he discovered his enthusiasm for all things beer. In 2019 he launched his own magazine Pellicle, with long-time friend and brewer, Jonny Hamilton. He is the author of An Opinionated Guide to London Pubs and has just brought out his latest book, *Modern British Beer. Matthews links;Book, Modern British Beer: https://shop1.camra.org.uk/modern-british-beerPublication, Pellicle: https://www.pelliclemag.com/Twitter : https://twitter.com/totalcurtisInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/totalcurtis/?hl=enQuestion or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In today’s show we talk to a man who looks after bees on the roofs of skyscrapers in New York City. His name is Andrew Cote and he is  a fourth generation beekeeper, president of the New York Beekeepers Association and has his own honey business, Andrew’s Honey. He is author of ‘Honey and Venom: Confessions of an Urban Beekeeper’ and with his organisation, Bees Without Borders, he travels annually to countries such as Uganda, Ecuador and Iraq, where he teaches beekeepers how to increase their honey yield and income via beekeeping endeavours.Andrew’s Links;https://www.instagram.com/andrewshoney/https://www.andrewshoney.com/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057834031877Undercurrent Stories links:https://www.undercurrentstories.com/https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/https://twitter.com/UndercurrentSt1Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

With Guy Fawkes night on the 5th November another chance to hear this fascinating episode which was originally released in November 2020. This is a repeat.In the UK when we think of Bonfire Night on 5th November, we tend to just think of Guy Fawkes however, my guest today explains how Guy Fawkes was just one of a group of conspirators led by Robert Catesby, the mastermind behind the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. My guest is historian, Bill Cunningham and in this episode we talk about the circumstances that inspired and led up to the plot, the characters behind it and how it was eventually foiled. Please be aware that there are some graphic descriptions of torture in this episode.This is the traditional rhyme that many people learned at school in the UK about Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night or Firework Night;Remember, remember the Fifth of November,The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,I know of no reasonWhy the Gunpowder TreasonShould ever be forgot.Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intentTo blow up the King and Parli’ment.Three-score barrels of powder belowTo prove old England’s overthrow;By God’s providence he was catch’dWith a dark lantern and burning match.Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!"Bill's Instagram page  https://www.instagram.com/williamdavidcunningham/Stamford Mayors Guides https://www.thestamfordtownguidedtours.co.uk/Check outhttp://www.undercurrentstories.com/https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstories/Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In today's show we welcome back James Horton, author of the Blue Swords Crimes and Crests Saga series of books. James has just published Blue Swords, Broken Oath the sequel to his first novel. The book is set in the fictional town of Stanford in medieval times and contains themes such as murder, corruption and romance.In this inspirational episode  we hear how James's career as a police officer and his love of historic fiction inspired him to take up writing after suffering a stroke at the age of twenty-seven.James talks about the support that he has received from the Stroke Association and how other stroke survivors have contacted him  since publishing his first book.All profits  from the books are going to the Stroke Association charity.James's links;https://www.facebook.com/crimesandcrestsbooks/The Stroke Associationhttps://www.stroke.org.uk/Blue Swords by James HortonAmazon UK  https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09BBHYNWBAmazon US https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Swords-Broken-Crimes-Crests-ebook/dp/B09BBHYNWBQuestion or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Today's show features multi- talented designer, sculptor, teacher and author, Raef Baldwin.Working  in several media, producing garden objects, and sculpture, as well as decorative pieces and furniture for the home. His work has been  described  as consistently playful and inventive  and pieces include weathervanes, fountains, wall mirrors, birdtables, chairs, cupboards, ceramics and opulently painted screens that often have a surreal left-of-field character. He has authored several books. The Blue Bike is the first book in The Adventures of the Blue Giraffe illustrated series, written for ADHD* and ASD* children and parents.*(ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder & ASD is Autistic Spectrum Disorder)In our conversation we discuss;*Raef's work in design, sculpture, art, writing and teaching*How 'doing' is the best way to learn your craft*How the Blue Giraffe stories were inspired by Raef's son who received an autism diagnosis on his fourth birthday*How the book is giving both parents and  carers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD*) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD*): hope, smiles, ideas and most importantly, optimism for the future.Raef’s links:https://www.raefbaldwin.com/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Bike-Giraffe-Adventure-ebook/dp/B0924V4K1W Undercurrent Stories links:https://www.undercurrentstories.com/https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/https://twitter.com/UndercurrentSt1Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

My guest today has spent his life exposing the abuse of human rights in conflict zones throughout the world. From Yemen to Iraq, from Afghanistan to Syria with his multi award winning film company, Clover Films, Jamie Doran has investigated the facts and uncovered the truth on what’s really going on behind the mainstream media headlines.I was fortunate to catch up with Jamie shortly after his return from Afghanistan in May. Although we focus much of our conversation on Afghanistan, Jamie also talks about his life as an investigative film producer.Clover Films is recognised as a leading documentary production house, with over thirty prestigious awards won in the last decade alone. Its films and series, covering history, conflict, social injustice, human rights and the politics of sport, have been shown on over 50 channels across the globe. Their work has been honoured on two occasions by the United Nations for exposing the plight of exploited children in the Developing World, where laws have been changed to increase their protection as a result.In our conversation we discuss;Jamie’s early career at the BBC working on current affairs including ‘Nationwide.’Living in Moscow and meeting Alexder Feklisov, the man famous for helping avert nuclear war during the Cuban Missile CrisisBrief history of Afghanistan and its peopleWhy the US and NATO went into Afghanistan in 2001How the current troop withdrawal has left the country in turmoil and disarrayGoing into Taliban territory and meeting the Taliban during the making of his latest film The exit from Afghanistan and how the country is poised on the edge of civil warHow the Chinese are moving financial power into the country in their search for mineralsJamie’s links:https://clover-films.com/https://twitter.com/CloverFilmsUK/media Undercurrent Stories links:https://www.undercurrentstories.com/https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/https://twitter.com/UndercurrentSt1Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In today’s show I am joined by Darren Gregory. Darren is an amateur brewer with his own electric brewery named Red Barron Brewery.In this episode Darren and I talk about our shared interest for brewing beer, swap tips and generally enthuse about our hobby. Cheers!The conversation features;Learning how to brewMethods of brewingThe amateur brewing communityWater, Malt, Hops and YeastProcessDarren's link;https://redbarronbrewery.wordpress.com/Brewing Resources mentioned in the episode;https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/https://www.brewuk.co.uk/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Brew-Beer-Master-BrewingUndercurrent Stories links:https://www.undercurrentstories.com/https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/https://twitter.com/UndercurrentSt1Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com