Whistlestop Talks...
From the comfort of your own home, tune in as we take you on an audio tour of the Sussex countryside.
We'll explore the countryside and places of cultural interest, hearing from a range of interesting guests along the way. Each episode will be accompanied by a craft activity relating to the places we visit.
You can listen online or on a USB stick (using a Sonic 2 device or similar). If you do not have access to either, contact us and we will help you find alternative ways to take part.
Listen to us explain more about what Whistlestop Talks is all about by clicking on the play button below. (Audio approx. 12 minutes long.)
Please contact us to register your interest - we would love to hear from you!
Whistlestop Talks is supported by Horsham District Council and the Sussex Community Foundation. Their funding has enabled us to create the series and deliver all of the resources, that accompany each episode, directly to 15 individuals who have been impacted by the ongoing effects of Covid-19.
eps 1 | Horsham Museum
In this episode we visit Horsham Museum and talk to curator and museum manager Jeremy Knight.
Join us on our audio tour as we discover the many varied items on display within the 600 year old building and talk to Jeremy about it's long and interesting history. We also ask him all about his new book 'Causeway House: A Biography of a Horsham landmark' which celebrates the building and tells the story of its many inhabitants and how it came to be the museum we are familiar with today.
You can listen below by clicking the play button or click 'Download Single' button to download the MP3 track to listen to it offline.
Craft Activity
This episode's craft activity is inspired by the many curiosities that we discovered on our visit - a Memory Box. It is perfect for holding all your precious keepsakes in!
Download the How-To Guide HERE which gives you simple step by step instructions of how to make the craft.
You can also watch the How-to Video here >>>
eps 2 | Woods Mill
In this episode we visit Woods Mill Nature Reserve in Henfield and talk to James Duncan who is the Communities & Wildlife Officer at Sussex Wildlife Trust.
We loved our visit to Woods Mill and learned so much that we have split this episode into two parts! Join us as we wander around the nature reserve taking in the sights and sounds... and meeting a few characters along the way. We then meet up with James to talk about all the lovely community projects that Sussex Wildlife Trust are involved in, aimed at engaging us all with the natural world that lies just outside our front door!
You can listen below by clicking the play button or click 'Download Single' button to download the MP3 track to listen to it offline.
Craft Activity
This episode's craft activity is inspired by our wonderful encounter with a little robin, while we were walking around the lake. This paper bird hanging is perfect for hanging in the window, or make a few and turn them into a magnificent mobile!
Download the How-To Guide HERE which gives you simple step by step instructions of how to make the craft.
We also have an craft activity is inspired by our walk around the Nature Reserve. This postcard is the perfect way to capture the memories of the day and take home a slice of the countryside!
Download the How-To Guide HERE which gives you simple step by step instructions of how to make the craft.
You can also watch the How-to Video here >>>
eps 3 | Rudgwick Heritage Trail
click on the bauble to download Luna's Soup recipe!
Join us for a very special festive episode of Whistlestop Talks. We follow the 'Rudgwick: A High Point in the Low Weald' trail which was created by the Rudgwick Preservation Society.
In this episode, we take a self-guided tour of this beautiful village and learn all about its history, which is bought to life through the words written by Roger Nash and his team of volunteers at the Rudgwick Preservation Society.
This trail is just 1 of 21 new Heritage Trails which form the Horsham District Heritage Trails project, jointly created by Horsham Museum and Horsham District Community Partnerships Forum, and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
We are accompanied on our walk by the sounds of the Speakeasy Revival Orchestra, adding some festive cheer to our rural adventure.
You can listen by clicking the play button below or click the 'Download Single' button to download the MP3 track to listen to it offline.
Warning! You may hear the sound of gunshots in the background throughout the recording - don't be alarmed, we are in the countryside in this episode so there was a bit of game shooting happening nearby!
Craft Activity
This episode's craft activity is inspired by the many beautifully decorated trees we saw on our walk, as well the woodlands we wandered through. We hope that you enjoy making this Light Up Tree, a perfect little decoration to add to your home!
Download the How-To Guide HERE which gives you simple step by step instructions of how to make the craft.
You can also watch the How-to Video here >>>
eps 4 | Petworth
click on the button to download Luna's Soup recipe!
Today we explore the beautiful grounds of Petworth Deer Park in Petworth. The 700 acre site is looked after by the National Trust and boasts stunning views of the rolling hills of the South Downs and Black Down.
In this episode, we follow a 3 mile walk designed by the National Trust called 'A walk through the Park at Petworth, inspired by Capability Brown'. There are four walks to choose from, which all range in length and difficulty.
Join us as we go in search for the 700 fallow deer that call Petworth Park their home and wander past the main features beautifully designed by Capability Brown, sharing some interesting facts along the way!
You can listen by clicking the play button below or click the 'Download Single' button to download the MP3 track to listen to it offline.
Craft Activity
This episode's craft activity is inspired by stunning view of the sunrise which filled the sky with vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, blues and deep purples. A deer also stands proudly at the front of our Sunrise Picture representing just one of the 700 that live at Petworth Park.
Download the How-To Guide HERE which gives you simple step by step instructions of how to make the craft.
You can also watch the How-to Video here >>>
eps 5 | Shere at Christmas
Join us for another festive episode of Whistlestop Talks. We follow one of the Tillingbourne Trails that takes us to the stunning Surrey Hills as we explore the area in and around Shere village.
The trail is part of a series created as a heritage lottery project that you can read all about on the Tillingbourne Tales website. Rich with history, the River Tillingbourne has many stories connected to the industry that operated along it and the people who lived and worked in the area.
This trail is one of six created as part of the Tillingbourne Tales project. The others cover other areas along the 11 mile stretch of the river, and you can download them from the Surrey Hills website.
As with our seasonal walk to Rudgwick, the Speakeasy Revival Orchestra, join us again and bring a touch of sophistication as they play their festive tunes in between Annalees and Luna's ramblings!
Listen at any time of the year, but we think this talk is paired best with a warm mince pie and some brandy butter or other favourite festive treat, yum!
Seasons Greetings to you all.
You can listen by clicking the play button below or click the 'Download Single' button to download the MP3 track to listen to it offline.
*Music featured in this video is performed by the Speakeasy Revival Orchestra
eps 6 | Holiday Memories
Edie
Welcome to our Holiday Memories podcast where you join the Whistlestop Arts team as we speak to Edie, Eileen, Jeanette, Jill, Julia and Sheila. Hear about their holiday memories from when they were small or with their children and even their adult adventures; It's just like listening to a series of audio postcards.
We hope you enjoy listening to this edition; perhaps it'll invoke some of your holiday memories too.
You can listen by clicking the play button below or click the 'Download Single' button to download the MP3 track to listen to it offline.
Sheila
Jill
Julia
Eileen
