Audio, Podcast, Radio
Whether it’s happy reminiscences, cautionary tales or capturing a bit of our culture before it’s lost listening to a narrative as it’s recited is the oldest for of storytelling.
Chris Tait is a unique writer, poet and storyteller from the Shetland Isles. Chris tells the story her journey from her island home to poetry and storytelling performances across Scotland and beyond, and of how Asperger’s Syndrome influences her life and her writing.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW.
Continue reading “Meet Chris Tait”
Whatever term we use to describe mental health issues; anxiety, depression, stress, low mood or lack of self esteem, remedies are available. There’s someone who can help.
This is the story of four compassionate and empathetic people working on Arran. They use a variety of techniques from talking therapies and counselling to art therapy and eco-therapy to help clients deal with their issues. One essential of their qualification is to have done the therapy themselves. Counselling helped me overcome some of my issues, which is why the subject piqued my interest.
I spoke to Andrew the farmer recently and it turns out he had a previous career as a qualified mental health nurse. Our conversation turned to the benefits of working outside and Jenny, his wife, spoke passionately about the benefits of community, exercise and good food. My own counsellor contributes and I talked with an art therapist, who helps people of school age and older. This episode takes a sympathetic look at these remedies.
A report says that eating local food, produce from within a radius of 12 miles, is twice as beneficial to the environment as eating organic produce from further afield. You’d be hard pushed to find a more tightly defined, “local” area than an island. You certainly don’t need a SatNav on Arran; in many cases once you’ve gone the 12 miles, you’re coming back again. There’s a growing network of producers and purveyors of local produce on Arran. What are the factors that contribute to their success?
PLAY THIS EPISODE NOW.
Circumstances have changed drastically for some of the contributors so I’m revisiting this episode. Please check back soon.
Back in the 1970s, 80s and 90s Corrie Capers was a week-long summer celebration of exuberant games, mischief, community spirit and committed partying. Corrie is one of Arran’s most picturesque villages and I’m fair chuffed to hear just how much is going on these days.
PLAY THIS EPISODE NOW.
My interview with Michael Russell MSP and a report from the Scottish Cabinet public meeting on Arran chaired by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
PLAY THIS EPISODE NOW.
Continue reading “Scottish Cabinet on Arran”
Much of the food and drink produced on Arran starts with fermentation – food that fizzes. The ones made to a commercial scale include beer and whisky, which are obvious enough. But there’s bread, cheeses, pickles, chocolate and then there’s a community of obsessed home-producers who love nothing better than their own kombucha, kefir and yoghurt, sauerkraut and kimchi.
PLAY THIS EPISODE NOW.
Continue reading “Fermentation: Food That Fizzes”