Meet the Locals

Jo Reynolds talks to Local casting agent Priscilla John. How long have you lived in the area? Since February 1987. I’d just bought a house in Cardross Street. Do you want to know what I paid for it? £103,000. That was a huge amount of money then. And it needed…

Annie Pennington tells Jo Reynolds about her rescue cat Robbie. Were you born in the area? No, I was born in Germany. My father was in the Control Commission, which governed Germany after the war (WW2). Is he German? No, he was English and based there. I was there maybe…

Having been a puppy star, Treacle already considers himself a well known television personality. He appeared on The Paul O’Grady Show at 12-weeks-old, co-starring with Pink. Treacle’s natural charisma threw the pop star into the shade. Despite his success, Treacle retired from show business after his appearance in the show’s…

Eminent local historian Oliver Cyriax reveals why there is little chance of the Museum reopening soon. Brackenbury Museum in its 1960s heyday It’s not every day that she comes to Brackenbury. This was a mercy-mission, from the goodness of her heart. She gives a private wave and I nod imperceptibly…

TV presenter slash reporter Jonny Maitland tells Jo Reynolds why he can’t stop taking the p***. How long have you lived in the area? Since 2002, but my connection to the area goes back much further. I’ve worked at the BBC since 1995. My father grew up in Acton so…

Antonia Pugh-Thomas tells Jo Reynolds that pigs are easier than kids. How long have you lived in the area? Since the 12th of September, 2011. When we moved into the house we didn’t have any running water or electricity but the pig area was beautiful. How long have you kept…

Tim Dunn tells Jo Reynolds that he wears two hats in the BBC but would doff his cap to the Queen and armed guerillas. Did you study history at Oxford in order to make historical programmes for the BBC? There was no master plan. I got into Oxford, I felt,…

Will actor manager Denise Silvey tell all about getting the elbow from ‘The Archers’? Will she keep the cat in the bag about ‘The Mousetrap’? Jo Reynolds keeps his ear to the ground. How long have you lived in the area? Since 2007. We’ve been in this house since 2008….

The Brackenbury Hound returns to the village and visits his favourite butcher John Stenton – cartoon by local artist Paul Donnellon. What is this story about? Read about John Stenton local butcher

Eminent historian Oliver Cyriax cracks open Brackenbury Museum’s archive and breaks into song with Diana Dors. This futuristic piece from the 1950s had a glittering first night at the Tabard. My old friend Kathryn (Bigelow) agrees it has promise. Backers for a revival, anyone? Act 1: the villagers gather outside…