Memories of Kington Langley

In this episode, we meet Dr Louise Ryland-Epton, one of the historians writing a new history of Kington Langley for the Victoria County History project. In a wide-ranging chat delving right back to the Anglo-Saxon age, we find out about Louise's work and what she and her colleagues have learned about the village during their intensive research. You can read and comment on the draft history by clicking here. As always, readings are by Alexandra Beeby, words and music are by me, Adrian Beeby.

In today's world, David Sealy is a rare thing -- a man born into a way of life: farming. For over 60 years, he's reared cattle in the pastures just north of Kington Langley. In that time, he's seen many changes to both agriculture and the village. So, in this episode, we look back with David Sealy on a life spent working in the Wiltshire landscape. Readings are by Alexandra Beeby, words and music are by me, Adrian Beeby.

Tucked away on a back road close to the M4 motorway is Chippenham Pit Stop. You may have driven past it; you may even have visited it.  But how much do you know about what actually goes on there? In this episode, we spend a full day -- from dawn till dusk -- behind the scenes at one of the UK's favourite truck stops. Words and music are by me, Adrian Beeby.

In this eleventh episode, we'll tell you a strange tale told by a village resident to her children 100 years ago -- and the even darker true story behind it. It's the near-forgotten story of John and Fanny Pearce and a shocking death that made headlines across Victorian Britain. Readings are by Alexandra Beeby, words and music are by me, Adrian Beeby.

In this tenth episode, we explore the story of the pub at the heart of Kington Langley, the Hit or Miss, and speak to its former landlady Barbara Jefferies about running the pub between 1958 and 1987. Thanks to Barbara and her family for their help with this episode. Readings are by Alexandra Beeby, words and music are by me, Adrian Beeby.

In this ninth episode, we'll explore the remarkable life of the man who saved one of Kington Langley's most prestigious properties from ruin. In the early 1900s, Charles Garnett poured a small fortune into rebuilding Greathouse, but his days in his new home were already numbered. Who was Charles Garnett? And where did his wealth come from? Readings are by Alexandra Beeby, words and music are by me, Adrian Beeby.

In this eighth episode, we remember the lives of arguably Kington Langley's most famous inhabitants: the artist-writer duo of Robin and Heather Tanner. Through their writings and voices, we hear about their love of the Wiltshire countryside and their desire to preserve the country's pastoral heritage. Many thanks to the BBC for allowing me to use extracts from its 1982 documentary on the Tanners. Readings are by Alexandra Beeby, words and music are by me, Adrian Beeby.

In this seventh episode, I talk to amateur historian Tim Couzens about a notebook he found in the local history archives -- a notebook that tells the story of Kington Langley's former village shop and the people who ran it. In addition to tales of daily life 40-50 years ago, the notebook also captures the memories of the residents of those days.  Many thanks to Tim Couzens for his time. Readings are by Alexandra Beeby, words and music are by me, Adrian Beeby.

In this sixth episode, we tell the story of Eli Holder, the last resident of Kington Langley's medieval manor, and the tragedy that befell his family. We also set out to solve the puzzle of what happened afterwards -- and a question about a grave. Many thanks to Joanna White for reference material and to my daughter Alexandra for the readings. Music and script are by me, Adrian Beeby. 

In this fifth episode, I chat with Julie Davis, County Local Studies Librarian. Julie's based at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in Chippenham. We talk about Julie's job, the contents of the local history archive and Julie answers some listeners' questions about Kington Langley's history. Many thanks to Joanna White for reference material and to my daughter Alexandra for the readings. Music is composed by me, Adrian Beeby.