Bending Spoons to Bananas
Rambling Retro Nonsense
This week, Hayley, Duncan and Tommy take a wonderfully weird wander through the world of bending spoons, double glazing, draughty windows, and banana-related childhood trauma. From Uri Geller’s “psychic” tricks to 80s wallpaper paste ads and Christmas cigar jingles, the gang ramble their way through memories of adverts, awkward dances, dodgy dinners and the strange magic of growing up in Britain. In This Episode Uri Geller & the power of persuasion: Duncan has his suspicions, Tommy blames magnets, and Hayley diplomatically settles on “entertainer.” The lost household art of...
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Walkmans, Wires & School Disco Woes
Rambling Retro Nonsense
This week, Hayley, Duncan and Tommy tune into the sounds of the past — from Sony Walkmans and clunky cordless phones to school disco slow dances and tuck shop treats. What starts as a chat about forgotten gadgets soon unravels into stories of radio legends, first crushes, and those painfully awkward teenage moments that everyone remembers (but wishes they didn’t). Expect laughter, nostalgia, and a few “did that really happen?” tangents along the way. In This Episode: Memories of talk radio icon Mike Dickin — and the myth of the flying telephone. Retro gadgets: clunky cordless phones,...
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Sideboards, School Days & Strange Soups
Rambling Retro Nonsense
In this delightfully nostalgic episode, Hayley, Duncan and Tommy rummage through the sideboards of the past — unearthing everything from dusty board games and awkward pamphlets to windfall apple soup and pheasants full of lead shot. Along the way, they revisit school assemblies, embarrassing sex education lessons, and the lost art of metalwork, all with the usual mix of warmth, wit and “did that really happen?” moments. In This Episode: The mystery of the week’s random objects — all leading back to the humble sideboard. 70s and 80s living rooms: whiskey bottles, best china, and that...
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Filofaxes, Spies & Accidental CIA Missions
Rambling Retro Nonsense
This week, Hayley, Duncan and Tommy take a nostalgic wander from the world of 1980s Filofaxes to the shadowy realms of spies, secrets and accidental espionage. It all begins with Hayley reminiscing about the satisfying click of Filofax rings, the smell of leather, and the joy of neatly writing birthdays by hand. Soon, Duncan recalls his mum’s yearly ritual of copying dates into a new paper calendar, and before long the trio are deep in conversation about privacy, the cloud, and whether we might one day go back to paper diaries. Then things take a turn — from Cold War number stations and...
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Planes, Parties & Peculiar Obsessions
Rambling Retro Nonsense
Join Duncan, Hayley, and Tommy as they reminisce about the golden days of air travel, fan clubs, and unforgettable personal stories. From first flights on budget airlines and smoking at the back of planes, to airport adventures and quirky bedside table treasures, this episode is full of nostalgia and laughs. They also explore: Childhood dreams of being air stewardesses and the glamour of long-haul flights. Memorable encounters with airline staff and international adventures. Obsessions, fan clubs, and the sentimental treasures that shaped their youth. High-profile court cases and sensational...
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Answer Phones, Two Fat Ladies & Comfort Films
Rambling Retro Nonsense
In this episode, the gang takes a nostalgic stroll down memory lane, exploring the quirks of old-school technology, eccentric TV personalities, and the comfort of familiar films. From blinking answer phones to telephone seats in hallways, and from the delights of “Two Fat Ladies” to classic feel-good movies, we cover it all. Plus, we dive into the peculiar joys of bingo, VHS discoveries, and the autobiographies (and biographies) that capture our imagination—or frustrate us. What We Talk About: Answer Phones & Telephone Seats: Remember the thrill of seeing a blinking light on your...
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From Brick Phones to Scrunchies
Rambling Retro Nonsense
In this episode, Hayley, Duncan, and Tommy take a nostalgic wander through the quirks and memories of decades past. Expect laughter, a few cringe moments, and plenty of "do you remember when…" Hayley recalls her dad proudly showing off his first ever “mobile phone” — a grey brick so heavy it needed its own suitcase, complete with nosy neighbours coming round to marvel at it. The gang dive into the era of yuppies — wine bars, striped suits, and even champagne used for unblocking toilets. Duncan shares the story of his first brush with broadcasting, armed only with a Renault 5 and a...
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Chlorine & Chip Shops
Rambling Retro Nonsense
This week’s episode takes a nostalgic (and slightly chaotic) dive into childhood memories of swimming pools, vending machines, and school sports days. Duncan kicks things off with vivid recollections of the Littlehampton Swimming Centre, sparking a conversation about: The unmistakable smell of chlorine, rubber swim caps, and verruca baths. The legendary “No heavy petting” and “No dive bombing” signs – and a spirited debate on what “light petting” might have been. Swimming tests that involved pyjamas, rubber bricks, and endless treading water. Why soup vending machines were...
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Coach Trips, Costumes and Childhood Papers
Rambling Retro Nonsense
This week, Tommy, Hayley, and Duncan take a trip down memory lane – quite literally – as they share the journeys, feelings, and rituals that defined their school days. From lollipop ladies and dangerous subways, to loud singalongs on the 726 bus, each memory paints a vivid picture of growing up. The conversation wanders into: School journeys – walking routes, long bus rides, and the feelings of dread vs. freedom Last days of term – traditions, parties, and the joy of six weeks stretching ahead Fancy dress adventures – from penguin-like mermaids to toga parties gone wrong TV...
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80s Bling Revival
Rambling Retro Nonsense
In this nostalgic episode, Hayley takes us back to the late 80s, rifling through old jewellery boxes and unearthing chunky gold chains, oversized hoops, and geometric bangles. What starts as a trip down memory lane turns into a lively conversation with Duncan and Tommy about jewellery trends, piercings, fashion statements, and even the curious codes hidden in what we wear. Expect laughs, a few shocks, and plenty of cultural throwbacks — from Beastie Boys and Madonna, to Ratner’s infamous blunder, to clip-on earrings and QVC binges. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Hayley’s rediscovery...
info_outlineTommy, Duncan, and Hayley are back with another generous helping of retro rambling – this time dishing up memories of tin-can cuisine, 80s dinner party disasters, and the perilous art of recording the telly without missing Bullseye.
Hayley kicks things off with a creamy confession (spoiler: it involves cheese on toast and squirty cream), while Tommy fondly recalls being ID’d for a Black Forest gateau in Waitrose. From there, it’s a trip through the golden age of vol-au-vents, fondue forks, and why British pizza in the 80s didn’t come with dip – unless you were in Croydon.
Then it’s on to the tech trauma of VHS timers and SCART leads, with listener Kev sharing the horror of being the designated “recorder” during a family holiday. Duncan's opinions on electrical sockets and we discover the terrifying reason why you shouldn’t trust a whispering Alexa.
Also covered:
Spaghetti in a tin, school dinner pink sponge, and Arctic Roll etiquette
Pizza: fancy cheese on toast or something more sacred?
The bomb plot that involved a VHS recorder
Top Cat vs. Boss Cat, and the mystery of Yogi Bear’s rebrand
Favourite lightbulbs and the secret life of halogen fittings
And fondue parties that feel oddly… sensual
Hosts: Tommy Boyd, Duncan Barkes, and Hayley Hayes
Get in Touch with Us!
Still traumatised by a fondue fork injury? Ever programmed a VHS successfully? Can you still taste that tinned spaghetti? We want to hear from you!
WhatsApp: 07405 341500 - leave us a voice note, go on you know you want too!
Email: ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com
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