Christmas, Cabbage Patch Kids & Childhood Magic
Rambling Retro Nonsense
In this episode, Hayley takes us back to the golden age of 80s toys, from Cabbage Patch Kids and My Little Pony to Care Bears and even a few unexpected Star Wars figures. While parents queued for hours to secure the must-have gifts, kids simply soaked up the magic. Tommy reflects on never being one for “butch toys,” while Duncan enjoys the nostalgia trip. Hayley also shares what it was like growing up with both Hanukkah and Christmas — gelt first, then presents. The food contrast is strong: Hanukkah meals were simple and comforting, while Christmas brought big flavours and even bigger...
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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...
info_outlineThis 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 apparently a post-swim “thing” (and why it all tasted the same).
From there, the chat drifts into:
Childhood chip memories, from vending machine chips at Portsmouth Harbour to debates over crinkly vs. straight fries, and the merits of mayo, gravy, and curry sauce.
Food oddities like deep-fried Mars Bars, half-and-half (chips and rice), and the magic of late-night chippies in Liverpool.
School sports day classics – sack races, wheelbarrow races, egg-and-spoon chaos – and the grim reality of sitting on a coach in damp clothes with a soggy towel.
Overzealous parents at kids’ sports days, and one very memorable PE teacher with a starting pistol.
It’s equal parts funny, nostalgic, and a little bit surreal – from Lynx-scented changing rooms to naval survival training stories involving helicopters and sinking ship simulations.
Highlights you’ll love:
Verrucas, witch-doctor cures, and the horror of slippery pool floors.
Why crinkle-cut chips are the ultimate mayo delivery system.
The dark truth about school sports day “cheerleaders.”
And… the only good use for a fallen shipmate.
If you grew up with swimming lessons, sports days, or questionable vending machine snacks – this one will feel very familiar.
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