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BOFIN Farmers
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Farming Today
29/07/25 Water management, agricultural chaplain, slug control
As the NFU hosts an on-farm water summit, we find out more about an innovative project in Shropshire to manage water. It aims to prevent excess run-off from urban areas which floods farmland and destroys crops.Out and about with the Agricultural Chaplain for Suffolk who's helping farmers cope with the pressures of running a farm business. He says they're especially concerned about changes to inheritance tax reform.Scientists are working with farmers to find a high-tech way of tackling one of the most voracious pests farmers face - slugs. Traditionally, producers have used ferric...
2025-07-29
14 min
BASIS Agronomy Matters
Precision Breeding
In this episode of Agronomy Matters, Thomas Vaughan, Environment Manager at BASIS, is joined by Tom Allen-Stevens, Oxfordshire farmer and founder of BOFIN, and Dr Dylan Phillips, geneticist and lecturer at Aberystwyth University.Together, they discuss precision breeding, a fast-developing area in UK farming. The conversation covers:What precision breeding is, and how it differs from traditional genetic modificationThe aims of the PROBITY project, the first European trial of precision-bred cereal crops on farmsHow recent changes in UK legislation and government funding are supporting this workWhat precision breeding could mean for farmers in...
2025-07-02
45 min
Wild Fish and Game Podcast
Shorelunch Shenanigans: Fish, Fryers, and Field Notes with Nate P
Summary: In this engaging conversation, Justin and Nate explore the world of fishing and cooking, sharing personal anecdotes and culinary adventures. Nate discusses the origins of his YouTube channel, Shorelunch with Nate P, which aims to make fishing and cooking accessible to everyone. They delve into quirky recipes, the importance of embracing failures in the kitchen, and the culinary potential of invasive species. The episode features a fun game of 'Bait or Plate,' where they evaluate various fish for their culinary value. The conversation also touches on the camaraderie found within the fishing community and the...
2025-05-20
1h 09
Defra Farming Podcast
Tom Allen-Stevens, Martin Lines, Ed Schofield - How IPM works for us: a farmer and agronomist’s perspective
Episode 16 – How IPM works for us: a farmer and agronomist’s perspectiveIn this episode of the Defra Farming Podcast, guest host Tom Allen-Stevens—an arable farmer in Oxfordshire and founder of the British On Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN)—is joined by Cambridgeshire farmer Martin Lines and agronomist Ed Schofield.Martin and Ed share with Tom how they are applying integrated pest management (IPM) on-farm to reduce reliance on chemical inputs while maintaining productivity and supporting biodiversity. The conversation covers practical approaches to IPM planning, monitoring and evaluation, habitat management for beneficial insects, the role...
2025-04-22
31 min
The BOFIN Buzz
The Left Turn Mystery: Uncovering Slug Patches & Precision Treatment through SLIMERS - Part 2
Why do slugs always turn left when they bump into each other, and how does this behaviour lead to slug patches? In this episode, we dive into the reasoning behind slug movement and explore how this knowledge can revolutionise slug control. Through the SLIMERS project, we're developing accurate and effective methods to target slug patches precisely, reducing the need for widespread pesticide use. Join us as we uncover the secrets of slug behaviour and the future of smart farming solutions!
2025-03-21
27 min
The BOFIN Buzz
'Data collection is easy, it's the smart behind it that matters' - Part 1
Meet Adam Hayward as he shares his journey into farming and his passion for on-farm trials. In this episode, he explains how data collection is just the beginning—the real impact comes from the insights and decisions made from that data. Learn how innovation and smart analysis are shaping the future of farming!
2025-03-14
23 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Inside the SLIMERS Project: Adam Lewis’ Mission as a Slug Sleuth - Part 2
In the second of our two-part series, Adam Lewis dives into his role in the SLIMERS Project as a dedicated Slug Sleuth. Learn about the important work he is doing to monitor slug activity and how this research is driving the future of ag tech. Discover why this project matters for sustainable farming and technological innovation.
2025-02-28
31 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Meet the Slug Sleuth: Adam Lewis' Journey into Regen Farming - Part 1
In the first episode of our two-part series, we meet Adam Lewis, a passionate farmer and our new Slug Sleuth. Discover how Adam got into farming, his background, and why he’s excited about participating in slug monitoring trials. Stay tuned to learn more about his journey and his commitment to innovative farming solutions!
2025-02-21
24 min
The BOFIN Buzz
The Crop that Fights Climate Change! - Part 2
In this two-part episode of the BOFIN Buzz Tom Allen-Stevens meets Liz Bowles of the Farm Carbon Toolkit. Liz talks through carbon footprinting and how farmers can get started with it and they discuss the NCS project and how improving pulse cropping can play a key role in improving farming's carbon footprint.
2024-12-13
27 min
The BOFIN Buzz
The Crop that Fights Climate Change! - Part 1
In this two-part episode of the BOFIN Buzz Tom Allen-Stevens meets Liz Bowles of the Farm Carbon Toolkit. Liz talks through carbon footprinting and how farmers can get started with it and they discuss the NCS project and how improving pulse cropping can play a key role in improving farming's carbon footprint.
2024-12-06
34 min
Let's Talk Agri-Tech
The TRUTH Project
Welcome to Let's Talk Agri-Tech. In this episode, we welcome Clemmie Gleeson, Head of Communications at BOFIN and Dr Emma Chapelhow, Open Programme Coordinator and soil health specialist at the UK Agri-Tech Centre.In this episode, we're talking about healthy soils and the Thriving Roots Underpinning Total Soil Health (TRUTH) Project. Clemmie discusses farmer engagement and its importance in developing technology and Emma discusses the cutting-edge technologies that are involved, the project partners and their roles.Follow us on your favourite podcast listening app to hear the latest episodes as soon as they...
2024-12-05
26 min
The BOFIN Buzz
AI, Automation & Agriculture - Part 2
In Part 2, Tom welcomes back Charles and Callum as they announce their involvement in the SLIMERS project, an innovative initiative aimed at tackling arable farmings biggest pest; slugs! The episode kicks off with an overview of how Charles and Callum will be working together on this cutting-edge project. Charles shares insights into the challenges of training AI to accurately identify slugs, while Callum reflects on how previous work with the Slug Sleuths has shaped their approach. The conversation also covers the critical role of farmer involvement in the project and what kind of collaboration will...
2024-11-29
37 min
The BOFIN Buzz
AI, Automation & Agriculture - Part 1
Join host Tom as he explores the cutting-edge world of agricultural technology with experts Charles and Callum. Charles, an AI specialist, explains how artificial intelligence can revolutionize agriculture. He shares insights from his projects in the farming sector and discusses how the UK compares to other countries in adopting AI. Learn about his mission to push the boundaries of modern agriculture. Callum, an automation expert, discusses his involvement in the pioneering Hands-Free Hectare Farm projects. He reveals how these initiatives have influenced his work and what they mean for the future of farming automation. We also explore the rapid...
2024-11-22
33 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Exploring Different Views on Gene-Edited Crops - Part 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Stacia Stetkiewicz on the BOFIN Buzz, we delve deeper into the potential impact of precision-bred crops on agriculture and food systems. We explore her strategies for assessing public perception of precision breeding and why this is a crucial aspect of the PROBITY project. Stacia also shares her long-term vision for the role of precision breeding in transforming our food systems and how the PROBITY project aims to make a lasting impact. Join us for a forward-looking discussion on the future of agriculture!
2024-10-25
32 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Exploring Different Views on Gene-Edited Crops - Part 1
In this episode of BOFIN Buzz, we sit down with Dr. Stacia Stetkiewicz to dive into the world of social science and gene-edited cereals as part of the PROBITY project. In the first of our two-part series, Stacia shares her journey into agricultural science and what motivated her to join the PROBITY project. We discuss the goals of the project, her approach to engaging with farmers and stakeholders, and the methods she plans to use. Stacia also offers insights into the specific farmer perspectives she aims to explore, the challenges of gathering these views, and how she plans to...
2024-10-18
32 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Speaking SLIMERS with a malacologist, nematologist, parasitologist and entomologist - Part 2
Join us in the second and final part of our series joined by Kerry McDonald-Howard of UK AgriTech Centre. In this episode, we explore Kerry's role within the SLIMERS project and delve into how the project aims to tackle arable farmings biggest pest!
2024-10-12
33 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Speaking SLIMERS with a malacologist, nematologist, parasitologist and entomologist - Part 1
Join us in part 1 of a 2 part series where we are joined by Kerry McDonald-Howard with the UK AgriTech Centre. Kerry is a malacologist, nematologist, parasitologist and entomologist, offering her slug expertise within the SLIMERS project. Join us as we delve into her past and reach a better understanding of how she came to be so interested in slimy pests!
2024-10-04
23 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Farming innovation & precision bred crops
In this slightly different episode of the BOFIN Buzz we share Tom's recent conversation with Steve Orchard on The Farming Programme. Hear about BOFIN's newest project - PROBITY - which is bringing gene-edited cereals to British farms for the first time. Tom explains the difference between genetic modification and gene editing and why it's so important that we trial these varieties on farms and take them through to processing, to assess their potential. With special thanks to Steve and The Farming Programme. For the full episode visit: https://hellorayo.co.uk/podcasts/farming-programme/id-2223895/
2024-09-06
10 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Gene-Edited Cereals Explained - Introducing PROBITY
In this special episode, we sit down with Cristobal Uauy, scientist from the John Innes Centre, to explore the groundbreaking PROBITY project which will see gene-edited cereals bring grown on real world farms for the first time in Europe. We'll hear about his work creating a wheat with 'a bigger, bolder grain size' which promises a step change in productivity. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the future of agriculture. Let us know your thoughts below. For more details, visit probityproject.co.uk.
2024-08-30
1h 01
The BOFIN Buzz
Pulses & Poultry: A Look at the Food Supply Chain
In this episode, we are joined by Brian Kenyon from ABN Feeds to discuss their involvement in the NCS project and take a deeper look at the problems and constraints of the food supply chain with special focus on pulses & poultry. Let us know your thoughts on this episode in the comments below.
2024-07-26
44 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Why YOU should become a Pulse Pioneer...
Join us in this special episode as we chat with different, farmers, scientists and industry experts at Cereals 2024 about the importance of on-farm innovation, farmer involvement in trials and why it is important that YOU become a Pulse Pioneer in Year 2 of the NCS Project trials. Give it a listen and let us know your thoughts...
2024-07-12
05 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Bring it on! : The Fourth Agricultural Revolution
Join us in Episode 19 of The BOFIN Buzz where we are joined by UK Farmer, Andrew Barr. Andy has been a BOFIN farmer for many years now and is involved in some of slug-focussed projects. Grab a cuppa and listen in as we explore many different topics including slug control, gene-edited crops and the fourth agricultural revolution.
2024-06-28
59 min
Inside the Pod
The NCS Project - One Year On
In this special episode of Inside the Pod, Ben Pike speaks to a variety of guests who have all had significant involvement in the NCS Project - PGRO CEO Roger Vickers, Dr Becky Howard, BOFIN founder Tom Allen-Stevens, and Michael Carpenter from Kelvin Cave.This episode takes a look back at the NCS Project one year on from its launch, looking at the developments we've seen with the project in the last year, but also looking ahead to the project's future.
2024-06-19
20 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Let's all grow old disgracefully!
Join us as we talk all things pulses, slugs and gene-editing with BOFIN Farmer, Pulse Pioneer and Slug Sleuth Andrew Pitts. Andrew has a real passion for on-farm trials and experimenting on his farm. Listen in to this episode to find out his latest trial of choice...
2024-06-14
53 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Digging Deep: The Soil Secret to UK Farming
Join us in this special episode where we are joined by Dr Craig Sturrock from the University of Nottingham and Emma Chapelhow from the UK Agri-Tech Centre. We take a good look at their backgrounds and how this has led them to their involvement in the £1-million-pound TRUTH project. Let us know your thoughts below.
2024-05-31
53 min
The BOFIN Buzz
From Chemistry to Combines with Anna Pearce
For this episode, we welcome Anna Pearce, an organic farmer on the Scottish boarders. Anna is actively involved with a few of the BOFIN projects, currently undertaking the roles of Root Ranger and Pulse Pioneer. Join as we take a deeper look into how Anna went from the big city with a focus on chemistry to a small town spending her time on farm. Settle in, give the episode a listen and let us know your thoughts below.
2024-05-17
1h 03
The BOFIN Buzz
The Three Pillars of Sustainability: People, Planet & Profit
Join us as we explore the three pillars of sustainability with organic farmer and BOFIN on-farm trialist Tim May. Tim ensures he is considering each of the three pillars for the success of his farm and his success in on-farm trials. Within this episode, we talk through Tim's involvement as a Root Ranger and Pulse Pioneer & we take a look at how you can collaborate with Tim on his farm in the future! Give it a listen and let us know your thoughts below.
2024-05-03
1h 01
Dark Mage of Rhudaur
Dark Mage of Rhudaur: Before the Snow Falls, part 1
Dark Mage of Rhudaur is a module for Middle Earth Roleplaying, published by Iron Crown Enterprises under license. In Episode One, “Before the Snow Falls, part 1,” four dwarves on a pilgrimage to Khazad-dûm find themselves short on coin in Rhudaur. To finance the last leg of their journey, they accept a job as caravan guards transporting supplies to the Tirthon, a fortress on the East Road. Featuring James as Bofin, Jacob as Glock, Jacob (not the same one) as Mhenuk, John as Mhutvak, and Bryan as the gamemaster. Music by Dark Fantasy Studio. Err...
2024-05-02
2h 13
Geek at Arms
Dark Mage of Rhudaur 1: Before the Snow Falls, part 1
Dark Mage of Rhudaur is a module for Middle Earth Roleplaying, published by Iron Crown Enterprises under license. In Episode One, "Before the Snow Falls, part 1," four dwarves on a pilgrimage to Khazad-dûm find themselves short on coin in Rhudaur. To finance the last leg of their journey, they accept a job as caravan guards transporting supplies to the Tirthon, a fortress on the East Road. Featuring James as Bofin, Jacob as Glock, Jacob (not the same one) as Mhenuk, John as Mhutvak, and Bryan as the gamemaster. Music by Dark Fantasy S...
2024-05-02
2h 13
The BOFIN Buzz
Pulses: Friend or Foe?
Join us in this exciting episode where we are joined by scientist, Pete Iannetta, from James Hutton Institute. We took a deep dive into the complexities of pulses and discussed the role they place on UK farms. POINT OPPORTUNITY: If you are a Pulse Pioneer, make sure to get in touch with the secret phrase in order to gain 3 Project Ambassador points. Good luck!
2024-04-12
52 min
The BOFIN Buzz
SPECIAL EP: Join us for the BOFIN Get Together at Low Carbon 2024!
Join us in this special episode with a guest host at the Low Carbon event 2024 where we held the BOFIN Get Together. We managed to get some of our very own BOFIN Farmers together to discuss on-farm trials and innovation incentives. Make sure to give it a listen and let us know your thoughts below...
2024-03-29
09 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Bottoms-Up: A new approach is needed for farmings future.
Join us in this special BOFIN Buzz episode where we are joined by farmer, Hannah Darby. Hannah joins us from her farm in Cambridgeshire to celebrate International Women's Day and on-farm innovation. We take a deep dive into how Hannah focuses on nature-based solutions for known problems and encouraging a bottom-up approach to farming; both of which she believes are crucial for farmings future! Let us know your thoughts on the episode below...
2024-03-15
39 min
The BOFIN Buzz
The TRUTH about your Soils with Dr. Maria Hernandez-Soriano
Welcome to a special episode where we announce the launch of our TRUTH project! We are joined by scientist Maria to unveil soil secrets and explain to us the importance of projects such as TRUTH. Not at only do we explore the new project but we take a look at Maria's opinion on gene-editing and ammonium-use on farm. Make sure to give this exciting episode a listen and let us know your thoughts below!
2024-03-01
51 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Farming for a Greener Future: A Look at Sustainability & Regen
Join us in our latest episode where we are joined by BOFIN member Charles Paynter. Charles farms in North Bedfordshire and has been involved in many BOFIN projects. Charles' top priorities for farming include a focus on weeds, pests and diseases, adopting regenerative practices and practicing sustainable farming. Make sure to let us know your thoughts below and follow to be notified when the next episode is released.
2024-02-16
56 min
Inside the Pod
The NCS Project - Introducing the Pulse Pioneers
In this episode, Ben Pike speaks to Tom Allen-Stevens, the founder of BOFIN, about the latest updates of the NCS Project. Ben also speaks to one of the project's Pulse Pioneers, Will Oliver, about his experience being a part of the NCS Project.
2024-02-14
21 min
The BOFIN Buzz
The Future of Farming: Pulse Power and AI Advancements
Join us in this special episode where we are joined by Lucy Cottingham from Agrii. Agrii is one of the project partners for the £5.9 million DEFRA-funded NCS project looking to help reach the communal aim of reducing carbon emissions by up to 1.5M tonnes. Tom and Lucy went into detail about pulses, AI advancements and women in agriculture, discussing upcoming trials and future forecasts. Let us know down below what you thought of this episode and as always, make sure to join BOFIN. It is free and with no obligation. We would love to welcome you!
2024-02-05
47 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Managing risks and embracing technologies: The fight against grassweeds!
Join us in this week's episode where we are joined by Keith Challen. We discuss how Keith went from prisons to farms and what different challenges he now faces with grass weeds We take a look into the Harvest Weed Seed Control project and how Keith has found his involvement throughout. Make sure to give this episode a listen and let us know your thoughts below:
2024-01-19
58 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Resilience, Longevity & Landscape
Join us and special guest Becci Berry of Brimstone Farms in this exciting episode of The BOFIN Buzz. We take a look at some of the slug projects that Becci is involved in along with some focusing on the soil beneath us. Becci opens up about how she ended up becoming a farmer and some exciting announcements are made about upcoming projects. Let us know your thoughts below!
2024-01-05
57 min
The BOFIN Buzz
UK farmers to save £1 BILLION feeding pulses to livestock
Join us in the latest episode of The BOFIN Buzz where we are joined by John McArthur of McArthur Agriculture. This episode focuses on McArthur's involvement as a project partner within The NCS Project. John's role within the project focuses on encouraging farmers to include more pulses into livestock rations. By doing this, we can reduce the amount of soy meal imported along with reducing carbon emissions. This project has some bold aims but just the team to get it done! Let us know your thoughts in the Q&A box below:
2023-12-22
45 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Biology, Biology, Biology!
Join us for another special episode of The BOFIN Buzz where we are joined by none other than Tim Parton. This episode is all about understanding soil health and the impact that this can have on the rest of your farm activities. Through various means such as the Green Farm Collective and his own involvement with BOFIN projects, Tim has been on quite the soil journey! Make sure to give this episode a listen and let us know your thoughts below:
2023-12-15
47 min
Inside the Pod
CropTec 2023: BOFIN Launch PulsePEP
In this episode, Emily Scaife speaks to the founder of BOFIN, Tom Allen-Stevens, and Tom Wilkinson from ADAS about the launch of the PulsePEP and the Farming Forum, as well as Dr Becky Howard from PGRO who gives us the latest updates on the NCS Project.You can claim one BASIS point from listening to this podcast. Code: PD/132939/2324/k
2023-12-06
08 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Pulses Prove Pertinent to Global Climate Crisis!
During this episode, we are joined by Michael Carpenter representing NCS project partner Kelvin Cave. We take a look at the £5.9 million DEFRA-funded NCS project and discuss some of the challenges facing farmers looking to include more peas and beans in livestock rations. Let us know what challenges you have faced in the Q&A section below!
2023-11-10
36 min
The BOFIN Buzz
SPECIAL EP: BBC Radio Somerset Slug chat!
Well, welcome to a very special bonus episode. This week you could hear BOFIN founder Tom Allen-Stevens on BBC Radio Somerset discussing the SLIMERS project and calling on the public to get involved with our slug research as Slug Scouts. If you want to get involved, make sure to get in touch by contacting info@bofin.org.uk or visiting slimers.co.uk.
2023-11-03
11 min
The BOFIN Buzz
National Farmers Day
Listen in as we are are joined by Jake Freestone of Overbury Enterprises to celebrate National Farmers Day. We discuss what it means to be a farmer today and some of the struggles encountered along with some of the exciting projects you can be a part of as a forward-thinking farmer. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
2023-10-12
1h 04
The BOFIN Buzz
SLMERS - A new strategy for slug management?
In this week's episode we talk all things slugs as part of the Strategies Leading to Improved Management and Enhanced Resilience against Slugs (SLIMERS) project. Joined by Clive Blacker, director of Agrivation we took an in-depth look into how the project came to be, the protocol and Slug Sleuth involvement. Take a listen and visit our website (www.bofin.org.uk) to find out how you can be involved with the SLIMERS project.
2023-09-29
43 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Moving away from herbicides: A new window on weed seed management.
For this exciting episode, we are joined by John Cussans and Will Smith from NIAB to discuss the Harvest Weed Seed Control project. There are some shocking results revealed along with some insightful tips and tricks for keeping those weed seeds away along with an in-depth look at the protocol and farmer involvement within the project.
2023-09-18
53 min
The BOFIN Buzz
AMF - The fungus that could transform farming?
Join us as we discuss Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) with Dr. Tom Thirkell to find out how he thinks this fungus could transform farming as we know it. We take a look at AMF in detail and release the latest results from the Soil Fungal Communities project.
2023-09-04
49 min
The BOFIN Buzz
Welcome to The BOFIN Buzz!
Welcome to The BOFIN Buzz podcast! We are excited to embark on this journey of jaw-dropping wonder and innovation with you. Make sure to subscribe and follow along as we bring leading scientists and industry innovators to the podcast to discuss some of the great projects the British On-Farm Innovation Network are involved in and what farming's future looks like in the fourth agricultural revolution.
2023-08-31
01 min
Inside the Pod
The NCS Project: The Defining Project of Our Time
In this episode, host Ben Pike speaks to the CEO of PGRO, Roger Vickers, and the founder of BOFIN, Tom Allen-Stevens, about the Nitrogen Climate Smart Project, what it is and why farmers should get involved. How do we increase the pulse area to reduce carbon emissions and displace soya imports?You can claim one BASIS point from listening to this podcast. Code: E/132932/2324/k
2023-08-08
21 min
The Shape of Work
#192: Bofin Babu on how leaders should enhance employee experience and learning in 2022
Our next guest is Bofin Babu, Vice President of AI at CloudSEK- an AI-powered digital risk Monitoring platform that provides real-time visibility of cyber threats and actionable Intel.In this episode, Bofin shares an exciting story from his career and the great lessons, hacks, and best practices he picked up along the way.Bofin started his internship as a developer at NVIDIA for 6 months. His time there made him realize that the number of deep learners in India is less compared to the USA. That’s when he spoke to Rahul Sasi, founder of CloudSEK, an...
2022-02-04
29 min
The Conor B Podcast
The Empathy of Guides
A brief tale telling of how, across a 40 year timespan and from the streets of Dublin to the mosques of Egypt, a bond exists between tour guides. Though, only one in our tale got caught.... This is the last of the Tales of a Dublin Doctor series. It has given me huge pleasure to rerecord my late father's work and publish it here. Thank you for listening.
2020-09-06
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
On Christmas Dinner
While nibbling on a pork chop, my Dad muses on the lack of true tradition in the Christmas dinners of the 1980's and before.
2020-08-30
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
How can they do that to the Jervo?
A lunchtime walk in the city centre leads to a brief encounter, a flood of memories and a recounting of the history of "the Jervo", Jervis Street Hospital. The hospital was a Dublin institution and an important part of Irish medical progress across decades and centuries.
2020-08-23
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
Under the mistletoe in the Richmond
Junior hospital doctors working in the 1950's got a pretty raw deal. At Christmas time, the workload increased and the opportunities for a bit of levity were sparse on the polished floors of the wards. This is a lovely tale that shows the honour of my father and a minor discretion by one of the much feared and revered ward sisters.
2020-08-16
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
No adults admitted unless accompanied by a child.
This is a tale about the establishment of the oldest charity in the world. When Dad recorded the original in 1989, it was in the 250th year anniversary of Coram's inspired actions. This note from the "Coram Foundation" website:When Thomas Coram (1668-1751) returned to London in 1704 after eleven years in America, it was to a city that was a powerhouse of industry, invention, global trade and wealth. It was also noisy, disease-ridden, polluted and the site of desperate poverty. The situation for children was particularly bleak with soaring mortality rates. Parents who were unable to care for...
2020-08-08
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
The rigid martinet
This wandering tale makes a number of points about hospital administration and the human condition while giving a brief history lesson on the now defunct Richmond Hospital. It tells of an unlikely relationship between Ireland's great author, Brendan Behan and a senior ward sister in the Richmond.
2020-08-02
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
The coffee seller of Benghazi
In Dad's time as a professor of forensic medicine, he travelled to many different universities to act as external examiner. He had a huge appetite for knowledge and loved to meet and befriend people from different cultures and walks of life. His meetings with the old coffee seller in the souk in Benghazi were a real high point of his visits to the city. His insights on the then Libyan leader, thought not recorded here, painted a different picture to that recorded by Western history.
2020-07-26
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
On Munster cheese
This is a tale of a brief encounter with some tourists in a Dublin supermarket. I was the one who collected my parents from the mentioned trip to Strasbourg. I do remember the dung like smell. Back then, I was abhorred by it. Today, I revel in both the powerful aroma and distinctive taste of a good Munster. It originates from an abbey in the French Vosgian mountains (Munster deriving from the Latin for "monastery"). It is not to be confused with the mild Munster cheese from the south of Ireland or the even milder Muenster cheese from the...
2020-07-19
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
Ghosts of another day
In this brief tale, my Dad looks back at part of the history of the Liffey Quays. His observations bring life and personality to some of the buildings that formed part of the physical and social fabric of the city back in the 1940s and 1950s. The Scotch House gets a mention and is a bar I remember from my youth. Today, it is a large scale office redevelopment.
2020-07-12
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
He could make no fist of a reel or hornpipe
Enjoying the "craic" in a rural Irish pub is something to which I am no stranger. I could tell many of my own stories of great nights in pubs cross our small land. However, this story of a stranger joining in the "session" in a small bar on a Friday music night has its own attraction and must have been very special for the locals.
2020-07-05
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
Bring us back a parrot
The Guinness barges plied their trade on the river Liffey for many years taking stout in barrels from St. James' Gate to the city quays to be loaded on ships bound for Liverpool. The last barge sailed down the Liffey on 21 June 1961 and the fleet of barges were all sold off. Dad had a lovely story about the barges, the local women on Queen's Street Bridge and their influence as far away as Benghazi in Libya.
2020-06-28
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
The Rose Tattoo
The Pike Theatre in Dublin’s Herbert Lane opened its doors in 1953. The theatre was a small venue which quickly gained a reputation for staging late night revues and the works of then modern playwrights. On staging the Tennessee William’s European premier of The Rose Tattoo, the producer and co-owner of the theatre was arrested.Protest grew across the country and across Europe. Perhaps this was all kicked off by an impromptu tirade delivered from the bonnet of a car by a less than sober Brendan Behan. Perhaps. I would like to think that it was.
2020-06-21
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
A fine collection of trout
Our Dad loved his fishing expeditions to the west of Ireland. There were many stories too ribald to be included here. However, this lovely tale of a high achieving man gaining his life's ambition is a nice look into Ireland in simpler times. The hero, "Paul" of the story was the great Paul Murray, an almost "all round" sportsman. I don't know why Dad did not name him in the original story. Perhaps it was more fun to do it that way.
2020-06-14
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
The Valentia duck
I remember our holidaying on Valentia Island. I was a young boy in short pants at that time. It was before the island was linked to the mainland by the Maurice O'Neill Memorial Bridge at Portmagee. I do remember visiting the lady mentioned in the tale who had her sow and bainbhs (Irish for piglets) in the kitchen. "Pigs in the kitchen" were a reality back in the day. Valentia is also famous as the place where the first transatlantic cable was laid becoming operational in 1866. The cable operated commercially for 100 years before being decommissioned in 1966. Less famous is t...
2020-06-07
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
A spacious day
Life was hard for a student back in the 1940's. Here, my Dad recounts the events of a particular day and gives insight into his life as a self funded student as well as a look into Dublin society at that time. It is interesting to me writing this over seventy years after that I too enjoyed afternoon tea in the same room in the Shelbourne Hotel. For me, it was as guest of one of my beloved daughters, as memorable an experience as that of my Dad in 1947.
2020-05-31
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
He's worried about the masie
I don't believe that this story was ever recorded by my Dad. I suspect that back in the mid 1980s, it would have been too raw in the Irish national memory. It is still very raw today with those who lost loved ones so callously and needlessly in the Dublin bombings of May 1974.I remain amazed at Dad's ability to find the positive personal story in the midst of the horror that surrounded the morgue on that night. The perpetrators of the bombings were never caught. Though, the involvement of Unionist forces and the British military intelligence...
2020-05-24
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
The Disney Booking
In the 1940's, my Dad, then a student, worked at various jobs to earn his keep. One such employment was a lowly position in the Gate Theatre Dublin. This episode recalls a telephone conversation with the most famous film producer of his day.
2020-05-17
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
The Gillie
This is the second of the "Tales of a Dublin Doctor". It is series of tales written by my father, Patrick Bofin and re-discovered in a file at the back of a press, 30 years after his passing. I thought the tales were worth the retelling. I hope you enjoy them. The gillie of the title was a Mayo man who assisted my father on fishing expeditions in the west of Ireland.
2020-05-10
00 min
The Conor B Podcast
A meeting in the Green Bar
This is the first podcast in my series Tales of a Dublin Doctor. Our late father Patrick Bofin died at 63 way back in 1990. Our Mum survived him by thirty years. Both Dad and Mum were medical doctors. Dad had been a professor of forensic medicine and for many years, the Dublin city coroner. As any student who attended his lectures in the Royal College of Surgeons would testify, dad wrote and presented very well. He made often gruesome topics from recognising types of gunshot wounds to the effects of immersion in the sea on a ca...
2020-05-03
00 min
Tudor and Stuart Ireland Conference
Dr Aine Hensey. The prisoner priests of Bofin and Inis Mor, 1657-62.
Dr Aine Hensey at the 2014 Tudor and Stuart Ireland Conference. The prisoner priests of Bofin and Inis Mor, 1657-62.
2014-09-22
20 min
Tudor and Stuart Ireland Conference 2014
Dr Aine Hensey. The prisoner priests of Bofin and Inis Mor, 1657-62.
Dr Aine Hensey at the 2014 Tudor and Stuart Ireland Conference. The prisoner priests of Bofin and Inis Mor, 1657-62.
2014-09-22
20 min