Shows
Tophole!Pageants and carolsWe're somewhat late with this episode (sorry), but we're here now and focussing on fun seasonal stuff! Which is your favourite - The Bells of Christmas, or Strangers at the Inn? I totally want to rush out and create a steaming boar's head prop now.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/12/17/s2e7-pageants-and-carols/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-12-2027 minTophole!The Leader of the GangBack to Switzerland this week, as we take a look at the 34th Chalet School book, Mary-Lou of the Chalet School.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/12/02/s3e6-the-leader-of-the-gang/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-12-0228 minTophole!Brown tunics and orange ties (2)In which Hayley, Wendy and I conclude our discussion about which is better, Malory Towers or the Chalet School, and then I mop up the bits we didn't discuss and the things we got wrong!Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/11/18/s3e5-brown-tunics-and-orange-ties-2/We'd love to hear from you! You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-11-1824 minTophole!Brown tunics and orange ties (1)They wear the same uniform, so what's the difference between the Chalet School and Malory Towers? Well...Episode transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/11/04/s3e4-brown-tunics-and-orange-ties-1/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.comPart 2 in a fortnight! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-11-0420 minTophole!Back to the very beginningLoads of spoilers in this consideration of EBD's first book, Gerry Goes to School, without which there would be no Chalet School... what an awful thought.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/s3e3-back-to-the-very-beginning/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-10-2126 minTophole!Shall we make the uniform more artistic?In October 1925, a new school story arrived in bookshops: The School at the Chalet, by Elinor M Brent-Dyer. 100 years and 58 books later, here we are still talking about what she had created. Wendy and Hayley join in the conversation - as do several listeners, who shared what the Chalet School means to them.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/10/07/s3e2-shall-we-make-the-uniform-more-artistic/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-10-0737 minTophole!Marie loses her temperNew school year, new series - and we're starting with a cracker. Stand by for an explosive - and surprisingly musical - episode!The usual provisos apply with respect to pronunciation, spoilers and bonkersness. In particular, I use a very English pronunciation of the name 'Thekla' all through this episode - sorry not sorry. Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/09/23/s3e1-marie-loses-her-temper/I've created a Spotify playlist of (almost all) the music referenced in the book - it's called Exploits of the Chalet Girls. There are a couple of tunes missing...
2025-09-2322 minTophole!AuntiesIt's a Wendy week - woo! - and we're having a discussion about aunties at the Chalet School. Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/07/22/s2e23-aunties/This is the last episode of season 2 - we'll be back towards the end of September. In the meantime, please do get in touch to let us know what the Chalet School means to you. You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. If you're happy for your voice to be included in our 100 Years of the Chalet School celebration...
2025-07-2231 minTophole!If only I knew what to do with you girls!It's the summer term, which means reviewing a summer term book, and it can only be The School at the Chalet in this, its centenary year. 'Dreary' and 'drivel', or a modern classic? Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/07/08/s2e22-if-only-i-knew-what-to-do-with-you-girls/You can find Tophole on Facebook or contact us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Please do contact us, because I'd like to make a special episode next term about what the Chalet School means to modern readers (that's you!). If you're happy to have your voice included in the podcast, please...
2025-07-0820 minTophole!A holiday in the Austrian TirolKit and I went on holiday to the Austrian Tirol in May 2025. I didn't manage an audio diary, but here's my account - with a Chalet School slant on everything we saw, of course!If you listen to the very end, you'll hear the full recording I made from our hotel balcony: the church bells of Zell am Ziller again, and then some birdsong, and then the railway crossing bell, and eventually a train. Transcript and also photos at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/06/24/s2e21-a-holiday-in-the-austrian-tirol/You can find Tophole...
2025-06-2430 minTophole!The school run (2)Hayley's back! And this time we're talking about travelling within the UK to the Chalet School in Armishire and South Wales.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/06/10/s2e20-the-school-run-2/You can find Tophole on Facebook, or you can email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-06-1019 minTophole!The school run (1)Special guest Hayley joins me on this episode, as we discuss the trains the Chalet girls took to get to and from school on the continent.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/06/10/s2e19-the-school-run-1/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-06-1031 minTophole!High heels and a hand grenadeA non-Chalet EBD book this week, although it includes a Chalet character (not that you'd recognise her) and reference to a Swiss sanatorium.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/05/13/s2e18-high-heels-and-a-hand-grenade/You can contact Tophole via Facebook or at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-05-1327 minTophole!BonkersWendy and I discuss some of the top bonkers moments and situations in the Chalet School Series. There are plenty to choose from, so if your particular favourite isn't here, please do get in touch. You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/04/29/s2e17-bonkers/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-04-2938 minTophole!I need nine frocksBack in wartime Armishire for a review of Lavender Laughs at the Chalet School. Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/04/15/s2e16-i-need-nine-frocks/You can contact Tophole via Facebook or at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-04-1523 minTophole!Our highest total ever!It's that time of year when we finish varnishing our scrapbooks and stuffing our toy animals, and encourage our friends and family to get out their purses and spend, spend, spend at THE SALE! Are we organising the stalls by forms, groups, or houses? Do we need a Sale Committee or shall we skip it for this year? Readers participate in 13 sales of work at the Chalet School - here's a recap of each one. Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/04/01/s2e15-our-highest-total-ever/You can contact Tophole via Facebook or at...
2025-04-0131 minTophole!A Romance for Older GirlsLet's spend a year or so in Guernsey, catching up with friends. Or, if you've never read any of the La Rochelle books, let's get hugely confused by dozens of characters. Either way, settle down for an authentic portrait of the first year of married life.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/03/18/s2e14-a-romance-for-older-girls/You can find Tophole on Facebook or contact us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-03-1826 minTophole!Paperback writer (2)Second half of our discussion of Armada paperbacks - second style covers from 1972 to 1985.You can see most (although not all) of the covers we discuss at https://uk.pinterest.com/deborahlofas/chalet-school/2nd-style-pb/Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/03/04/s2e13-paperback-writer-2/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-03-0438 minTophole!Paperback writer (1)It's a Wendy week (woo-hoo!) and we're discussing Armada books, and particularly their covers. You can see most of these on the boards at https://uk.pinterest.com/deborahlofas/chalet-school/. Obviously this took us hours so part 2 of our conversation will come next time.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/s2e12-paperback-writer-1/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-02-1834 minTophole!This one started with Antonia ForestDelayed for technical reasons (for which apologies) - in this episode I consider Prunella Davidson's arrival at the School, and refrain from wondering what exactly 'It' is. I also don't talk much about the arrival of Bruno because we covered that last time.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/02/04/s2-e11-this-one-started-with-antonia-forest/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at at Topholepodcast@gmail.com - I do get round to reading the emails eventually... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-02-0428 minTophole!Woof, I quite agree, barked RufusThe long-promised episode where Wendy and I discuss dogs in EBD's books, and what we learn about training and caring for them. We talk about Rufus and Bruno in the Chalet School books, as well as They Both Liked Dogs, The Lost Staircase, and Kennelmaid Nan - and there are, of course, spoilers, but it is absolutely still worth reading Kennelmaid Nan for yourself if you get the chance.Where I refer to 23 November 'this year', actually I mean 2024!You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at Topholepodcast@gmail.com.
2025-01-1339 minTophole!A magazine, Christmas, and a bathIt's that time of year, so there's really only one Chalet book to talk about!Brittany can be found hereYou can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us on topholepodcast@gmail.com (and I promise I will get to the emails this week).Episode transcript available here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-12-3121 minTophole!Oof!Third time lucky for recording this particular episode, which is about backs and back problems (a) at the Chalet School (b) elsewhere in children's literature and (c) across the whole of recorded time. We are nothing if not ambitious.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/12/17/s2e8-oof/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-12-1733 minTophole!On my honourAn overview both of Girlguiding, and the Chalet School's experience of it.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/12/03/s2e7-on-my-honour/You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us on topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-12-0329 minTophole!The Series Re-bootThe final book set at Plas Howell (which I keep accidentally calling Plas Gwyn, but I think Kit has managed to edit out all the incidents).Full transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/11/19/s2e6-the-series-re-boot/ Tophole has its own Facebook page, or you can email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-11-1921 minTophole!The kitten did itLoads of spoilers in this discussion, and also the shock of a man's voice, as Kit joins us to discuss The Lost Staircase. He's made clear he won't be doing it again.You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/11/05/s2e5-the-kitten-did-it/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-11-0533 minTophole!Campfire's burningWe conclude our conversation about The Chalet Girls in Camp, and our own experiences of guide camp, with reference to camp fires, latrines, rest hour, and much more. Full transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/10/22/s1e4-campfires-burning/Tophole has a Facebook page, and you can email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-10-2240 minTophole!Don't walk on the table!It's a Wendy week, and what could be better for two former Guide leaders than a Chalet School book devoted to Guide camp? We compare our experiences to those described by EBD (who, I think it's safe to say, never tried incinerating disposable nappies at a girlguiding campsite).You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Full episode transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/10/08/s2e3-dont-walk-on-the-table/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-10-0829 minTophole!Slipping something into the coffeeI'm joined today by Caroline Crampton (Shedunnit, A Body Made of Glass) to discuss health, and health anxiety, at the Chalet School.Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/09/24/s2e2-slipping-something-into-the-coffee/ You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-09-2428 minTophole!I've as much right to the book as Moira!A look at the start of the Chalet School's final year.You can find Tophole on Facebook and email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.Full transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/09/10/ive-as-much-right-to-the-book-as-moira/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-09-1019 minTophole!Deborah visits the Chalet SchoolEnd of term so Wendy does the interviewing in this one! Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/07/09/s1e23-deborah-visits-the-chalet-school/ and you can find us on Facebook or email topholepodcast@gmail.com.Podcasts recommended for your summer break:The Kindred Spirits Book ClubThe Children's Literature PodcastBacklistedShedunnitA Body Made of GlassCountrystrideThe History ChicksPictures and ConversationsBook HootsBBC Sounds - Val McDermid on the Chalet School (2011) Hosted on...
2024-07-0926 minTophole!A holiday to rememberIt's the centenary of the Chalet School's conception this summer, so today I'm taking a look at the holiday which inspired it all.I made considerable use of Behind the Chalet School by Helen McClelland in preparing this week's episode - more than usual, I mean - but also went down lots of lovely rabbit holes about fashion, ski-ing, and station departure boards.Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/06/25/s1e22-a-holiday-to-remember/You can find us on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast...
2024-06-2523 minTophole!The Chalet School in YorkshireObviously the entire Chalet School never made it to Yorkshire. But Jo, Frieda, Simone and Marie did, and EBD wrote a book about it. Get into the holiday mood early with a look at Jo to the Rescue.Episode transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/?p=79Find us on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-06-1122 minTophole!Friends, fill-ins and fansToday's episode is an interview with Clarissa Cridland, of Girls Gone By Publishers and Friends of the Chalet School.You can find Girls Gone By (and order your copy of Millies of the Chalet School) at www.ggbp.co.ukFriends of the Chalet School can be found at www.chaletschool.org.ukEpisode transcript at www.topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/05/28/s1e20-friends-fill-ins-and-fansFind us on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-05-2827 minTophole!Unpacking - tennis - and an unsuitable novelThis week I'm talking about the only Chalet School book my husband attempted to engage with. Apologies for both the lateness, and the sniffs (the two are connected).Full transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/05/14/s1e19-unpacking-tennis-and-an-unsuitable-novel/You can find us on Facebook or email at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-05-1423 minTophole!A real-life authoressDaisy May Johnson is the author of How to be Brave, How to be True, and How to be Free - modern boarding school stories which you should definitely seek out. Daisy is also one of us, a fan of the Chalet School, so we talk about EBD's books as well as her own. The discussion doesn't quite need a content warning, but you may never think of Gottfried, Herr Anserl or Commander Christie in quite the same way again.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2024/04/30/s1e18-a-real-life-authoress/You can find...
2024-04-3037 minTophole!A regular mansionA look at the book in which the Chalet School travels to England - retitled "The Chalet School at War" by Armada.Transcript available at topholepodcast.wordpress.com.You can find us on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-04-1620 minTophole!Primus inter pares (5)Josette, Maeve, Rosamund and Len, plus some statistical analysis. A slightly longer episode which entirely makes up for the fact that it's a day late.Transcript available at www.topholepodcast.wordpress.com.You can find us on Facebook and email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-04-0344 minTophole!Primus inter pares (4)We've finally arrived in Switzerland, so this week we're talking about Julie, Betsy, Elinor and Mary-Lou, trying to decide on their finest moment (and, in the case of Elinor, work out who she is). Full transcript available at topholepodcast.wordpress.com. You can find us on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-03-1932 minTophole!Come to FairylandA short episode this week while we finish editing the last two Primus Inter Pares episodes! Back to the Tirol for Grizel's final two terms at the Chalet School. Transcript available at topholepodcast.wordpress.com. You can email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-03-0521 minTophole!Primus inter pares (3)Tophole! - the podcast about Elinor M Brent-Dyer, the Chalet School, and anything vaguely connected. More Chalet School head girls in this episode - this time we're discussing from Jesanne to Bride. Full transcript on topholepodcast.wordpress.com.Contact us at topholepodcast@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-02-2028 minTophole!Primus inter pares (2)Wendy and I discuss head-girls, their challenges and their triumphs, from Louise Redfield/Redmond to Elizabeth Arnett. Also a short side-rant about sleeping bags. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-02-0627 minTophole!Primus inter pares (1)We thought we'd complete this discussion in a single episode. We were wrong. This one takes us from Gisela to Joey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-01-2332 minTophole!Snowdrop and the PrinceA book crammed with events which are referenced in later books - and one of the very best stories from the Tyrol. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-01-0921 minTophole!The house that shall not be namedWe can't pronounce it, but we know quite a bit about it, even though attempting to draw up floor plans defeated us - and not only because EBD contradicts herself almost as soon as she takes us through the front door for the first time.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2023/12/26/s1e9-the-house-that-shall-not-be-named/You can email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com - please be patient as I don't often check the inbox! We also have a page on Facebook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-12-2637 minTophole!That lovely chequeHow on earth did Jack and Joey afford their huge house, 11 children, and multiple wards and adoptees? Let's find out...Transcript available at topholepodcast.wordpress.comYou can email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-12-1221 minTophole!The dear days of FollyIf you remember the fanzines of the pre-digital age, you might remember Folly, the best of them all. Today I'm talking to Folly's editor, Sue Sims.Links mentioned in the episodefollymagazine.co.uk (you may need to go to follymagazine.co.uk/articles rather than the homepage)sevenstories.org.ukEpisode transcript at topholepodcast.wordpress.comContact us at topholepodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-11-2839 minTophole!Cavalier MaidEBD didn't just write school stories, and today we're looking at her historical novel for adults, Elizabeth the Gallant. Apologies for the earlier audio mix-up - we've now corrected this.Transcript available at www.topholepodcast.wordpress.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-11-1430 minTophole!Morning breakIt's a Wendy week (woo!) and today we're considering the Chalet School's consumption of caffeine and nicotine. Probably best not to listen if you're doing Stoptober or have recently switched to green tea. If you have hardback or GGBP editions of the second half of the series, you have the advantage over us, so please do let us know if we left out anything significant. But do bear in mind that this was our third attempt to record this particular episode so we rather lost track of what we had and hadn't discussed!
2023-10-3130 minTophole!A cockney accent"Miss Dene was on the stairs and she was a cannibal" is the unfortunate summary of this term whiich we later get, but it doesn't put off Miss Ferrars. Hopefully the staff fill her in on all the other things that happen during this eventful term on St Briavels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-10-1721 minTophole!When are you putting yours up?It's a Wendy week and we're talking about hair - washing it, cutting it, styling it - at the Chalet School. Also some top beauty (and gardening) tips along the way as we relate our own hair experiences.The YouTube video we refer to is "I tried 500 years of Haircuts" by Morgan Donner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-10-0338 minTophole!It's not pointillismGwyn Jones is the only artist to have created a book cover for every single Chalet School book (and a few extra ones, as Armada divided some of the original hardbacks when publishing them in paperback). In this interview, she explains how she became a professional illustrator, and provides a fascinating insight into how she created the Chalet School book covers of the 1980s and 1990s - covers which played a large part in the renewed interest in the books at that time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-09-1929 minTophole!School with bells onWe start with a review of Elinor M Brent-Dyer's The Chalet School and Barbara - bears, shoe lockers, and how long is prep exactly? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-09-0519 minTophole!The usual provisosEnjoy the Chalet School books? This is the podcast for you! We are launching on 5 September, so here are the provisos regarding pronunciation, spoilers, and affectionate disrespect, which will apply throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-08-2802 min