Shows
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastAN ANGEL APPEARED IN THE GUISE OF KEITH GUYLER A Northcote Story from 1994A TIME OF TRIALOur bank were trying to foreclose on our mortgage because it had not been paid for over six months, we had over 15 very large Heavy Horses of various breeds in our care. Some like Goliath and Big Bonnie had very serious and also “expensive” health problemsWe owed huge amounts to our feed merchant and vet as well as countless smaller suppliers.Here I must mention the Vet practice. At that time we owed them over £10.000. They were fully aware of the situation and our intentions and they...2022-08-1007 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastNIGHTMARE BREAKDOWN CALL OUT A Tale from Ivy House, New Bolingbroke, 1983Keith was phoning from a cafe on the M1 at Crick in Northamptonshire.The first thing he had to tell me was he had lost both rear wheels from one side of the lorry.It was fully loaded and he had been going fairly slowly through a restricted part of the motorway where it was single carriageway only.His rear wheels had come off in this section and just spun away across the remainder of the motorway.Mixed blessings here as with it being roadworks and restricted, then there was a...2022-07-0511 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastDICK SANDERS "A MAN TRULY AHEAD OF HIS TIME" An It's a Rum Life StoryThese silver teaspoons with the crest of the RNLI have prompted this story which takes us back as far as 1950.We will begin the saga here, this was in fact the year that the chap who I assume is my father took his escape from my mother to seek his “fortune” in pastures new.BACKGROUNDI should explain to avoid further complications that my father is not my father on my birth certificate. The certificate names another chap who was married to my mother previously. It is just that she did not bother to have any...2022-02-1726 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastTHE UNIROYAL YEARS It's a Rum Life, tales from Ivy House 1976 to 2003THE RISE AND FALL OF A GOOD IDEA!If I did not mention the fact before, the sole reason Ruth and I were appointed as the very first Uniroyal tyre stocking point in the UK was that Uniroyal wanted Harry Thorne’s business. Firestone were now totally out of the way and the door was open for a manufacturer of premium tyres to take their place in supplying Fossitt and Thorne with their retail outlets covering the length and breadth of Lincolnshire and into Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.Fortunately for us...2022-02-1246 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastA TALE OF TWO EYES It's a Rum Life in France October 2021I have worn spectacles for long vision and reading for over 14 years now, but a couple of years ago. I found that I no longer needed glasses for long vision. I could see brilliantly into the distance.At the same time, when driving I could see the instruments in the car and the view ahead equally well.“My goodness”, I thought, “my eyes have become bionic”,....or something along those lines!They continued to perform exceptionally well, as good in fact as they had been before ever using spectacles....until the time came for my two-year...2021-10-0612 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastDO YOU HAVE A "BLACK HOLE" IN YOUR GARDEN? It's a Rum Life in France october 2021Not one of those interspacial things that gobble up anti-matter and anything else that goes its way but something much more simple.A place in your garden where all the bad things happen. All the accidents, incidents and calamities, all in one place!I really did not think such a thing was possible until just the other week.I was walking a bit too fast to get back to a job, having retrieved a pipe wrench to effect repairs to the garden irrigation water, coming from a deep hole in one corner of...2021-10-0610 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman Podcast"SAM AND THE MILK STOUT" A story from It's a Rum Life Book Four Volume two Northcote 1998 to 2008Now, vitamin B posed more of a problem in its natural form and lots of it for a horse who weighed around 18 hundredweights. Then of course the penny dropped, beer. Ruth remembered the times when hospital patients had been prescribed a personal allowance of “milk stout”. Full of vitamin B and the ideal pick me up for those under the weather. From time to time in the past we had been able to help our local family brewery “Bateman's” with jobs involving heavy horses. We contacted “Mr George” the boss who was only too pleased to help out.2021-10-0505 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastDRIVING AMERICAN LADIES A story from It's a Rum Life in France 2013There were complications on the way to the train today, I had been driving three American Ladies around all week during their holiday here in the Loire Valley and their week finished today when they all had trains to catch from the mainline station in Tours. Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.fr2021-10-0106 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman Podcast"JUPITER AND THE AIRFIELD GHOST" Tales from Northcote from about 1989.I managed to dismount and calm him while inspecting his saddle. On eventually mounting once again he took charge and broke into an instant gallop. I managed to steer him around the next bend, across a stubble field, down across the Ladywath Beck by a narrow farm bridge across the lane, over a gate, and into our stable yard. He could not get away from that place fast enough!He did not stop even then and I had to lay flat on his neck as he was determined to enter his own stable without stopping. We must...2021-09-1809 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman Podcast"SOME OF THE THE NOT SO GOOD TIMES" Stories from Northcote 1984 to 1998There are three stories in this piece. The Fire is already recorded and can be heard on its own.Also included are the stories of the two burglaries..........You have to "weather" the downs to appreciate the good times....takes some doing though!Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.fr2021-09-1814 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman Podcast"LITIGATION 1982 TO 2002" Taken from It's a Rum Life Book Three Ivy House Tales.Most things we remember are the good times................This story is about the bad times, but in this case they continued for over 20 years!A story of victimisation, bullying and intimidation. But it did not work!Listen to find out what it was all about....................Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www...2021-09-1822 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastIN TUNE WITH ANOTHER SAILING MAN AND SAILING WOMAN TOO 1970Another It's a Rum Life story that would be in Book two except I have just written this one.The version in the book is a little different. I prefer this one!Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turning2021-09-0108 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastCHARLES AND LUCY GO TO FRANCE PART 1 BRITTANY 1978This was actually the first trip they took with Ruth and myself and daughter Helen.As with most things involving Charles, it was memorable and very funny.Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their own...2021-09-0106 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastCHARLES AND LUCY GO TO FRANCE PART 2 PREHISTORIC CAVES IN THE DORDOGNEA family holiday looking at prehistoric cave paintings. There are photographs to go with this story. A story with an amusing incident......Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their own Site.All the books are f...2021-08-2809 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastINCIDENT WITH RMS QUEEN MARY....THE SOLENT 1958Reflections of time in our school Combined Cadet Force and learning the hard way!2021-08-2810 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastTHINKING ABOUT CORONAVIRUS........ a story from 2021 here in FrancePrompted by an article in the French press about alternative medicine.Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their own Site.All the books are free to download to any device.Have a look at...2021-08-1407 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastWHERE DOES FATHER CHRISTMAS REALLY LIVE? a tale from Northcote 2002This was our destination for the journey that included "Passat with a Problem".An amusing story which will become part of "It's a Rum Life Book Four" Volume two Northcote 1998 to 2008.Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-b...2021-08-1406 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastPASSAT WITH PROBLEMS IN FRANCE another tale from Northcote 2002This was the third trip and third problem, would you believe that after 2003 when we moved to France that car made countless trips with trailers and what have you and never had the slightest trouble........Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete...2021-08-1403 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastPASSAT IN TROUBLE AGAIN..........Another Northcote Story from 2001It would appear that every time that car went to France it had a problem.....I suppose that is quite true..........but amusing too.Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their own Site.All the...2021-08-1406 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastPASSAT IN TROUBLE tales from Northcote from about 2000Our first trip to France with "Passat" and caravan................Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their own Site.All the books are free to download to any device.Have a look at our bookcase...2021-08-1404 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastHENRY CAME TO STAY from Northcote in about 1997Another unexpected arrival, when we saw that "stretch Limo" in the drive of the bungalow,we did not know what to expect! Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their own Site.All the books ar...2021-08-1405 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastDINAN AND THE ROSE SHOW..........a story from Ivy House, New Bolingbroke in 1980Dinan himself did not actually go to the HM The Queen Mother's 80th Birthday Celebrations at Sandringham, but that is where we found the rose with the same name!Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their...2021-08-1203 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastEBONY AND THE DIESEL DELIVERY DRIVER tales from Ivy House, New Bolingbroke 1978Ebony had to have an operation, this is what happened.............Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their own Site.All the books are free to download to any device.Have a look at our...2021-08-0306 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastTHE RENAULT 4L IS 60 THIS YEAR............Reflections on our family experiences of the amazing 4L together with our efforts at promoting the car at its launch for local Renault Dealer Pete Taylor at his garage at Stickford near Boston, Lincolnshire UK in 1961.Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10...2021-08-0310 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastFINALLY I'M DRIVING A "REAL" CITROEN...ONCE AGAIN!We buy a new "secondhand" car that really impresses!The nicest car to drive since I drove a pre-production model Citroen DS 21 Pallas on a test drive for my newspaper employers in 1965.The story of that test drive is here on our buzzsprout site...."The one and only Test Drive".Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: N...2021-08-0208 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman Podcast"A TUESDAY IN MARCH" One of "The original stories" Northcote 1994The very first of my regular Diary Stories published by my ex-employers, Mortons Group Newspapers.The story appeared on 31 March 1999 but was from a period in time around 1994 when the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre was looking for all kinds of volunteers.They still are!Permission to reproduce is kindly granted by Johnson Press Group who own the copyright.Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".2021-06-2203 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman Podcast"TORNADO IN OUR GARDEN" It's a Rum Life in France June 2021There are pictures to go with this story....all very recent.There will be a slide show presentation of the story on our YouTube Channel.........the short storymankeithsanderson youtube.Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books o...2021-06-2206 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastWE INSTALL THE GENERATOR Northcote 2002We were destined to produce our own electricity.Thoreslinks Fundraisers were not just providers of badly needed financial help.....they were electrical installation specialists too.Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their own Site.2021-05-2308 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastSTUDENTS ARE COMING It's a Rum Life Book Four vol two Northcote 2002We were given the chance of a new means of support for the centre and all its four-legged residents. A new substantial means of financial support long term, for the future.It was an unforgivable fraud that left us hugely financially overstretched.We did all the preparations and planning only to have it rejected at the very last minute. Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on...2021-05-2305 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastContinuing "THE MR MACKAY TRIBUTE" Francis and the Tractor Northcote 1994Without Francis and his encouragement, despite his own personal problems, this would never have happened.........................Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their own Site.All the books are free to download to any device....2021-05-2302 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastTHE "REAL" MR MACKAY and the Horses he loved. "A TRIBUTE" Northcote 1994Francis was the first volunteer helper we ever had at the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre.Francis was very special and this is why....................Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their own Site.All the...2021-05-2306 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastANTICS IN A BOTTLE BANK It's a Rum Life Book Four Volume Two Northcote 2004A very short story but amusing.................Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their own Site.All the books are free to download to any device.Have a look at our bookcase and view all...2021-05-2002 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastTHE FIVE LEGGED HORSE! Northcote about 2005How would you set about dealing with this "big problem"!Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerbooks.frAt the same time, Cracker Books have produced 10 complete page turninge-books on their own Site.All the books are free to download to any device.Have a look at our...2021-05-2003 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastJUPITER AND THE AIRFIELD GHOST 1989 It's a Rum Life Book Four Volume OneI managed to dismount and calm him while inspecting his saddle. On eventually mounting once again he took charge and broke into an instant gallop. I managed to steer him round the next bend, across a stubble field, down across the Ladywath Beck by a narrow farm bridge across the lane, over a gate, and into our stable yard. He could not get away from that place fast enough!He did not stop even then and I had to lay flat on his neck as he was determined to enter his own stable without stopping. We must...2021-05-0209 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastCRACKER GOES TO THE ITV STUDIOS IN LONDON It's a Rum Life Book Four Vol 2We had a telephone call from Southern Arabia where the stud manager for Sheik Hamdan al-Maktoum the famous horse owner, to see if Cracker was for sale. Unfortunately, they were not aware that Cracker was a gelding and not a Stallion!We had phone calls from all over and also one from the ITV in London who wanted Cracker to appear on a television programme with one of their celebrities. We explained that it would not be cheap to bring him to London and told them about travelling time restrictions in moving horses .T...2021-04-2408 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastYOU MUST MAKE PEE PEE 2018 It's a Rum Life in FranceGravity came to my rescue and there must have been almost a litre!When she came back and saw the result, she swiftly tipped it into the toilet and with thesingle word “good” she disappeared with a satisfied “I knew best” smirk on her face!Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at www.crackerb...2021-04-2204 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastI'M YOUR LITTLE GNOME 2015 It's a Rum Life in France She quickly bobbed down behind the counter and shot back up wearing a motor cycle crash helmet….. “but I’m the little gnome, “ she said with a distinct twinkle in her eye! So there it was, our own personal little gnome loaded her company quad-bike with our boxes and proceeded down to arrive beside our car.Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on yo...2021-04-2202 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastNORTHCOTE STARTED THIS WAY.......The end of It's a Rum Life Book Three New Bolingbroke 1970 to 1984 In the contract with the TMC was a clause that if my company was to liquidate then we would lose the contract. The bank would not budge and despite Ed and I traveling the countrywide to find a solution, nothing could be done in time. My final visit to the Midland Bank in Lincoln and dismantling their office desk with my boot did not help, but made me feel much better at the time!One and a half year’s work on developing the TMC distribution, 10 years of ECYB all ended in that liquidation; we finally ran...2021-04-2006 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastA LESSON IN FAITH IN THE 21st CENTURY....... It's a Rum Life Book Four Volume two Northcote 1998 to 2008A huge catastrophe took place in the years 1993/4 when the UK Government decided to begin the National Lottery and the majority of small animal ‘sanctuaries’ lost most of their income when vast numbers of the general public began gambling their income on pieces of paper and a game of chance!The amount of money taken out of the day-to-day economy of the country was crippling to some and still is. It takes much from the many and gives to the very few.My desperation to find a solution to our enormous debt linked directly to the...2021-04-2029 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastBUYING NORTHCOTE...........It's a Rum Life Book Four Vol One 1984 to 1998 I was making the best use of what was at hand!After all, I felt that our family had gone through hell in the last few months. I was still going through huge difficulties that Ruth did not know about, the demonic farmer who had begun civil proceedings against me for personal spite, was still pressing.We needed some luck!The mortgage went through and we made plans to move. But how to move the result of 14 years living in one place was the next problem?Thank you for li...2021-04-2011 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastNORTHCOTE 1984 AND ONWARDS............It was about this time during the development of the Rabbit farm that the stress of the final two years of ECYB caught up with me. I woke one night with this immense burning ‘orange’, glowing and engulfing the whole of my chest. The previous day I had felt strange tingling sensations in my left arm but given them no thought. With the orange was a violent heartbeat almost fit to burst. Ruth was concerned and I was powerless to move, only able to lay flat in bed while sweat poured off me.I could not p...2021-04-2018 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastSURVEYING A TEN TON WOODEN BUILT BROADS CRUISER IN 1972....... Ivy House tales 1970 to 1984 This exercise was mind-boggling. They brought the boat to the slipway and attached a cable to a shackle located through a large access hole in the front of the boat’s keel. A number of wide greasy wooden bearers were laid on the slipway and the other end of that cable was attached to a winch drum on the rear of a “track – marshall” logging tractor. On the word, the tractor roared, the winch turned and our chosen Vesta of ten tons deadweight, literally leaped out of the water and in an instant was beside us on the slip. The e...2021-04-2006 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastTHE NAVVY BARROW STORY 1973 NEW BOLINGBROKE 1970 TO 1984Back to the wheelbarrow.....it was very second hand when we bought at « the auction »,it previously belonged to the Lee family in New Bolingbroke. Its frame is particularly heavy, no doubt that is why it has stood the test of time ; including over 24 years daily « muck shifting » at the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre before joining me in retirement here in France in 2008. Admittedly it has been welded a few times.......Now in 2021 it is still going strong and is destined to outlive us all!!Thank you for listening to o...2021-04-1511 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastMEDICAL EXAMINATION IN LEICESTER 2008He went over to a cabinet, withdrew a syringe and bottle of liquid. Filling the syringe, he said quite casually, “this is same stuff that you normally have in tablet form. Just as they do in the “films”, he pointed the syringe into the air and squirted out a tiny amount of liquid.“This should be enough for you for the rest of the day. You can have it when I have finished with you!”Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many...2021-04-1518 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman Podcast"THE SUPER SABRE JET DROP TANKS" BOOK TWO BOSTON 1960 TO 1970It was during the time that I was looking for some other ways of making a living in preparation for the time when the Firestone Company would be no more. ECYB had begun and then been put into “cold storage” after losing the Magyar contract. I was told that close to the old East Kirkby airfield about 14 miles north of Boston was a huge number of ex American air force wing tip auxiliary fuel tanks. They were well hidden in a wood close to the centre of the village; not that the wood had been there when the t...2021-04-0608 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman Podcast"SUMMER CAMP 1966" (A story from the 1st Boston Sea Scouts) Book Two Boston 1960 to 1970During my earlier years with this unit, they had held a Summer camp at the Gloucestershire County Scout Camp site at Cranham. This beautiful village was set in a deep quiet secluded valley about 10 miles East of Gloucester. A small single track road passed through, dropping steeply to the valley floor from high hills on each side. The centre of the village comprised the County Scout HQ itself. An impressive barn type structure built in “Cotswold stone” together with a group of traditional stone out buildings. The whole, surrounded by an arrangement of fields allotted as individual camps...2021-04-0616 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman Podcast"BAMBOOZLE ARRIVES" BOOK TWO BOSTON 1960 TO 1970 taken from Chapter The Garage. We both loved the activity and heard at the Club that “Bamboozle” was for sale.Only having heard about the boat second-hand, we did not know what to expect. It was love at first sight. In fact we both liked the boat so much we still have her 40 plus years later.“Bamboozle” is a 14 foot Merlin Rocket class racing dinghy. Rocket by name and Rocket by nature, beautifully built in clinker ply construction (this means the planks overlap each other), the whole boat finished in varnish.Unlike more normal sailing dinghies, the Merlin has side d...2021-04-0608 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman Podcast"CRICKET CRACKER" THE FIRST FOUR YEARS by Elizabeth BarathyCracker was born at the Heavy Horse Centre Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park in Somerset in the early hours of 30th May 1988. I had been close by for nearly a week in case the mare would need help when she started to foal. Lady had previously had two foals before Cracker, both had been good sized foals, he was a very big foal. After his birth he lay in the straw for a while then struggled to his feet when he finally stood up I said out loud ‘what a cracker of a foal’ that is h...2021-04-0613 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastDINAN AND THE COATS a Story from 1978 taken from Book Three Ivy House 1970 TO 1984For some time we had been driving horses for pleasure and a few years previously paid a visit to the British Driving Society Annual Show at Smith’s Lawn Windsor Great Park.We had seen a carriage dog actually at work. A Dalmatian.It all started here.................Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as videos and slide showson our YouTube Channel at "cracker books on youtube".WEB SITE CHANGE: New Web site at ww...2021-03-3004 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastTHE LINCOLN SPIV DRAMA New Bolingbroke 1983Tyres had been my life then for almost 20 years and I had developed some very good trade contacts.After much research and discussion within the trade locally, I earnestly believed that there was an opening for a specialist truck tyre remould operation within our counties or Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.The market was certainly there and I initially discussed the idea with the main local independent tyre dealers to get their support for a consortium to produce retreads with their own individual brand names. This would have given them local buying and quality control; and the...2021-03-3006 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastCHANGES TO THE TOWN HALL a story from 1972 taken from Book Three, New Bolingbroke 1970 TO 1984 The Town Hall committee comprised most of the ‘worthies’ of the village. John Rundle, our neighbour living at Globe House was now running the family engineering business and iron foundry, it was his father “Jack” who was Chairman of the committee. Local plumber and neighbour across the road from Ivy House was Les Langstaff, it was his father who was the secretary. Then there was Ivor Bush and retired local postman Harry Hubbard who lived in the ‘North Row’ of cottages. Ivor and I were the youngest members by many years.Thank you for listening to our...2021-03-3009 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastTHE CRANE LORRY Introduction to a collection of stories from Rundles in 1984. Taken from Book Three.The Rundle family ran and to this day still run a thriving agricultural engineering business. It all began with grandfather who was an agricultural contractor and used traction engines to propel his machines from farm to farm.(Those traction engines are still in the family ownership and form the nucleus of their fabulous collection).The business developed over the years into manufacturing machinery and specialist repairs of unusual machinery.Their main annual contract while I was there was servicing and repair of all fairground machinery at every Butlin’s Holiday camp. This was an...2021-03-2905 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastBIG BROTHER IS WATCHING.....WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT! A story from Book Three....New Bolingbroke 1970 TO 1984I have only just remembered this story while posting items on our facebook pages about 45 Woodside, London Road, Boston, Lincolnshire UK....our first real home. It all began evidently not long after we had moved to Ivy House New Bolingbroke.You need to listen to "Buying Ivy House" ideally to get the real feel of what is going on!Neverthless, this incident happened a few years down the line..........Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as vid...2021-03-2908 min
Keith Sanders the Storyman PodcastBLOODY HELL MATE....WE'LL BE IN REAL TROUBLE NOW! A story from France in 2017As if we were not in enough trouble already............I must ask you to picture the situation, we are in a small town in "centralish"France.My younger sister was moving house after a very messy third divorce in the UK!!!She had ended up with some funds but not a lot, hence the move to France where propertyis very reasonably priced.............listen on!Thank you for listening to our Buzzsprout audio stories.You can follow many of these with added film and photographs as...2021-03-2910 min