PODCASTS/AUDIOBOOKS
The Wombles
For those of us of a certain age, The Wombles holds many special childhood memories. The BBC stop-motion animated series first appeared in the 1970s and was a teatime TV staple, adapted from Elizabeth Beresford’s children’s books and narrated by Bernard Cribbins. Now the friendly creatures, who live in an underground burrow on Wimbledon Common, return on BBC Radio 4, this time with narration by Richard E Grant, inset, describing the adventures of Great Uncle Bulgaria et al. The Wombles’ aim was to tidy up after untidy human beings, recycling and repurposing the discarded things left behind on the common. That message of sustainability and environmental awareness has, of course, become ever more resonant since Beresford first wrote the stories back in the late 1960s.
Comet in Moominland BBC Sounds, review by Yvette Huddleston
Narrated by Samantha Bond, inset, and reuniting the same team that brought Moominland Midwinter to the airwaves, this new radio adaptation of another of Finnish author Tove Jansson’s wonderful children’s stories is a real treat. This time round Moomintroll (voiced by John Finnimore) sets out on a journey to attempt to discover the truth about the comet. He meets new friends, has lots of exciting adventures and has to consider the possibility that what he witnesses might be the beginning of the end of the world. But that doesn’t prevent him from finding time for some late-night dancing and enjoying a few cups of palm wine. Also featured in the fine voice cast are Samuel West as Moominpappa and Ann Bryson as Moominmamma.
28 Dates Later Various platforms, review by Yvette Huddleston
Comedian Grace Campbell’s entertaining podcast series takes a look at the modern dating arena from an interesting perspective. In order to find out how it all works, the daughter of one-time Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell undertook what she describes as a social experiment in which she went on 28 dates over the course of just two months, so that’s a date almost every other day. Among the dates she shares with us – which range across the whole good, bad, indifferent, disastrous spectrum – is one she went on with someone she follows on Instagram who had a life-changing accident. At a London pub, she discusses with one of her friends how the date went; the discussion is interspersed with audio clips from the date itself as the listener becomes eavesdropper.
Dish Various platforms, review by Yvette Huddleston
The fourth season of this excellent series has now dropped with hosts DJ and broadcaster Nick Grimshaw and Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett once again inviting a range of celebrities to come and chat to them about food and perhaps to share a recipe or two. This time round among those joining them for a chat are renowned chef Massimo Bottura, award-winning restaurateur and founder of Food for Soul, a non-profit organisation raising awareness about food waste and hunger. Bottura tells Grimshaw and Hartnett that his favourite city to eat out in is Tokyo and how there are many similarities between the way the that Japanese and Italians prepare food. He also rates New York very highly for its wide range of different cuisines.