Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe Joanna Durrant

Jo welcomes back Faith Douglas who is the curator of Thorp Perrow Arboretum and the author of The Nature Remedy. They continue their series celebrating each season, and focus on Autumn.
They talk about folklore associated with this time of year, what to harvest and plant, why leaves change colour and how to embrace change in our own lives. 
Plus Jo finds out why liquorice has been so important in Pontefract, and learns the story of Pontefract Cakes at Pontefract Museum. 
 
 
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.

In episode 152 Jo's special guest is author Jane Bailey who returns to the podcast to talk about her latest novel 'Stay'. Jane reveals why she chose the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic lockdown as the backdrop to the thriller. In it a young woman accepts a lift from strangers and ends up at their Gloucestershire home, but will they let her leave? Plus Jane explains why folk songs feature in the book.
Jo also welcomes back pharmacy historian Briony Hudson, who is the director of Amersham Museum. She shares the story of an object there, that isn't what it appears to be from the outside. 
 
 
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks, to explore science fiction cinema. Episode 151 sees the return of the occasional series where a special guest shares their Top Ten science fiction films. 
The next person to do this is Paul Scott, former manager of the Cheltenham Playhouse, and some of his favourites include a Star Wars & a Star Trek film. Plus he reveals his guilty pleasure when it comes to science fiction cinema.
 
 
Presented, produced and edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet. 

Jo celebrates a milestone 150th episode of the podcast. 
Her special guest is imaging specialist Andy Saunders, author of 'Apollo Remastered'. He tells Jo about his passion for photography and space, and how he painstakingly digitally remastered thousands of images from scans of original NASA films from the Apollo era. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. 
Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives to find out the story of an accounts roll for Gloucester Castle from the 13th century.
 
 
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.

In episode 149 Jo's special guest is freelance writer and editor Liz Bell, who is also the founder of the ZIG/ZAG Project. She talks about her background in science communication, wildlife TV production and love of insects, as well as her passion for poetry, moving to the Forest of Dean and how she's explored her own neurodivergence. Plus she answers the Quick Six.
Jo also welcomes back historian Dr Roger Deeks, this time to share the story of a historic aircraft and its links to the Forest of Dean. 
 
 
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.

Jo's special guest in episode 148 is author Lauren Beukes. She talks about her books including The Shining Girls, which is now a TV series, and the award-winning Zoo City. She also discusses her new book Bridge, which delves into multiverses. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six.
Jo also welcomes back Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator, public engagement trainer and chemist. He shares another story from the Periodic Table - the element that really frightens Jamie. 
 
 
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.