Strong Lincs

Strong Lincs

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SOCIETY & CULTURE
MONTHLY

Welcome to Strong Lincs, the podcast all about Lincolnshire! Join hosts Rich Dutton and Dan Sumpton as they chat with local legends, uncover hidden stories, and celebrate everything that makes our county strong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 MAR

The Leadership Coach and Panto Plot Twists

March’s episode of Strong Lincs sees Rich and Dan covering serious ground, from boardroom leadership to full-blown panto chaos, and somehow making it all feel very Lincolnshire. First up, the duo sit down with Lincolnshire-based business leadership coach Paul Starbuck, founder of Starbuck Associates. Paul brings clarity, straight-talking wisdom and a refreshing lack of corporate fluff to the conversation. The chat explores what leadership really looks like beyond job titles, how strong communication can transform a struggling team, and why self-awareness is the secret weapon most business owners overlook. It’s thoughtful, practical and grounded in real experience working with organisations across the county and beyond. Whether you lead a company, a community group or just yourself, there’s something in this one that will stick with you. Then it’s a sharp left turn from strategy to stage lights as Rich and Dan head out to support Heckington Players and their production of The Snow Queen at Hale Magna Village Hall. The show is written and fronted by friend of the podcast Kei Bailey, and it delivers everything you’d hope for from proper community theatre: big characters, bigger laughs and that unmistakable village-hall magic. But in true Strong Lincs fashion, the night didn’t quite go to script. An unexpected real-life emergency led to East Midlands Ambulance Service being called to the venue, turning a theatrical drama into something far more real for a moment. It’s a reminder that behind every production are real people, real community spirit and sometimes very real surprises. What unfolded next, how everyone responded, and whether the curtain ultimately came down as planned is all revealed in this month’s episode. Leadership insight, local pride, unexpected twists and a healthy dose of humour, it’s all here. Strong Lincs at its very best. Links & Mentions: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: stronglincs • Share and subscribe • Thanks, it really helps! Paul Starbuck: www.starbuckassociates.com Heckington Players: www.heckingtonplayers.co.uk Follow us and get in touch: Facebook Instagram www.stronglincs.co.uk Email us at hello@stronglincs.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

41 min
15 FEB

Extra Strong Lincs with Patricia Mellett Brown

This month on Extra Strong Lincs, Rich and Dan sit down with Lincolnshire-based artist Patricia Mellett Brown for an inspiring and deeply honest conversation about art, sobriety, and life in our county. Patricia opens up about her journey into sobriety, what led her there, what it’s taught her, and how it’s shaped both her life and her creativity. It’s a candid, thoughtful chat about resilience, identity, and finding clarity through change. We also dive into her work as an artist: where her inspiration comes from, how Lincolnshire influences her pieces, and why place and perspective matter so much in the creative process. As always, Rich and Dan keep things warm, grounded, and unmistakably Lincs, celebrating the stories of people who make this county what it is. Honest. Inspiring. Proper and Extra Strong. Find out more about Patricia Mellett Brown: www.patriciamellettbrown.com Follow us and get in touch: Facebook Instagram www.stronglincs.co.uk Email us at hello@stronglincs.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 min
5 FEB

Panto to Paintbrush: Stories from Heckington’s Creative Scene

In this February edition of Strong Lincs, we celebrate creativity, resilience, and the power of the arts across Lincolnshire with two truly inspiring guests. Kei Bailey is an award-winning playwright, director, and much-loved pantomime Dame. Known for his sharp wit, bold storytelling, and deep commitment to inclusive theatre, Kei shares his journey through the performing arts, the magic (and mayhem) of panto, and why storytelling still matters more than ever. Patricia Mellett Brown is a Lincolnshire-based artist whose work is deeply rooted in landscape, memory, and emotion. Patricia talks about her creative process, finding inspiration close to home, and how art can connect communities, especially in challenging times. Together, this episode explores: The importance of creativity in local communities, Life behind the curtain of theatre and panto, Finding artistic inspiration in Lincolnshire, How the arts build confidence, connection, and resilience. A warm, uplifting conversation with two passionate creatives who prove that Lincolnshire continues to punch well above its weight in the arts. Listen now and be inspired. Links & Mentions: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: stronglincs • Share and subscribe • Thanks, it really helps! Kei Bailey Patricia Mellett Brown Follow us and get in touch: Facebook Instagram www.stronglincs.co.uk Email us at hello@stronglincs.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

45 min
17 JAN

Extra Strong Lincs with Neve Baker-Wright: Britain’s Youngest Pub Landlady

In this Extra Strong Lincs episode, we meet Neve Baker-Wright, who at just 18 years old made national headlines by becoming Britain’s youngest pub landlady. Neve shares the remarkable story behind taking on such a huge responsibility at a young age, from growing up around the pub trade to making the bold decision to step behind the bar as the person ultimately in charge. She talks openly about the challenges of being taken seriously, learning to manage staff, customers and suppliers, and balancing long hours with life outside the pub. The conversation also explores the realities of running a modern British pub, the misconceptions people have about the industry, and why community remains at the heart of everything Neve does. Rich and Dan find out what a typical day looks like, how she handles difficult situations, and what advice she’d give to other young people thinking about following an unconventional path. Honest, inspiring and refreshingly down-to-earth, this Extra Strong Lincs interview is a fascinating insight into ambition, resilience and the future of the British pub served straight from the source. Find more out about Neve and The New Inn www.thenewinnfolkingham.com Follow us and get in touch: Facebook Instagram www.stronglincs.co.uk Email us at hello@stronglincs.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 min
5 JAN

World Introvert Day, Reflections & Disney Discoveries

January’s Strong Lincs episode sees presenters Dan and Rich embracing a rare quiet month in. Fresh from the Christmas holidays and the turn of the New Year, they take a moment to pause and reflect as they look ahead to 2026. With World Introvert Day falling on the 2nd, it’s a month of going nowhere and talking to no one… except each other. The episode offers a chance to get to know the Strong Lincs presenters a little better. Dan looks back on his time organising a music festival at Grimsthorpe Castle, while Rich talks about his filmmaking work, the books he’s written, and some of the pitfalls he’s had to navigate as an independent author. The conversation then drifts into familiar territory, including a curious local investigation the pair undertook as they traced the footsteps of a cinema icon. Along the way, you’ll also hear about the famous playwright Dan once wrote to, and discover who recently had their mug showcased by Peter Levy on BBC Look North. Rounding off the episode is another track from Sleaford folk act The Band From County Hell. Links & Mentions: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: stronglincs • Share and subscribe • Thanks, it really helps! • Joseph Kiel Author • The Band From County Hell Follow us and get in touch: Facebook Instagram www.stronglincs.co.uk Email us at hello@stronglincs.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

58 min
15/12/2025

Extra Strong Lincs with Chris Clark

Back in the studio for an extra helping, Rich and Dan are joined once again by a familiar and much-loved face, their good friend Chris Clark. In this festive edition of Extra Strong Lincs, the trio settle in for a relaxed, laughter-filled chat that’s packed with memories, behind-the-scenes stories and a healthy dose of nostalgia. The conversation takes a trip down memory lane as Rich, Dan and Chris reminisce about past creative projects, including their very first key collaboration on the feature film Shadows of a Stranger. From there, Chris opens up about his fascinating career journey, sharing stories from his work on high-profile productions and rubbing shoulders with television icons. Listeners will love hearing about Chris’s experiences working with legendary television characters such as Basil Brush, along with Zippy & George from the classic children’s TV show Rainbow. He also explains how his career has evolved, and why he’s now widely known in the television and entertainment world as the go-to guy for making and supplying puppets. The puppets you see on screen today? There’s a good chance Chris had a hand in bringing them to life. As always, the chat drifts across all sorts of topics, with plenty of humour, warmth and tangents along the way. This episode of Extra Strong Lincs only scratches the surface of Chris’s stories though. There are clearly many more waiting to be told. Don’t be surprised if this leads to an Extra Extra Strong Lincs in the not-too-distant future… Chris Clark on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@xmaswoo Follow us and get in touch: Facebook Instagram www.stronglincs.co.uk Email us at hello@stronglincs.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

47 min
07/12/2025

Festive Lights, Christmas Chris & A Panto Adventure!

In this month's episode, Rich and Dan look forward to the festive season with a visit to Belton House to experience the annual ’Christmas at Belton’ which promises to be even more magical this year, with a new after-dark illuminated trail transforming the gardens into a twinkling winter wonderland. There the Strong Lincs duo chat with the events organiser Charlotte Beaver to find out more. Rich also swaps cracker jokes with Santa along the way. Then it’s this month’s special guest, Rich and Dan’s old pal Chris Clark who is known at this time of year as Christmas Chris. Chris tells us all about the various Christmas songs he's written and performed over the years, as well as his various appearances on BBC One’s regional news show Look North with TV legend Peter Levy. Chris also tells us about his time working with icons from children’s television such as Basil Brush, Zippy & George from Rainbow, and how he got the opportunity to play Bungle on ITV’s This Morning and Dancing On Ice. Chris also brought his guitar into the studio to play a couple of his Christmas songs including Christmas Bubble. Then it’s curtain up for Byard’s Leap, Strong Lincs' very own festive pantomime, written and performed by Rich and Dan, with performances from Chris Clark, Karen Davey, Laura Davies and Rob Norris. Rich and Dan wish all the Strong Lincs listeners a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and Christmas Chris plays us out with Boom! Boom! It’s Christmas Again which he wrote for TV legend Basil Brush. Don’t miss our bonus episode, Extra Strong Lincs with even more chat with Christmas Chris, dropping mid-December! Links & Mentions: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: stronglincs • Share and subscribe • Thanks, it really helps! Christmas at Belton Chris Clark on YouTube Making William Alvey Christmas Sleaford Little Theatre Follow us and get in touch: Facebook Instagram www.stronglincs.co.uk Email us at hello@stronglincs.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 18m
15/11/2025

Extra Strong Lincs with Radio DJ Dave Brackley

Welcome to Extra Strong Lincs, a bonus episode of the Strong Lincs podcast. In this episode, Rich and Dan are joined by local radio presenter Dave Brackley, better known across Lincolnshire’s airwaves as DJ Dave Bee. A pioneer of the local soul scene and a beloved radio voice, Dave joins us to reflect on a career rooted in rhythm, community, and an unwavering love of great music. From the crackle of vinyl to the clarity of digital broadcasting, Dave has seen (and spun) it all. In this episode, he opens up about his early days behind the decks, digging through crates of soul and funk records, how vinyl culture shaped his sound and the energy, the evolution of local radio, and why soul, funk, and jazz remain timeless, and how they continue to inspire him. A storyteller at heart, Dave shares warmth, wit, and decades of musical wisdom. Whether you’re a soul devotee, a radio nostalgist, or simply love hearing from local legends, this episode hits all the right notes. Tune in, turn it up, and get Extra Strong Lincs with DJ Dave Bee. Listen to DJ Dave Bee on SoulGrooveRadio.co.uk Follow us and get in touch: Facebook Instagram www.stronglincs.co.uk Email us at hello@stronglincs.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

54 min

Welcome to Strong Lincs, the podcast all about Lincolnshire! Join hosts Rich Dutton and Dan Sumpton as they chat with local legends, uncover hidden stories, and celebrate everything that makes our county strong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Creator

Strong Lincs
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

13
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Strong Lincs
Show Website

Strong Lincs