Rambling Retro Nonsense

Boyd, Barkes & Hayes

A weekly podcast where Tommy Boyd, Duncan Barkes and Hayley Hayes unpack (sometimes) hilarious, ridiculous, and surprising memories—one story at a time. Filled with laughs, nostalgia, and great conversation, Rambling Retro Rambles offers a light-hearted trip down memory lane - or cycle lane - for anyone who loves to revisit the past with humour and heart.

  1. 5d ago

    Vintage Kit & Fast Food Memories

    This week on the show, the gang kicks things off with a simple question: what is the oldest bit of kit in your house? What follows is classic retro chaos: The 1947 Bush Radio: Why Duncan had to test his latest vintage acquisition in the back garden in case it exploded, and why it takes 45 seconds to warm up. Prawn Cocktail Nostalgia: Hayley's sacred Christmas-only glass bowls, non-kosher prawns, and the eternal mystery of why everyone has 50 spare Allen keys in their junk drawer. Tom's Deep Thoughts: Why your own body is the ultimate vintage instrument—and the terrifying tale of a pest-controlling metal detectorist who unearthed a 400-year-old knight's head. Fast Food Memories: First burgers, square Wendy's patties, drinking pickle juice to ward off muscle cramps, and a suspiciously specific murder story outside a hardware store. The Fine Art of Skiving: Pro call-center secrets, putting people on hold for "manager approval," and supermarket staff who will walk you across the store just to avoid real work. Drop your thoughts in the YouTube comments below, or drop us an email at ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com  Don't forget to hit subscribe! You can also leave us a voice note on WhatsApp at 07405 341500—we'd love to hear your stories!

    Vintage Kit & Fast Food Memories

  2. Aug 9

    Picky Bits & Pringle Missiles

    Why carry a suitcase when you can drag a four-wheeled monstrosity directly into someone's ankles? This week on Rambling Retro Nonsense, Hayley, Duncan, and Tommy unpack the subtle art of travel habits, supermarket navigation, and the unspoken rules of snack consumption. From the evolution of non-wheeled luggage lugged by heavyweight dads to the high-stakes navigation of London Victoria, the trio examines how everyday routines reveal who we truly are. Along the way, Tommy shares a legendary family tale involving a café, a mother-in-law, and a contested KitKat, while Duncan reflects on the logistical nightmare of eating melty four-finger chocolates on public transit. Plus, the gang revisits the lost era of station newsagent shacks, train buffet cars, and the infamous moment a football fan decided a tube of Pringles made the ultimate projectile. In this episode, we chat about: The Evolution of Luggage: Lugging 20kg suitcases in the '80s vs. modern four-wheel gliders. Supermarket Psychology: "Salmon" shoppers, eye-level pricing tricks, and why alcohol moved to the back. Train Travel Routines: Station cinemas of the past, late-night first-edition newspapers, and onboard snack rituals. Chocolate & Snack Debates: KitKat eating techniques, Gordon Brown's tea preferences, and the weaponization of Pringles at football matches. Hotel Room Mishaps: Stolen biscuits, gutting hotel rooms, and accidental £200 minibar bills. Get in Touch: WhatsApp: 07405 341500 Email: ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com Don't forget to Subscribe on YouTube and leave your comments below!

    Picky Bits & Pringle Missiles

  3. Aug 3

    The 2 AM Algorithm

    What happens when your YouTube algorithm decides to reveal who you really are at 2 AM? In this week's episode of Rambling Retro Nonsense, Hayley, Duncan, and Tom dive headfirst down a late-night internet rabbit hole. The gang explores the bizarre world of YouTube recommendation algorithms—from 1980s Scottish pop and Boney M. to David Tennant and American watch-along videos. Then, they take a trip down memory lane to discuss classic television, retro entertainment, and the lost art of home slideshows and Super 8 film. Plus, Tom pulls back the curtain on his time working in children's television to share a dark, unfiltered truth about Sooty, Basil Brush, and why puppet performers aren't always as cute as they seem. In this episode, we chat about: The YouTube Rabbit Hole: Alternative profiles, late-night searches, and why the algorithm knows your secrets. Retro Home Media: Cine film, 35mm carousels, and awkward family holiday slideshows. Puppet Nostalgia: Punch & Judy on the beach, Fireball XL5, The Muppets, and Tom's personal grudge against a childhood favorite. Life Hacks & Grudges: The art of taking a passport photo on a bed and why keeping a good grudge is essential. Get in Touch: WhatsApp: 07405 341500 Email: ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com Don't forget to Subscribe on YouTube and leave your comments below!

    The 2 AM Algorithm

  4. Jul 27

    Don't Believe Everything You Think

    Conspiracy theories are back for Part Two… but somehow we end up talking about Elvis, time travel, UFOs, Christmas films, pub quizzes, and the most horrifying fact about chainsaws you'll ever hear. You're welcome. This week, Hayley, Duncan and Tommy ask the big questions: Is Elvis secretly living on a tropical island with Jimi Hendrix? Are UFOs actually tourists from the future? Did politicians wear pipes (and glasses) just to look clever? Is Die Hard really a Christmas film? And why should you never trust Tommy to write the questions for your local pub quiz? Expect bizarre historical facts, TV nostalgia, a surprisingly wholesome detour into Goodnight Sweetheart and Quantum Leap, a pub quiz that goes spectacularly off the rails, and one medical fact that will make everyone listening instinctively cross their legs. Tin foil hats are still optional. Therapy after the chainsaw discussion might not be. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it really helps us out. We'd also love to hear from you! Get in touch with your thoughts, memories, or even your own conspiracy  - To get involved with the show, you can send in voice notes or messages via WhatsApp on 07405 341500, or email ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com Follow Rambling Retro Nonsense on Twitter/X, Instagram and Facebook to join in the conversation.

    Don't Believe Everything You Think

  5. Jul 20

    Moon Landings, Beatles & Bonkers Beliefs

    Was Paul McCartney really replaced by a lookalike? Did we actually land on the Moon? Why do conspiracy theories spread so easily—and why do we love them so much? This week, Hayley is joined by Duncan and Tommy for a laugh-filled dive into some of history's most famous conspiracy theories. From Beatles album covers and backwards messages to JFK, Princess Diana, Apollo 13 and even a completely made-up Star Trek theory, no rabbit hole is left unexplored. Along the way, the trio explores why we're so drawn to believing there's always a hidden truth—and whether conspiracy theories existed long before the internet and social media. Expect plenty of banter, surprising facts, questionable logic, and more than a few moments where you'll wonder how anyone ever believed this stuff in the first place. Tin foil hats are optional. Critical thinking is encouraged. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to share, subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it really helps us out. We'd also love to hear from you! Get in touch with your thoughts, memories, or even your own conspiracy  - To get involved with the show, you can send in voice notes or messages via WhatsApp on 07405 341500, or email ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com. Follow Rambling Retro Nonsense on Twitter/X, Instagram and Facebook to join in the conversation.

    Moon Landings, Beatles & Bonkers Beliefs

  6. Jul 6

    Burnt Bread and Scrapped Memories

    In this week's episode, Hayley and Tommy are a duo act, diving headfirst into the chaotic, nostalgic, and occasionally inedible world of early culinary disasters and childhood scrapbooking. With Duncan away on transport-related adventures, the pair has the floor to wander through the memories of home-cooked attempts and the lost art of the physical archive. In this episode, we ramble through: Kitchen Chronicles: From Hayley's fond memories of egg-and-soldier breakfasts to Tommy's disastrous youth hostel attempt at "frying" a slice of bread on a gas ring (hint: it didn't end well). Delia's Rise and Fall: Tommy recounts the time he actually auditioned a young Delia Smith for a radio spot—and confidently told his editor she had "no chance" of making it. The Dying Days of Print: A trip down memory lane to the era of multiple Evening Standard editions, swapping teen magazines in the playground, and the tactile, scissors-and-razor-blade ritual of editing the news on a train. The Scrapbook Renaissance: Why we all need to bring back physical scrapbooks. Hayley reflects on documenting her summer holidays with Polaroid photos and glitter, while Tommy finds a dusty, ignominious Paddington Bear-themed scrapbook in his garage. The British Art of the Moan: Do we actually prefer a life with a few bumps in the road? Hayley and Tommy discuss why moaning about the rain is the quintessential British way to connect with strangers—and why "they've at least cured rickets" is the ultimate conversation-stopper. Tune in for a heartfelt, hilarious, and slightly scattered journey through the things we used to collect, the things we tried to cook, and the way we used to live. Get in Touch with Us! WhatsApp: 07405341500 - leave us a voice note, go on you know you want too! Email: ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com Twitter (X): Retro Rambles Podcast Instagram: Rambling Retro Nonsense Facebook: Rambling Retro Nonsense Don't forget to like, follow, subscribe, and leave a five-star review. It helps keep the retro nonsense rambling along.

    Burnt Bread and Scrapped Memories

  7. Jun 29

    Rugs, Rituals, and Running Out of Petrol

    In this week's episode, it's a duo-act as Hayley and Tommy navigate a world of pure, unfiltered nostalgia. With no adult supervision, the conversation takes a sharp turn into the deep, plush, and frankly questionable territory of childhood home decor. From the questionable aesthetic choices of the 80s and 90s—think geometric pub-style carpets, avocado bathroom suites, and the mysterious, ever-present "good room"—to the lost art of the French window, the pair peels back the layers of memory. In this episode, we ramble through: The Carpet Chronicles: Why did our childhood homes look like bingo halls, and were those scratchy, beige monstrosities actually indestructible? The "Good Room" Paradox: Why was there always one room in the house that no one was allowed to breathe in, let alone sit in? The Great Parental Morph: At what age do you wake up and realize you've officially turned into your mother or father? (Tommy shares a touching story about his dad, while Hayley tackles the sudden, surprising need for smelling salts). Shoe Tales: From the "posh" ritual of the Clarks foot-measuring machine to the enduring agony of wearing shoes that are half a size too small, we relive the perils of high-street fashion. AI and Everything Else: Tommy reveals a slightly unsettling encounter with AI technology, plus a debate on the merits of school dinners and whether or not carrots are actually good for your eyes. Tune in for a chaotic, warm, and wandering journey through memories that smell faintly of polish and boiled vegetables. Get in Touch with Us! WhatsApp: 07405 341500 - leave us a voice note, go on you know you want too! Email: ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com Twitter (X): Retro Rambles Podcast Instagram: Rambling Retro Nonsense Facebook: Rambling Retro Nonsense Don't forget to like, follow, subscribe, and leave a five-star review. It helps keep the retro nonsense rambling along.

    Rugs, Rituals, and Running Out of Petrol

  8. Jun 22

    Roll Up, Roll Up!

    Roll up, roll up for a trip back to the days of travelling circuses, school fêtes, seaside amusements and all the wonderfully odd traditions we grew up with. This week, Tommy, Duncan and Hayley reminisce about giant striped circus tents appearing overnight, the smell of sawdust and candy floss, terrifying clowns, prize goldfish, and the excitement of winning a giant cuddly toy that your long-suffering parents then had to carry home. The conversation wanders through school tombolas, teachers in the stocks, smashing crockery for fun, opening fêtes as minor celebrities, greyhound racing, vintage train buffet cars and even the surprising world of maggot racing. Along the way, the team debate whether circuses were magical or just slightly disappointing, and share some wonderfully nostalgic memories of Britain's great days out. A cheerful mix of laughter, nostalgia and gloriously rambling stories from a bygone age. Get in Touch with Us! WhatsApp: 07405 341500 - leave us a voice note, go on you know you want too! Email: ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com Twitter (X): Retro Rambles Podcast Instagram: Rambling Retro Nonsense Facebook: Rambling Retro Nonsense Don't forget to like, follow, subscribe, and leave a five-star review. It helps keep the retro nonsense rambling along.

    Roll Up, Roll Up!
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Trailer

About

A weekly podcast where Tommy Boyd, Duncan Barkes and Hayley Hayes unpack (sometimes) hilarious, ridiculous, and surprising memories—one story at a time. Filled with laughs, nostalgia, and great conversation, Rambling Retro Rambles offers a light-hearted trip down memory lane - or cycle lane - for anyone who loves to revisit the past with humour and heart.

Information

  • Creator
    Boyd, Barkes & Hayes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Rambling Retro Nonsense

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