Sonning Buzzcast

Rob Jones

A look at life and the characters from the beautiful Berkshire village of Sonning-on-Thames

  1. Up the Swans! Swan Upping at Sonning

    17/07/2025

    Up the Swans! Swan Upping at Sonning

    Join us as we catch up with David Barber, His Majesty's Swan Marker, at the annual swan upping event on the River Thames. David shares the history of swan upping dating back to the 12th century, its evolution into a conservation and education activity, and the intricate process of safely capturing and marking mute swans. Learn about the involvement of the Worshipful Companies of Vintners and Dyers, and the efforts to monitor and protect these majestic birds along the 79-mile journey from Sunbury to Abingdon. Don't miss David's recount of his 32 years of service and the ceremonial aspects of this unique tradition. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:32 The Tradition of Swan Upping 01:07 The Process of Swan Upping 01:37 Ownership and Marking of Swans 03:28 Public Engagement and Education 04:26 David Barber's Role and Experience 07:01 Conclusion and Farewell

    8 min
  2. Max McNeill - inside the gates of Bishop's Close

    14/07/2025

    Max McNeill - inside the gates of Bishop's Close

    In this episode of the Sonning Buzzcast, host Rob Jones sits down with Max McNeill, a pivotal figure in the village and a successful entrepreneur. Max shares insights into his journey from working with Digital Equipment Corporation to founding his own business, Ultima. He also discusses the significant role of Reading in the UK's digital landscape, his deep-seated passion for horse racing, and his life in Sonning. Max delves into his family history, his early career challenges, his love for Blackburn Rovers, and how he came to live in our beautiful village. This episode provides a unique glimpse into the life of a man who has made a significant contribution to our community. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Nomination 00:27 Meeting Max McNeil 01:32 Max's Early Life and Career Beginnings 07:25 Starting Ultima Business 11:29 Involvement in Horse Racing 14:18 Horse Racing as a Business and Passion 17:22 Favorite Race Courses and Events 24:17 Football and Family 27:47 Proud Parents: Jack's Journey to Social Media Stardom 29:55 Falling in Love with Sunning: A Personal History 32:35 Building a Dream Home: The Story of Bishop's Close 39:50 Exploring the Gardens: From Cow Field to Country Garden 49:07 Future Plans and Reflections

    51 min

  3. 30/06/2025

    Liguge Weekend in Sonning

    The Sonning Twinning Association hosted guests from The Liguge Twinning Committee for a weekend which included The Elegant Picnic, a beautiful boat trip, walks, drinking at Loddon Brewery, a visit to Oxford and plenty of entente cordiale.

    30 min

  4. 24/06/2025

    Belinda Driver - Village Life, Mental Health and More!

    Join us in Belinda Driver's beautiful garden as she shares stories about our picturesque village life, the local university farm, and community events. Belinda reflects on her long marriage to Alistair, their life together. She also delves into her professional life as a psychotherapist, discussing the importance of mental health, trauma, and the transformative power of music. With anecdotes of community involvement and encounters with celebrities like George Clooney and Bill Murray!

    34 min

  5. 20/05/2025

    Sonning Buzz - the Community Spirit of Sonning

    Join host Rob Jones in this engaging episode of the Sonning BuzzCast, where he talks to Guy Falkson and Paul Etherington, the minds behind the Sonning Buzz Facebook page. They discuss the origins and growth of Sonning Buzz, a platform aimed at providing real-time updates and fostering community engagement in the village of Sonning. Learn about their experiences, the community rules, and their vision for the future of Sonning Buzz. Discover how this initiative became a cornerstone for village communication and community activities. 00:00 Introduction to the Sonning BuzzCast 00:47 Meet the Founders of Sonning Buzz  02:47 The Purpose and Rules of Sonning Buzz 04:25 Community Events and Advertising Policies 06:18 Challenges and Administration of Sonning Buzz 10:07 Personal Histories and Connections to Sonning 17:20 Reflecting on Past Events 17:54 Future Developments and Growth 19:26 Community Engagement and Activities 20:01 Local Issues and Concerns 22:22 Personal Interests and Hobbies 24:04 Challenges and Infrastructure 27:23 Interesting People and Stories 29:10 Closing Remarks and Thank Yous

    31 min

  6. 13/08/2024

    River Update with Richard Caines

    A few podcasts ago we spoke to Richard Caines, Jonathan Crump and Jeff Barnes about the regular water quality tests they are doing in the river. This is an update and it's not great news.....

    14 min

  7. 10/06/2024

    Ali Driver - Born to be Wild - well, re-wild!

    Professor Alistair Driver - the ex-London Irish player is now Rewilding Britain and of course, Sonning. Here Ali's story.

    39 min

  8. 30/05/2024

    David Woodward including the basket case of Sonning Eye

    David Woodward has lived in the same house in Sonning Eye since he moved there from Australia at the age of 6. He's a mine of information about local history. He's Chair of Sonning Eye and Dunsden Parish Council, he sings in a choir, does yoga and goes wild swimming, and there's more....!

    35 min
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À propos

A look at life and the characters from the beautiful Berkshire village of Sonning-on-Thames

Informations

  • Création
    Rob Jones
  • Années d’activité
    2020 - 2025
  • Épisodes
    19
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © Rob Jones
  • Site web de l’émission
    Sonning Buzzcast