I'm thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented craftsman, Matthew Edley, known as Ted. Sitting down at Highclere Castle, we delve into Ted's journey from a punk rocker with a distinct red Mohican to a renowned metalwork master. We talk about his meticulous work repairing and conserving the castle’s historical candelabra and lamps, including converting them from candlelight to electric while maintaining their historical integrity. Ted also shares his experiences as a part of the TV series 'The Restorers,' where he showcases the art of craftsmanship and restoration. We discuss the importance of using traditional techniques and materials to preserve history and how these skills are transferred across various trades. Join us as we celebrate the blend of modern restoration with historical preservation at Highclere Castle.


00:43 Ted's Craftsmanship and Metalworking
01:20 Challenges of Restoring Highclere Castle
03:17 Conservation vs. Restoration
07:44 Ted's Television Career
09:11 The Art of Traditional Techniques
11:52 Future Projects and Collaborations
14:53 Reflections on Highclere Castle

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

In this podcast episode, I am delighted to welcome author Sinclair Mackay to discuss his captivating book on Winston Churchill, which delves into 90 meetings over Churchill's 90-year life. Our conversation covers Churchill's diverse roles and personal attributes, from his military valour to his romanticism, and even his encounters with notable figures like Einstein and Queen Elizabeth II. Sinclair shares how Churchill's fearless and multifaceted nature made him an extraordinary figure, one who continually adapted to monumental changes in society. We also touch on Churchill's lasting impact on today's world and the different generations' perceptions of him. It's a thoroughly engaging discussion filled with fun anecdotes and thought-provoking insights about one of history's most complex characters.

00:36 Churchill's Fascinating Encounters

01:07 Writing Style and Approach

02:14 Churchill's Relationships and Personal Life

04:42 Churchill's Military and Political Career

06:25 Churchill's Emotional Depth and Romanticism

10:52 Churchill's Social and Financial Challenges

14:42 Churchill's Diverse Friendships and Interests

15:32 Highclere Castle and Social Changes

16:09 Churchill's Lifespan and Historical Impact

18:26 Churchill's Fearlessness and Adventures

21:10 Churchill's Post-War Vision and Legacy

24:45 Churchill's Relationships and Influence

27:40 Reflections on Churchill's Complex Legacy

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

In this episode, I sit down with the immensely talented artist and illustrator, Lucy Clare Dunbar, at Highclere Castle. Lucy shares her journey into becoming an illustrator, influenced by her father's artistry, and her love for drawing from a young age. She discusses the challenges she faced, particularly losing her sight due to health issues, and how drawing became a form of therapy for her.

Her sight eventually returned, giving her a profound appreciation for life. We delve into her book 'The Book of Gifts,' which combines her heartfelt sketches and words that reflect her personal experiences and hopes to uplift others. Lucy also talks about her creative family, her process of combining words with sketches, and how she draws inspiration from everyday moments and her beloved pets. Her story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the importance of living in the present.

01:35 Lucy's Artistic Journey

02:00 Overcoming Adversity

03:43 Family of Artists

04:37 The Book of Gifts

06:42 The Creative Process

13:16 Love for Animals

16:18 Living in the Moment

You can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/

New episodes are published on the first day of every month.