010 “Save Our Shop”

010 “Save Our Shop”

Draycott sits in the middle of the countryside with only one shop to service the community. A lifeline. Recently the shop was threatened with closure until a group of philanthropic residents set out to save it.

On December 1st the store will become ‘The Draycott Community Shop’.

Run by village volunteers and financial good-will, the shop is saved!  However, a massive undertaking is in process with the renovations.

Draycott Diaries Documentaries will be following this incredible endeavour.  The first segment hears from the individuals making the impossible, possible!

 

009 From Fleet Street to “The Street”

009 From Fleet Street to “The Street”

Rob Perkins, owner and publisher of Valley Life is a journalist with more than 35 years experience on local, regional and national newspapers.

Decrying the loss of real journalism in big corporate newspaper groups, Rob believes that local publications still have an important role to play in informing local people and putting businesses in touch with potential customers.

Valley Life is now in its third year and with more than 30 issues behind it, he believes that it is now a real part of the community and here to stay.

He talks to Tiggi  about his career from national newspapers to his hyper-local publication.

008 The Vicar of Draycott

008 The Vicar of Draycott

A  behind the scenes look at the life of a  rural Priest.  Reverent Stuart Burns, the Vicar of Draycott,  by definition is at the epicentre of the community. As Tiggi chats to Stuart she begins to find out more, focusing on his past and discovering why he felt called to serve God.  Born to politically aware parents in South Africa at the height of Apartheid and as supporters of the human rights activist Desmond Tutu, Stuart often witnessed violence and brutality.  As a student he lost his faith but eventually it returned and he became ordained. As a new Priest he presided at many funerals of people he knew caught up in conflict.  Now married with a young family, life in South Africa became untenable.  20 years ago he moved to the UK and his story continues with the ups and downs of faith, community  and the Church in current turbulent times.  On a lighter side we find out Stuart is an accomplished cook and loves a TV thriller with a homemade curry!

007 Draycott’s Postman Hat

007 Draycott’s Postman Hat

On the hottest day of the year, Tiggi chats to the Draycott Bowler Hatted Postman, Ian MacLauchlan.  His story is fascinating.  Having left South Africa during political unrest, he moved his family to the UK, and has had a myriad of jobs, including serving in the military, teaching sports, as a bank manager and most recently in the Post Office.  Having worked in massive postal sorting offices across the country, his dream was to serve as a Postie in a sleepy rural country village and Draycott became his permanent patch.  Ian  admits to side stepping larger career opportunities to follow his dreams of serving community and to set up the animal charity ‘Hounds for Heroes’.  The charity trains dogs to support veterans with both physical and mental health challenges. With his endless high energy level Ian’s hobbies, all sports based, include international bog snorkelling! A funny, poignant episode highlighting that success and personal satisfaction comes in many forms.

005 Moon Walk

005 Moon Walk

This episode takes us on a journey with Draycott resident Teresa Wyatt as she tells her story about walking all night through London for nearly thirty miles to heighten awareness about breast cancer and to raise money for the Moonwalk cancer charity.  When her legs were tiring, the dawn chorus of bird song, and thoughts of people challenged with brutal cancer treatment, spurred her to the finish line!