The Twich Podcast

In this episode, Rachel tells Liz about her long and varied career in HR from senior employed roles to forging her own way in a self employed consultancy capacity.The conversation delves into Rachels experience of her nasty sepsis health scare in 2024 that led her to re-address what was important to her and the founding of her Basking Babies franchise.Basking Babies is a brilliant organisation providing baby massage, yoga, reflexology and above all, a sense of community and connection for new parents in Nantwich and South Cheshire.Rachel is excitedly planning her first big event for young families on Sunday 17 May at Wychwood Park - The South Cheshire Baby and Early Years event.Get your tickets here!

Sara Lamond chats to the captivating and creative Dani Harrington from Canalside Garden Centre in Wrenbury. The conversation covers the journey of Dani and John in establishing Canalside in 2023, their approach to building a lifestyle business, personalised garden consultations, community engagement, and future plans including the creation of a show garden. The themes of seizing the moment and community engagement are prominent throughout the conversation.Canalside Garden Centre is a hub for gardeners of all ability and interests and walkers and boaters are warmly welcomed to enjoy a brew and a browse. Sara has worked with Dani for a couple of years and helps with her floristry and wreath making workshops throughout the year.

Liz Parkin chats with Jeff Stubbs, Chairman of the Nantwich Civic Society, about Nantwich's past, present, and future.Jeff shares his journey from Wales to Nantwich, reflecting on his background in town planning in Oldham and how it shapes his perspective on local development today. They explore the role of the Civic Society in protecting Nantwich’s unique character while supporting thoughtful growth of the town.The episode weaves through the Nantwich's rich history, its much-loved historic buildings, and the importance of community involvement in shaping a thriving place to live. There’s a strong focus on supporting independent businesses, local farmers, and food producers, key ingredients in maintaining Nantwich’s distinct identity.Liz and Jeff also discuss the challenges facing the town, from housing pressures to the impact of new developments, alongside positive stories of environmental initiatives, river restoration, and the creative reuse of old industrial spaces.At its heart, this is a conversation about balance; honouring heritage while embracing change and the people and organisations working quietly behind the scenes to keep Nantwich flourishing.The episode closes with details on how to connect with and get involved in the Nantwich Civic Society.

Two ex RedShift Radio presenters back together to chat about one of their favourite subjects - theatre.Since leaving RedShift, Benjamin Stubbs has performed and directed numerous productions in South Cheshire.Here he shares the exciting, stressful and rewarding journey he has gone on over the last 18 months to set up from Show Ready Productions.Ben talks about Show Ready, from its inception to its future plans, including the production of musicals, films, and the vision for a creative space.The conversation also delves into the audition process, the challenges of running a theatre company, and the importance of the creative arts in education and society.

Nantwich Info's official photographer Vicki Diane shares her journey from London to Nantwich, via Spain for 20 years.How her hobbies of art and jewellery making became a successful business where she began as one of the very first ETSY sellers.Vicki talks about her film-producer father Michael McCarthy who directed a number of films in the 1950's including the British action thriller Operation Amsterdam.Vicki returned to Nantwich during the pandemic and quickly became a popular regular feature in town with her photographs of daily life.Alongside jewellery making and photography, Vicki's other passion is pet portraiture and has built up quite a reputation for her art.You can find Vicki on Facebook and Instagram and also see examples of work on her Nantwich Info profile page.

To launch The Twich Podcast, Liz Parkin chats to Nantwich's most well known journalist, Pete Leydon, Founder & Editor of the hugely successful Nantwich News and more recently, print paper Nantwich Life.The conversation with Pete covers his journey in local journalism, the transition from print to online media, community engagement, the role of local writers and contributors, the importance of practical experience for his university students and what he loves about Nantwich.TakeawaysLocal journalism and community engagementTransition from print to online media

Stacey Rutter is another busy member of The Twich Podcast team. A mum, fiancée, full time education consultant, part time sheep farmer, charity founder and volunteer. In this trailer episode Stacey tells us about the various hats she wears including being an exec director of The Nantwich Agricultural Society, Chairlady for the Sheep Section of the Nantwich Show and being the founder of the new Men in Sheds (Nantwich).Stacey will be on the lookout for people to interview for our education, agriculture and community themed episodes.

Sara Lamond joins the Twich Podcast team as her first experience of broadcasting. She and Liz met in 2020 during the first national lockdown when she became a volunteer for Nantwich Buddies. Soon Sara stepped into the Volunteer Coordinator role and during her five years took Buddies from strength-to-strength. Liz and Sara have become great friends and here she shares her diverse career journey, from being a meteoritical observer the Navy to corporate communications and then wedding floristry. Since moving to Nantwich, Sara has volunteered for Buddies, Wrenbury Village Hall and The Nantwich Show.Alongside this, she helps with admin, marketing and floristry workshops at Canalside Garden Centre in Wrenbury.

Introducing our third podcast host, Paul Boniface. Paul met Liz when he join RedShift Radio in 2011 and they have been friends ever since. The conversation covers Paul's journey to Nantwich, his role and achievements at Ableworld, involvement with Redshift Radio and passion for travel, walking and wine.Paul enjoys finding out about people and will happily interview anyone from any background or subject field. His main focus for The Twich themes will be Business, Entertainment and Community.

I’m Kel Jones, and I’m proud to be part of The Twich.At my core, I’m a mum, wife, teacher, friend and someone who cares deeply about helping young people find their way, especially those facing challenges with behaviour, emotions or trauma. My work is rooted in SEND and trauma-informed teaching, supporting children to feel understood, safe and able to thrive.My path hasn’t been a straight line. I trained as a drama specialist and spent time running my own theatre company, which gave me a real appreciation for creativity, confidence and self-expression. That still shapes how I work today.Alongside that, I’m usually found with Barnaby, my therapy dog, who plays a quiet but powerful role in helping young people feel calm, connected and ready to engage.Liz and I first met back in 2011 through community radio at RedShift, and we’ve been friends ever since. So being part of The Twich feels like a natural next step.I’m really looking forward to being part of these conversations and sharing the stories that make our town what it is.

I’m Liz Parkin, and I love Nantwich.At my core, I'm a sister, wife, auntie and friend, with a home full of pets (dog, cat, chicken and goat variety) and a life that’s been very much rooted here in The Twich since 2008. I promote independent businesses through my website Nantwich Info, I set up, and volunteer for, Nantwich Buddies and I am the Show Manager for The Nantwich Show. Over time, I’ve become someone who naturally connects people, ideas and opportunities, often without really thinking about it.With a background in community radio and marketing, the idea for The Twich Podcast came from my sincere interest in people and what makes them tick.Nantwich is full of good people doing interesting things, whether that’s in business, community groups or everyday life, and not all of those stories get heard.This podcast is simply a space for those conversations, shared by a team of friendly voices, keeping it natural, local and real.So this is me, and this is The Twich. Welcome aboard, I hope you enjoy the journey.