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Hello Stratford! Sorry for the long delay. It's been a bit hectic here getting back into normal life and trying to juggle everything! Thanks for bearing with me. The plan now is to podcast every month and I also hope to do more face-to-face events and other things, now restrictions have eased. So, if you have any ideas, want to be involved or keep updated, email me at [email protected] or follow me on socials - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. This week I speak to Trevor Preston who created Changex - an alternative way of supporting people with their mental health. Trevor has his own mental health issues, but he doesn't let that get in the way of helping others... Also, if you want to get involved with the other groups I mention, please get in touch. Thanks for listening everyone. Speak again soon! Emma Stratford Calling Shop local - Support local - Celebrate local

Hello Stratford! This week I speak to Caroline Creswell, local interior designer, declutter-er and space transformer. We talk about how she helps people declutter their space and her upcoming Christmas event at Midsummer Garden, where she and some friends will be demonstrating how to decorate your Christmas tree, this years trends and lots more Christmas tips! Tickets are limited so do book as soon as you can. If you want to come onto the podcast to promote your business or a local cause, do get in touch. You can contact me on [email protected] or message me on socials. I hope you are all keeping safe and well. Thanks for listening. Emma Shop Local - Support Local - Celebrate Local

Hello Stratford! Sorry for the lateness in podcasting! It's been a bit hectic here, what with one thing and another. But I am back with a new episode for you.  Today I speak with Lawrence Prestidge - local author and old friend of the podcast now - about his new book "The Boy Who Lost His Smile". It's an autobiographical book about Lawrence's struggles with depression, alcoholism and suicidal thoughts, so a bit different from his children's literature! Lawrence talks to me about how he bit the bullet to write this book to try to help others who may be going through difficult times. If you have a story, business or cause you want to share with Stratford, please do get in touch. You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or email me at [email protected]. Thanks for listening (and for bearing with me!). Speak again soon. Shop Local - Support Local - Celebrate Local

Hello Stratford! I'm back! Again!  Sorry for the delay but hoping now the holidays are over I can get back into the swing of interviewing some of the great people in Stratford to help you shop, support and celebrate local! This week I speak to Janet Palmer from Stratford Friends of the Earth about the Great Big Green Week and some the exciting events that are happening from 18th-26th Sept.  If you want to appear on the podcast to talk about your business, charity or group, do get in touch. You can email me at [email protected] or contact me on socials. Thanks for listening. Speak again soon.

Hello Stratford! It's been a while hasn't it?! How have you been? Hope you're all ok and coping with everything! Sorry for the delay in getting another episode out to you. But I am finally back with lots of things to tell you! The podcast will be a bit different from now on, but find out more when you listen. I am still supporting local, so do get in touch with anything you want to tell the people of Stratford about. You can contact me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or email me at [email protected]. In this episode I speak to Emily Leadbetter, otherwise known as 'A Reluctant Ecowarrior'. She talks to me about why she's a reluctant ecowarrior and what her journey into the world of all things green has been like so far. Follow her page on instagram to find out more and share your own eco-friendly tips and advice - a_reluctant_ecowarrior. Emily and I have also joined a new group in Stratford to make our town plastic free. Find the group on Facebook (@plasticfreestratforduponavon) or email me to join and get involved! Thanks for listening everyone.  Speak again soon. And don't forget... Shop local - Support local - Celebrate local!

Hello Stratford! Can you believe it has been one whole year since I launch Stratford Calling?! Thank you to everyone who has been part of this thing! It has been so fun to do and so great to meet such lovely and amazing people. In this short episode, I announce the winner and runner up of the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition - we had over 300 people listen and vote for their favourite and it was very close! I will be having a break for a bit while I get myself organised, but I will be back with more interviews, videos and competitions too! Thanks to you all for your support.  Enjoy the sunshine! Speak again soon. Oh and don't forget... Shop local - Support local - Celebrate local!

Hello Stratford! Sorry for the delay in getting this episode out. It has been a manic week with the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition but so fun! I have loved hearing all the stories and also seeing which ones you have enjoyed! There is still time to listen and vote - you have until the end of Thursday 3rd June to hear them all and vote on the link. It's a close run thing, so every vote will make a difference! This week is a bumper episode with interviews with Jon Stiff, local artist who has used almost every part of his body as a canvas (!), Clare Thomas from Stratford Music Network and some of their young band members ( a couple of which provide the music for today's episode), and Melissa and co from The Courtyard Gallery at Stratford Garden Centre, about their new studio space and upcoming plans. It's a jam-packed episode to mark the end of Creative Stratford Month - I hope you've enjoyed the chats, videos and the competition. I will let you know who has won very soon, and also keep updated on socials for what's coming next, and on YouTube for the videos of some of today's interviews too! Thanks for listening and supporting.  Speak again soon. Emma Shop local - Support local - Celebrate local p.s. Sorry Luca - I realised after I published that I misread your song title. Luca's song at the end of the episode is called 'Crappy Moments and Red Dresses'. Enjoy!

Hello Stratford! Here is the final instalment of the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition. Today we have a poem by Michelle Dale, entitled A Walk by the River, and a short story by Rachel Dealtry called Donna.  These are the final 2 shortlisted entries in the competition, so afterwards I tell you the link where you can cast your vote for your favourite out of the 6 finalists. You have until next Thursday to vote and you can listen back to all the entries if you need to hear them again. Thanks again to everybody who entered, the judges, Hannah Young and you guys for listening. I hope you have enjoyed the series as much as I have. Enjoy! P.S. My next usual episode will be a bit later next week after the excitement of all this! So keep checking your podcast provider and socials to find out when it's out.

Hello Stratford! Day 2 of the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition! Today we have a piece of flash fiction written and read by Valerie Deacon entitled Coffee Mate, and a short story by Gabriella Szaszko called Jupiter Road, read by Hannah Young. I hope you are enjoying listening to these as much as I am! Stay tuned for the final instalment tomorrow, where you can find out how to vote. Enjoy! Emma

Hello Stratford! I am so excited to be bringing this special series of podcasts to you, for the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition. Over the next few days, the 6 shortlisted entries will be read out for you to enjoy, and on Thursday, you can find out how you can vote for your favourite.  Today we have Bubbles of Fun, a poem written and read by Julie Taylor, and Almost There, a short story by Charli Pacaud, read by Hannah Young. So grab yourself a cuppa, sit back and enjoy. Emma

Hello Stratford! I have a literary week planned for you this week! Today I speak to Myles McLeod, one half of The Brothers McLeod, about their new book Knight Sir Louis and the Dragon of Dooooom! He also tells me about their plans for more books, events and TV shows! Then over the next few days, you will be able to hear the shortlisted entries in the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition. There are 6 finalists altogether, and you will be able to hear them all, and choose your favourite! And the winner and runner up will be announced later in the month. Come back tomorrow to find out more! I am so excited!! Do get in touch if there is anything you want to share with me. Email me at [email protected] or message me on socials. Keep updated there too, as well as on the Stratford Calling YouTube channel. Thanks for listening. Speak again tomorrow! Emma Shop local - Support local - Celebrate local

Hello Stratford! A bumper episode for you today! I speak to Second Thoughts Drama Group, The Music Cafe and Prestige Academy of Performing Arts.  And thank you to everyone who has submitted an entry into the Monsoon Estates Creative Writing Competition. All the entries are with the judges, who will send me their shortlist soon. Due to unforeseen circumstances, you will have to wait a little bit longer than planned to hear them, but keep updated on the podcast and social media, to find out when they will be read out.  Happy listening everyone! Emma Shop local - Support local - Celebrate local