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Severn Lives

Severn Lives

By: Polly Lovegrove
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About this listen

Severn Lives is a podcast that celebrates the people and stories of the River Severn in Mid Wales. Hosted by Polly Lovegrove, each episode is a warm and thoughtful conversation with someone who has lived and worked in the Severn valley. Guests include farmers, teachers, artists, artisans, naturalists and lifelong locals who share their memories and reflections on how the area has changed since they were young. Many of Polly’s guests are people who rarely step into the spotlight. They live quietly, often in remote areas, yet when invited to talk, they reveal a deep connection to the land and to the communities that have grown up along the river. Their voices offer a window into a way of life that is slowly changing, yet still deeply rooted in place.


Severn Lives is both a living archive and a celebration of these often overlooked voices. It offers listeners the chance to hear directly from those who know the Severn valley best, in their own words, capturing the character, warmth and wisdom of the people who call this part of Mid Wales home.


If you know someone who would be interesting to talk to, please get in touch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polly Lovegrove Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Still Walking: Bwana Bob, the Beast of Llangurig, and Life at 87

    Still Walking: Bwana Bob, the Beast of Llangurig, and Life at 87
    Jan 19 2026

    This week we’re chatting with Bob Evans, a former policeman whose life is filled with remarkable stories and quiet routines alike. He recalls the time when he was sent out to surround a barn believed to be hiding the infamous “Beast of Llangurig”, earning him a nickname “Bwana Bob” by his colleagues. Bob’s experiences are anything but ordinary. Now 87 years old, he still walks up to two hours a day to keep fit, bakes his own cakes and pastry pies, and carries a lifetime of wisdom shaped by service, resilience, and curiosity. It’s a conversation about adventure, ageing well, and a life that’s still very much in motion.

    Producer

    Polly Lovegrove


    Get in touch with us

    pollylovegrovephotography@gmail.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Thomas the Vet's Son: Ungrateful Budgies, a Cow in the Dark and a Naked Lady in Wellingtons

    Thomas the Vet's Son: Ungrateful Budgies, a Cow in the Dark and a Naked Lady in Wellingtons
    Jan 5 2026

    Listen to the stories of Huw’s childhood growing up as the vet’s son in Caersws. He loved driving his dad to midnight call outs, bumping along dark lanes across the length and breadth of the Severn Valley, back when just a couple of vets looked after the whole patch, from Llanidloes down to Welshpool. From a life-changing meal of mussels in France, to an unlucky black cat hanging from his wrist, Huw recounts some wonderful and inspirational tales from then and now.

    Producer

    Polly Lovegrove


    Get in touch with us

    pollylovegrovephotography@gmail.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • Four fingers and a thumb lead to Caersws

    Four fingers and a thumb lead to Caersws
    Dec 22 2025

    In this episode, we’re joined by Jeremy Connell, a man with a lifetime of stories, from the curious significance of four fingers and a thumb in Caersws, to his years as a teacher in Newtown. Jeremy takes us back to a time when life moved at a different pace. He recalls fairytale winters in the 1950's, when he and his friends screwed skates to the soles of their boots and glided along the canals by the silvery glow of car headlights. Hear the legend of Sabrina, a tale that may send a chill down your spine the next time you wander near the River Severn. You may wish to tread lightly and beware.

    Producer

    Polly Lovegrove


    Get in touch with us

    pollylovegrovephotography@gmail.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
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