NINE STORIES HIGH

This special edition of Nine Stories High aims to help you enjoy the strangest Christmas ever. There are fond memories of the things we can't enjoy, along with tips on how to make the most of what we can. Plus cracker-tastic jokes from Lennon, a remarkable trombone solo from Danny and news of a highly anticipated Christmas Eve visitor...Huge thanks to everyone who made it possible: Olivia Pitts, Caroline Leach, Rupert Perkins, Anna De Filippis, Mike Blundell Jones, Yasmine Prichard, George at the Good Intent, Caroline Calver, Sam Reynolds, Verity Cassar, David Binns, Maggie Forwood and Will Yule.Happy Christmas, everyone! It's time to count our blessings and hope for better times next year. We'll be here to (sort of) help.

Puttenham is the little village that does big bonfires.For more than 30 years, we've been incinerating everything from 10 Downing Street to the Death Star. Thanks to Covid-19 there was no bonfire in 2020, so this episode of Nine Stories High aims to capture a bit of the magic. We bring together some of the organising team to talk about its history, how it comes together and what it means.My thanks to Mike Blundell Jones, Adam Calver, Dave Cassar, Will Yule, Peter Conn, Liz Yule, Gary Crosby, Liz Crosby, Nick Wildman, Pete Reynolds and Sir James Leonard.You can get a much better idea of how the bonfire looks and feels in Ben Finney's lovely Surrey Wars/Puttenham Strikes Back film. And remember to add your bonfire photos to our Facebook page.Hope you enjoy it. Fingers crossed for 2021...

The first lady of Puttenham shares her unlikely alias, gossip from Coronation Street and countless stories from the golden age of telly. You'll find out what Terry Wogan was like, what happened when she met Idris Elba and what Bobby Ball really thought of her. And she shares the secret of Puttenham's legendary Safari Supper.Plus, there's more poultry action from The Street - and new gags from Britain's hottest young comedian.

Sarah Anderson shares tales from her many years in Puttenham, including her unique connection with the world's best landlord, where best to escape a hurricane and how to train a prize-winning dog. But mostly she talks about how being a foster parent has changed the lives of dozens of children - and her family's.Plus, we hear from another of Puttenham's young naturalists - and gagmeister Lennon unveils his best joke yet.If you're interested in fostering, you can find out more from the Independent Foster Carers Alliance, which Sarah founded to provide help and support for carers.

There are surprises galore from the latest guest to brave the Nine Stories High hotseat. John Hewitson's career took him from the Lake District to Puttenham via Paris, outer space and hundreds of muddy rugby fields. He gives us insights into European intergovernmental negotiations, ecclesiastical legal wranglings and affordable housing, as well as stories about Russian singers and the notorious Puttenham Amateur Dramatic Society.Plus there's an interview with Puttenham's youngest marathon runner, gags from the inimitable Lennon and details of our unique local lockdown conditions.

"Take two."Simon Rogers is an award-winning production designer for film and television (and special effects on Puttenham bonfire), with a list of credits as long as your key grip. He talks about creativity, budgets and thinking big.There's also hedgehog news from Kit (and Danny) and more proper jokes from gagmeister Lennon.

The first episode of Nine Stories High features the amazing Sam Reynolds, who was diagnosed with cancer three times before she was 35. She tells Simon about working in the film industry, recovering from illness, running a post-cancer support group and becoming a post-natal doula. And of course, what she thinks about living in Puttenham.We also unmask the phantom gag-teller of old Puttenham town and reveal the unexpected truth behind our recent pub problems.