Two Cups of Tea

Given the current climate, Two Cups Of Tea is switching briefly from stories from the old to stories for the young! Welcome to the first in an occasional series of kids audio adventures about the world’s smallest… and most flatulent dormouse. This first story’s a parp-filled treat for any bored kids (or childish grown-ups) who are amused by naughty bot-bot-noises. If you like it, then do share the wealth with other like-minded folk! Warning: May Contain Toots. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A special show and a chance to meet Wendy Mitchell; an absolutely inspirational woman and author of Somebody I Used To Know, the best-selling autobiography about living with early onset Dementia. If there’s anyone with Dementia in your life this is a required listen. She talks with such resounding clarity and insight about her own condition and is still so upbeat. It was a privilege just to talk to her. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We’ve been away for a bit cos life has a habit of getting in the way… but we’re back with a VERY special show. Today’s guest is a creative hero of my childhood and I suspect many of yours too. A regular feature of Vision On with Tony Hart, Eureka, Jigsaw and various other TV appearances, today’s guest is designer, inventor, artist, performer and explosives afficionado… Wilf Lunn! Brace yourself... don't say you weren't warned! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tom Price appears live at the National Conference of the Campaign To End Loneliness and enjoys a nice sit down and a cup of tea with the incomparable Janet Street Porter, complete with the occasional rude word. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One of the most extraordinary life stories I've ever heard. Born in 1938 in Budapest, Hungary, Peter was only a young child when he was separated from his parents when war broke out. A Jewish boy under the heel of the Nazis and then, after the war, the Communist regime, he went on to play a role in the attempted Hungarian revolution of 1956. He speaks with incredible honesty and vivid detail about how those events unfolded and goes on to speak of his time as a refugee in Britain before becoming a teacher and then joining the BBC World Service. Lovely man and an incredible life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Born in 1944 in the USA, she was raised in a place called Daylight, Tennessee. Her father was a fire and brimstone Preacher and they started out in a two room shack next to a snake-filled creek. From here, came a turbulent upbringing, four wildly different husbands and, against the odds, gaining admission to a prestigious, Ivy League university. She even talks candidly about her short spell in a psychiatric hospital when she was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David’s Story. He’s warm-hearted, an irrepressible enthusiast and one of life’s true innocents. His life story is fascinating, starting in 1937 in Hartlepool. His tales feature overcoming a disability, a musical youth, a brushmaking apprenticeship, hospital radio, rubbing shoulders with showbiz royalty; Bud Flanagan, Norman Wisdom and even playing onstage with Old Mother Riley. He also talks movingly about about the very recent loss of his wife of over 50 years, Hazel. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

AVAILABLE NOW: Phyllis’s Story. She’s not royal and she’s not getting married today, but her life story is a brilliant one, starting in 1925 in Clerkenwell. The daughter of Irena and Vito, two loving Italians who settled in London; her tale features pies delivered by pulley, ice cream barrows, burning slippers, 10 Downing Street, headless catholic statues and a bargain wedding cake. Brilliantly, she also used to leave little notes in the pockets of the Sailors Uniforms she manufactured during WW2. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Brian’s life story is utterly compelling, starting in 1931 in Guatemala at the foot of a volcano. Raised amongst the Mayan Indians, his tale features deadly snakes, surfing on molten lava, adventures on cruise ships, the Guatemalan elections, hidden crocodiles and not just one but TWO pet monkeys! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lilian Clark (98). Her life story is fascinating, starting in 1920 in South Shields. A proper Geordie, her tale features Jam & Bread at the beach, icebound ships, ha’penny bike rides, gold bricade, a perfect wedding day and a husband named Hubert. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pat’s life story is a belter, starting in 1934 back in Dublin. His tales feature wild swimming, sultana-wrangling, weight-lifting, body-building, upstaging Jimmy Cricket, Mexicans who sound like Germans and the love of his life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An astonishing and compelling lifestory this week, as always. Janet grew up in the Welsh valleys and became a headteacher and acedemic. Many years ago, she underwent gender reassignment to become the woman she always knew she was. Today she talks with fondness of her happy childhood as a young boy in Wales and the long, emotional journey over the years that followed. Unmissable. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I’ve realised I’ve been making the podcast for six months so it seems a perfect time to do the first Best Of show… In today’s edition you’ll hear all kinds of stories including hilarious tales of romantic dachsunds, shy comedians, female impersonators, midnight horse theft, nude dinner parties, accidental kitchen graffiti, dangerous deeds in New York city, dancing queens, dashing dads, true love at first sight and heartbreak during wartime… NEVER let it be said the older generation are boring. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

He's an East-End boy turned Boxer, Soldier, Composer, Cabbie, Market Trader, Snooker Champ and Concert Pianist… He plays like an angel and swears like a docker. His life story is a WHOPPER, and his jaw-dropping tales feature a first job hustling at an Amusement Arcade, playing the piano for the Singapore Aristocracy, cabbing round the grubby underbelly of ‘Sixties Soho, selling Washing Machines in the Welsh valleys and at least one instance of impersonating a French Waiter… You’re going to enjoy this one! But be warned, the language in today’s show is very colorful. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For this podcast, I travelled North, to Oldham to meet 82 year old George Weir. His life story is a whopper, starting in 1935 back in Rural Northern Ireland. His tales speak of wild donkeys, terrified chickens, unspeakable porridge, tin baths, black eyes, a move to Manchester, some painted crinoline ladies and the love of his life. You’ll like this one. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Michael’s Story. In this 12th Podcast, I sit down with my own Dad in an attempt to find out some things about him I never knew before. He’s just entering his eighth decade so it seemed like a perfect moment to catch up with him. It’s a voyage of discovery, featuring tales of Georgie Best, naughty cleaners, *very* local radio stations and the previously untold story of ‘how he met my mother’. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Former Land Girl and a total inspiration. Loved her to BITS. She was the backbone of the Women's Land Army during the way and survived a sometimes stormy marriage. She published her own memoirs when she was 75 and she also used to make the coconutty ones from Licorice Allsorts when she worked at Bassett’s. Legend. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Felix's Story. It’s an astonishing life and takes in some truly amazing tales from his native Puerto Rico, Spanish Harlem in New York, Vietnam and even Crufts! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Maureen's Story. One of my absolute favourites. She was born in Liverpool in 1932 and tells fascinating and emotional stories about her childhood and wartime evacuation to Wales. In 1948, aged just 16, she became a 'Cadet Nurse' in the fledgling months of a brand new NHS. She's a born storyteller and a pleasure to spend time with. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I went to Abergele in North Wales to meet Joe, 89. Apart from working in textiles and engraving his whole life, he also had a twin career treading the boards as a Panto Dame and professional female impersonator. As you can imagine, this one's a BELTER. Enjoy! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A second helping of stories from Brenda, who I spoke to way back in the first episode. And she's saved the best stories for the second installment. You'll hear tales of wiggly pigs, humping Dachsunds and flying toddlers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A lovely gentle wander through Gloria's nine decades in the South West of England. From her dancing teenage years where she met her husband... through being the only woman I know to make her family a full Sunday Roast whilst at the beach... all the way to the publication of her first romantic novel at the tender age of 75. She was a pleasure to chat with from start to finish. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A Quick Highlights Reel To Tease Your Tastebuds. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tommy is 85 and a true Manc, born and bred. Funny, gregarious and blessed with a great big heart and a thousand brilliant stories, he’s still a well-known character in his neighbourhood. He worked hard all his life and ended up as Site Foreman at Mather & Platt in Newton Heath. When he was growing up, he hung round with a young, shy lad called Bernard Manning and he was recently award the British Empire Medal for his tireless community work. Lovely, lovely old boy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the lead up to Remembrance Sunday, it seems the perfect time to listen to the astonishing life story of Jessie (95)... who joined the Women's Army (A.T.S.) at just 18, where she trained and fought alongside the men in WWII, manning the Anti-Aircraft Guns across Britain and also in Antwerp. Funny, jaw-dropping and moving. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In his 85 years, Barry has done some ridiculously cool stuff, like interview a naked Muhammad Ali in a hotel room and spend a day in Sydney with Vincent Price... but he also speaks with such candid, honest sadness about his love for Christine, his late wife, and the grief and loneliness that followed. Lovely, funny man. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chris brews up with Squadron Leader John Hyde (84) and hears his eventful life-story. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chris meets with 88-yr-old force of nature, Brenda. She takes him on a whistlestop tour of her life-story, across nine decades and all five continents. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The trailer for Two Cups Of Tea... A brand new podcast, coming soon! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.