The Rural Veterans Hub

Caroline Verdon from Under The Mast and Erin Towey from HD8 Life host Beyond the Postcode, a podcast about people who live or work in HD8, and interview Linda and Keith from the Rural Veterans Hub, a veteran-led community offering support, friendship and sanctuary for ex-forces members and their families in rural areas. Linda and Keith describe the shock of leaving military structure, identity and camaraderie, everyday difficulties adjusting to civilian life, and challenges accessing military-minded healthcare and therapy, including PTSD support, especially when living rurally. They explain the military covenant and the need for veterans to be recorded as such at their GP to receive appropriate priority for service-attributable issues. The Hub meets twice a month, provides banter, speakers, trips, crafts and activities, and shares success stories involving improved wellbeing and help navigating housing and bureaucracy, while encouraging new members to connect via Facebook, the website or by attending events.

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast

00:35 Life After Service Shock

01:53 Losing Identity and Respect

03:45 Civilian Work Culture Clash

05:19 Cleanliness and Military Habits

06:59 PTSD and Gaps in Care

08:51 Why Rural Support Matters

09:47 Military Covenant and Advocacy

11:22 Hub Success Stories

15:00 Trips Crafts and Camaraderie

18:58 How to Join and Contact

20:03 Series Wrap and Thanks

Beyond the Postcode: John Allen on Touring as a Sound Engineer and Building the Burn Hill Herb Company

Hosts Caroline Verdon from Under The Mast and Erin Towey from HD8 Life introduce Beyond the Postcode, a podcast about people who live or work in HD8, and interview guest Jon Allen of the Burnt Hill Herb Company. Yes Farnley Tyas is just outside HD8...but it's close enough for us ;)

Jon describes his former career as a sound engineer touring extensively across Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East, including Prince’s last European tour, noting the long hours and how touring makes family life difficult, including losing a tour to attend his brother’s wedding.

He explains how conversations with chefs and a love of Scandinavian smoked fish led him to cold-smoke trout and eventually farm his own fish. After moving to the HD8 area due to his wife Roxanne’s job, he built an aquaponics system that recirculates water to raise trout and grow seasonal produce.

He discusses developing products from trimmings, partnering locally, plans for a “Sushi Club” kit, recommends Ashley Jackson’s “Framing the Landscape” near Holmfirth, and shares three playlist picks: Natalie Cole, Big Daddy Wilson’s “Neck Bone Stew,” and Status Quo’s “In the Army Now.”

00:00 Welcome to HD8

00:18 Meet Jon Allen

00:36 Life on Tour

01:12 Artists and Highlights

01:56 Prince and World Tours

03:28 Choosing to Settle

04:40 Touring Sacrifices

06:42 Food Sparks a Pivot

08:08 Why Farnley Tyas

09:15 Aquaponics Explained

11:06 Cold Smoke to New Products

12:50 Sushi Club Idea

14:11 HD8 Top Tip Walk

17:13 Postcode Playlist Picks

20:51 Wrap Up and Next Episode

Beyond the Postcode: Chris Hobson’s Record-Breaking Antarctica Ice Marathon

Hosts Caroline Verdon from Under The Mast and Erin Towey from HD8 Life introduce Beyond the Postcode, a podcast about people who live or work in HD8, and interview Clayton West resident Chris Hobson, a Guinness World Record holder as the oldest person to complete the Antarctica Ice Marathon.

Chris describes reinventing herself after retiring in 2014, joining a running club, gaining a London Marathon place, and adopting a run-walk strategy that helped her avoid injuries and keep running. After learning about the 100 Marathon Club, she set goals that led to around 126–127 marathons, including “marathon tourism” across continents, with notable experiences like the humid Singapore marathon and extreme conditions in Antarctica. She recounts multiple canceled Antarctica attempts, last-minute entry logistics, the silent, hazardous environment, and her motivations around staying healthy in older age.

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast

00:35 Meeting Her Husband

02:14 Record Holder Intro

02:27 Retirement to Running

04:18 First London Marathon

06:16 Run Walk Strategy

07:58 Chasing 100 Marathons

09:24 Marathon Tourism Begins

11:14 Heat and Humidity Chaos

14:25 Antarctica Ice Marathon

15:26 Antarctica Trip Cancellations

16:32 Last Minute Race Slot

18:03 Gear Panic And Prep

19:03 Bank Fraud Block Drama

21:12 Running In Antarctica

23:55 Staying Active In Retirement

25:55 Fitness For Older Adults

27:54 Local Tip And Music Picks

29:46 Wrap Up And Next Guest