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

Caroline Verdon from Under The Mast and Erin Toweyfrom HD8 Life host Beyond the Postcode, a podcast from HD8 Life and Under the Mast, exploring people who live or work in HD8.

This episode features Matt Glennon, a professional footballer turned hairdresser who owns and works at salon G27 in Emley, and also works as a pundit and grassroots goalkeeping coach.

Matt describes moving through clubs and locations including Scotland, Carlisle, Hull and Huddersfield Town, then settling in Shelley for its schools, green spaces, nearby pubs and quick access to the stadium. He recounts opening the bar at Emley’s Media Stadium in 2007 and later converting a 300-year-old post office into his salon, discussing community ties built through clients, friendships, and the emotional support side of hairdressing.

Matt explains his transition from football after injuries and surgeries, taking a fast-track barbering course in Nottingham, cutting teammates’ hair in boot rooms and before matches, and adjusting to self-employment after football’s controlled environment. He talks about the mental side of goalkeeping, crowd abuse, and how cutting a first paying client felt more nerve-racking than playing at Celtic Park. He outlines juggling salon work, BBC Radio Leeds match work, and his local goalkeeping academy

The episode closes by previewing the next guest, Chris Hobson of Clayton West, who holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest person to complete an ice marathon.

00:00 Welcome to Beyond the Postcode + Meet Matt Glennon

00:36 From Stockport to Huddersfield: Finding a Home in Shelley (and the school hunt)

02:24 Discovering Emley: The stadium, the mast, and setting down roots

03:19 Turning a 300-Year-Old Post Office into a Salon (and winning the village over)

04:06 Salon Life = Community Hub: Regulars, friendships, and the ‘counselling’ side

06:25 The Big Pivot: Why a Pro Footballer Became a Barber/Hairdresser

08:02 Cutting Hair in the Boot Room: Clippers, teammates, and matchday trims

10:28 Training, mistakes & mindset: From hairdressing ‘maths’ to handling abuse

13:09 Most terrifying moment: The first paying client vs playing in front of 60,000

15:00 What football really teaches (and the bubble players live in)

15:11 Ready to Retire: Work Ethic and the Transition Out of Football

16:03 A Day in the Salon: Long Shifts, Regulars, and Staying Busy

16:26 Life After the Final Whistle: Money, Identity, and Starting Over

17:31 Football’s Controlled Lifestyle: Time Off, Weigh-Ins, and No Real Autonomy

18:46 Family Sacrifices: Moving Clubs, Relationships, and Raising Kids

19:47 Working With His Daughter: Trust, Responsibility, and a New ‘Boss’

21:10 Wearing Many Hats: Salon, Goalkeeping Academy, and BBC Radio

23:20 Goalkeeping Academy: Building Confidence, Resilience, and Joy in the Game

25:32 Life Skills & Knockbacks: From On-Pitch Mistakes to Business Setbacks

26:30 HD8 Top Tips: Rooftop Garden at The Dunkirk + Quiet Gym Time

28:13 Three Songs for the Drive: Heroes, Tipsy, and Getting Away With It

29:46 Wrap-Up and Next Episode Teaser: Guinness Record Ice Marathoner

Beyond the Postcode: Liz Wood, The Watering Can Florist and HD8’s Florist to the Stars

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. In this episode they interview Liz Wood of The Watering Can Florist in Emley, discussing her move to HD8 after making a fresh start with Mark, first living in Bird’s Edge, then Three Acres during the “Beast from the East,” and later settling in Emley, where they quickly bought their current home. Liz explains how The Watering Can began at a small unit (“the shaky shed”) at Yummy Yorkshire, then pivoted during COVID when the unit was taken back, shifting to doorstep deliveries of compost and plants and continuing flower work once supply returned. She shares how she got into floristry through her mother’s flower club, trained at Kirklees College, gained experience at The Posy Bowl in Huddersfield, worked at Gertz Florist in Lepton, and eventually bought the business. Liz also describes running her florist as a wine bar in the evenings using recycled and borrowed furnishings, offering live music and popular drinks including rhubarb and ginger liqueur with Prosecco, and notes customers often bought flowers after a pint. She recounts notable clients including a delivery of 100 white roses from Sir Elton John to Penistone's Paramount Theatre for a Billy Elliot opening, and work connected to Armitage Bridge recording studios, including getting a signed card from David Jason. Liz outlines her current work with weddings, farewell flowers and launching a monthly flower club The episode closes by teasing the next guest, Emley’s Matt Glennon, about his journey from professional footballer to hairdresser.

00:00 Welcome to Beyond the Postcode + Meet Liz Wood (Watering Can Florist)

00:35 A Fresh Start: Moving to HD8 and Finding Home

01:50 Birds Edge to Emley: The House Hunt That Felt Like Fate

04:45 How The Watering Can Florist Began (Yummy Yorkshire ‘Shaky Shed’)

06:06 COVID Hits: Pivoting to Plants, Doorstep Deliveries & Surviving Lockdown

09:09 Why Flowers? Family Roots, Training, and Buying Her First Shop

13:23 Next-Level Pivot: Turning a Florist into a Nighttime Wine Bar

15:01 Recycled furniture & building the hidden bar behind the florist

16:20 Beer pumps by day, flowers on the side: the hybrid shop idea

17:09 Live music & the rhubarb-and-ginger Prosecco craze

17:38 Big-name orders: Sir Elton John’s 100 white roses

19:29 TV studio connections & David Jason’s ‘Lovely Jubbly’ note

21:16 Where she’s at now: weddings, farewell flowers & launching the Flower Club

23:29 HD8 Top Tip: finding your style at Cocoa (and Dare Boutique)

25:48 Springtime playlist picks + podcast wrap and next-episode teaser

In this episode of Beyond the Postcode, hosts Caroline Verdon from Under The Mast and Erin Towey from HD8 Life, interview Jem Green, the creative force behind Dipped in Gild. Jem shares her story of moving from Liverpool to Huddersfield, overcoming personal loss, and transitioning through various career paths. Jem's journey takes her from corporate life to founding her own business in Fenay Bridge, where she transforms everyday objects into luxury items. The episode touches on her creative processes, the influence of her family, her 'year of yes,' and the value of happiness and creative fulfillment. Tune in to hear about Jem’s inspiring journey and her top tips for living in HD8.

00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Postcode

00:20 Meet Jem Green: The Talent Behind Dipped in Gild

00:36 Journey from Liverpool to Huddersfield

01:09 Pursuing a Creative Career

01:25 The Impact of Family and Loss

02:01 Finding Home in Huddersfield

02:25 Career Challenges and Changes

03:26 Birth of Dipped in Gild

06:33 Navigating Redundancy and New Opportunities

08:12 Embracing Change and Creativity

13:07 The Gorilla in the Room

15:05 The Golden Norman

17:09 The Year of Yes

23:02 HD8 Top Tips

24:37 Musical Inspirations

26:05 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

In this episode of 'Beyond the Postcode,' hosts Caroline Verdon of Under The Mast and Erin Towey from HD8 Life interview Juliet Thomas, a mentor, life-after-cancer coach, writer, and founder of From Seed to Sky. Juliet shares her journey from a corporate career to a life intertwined with nature, driven by a move to Birdsedge and her passion for outdoor walks and community engagement. She discusses the challenges and inspirations stemming from her Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis during the pandemic, highlighting how nature and creativity played crucial roles in her recovery and personal growth. Juliet also recounts her unique upbringing in a nature-loving family, her ventures into creative writing and coaching, and her involvement in the local community through initiatives like creative writing sessions and accountability groups.

00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Postcode

00:22 Meet Juliette Thomas: Mentor and Nature Enthusiast

00:36 Settling in Birdsedge

01:34 The Love for Nature and Community

02:45 From Corporate Life to Creative Ventures

06:02 The Impact of Cancer and COVID-19

07:37 Nature as Therapy

12:15 Growing Up with a Love for Animals

15:42 HD8 Top Tips and Playlist

17:46 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Meet Denby Dale’s Liam Daly

This week on Beyond the Postcode, from HD8 Life and Under The Mast, Erin Towey and Caroline Verdon head to Denby Dale to meet Liam Daly – Tang Soo Do world champion

Liam chats about starting out from humble beginnings, the road to world championships, and why the HD8 area will always be home. He reflects on the grandparents, teachers and peers who pushed him forward, and how those early influences shaped both his martial arts journey and his outlook on life.

There’s talk of teaching Tang Soo Do, the discipline and tradition behind it, and why community sits at the heart of everything he does. From getting involved in quirky local events to lessons in perseverance that carry far beyond the dojang, it’s an inspiring, grounded conversation about hard work, heritage and staying rooted where it all began.

00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Postcode

00:20 Meet Liam Daley: From Local Halls to World Championships

00:35 A Love Story and a New Home

03:40 Discovering Tang Soo Do

03:55 The Journey to Mastery

05:42 The Importance of Tradition in Martial Arts

06:28 Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success

09:15 The Role of Family and Mentors

10:57 A Temporary Break and a Triumphant Return

12:49 World Championships and Disney Adventures

14:05 From Competitor to Mentor

15:24 Post-COVID Beginnings and Early Challenges

16:02 Building a Community of Dedicated Students

17:18 Giving Back to the Federation and Community

18:57 Unexpected Opportunities and Memorable Experiences

23:07 HD8 Top Tips and Community Events

26:14 Music Playlist and Final Thoughts

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You can find out more about Denby Dale Tang Soo Do on their website and also on their Facebook page