Waveney Life - uplifting conversations from the English counties of Suffolk and Norfolk

Listeners may be familiar with the classical Cotswold-style of Morris dancers, with their jolly handkerchiefs, stick and bells on their shoes. However, the Waveney Valley and the wider East Anglia has a very different kind of dance troup: theMolly Dancers, a dark, brooding presence, performing at night, with flaming torches, disguised faces, hobnail boots and crowns of ivy. There are no cheerful smiles here, more a spine-tingling sense of menace.

I have been keen for some time to interview a member of Old Glory, because the experience of seeing them is so unique to East Anglia. A...

The Waveney Valley and indeed the surrounding counties of Norfolk and Suffolk are home to a huge variety of wonderful food and drinks businesses, from farm shops to traditional fishmongers, award-winning cheesemakers, micro-breweries and vineyards.

In September 2025, I interviewed Ben Witchell, founder and chief winemaker at Flint Vineyard, a brilliant, innovative vineyard just on the Norfolk side of the river Waveney, near Bungay.

In the interview, he talks passionately about how he became a wine-maker, why he chose to establish Flint Vineyard on the Waveney Valley, the innovative approach he has taken to wine-making, why...

The market town of Bungay sits astride the river Waveney at the northern edge of the county of Suffolk. It is also the home town of multi-talented artist, children's author, illustrator and storyteller James Mayhew. In August 2025 I interviewed him in Bungay. We talked about his early life in the Waveney valley, the inspiration he gained from his parents and sister during his childhood, how he uses his illustration to break down barriers, making music and art more accessible, especially to children, and the collaborations he's had with broadcasters, authors and musicians such as Zeb Soames, Joyce Dunbar, Roger...

An interview with Gary Stebbing, the Manager of the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum at Flixton, near Bungay. In the interview, Gary talks about the museum, how he came to be its manager and dives into a little detail on one of its more unique artefacts, the Vickers Valetta C2.

In this episode, I interview Nicola Eastell, a professional equestrian artist based in south Norfolk. She talks about her life in the Waveney Valley, how she became a professional artist, her love for horses and her busy year ahead.

In this episode I interview Local History Recorder Sonia Collins about the role of a Local History Recorder and what she loves about the Waveney Valley. We hear some funny and interesting historical stories about the area in which she lives and hear about her surprising 'side hustle'...

In this episode, we're with Stella Cattermole, manager of the iconic Rumburgh Buck, the Campaign for Real Ale's pub of the year for the area 4 years running. We talk about her love of the region, how she and her husband have made a success of this traditional English country pub and a surprising visit by global megastar Ed Sheeran.

NB: Due to a technical issue while recording this episode, the audio quality isn't quite up to the standard we'd like.

In this episode, I'm with Patrick Elder, an abstract sculptor living near the sleepy Suffolk town of Halesworth. Patrick talks about his journey into becoming a sculptor and how his practice of Vipassana Meditation influences his work.

Waveney Life is an escape from the frenetic world most of us inhabit in the 21st century.

It's a warm and optimistic antidote to the cold negativity of the 24-hour news media.

It's also your invitation to step into a world where time slows, the air is rich with birdsong, and the river Waveney winds its way through a landscape shaped by centuries of quiet industry and enduring tradition.

For those who’ve yet to discover it, the Waveney is a gentle, meandering ribbon of water that carves its way through the ancient he...