Tommy, Duncan & Hayley are back with another ramble through the past—this time dipping into the world of cash & carry warehouses, CB radios, novelty songs, and everything in between. From blagging their way into wholesale stores in the ’80s to the golden age of bulk loo roll, the team take a nostalgic wander through everyday adventures that somehow feel epic.

Along the way, they swap stories of wartime bunkers turned tourist attractions, the strange fame of Roland Rat, saucy seaside postcards, and why Captain Beaky will forever live rent-free in their heads.

Add in a detour through Orwell’s 1984, the lost art of sending postcards, and the glory days of CB radio handles, and you’ve got an episode that’s as random as it is hilarious.

Listen for:

Tales of sneaking into cash & carry warehouses as “shopkeepers”

Rats in pop culture—from Orwell to Michael Jackson to Roland Rat

Seaside nostalgia: Blackpool rock, postcards, and Butlins legends

The novelty hits and children’s TV icons that defined a generation

CB radio culture: handles, “eyeballs,” and the loneliness of late-night chatter

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This week, Tommy, Hayley, and Duncan dive into a lively mix of memories, mishaps, and misheard lyrics. From nostalgic reflections on News at Ten to the quirks of old-school weathermen and the unexpected afterlives of 80s pop stars, the conversation takes plenty of funny turns.

They reminisce about when the whole nation gathered for News at Ten, why it’s no longer the same communal experience, and the charm of magnetic weather boards complete with falling letters and the legendary “F in Fog.” Famous faces such as Reginald Bosanquet, Alastair Stewart, and Wincey Willis get a mention, as do music icons from A Tribe of Toffs to Hawkwind, Showaddywaddy, and The Beatles.

The episode also explores the joy of misheard lyrics and old adverts, with Hayley recalling an unfortunate Fairy Liquid trauma. There are flashbacks to once-popular perfumes and aftershaves like Charlie, So…?, Old Spice, Brute, and High Karate, as well as nostalgic cookbooks and TV chefs from Mrs Beeton and Delia Smith to Lloyd Grossman.

Tufty the squirrel makes an appearance as the unlikely road safety hero, and there are side tangents about squirrels being “rats with good PR,” Tommy’s memories of Through the Keyhole, and why fantasy football doesn’t quite work for everyone.

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We’d also love to hear from you! Get in touch with your thoughts, memories, or misheard lyrics - To get involved with the show, you can send in voice notes or messages via WhatsApp on 07405 341500, or email ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com.

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In this episode, Duncan, Hayley, and Tommy tuck into memories of their first ever curry house experiences, from Worthing and bright orange tikka masalas of family nights out.

Along the way, they explore retro food, quirky restaurants, and some wonderfully nostalgic tangents — including the curious world of concrete garden gnomes.

The conversation takes in Duncan’s first Indian meal in the 80s, debates over whether Cobra beer or red wine really pairs best with curry, and Hayley’s vivid memories of patterned carpets, sitar music, and neon-orange chicken tikka masala. Classic sides such as Bombay potatoes, garlic naan, and onion bhajis feature heavily, as do the quirks of curry houses that still offered prawn cocktail or omelette and chips alongside their menus.

There’s talk of Vesta curry kits and the strange era of processed “exotic” meals, as well as a discussion about authenticity versus modern makeovers in Indian restaurants. After-dinner rituals like hot towels and After Eight mints make their appearance too. The conversation then drifts into the world of garden gnomes, eccentric neighbours, and even John Major’s dad, who once made concrete gnomes for a living.

From there, the ramble continues into the quirks of house names versus house numbers, first radios and Walkmans, and the joys of tuning into the American Forces Network. The trio also revisit classic TV moments, from The Wide Awake Club to Noel Edmonds’ farm-based reality show.

To get involved with the show, you can send in voice notes or messages via WhatsApp on 07405 341500, or email ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com.

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Tommy, Duncan & Hayley are back with another episode diving deep into the world of James Bond.

This week, they explore everything from the iconic cocktails that have defined 007’s suave image, to the behind-the-scenes stories that you won’t find in the movies themselves.

Hear about Sean Connery’s surprising breakfast habits, the hilarious chaos on set during stunts, and the quirks of filming some of Bond’s most legendary scenes.

They also unpack the cultural impact of Bond, how the drinks became part of his persona, and share fun trivia that even die-hard fans might miss. With a mix of humour, insider stories, and plenty of Bond-style banter, this episode is a toast to one of cinema’s most enduring icons.

Listen for:

The hidden stories from Bond movie sets

The drinks that made 007 legendary—and how to recreate them at home

Trivia, laughter, and unexpected insights into Bond’s world

Join the conversation: Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your favorite Bond moments with us on social media. Tune in and raise a glass to 007!

WhatsApp: 07405 341500 - leave us a voice note, go on you know you want too!
Email: ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com

This week, Hayley takes us back to a childhood moment of being lost in a cavernous white department store — the kind with customer service desks, tannoy announcements, and lollipops for tearful kids. That memory sparks a trip down retail memory lane, from C&A and Tammy Girl to Dulces school shoes and labyrinthine Bentalls.

But the nostalgia doesn’t stop there — Duncan and Tommy pile in with their own department store tales, stockroom crushes, and the peculiar magic of escalators that force you through the perfume section.

From there, the conversation takes the scenic route through:

Cafés of the past – proper “cafs” with fried bread, mixed grills, and tea in polystyrene cups.

The lost art of the perfect fry-up – timing, technique, and fierce regional rivalries (Ulster fry vs Welsh fry vs Scottish fry).

Corned beef confessions – including a rather unexpected Fray Bentos revelation.

Black pudding diplomacy – and why swapping it for a sausage caused outrage.

Fry-up folklore – square sausages, dripping-fried bread, and why seaside breakfasts are sacred.

It’s an episode full of warm memories, hearty food chat, and the kind of conversational detours that feel like you’ve been sitting in a café with old friends.

Hosts: Tommy Boyd, Duncan Barkes, and Hayley Hayes

Were you ever rescued over a tannoy? Do you have a strong opinion on fried bread or black pudding?

Text us or send a voice note — we’ll play our favourites on the show!

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Tommy, Duncan, and Hayley are back with another generous helping of retro rambling – this time dishing up memories of tin-can cuisine, 80s dinner party disasters, and the perilous art of recording the telly without missing Bullseye.

Hayley kicks things off with a creamy confession (spoiler: it involves cheese on toast and squirty cream), while Tommy fondly recalls being ID’d for a Black Forest gateau in Waitrose. From there, it’s a trip through the golden age of vol-au-vents, fondue forks, and why British pizza in the 80s didn’t come with dip – unless you were in Croydon.

Then it’s on to the tech trauma of VHS timers and SCART leads, with listener Kev sharing the horror of being the designated “recorder” during a family holiday. Duncan's opinions on electrical sockets and we discover the terrifying reason why you shouldn’t trust a whispering Alexa.

Also covered:
Spaghetti in a tin, school dinner pink sponge, and Arctic Roll etiquette
Pizza: fancy cheese on toast or something more sacred?
The bomb plot that involved a VHS recorder
Top Cat vs. Boss Cat, and the mystery of Yogi Bear’s rebrand
Favourite lightbulbs and the secret life of halogen fittings
And fondue parties that feel oddly… sensual

Hosts: Tommy Boyd, Duncan Barkes, and Hayley Hayes

Get in Touch with Us!

Still traumatised by a fondue fork injury? Ever programmed a VHS successfully? Can you still taste that tinned spaghetti? We want to hear from you!

WhatsApp: 07405 341500 - leave us a voice note, go on you know you want too!

Email: ramblingretrononsense@gmail.com

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