We're starting 2026 with an EBD book that finishes on Christmas Day because we have been Rather Unwell and so we are Running A Bit Late. In this episode I'm talking about a Chalet connector, and one of EBD's best books to boot.

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/s3e8-victorian-poets-and-no-gym-apparatus/

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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We're somewhat late with this episode (sorry), but we're here now and focussing on fun seasonal stuff! Which is your favourite - The Bells of Christmas, or Strangers at the Inn? I totally want to rush out and create a steaming boar's head prop now.

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/12/17/s2e7-pageants-and-carols/

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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Back to Switzerland this week, as we take a look at the 34th Chalet School book, Mary-Lou of the Chalet School.

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/12/02/s3e6-the-leader-of-the-gang/

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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In which Hayley, Wendy and I conclude our discussion about which is better, Malory Towers or the Chalet School, and then I mop up the bits we didn't discuss and the things we got wrong!

Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/11/18/s3e5-brown-tunics-and-orange-ties-2/

We'd love to hear from you! You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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They wear the same uniform, so what's the difference between the Chalet School and Malory Towers? Well...

Episode transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/11/04/s3e4-brown-tunics-and-orange-ties-1/

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com

Part 2 in a fortnight!

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Loads of spoilers in this consideration of EBD's first book, Gerry Goes to School, without which there would be no Chalet School... what an awful thought.

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/s3e3-back-to-the-very-beginning/

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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In October 1925, a new school story arrived in bookshops: The School at the Chalet, by Elinor M Brent-Dyer. 100 years and 58 books later, here we are still talking about what she had created. Wendy and Hayley join in the conversation - as do several listeners, who shared what the Chalet School means to them.

Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/10/07/s3e2-shall-we-make-the-uniform-more-artistic/

You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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New school year, new series - and we're starting with a cracker. Stand by for an explosive - and surprisingly musical - episode!

The usual provisos apply with respect to pronunciation, spoilers and bonkersness. In particular, I use a very English pronunciation of the name 'Thekla' all through this episode - sorry not sorry. Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/09/23/s3e1-marie-loses-her-temper/

I've created a Spotify playlist of (almost all) the music referenced in the book - it's called Exploits of the Chalet Girls. There are a couple of tunes missing and you'll need to go to YouTube for Ivor Novello's A Page's Road Song.

There's still time to send us your thoughts on why the Chalet School is important to you - you can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at Topholepodcast@gmail.com.

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