This week we are starting the tale of Gordon Cummins, a man who would become notorious for his actions in WWII London....

...but first we need to explore how his childhood and teenage years formed him into a man obsessed with sex and status, and who was willing to lie, cheat and steal in order to get them.

From a transient school career, to time as a leather man, to his decision to join the RAF and get married, Gordon seemed to be seeking an answer to his profound sense of emptiness.

And it was very unfortunate for at least three women when, in the February of 1942, he did finally find what he had been searching for.

Guest Host: Oliver Green

(Part 1/2)

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We are focusing on local history this week to talk about the history of a unique and dangerous highway that was used to speed up journeys to Cumbria.

In the middle ages crossing the sands of the Morecambe Bay could knock days off a journey, which convinced many people to risk it despite the ever present risk of drowning.

And when you had hungry monks at the other side, it apparently suddenly became vital that someone was hired to ensure that the loss of supplies (and I suppose... people) was minimised.

Via the unforeseen impacts of a series of national events, this ad hoc system eventually led to the establishment of a Royal Post that still exists to this day, even if the amount of traffic has reduced somewhat.

This is a tale that features a Roman General, a French noble who became King of England (no, not that one), a Scottish King (yes, that one) and a man from Morecambe who was able to reinvent a position that had existed for over 500 years.

Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

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This week we return from our summer holidays (having avoided the wildfires in France) with Pam narrating the life of Captain John Smith. A man from Lancashire who became both a key part of the British settling of the East Coast of America, and a Disney Character.

From humble orphan origins, John embarked on the life of an adventurer which encompassed pretty much everything you could imagine. So strap in for a tale of Crusades, duels, slavery, disasters, double-dealing, slanders, pirates, exploration, life or death struggles and cartography!

With special guest appearances from Pocahontas and (potentially) a pug called Percy.

Guest Host: Pamela Loetterle

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