Synergy

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Synergy: 11m25s Maureen Durney and John Cross

One definition of Synergy is the creation of a whole that is greater than the simple sum of its parts. The term synergy comes from the Attic Greek word meaning “working together”.In the garden Synergy is the growing of compatible plants together to produce a better outcome. However this story is NOT about gardening.

We meet an ageing spinster on one ‘dark stormy night’ which changes her life. It could comfortably fit into our CrimeWithoutGrime series, but it is hoped that some of the things covered will also MakeYouThink.  Enjoy.

A long time waiting

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A long time waiting has been a long time coming.

It is based on not one but many true stories that began their genesis soon after the second World War.

The United Kingdom struggled to overcome the devastation caused by bombing when thousands of families lost their homes. Children lost parents, and all lost some part of their identity.

During the next fifteen years it is estimated that nearly 150,000 children aged 4 to 14 were rounded up as part of the child migrant scheme. Over 7,000 orphans and children from disadvantaged homes were sent to Australia in order to enjoy a “better life.”  In other cases, the parents – many of them single mothers  were forced to give up their child for adoption. This was due to poverty or social stigma, with the assumption of neglect. Parents and children were encouraged to believe they were going to  better life. Parents were told their children had a better chance in life. Yet few had details of where their offspring were sent.

Reality

The reality, for some of those children, was a  childhood of servitude and hard labor. They were sent to foster homes: on remote farms, at state-run orphanages and church-run institutions. They were often separated from siblings. Some were subjected to physical and sexual abuse.

Oranges and Sunshine

In 1987 the English social social worker Margaret Humphreys learnt of the truth of this program and let the world know. In 2010 the film Oranges and Sunshine starring Emily Watson was released, and became a triumph in the box office. However it is only now that the children, all now in their seventies and eighties are being recognized as victims and compensation considered.

A long time waiting is a complex story which sits comfortably in the CrimeWithoutGrime, MakesYouThink and even TheSpousetTrap series.

 

National Apology Day, 22nd October.

Today is the Australian National Apology Day for all those young children, mostly between 6- 14 years, who were shipped out from England after WW2 on the premise they would have a better life.  While a good many were orphans, there were also a good many who were simply disadvantaged by having a single working mother whose care was automatically questioned. At best the children were losing possibly their only living relative, at worst they were used as child labour, and possibly physical and mental abuse.

Not only was this a cruel project, it was insidious in its cover of being a kindly act. The parents and children alike had their lives ruined, and these wasted lives have long been forgotten. So, as our story A Long Time Waiting infers,  this National Apology Day has been A Long Time Coming.

While this story is one of fiction, it is based on first hand knowledge of true events.  And so, while it may not be a story you Enjoy, we hope it Makes You Think.

While we cannot go back into the past, we can ensure that we do not take those mistakes into the future.

 

The Russian Samovar

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The Russian Samovar – MakesYouThinkSeries.

It is said that old age is not for wimps, but the alternative is equally unappealing. So the only thing to do is adopt a positive attitude, gather your resources, and make the most of what you have. This is what Mildred Peebles did, with surprising results.

The Russian Samova covers many modern issues within its 13 minutes of air play.  Family relationships, old age isolation, loneliness, friendship – all of these elements are touched on briefly.  The original story was actually used as a teaching tool for students in social and welfare studies.  Their focus was elder abuse.  That may be a little strong but you may like to make your own comments.

Oh, and by the way, as you can see they are a form of teapot, and found in various forms all over the Middle East. They come in many shapes and sizes, but for the most part are not only intriguing, but can be very beautiful in design as well. A quick look in Google Images will give you some idea of the diversity.

 

 

Monthly Update

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Over the last four weeks we have submitted four podcasts out into cyberspace, and although by some standards our subscribers are still small, it is a list that is steadily growing.

With the dawning of a new month we will be making a few changes.  First the logo will change. It will be simpler and more appropriate to the many platforms on which our podcasts may be found.  Your comments and reviews are still welcome, especially the nice one.  And of course we would love you to like our new look facebook page,

Listed below are the four podcasts released during the last month.

                           

As you can see from the covers there is a good deal of variety in the stories although all fit the Crime genre.   Night Fever is a cityscape of a lonely woman, possible unrequited love, and a horrendous conclusion.  While Touche (Tooshay –when an adversary wins an argument) is also set in a city, with an equally horrendous end, our key player is a different type of protagonist, and hopefully considered a likable rogue.  Guest House Ghost Story has created quite a stir with comments, as well as quite a few people from  overseas taking up the suggestion to use it as an English learning platform.  And finally, our last release, The hand, a complex murder/manslaughter/mystery – with the inevitable twist.

A BIG thankyou to those subscribers who have been with us since the beginning of our twelve week journey. And a BIG welcome to those of you who have found us more recently. And a BIG ask that you help us spread the word.

       

We look forward to bringing you more thoughts, adventures, ideas and experiences.  Happy listening.

 

The hand

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The Hand: It is difficult to say much about this complex story without giving the plot away.

Neighbours know each other in ways that are more intimate than families, and the garden fence is no boundary to borrowing or sharing personal items, or even one’s life.

Although The hand fits comfortably in our CrimeWithoutGrime series, it was once entitled Neighbours. No doubt you will see why once you listen to it. While it is true you can’t choose your family, you can choose your friends, and in some ways you can choose your neighbours. And while friendship with neighbours is a wonderful thing, it is also fraught with problems.

 

 

Guest House Ghost Story

Posted on by wotif

Guest House Ghost Story is our new podcast.

Written and Narrated by Breanda Cross

A couple of young girls miss their train on a dark night and find themselves in an isolated guest house. It has all the components of  a scary story, and here’s hoping it delivers.

 

There are many ghost houses that come to mind, especially if you love movies.  Psycho is the obvious choice, even now, some 55 years since it was released.  It even has its own fan club. GHGH certainly isn’t in that class. But it did begin its life 30 years ago, when caught out late at night, I stayed in a nearly empty guest house right by the railroad in Tentafield, The landlord could well have been cast as Riff Raff in the Rocky Horror  Picture Show some few years later, and things certainly went “bump in the night’,  all night, along with sliding beds, rats in the rafters, and lights going on and off for no reason.  And of course, the entire house shook every time a train went past.

Note  If you want to have some fun with your own GHGH, please ask for the script, and we will be happy to send it to you.

 

 

Touche

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Touche: Our latest podcast introduces Tom, an old busker, much the same as found in any capital city. We pass them every day in busy malls, or streets, sometimes briefly aware of their jaunty tunes, and even more rare, drop a few coins in a hat or music case.

Our busker Tom is a blind old English ten pound pommy, and of course he is always accompanied by his faithful companion Patch.  Over the years he has become street smart and encourages passers by to part with a few donations by playing the saxophone.  This story may stay with you long after the lights are out. And why is the story called Touche, well, listen in and find out.

  • CrimeWithoutGrime
  • 8.54m
  • Monologue by John Cross
  • Written and Produced by Breanda Cross

Night Fever

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Night Fever – CrimeWithoutGrime

Night Fever is a dual split between categorizing it as CWG or TST. Once you listen to this literally ‘chilling’ story you can decide yourself. Maureen Durney takes us, as Nikki,  into the dark city late at night looking for Tony, an errant husband. It does not end well.

What does end well is the opportunity to obtain the script for this monologue. This is an ideal format for you overseas listeners who are listening to this story with English as a second language.  Please go to our Contact page and we will be delighted to send the script.

And we are now happy to inform you should be able to download us on your platform of choice. We can be found on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, iHeart, Whooshkaa, Google, and Listen Notes – a dedicated podcast platform.  And of course we would love a nice review, or simply a few comments, or a ‘Like’. It all helps to keep our enthusiasm high in providing quality stories in an easy-to-listen-style.

Maureen can also be heard on A long time waiting,

  • 7.26m
  • Monologue by Maureen Durney
  • Written and Produced by Breanda Cross
Bi-Monthly CheckPoint.

Bi-Monthly CheckPoint.

Posted on by wotif

Can you find the icon of your favourite podcast between May and June?

 

1st July and we begin the third month since launching our first Podcast – Wheeled Prison. Since then our listeners have steadily grown, suggesting there is a place for people who want to listen to dramatised short stories. They go so well together with a morning Tea break, or ride to work, or, if you are well organised – a sit-in in the garden. To go directly to the site press, here.

 

For those who are just joining us, here is a quick break-down of what we have covered in the last eight weeks.

Wheeled Prison – a beautiful and emotive story of an old man’s reflection of war. MYTSeries

A bad luck day – A criminal on the run has a bit of luck – but it turns into the worst day of his life. CWGSeries

Front window – The drama of Hollywood comes to a city back street – with a surprising twist. General

All or Nothing – A young woman thinks she has nothing – but finds out it is something someone else wants, desperately. CWG

The Wake – An Irish Wake is an ideal place for a detective to begin investigations. But it may not continue. CWG,TSTeries

The odd couple – A long marriage does not end well. MYTSeries, TST

Artistic Licence – A grieving husband finds out who killed his wife and dispenses justice. CWG

Grave Consequences – a story that is difficult to classify. CWG, TST

For Sale – A Real Estate agent’s nightmare. General

A natural accident – Revenge eats up a man with little to lose. CWG

Home Alone – Custard involved with Murder – Short, Sharp, but not Sweet. CWG

Decisions – A man gets what he wants for – but not in the way he wants it. CWG

Highlights – A day in the Family life in Suburbia. LITSLSeries

Tea with Mrs. Bradley – Mrs. B is a sweet old lady – or is she? CWG.

Note: Update March 2019 – With almost a year gone it is interesting to note that there is still no focus or preference shown towards short or long podcasts, read or performed, or one series over another. Confusing?