A tour inside a 1533 Chancel that’s lost its Nave; Why the Lord Chancellor sits atop a Bale of Wool; and we hear Swallows, Warblers and Long-Tailed Tits
Good afternoon and welcome to today’s episode where we visit on foot a tiny chancel that once had a nave; built in the Tudor times just before the Reformation with a still visible coat of arms of Henry VIII above the East Window. I find a dusty old love poem of sorts, an ancient kneeler, and delight in the swooping swallows that gather about me.
Are you well? Are you content? Do rest in the safety and peace of my podcast which has now had nearly 20,000 downloads which is amazing. I don’t suppose I can continue forever, but I certainly will until 17th February next year, the anniversary of my mother’s death.
Thank you for your support and companionship. Do let me know if you have any ideas for the podcast: who to interview; places to go; poems to read; dedications to make. I’m just trying to create a warm and gentle place for the curious-minded, who want soothing companionship that involves learning new things and exploring new places.
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Love Gretel 🌝
Gretel Ponders Life’s Beauty and Curiosities with Bede and other guests
Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture.
Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navigates the world a day at a time; the podcast is unscripted, it’s ad-free, and you’re invited to join in. There’s space in the warm tent for everyone; there’s tea in the pot 🫖. It’s super unpolished and Gretel would be grateful for you to forgive her for that. Polish would be too time-consuming 🤓
Gretel loves the world and history, architecture, literature and people. And so is determined to walk this path with light footsteps and with humour and warmth. 🌞
Please follow me on X @gretellemaitre. 🌳Or email me: [email protected]
“Gretel le Maitre is a podcaster and host of the series Gretel Pod-Ponders Life and Loss with Bede and Other Guests. The podcast explores themes of grief, life transitions, and introspection, particularly focusing on her experiences as she anticipates the loss of her mother. In the series, she combines historical reflections—often inspired by the works of the Venerable Bede, an English monk and historian—with her own musings on architecture, literature, and the natural world. Gretel approaches these deep topics with warmth and humor, aiming to provide listeners a comforting space to explore complex emotions .If you’re interested, you can listen to her podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music, where she shares her reflections in episodes filled with gentle insights and an invitation to journey with her through challenging times .”
In a fast-paced world, Gretel Pod-Ponders Life and Loss provides a much-needed pause and sanctuary for those navigating life’s transitions and searching for deeper meaning. Hosted by Gretel Le Maitre, this unique podcast blends personal storytelling with historical insights from figures like the Venerable Bede, offering listeners an inspiring journey of healing and hope.
With themes of grief, transformation, and spirituality, the podcast has earned praise for its calming tone, authenticity, and ability to connect on a deeply human level. As one listener shared, it feels like sitting down with a trusted friend who understands.
Perfect for audiences seeking introspection, comfort, or simply a quiet moment of reflection, Gretel Pod-Ponders Life and Loss is available now on all major platforms.
Please note, I get daily ad offers that I turn down to keep this an ad-free podcast. So I’d be delighted if you could subscribe to help with my pot of tea and cake on my church crawls 🙋♀️
- No. of episodes: 234
- Latest episode: 2025-05-26
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