With the worldwide phenomenon that is World Topiary Day just around the corner, the creator of the multi-award-winning gardening awareness day, Jane Hunt, managing director of Catapult PR, talks to Patrick Salembier, President of the European Boxwood and Topiary Society in Europe. Jane discovers why the award-winning idea is a huge hit in France but also in the USA, Belgium, Italy, Portugal and other far-flung places and not just in the UK where it has put Levens Hall and Gardens, the founder of the day and the world's oldest topiary garden, at the top of the topiary tree.   Jane explains ..read more

It's so easel!  That sums up the forthcoming 2024 season at Levens Hall and Gardens in the English Lake District,  as Jane Hunt discovers when interviewing self-taught artist, Bob Sutcliffe OBE.   Jane learns how first a diagnosis of epilepsy, and then a heart attack 10 years later, resulted in Bob picking up a tin of watercolours and painting for the first time, using art therapy to manage his health condition.  She also finds out how this has subsequently led to an incredible charity fundraising journey, significant sums being raised and the award of an OBE for charity wo ..read more

Jane Hunt gets on the scent of a historic and traditional canine sport that is largely these days confined to the beautiful countryside of Cumbria, or as some people may better know this  part of the UK - the Lake District.   Jane discovers all there is to know about the dog-focused sport of houndtrailing, which involves trail hounds following their noses, to race to the finish line, having expertly followed a trail of aniseed and paraffin across what can be tough Cumbria fellside terrain, with many an obstacle en route to the prize money and trophy. By talking to various members of ..read more

  Jane Hunt explains the motivation that drove her towards a visit to the Viking Ship Museum, in Roskilde, Denmark, having been to a meeting, as part of her travel PR work, in which the need for DNA testing around Hadrian's Wall become evident and where the arrival of a DNA testing kit was as exciting for the recipient as a knock on the door by Axl Rose would have been for Jane!  Jane describes her own DNA journey and Viking roots and explains how this not only led to a trip to Copenhagen, but a journey to Roskilde, to find out what the Viking Ship Museum had to offer.  Jane fir ..read more

Jane Hunt talks to Sarah Miller, a passionate tour guide at English Elizabethan Hall, Levens Hall and Gardens, in the northwest of England, and discovers why just visiting the gardens would be a real case of missing out.  Jane discovers the history of this unique historic property and the perils of gambling, as she finds out how the Hall changed hands.  She also learns of the wonderful decor within the Hall and some of the incredible items that visitors can see, if they take a tour.  Hot on the trail of all things Napoleon, following the launch of the Napoleon movie, she also he ..read more

How difficult is it to come up with a name for a dog and what are the most popular choices?  What could inspire a choice of name for a dog and what examples do we have in the celebrity, movie and TV world?  What are the real no-no rules when it comes to a name and what name should you choose if you want your doggy to respond to you?  After spotting a dog named Axel, rather than Axl, and having pet owner research at her fingertips, Jane talks through all of this, as well as providing details of some other research findings that suggest some dog owners didn't put enough thought in ..read more

Jane Hunt talks to Janan Leo, founder of women's footwear brand, Cocorose London, about the second major innovation of her career - the creation of a collection of vegan, sustainable cactus leather trainers range for UK women and those whom the brand can reach through exporting. Jane asks Janan about this plant-powered alternative to leather, discusses the brand’s sustainable principles, delves more into the world of cactus leather and shoe manufacturing in the UK and in Portugal and discovers why cacti are eco superheroes.  She hears about the new Kew collection of 5 plant-powered traine ..read more

Jane Hunt, managing director of travel PR specialist, Catapult PR, talks to Louise McKenna, manager of The Rum Story - a visitor attraction in the West Cumbrian coastal town of Whitehaven.  What follows is a unique insight into the history of a town rich in marine history and once the third largest port in the UK, bustling with a trade in wine, sugar, spices and, of course, rum.  Jane discovers how The Rum Story uniquely conveys the story of the rum trade, and its place in world history, within the context of Whitehaven and the lives of one family - the Jeffersons, rum merchants who ..read more

Jane Hunt speaks to Tommy Sedgwick, a multi race-winning fell runner, once described as "brainless and brakeless" due to his fearless descent of the fells during fell races, including the 295 metre descent from the top of Butter Crags, in the 'Olympics' of fell running - Grasmere Sports. Tommy was a  victor at Grasmere Sports on several occasions, including three during a 'golden era' of 11 years from 1969 to 1979, in which he shared the glory with rival and friend, Fred Reeves.  Jane examines the background to this huge '70s rivalry, which resulted in Fred breaking Tommy's 1976 reco ..read more

Jane Hunt talks to Armando Pizzoni Ardemani, owner and passionate custodian of the exquisite northern Italian gardens, the Monumental Gardens of Valsanzibio, located close to Padua, where garden lovers can enjoy an experience like no other. Jane learns all about the history of the gardens, the allegorical and religious symbolism that profoundly influences the visitor experience and the topiary that has led Valsanzibio to be interested in her PR concept of World Topiary Day ..read more